March 2026 ASD Family Newsletter

• The 2026-27 Academic Calendar is posted!
• Secretary of Education Scholars
• Recap: Workforce Readiness Fair
• Middle school career discovery conference
• Black History Month
• Spread the Word Day
• 302 Day at Lorewood Grove Elementary
• OSE earns Heart Safe School Designation
• Scoop! There it is!
• April 25: You're invited to our Elementary Art Show
• AHS students earn scholastic art awards
• How To Eat Like A Child
• Odessa High School FFA presents at conference
• Katie Wright featured in National Educator Spotlight
• Celebrating our CTE (Career and Technical Education) Teachers!
• Career Day at EMMS
• A Strong Winter Sports Season for Appoquinimink School District
• Board of Education - Boards Docs Becoming Diligent Community
• School Board Election 2026 - Candidate Forum
• March Board of Education Recognitions
• DSU Spring Gala
• Won’t You Be My Neighbor Day
• Social Emotional Learning Day at Brick Mill Early Childhood Center
• Kindergarten Registration
• TES: Women in the Workplace
• Soil prep at OBL
• LGE: Video Game Design Showcase
• Registration is open for Summer Camps!
• April 16: ASD Special Education hosts Parent Council Sessions
• NEA visits Appo
• February Transportation Employee(s) of the Month
• 2026-2027 Educational Support Professional of the Year
• Upcoming Events & Meeting Reminders:

The 2026-27 Academic Calendar is posted!

Attention ASD Families – the 2026-2027 Academic Calendar is now available on our website.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS IT!

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 demonstrate qualities critical to making a significant difference in their own lives and in the lives of others. Students are selected by their principals based on their academic records and community service. The number of scholars from each school is based on enrollment. Keep reading to learn more about the Secretary of Education Scholars from the Class of 2026.

Appoquinimink High School 

  Aashay Gupte Son of Pradnya Bendre and Sanket Gupte of Middletown, Aashay ranks first in his class with a 4.673 weighted GPA and a 4.0 unweighted GPA. He is the Founder of Chunk21, an initiative supporting students with Down syndrome, and serves as a Machine Learning Research Intern at Delaware State University and the University of Delaware. Aashay is senior captain of Science Olympiad, co-founder and vice president of Make-A-Wish Club, and a Blue Hen All-Conference varsity tennis player. He plans to major in Computer Science with a focus on artificial intelligence and its impact on healthcare.

“Growing up with my sister, who has Down syndrome, has been my most profound influence. Watching her confront challenges with perpetual perseverance shaped my perspective on effort. I watched my sister push through frustration, resiliently, whether it was through the eighth attempt of holding a pencil correctly or the sixth attempt at opening the door. I am now at a crossroads in my life, where I’m deciding my future path, while my sister confidently dreams of becoming an insect scientist.”

  Mahika Gujja  Daughter of Srinivas and Uma Gujja of Middletown, Mahika has earned a 4.578 weighted GPA and ranks among the top of her graduating class. She serves as president of Appo BPA, qualifying for Nationals three times, co-president of Youth to Eliminate Loss of Life, vice president of ASPIRA, and officer of Training and Certification for Red Cross. She is a varsity tennis player and an active member of the National Honor Society, AAPI, Student Government Association, and marching band. Mahika is committed to both academics and community service and plans to pursue a degree in data science or a related field.   

“Throughout my life, my inspiration has come from my dynamic environment: my family, friends, experiences, and culture. My parents instilled in me the importance of new experiences from a young age. As scary as change may be, embracing the growth that comes with it has given me an invaluable perspective on life, opened doorways to incredible opportunities, and has transformed me for the better. I hope I continue to grow and learn from every new obstacle or challenge I face.”

