Material and Device Pickup

On August 27 and September 3 from 4:00 – 7:00 pm, Colonial will host a Technology and Materials Distribution Event at William Penn and Gunning Bedford. YOU CAN CHOOSE EITHER LOCATION.

These events will provide opportunities to:

• Pick up a new device (if you are new to the District) or exchange a broken device for another one. 
  • If you are a parent of a previous Kindergartener or 1st grader who was given an iPad last year, and you would like your child to have a Chromebook, please come pickup a chromebook for your student and hang on to the ipad for this school year. The ipad does not need to be turned in at this time in order to receive a chromebook.. 
• ALL PARENTS can pick up curriculum and school materials for their students that will be needed for virtual learning.  These materials include supplies such as:  pencils, pencil sharpeners, crayons-24 pack, glue sticks, scissors, sidewalk chalk, rulers and so much more. 

For a complete list of materials please visit https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q0jSHI0F9-pkfYsc_HLieqrESLGAT9_zoneE-HBRI5Y/edit?usp=sharing

Why you should pick up and use a Colonial Chromebook

• George Read: September 2, 2020
• William Penn: September 3, 2020
• Wallin: September 3, 2020
• Leach: September 2, 2020

Stay Connected!

We’ve compiled a list of vendors who are currently providing free or discounted internet connectivity.

• Comcast: https://www.internetessentials.com/apply
• Atlantic BroadBand: Keep families connected plan
• Verizon: Lifeline Discount Plan
• Verizon Wireless: https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/covid-19-faqs/
• AT&T: https://www.att.com/help/covid-19/ – FAQ3
• T-Mobile: https://www.t-mobile.com/support/account/covid-19-updates

Updates for William Penn Students

To get students and families prepared for the upcoming school year, we will have several events in the weeks ahead. 

WP Collection of Materials:  August 24-26

Any items that students needed to be returned at the end of the 2019-20 school year can be dropped off at William Penn from August 24-26.  This includes any item, besides a Colonial Chromebook, that is property of the school.  Examples are: class textbooks, novels, math materials,  calculators, sports uniforms and equipment, ROTC uniforms, library books, etc. 
Please return items you may have during the following dates and times

• Monday, August 24 – 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm

• Tuesday, August 25 – 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm

• Wednesday, August 26 – 8:00 am to 11:00 am

WP Open House:  Thursday, September 3 – 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
After spending the summer planning for the return to school, the staff at WP are excited to meet families during their Virtual Open House.  During this time, families learn more about grade level and behavioral expectations, curriculum, schedules, grading, and educational technology platforms.  Details about how to attend will be provided soon.

WP Device and Schedule Pickup:  Tuesday, September 1 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
If a student has not received a device or a class schedule online, they can pick up both on September 1 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. 
Schedules will also be available via Home Access Center.  Students and parents will need their username and passwords to access.  If they do not have their username and password, email their counselor.

WP Pick Up New Materials – SAVE THE DATE
Students will be able to pick up items needed for this semester’s classes — textbooks, novels, math items, etc.  More specific information will follow about where students and parents should report in the building to pick up the items.
–  Monday, September 14:  Seniors from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
–  Tuesday, September 15:  Juniors from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm 
–  Wednesday, September 16:  Sophomores from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
–  Thursday, September 17:  Freshmen from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Our Super in the Spotlight! 

Colonial Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Menzer was among six superintendents from schools around the Delaware Valley who were asked to participate in a virtual Town Hall discussion on 6ABC regarding the start of the new school year and COVID-19.  If you missed the 60-minute program, click the link below to view: https://6abc.com/education/watch-here—the-6abc-back-to-school-town-hall/6384488/

6ABC also stopped by George Read Middle School for the first official day back to school for staff.  Dr. Menzer showed a classroom that is set up for safety and social distancing when students return.  To view, click the link below: first day 2020_6abc.MOV  

We Can See Clearly Now 

Vision to Learn (VTL), a non-profit mobile service that offers free eye exams and glasses to students in Delaware, made its rounds in Colonial Nation this summer because COVID disrupted the normal school year.  Khloee Derrickson, a student at Carrie Downie, was among 70 students who got fitted for new frames this summer.  Khloee suffered from a condition that caused one of her pupils to be off-centered so she was having trouble seeing clearly.  VTL Program Director, Tina Danz, says her staff took the necessary precautions during COVID-19 to keep themselves and their young patients safe, because she felt continuing the service was essential saying “students who receive glasses from Vision To Learn improve almost 8% on average.”  Jay Green, a school nurse at McCullough, calls improving a school-aged child’s vision as life-changing.  He helped organize the summer VTL examinations because he realized so many Colonial students had been screened by VTL, but had not received their glasses.  Green worried about the students with vision problems who spent the remainder of last school year focusing on Chromebooks and other electronic devices.  “I’ve been trying to find a silver lining in my summer as we’re all dealing with this (COVID-19), and this was one of them for me. Khloee’s mom, Roseanna, is thrilled because her child can see, she’s not squinting and struggling anymore!” Green said.