December 2025 Newsletter

• December 22nd - January 2nd - No School (Winter Break)
  
• Monday, January 5th - Students return to school
  
• Monday, January 19th - No School (Martin Luther King Kr. Day)
• Friday, January 23rd - End of 2nd MP
• Monday, January 26th - No School (Teacher Inservice)

This month students will be learning and practicing strategies to use when there are changes. Students will read social stories about changes, and identify strategies and tools they prefer to use when an unexpected change has occurred during their day. Students will also reflect on how some changes may affect their emotions/Zone.

The 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐦 (DNEA) has created a holiday guide to provide strategies to de-stress during the holiday season. From tips on managing routines and sensory-friendly celebrations to strategies for reducing stress, there’s something for everyone. Explore these helpful tools and guides here: https://www.delawareautismnetwork.org/.../resources-for.../

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is observed annually on December 3rd. The theme of the International Day of Disabled Persons 2025 is “Fostering Disability Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress“.

Did you know that Delaware has TWO Delaware Days?? Since 1933, the governors of Delaware have proclaimed December 7 as Delaware Day in honor of that day in 1787, when Delaware became the first state to ratify the Federal Constitution, thus making Delaware the first state in the New Nation.

If you are in need of assistance, start by contacting your student’s DDDS/Columbus Organization Community Navigator for information and referrals.

*If your student is not enrolled with DDDS, call 211 for assistance in finding resources.

Additional Resources:

State Service Centers – Contact the State Service Center in your zip code

For general information and to find out which state center is in your zip code, call (302) 255-9675.

• Belvedere State Service Center (302) 892-5972; serves 19707, 19804, 19805 and 19808; 310 Kiamensi Road, Newport, Delaware 19804.

• Northeast State Service Center (302) 552-3500; 1624 Jessup Street, Wilmington, DE 19802

• Porter State Service Center (302) 777-2800; serves 19801; 509 West 8th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

• Claymont Community Center (302) 798-9755/(302)798-2430; 3301 Green Street, Claymont, DE 19703

Food Bank of Delaware (302) 292-1305

Holiday meal assistance.

Hockessin Community Center (302) 239-2363
Call for information on the holiday adoption program.

Ministry of Caring (302) 652-5523

115 East 14th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

Catholic Charities (302) 655-9624

2601 W. 4th Street, Wilmington, DE 19805

Neighborhood House (302) 658-5404

1218 B Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

Sunday Breakfast Mission (877) 306-4663

110 N Poplar Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

Tuesday, December 2nd from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at The Green Turtle, Christiana (across from Hilton, map)

Join us for this year's annual Jingle Mingle at The Greene Turtle in Christiana. Connect with fellow caregivers in the I/DD community, enjoy complimentary appetizers, and enter for a chance to win a gift card in our giveaway! RSVP here

THE SPAN YOUTH CHAT

On December 3rd, from 4:15 to 5:00 PM, join Jeremy Hayer and the Youth Engagement Team for a presentation on personal support networks. The focus will be on how to build strong and reliable circles of support that include family, friends, and trusted peers. These circles help youth navigate challenges, reach goals, and strengthen self-advocacy skills. To sign up, visit the link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/.../the-span-youth-chat-for...

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.

December: Empowered Connections: Knowing Your Educational Rights – Mediation

During our December 2025 Empowered Connections workshop, we will discuss the importance of knowing and understanding your educational rights as a parent and as a student. This session will focus specifically on learning about mediation and meeting facilitation as options for dispute resolution. A special guest from SPARC, the Special Education Partnership for the Amicable Resolution of Conflict, will join us.

Date & Time: Thursday, Dec. 4, 7:00 – 8:15 PM

Register here

Save the Date: January’s Empowered Connections will feature discussions of the autism journey through the eyes of fathers!

Thursday, Jan. 29, 7:00 - 8:15PM

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 Registration will remain open until we reach race capacity. We encourage participants to sign up early as a sellout is expected!

Click here to buy tickets—they will sell out quickly!: https://dsadelaware.org/dsade-2025-holiday-events/

Longwood Gardens Trips

Thursday, December 11 @ 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, December 16 @ 6:00 p.m.

Wilmington & Western Railroad Trips—tickets are generously sponsored by Wilmington & Western Railroad

Friday, December 19 @ 6:45 PM: Holiday Lights Express

Sunday, December 21 @ 3:00 PM: Santa Claus Express

Apply here

Summer Scholarships:

The Margaret M. Ernst Campership Fund

The Mia Shorteno Fraser Scholarship Fund

Saturday, January 31 @ 10:00 AM

Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk

If one day of freezing isn’t enough, we’ve got you covered! Join us for the Run to the Plunge 5K and make it a full weekend of fun supporting Special Olympics Delaware. Run Saturday, plunge Sunday—because why not make your winter story even more incredible? Register now or learn more: https://ow.ly/4Ixc50XrJLn

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

For more information about:

Private Duty Nursing Toolkit
Durable Medical Equipment & Supplies
Family-Centered Training Materials

The Red Clay School Board has officially adopted the Enrollment, Attendance-Zone & Programming Plan designed to expand opportunities for ALL secondary students. This includes exciting changes such as:

• The new Thomas McKean Innovation Campus
• International Baccalaureate MYP at Skyline Middle School
• …and a continued focus on equity, access, and excellence for every student.

Red Clay is forming the Attendance-Zone & Restructuring Review Committee and are looking for parents and community members who want to be part of this important work!

This committee will help review progress, ask questions, share perspectives, and ensure the plan is carried out as approved.

Who We Need:

• 3 Board Members

• 3 Educators

• 7 Parent/Community Members — one from each nominating district

First Meeting: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 – 6:00 PM

(Committee members will receive full details)

If you’re passionate about student opportunity, equity, and the future of Red Clay schools, we encourage you to apply!

Apply by December 5, 2025:

https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSehestp2Jwh4x.../viewform

Details About the Program:

https://docs.google.com/.../1gCLhkSN5WAmIswpp79.../edit...

Members will be selected by December 19, 2025. If more applications are received than available seats, we will notify you.

• 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.