Middletown High School

Minerva Abd El Malek Daughter of Emad Abd El Malek and Rene Adel Aziz, Minerva is ranked first in her graduating class with a 4.603 GPA. Minerva’s impressive achievements outside of the classroom include vice president of Middletown High School HOSA and Best Buddies. Minerva organized blood drives at MHS, and she is also the treasurer of MHS’s National Honor Society. Her dedication to helping others is prevalent in organizing church events and soup kitchens. She was a state winner with HOSA and received a Certificate of Multiliteracy. Minerva has spent the last two years working in a physical therapy office, where she has discovered a profound calling. She plans to attend college, where she will pursue a career in physical therapy.

“My character has been deeply shaped by the selflessness of the servants in my church and the values of the Coptic community. Guided by supportive teachers and inspired by my parents' unwavering dedication, I have always been driven to strive for excellence. This foundation led me to take on leadership roles both at school and within my community. Furthermore, my experience working in a physical therapy office has solidified my sense of purpose, fueling my decision to major in Kinesiology as I look toward my college career.”

Layla Dukes Daughter of Todd and Barbara Dukes, Layla is ranked second in her graduating class with a 4.553 GPA. Layla is not only successful in the classroom but also on the athletic field and in the community.  Her participation in Best Buddies of Delaware has fostered meaningful relationships and contributed to the inclusivity of the Middletown High School community. Her leadership skills shined as vice president of Middletown High School's Athletic Committee, where, for the past two years, she has organized the National Girls and Women Sport Day Event in the Appoquinimink School District. Her involvement in the Delaware State Police Summer Cohort Internship demonstrated her interest in criminal justice and her willingness to explore potential career paths with curiosity and enthusiasm. She will attend Kutztown University to play field hockey and study political science.

“The community I surround myself with has influenced me to become ambitious. My encouraging family motivates me to be the best that I can be. My passionate teachers inspire me to push my limits by learning new subjects. My coaches have shown me anything is possible with continuous effort. Through volunteering, I have learned leadership skills that have developed me into a confident person. I am thankful for all of the people who have shaped me into who I am today.”

Odessa High School

Elizabeth Cebula  Elizabeth Cebula, daughter of Stanley and Susana of Middletown, ranks in the top one percent of her graduating class, exemplifying academic excellence and principled leadership. Throughout high school, she has demonstrated sustained commitment to scholarship, advocacy, and institutional reform. As founder of HerGoal DE, Elizabeth worked directly with the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association to address systemic inequities in girls’ athletics. She further developed her legal acumen through experience with the Delaware Department of Justice and mentorship under former Attorney General Charles Oberly. Elizabeth will attend the University of Chicago to study Law, Letters, and Society.

"Growing up, I was repeatedly told to 'Be a goldfish.’ If you are unaware of this phrase, a goldfish has a 10-second memory. While this memory seems like a weakness, it is truly this fish’s biggest strength. Their lack of memory results in strong perseverance. I have found that being a goldfish is ignoring the voice of doubt and pushing through. By repeating this phrase, I have used perseverance to my advantage, trying over and over until I am successful."

  Sophia Lindia Sophia Lindia, daughter of Thomas and Kimberly of Townsend, ranks in the top one percent of her class. Throughout her time at Odessa High School, she has excelled in Advanced Placement and dual enrollment courses, consistently demonstrating academic rigor and intellectual curiosity. Sophia is a beacon of compassion and service. Through her leadership in the National Honor Society and volunteer work with Special Olympics and Best Buddies, she has strengthened our inclusive school community. She is currently writing a bilingual children’s book, reflecting her creativity and cultural awareness. Sophia will attend the University of Virginia.  

"My commitment to academic achievement is rooted in my sense of a strong work ethic, which has guided me throughout my entire life. My family has been a strong motivator for my diligence, as well as my main source of encouragement. My parents always remind me that hard work pays off — regardless of knowing when and how — and, more importantly, what I learn along the way is far more meaningful than any tangible outcomes."

