Seven Appoquinimink School District students selected as Secretary of Education Scholars
Each year, Delaware’s Secretary of Education honors select students from the current graduating class for their exemplary work ethic, dedication, and accomplishments both in and out of the classroom. These Secretary of Education Scholars maintain qualities critical to making a significant difference in their lives and also the lives of others. Students are chosen by their principals for their academic records and community service. The number of scholars from each school is based on enrollment. Keep reading to see a selection from the principal’s nominating statement and a quote from each student.
Appoquinimink High School
- James "Hunter" Troskey
- Srinitya Pamulapati
- David Oladosu
Middletown High School
- Devyanshi Sharma
- Arjun Bharath
Odessa High School
- Cole Massey
- Pranav Rao
Sarah Leonard and Shellee Wong named 2025 State Finalists for White House STEM Award
We are thrilled to announce that our district has not one, but two finalists for the 2025 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST)! This award is the highest recognition that K-12 STEM teachers can receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. Finalists’ applications will now move forward to the national level for final selection of the 2025 PAEMST National Awardees.
Please join us in congratulating Louis L. Redding Middle School’s Sarah Leonard and Odessa High School’s Shellee Wong on being named finalists! If these educators’ names seem familiar, that’s because they're both frequently making news in our district — in the fall, Sarah Leonard was named Project Lead the Way’s National Gateway Teacher of the Year, and Wong was Odessa High School’s 2025 Teacher of the Year!
“I'm truly honored to be named a finalist for this prestigious award, but it is not mine alone. It would not have been possible without the invaluable support of my colleagues, mentors, and students who have shaped me into the teacher I am today and continue to inspire the educator I strive to be. I'm grateful for the opportunity to teach PLTW (STEM) at Louis L. Redding Middle School and guide our incredible students as they critical think, solve, innovate, collaborate, grow, and most importantly, have fun through the process while solving real-world problems.” - Sarah Leonard
“Ideas are gifts we all bring to the shared playground of the classroom. Each one arrives carefully wrapped in the textures of lived experience and the act of unwrapping – layer by thoughtful layer – is a beautiful work of learning. This recognition is not mine alone. It is the culmination of countless gifts given, unwrapped, and reimagined in the space of the classroom – offered by students I have had the privilege to teach, mentors who believed in me, and administrators who supported my growth. It is, in every way, a repurposed gift. I am excited to share it with the very community that helped me wrap it so beautifully.” - Shellee Wong
The goal of the PAEMST award program is to exemplify the highest standards of mathematics and science teaching (including technology, engineering, and computer science) in addition to honoring individual achievement. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of STEM education. The award alternates each year between teachers of kindergarten through 6th grade and those teaching 7th through 12th grades. Every year, each state selects up to three mathematics teachers and three science teachers as state finalists. A national selection committee reviews state finalist applications and selects up to one awardee in each content area for every state. These teachers are recognized for their contributions to teaching and learning and their ability to help students make progress. Finalists who are selected as national awardees will take part in a weeklong series of networking and professional development activities in Washington, D.C., and receive $10,000 from the National Science Foundation.
Workforce Readiness Fair stuns
Unique to our district, our Workforce Readiness Fair sees juniors from all three of our high schools travel off campus to practice and fine-tune their workforce skills – like interviewing, networking, problem-solving, and even tying a tie – with industry professionals. This year’s fair was held on March 12, at the Delaware Technical Community College, Terry Campus.
We would like to extend a huge thank you to Del Tech for hosting our students this year! We’d also like to thank the industry professionals and community partners who volunteered their time to coach our students — without your support, the Workforce Readiness Fair would not be possible. Finally, we’d like to thank our students for doing an amazing job representing our district! We truly are #appoproud!
State of the District — thank you for attending!
Thank you to all who attended our second State of the District Information Night! Following our district referendum in April 2024, we have committed to connecting with our community to share regular updates about ongoing initiatives, our financial outlook, and upcoming projects. We appreciate our community members who were able to attend in person on March 18, at Alfred G. Waters Middle School. If you were not able to attend, you can watch the above video for a full recording of the presentation.
Celebrating the arts in our schools
If you follow our district's social media accounts, you may have noticed an influx of posts dedicated to celebrating the arts (in all of its forms) in our schools. That's because March is Delaware's March for the Arts Month, Youth Arts Month, Music in our Schools Month, and Theatre in our Schools Month! Essentially, March is a time to celebrate the arts. We asked our teachers to send over pictures of their students engaging with the arts, and they turned out in a big way — click here to see our full gallery with more than 150 pictures!
March Board of Education Recognitions
In the above pictures, members of Appoquinimink High School’s FFA attended the March Appoquinimink Board of Education meeting to recognize the board members and thank them for their support.
