New year, same school year.
Students are soon to return from winter breaks across the state, but for now, many remain in holiday throes. For some Salesianum students, though, that included hosting hundreds of people for lunch on Christmas Day.
In this weekly roundup, we’ll catch you up on these and other updates you may have missed.
(Did we miss another good education story? Let me know: kepowers@gannett.com)
Salesianum students host Christmas lunch for Wilmington communities
For just the second year, Salesianum School opened its doors on Christmas Day to host Wilmington Housing Authority residents and the surrounding community.
All afternoon, the Catholic school said it offered food, music and holiday cheer at its Christmas Lunch. Sallies students were prepared for hundreds of residents – just about doubling last year’s attendance – alongside families, alumni and friends. And it all ties to a tradition dating to 1982, according to Salesianum, in Rome’s Sant’Egidio community.
“Today, Christmas Lunch is celebrated in more than 600 cities worldwide,” the school wrote in a press release. “And (it) directly aligns with Salesianum’s patron saint, Francis de Sales’ teachings: ‘It is to those who have the most need for us that we ought to show our love more especially.'”
Last week, for some 80,000 people in Italy and 250,000 others around the world, Christmas Lunch was prepared by the Community of Sant’Egidio and the Italian police, as reported by Vatican News. Sallies hoped to do its part in echoing the service, to about 300.
The Wilmington event looked to welcome anyone “who may have otherwise spent Christmas alone,” and through donations and student coordination, guests received more than company.
Each attendee also got a gift, Christmas carols and a visit from Santa.
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This nonprofit wants your winter coats
Rolling in holiday spoils? Maybe consider donating this season. Forget Me Not Families is looking for donations of gently used winter clothing, shoes and other items to give to families in need.
Donations can be made to the Newark organization’s facility at 132 Sandy Drive, as previously reported, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Collection bins and storage also are available for after-hour drop-offs.
Additional collection bin locations include:
- Academy for Creative Enrichment in Bear, 1458 Bear Corbitt Road
- Church of God in Prices Corner, 2410 Newport Gap Pike
- Food Lion Shopping Center in Middletown, 501 W. Main St.
- Hockessin Montessori, 1000 Old Lancaster Pike
- John R. Downes Elementary School in Newark, 220 Casho Mill Road
- Reybold Group in Bear, 116 E. Scotland Drive
Looking for more? There are plenty additional organizations and drives looking for donations.
Holiday spirit continued:Delaware nonprofits seek donations for coats, other winter wear for families
Delaware education news to carry into 2025 …
This year wasn’t any easier in education.
The 2024-25 term started with Delaware ranked 45th in public schools across the nation, citing declining test scores and hikes in absenteeism.
That national research continued to examine “unprecedented declines” in student math and reading proficiency brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. And Delaware’s own test results dropped in August, showing most students continued to score lower than pre-pandemic levels.
Across 19 school districts, inside charter schools and classrooms, there have been positive stories among these challenges. Think: cellphone bans making impact, to national honors for elementary schools, Brandywine High School winning back-to-back national STEM competitions, Christina curating a package of professional development and resources to help bolster Black history goals in House Bill 198, and more.
Delaware’s largest city also celebrated the first new school in Wilmington in some 50 years, now carrying the name of a veteran educator from the same streets: Maurice Pritchett Sr. Academy. Also in 2024, there have been statewide groups drawn together by aims for redistricting and hopes for school funding reform.
So: looking back at 2024, what are some stories to remember in 2025?
See you next year.
DEEPER READ:Delaware education: 5 things you shouldn’t forget from 2024
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.