Recap: Workforce Readiness Fair

On March 11, more than 1,000 juniors from our district’s three high schools participated in the Workforce Readiness Fair. This annual event gives students the opportunity to apply the skills they’ve learned in the classroom and to prepare for their future careers. The fair was held at the Delaware Technical Community College Terry (Dover) Campus.  This is the fourth year our district has held the Workforce Readiness Fair in its current format, and the second year Del Tech has hosted our students. The fair is an all-day, interactive event that sees students cycle through three programs — networking, mock interviews, and notes on workplace professionalism. These programs are facilitated by our industry partners, who provide students insight into their career paths. Students were paired with industry professionals who matched their pathway.  We want to thank Del Tech for hosting our students this year and our industry partners who volunteered their time to mentor them.  Click here to see the full album of photos from the Fair!

Middle school career discovery conference

In conjunction with our Workforce Readiness Fair, on March 11 at Delaware Technical Community College, our district partnered with Community Integrated Services (CIS) to host the Middle School Career Discovery Conference. Students from all four middle schools rotated through four areas — healthcare, business, agriculture, and culinary, where they were able to get an up-close look at work settings in those fields.

Black History Month

We have additional coverage of Black History Month events to share:  Toward the end of February, Cedar Lane Elementary School celebrated the culmination of its Black History Month lessons with a special assembly for students! The event featured student speakers, performances by the school's cheerleaders, and songs from the chorus. You can find a full gallery of pictures here! Everett Meredith Middle School's Ms. Tracy Wall (the school's 2027 Building Teacher of the Year) and her eighth-grade ELA students hosted the school's first Black History Month Athletes Wax Museum. Students researched influential athletes and created engaging presentations that brought each figure to life! See more pictures here! Appoquinimink High School’s Black Student Union held an event where guest speakers from a local salon taught students about hair care. Click here for the full gallery of photos!

Spread the Word Day

On March 4, our schools celebrated Spread the Word Day to promote inclusion of all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These pictures were submitted by our Transportation Department and Special Education Department, and also from our schools, reaffirming our commitment to inclusion for all. 

302 Day at Lorewood Grove Elementary

On March 2 — otherwise known as 302 day — Lorewood Grove Elementary had special visitors, including Lieutenant Governor Kyle Evans Gay and Delaware Secretary of Education Cindy Marten! They visited Mr. Penland's classroom, where students participated in activities using a new booklet created in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Delaware 250 activity booklet helps students explore the people, places, and events that shaped our state during the American Revolution. You can click here to see the full gallery!

OSE earns Heart Safe School Designation

Huge congratulations are in order for Old State Elementary School! The Otters were recently recognized with a Heart Safe School Designation by Nemours Cardiac and its affiliate, Project ADAM. This designation signifies OSE has undergone training to prepare and protect students, staff, and visitors in the event of a cardiac emergency.

Scoop! There it is!

Please join us in congratulating Cedar Lane Early Childhood Center for their creative thinking, which led them to be a winner in Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT)  "Name That Plow" Contest! CLECC’s “Scoop! There it is!” was chosen from nearly 300 submissions this year! The 2026 winners are: Scoop! There it is! - Cedar Lane Early Childhood (New Castle) No Mo Sno - Star Hill Elementary School (Kent) Han Snowlo - Phillis Wheatley Elementary School (Sussex) You can read more here! You can find a full gallery of photos here!

April 25: You're invited to our Elementary Art Show

We are thrilled to invite the community to our Elementary Art Exhibition! The exhibition will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be held at the Appoquinimink Community Library and will feature student artwork from all ASD elementary schools. The amazing artwork will remain on display through Tuesday, April 28, and can be viewed during scheduled library hours.

AHS students earn scholastic art awards

Three students from Appoquinimink High School recently received recognition from The Delaware Regional Scholastic Art Awards!  The Scholastic Art Awards program is “the nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens.” 

Devkrishna Manappattu (11th grade, pictured above) won a Gold Key Award for two of his photography pieces, “Convergence” and “Urban Distortion.”     

Elena Ruberto (12th grade, pictured above) won a Gold Key Award for her Pastel drawing called “Lost in Social Media.”

Alyssa Mao (12th grade, pictured above) won an Honorable Mention for “The Perspective of a Blank Mind” (chalk pastel on blue paper) and “Hot Tea” (acrylic painting).   Gold Key Award winners had their pieces displayed at The Arts Center/Gallery at Delaware State University in January and February.

