October 2025 Newsletter

Thursday, October 2nd - No School (Yom Kippur)
Friday, October 10th - No School (Teacher Inservice)
Wednesday, October 15th - SODE Bocce Ball
Monday, October 20th - No School (Teacher Inservice)
Thursday, October 30th - Last Day of the Marking Period
Friday, October 31st - No School (Teacher Inservice)

The Red Clay Consolidated School District (RCCSD) is committed to supporting every student’s academic growth as well as their social emotional and behavioral (SEB) wellbeing. As part of this commitment, along with Delaware’s Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) state regulations, all teachers (K-3) and students (4-12) will be completing an emotional wellbeing screener this school year.

An SEB screener can identify behavioral and emotional strengths as well as areas in need of growth. This data will allow our school teams to offer additional and more targeted intervention to support the SEB needs of all students.

The screener that the multidisciplinary district committee selected is called the SAEBRS, or Social, Academic, Emotional, Behavior Rating Screener. Teachers will utilize the teacher-report screener (SAEBRS) for students K-3 as well as any students that the school team feels would be best screened through a teacher-report. Students in grade 4 and up are able to utilize the self-report screener (mySAEBRS) if that is deemed appropriate for the student’s cognitive level. Teachers are able to assist students with the mySAEBRS if that is the best fit.

The SAEBRS Screener looks at the following areas of social/emotional wellbeing:

Social Behavior
Academic Behavior
Emotional Behavior

This month students will be learning and practicing how to ask for help. Weekly lessons will include who to ask for help in a variety of settings (school, home, community), learning what to do when something is hard, expected vs. unexpected behaviors, and identifying what zones they may need help in.

Asking for Help Social Story

This is Hard Social Story

Raise awareness and show your support!

All proceeds will be donated to the Susan G. Komen foundation on

behalf of the Meadowood Program.

$15 each

Cash or Venmo @Katie_Kravitz

**If ordering multiple shirts, please complete one form per shirt ordering**

Orders and payment are due by Friday, October 3rd 2025

Shirts will be delivered to the Red Clay Building you choose the week of October 13th.

Order your shirts here

Questions? Email Katie Kravitz

NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH

October is the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), an annual recognition of the positive impact of people with disabilities in the American workforce. Leading up to the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, this year’s NDEAM theme and graphics will also honor the national milestone. NDEAM 2025 will recognize the value and talent American workers with disabilities add to our workplaces and economy and highlight their achievements both past and present. That’s the spirit behind this year’s official theme: “Celebrating Value and Talent.”

Here is just a snapshot of MTP students working hard to improve their vocational and daily living skills.

Happy National Principals Month!

Happy National Principals Month! Sending a huge thank you to all the incredible principals who lead with dedication and inspire our students every day, especially our very own Kathie Mattix. Your impact is invaluable!

#ThankAPrincipal #NationalPrincipalsMonth

NATIONAL PHYSICAL THERAPY MONTH

Thank you to Meadowood's Physical Therapists (Erika Netzorg, Sarah Brennan, Jessica Saienga, and Sam Marino) who keep us moving!

#ChoosePT

AAC AWARENESS MONTH

Thank you Mary Anne Terzaghi, Keri Luckanavage, Jackie Fulmer, Darian Beahan, Liz McCormick, Destiny Galarza, Marissa Giardina, Marissa Reed, Kelsey Demonte, Jia Harn Choo, Jamie Neidlein, and Shannon Yacucci for ensuring all of our students have a voice!

October Is World Blindness Awareness Month

Every October, World Blindness Awareness Month brings a heightened focus to the blind and visually impaired community and the realities of living without sight. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “everyone, if they live long enough, will experience at least one eye disease or disorder in their lifetime.” Other recognition days in October include:

- Second Thursday of October - World Sight Day

- October 15th - White Cane Day & Blind Americans Equality Day

- Second Week of October - National Braille Week

We are grateful that our Teachers for the Visually Impaired are apart of our Team!

News2You Article

Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Down Syndrome Awareness Month (DSAM) is a month to raise awareness and celebrate the many abilities of loved ones with Down syndrome with a focus on promoting advocacy and inclusion.

News2You Article

Bullying Prevention Month

Diversity Awareness Month

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Yom Kippur

National Custodian Day

World Teachers' Day

World CP Day

World Mental Health Day

Indigenous Peoples Day

National School Lunch Week

October 13th - 17th

Diwali

School Bus Safety Week

October 20th - 24th

United Nations Day

Make a Difference Day

Halloween

SODE Winter Sports Sign-ups

Register October 1st - November 15th

Truck Convoy October 4, 2025

The Truck Convoy brings together professional drivers, law enforcement, and Special Olympics athletes in a powerful show of support and inclusion. Whether you're driving, volunteering, or cheering from the sidelines, this event is a celebration of community and purpose.

