Calendar

Quick Info

Registration and Enrollment

Student Handbook & Code of Conduct

Student Handbook: Click here to download a pdf Code of Conduct: Click here

Title I Information

Click here for Title I information

Take a Tour

Click here to schedule a tour

Schedule A Tour

Learn More About Our School!

Schedule A Tour Today!

Staff

Our school is staffed by highly qualified teachers who are passionate about their profession. The staff has been trained by some of the top educational consultants in the United States. In addition, teachers receive professional development opportunities monthly to enhance their ability to keep up with the demands and changes in the greater society.

Wendy Palsgrove
Room M14 | Extension 514

Erin Sanna
Room M16 | Extension 516

Renee Cresto
Room M18 | Extension 518

Amber Taylor
Room M20 | Extension 520

Amy Filliben
Room M22 |Extension 522

Lisa McLaughlin/Hutton
Room A3 | Extension 173

Maureen Carey
Room A5 | Extension 175

Ashley Wolinski
Room A6 | Extension 176

Shayla McGhee
Room A7 | Extension 177

Kady Taylor
Room A8 | Extension 178

Alexandra Adams
Room D6 | Extension 406

Jess Hertsenberg
Room D7 | Extension 407

Tracy Konkle
Room D8 | Extension 408

M. Cunningham
Room D9 | Extension 409

Kelly Talley
Room D10 | Extension 410

Amy Freidman
Room B3 | Extension 202

Wendy Girnis
Room B4 | Extension 204

Allison Gibbons
Room B5 | Extension 205

Amy Albright
Room B5 | Extension 205

Elizabeth Blevin
Room B7 | Extension 207

Donnajean Claar
Room B8 | Extension 208

Chelsea Amin-Johnson
Room D1 | Extension 401

Shelby Richard
Room D2 | Extension 402

Alyssa Clark
Room D4 | Extension 404

Carly Clanet
Room D3 | Extension 403

Lozetta Hayden
Room D5 | Extension 405

Drew Webster
Room C4 | Extension 314

Mary Rock
Room C5 | 315

Mark Belair
Room C7 | Extension 317

Justin Hanger
Room C8 | Extension 318

Reading Support
Liz Towson, Specialist
Jeni Bufano, Specialist
Joanna Franklin, Interventionist

ESL:
Karin Elentrio
Michele Francia

Math Support:
A. Cooper Taylor, Interventionist

Instructional Coaches:
Carla Hood – Math
Carrie Hughes- Literacy

Speech: Speech:
Lindy Sagett

Occupational Therapist:
Tara Kulak (OT)

Physical Therapist:
Christine Palmer-Casey (PT)

Music
Fred Higgins (General Music)
Room M8 | Ext: 608

Cecilia Cole (Chorus)
Room M8 | Ext: 608

Kerry Schussler (Band)
Stage | 510

Art:
Dan Bonacore
Room B1 | Ext: 201

Library:
Janine Morgan-Doughty
Room M5 | Ext: 552

Physical Education:
Gail Guidry
Kristin Grabowski
Gym | Ext: 526

General Info

Principal:
Janissa Nuneville (janissa.nuneville@colonial.k12.de.us)
Assistant Principal:
Kerri Campbell (kerri. campbell@ colonial.k12.de.us)

Grade Levels: K-5
Phone 302-323-2915

Location

502 Moores Lane
New Castle, DE 19720

School Hours

8:15 AM Doors to school open **
8:30 AM School day begins. (Students are late after 8:30)
3:15 PM School day ends / Dismissal

#chdreambuilders Tweets

ABOUT US

Castle Hills Elementary School, located near New Castle, Delaware, provides academic programs for kindergarten through fifth grade. The school reflects the diversity of the community it serves, and the children are guided and encouraged by a dedicated, experienced staff who represent the best of Delaware schools. The school’s strong academic concentration; focus on physical, social, and emotional development; and promotion of high self-esteem are its hallmarks. Everyone at Castle Hills School views him or herself as part of a community of learners with a focus on improving student achievement through on-going professional development. The staff believes and practices the philosophy that all adults are responsible for all children. The school motto, “All Children Will Learn Here,” reflects the district’s mission of nurturing and educating all children in a developmentally appropriate atmosphere in which individual differences are recognized and valued and every child is encouraged to achieve. The Castle Hills School faculty members firmly believe that all children need a safe, disciplined, clean, and attractive school environment. The single level building, renovated in 1995, is handicapped-accessible with 39 spacious classrooms, a library/media center, a gymnasium, a cafeteria, and a multi-purpose room.