How To Eat Like A Child

Ahead of opening night, Appoquinimink High School's theatre department put on a special showing of its spring musical, How To Eat Like A Child, for elementary and middle school students in our district! As you can see in the pictures, this was an entertaining field trip for our younger students, and an amazing show from AHS's theatre students! You can see more pictures here!

Odessa High School FFA presents at conference

Our students have been staying busy this winter — students in Odessa High School FFA Organization were invited to present their work during the 16th annual Environmental Education Conference, hosted by the Delaware Association for Environmental Education. The conference was held this year at Odessa High School on February 28. You can see more photos here!

Katie Wright featured in National Educator Spotlight

We are proud to announce that Odessa High School teacher Katie Wright has been featured in a national "Educator Spotlight" by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB). Her article, Reimagining Dynamic Assignments, explores the benefits of utilizing AI in the classroom to enhance student engagement and lesson design. We are thrilled to see our staff recognized for their dedication to cutting-edge instructional practices that benefit our students every day. Congratulations, Katie! You can read more here!

Celebrating our CTE (Career and Technical Education) Teachers!

February might be over, but we have more pictures to share of our amazing CTE educators! Stay tuned as we share these pictures on our social media accounts. Throughout February, which is nationally celebrated as CTE Month, we posted videos we produced a few years ago with information about our pathways. You can also find more information about our district's pathways here!

Career Day at EMMS

Each spring, we invite industry professionals from a range of fields into our seventh-grade classrooms for Career Day! Each presenter gives a brief overview of their job, what a typical day is like, and provides details on the training and education they need for their job. These pictures were taken during Everett Meredith Middle School's Career Day. Please join us in thanking our community partners for attending this event and helping inspire our students! See more pictures here!

A Strong Winter Sports Season for Appoquinimink School District

The Appoquinimink School District once again left its mark across the state during the winter sports season, highlighting the dedication, determination, and emerging talent of our student-athletes. From championship victories to milestone achievements, this winter was filled with moments that will stand out in our district’s athletic history. Open this story to read more!

Board of Education - Boards Docs Becoming Diligent Community

For many years, our district has utilized the platform Board Docs to house all School Board information, including agendas, documents, and other required items. Beginning in March 2026, information will begin migrating to Diligent Community.  Recently, Diligent Community purchased Board Docs. This means all districts that currently utilize the Board Docs platform will be switching to Diligent. Beginning in mid-March, information for our district will be cross-posted on both platforms. By the end of May, Diligent will be fully up and running, and the Board Docs website will be deactivated. Please note – all previous board information will be migrated into the Diligent platform. This information is available on our district website.

School Board Election 2026 - Candidate Forum

On March 24, our Appoquinimink Board of Education held a board workshop and candidate forum for the upcoming School Board election on May 12, 2026. Candidates had the opportunity to share a summary about themselves and explain why they are running for a seat on the School Board. If you were unable to attend in person or watch the forum live, you can access a recording on our YouTube page.

March Board of Education Recognitions

Pictured above, at the March 10 Appoquinimink Board of Education meeting, the Board recognized staff who recently earned the National Board Certification Award or the National Certification for School Nursing Award. The National Board Certification is awarded to educators who demonstrate the highest standards in teaching, excellence, dedication, and professional growth. Achieving the NCSN credentialing demonstrates advanced knowledge, expertise, and a strong commitment to excellence in school nursing. Pictured from left are Executive Director of Human Resources Ed Small, Christine Curcuru, Joseph Worthington, Kevin Lair, Danielle Sigvardson, Erin MacFadyen, Lead Nurse Yvonne Camac, and Superintendent Matt Burrows. 

Above, students who participated in our district’s Student Voice Showcase were recognized at the March 10 Board of Education meeting. These students delivered moving speeches on topics of importance to them. The students who participated this year, listed in no particular order, are Connor Rovira, Adah Danquah, Lily Sappington, Ellie Billings, Felicity Williams, Joshua Flewelling, Lakshika Nekkanti, Zoey Friend, Gwendolyn Blackwell, Tiffany Njuguna, Safiya Sheik, and Reyaansh Somaiah. Not all students listed were able to attend the meeting. 

