CSD Staff Update: March 2025
Words of Wisdom
- You've got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your parents were. - Abraham Lincoln
WE got Jokes
- What do you call a leprechaun prank?
A saint pat-trick.
Important Dates
- March 14th - Pi Day!
March 26th - STEAM Showcase! William Penn HS, 6:00-8:00pm
Human Resources
Medical Leave
If you are scheduled to have surgery or a medical procedure over the summer, Human Resources will need a doctor's note clearing you to return in the fall.
Please send the doctor's note to the attention of Regina Butler (Leave Specialist) regina.bulter@colonial.k12.de.us listing that you are returning at either full duty or with restrictions along with the return date.
If you have restrictions, they will need to be cleared with your supervisor and Holly Sage (Executive Human Resources Director).
If the restrictions cannot be accepted, you will have to remain out of work.
Thinking of Retiring?
If you are planning to retire within the next 2 years, please attend the Pre-Retirement Planning Zoom Meeting on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 4 pm. Employees can register for this workshop on DSC using code 125395. 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, March 27, 2025, at 4 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
- Presenter: Myeshia Christopher, Benefits Specialist (Myeshia.Christopher@colonial.k12.de.us)
- Join Zoom Meeting
- https://colonial-k12-de-us.zoom.us/j/93857129845?pwd=wIvZ1JrLjKWRcGwO0LboWSnnBKKa0g.1
- Meeting ID: 938 5712 9845
- Passcode: 261604
Also, there are future scheduled Pre-Retirement Meetings if you are not able to attend the meeting in March, please feel free to register for another session listed below.
- 4/10/2025 – 4:00pm -5:30pm (Workshop Code: 125396)
- 9/18/2025 – 4:00pm -5:30pm (Workshop Code: 125397)
- 10/16/2025 – 4:00pm -5:30pm (Workshop Code: 125399)
- 11/20/2025 – 4:00pm -5:30pm (Workshop Code: 125400)
Note: All meetings are subject to change with advance notice!
Snow Hours
Reminder – there have been two weather days (1/6 and 2/12). Staff need to make up 15 hours. There are many ways this can be done before June 1st. Teachers and paraprofessionals can learn more in the Snow Hours Guidance. Presenters have started and will continue to update and add options to the PD catalog located within the guidance.
Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction
WE Connect Colonial Conference 3/21
Thanks to all our educators who have already signed up! Today is the last day. On Monday, we will go through all the sessions identifying which ones have the largest demand and start assigning spaces. I know some of you may be waitlisted right now. If we cannot accommodate all requests, you will be contacted by Wednesday, March 12th to choose a new session. We do have some sessions that are FULL.
Thanks to all our Colonial presenters! An email will be coming out with details next week.
Erica Boykin, Sherrie Clark & Jon Cooper
Multilingual Learners
Below you will find the link for Translation Services if needed for our March Parent Conferences.
Math
Pi day is coming up next Friday, March 14th. How will you and your students celebrate?
STEAM Showcase
Wednesday, March 26th at WPHS, 6:00-8:00pm - come see the amazing things our students will be showcasing!
Equity ERA: Engage-Reflect-Act
SAVE THE DATE!
Colonial’s first ever WE BElong Multicultural Day & Mental Health Fair!
Details:
Date: Saturday, May 17th
Time: 10:00am-1:00pm
Location: WPHS
Do you or someone you know want to share your services, goods, or performances related to various cultures and/or mental health services? Use this link to sign up to be a vendor/community partner.
Recruitment and Retention
Delaware State University Praxis Prep:
There is still time for interested candidates to sign up for DSU’s Praxis II preparation program. This course will be tailored for individuals looking to become certified teachers at the secondary level and earn their master's degree in teaching and certification through an ARTC program. This program will launch in March.
Our course is unique in that it will provide in-person tutoring services in the following content areas (Math, Science, ELA, and Social Studies) one night a week for 8 weeks. Additionally, students would receive access to 240 Tutoring (an online tutoring program) as additional support. At the end of the 8 weeks, candidates will be encouraged to take the Praxis II exam.
If you are interested in participating in the program. Please click on the link and complete the application. The deadline is Friday, March 7, 2025 https://forms.office.com/r/gurFKh6fhy
If you have any additional questions please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Tina Mitchell (tmitchell@desu.edu)DSU Special Education Cohort:
Calling ALL teachers who want to become special ed certified for FREE! Delaware State University is currently recruiting 30 candidates to receive full tuition coverage and mentoring support to become special education certified. There is a virtual information session on March 11th from 7:30 - 8:30am. You can learn more about the program here. To access the zoom link for the March 11th session, click here.
Employee Wellness Competition:
We are excited to announce the next challenge – the Colonial CHOPPED Competition! This competition is a fun, lighthearted twist on what many schools already do during Parent Teacher Conferences. It's designed to bring staff together, build relationships, and boost morale across our school community. Here’s the flyer promoting the event and the competition guidelines.
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
National Nutrition Month – National Nutrition Month, celebrated every March, is an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to promote informed food choices and healthy lifestyle habits. Each year, a specific theme highlights key aspects of nutrition and wellness, encouraging individuals to eat a variety of nutritious foods, plan balanced meals and snacks, and stay physically active. Schools play a vital role in this initiative by incorporating educational activities, classroom discussions, and school-wide events that emphasize the importance of nutrition and healthy living. Programs like the National School Breakfast Program (NSBP) and the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) support this mission by ensuring students have access to nutritious meals that fuel their learning and growth. Teachers can use this month as an opportunity to educate students on making healthy choices while also highlighting the importance of these school meal programs in promoting overall well-being.