The Cardinal Connection
William F. Cooke, Jr. Elementary School
April 1, 2026
Cooke Families: Please Complete the DE School Climate Survey
Below is a link to a survey about Cooke Elementary. We are asking you to complete the survey to help us learn what parents and guardians think about our school. Your thoughts and opinions are very important. Through this survey, we will use your experiences and opinions to help us build on our strengths and work to make improvements.
The survey will only take about 15 minutes to complete and can be accessed by desktop, laptop, or mobile device. If you have more than one child in this school, please complete the survey with one child’s experiences in mind.
The Delaware School Climate Survey was developed by the Delaware Positive Behavior Support Initiative (a partnership between the Delaware Department of Education and the Center for Disabilities Studies at the University of Delaware). There is no identifying information on the survey, so no one will know how you individually answered any of the questions. Information from completed surveys will be used by the University of Delaware to make a report for our school.
When completing the survey, please do the following:
· Answer every question
· Mark an answer that best describes what you believe about the situation described
· Complete the survey by April 11, 2026
· Complete only 1 survey per child
Please feel free to contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions about the survey.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and opinions with us and helping to make our school a better place for all students.
To access the HOME version of the DE School Climate Survey by desktop or mobile device, please click on this link and it will take you directly to the survey.
Cooke's Book Fair Online
Help us celebrate our amazing staff during Staff Appreciation Week in May! Please share a message of gratitude for a teacher or staff member who has positively impacted your child or family. You can remain anonymous if you wish — your message will be shared with them through a certificate of appreciation.
We are excited to open nominations for Red Clay’s 2026-2027 Educational Support Professional of the Year (ESPOY). We invite staff, students, families, and community members to nominate exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled candidates. Nominees should promote a positive, supportive image of the educational support profession at their work site and in the school/district community.
Please note that one exemplary support professional will be chosen from each category to be honored. These outstanding individuals will then advance as finalists in the selection process for the District Educational Support Professional of the Year, who will represent Red Clay at the state level. The categories for consideration are as follows:
- Transportation Employee of the Year (bus drivers/bus aides)
- Custodial/Maintenance Employee of the Year
- Nutrition Services Employee of the Year
- Paraeducator of the Year
- Secretarial Employee of the Year
- IT Employee of the Year
Eligibility:
- The nominee must have at least three years of experience as an educational support professional. The experience does not have to be in the same district, school, or position.
- The nominee must continue to serve in an educational support professional position for the award year.
Individuals who have previously been named Delaware Educational Support Professional of the Year are not eligible to be nominated again in a future year.
Red Clay’s Education Support Professional of the Year winner will receive a $2,000 personal award. The state program then selects one person each year to serve as Delaware’s Educational Support Professional of the Year. State winners receive an additional $3,000 personal award from DDOE and $5,000 to be used for the educational benefit of their students.
Tell us who your favorite “Educational Support Professional” is by completing the online nomination form.
Nominations are being accepted until April 19, 2026.
If you have any questions, please contact Julie Gonzalez at Julie.gonzalez@redclay.k12.de.us .
Yearbook Sale
Do You Have or Know an Incoming Kindergarten Student?
FAME, Inc: STEM Summer Program: Rising 1st - 5th Graders
Health & Wellness Fair
Red Clay Education Foundation Golf Tournament
Register Now!
This isn’t just another golf event—it’s an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. By participating, you'll enjoy a great day on the course and help support essential programs and unforgettable experiences for Red Clay students and families!
Register Now - https://birdease.com/rcef
Special Education Parent Council
Breakfast & Lunch Menu
SAVE THE DATES!
5th Grade Families
Grades 3,4,5: SAVE THE DATES: STATE TESTING
The State of Delaware conducts state testing starting in Grade 3. We are providing the dates so that you can plan ahead to ensure that your child is in school on these dates.
Grade 3:
ELA: 4/27, 4/30
Math: 5/5, 5/7
Grade 4:
Social Studies: 5/11
ELA: 4/27, 4/30
Math: 5/5, 5/7
Grade 5:
Social Studies: 5/11
ELA: 4/27, 4/30
Math: 5/5, 5/7
Science: 5/14
2025-2026 School Year Calendars
Cooke At-a-Glance Calendar
"Did You Know?" Series
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