July Roar Report - Families
August 2, 2026
Sunday, August 16, 2026
You can't hide that Panther PRIDE!
Important Updates/Reminders
- Student schedules and transportation information should be available via Infinite Campus beginning August 24th.
- Interested in playing a Fall Sport? Make sure your DIAA Sports Physical is complete ASAP!
6th Grade Orientation
We look forward to meeting our 6th graders and their families at Orientation this week!
No registration required!
See you there!!!
Greetings from your school nurse!
My goal is to collaborate with students, parents and school staff
to keep students on task, in class and ready to learn.
What does a school nurse do?
● Assess student’s health status
● Provide direct care for injuries and illness
● Dispense medicine
● Manage care plans for students with special health needs
● Provide screening and referral for health conditions
● Postural gait (scoliosis) screenings completed with all students/vision and hearing screenings completed with all 7th grade as mandated by the State of Delaware and DOE
● Promote a healthy school environment
● Manage health emergencies and urgent situations
● Lead efforts designed to prevent or mitigate the spread of disease
● Liaison between school, family, health care professionals and the community
School Nurse Contact
● Olivia Taylor olivia.taylor@colonial.k12.de.us
● Office Phone: 302 834-9367
● Office Fax: 302 834-6729
Health Exams: Entry, Athletics
Students who are entering GB as a first time student to a Delaware Public School must have a physical exam (within 2 years), up to date immunizations, and TB risk screening (within 1 year) submitted to the school nurse. This is a Delaware law; if noncompliant, your student’s classroom instruction may be interrupted until the documents are received.
Medication
Colonial School District guidelines and state law regarding medication:
- All medication must be brought to school and picked up from school by a parent/guardian.
- All medication must be in the original container and prescription medication must be labeled for your student.
Asthma/Allergies/Seizures/Diabetes/Self-Administration Forms
Action plans are required to be updated yearly by their physician. All students with known diagnosis of asthma, allergies, seizures, or diabetes should have their inhalers/nebulizers, Epi-Pens/Auvi-Q, Diastat, insulin and any other needed supplies brought into the nurse’s office by parent/guardian. Students with life-saving medication may also carry this on their person with appropriate consent documents.
Health Screenings
Orthopedic (postural/gait/scoliosis) screenings will be given to all students at GB. Vision & hearing screenings will be given to all 7th grade students. These screenings will be completed at the beginning of the school year and as class schedule allows. If your student fails their screenings, we will mail home a letter recommending an evaluation by their physician.
Illness/sickness
All students going home due to a health issue must be evaluated by a school nurse first. The school nurse will contact the parent/guardian and the student will be sent home from the school nurse's office. Students should not text/call/email their parents asking to be picked up from school. Use of their personal cell phone is in conflict with the code of conduct
Opt In To Receive Newsletters via Text/Email
Our weekly newsletters will be posted to our school's Facebook account each week. If you would also like to receive them via email and/or text, please complete the short form below.
Colonial School District's Cell Phone Policy
The Colonial School District Board of Education has adopted Policy 298: Cell Phone Use by Students During School Hours to establish clear and consistent expectations for student cell phones and personal electronic devices in our schools.
We know cell phones, smartwatches, earbuds, and other personal devices are a part of everyday life for many families. This policy is not about eliminating technology. It is about helping our students stay focused on learning, be present with one another, protect privacy, and make responsible choices with technology during the school day.
Middle and high school students may not use cell phones or other personal electronic devices during instructional time unless given permission by school staff or an approved exception applies.
Schools may allow limited device use during designated non-instructional times or in approved locations. At Gunning Bedford Middle School, cell phone use will be allowed during lunch as long as it is used responsibility (no loud music, no recording/photos of others without consent/no audible music/etc.).
