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Important Information
            Staff Update:  12/8/22
Dates to Know:
Winter Break/Schools and Offices closed: 12/22/22-1/2/23
Staff Development: 1/13/23
Schools and Offices closed: 1/16/23
Equity Event: Community, Connections, and Conversations: 1/19/23

WE Retain!  Join Colonial Affinity Groups!

Affinity Groups are intentionally created spaces for those who share similar racial identities to convene for learning, support, and connections!

In Colonial WE are launching racial affinity groups and are looking for educators (paras and staff on a teacher contract) who are interested and want to join.  WE are in the beginning stages of implementation and are seeking participants who are passionate about equity work. Space is limited!  Sign-up now!

Linked here is the flyer for our spring roll out as well as the interest form.  Don’t hesitate, sign-up today!

Equity ERA: Engage-Reflect-Act

  • Engage: Check out this podcast series from Elena Aguilar, “What to Say When Someone Says Something Racist” – here is the next episode in the series – Evaluating What’s Possible (about 17 min)
    • Each week we will share the next podcast! Tune into the series with us!
  • Reflect: How do you respond when you hear something racist? What do you wish you would do (or had done) something differently?
  • Act: Check out Elena’s guide for What To Say  When You Hear  Something Racist and try a strategy.

Equity Practitioner Program (EPP) – only 4 slots left!
Want to dig deeper into your Equity journey? The Equity Practitioner Program (EPP) program might be good for you. Contact Crystal Lancour if you would like to join the spring EPP cohort. (crystal.lancour@colonial.k12.de.us)

Equity Summit and Speaker Series
Join us for an intimate conversation that will contribute to our strategic plan and equity work.
January 19, 2023 at 6 pm at WPHS
Open to the public • Food will be served

RSVP at http://www.colonialschooldistrict.org/blog/csd-equity-summit/ 

Behavioral Health Professional of the Year Award
Do you know a Colonial staff member who is dedicated, inspiring, and making a difference? The Behavioral Health Professional of the Year Award is given to a school employee whose position is health care practitioner or social or human services provider who offers services for the purpose of improving an individual’s mental health, such as

  • School counselors
  • School social workers
  • Licensed clinical social workers
  • School psychologists
  • School nurses

If you have questions, please email Cheri Woodall, Supervisor of Health and Wellness, at cheri.woodall@colonial.k12.de.us

Please use this link to submit your nominations by Friday, January 13, 2023

Staying Healthy Over the Winter Break
Winter break is a time for families and friends to spend time together.  Here are some friendly tips for taking care of yourself throughout the break.

Physical Health (Tips from CDC and DPH)

  1. Stay up to date with your immunizations-This includes Flu Shots as well as COVID-19 immunizations and boosters.
  2. Stay home if you are not feeling well-Help protect your friends, family, and community by staying home if you are experiencing cold, flu, or COVID-19 symptoms.
  3. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water-or use hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available.
  4. Face Coverings-No one should feel embarrassed to wear a face mask, especially in large gatherings.

Mental Health (from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing)

  1. Focus on what you can control. The holidays and winter break create a lot change and can make you feel anxious.  Control what you can to take care of your physical and mental health.
  2. Keep healthy habits. It’s important to keep healthy habits in place no matter your holiday plans. Taking care of your physical health can help stabilize your mood, reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, and improve long-term mental wellbeing.
  3. Make time for yourself. Spending time with family or friends can be overwhelming. If you need a moment to yourself, try sneaking away to a quiet room or going for an early morning walk.
  4. Create new traditions. Create new traditions that work for you and prioritize your mental wellbeing.
  5. Ask for help if you need it. If you are feeling especially sad, stressed, anxious or depressed, ask for help. Talk to someone you trust, a mental health professional or a primary care physician for guidance and support.  A quick resource for help is to call or text 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Hotline).

Do you aspire to become a school leader?
If so, the Delaware Department of Education is sponsoring a Leadership Fair for aspiring leaders at the Collette Education Resource Center in Dover, Delaware.  Drop in on Saturday, January 14, 2023 from 9am-12pm to speak to representatives from Delaware State University, Wilmington University, and University of Delaware.  Click here for more information about this amazing event!

Technology Update
CyberSecurity:
With Technology constantly evolving, CyberSecurity becomes more vital as time passes.  Hackers are becoming more advanced with their scams, which means we have to be more vigilant.  In an effort to prevent fraudulent emails, DTI has implemented two-factor authentication through ID.Delaware.Gov.  Everyone accessing financial and human resources applications all have to access their application through ID.Delaware.Gov.  This two-factor authentication reduces the chance of someone accessing your accounts fraudulently.  Other suggestions to mediate your risk would be to ensure your internet browser is updated, not sharing passwords, and being more aware of the actual email address each email you receive is being sent from, not the name that populates.  For example, an email could look as though it is being sent from your administrator, but the actual email address being used is a Gmail address, not a Colonial email address.  Our Technology team is always here to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have!  Please do not hesitate to reach out to us!  You can reach our Help Desk at 302-323-2854.

WE are Family!
Sharing the stories of families who have chosen careers in Colonial.


Nathan Waters & Ahtiya Johnson
Nathan Waters and Ahtiya Johnson grew up in the same Chester, Pa. neighborhood, but never met and fell in love until 2013. Johnson eventually moved to Delaware where she graduated from William Penn in 2010. Today, she works as the district’s school choice and unit count specialist while her fiancé,  Nathan, is a counselor at Kathleen H. Wilbur Elementary School. “Nathan and I find value in being an active part of shaping the minds of future leaders in our local community. As New Castle residents, we have a unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students – who are also our neighbors!” Johnson says. This Colonial couple enjoys being able to “talk shop” at home when appropriate, but more than that, they love being able to influence the lives of students. “Frankly, it’s one of the most important reasons why we both chose to become educators, especially in Colonial. We want to ignite a love of learning and create realistic opportunities to help students further themselves. More importantly, as a young Black couple, we live by the legacy of ‘lifting as you climb’ so, becoming a Black educator means being a leader in a community such as Colonial that recognizes and values Black students,” Waters says. Johnson is currently working on a graduate degree to obtain a Master of Education in School Leadership while also planning the couple’s destination wedding in February of 2024. The couple has two children ages 10 and two. “With our line of work, Colonial has become less of a ‘place to go every day’ and more of a way of life. Helping and serving others is simple when we do that for each other and our family each day! WE are so proud to be a part of  the Power of WE!”