It’s a quiet week.
With Christmas on Wednesday, as well as the start to Hanukkah by sundown the same night, its a holiday week with no school for most Delaware students. That doesn’t mean education news has stopped coming, though.
National librarian awards in Wilmington, millions of scholarship fundraising for Delaware State University and more: 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)
Wilmington librarians Peggy Griffith and Jamar Rahming just landed 2025 “I Love My Librarian” awards from the American Library Association.
This award “recognizes the outstanding public service contributions of librarians working in public, school, college, community college or university libraries across the country,” ALA said in a press release Dec. 16.
This year saw nearly 1,300 nominations across the country. There were 10 winners.
Administrative librarian Griffith is creating opportunities for youth at the Ferris School, per ALA, a state facility that provides services for court-committed males ages 13 to 18.
Meanwhile, Jamar Rahming has been busy “taking Wilmington Institute Free Library through a transformational rebirth” over the past six years. He has established partnerships with local barbers to stock bookshelves for children, hosted “Pitch or Ditch” competitions for minority-owned small businesses, housed a diaper bank and community closet on its second floor and more, according to ALA. The library has looked to revitalize the community, while also growing a slate of guests like LeVar Burton, Jenifer Lewis and Dolly Parton.
Both Delaware honorees will be celebrated in an award ceremony at the 2025 LibLearnX Conference in Phoenix on Jan. 24-27, 2025.
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Delaware State University said it raised a net $4 million dollars at its 2024 Scholarship Ball last weekend.
Some 1,200 attendees packed into the Wilmington’s Chase Center on the Riverfront, DSU said in a press release, with entertainment from Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Eric Roberson, three-time Grammy award winner and violinist Damien Escobar and more guests.
President Tony Allen also presented Sen. Thomas Carper and his wife, Martha, with the university’s inaugural “UBUNTU” Legacy Award – Swahili for “You Are Because We Are” – after nearly 50 years of service in public office.
Deeper on Carper’s career:Sen. Tom Carper has been leading for 50 years. Now only his Delaware legacy can out-run him
“It has been an honor to serve the people of Delaware for all of these years, and it has been especially meaningful to help support Delaware State University and its students, faculty, and staff,” Carper said in a statement.
“It is a fine research institution that continues to deliver talent into our workforce and serve as an economic driver for the First State. Even though I am retiring from the Senate, I will never stop serving others, and that includes the wonderful people at DSU. Hornets Rising!”
Agilent Technologies announced its own $250,000 donation. The global analytical and clinical laboratory technology company has donated and committed almost $9 million in financial and in-kind gifts to the university since 2022, and Allen announced a new science building set to open in spring 2025 will bear the name the Agilent College of Agriculture, Science and Technology Research Center.
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One Indian River school continues to empower parents in their youngest scholars’ education.
This month, John M. Clayton Elementary School celebrated the final session of its annual Latino Family Literacy Program. Parents, guardians, teachers and students alike gathered to mark the fall program’s close with a potluck celebration after the last night of class.
The program looks to build literacy skills, relationships and community – though books.
Parents attended weekly classes of their own, throughout the fall. Each evening, adults read a new bilingual story, gained some basic English skills and continued to sharpen reading comprehension in both English and Spanish. Educators take care of child care and even dinner, provided by the Knights of Columbus from St. Ann’s Catholic Church weekly. This year they also donated new winter jackets to participants.
The goal? Allow more Spanish-speaking parents and guardians to play a role in their youngsters’ education, especially by reading at home.
“This program empowers parents to be the first line of education for their children,” Indian River wrote in a press release following the final session. “By reading story books together every day at home, parents are able to build their child’s vocabulary, comprehension skills and love of reading.”
Similar efforts have sprouted at area schools. Delaware Online/The News Journal wrote about one program at Milton Elementary School last year, looking to encourage immigrant families to read with their kids.
Deeper read:Delaware school community fuels program to help immigrant families read with their kids
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.