When device use is permitted, it should never interfere with:
Learning
School operations
Tests or assessments
The privacy of others
Expectations outlined in the Student Code of Conduct
It’s More Than Just Cell Phones
Policy 298 applies to a variety of personal electronic devices, including:
Cell phones and smartphones
Earbuds and headphones
Tablets
Handheld gaming devices
Personal laptops or Chromebooks
Wearable technology (ex. Smartwatches, AI-enabled or augmented-reality glasses, etc. )
Other personal devices that can communicate, record, or connect to the internet
What If I Need to Reach My Child?
We understand there are times when families need to get an important message to their child during the school day.
Families are encouraged to contact their child’s school office when an important or time-sensitive message needs to be shared. Each Colonial school will also communicate its procedures and specific expectations for student device use.
Are There Exceptions?
Yes. We recognize that some students need access to a device for medical, educational, language-access, or safety reasons.
Approved exceptions may include:
A documented medical need
An Individualized Education Program (IEP)
A Section 504 Plan
Another approved educational accommodation
Language-access support for multilingual learners
A verified emergency
An instructional or safety purpose directed by school staff
This policy shall not prohibit student access to a cell phone or other electronic device during an actual threat to health, welfare, or safety of the student, solely for the purposes of communicating with parents, guardians, or emergency first responders.
Schools will communicate how families can request an approved exception when one is needed.
What Happens If a Student Does Not Follow the Expectations?
Our first goal is to help students understand and follow the expectations.
When violations occur, consequences will be handled in accordance with the Colonial School District Student Code of Conduct
The Power of WE
Creating a focused and positive learning environment takes all of us.
We ask families to partner with us by talking with their children about responsible device use and reinforcing school expectations at home.
By working together, we can reduce distractions, protect learning time, and help our students be fully present and ready to learn.
Middle School Walkthrough Night- New and Returning Students
Athletics Updates
All students need an up-to-date physical if they plan on participating in school sports.
Physicals must be signed on or after April 1, 2026 and will be good for the entire 26-27 school year.
DIAA Athletic Physical and Consent Forms
Sign-ups for Field Hockey and Soccer will be September 2nd and 3rd during homeroom.
Physical MUST be in to Mrs. Taylor, our school nurse or Mr. Brelick, the athletic director, no later than September 8th, 2026 to be eligible for field hockey and soccer tryouts. No exceptions!
Tryouts will be on September 9th and 10th. Students will be given 2 days to tryout and they must be able to attend both days of tryouts.
Please see or reach out to Mr. Brelick (michael.brelick@colonial.k12.de.us) with any questions.
Supply Lists
Looking Ahead
August 18th- 6th Grade Orientation at 11am
August 20th- 6th Grade Orientation at 5pm
August 27th- Middle School Walkthrough Night 4:30pm - 6pm
August 31st- First Day for 6th Grade ONLY
September 1st- ALL Students Report to School
September 4th- Schools Closed
September 7th- Schools and Offices Closed (Labor Day)
September 15th- Schools Closed (Professional Development Day)
September 17th- Open House
September 25th- Spirit Day- Show Your School Pride by Wearing Your Orange and Black!
September 28th- Field Hockey/Soccer Away Games @ Ps. DuPont
September 30th- Field Hockey/Soccer Home Games
Staff Directory
We are here to support your student to ensure their school year is the best experience possible. If questions or concerns ever arise, please don't hesitate to reach out to your students administrator, counselor, or secretary.
Principal: TeRay Ross
Main Office Phone: (302) 832-6280
6th Grade Staff
Assistant Principal: John Sopkanich
Counselor: Allison Sheppard | Secretary: Valerie White
7th Grade Staff
Assistant Principal: Kristina Lamia
Counselor: John Arent | Secretary Deanna Gilbert
8th Grade Staff
Student Advisor: Patrick Krajewski
Counselor: Shaheda Pine | Secretary: Jennifer Hayman
Click HERE for the full staff directory.
Infinite Campus
Families are encouraged to access and regularly check Infinite Campus. Here, you can stay up to date on your student's attendance, grades, and more--updated in real time!
