That’s it. No more summer days away from school.
After a long Labor Day weekend, maybe on the beach or maybe spent preparing for the classroom, another chunk of Delaware students are back in session. With that said, some teachers in your area may still be looking for more resources for their classes through online wishlists.
With students returning, that means heightened security for some school districts.
Cape Henlopen just announced weapons detection systems for football games, a move mirrored by Appoquinimink and Sussex Technical schools. Seaford School District not only has such a system, but is testing its first year of requiring clear backpacks for students from sixth grade through high school.
In this weekly roundup, we’ll catch you up on these and other education updates you may have missed.
[Did we miss another good education story? Tell me about it: kepowers@gannett.com.]
Another Delaware school system brings security systems to football games
Starting with a home football game Sept. 20, Cape Henlopen School District will be launching a weapons detection system.
That system, called EVOLV, will help identify any potential weapons like guns and knives that could be entering the Cape Henlopen High School’s stadium, according to the district. This joins the school resource officer, constables and other Delaware State Police officers at each football game.
In an email to family and staff, the district explained what to expect:
- Two lines of spectators can walk through the system at once.
- If an alert is identified, an administrator will stop the line and review the images, while the spectator is asked to step aside and to remove the alerted item.
- If the alert is dismissed as a non-threat, the item will be tagged and the spectator will continue into the stadium.
- If the person refuses to openly identify the possible threat, a search will be required.
- If the search is refused, the spectator will be asked to leave the premises.
- If the alert is identified and found to be a threat, the police will “take the appropriate next steps,” per the school district.
- In cases of a health or safety concern – say, an implanted device or pregnancy – an alternative screening approach may be performed using a hand-held wand.
- Once the alert is identified and tagged, the line will resume.
“The safety of our students, staff and community members during attendance of our events is of the utmost importance to us, so please be patient as these new safety measures are implemented,” the district wrote. “And you may see longer wait times in line than expected.”
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Delaware Technical to show off its new Healthcare Center of Excellence building in Dover
Delaware Technical Community College is cutting the ribbon on its newly renovated Highmark Healthcare Center of Excellence on Tuesday morning.
The $3.4 million project includes $1 million from Highmark Delaware’s “BluePrints for the Community” grant program, according to a press release from DelTech. And now, the new center will look to support Delaware’s health care industry by training students for jobs in the sector.
With final touches finished this year, all 8.700 square feet will see classrooms, labs and other collaborative spaces. This will host training for short-term certification programs, such as certified nursing assistants, EKG technicians, community health workers, patient care technicians and more.
The center will be at 100 Campus Drive, on the Terry Campus in Dover. A ribbon cutting is set for 11 a.m., Sept. 3.
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Indian River School District announces adult education offerings for the fall
Indian River School District announced its course offerings in adult education for this fall, with programs for both youth and adults. Course dates, times and costs can be found online, per the district, where participants can also register and pay.
At a glance:
- Youth Safe Sitter Course – Oct. 16 to 17 at Indian River High School Library
- Youth Co-Ed Beginner’s Volleyball Academy – Grades three to six, Tuesdays from Sept. 17 to Oct. 29 at Southern Delaware School of the Arts gym.
- Youth Co-Ed Intermediate’s Volleyball Academy – Grades five to eight, Tuesdays from Sept. 17 to Oct. 29 at Southern Delaware School of the Arts gym.
- Youth Outdoor Boys Lacrosse Clinic – Grades five to eight, Mondays from Sept. 16 to Oct. 21 at Indian River High School.
- Youth Co-Ed Basketball Clinic by Factory Sports – Separate clinics for Grades 2-5 and Grades 6-8, Tuesdays from Sept. 17 to Oct. 15 at Millsboro Middle School gym.
- Adult Dance Exercise Class – Two sessions, Mondays at East Millsboro Elementary School and Thursdays at Lord Baltimore Elementary School through December.
- Adult Yoga Class – Thursdays from Sept. 12 to Dec. 5 at East Millsboro Elementary School gym.
- Adult Co-Ed Volleyball – Wednesdays from Sept. 11 to Dec. 11 at Millsboro Middle School gym.
- Adult Financial Planning Workshop Seminars – Multiple free sessions in September and October at Millsboro Middle School.
- Adult Health Planning Workshop Seminar – Two free sessions, Nov. 19 at Millsboro Middle School and Nov. 20 at Lord Baltimore Elementary School.
For more information about any of these courses, the district told community members to contact Matt Schifano at 302-436-1000 or via email.
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Got a story? Kelly Powers covers race, culture and equity for Delaware Online/The News Journal and USA TODAY Network Northeast, with a focus on education. Contact her at kepowers@gannett.com or (231) 622-2191, and follow her on X @kpowers01.