CSD Staff Update: February 2025
Words of Wisdom
- “In February, nature reminds us that even in the coldest moments, beauty can still flourish.”
- Gabriela Alemán, Poso Wells (2010)
WE got Jokes
- What do Cowboys fans do after they win the Super Bowl?
Turn off the Xbox.
Important Dates
- February 11 - Cookies with the Community (see below), & Board of Education Meeting, 7 PM, William Penn Innovation Center or live stream at www.colonialschooldistrict.org
- February 14 - Staff Development-NO SCHOOL
- February 17 - President's Day-SCHOOLS & OFFICES CLOSED
- February 12 - District Equity Summit (Route 9 Library, 5:30-7:30pm)
- February 25 - The Right to Read Screening (Virtual)
February 27- Ignite and Invite-African American Read-In (TLC 4:30-5:30)
Human Resources
Having a Baby or Taking a Leave?
If you are planning to add to your family or take a leave of absence, please contact Regina Butler in Human Resources as soon as possible. It is important to have all of the paperwork completed prior to the leave to make the transition with pay as seamless. regina.butler@colonial.k12.de.us
State of Delaware Critical Needs Reimbursement:
Eligible educators seeking reimbursement for fall/winter coursework can begin applying for the Critical Need Reimbursement program as early as Feb. 1. The program reimburses up to $1,300 for Fall 2024 and Winter 2025 coursework to educators who hold an emergency certificate or certificate of eligibility in a critical need subject area. Applications close at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17. Find all requirements and an application here. For questions, contact dheo@doe.k12.de.us prior to the deadline.
Thinking of Retiring?
If you are planning to retire within the next 2 years, please attend the Pre-Retirement Planning Zoom Meeting on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 4 pm. Employees can register for this workshop on DSC with workshop code: 125042. Be sure to have your Annual Pension Statement available for this meeting. If you need assistance accessing this information, please contact Darcel Porter, Benefits Secretary at Darcel.Porter@colonial.k12.de.us.
Topic: Pre-Retirement Meeting
Time: Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 4 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://colonial-k12-de-us.zoom.us/j/93857129845?pwd=wIvZ1JrLjKWRcGwO0LboWSnnBKKa0g.1
Passcode: 261604
Employee Self Service
The Dover PHRST office would like to remind ALL staff, when accessing Employee Self Service from a shared machine (desktop/laptop, etc) please be sure to log out!!! This is critical to ensure your technology security and privacy. For your reference, below is a graphic on how you can follow the steps to ensure you have logged out.
Sign out instructions for Employee Self Service on my.delaware.gov
The sWEethearts of Colonial School District
We are launching a special Valentine’s Day campaign to highlight and celebrate couples who work within the Colonial School District. Our goal is to showcase their unique stories, dedication to education, and the impact they have on students and the community—both individually and together. If you are a couple who would like to be featured, please fill out the form below. Let’s spread some love and appreciation for the amazing educators and staff who share both a career and a life together.
Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction
#WEread - February-I LOVE to READ Month
WHAT
Post pictures on your social media, with your social media coordinator in your building, or send to Gabe Phillips & Lauren Wilson to share positive stories with our community around reading. These will include photos of something connected to our #WEread campaign: to focus efforts around promoting literacy, provide access and opportunity to authentic diverse text, and celebrate passionate readers in Colonial.
WHY
Tell stories about how you are fostering a love for reading in Colonial
Celebration of readers, students, and staff
WHEN
February 1, 2025-February 28, 2025
HOW
Staff member “tells” a great story about reading (students, staff, community) alongside a photo from something they see happen in a CSD school or building connecting to our ELA vision and mission:
Middle School ELA Curriculum Decision
During the first semester of the 2024-2025 school year, teachers in grade 6-8 across the district piloted two curricular programs. After months of learning and growing through this process, a final curricular decision has been made. The program moving forward for Colonial will be SAVVAS myPerspectives.
In the coming weeks and months, Middle School educators will learn more about myPerspectives and the implementation for the 2025-2026 school year. We look forward to sharing an overview of the program and engaging in collaborative grade level conversations on the February 14th District PD day.
The Right to Read Screening
The Right to Read shares the stories of an NAACP activist, a teacher, and two American families who fight to provide our youngest generation with the most foundational indicator of life-long success: the ability to read. Colonial will host a screening on February 25th from 4:30-6:00 p.m. via zoom for anyone interested in viewing. Register in DSC for stipend or snow hours. DSC: 125139 , Zoom link
Join us for Colonial’s 4th Annual Ignite and Invite event- African American Read-In
The National African American Read-In (AARI) is a groundbreaking effort to encourage communities to read together, centering African American books and authors. It was established in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month. This initiative has reached more than 6 million participants around the world. Colonial will host the African American Read-In on February 27, 2025 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at the Teaching and Learning Center. Register in DSC for stipend or snow hours. DSC: #125133
Equity ERA: Engage-Reflect-Act
Recruitment and Retention
Delaware State University is looking for current educators that are certified in Math, ELA, Science, and Social Studies
Delaware State University is looking for current educators that are certified in (Math, ELA, Science, and Social Studies) that would be interested in tutoring pre-service teachers based on the four content areas to help them pass the Praxis. Selected tutors would receive $2000.00 for 8 weeks (3 hours per night). If you or someone you know is interested in being a tutor, have them contact Dr. Kristin Brown-Massey, Program Specialist ARTC/MAT, kbrownmassey@desu.edu
On Tuesday, February 18, 2025 (4:30 pm) DSU will be conducting a virtual information session explaining the tutoring course. All interested tutors must register, and the link will be sent directly to them. Please click here to view the flier.Finance and Payroll
Do you need credit approval for a loan?
Experian Verify Verifier Instructions
The State of Delaware's employee and income verification process has changed. The State of Delaware is now using Experian Verify to better manage the employment and income verifications on our employees. Please follow the below steps to complete the verification process:
To Obtain Proof of Employment or Income Information
Go to www.experianverify.com and click on “Login as a Verifier”
Follow the prompted instructions
You will need the following information:
Employee's Social Security Number
The Employer's name: “State of Delaware”
Valid credit card (e.g., MasterCard, VISA, American Express or Discover)
Written authorization from employee (you will be prompted during the request process to upload or fax the authorization to Experian Verify)
Government Verifiers will not be charged a fee.
Are you a new Experian Verify Verifier?
Go to www.experianverify.com and click on “register as a new verifier” to complete a brief one-time registration process.
For additional assistance, please contact:
Experian Verify Customer Support
Toll Free: (404) 382-5400
Email: verify.support@experian.com
Student Services
Colonial School District Student Services HUB
Colonial School District Student Services HUB (Click Here)
All things related to special education and supporting students with disabilities.
Facilities and Maintenance
Help us keep our buildings clean and healthy!
- Click here to see the Colonial School District cleaning expectations for Students, Teachers, & Custodial Staff.
Do you have a Facilities issue?
- Click here to learn how to submit a ticket on the Incident IQ app or through the Colonial School District employee portal.
Winter is still upon us!
Nutrition
After School Supper Programs
After school supper programs are up and running at many of our Colonial Schools! If you have an after school club or organization that’s interested in receiving after school meals, reach out to your school’s cafeteria manager for more information.