Our Vision, Mission, and Core Beliefs

Vision
“Our vision is to empower every student to become college and career ready by achieving his or her academic potential in a safe, positive, and nurturing school environment.”

Mission

“Our mission is to create a learning environment in which students are empowered to exercise their full academic ability. We will foster a collaborative atmosphere utilizing research-based techniques and practices so that students will reach their potential as independent, contributing members in a global society.”

Core Beliefs
“Every child can and will learn.”
“They’re all our students. We must work together to figure it out.”
“Do what is best for kids. Try to make a difference every day.”
“It is important to build positive relationships – with staff, students, parents, principals, community.”
“Have goals and expectations, and try to rise to the challenge to meet them.”

Reading/Language Arts
Harcourt Storytown
Words Their Way

Math
TERC Investigations

Science
FOSS Science Kits

Social Studies
Harcourt Horizons

Handwriting
Handwriting Without Tears

We appreciate your willingness to serve as a field trip chaperone and know that you will make every effort to maintain proper student behavior and manners throughout the day. We believe that school field trips are an extension of the classroom. Because of this, rules and expectations for students are to be enforced at all times, as if they were in the school setting. As a chaperone, it is important that you be aware of our field trip philosophy. In order to insure every child’s safety, chaperone guidelines must be followed. They are:

1. Please arrive at the school at least 15 minutes prior to the departure time.
2. Only Castle Hills students scheduled to participate in the trip may attend.
3. Students are to be properly supervised at all times. Students are never to be left on their own.
4. Because of the need for close supervision of participating students, no other children will be permitted to accompany chaperones on any field trips.
5. Smoking and alcoholic beverages are prohibited at all times.
6. Each time you board a bus or leave a building, you should take a count of your group.
7. Do not alter the trip routine, which has been designated by the sponsoring teacher.
8. Do not send students to run errands or deliver messages. If needed, please accompany them.
9. Please be sure students use quiet voices and walk at all times. 10. Chaperones should turn all cell phones to vibrate or off to minimize disruptions to the presenters.
11. If lunch is eaten on the trip, students are responsible to clean up their area.
12. Accompany your children to the restrooms at appropriate times.
13. No gum chewing or candy is permitted on the trip.
14. If a child does not adhere to the Castle Hills rules or is disrespectful or uncooperative, notify a teacher immediately.
15. If a there is a medical concern during the trip, notify a teacher immediately.
16. If applicable, chaperones must supervise students to the souvenir or snack shop at specified times.

Thank you very much for volunteering to chaperone! Your assistance makes this trip possible!

Calling all Box Tops!

Please clip and send in the box tops that you find on all kinds of products in your home. The box tops will earn money for our school. Help us reach our goal of $1,000.
Check out the Box Top “Thermometer” in the school lobby to see our progress. More information can be found at the Boxtops for Education website .You can even shop online to earn box tops by clicking on Marketplace.

P.B.S.

P.B.S., or Positive Behavior System, is a schoolwide behavior management system that establishes clear and consistent rules and procedures throughout Castle Hills Elementary School. Students follow five basic “Royal Rules” which are:

Be Cooperative

Be Helpful

Exceed Expectations

Be Safe

Make Smart Choices

The goal is to help children become self-disciplined, responsible, and to be able to make good choices. Together, the home and school are responsible for helping our students become good citizens.

H.U.G.S.
The H.U.G.s program is a part of the school-wide Positive Behavior System and was created as a means to respond positively to students and encourage appropriate behavior. H.U.G.s, which stands for “Hello”, “Update”, and “Goodbye” is a check-in/check-out program for students who may require extra support. Through the program, students are paired with staff members (“mentors”), who help teach students appropriate behaviors and provide reinforcement and positive attention. There is daily communication (through the use of a point card or tracking sheet) between students, teachers, and parents regarding behavior concerns and successes.

Tumblebooks

Tumblebooks online library of animated books is available to Castle Hills
students. Log in with the username castlehIlls and the password books to
begin your reading adventure.

ThinkCentral
Reading curriculum activities and ebooks are available at this site.
Check with your teacher for log-in information.

Study Island
You can access this site using your full name @ ches (janedoe@ches or
janedoe-smith@ches). The password is your lunch number.

Success Tracker
Math curriculum games and tutorials are available at this site.
See your classroom teacher for log-in information.