Service Learning and Cheerful Givers Partnered at Douglass
Douglass School has recently partnered with the Food Bank of Delaware to implement the Backpack Program at the school. In collaboration with the Backpack Program, selected students from Douglass will also earn community service hours for working in the Backpack Program.
The Food Bank - Backpack Program provides students with nutritious food each week which includes; 4 complete nonperishable meals and 2 snacks for the weekend. October 2012
The Food Bank - Backpack Program provides students with nutritious food each week which includes; 4 complete nonperishable meals and 2 snacks for the weekend. October 2012
If You Really Knew Douglass
Students are modeling the same vision and continuing success of the anti-bullying initiative started by students from Kirk Middle School
Based on the original, If You Really Knew Kirk - the John Sullivan Jr. Initiative, students from Douglass School are modeling the same vision and continuing the success of the anti-bullying initiative started by the students from Kirk Middle School.
This week, students from If You Really Knew Douglass received an inspirational presentation on designing and building robots from Mr. Joseph Perrotto, an Engineering Fellow from the DuPont Company in Delaware. Mr. Perrotto is also a representative for Delaware’s For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST Tech Challenge-FTC).
FIRST inspires young people to pursue careers and become leaders in science and technology by engaging them in exciting mentor- and values-based robotics programs that build science, engineering, and technology skills, that inspire innovation and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.
Mr. Perrotto had this to say about the students from If You Really Knew Douglass, “I found the students I met to be very bright, imaginative, and excited about the possibility that they could design and build a robot. These are exactly the type of students that FTC is designed to help and I can see how being on a team would make such a positive difference in their lives”.
The students at Douglass are looking forward to this challenge! - October 2012
Based on the original, If You Really Knew Kirk - the John Sullivan Jr. Initiative, students from Douglass School are modeling the same vision and continuing the success of the anti-bullying initiative started by the students from Kirk Middle School.
This week, students from If You Really Knew Douglass received an inspirational presentation on designing and building robots from Mr. Joseph Perrotto, an Engineering Fellow from the DuPont Company in Delaware. Mr. Perrotto is also a representative for Delaware’s For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST Tech Challenge-FTC).
FIRST inspires young people to pursue careers and become leaders in science and technology by engaging them in exciting mentor- and values-based robotics programs that build science, engineering, and technology skills, that inspire innovation and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.
Mr. Perrotto had this to say about the students from If You Really Knew Douglass, “I found the students I met to be very bright, imaginative, and excited about the possibility that they could design and build a robot. These are exactly the type of students that FTC is designed to help and I can see how being on a team would make such a positive difference in their lives”.
The students at Douglass are looking forward to this challenge! - October 2012
Students Enjoy Trip to New York City
Douglass School staff and students enjoyed the opportunity to visit New York City (NYC) in December. Students reluctantly boarded the Staten Island Ferry but soon became enthralled with views of the city and the Statue of Liberty. With reverence, they also remembered the fallen and the heroism of 911 during the visit to Ground Zero. Then, awe and wonder as well as a feeling of holiday cheer was had by all at Rockefeller Center. Last but not least, a walk through the city to Times Square was a fitting end to an exciting and wonderful day. - December 2011 (Photos courtesy of Jay Christopher Photography)
Douglass Students Participate in 2011 Christina Day of Kindness
To celebrate the Christina School District Day of Kindness, students from the Douglass School visited a local nursing home and presented t-shirts to the residents.
View Day of Kindness Photo Gallery.
October 2011
View Day of Kindness Photo Gallery.