🔗 Learn More & Register

Autism Delaware's Parent-to-Parent (P2P) Workshop Series

Parent-to-Parent (P2P) Workshop Series – for parents, by parents!

This workshop series will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00 pm to 8:15 pm (last 15-minutes reserved for questions and answers) starting October 7, 2025 and ending on October 16, 2025. Autism Delaware Family Support Provider Katie Urbanski will be facilitating the sessions.

About this event: Parent to Parent is a four session workshop series where parent coaches bring their experiences and training to introduce helpful information and skills to other parents who are raising a child with autism. Families will gain a deeper understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and be introduced to supports and skills to help advocate for their child.

Session I: Understanding ASD

Session II: Communication & Autism

Session III: Visual supports and tools you can use

Session IV: Enhancing advocacy skills

The deadline to register is October 6, 2025. Workshop registration closes when we reach the maximum of 25 participants. This training is offered FREE to parents and caregivers.

Requirements for Participating: Participants may not be driving while on the zoom meetings, cameras should be turned on while the meeting is active, and to get the most out of the workshops, it’s best if participants are engaged and interact with facilitators and other participants. Sessions will NOT be recorded in order to help protect your privacy.

Please register here if interested.

Hear Chris Nikic share his incredible story

Thursday, October 9 at 5:00 PM
University of Delaware Bob Carpenter Center

After Chris’s talk, stick around to cheer on the UD Women’s Soccer Team as they take the field. Plus, don’t miss the Special Olympics Delaware soccer exhibition at halftime!

Register here

Autism Delaware's Boo Bash - October 18th

Join Autism Delaware and celebrate spooky season in New Castle!

Boo Bash is a two part event, filled with fun for all!

Part One, 3:00pm – 5:00pm

We will celebrate outdoors, with awesome fall-themed games, inflatables, arts & crafts and candy. We encourage guests come in costume and show off favorite characters. This part is recommended for families with young children, but is welcome to all.

Part Two, 6:00pm-8:00pm

We will host a movie night indoors, with snacks, soft drinks, and spooktacular sights. This part of the event is intended for teens and adults, with guests that 16 and older. Please have accompanying guardians and support persons as needed.

We can’t wait to see everyone’s costumes and celebrate with you!

For any questions about this event, please contact Events Coordinator Sara Coltman at scoltman@autismdelaware.org

Night of Hero's

Special Olympics Delaware invites you to an unforgettable evening of inspiration and celebration at our annual Night of Heroes, taking place on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. This powerful event honors the athletes, volunteers, families, and community partners who exemplify courage, inclusion, and the true spirit of the Special Olympics movement.

Whether you're a longtime supporter or new to our community, Night of Heroes is a chance to witness the impact of our mission and celebrate those who make it possible. Join us as we shine a spotlight on the champions who uplift and empower individuals with intellectual disabilities across Delaware.

Reserve your seat today and be part of a night that promises to inspire.

Autism Delaware’s Empowered Connections

Autism Delaware’s Empowered Connections series connects individuals with autism together with their parents/caregivers and professionals to share information and resources to help families achieve positive outcomes on their autism journeys.

Our October 2025 session is all about Safety– Come learn about resources available to families to support the safety of their loved one with autism. We will be looking at visual supports, Smart 911, the Big Red Safety Box, and tracking devices, just to name a few!

Date & Time: Thursday, Oct. 23, 7:00 – 8:15 PM

Location: Virtual (Zoom)

SODE Fall Festival

October 31st - November 1st

Reindeer Run & Romp 5K

Get ready to lace up your sneakers and jingle all the way through downtown Newark at the Reindeer Run & Romp 5K, benefiting Special Olympics Delaware! This beloved holiday tradition brings together runners, walkers, and festive spirits of all ages for a fun-filled evening of fitness and cheer.

Whether you're racing for a personal best or strolling in your favorite holiday sweater, the Reindeer Run is all about community, celebration, and supporting our incredible athletes. Expect music, lights, costumes, and plenty of holiday magic along the route!

🔗 Learn More & Register

Polar Bear Plunge - February 1, 2026

Get ready to take the plunge for a purpose! The Lewes Polar Bear Plunge benefiting Special Olympics Delaware returns on Sunday, February 1st at 1 PM, with a full weekend of festivities leading up to the big splash.

Whether you're plunging into the icy Atlantic or cheering from the shore, this iconic event brings together thousands in support of inclusion and opportunity for athletes with intellectual disabilities. From family-friendly activities to community celebrations, it’s a weekend you won’t want to miss.

🔗 Learn More & Register