Joshua Edwards, pictured above second from right, is recognized as the winner of the 2024 Third Circuit Video Contest. Edwards is a freshman at Odessa High School. His film, “Importance of an American Democracy,” will be featured at federal court naturalization ceremonies throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the United States Virgin Islands next year.
Students who participated in girls wrestling were recognized at the March Board of Education meeting after making it to the state championships (of note, this is the program's first year)! The students recognized were (in no order) Vivian Delaney (First Place HS 138, AHS), Breanna Brown (First Place HS 152, MHS), Hazelle Santos (Second Place HS 107, AHS), Izabella O'Brien (Second Place HS 138, MHS), Julia Sobczynski (Second Place HS 132, AHS), Izzabella Thomas (Third Place HS 235, AHS), Addysen Rennewanz (Third Place HS 152, AHS), Katie Eddinger - Fourth Place HS 120, MHS, and Elaina Washburn (Fourth Place HS 145, AHS).
Students who participated in swimming this season were recognized at the Board of Education meeting. Those students are, in no order, Kira Brown (First Place Girls 100 yard breaststroke), Andie Keiss (Second Place Girls 100 yard breaststroke), and Grady Redding (Second Place 100 yard freestyle and Third Place 50 yard freestyle).
Cantwell’s Bridge Middle School’s Basketball team was the Middle School Boys Basketball Champion winners again this year! The team was recognized at the March Board on Education meeting. Pictured, in no order, are team members Rahim Banks, Darryl Cannon, Zahkee Jacobs, Kobe Jenkins-Murray, Donovan Jones-Milton, Tayden Julo, Kevin Koerner, Willie McCloud, Jalen Price, Amir Seabrooks, James Swiggett, Christian Warner, Brycen Williams, Taylor Chambers, Taylor Chambers, Amelia Esperance, Giovanni Harris, and Maya Walker.
Profile of a Graduate: Workplace Ready
We are committed to the success of our graduates - and a hallmark of this commitment is the completed Profile of a Graduate.
The Profile of a Graduate ensures all students who learn in Appoquinimink School District have the knowledge, skills, and mindsets needed for the future. The Profile of a Graduate was created in collaboration with our students, staff, families, local community, and other stakeholders. This cumulative effort helped create the final profile.
We are committed to ensuring all Appo families have a thorough understanding of this important work. That work will continue over the coming weeks and months - in this newsletter, in our school communications, and throughout our communication channels such as our website and social media.
The Profile of a Graduate has six focus areas:
- Academically Ready
- Life Ready
- Future-Focused
- Workplace Ready
- Civic-Minded
- Financially Savvy
This month, we’re highlighting Workplace Ready.
Within each of these areas – there’s additional detail about what this means for each student. We encourage all families to learn more here: https://www.appoccr.com/workplace-ready/
Next month, we’ll continue our series and share more about what it means for students to be Civic-Minded.
Celebrating Inclusion
On March 5, we joined the nationwide effort to Spread the Word and celebrate inclusion! The above pictures show our students and staff embodying the motto of Inclusion: All Day. Every Day. Everywhere.
Social and Emotional Learning Day at Brick Mill Early Childhood Center
On March 3, Brick Mill Early Childhood Center celebrated National Social and Emotional Learning Day! BMECC invited high schoolers to visit the school and read to students. This year's book was "All Are Welcome," and each student received a free copy of the book!
Thank you to the Appoquinimink Foundation!
We would like to extend a huge thank you to the Appoquinimink Foundation for two recent donations to the benefit of our students.
The Appoquinimink Foundation recently donated $5,000 in funding, which will directly benefit eye exams and eyeglasses for uninsured or underinsured students in our district. We’d like to extend a special thank you to Kim Sammak, school nurse at Townsend Early Childhood Center, for spearheading this effort!
In addition to its $5,000 donation, the Foundation also donated $1,000 to benefit Louis L. Redding Middle School and its upcoming field trip to see the Philadelphia Orchestra!
Odessa High School’s ProStart Team wins first place at Invitational
Odessa High School's ProStart team brought a first-place win in the management competition at the 2025 Delaware ProStart Student Invitational! These students are the product of our Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Pathway, which prepares students for a variety of careers in the field of culinary arts: Executive Chef and Sous Chef, Food Service Manager, Kitchen Manager, and Line Cook. As part of their pathway journey, students participate in ProStart, a two-year, industry-backed culinary arts and restaurant management program for high school students.
2025 Delaware Educator Rising Conference Results
Please join us in congratulating these future educators for a job well done at the 2025 Delaware Educators Rising Conference! Students spent weeks prepping for the conference, held at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center in early March. Students from our three high schools competed, and some will advance to Nationals.
