Community Briefs 4/15/21

Del-One celebrates Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month with KSI

Del-One Federal Credit Union, celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, recognized March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month with Kent Sussex Industries. Brandy Buzzuto, Del-One business development representative, delivered two trays of cookies to KSI staff and program participants. The celebration of embracing abilities continued when Del-One interviewed two KSI program participants to feature on its Facebook page. KSI is a nonprofit agency providing vocational training, employment, community integration, transportation, day habilitation, life enrichment and nutritional services to individuals with disabilities throughout Kent and Sussex counties.

Browning inducted into Phi Kappa Phi 

Aliyah Browning of Milton was recently initiated into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Browning was initiated at Arcadia University.

Delaware joins national study 

Delaware will join a national consortium to study how to change teacher certification and licensure requirements to better attract teacher candidates. The Delaware Department of Education partnered with the state’s institutes of higher education, and several school districts and charter schools in its application to join the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education’s Consortium for Research-Based and Equitable Assessments. The 15-state consortium, created with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will evaluate cut scores for entrance into educator preparation programs. Specifically, the consortium will seek to examine the processes and considerations that states use to determine cut scores and how they can be refined to attract rather than exclude potential teacher candidates. The Delaware team, which will be led by Wilmington University, will include representatives with expertise and/or influence in establishing cut scores for teacher certification and licensure from DDOE and districts/charters. Consortium members will serve through February 2022 and will meet at least quarterly during the 2021-22 project year.

Genealogical society to meet April 17

The Sussex County Genealogical Society will meet at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 17, via Zoom. Professional genealogist Larry W. Thomas of Atlanta Genealogy.com will present Telling Their Stories, going beyond basic statistics to learn about ancestors’ lives, personalities, occupations and location in history that provide context. The meeting is open to the public. To request an invitation, email programs@scgsdelaware.org.  

Forgiveness workshop set April 17

A workshop on forgiveness will feature Leah Stansell and her guides from 2 to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 17, at the Hampton Inn in Milford. Stansell is the author of “Gypsy E.T.” “Are we in judgment or are we discerning? Do we forgive ourselves first?” said Stansell. Admission is $55 prepaid or $60 at the door. Students are admitted for $40. Personal consultations can be scheduled Sunday, April 18, and Monday, April 19. For more information, contact Carol at merriamna@msn.com or 484-3810. 

Unitarian Universalists to meet April 18

The Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware will hold an online service at 10 a.m., Sunday, April 18. Always Becoming is the topic. All are welcome to view this Sunday service on UUSD's Facebook Page. For more information about accessing the service, go to uussd.org.

Essential items drive at DelTech April 20

Delaware Tech’s Alumni Association will sponsor an essential items drive Tuesday, April 20, to support students in need. Donations will be accepted on each campus in a drive-through, no-contact drop-off area from 8 to 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Signage and directions to drop-off locations will be posted. A list of requested items can be found at dtcc.edu to guide donation choices. All donated items will be distributed to Delaware Tech students through the campus food pantries. For those unable to donate in person  April 20, there is an option to donate through Amazon, or to offer financial assistance. Surveys indicate that 54 percent of Delaware Tech students require financial assistance for tuition and school-related expenses, while 40 percent report food insecurity. In 2020, 285 students requested more than $257,000 in emergency support.

First State Tractor Club to meet April 20

The First State Antique Tractor Club will hold its regular meeting at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 20, at the Greenwood VFW, Governors Avenue and Mill Street, Greenwood. The club is planning its annual show during the last weekend of June at the Laurel Farmers Auction Market. Upcoming club business will be addressed. For more information, go to firststateantiquetractorclub.com. CDC guidelines will be followed at this meeting.