February 2026 Newsletter

February 1st - RCCSD Teacher of the Year Nominations Due
February 10th - RCCSD Special Education Parent Meeting
February 13th - Inservice (No School for Students)
February 13th - RCCSD Behavioral Health Professional of the Year Nominations Due
February 16th - No School (President's Day)

Dates: Tuesday, June 30th - Thursday, July 30th

Monday - Thursday - Summer program will be 4 days/week

Location: All students will attend at Forest Oak

Time: 8:00 am - 2:00 pm

No days off for July 4th

Please complete the form below to indicate if you want your child to participate in Meadowood Program for the summer.

Meadowood Summer School Form

Do you know a Behavioral Health Professional* in your school who is dedicated, inspiring, and making a difference? If so, please take the time to recommend this person by completing the nomination form below. School staff, families, students, and community members are encouraged to participate.

*Behavioral Health Professionals (BHPs) include school counselors, school social workers, licensed clinical social workers, licensed clinical mental health professionals, board-certified behavior analysts, school psychologists, and school nurses. Please note, per DOE guidelines, only Red Clay direct hires can be considered.

The nomination form closes on Friday, February 13, 2026 (by 11:59 pm).

2026/27 Behavioral Health Professional of the Year Nomination Form

Check out a new resource for families specific to Forest Oak, Mote, HB Middle, McKean HS, MTP, District Resources, and Curricular Resources including school calendars, principal updates, district calendars and parent handbook, plus so much more!

Meadowood One Stop Shop for Parents & Families

Throughout the month of February, students will be learning about the importance of respecting others in their community. Students will begin by learning about what makes people different and how to be respectful of those differences. Students will then learn how to respect others in a school setting by learning how to work in a group, and how to participate in class. At the end of the month, students will learn what it means to be a good friend.

Click on the activities below to review them with your student at home.

Respecting Differences

Working in a Group

Participating in Class

Being a Good Friend

National School Counseling Week

National School Counseling Week, presented by ASCA,

highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in

helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.

National School Counseling Week is always celebrated

the first full week in February.

This year's theme is: School Counselors Amplify Student Success.

Thank you Jackie Murphy for always going above and beyond for our students!

We are so lucky to have you!

Black History Month

Groundhog Day

Valentine's Day

Presidents Day

Mardi Gras

Ramadan

Lunar New Year

💓 February is American Heart Month

American Heart Month is a time when all people, especially women, are encouraged to focus on their cardiovascular health. National Wear Red Day is on the first Friday of every February. On Friday, February 6th, wear red and help raise awareness of the No. 1 killer of women - cardiovascular disease. Wear red to be seen, to be counted, to be heard, and to make an impact.

🚌 Love the Bus Month

Love the Bus Month is an annual month-long celebration held each February. The event highlights the important role of the yellow school bus in education and shows appreciation for the professional school bus drivers who safely transport students each day.

🦷 National Children's Dental Health Month

Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Click here for a list of local dental health providers.

📚World Read Aloud Day

LitWorld founded World Read Aloud Day® (WRAD) in 2010 to celebrate the power of reading aloud to create community and amplify new stories, and to advocate for literacy as a foundational human right. Since then, WRAD has evolved into a global movement of millions of readers, writers, and listeners from across the world coming together to honor the joy and power of reading and continue expanding the definition and scope of global literacy. World Read Aloud Day will be celebrated on February 4th this year.

🥰 National Caregivers Day

National Caregivers Day is the third Friday in February and falls on Friday, February 21st this year. National Caregivers Day is a time to recognize and honor caregivers and their critical contributions to our families, communities and healthcare system. For caregivers themselves, this day serves as a reminder that their work matters and that they are not alone. It is a chance to reflect on their achievements, connect with others who share similar experiences, and access resources that can help them thrive.

🧬 Rare Disease Day

Rare Disease Day is the official international awareness-raising campaign for rare diseases, observed annually on the last day of February. The primary goal of this campaign is to increase awareness among the general public and decision-makers about rare diseases and their influence on the lives of families living with these conditions.

High school students in the Meadowood Program will transition to AI High School when Thomas McKean High School transforms into the Thomas McKean Innovation Campus beginning August 2027. The Meadowood Administration has already begun working with district personnel to ensure the needs of the Meadowood students will be met. Students will have the opportunity to participate in the same Career & Technical Education (CTE) pathways as their general education peers at the Thomas McKean Innovation Campus.

🔗 We encourage you to explore the the district's Innovation Campus

webpage for updates and additional information.

Please contact Kathie Mattix with any questions or concerns.

Order your Cap and Gown here!

Spring Sports Sign-Ups Open February 1st

Get ready to hit the track, field, court, and pool—Spring Sports registration opens February 1st! This season includes Aquatics, Bocce, Powerlifting, Softball, Tennis, and Track & Field. The spring sports season culminates in Summer Games on June 12th and 13th.

Citizens Main Event Night

Back to Best Buddies

More information to come.

Delaware Blue Hens

Buddy Ball

Save the date for our annual buddy bowl and Mckean high school on March 6th! An email with registration for your school will be coming out shortly!! join us for pizza dancing and of course music by the LEGENDARY DJ Davey Dave!!! @djdavydavephotobooth

New Castle County Transition Team Email List For Communication

Run for the Buds

March 22nd

Register here

Walk for Autism

April 18th

Register here

Best Buddies Friendship Walk

April 25th

Register here

70th Annual DFRC Blue-Gold All Star Football Game

Save the date for Thursday, June 18, 2026. For more information and purchase tickets, click here

Special Olympics Delaware Summer Camp

Special Olympics Delaware Summer Camp are officially open for both campers and counselors! Don’t wait—spots fill up fast!

👉 Camper Application: Apply Here

👉 Counselor Application: Apply Here

Camp Fairlee

Big dreams start here at Camp Fairlee! Learn more about this exciting adventure and sign up your loved ones today! Click here for more information. Scholarships are also available.

Information about Respite Weekends

Days of Summer Camp

Days of Summer Camp is a fun day camp experience for children with Down syndrome ages 3-13 and their siblings ages 3-10. Young adults ages 15-25 are encouraged to serve as Counselors and will receive 40 hours of documented community service for their time. Applications are due by June 1, 2026. Apply here.

iCan Swim Camp

iCan Shine is a nonprofit organization that provides quality recreational programs for individuals with disabilities.

iCan Swim Camp - July 20-24, 2026. Click here for more information; scholarships are available.

Remember to check if your student has an extra pair of clothes (including underwear & socks) in school in case of accidents or spills. Make sure they are updated for the seasons!
Dress for the weather! Be sure your student has a jacket, hat, and gloves as there are colder days coming! If you do not have these items, please reach out to your nurse for help.
If your student requires use of glasses or a hearing aid, please send these to school every day! Vision and hearing are important for your child to be successful in school.
Keeping hydrated is important! Please send in a labeled water bottle with your student.

PLEASE BE MINDFUL! IF YOUR STUDENT IS SICK, PLEASE KEEP THEM HOME!

DISTRICT POLICY STATES:

A student must be fever free (without medication) for 24 hours before returning to school.
If a student is out for vomiting or diarrhea, they must be symptom free for 24 hours before returning to school.

As part of Delaware State Regulations, vision and hearing screening is done for students in kindergarten, grades 2, 4, 7, 9 or 10 with screenings taking place by January 15th. For students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), it is also done every 3 years when a student is due for eligibility. Postural screening is done yearly from 5th grade through 9th grade. Screenings typically start at the end of September or into October. If you have any concerns with screenings, please contact your school nurse.