Delaware should move quickly to update its system of public education funding so schools can better meet the learning needs of their students, according to the Report on Education Funding in Delaware recently presented to Gov. Ruth Ann Minner. Noting that almost two-thirds of Delaware’s public education expenditures come from the state, the report found that current policies prevent state education dollars from being generated fairly, distributed equitably and used cost-effectively to serve the diverse needs of students.

Project V.I.L.L.A.G.E. students at North Georgetown had something to be thankful for just before the Thanksgiving holiday. Mother Goose, otherwise known as Roberta, paid a visit to the pre-kindergartenders and entertained them with a variety of nursery rhymes.

A Sussex Central graduate has been named to the Golden Key International Honor Society during her junior year at East Carolina University. Danielle E. deFreitas is a 2006 Central alumna, majoring in Speech-Language Pathology.

Sussex Central High School’s Take II Drama Club will present William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream on Dec. 3, 5 and 6 at 7 p.m. in the theatre of The Centre for the Visual and Performing Arts at Sussex Central High School.

Kurt M. Saunders, a computer engineering major from Millsboro, won the 1743 Distinguished Scholars award at the University of Delaware. Saunders is a graduate of Sussex Central Senior High School in Georgetown. 1743 Scholars are named in honor of the University's longstanding traditions and history.

For one short week of the year, traditional book learning was “history” at the Sussex Academy of Arts and Science. Earlier this month, 323 students at the Georgetown-based school participated in a hands-on learning journey called, “Freedom Rocks; Election ’08."  For almost two weeks, students took on roles of the press, candidates, Democrat and Republican voters, and campaign organizers to learn firsthand about the American election process.

Thirty guidance counselors from southern Delaware high schools were briefed on the enhanced University of Delaware Commitment to Delawareans during a meeting held Oct. 31, at Delaware Technical and Community College, in Georgetown. Originally announced in 2006, the UD Commitment to Delawareans is an academic road-map designed to inform students and parents throughout the state of the courses and level of academic performance recommended for admission onto the Newark campus.

The public is invited to a special dedication ceremony for the renovated Southern Delaware School of the Arts/Indian River Educational Complex building on Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. Located at 31 Hosier St., in Selbyville, the 76-year-old facility was the home of the Selbyville School from 1932-1968 and Selbyville Middle School from 1969-1995.

North Georgetown students and staff celebrated Red Ribbon Week at the end of October.  It was the 20th anniversary of the anti-drug activity week, and all students wore red ribbons that said “Count on Me to be Drug-Free”, received pencils that said, “Too Cool for Drugs”, and stickers that said “Don’t Monkey Around with Drugs.”

On the gray and blustery morning of Nov. 6, the victors and the also-rans prepared to bury the hatchet during Return Day ceremonies at the Georgetown Circle. This year, on the edge of town, miles from the Circle, more than 160 teenagers prepared a return of their own. The entire student body of Delmarva Christian High School rendezvoused in the Abundant Life Church off Route 113 to launch their own Return to Community Day.

According to a recent study commissioned by the Governor’s Consortium on Hispanic Affairs, more than half of Hispanic Delawareans are Spanish-dominant and almost all share the desire to learn English. Up to $150,000 in grants (three, single-year grants of up to $50,000 each) will be available to organizations with programs or projects that help Hispanic immigrants and their young children learn the English language.

Cindy Baker, of Millsboro Middle School, was honored at the Indian River School Board's Oct. 28 meeting for her selection as the 2008 National Council for Geographic Education's Distinguished Teaching Award. Only seven middle school teachers from North America were chosen.

Click the link above for Dover Post Company contributor Roger Martin's column detailing events from this week in Delaware's history.

By the time this article is printed, I will have gone on my first tour of the construction site for the new library. I am excited anticipating the hard-hat tour.

Governor Ruth Ann Minner announced today that Jennifer “J.J.” Davis has resigned from her position as director of the state’s Office of Management and Budget effective November 11 to accept a new position as vice president for administration at the University of Delaware.