Above, Cantwell’s Bridge Middle School was recognized at the March 10 Board of Education meeting after winning the district’s Middle School Boys Basketball Championship. This is the fourth consecutive year the CBMS boys' team has won a championship. Pictured, in no particular order, are Darryl Cannon, Thomas Carr, Kasai Chappell, Reece Dills, Clarence Johnson, Donovan Jones-Milton, Tayden Julo, Adrian Lewis, Milton Reaves, Levi Seth, Malachi Suma-Keita, James Swiggett, Christian Warner, Zaya Chavis, Morgan Harris, and Maya Walker. Please note, not all members of the team could be in attendance at the meeting. 

Above, Cantwell’s Bridge Middle School was recognized at the March 10 Board of Education meeting after winning the district’s Middle School Girls Basketball Championship. This was the girls' team's first time winning the championship title. Pictured, in no particular order, are Bijou Juliet Agyemang, Riley Bruce, Bricklyn Campbell, Cameron Cumello, Eleana Henderson, Alyssa Henlon, A'Niyah Jones, Milan Robinson, Miah Ryland, Zuri Sanders, Brinleigh Savage, Olivia Smith-McCorey, London Walton, Adesewa Adedeji, and Vasia Troyer. Please note, not all members of the team could be in attendance at the meeting. 

Katie Eddinger and Izabella O’Brien, pictured above, second from left, were recognized at the March 10 Board of Education meeting after winning the title of 2026 Girls State Wrestling Champions. Katie could not be in attendance at the meeting, but is the state champion at 120 lbs. Izabella is the state champion at 138 lbs. Izabella is pictured with her coaches and Superintendent Matt Burrows. 

Jacque Wilson, pictured above second from left, was recognized at the March 10 meeting after winning the title of 2026 Boys State Wrestling Champion at 215 lbs. He is pictured with his coaches and Superintendent Matt Burrows. 

Grady Redding, pictured center, was recognized at the March 10 Board of Education meeting for his achievements during this year’s swim season. He was the state champion in Boys 200 Yard Freestyle and Boys 100 Yard Butterfly. He is pictured with his coach and Superintendent Matt Burrows. 

Pictured above, the Odessa High School girls 4 X 200 indoor track team was recognized at the March 10 Board of Education meeting after being named state champions. The team members, pictured from left, are Ryleigh White, Audrey Howard, Addison Barker, Makayla Wilkins, and Superintendent Matt Burrows. 

Above, the Middletown High School indoor track team was recognized for several gold medal performances. Those are, in no particular order, Jayda Clarke in girls triple jump; Jayden Feaster in boys 400 M; Jayden Feaster, Logan Elmore, Andrew Linzmeier, and Kevin Howard in boys 4 X 800; Zamir Miller, Amir Jones-Branch, Riley Robinson, and Hanif Miller in boys 4 X 200. Not all students could be in attendance at the meeting. They are pictured with their coaches and Superintendent Matt Burrows. 

Above, the Middletown High School Indoor Track Team was recognized at the March 10 Board of Education meeting as the 2026 DIAA State Champions. Pictured are the team captains and coaches, with Superintendent Matt Burrows.

DSU Spring Gala

Old State Elementary and Cantwell’s Bridge Middle School students took the stage at Delaware State University, where they performed in the school's Chinese Immersion Gala! These pictures are from the rehearsals and performance.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor Day

Spring Meadow Early Childhood Center has been celebrating national holidays throughout the school year. The school has included students and families in National Polka Dot Day, National Pancake Day, and National Popcorn Day, to name a few. On March 20, SMECC invited the whole of the Fairview Campus to join in for Won't You Be My Neighbor? Day! This day originally started as a tribute to Mr. Rogers and hoped to encourage random acts of kindness amongst those in our communities. See the full gallery of photos here!