Brick Mill’s Multicultural Night draws a crowd
These pictures are from the fan-favorite event that is Multicultural Night at Brick Mill Elementary School! This event is a celebration of culture — be that traditional foods, clothing, or music, Multicultural Night has it all! Thank you to all the BME families who attended and to the organizers for creating an amazing event!
The World is Their Campus for Cohort 2 of SPIM
Cohort 2 of the Spanish Immersion program just returned from their incredible cultural immersion experience in Puerto Rico! Led again by Mrs. Amy Alexander of Everett Meredith Middle School, students were immersed in Boricua culture as they danced, snorkeled, hiked, kayaked, and explored the island. ¡Wepa!
Annika Ly represents Delaware at NECTFL
Annika Ly, a Japanese teacher for both Middletown High School and Appoquinimink High School, was the sole representative of Delaware at the Northeast Conference for Teaching Foreign Languages (NECTFL) in New York. Annika’s presentation on engaging students through games was voted Best of Delaware by her peers at DECTFL in October.
Curriculum Family Night at Cedar Lane Elementary
Cedar Lane Elementary School held a Curriculum Family Night — CLE Kids at Work — on March 19, where families were invited to visit the school and see up close some of the cool things their students learn every day! Some of the areas families could cycle through were Problem-Solving Pitstop (building mathematicians one skill at a time), Science (engineering minds-build a bridge with us), and Build a Quilt (let's get stitching together). And that's just to name a few!
Olive B. Loss Elementary’s garden begins a new season of growing
The above pictures, taken on March 18, show Olive B. Loss Elementary School students getting their school's garden ready for a new season of growing! We'd like to thank Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids for helping teach our students about gardening.
This season, students will be growing lettuce, spinach, peas, carrots, borage, chard, and dill!
Career Day introduces middle schoolers to potential careers
These pictures are from Everett Meredith Middle School's Career Day — each year, seventh-graders have the opportunity to hear from a range of professionals about how they chose their career, what they studied, and what a day in the profession looks like. Thank you to the community partners who took the time to visit EMMS and share their knowledge with our students!
Student Employment Expo is April 9
Sophomores, juniors, and seniors are invited to attend our Employment Expo on Wednesday, April 9, 2025! This event is for students seeking full- or part-time employment, seasonal employment, paid internships, unpaid practicums, volunteer opportunities, job shadowing experiences, and more! There will be a variety of local employers, community-based organizations, and military recruiters on site at the expo. Be sure to mark your calendars — the Employment Expo is from 6-7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in the Performing Arts Center at Odessa High School. We'll see you there!
Student EmPOWERMENT Summit is April 5
Mark your calendars for the fourth annual Delaware Student EmPowerment Summit on April 5! This year’s summit is being hosted at the Cab Calloway School of the Arts from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This year’s summit will feature U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester as the keynote speaker. Attendees can expect engaging workshops, hands-on arts activities, and much, much more! This event is a full-day gathering to connect and uplift members of Black Student Unions and Associations, their advisors, school administrators, and allies that support them as they work to fight disparities and injustice. All races and ethnicities are encouraged to attend.
Don't miss this game-changing day—your voice matters!
Joy Hunt is keynote speaker at NCC Combined Boards
We want to thank Chapter President Joy Hunt from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Middletown (DE) Alumnae Chapter for joining our latest New Castle County Combined Boards of Education Meeting to share information about how the organization is mentoring students right here in our Appoquinimink community. Thank you to President Hunt and all of the other presenters who shared the amazing ways they are giving back throughout our county and state.
Submit your favorite Arts Educators for the 2026 MUSE Award
It’s March for the Arts, and we’d like to recognize our remarkable art teachers who inspire our students on a daily basis. The Delaware Art Education Association is seeking nominations for its 2026 MUSE (Masterful, Unique, Strong, Educators) Award. You can use this link https://bit.ly/ASD_arteducatornoms to nominate an arts educator who has inspired you or your student!
The deadline to submit your nomination is May 15, 2025.
AGW students shine at BPA conference
The Middle Level BPA State Leadership Conference took place on February 5, 2025, with 40 students from AGW participating. Many of them excelled in their respective events, showcasing their hard work and perseverance. Their outstanding performances have earned them the opportunity to compete at the BPA National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida, this May.
The above picture is of Janet Balkaran, business teacher and BPA advisor at AGW, with her students at BPA 3D, which is held at JP Morgan Chase. These students all participated in the State of Delaware BPA competition and won in their respective events. They are now participating in BPA 3D to get ready for Nationals in Orlando, Florida.
Thank you to our School Social Workers
March 2-8, 2025, was National School Social Work Week, and we would be remiss if we didn't thank our amazing team of social workers for all they do!
