The Panther Pride Newsletter
Hello Team P.S. duPont,
I hope everyone had a good weekend and was able to spend some time with family and friends. Please see below for a few updates and reminders.
Panorama Survey 2026
PS will follow the schedule below for administering the Panorama Survey this school year:
- 7th Grade: Wednesday, October 28 (Opt-out deadline October 19)
- 8th Grade: Tuesday, November 10 (Opt-out deadline November 2)
If you do not want your child to participate, or if you have additional questions, please contact Mrs. Adrienne Stansbury at adrienne.stansbury@bsd.k12.de.us by the deadline and include your child’s name and grade level. Students who are absent during their scheduled survey window may participate during the makeup period. Families can preview the survey questions on our website: www.brandywineschools.org/panorama.
Yondr Pouch Update – Help Needed
We've noticed some students are intentionally taking multiple Yondr pouches home. Please help ensure that any pouches your child brings home are returned to school as soon as possible. Thank you for your support and cooperation in holding students accountable.
PS duPont Fall Dance – Thursday, October 29 (3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
Dress Code
Students may dress casually or wear costumes. However, students wearing clothing with inappropriate writing or graphics, backless shirts, halter tops, spaghetti-strap shirts, and/or hats will not be admitted to the dance. The P.S. DuPont Middle School Dress Code will be enforced. Students who violate the dress code will be asked to leave the dance. No masks or costume accessories resembling weapons will be permitted.
Who can attend?
Only students currently attending P.S. DuPont Middle School may enter the dance. To ensure safety, no outside guests are allowed. P.S. students must consistently demonstrate the P.S. Pride Expectations to be eligible to attend. Students who have received four or more behavioral referrals and/or a suspension may not purchase a ticket or attend the dance. P.S. Administration reserves the right to rescind dance privileges to students as per the code of conduct.
Cost
The entrance fee for the dance is $5.00. Students will pay at the Gymnasium door.
Transportation
Students can either ride the activity bus home or be picked up by parents at the rear of the building, outside the Gymnasium doors. Students must be picked up by 4:45 p.m. If students are not picked up at the designated time, they may be denied the privilege of attending future dances. For safety reasons, students may not walk home at the conclusion of the dance. Students must be picked up by a parent/guardian or bring a note giving them permission to go home with another parent/guardian.
Friday, October 30 – Halloween (School Day)
Halloween is an exciting time, and I feel it's important to review our expectations for costumes and the school day in general. For students who wish to wear costumes on October 30, please note the following rules for students who wish to wear costumes:
- No weapons
- No fake blood
- No face paint
- No masks or other items that cover the face
- Hats are permitted as long as the student is recognizable
- Nothing that involves drugs or alcohol
- Nothing that is revealing or provocative
- No props that make maneuvering through hallways and classrooms difficult (e.g., inflatables)
- No items that create noise or could be a distraction to learning
- Students should not be consuming candy while in class or the hallways.
Administration reserves the right to question students about their costume choices and may ask students to change if we deem their costume a distraction. Students should bring a change of clothes in case they are asked to change.
Although this is an enjoyable time of the year for many, our focus will remain on instruction. We hope to provide a joyous, celebratory environment that does not take away from the educational process. If you have any questions, please contact me directly.
This Week at a Glance
Monday, 10/26 – 1 Day (Periods 1-6)
Tuesday, 10/27 – 7 Day (Periods 7-2)
Wednesday, 10/28 – 6 Day (Periods 6-4) - Seventh Grade Panorama Survey - 9:05 a.m.
Thursday, 10/29 – 5 Day (Periods 5-3) - Fall Dance - 3:15 p.m.
Friday, 10/30 – 4 Day (Periods 4-2)
This summer, Mrs. Lucadamo was selected to participate as a Fellow in the Yale National Initiative to Strengthen Teaching in Public Schools, a program that brings K–12 public school teachers from across the country to Yale’s campus for study, collaboration, and professional growth. As part of the experience, Teacher Fellows participate in content-rich seminars led by Yale faculty members and develop deeply researched curriculum units to bring back to their students.
Mrs. Lucadamo participated in Mary Lui’s seminar, Asian American History and the Making of the U.S. Immigration System. Through this work, she designed a new curriculum unit for her 7th grade Gifted students titled Immigration Narratives: A Literary Journey. In the unit, students will study the history of immigration through the lens of Asian immigration, read memoirs written by immigrants from different countries and time periods, and participate in both small-group and whole-class discussions.
