Representatives from St. Georges Technical High School stand with a Vision 2015 ice sculpture created by students and faculty at the school

Vision Network Expands to 28 Schools & 20,000 Students

Elected officials and leaders in education, business, and the community gathered on Wednesday, May 13 in Dover to celebrate the remarkable progress of the Vision Network, which just last week announced the addition of seven new schools.

The Vision Network is the "on the ground" component of Vision 2015; its district and school participants are beginning to implement the transformational changes recommended by Vision 2015.  According to Susan Bunting, Superintendent of Indian River School District, “[W]e have been able to really focus on what our students need and set higher expectations for all students. The Network is truly a comprehensive reform all the way from the district to the schools.”

The Network now includes 28 schools throughout the state—serving approximately 20,000 students. The seven schools that just joined the Network and that will start their training this fall are:

• Townsend Elementary School, Appoquinimink School District
• Dover High School, Capital School District
• Georgetown Middle School, Indian River School District
• Millsboro Middle School, Indian River School District
• Selbyville Middle School, Indian River School District
• Delcastle Technical High School, New Castle County Vo-Tech School District
• Paul M. Hodgson Vocational Technical High School, New Castle County Vo-Tech School District

"Our school couldn't be more excited or proud to join the Vision Network," said Annemarie Linden, principal of Paul M. Hodgson Vocational Technical High School. "We've heard time and time again from our colleagues within our district that because of the Network, they have been able to improve school culture more than ever and make great strides toward deeply impacting student achievement. What educator wouldn't want that?"

Tell us what you think!

Read more about the expansion of the Vision Network:

·         "Vision Network grows by 7 schools," The News Journal, May 14, 2009

·         WILM Radio Live Interviews Podcast, May 19, 2009

Did You Know?

Thirteen Indian River High School students participated in a Twilight Program designed to improve graduation rates, which was funded by a Vision Network grant. This year the seven participating seniors will graduate in June, bringing up the graduate rate by about three percentage points.

VISION-aries

"[T]he Vision Network is an exciting endeavor for our state, and demonstrates that Delaware is a national leader in transforming public education... [B]efore I had the honor of becoming the Delaware's Education Secretary, I was superintendent of the Christina School District and was delighted to be a part of the Vision Network.

"As Secretary, I'm excited for the opportunity to remain involved with Vision 2015 and the Vision Network....We have a window of opportunity here in Delaware to do as much as we possibly can for our children. The nation is watching, and the world is watching."

-Delaware Secretary of Education Lillian Lowery, at the Vision 2015 & Vision Network Celebration, May 13, 2009

Contact

To get the latest information on how to become involved with Vision 2015, please visit our web site, http://www.vision2015delaware.org, or e-mail us at info@vision2015delaware.org.

Be a Leader in Your Child's School

The Delaware Parent Leadership Institute (DPLI) is currently recruiting for its next training session, and is seeking parents and guardians of public school students to participate in this FREE and invaluable training experience. The Institute helps parents become more involved in public schools and their communities to enhance the educational experience for all children. This year's Institute will be held on the following dates (note that participating in the Institute requires a commitment of 3 weekends): August 15 & 16, September 19 & 20, AND October 24 & 25.

The deadline to apply is May 25, 2009.

Learn more about DPLI and download an application.

Read a recent article from the Middletown Transcript about its successes.

Vision 2015 Applauds

2009 Superstars

On Monday, May 4, six programs from schools and districts throughout the state were honored by the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce as 2009's Superstars in Education winners, recognized for implementing creative programs and distinctive teaching practices that have improved student learning and test scores. Vision 2015 congratulates this year's winners, which include:

·         Brandywine's Harlan Elementary School

·         Milford Middle School

·         Indian River School District

·         Red Clay's Mote Elementary School

·         Red Clay's H.B. du Pont Middle School

·         Colonial's William Penn High School

"We are all investing in Superstars in Education because we know how critical it is that Delaware, and indeed the entire nation, has a well-educated workforce," said James A. Wolfe, President and CEO of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. "That’s why the business community is so concerned about and involved in education in Delaware. From the Chamber’s Superstars in Education program to the Delaware Business Roundtable’s Education Committee to Vision 2015, we all understand that we’ve got to work as one to ensure Delaware’s students enter the workforce ready to tackle the challenges ahead."

Read more about the Superstars program and the 2009 Superstars in Education winners.

Exciting Opportunities for Teachers!

The Delaware Business, Industry, Education Alliance is coordinating the Teacher Externship Program to allow educators the opportunity to better prepare students to enter the workforce by learning the needs of employers. The three-day, 18-hour program during the week of June 22 is open to all certified educators currently employed in Delaware and to businesses of all sizes and types. Learn more.

The Harvard Club of Delaware (HCD) once again will offer scholarships for Delaware educators to attend summer institutes at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) from June through August of 2009. Learn more.

For information on other activities and events, and to submit an event, please visit the Vision 2015 community events page.

Four Delaware Students Meet Oprah

Four seniors from Christiana High School – a Vision Network school – traveled to Chicago earlier this month to meet Oprah Winfrey and appear on a special segment of her show. The Delaware high school athletes and scholars were honored for excelling in and out of the classroom, often despite incredible challenges. The students thought there were on the show to discuss how the current recession is affecting their dreams to attend college, but soon found out that they are the inaugural recipients of Grammy-winning Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am's "i am scholarship," which will cover tuition, book, and room and board for four years. Congratulations to these four amazing students!