The theme for National School Social Work Week 2025 is “Unite to Ignite: Celebrating our Impact.” During the school year, school social workers are confronted with challenges, heightened anxieties, and anticipated difficulties. However, school social workers face these challenges with strength and resilience. School Social Work Week 2025 celebrates the collective power and passion of school social workers who unite communities to ignite positive change in the lives of students, families, and schools. This year's theme, "Unite to Ignite: Celebrating our Impact," highlights the vital role school social workers play in fostering connections, advocating for equity, and driving social and emotional growth. It’s a time to honor the difference made by empowering others and working together to overcome challenges, ensuring all students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Kim Blatteau is our February Transportation Employee of the Month!
Kim joined our district team after working for a contract bus company. She is a positive and safety-conscious driver who transports some of our youngest learners from Appoquinimink Preschool Center, middle school students from Cantwell's Bridge Middle School, and often can be seen driving students to and from field trips. She is a mom to five Appoquinimink School District students from pre-k to high school!
AHS's Michele Davis is a BEATS Maker
Appoquinimink’s BEATS Maker Award acknowledges staff members who demonstrate excellence in collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity. Our March BEATS Makers, pictured above and center, is Michele Davis, financial secretary at Appoquinimink High School. Davis is pictured with Dr. Ed Small, executive director of Human Resources, and Dr. Matt Burrows, superintendent.
Educators earn National Board Certification
Seven Appoquinmink teachers were recognized at our March Board of Education meeting for having earned the National Board Certification Award. Pictured above, starting second from left, are Danielle Moore, Kathleen Olenderski, Gregory Ciccone, Diane Ciccone, Carolyn Henry, Laura Wright, and Daphne Smith. Pictured on the left is Dr. Ed Small, executive director of Human Resources, and on the right is Dr. Matt Burrows, superintendent.
And these amazing educators are now helping the next cohort!
Students receive oral health screenings
New this year, all Delaware kindergarteners must have an oral health screening. The above pictures are of nurses performing screenings at Cedar Lane Early Childhood Center, provided in partnership with the Delaware Division of Public Health.
Eden Bennett wins Scholastic Gold Key Award
Eden Bennett, a senior at Appoquinimink High School, is the recipient of the Scholastic Gold Key Award! Eden’s piece, Lines of Beauty, was created using colored pencil on toned paper. The piece is based on a personal photograph from Karl Lagerfeld’s “A Line of Beauty” exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She focused on unique materials: textured lace, tulle, ruffle, stain, and pearls, and was inspired by the rich beauty and prestige of Lagerfeld’s era. After graduating, Eden plans to attend school for fashion marketing. She is currently looking at attending Drexel University or Thomas Jefferson University.
Women Leading Delaware Education Conference
Our school district was well represented at the seventh annual Women Leading Delaware Education Conference!
Upcoming Events/Meeting Reminder:
Occupational Therapy Month
2 April - National Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
4 April - National School Librarian & Library Aides Day
3-5 April - AGW Spring Musical - 7:00 PM at AGW
3-4 April - CBMS Spring Musical - 7:00 PM at OHS
5-6 April - EMMS Spring Musical - times TBD at EMMS
5 April - AHS Spring Fling Dance - time and location TBD
5 April - MHS Spring Fling Dance - 7:00 PM location TBD
6-12 April - National Library Week
7-11 April - National Assistant Principals Week
8 April - School Board meeting, 7:00 PM at the Marion E. Proffitt Training Center, 118 S. Sixth St, Odessa. Tune in virtually here.
10 April - OBL 3rd Grade Concert - 6:00 PM at OBL
11-12 April - BHE Musical - 7:00 PM on 4/11 and 2 p.m. on 4/12 at BME
11-12 April - CLE Spring Musical - 7:00 PM on 4/11, & 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM on 4/12 at AGW
11-12 April - CRE Spring Musical - 7:00 PM 4/11 & 2:00 PM on 4/12 at CRE
11-12 April - TES Spring Musical - 7:00 PM on 4/11 & 2:00 PM on 4/12 at MHS
14 April - BMECC Spring Concert - times TBD at MHS
16 April - CLECC Kindergarten Spring Concert - 5:00 PM & 6:00 PM at AGW
16 April - Tri-M Spring Recital - 6:00 PM at MHS
16 April - OSE Choir Concert - 6:15 PM & 7:15 PM at OHS
18-25 April - School/offices closed - Spring Break
20-26 April - Administrative Professionals Week
20-26 April - National Volunteer Week
23 April - Administrative Professionals Day
23 April - School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
29 April - AHS Decision Day - school day event in AHS's gymnasium
30 April MHS Decision Day - school day event in MHS's gymnasium
30 April - SLE Instrumental Concert - 6:30 PM at EMMS