October 2011
Thanks to Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids, Students Harvest Crops to Enjoy
As part of the Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids initiative begun last year in the District by Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids founder and director, Dr. Thianda Manzara, on November 10, 6th grade students harvested scallions, 7th grade harvested arugula, and 8th grade harvested rainbow chard. Students and staff had a great time making arugula salad with scallions, mandarin orange slices, with olive oil and lemon dressing. The 6th-8th graders demolished the salad in no time! Students also leaned the rainbow chard which was used to make a chard and garlic stir fry, which was also a big hit! Students replenished the garden by planting more perennials donated by The Delaware Center for Horticulture. November 2010
Douglass Students Participate in Field Trip to Barclays Band
Student from Douglass Alternative School recently participated in a field trip to Barclays Bank on the Riverfront in Wilmington. The purpose of the trip was to expose students to corporate America and show them the endless possibilities an education can bring. During the tour, students visited the IT, Marketing, Credit Card and Program Management Departments. They had the opportunity to speak with top officials about what their jobs entailed and how to achieve excellence. Students also have the opportunity to meet a 1996 Olympic gold medalist, Anthuan Maybank. April 2010
Students Get Inspired Through Dance
Every other month on the final Friday students and staff at Douglass Alternative School participate in “Foundation Friday.” They select films, activities, or lessons that students can take part in to motivate them to do better and overcome odds. In January, special guest Timothy Jones, a former coach of the UD and UPENN ballroom dance teams and the recipient of numerous awards, visited Douglass to share his expertise. This tied in with the viewing of the film “Take the Lead” starring Antonio Bandaras and Rob Brown. In the movie, a charismatic ballroom dance instructor takes on the job of trying to communicate and inspire his students through ballroom dance, which provides a different kind of dance experience building on foundations already established. This movie was a great way to illustrate how we can use pre-existing experiences to motivate, encourage, and ultimately inspire young people to go beyond what they know and enjoy a different experience. The Foundation Friday event focused on three key words: inspire, enthusiasm, and diversity. February 2010
Douglass Hosts Ronald McDonald Character Education Program
On October 27, 2009 Douglass School hosted the Ronald McDonald School Program. The program was entitled “On the Inside.” The program emphasized the importance of good character, and utilized music, magic, state of the art puppets, and audience participation to promote positive character traits. The group will be returning on February 18, 2010 to do a program on friendship, cooperation and anti-bullying. That program is entitled, ”A friendship adventure with Ronald McDonald.” November 2009
Douglass Students Help 10 Year Old Cancer Patient
Douglass School students recently wrote to a 10-year-old girl named Danielle Bartlette in Richwood, West Virginia who is battling brain cancer. Listening to the radio on the way to work, a Douglass staff member heard the girl’s wish to receive 1,000 letters, and the students responded by writing to her. Others interested in writing to Danielle may send letters to: 260 Country Club Road, WV, 26261. November 2009
Douglass Clarifies that "Alternative School" Does Not Mean "Reform School"
One of the most negative aspects of the national media attention the Christina School District received this week was the characterization of its alternative placement program for young students as a “reform school.” The District does not run a “reform school” and would never use such an outdated and inaccurate term to describe any of its programs. Unfortunately, the term “reform school” was an expression used by the media and others in conjunction with Christina in recent news reports and websites.
Students in grades K-8 in Christina who are assigned to an alternative placement usually attend the Douglass Alternative School, which provides a more structured version of the regular school environment and offers additional services for students that may include counseling, academic support, and behavior support. Douglass provides a learning environment that contributes to the holistic development of all students by use of literacy programming, academics, behavior modification and character/social skills development. This collaborative effort between parents, students and staff helps students transition to a successful future.
Douglass School principal Harold "Butch" Ingram includes the following statement on the school’s website: “We teach students who are having difficulty in school how to succeed and that failure is not an option. Students are taught to be productive contributors to family, community and school. All understand that ‘Attitude determines Altitude!’ Student learning with high expectations in conjunction with social competence is paramount in the student's development and success.” - October 2009
Students in grades K-8 in Christina who are assigned to an alternative placement usually attend the Douglass Alternative School, which provides a more structured version of the regular school environment and offers additional services for students that may include counseling, academic support, and behavior support. Douglass provides a learning environment that contributes to the holistic development of all students by use of literacy programming, academics, behavior modification and character/social skills development. This collaborative effort between parents, students and staff helps students transition to a successful future.
Douglass School principal Harold "Butch" Ingram includes the following statement on the school’s website: “We teach students who are having difficulty in school how to succeed and that failure is not an option. Students are taught to be productive contributors to family, community and school. All understand that ‘Attitude determines Altitude!’ Student learning with high expectations in conjunction with social competence is paramount in the student's development and success.” - October 2009
Douglass Schools Plants a Garden
Douglass School is growing a community of learners. September 10, was the beginning of the school’s first garden project. Dean of Students Pamela Loatman has helped Douglass connect with the Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids initiative and the Delaware Center of Horticulture by receiving a generous donation from Mrs. Helen Eliason. The Douglass garden is one of many service learning projects the students will be involved in during the upcoming school year. The garden will be used to help students develop a sense of collaboration and community with a central focus on academics. Core content lessons will provide an opportunity for students to connect with academics in a creative and innovative way.
The most exciting part of the program is that students will be able to eat what is grown. Additionally, Douglass students will be taught valuable lessons about recycling and saving our planet. Parents are encouraged to keep students engaged in this special project by asking their children weekly, “What’s new in the garden?!” September 2009
The most exciting part of the program is that students will be able to eat what is grown. Additionally, Douglass students will be taught valuable lessons about recycling and saving our planet. Parents are encouraged to keep students engaged in this special project by asking their children weekly, “What’s new in the garden?!” September 2009
Douglass Promotes Healthy Choices
Elementary students at Douglass School participated in a healthy choice activity early this month - making smoothies with fresh fruit and other tasty ingredients. The students really enjoyed it and actively participated in the group discussion about the food triangle and healthy food choices. April 2009