Mrs. Lucadamo’s participation in this prestigious program reflects her continued commitment to professional growth and to creating meaningful, rigorous learning experiences for students. We are proud to recognize her work and the impact it will have in the classroom.
Learn more about Mrs. Lucadamo’s curriculum unit by clicking here!
P.S. duPont Middle School is excited to partner with the Delaware Nature Society on a new environmental education initiative that will transform one of our school courtyards into a thriving pollinator garden. The new space will serve as both an outdoor science learning environment for students and a community project that promotes environmental awareness and stewardship.
Leading the effort is our Student Voice Advisory Team (SVA), working in collaboration with the P.S. duPont House System. Students are taking an active role in the project and have already begun preparing the courtyard for the plants and flowers that will soon bring the space to life. Through this hands-on experience, students will have the opportunity to learn about pollinators, ecosystems, and the importance of creating habitats that support the natural environment.
We look forward to watching this project grow and seeing our students take pride in creating a beautiful, educational space for the entire P.S. duPont community.
GoGuardian Parent is a companion app designed to help parents and guardians stay informed about their child's online activity on school-issued devices. It provides insights into the websites their child visits, the apps they use, and the amount of time spent online during school hours. The app also allows parents to schedule internet access and block specific websites on managed devices outside of school hours, promoting healthy digital habits and responsible technology use. With GoGuardian Parent, families can work alongside schools to ensure a safe and focused online learning environment for students. See that attachment listed below to install the APP onto your phone, iPad, or laptop.
Our updated P.S. duPont Spirit Wear Store is now open! Students, families, staff, and supporters can choose from a variety of items, including T-shirts, hoodies, hats, and more. There are options for both kids and adults, making it easy for everyone to show their Panther Pride throughout the school year.
The store also includes gear representing our Houses, athletic teams, music programs, and general P.S. duPont spirit wear, and many items can even be customized with your name.
To receive FREE SHIPPING, orders must be placed by October 2 at 5:00 p.m. At checkout, be sure to select FREE PICKUP as the shipping option and enter your child’s First Period Teacher under “Additional Info.” Spirit Wear and Athletics Gear both qualify for free shipping, but they must be placed as separate orders.
Access the store online by scanning the QR code or simply click here!
Orders are expected to be delivered to students in late October after the sale closes.
Gear up. Be proud. Represent P.S. duPont!
Health Screenings
As required, we will screen:
- All students for scoliosis
- All seventh-grade students for vision and hearing
- All students who are new to BSD for vision and hearing
If a screening result is outside the normal range, the nurses will send a letter home with your child and mail a copy to your home address.
Sports Physicals (DIAA Forms)
Students must have a completed DIAA form on file with the nurse each school year before participating in sports tryouts. Paper copies are available in the nurse’s office, or you can download the 2026–2027 DIAA form here.
Emergency Cards
If you have not returned your student’s emergency card, please send it in as soon as possible. Students cannot receive medication from the nurse without an emergency card on file.
Medications
The only medications students may carry with them are prescribed epinephrine and albuterol. If your student needs either medication, please contact us. All other medications must be brought to school by an adult in the original container.
We are always here to support your student. Please reach out with any questions, concerns, or needs. We look forward to a healthy and happy school year!
Laura DeMare MSN, MBA, RN, NCSN
Lauren Foraker, MSN, MBA, RN, NCSN
PS duPont Middle School Nurses
Email: Laura.DeMare@bsd.k12.de.us and Lauren.Foraker@bsd.k12.de.us
Nurse Phone: (302) 762-7147
Fax: (302) 762-7196
Brandywine School District provides limited accident medical coverage for students participating in middle and high school interscholastic sports, including practices, games, and school-supervised travel. This coverage is secondary to a family’s primary health insurance and may help cover eligible out-of-pocket expenses.
Families should report any injury to school personnel within 7 days and submit insurance claims within the required timeframe. Claim forms are available through the school nurse. Click the attachment below for more information.
- Wednesday, October 28- 7th Grade Panorama Survey - 9:05 a.m.
- Wednesday, October 28 - Fall Sports Championships - 3:15 p.m. - Mt. Pleasant High School
- Thursday, October 29 - Fall Dance 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. - Big Gym
- Friday, October 30 - End of the 1st Marking Period
- Friday, November 6 - P.S. duPont Middle School Culture Fair! - Cafeteria