Social Emotional Learning Day at Brick Mill Early Childhood Center

Brick Mill Early Childhood Center hosted its annual SEL (Social Emotional Learning) Day on March 2. This event features guest readers from all three high schools visiting BMECC classrooms to share a book with younger students. Students read "Hello, Friend/Hola, Amigo," which is a bilingual book that celebrates inclusive friendships. BMECC's SEL Day continued after school with a family night. You can see more pictures from SEL Day here! You can see the full gallery from BMECC's Family Night here!

Kindergarten Registration

If your child will be 5 years old by August 31, it’s time to register for kindergarten!   Registration is completed through an online portal. We have all the information on our district website. And don’t forget: our district offers TWO language immersion programs! Kindergarten immersion programs include Spanish Immersion and Chinese Immersion at certain buildings. Kindergarten students who participate in our immersion programs learn math, science, reading, writing, and social studies in two languages instead of one! We’ll include information below to register and to learn more about immersion.   Register for Kindergarten 2026-2027: https://bit.ly/AppoKindergarten   Click here to learn more and Spanish and Chinese Immersion.

TES: Women in the Workplace

Townsend Elementary School hosted a Women in the Workplace event, where local women shared information about their jobs, what an average day looks like at work, and their journey to finding their career. We are always so grateful to our community for taking the time to visit our schools and inspire our students.

Soil prep at OBL

'Tis the season! Olive B. Loss Elementary is getting its garden ready for the spring with a lesson in soil preparation. We can't wait to see (and taste) the produce the Wise Owls grow!

LGE: Video Game Design Showcase

In February, Lorewood Grove Elementary School hosted a Video Game Design Showcase with fourth-grade students. Keep reading for a summary of the event from LGE's STEAM coordinator, Kendra Moritz-Rosner! Lorewood Grove’s fourth graders proudly hosted their annual Video Game Design Showcase, a celebration of creativity, perseverance, and innovation. Since November 2025, students have been immersed in learning the MakeCode Arcade coding platform, applying the engineering and design process to plan, prototype, test, and refine their own original video games. Throughout the journey, students brainstormed storylines, designed characters, debugged code, and worked through challenges just like real game developers. They learned that failure is part of the process, that collaboration makes ideas stronger, and that persistence turns problems into possibilities. These photos capture the culminating moments of their hard work: the excitement as students shared their custom-built arcade games with proud family members and visiting classrooms who stopped by to play and celebrate. The room was filled with laughter, cheering, and the unmistakable joy that comes from seeing months of effort come to life. We are incredibly proud of our Lions for their creativity, resilience, and courage to showcase their learning. Their games weren’t just projects; they were proof that with imagination and determination, our students can design, build, and create amazing things. You can see all the photos here!

Registration is open for Summer Camps!

The time is here for summer camp registration! We've got a summer full of fun planned — performing arts, athletics, arts and crafts, language camps, science, and enrichment — more than 30 different options in all! Campers make friends, have fun, learn new things, and develop their talents in a supportive environment at ASD's Bunker Hill Campus, which is home to both Bunker Hill Elementary and Appoquinimink High. Open this story to learn more. Follow this link for more information and to register for our summer camps! 

April 16: ASD Special Education hosts Parent Council Sessions

All are welcome to attend our Parent Council Session, presented by the Special Education Department in partnership with Appo Families Connect. The final meeting of the school year is on April 16, 2026, with the topic of "Restorative Practices: Family Edition." This meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at Everett Meredith Middle School.  This interactive session introduces restorative practices as a way to strengthen family relationships, build community, and address conflict in positive, respectful ways. Families will learn tools to promote empathy, communication, and accountability — skills that can be used both at home and in partnership with schools. Use THIS LINK to register. If you have questions, please email Patrique.OGilvie@appo.k12.de.us.​​​​​​​

NEA visits Appo

We would like to thank Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, for visiting our schools and taking the opportunity to learn about our programs on March 20. Pringle got to see our special programs in action during a middle and high school Unified Bowling Outing. She also met with education pathway students at Odessa High School. You can see more pictures from her visit here!

February Transportation Employee(s) of the Month