Delaware
Education roundup: 2 Delaware schools nationally honored; UD offers new online certificate
Saint Mark’s student adds voice to SL24 awareness event
Maddi Way didn’t just suggest that her school host a SL24: Unlocke the Light Foundation tournament event, she spoke about mental health awareness before taking part on the court.
Delaware is looking ahead.
Two elementary schools are being honored nationally for student success, from progress toward cutting achievement gaps between groups, to sharpening English language acquisition. All the while, NASA is hoping to attract K-12 learners to STEM and maybe even thinking about rocket science.
In higher education, University of Delaware is marking its first year offering an online graduate certificate in epidemiology. The goal? Build a stronger workforce, better prepared for a future public health crisis like COVID-19.
In this weekly roundup, we’ll catch you up on these and other education updates you may have missed.
(Did we miss another good education story? Let me know: kepowers@gannett.com)
2 Delaware schools land national honors
Rehoboth Elementary and Lake Forest South Elementary landed among a host of schools named 2024 National ESEA Distinguished Schools.
The honor comes “for the extraordinary success of their students,” Delaware’s Department of Education shared in a press release. The national association has been highlighting schools since 1996.
Lake Forest School District’s honoree was recognized for closing achievement gaps between student groups and for the academic progress that the students made last school year on standardized tests. Principal Kevin Truitt will welcome the honor.
Cape Henlopen’s Rehoboth Elementary, led by Principal Doris Person, was recognized for serving special populations, while progress toward English language proficiency in particular caught attention last school year.
Next up, these nationally distinguished schools will be honored in a national conference in Texas come February.
Back home in Delaware, DDOE recognized 15 additional schools with “Continued Excellence” awards. Such schools have qualified as a “Recognition School” for the second consecutive year so are ineligible for the recognition award this year.
Check out the full list online.
UD offers online certificate in epidemiology, aiming for a better-prepared workforce
Palma Bauman described epidemiology like zooming out.
“It’s a part of public health, looking at things from a bigger, broader viewpoint,” the University of Delaware graduate student explained. “So you can really look at specific populations and try to work on disease prevention and promotion based on ‘social determinants of health’ – which are things like socioeconomic status, environmental health, access to healthcare – and these are all things that I think are not talked about enough.”
Structural barriers can prevent equitable access to health care, especially during crisis. Currently working on a master’s degree in public health and epidemiology, Bauman knew she wanted to work in health but couldn’t imagine a doctor’s office. Then COVID-19 offered one more push toward public health.
In the heat of pandemic, epidemiologists played a “critical role” in trying to protect public health, while providing governments and health organizations with necessary data that informed policy and strategy, according to UD.
It also laid bare Delaware’s need for more.
For the first time this year, UD’s College of Health Sciences launched a new “Epidemiology Graduate Certificate,” a fully online program aimed at post-pandemic workforce needs. Across the U.S. right now, less than 15% of this workforce has academic training in public health, according to professor Jennifer Horney.
“Certificate programs give those in the workforce the flexibility to receive a graduate level certification, while remaining in the workforce,” the founding director of UD’s Epidemiology Program said in an email. Given burnout and short hands, Horney said the state must “replenish that workforce with a pipeline of students and professionals, especially with training in outbreak response and disease investigation.”
The one-year certificate program aims at professionals already at work in health fields, as well as students in related fields looking for more expertise in epidemiology. The first cohort has six students.
“During the pandemic, public health workers in many areas like environmental health, substance abuse and maternal and child health were moved into responsibilities related to the pandemic response, due to a shortage of trained epidemiologists,” Horney said, also noting she hopes to gain discounts for staff at partner agencies.
“To be better prepared for future public health emergencies, we need a much more robust workforce with training in epidemiology and biostatistics.”
Autism Delaware to host ‘Snowflake Soirée’ to boost funds, inclusion
Autism Delaware says mark your calendars for a night in Rehoboth Beach.
“Autism Delaware is thrilled to present The Snowflake Soirée, an unforgettable night set to become a staple on Sussex County’s social calendar,” the nonprofit wrote in a press release. At 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15, the festivities will fill Rehoboth Beach Convention Center for “an elegant evening” dedicated to boosting funds and awareness for Autism Delaware’s programs.
Attendees can expect a curated menu, dancing, live music from Jellyroll Band – a powerhouse 12-piece group, according to organizers – as well as a silent auction. You must be 21 or older to go and expect cocktail attire.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Autism Delaware’s website or contact the nonprofit directly at (302) 220-6020. One ticket is $125, with additional sponsoring options.
Houston: We have a NASA Moon Exploration Challenge for K-12 students
NASA just launched its fourth “Power to Explore Student Challenge.”
The STEM writing challenge invites K-12 students to, first, learn about radioisotope power systems, “a type of nuclear battery that has, for over 60 years, allowed NASA to explore the harshest, darkest and dustiest parts of our solar system and enabled spacecraft to study its many moons,” NASA said in a release. Then, students are challenged to explain, in a short essay, how they’d use RPS to explore one of our solar system’s hundreds of moons.
Submissions, limited to 275 words, are due by Jan. 31, 2025. One grand-prize winner from each grade category – K-4, 5-8, 9-12 – will receive a trip to NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. More information on how to get involved can be found on the competition website.
ICYMI: Saint Mark’s volleyball player raised $30K for mental health
Maddi Way set up a charity volleyball tournament at her Saint Mark’s High School and raised some $30,324 for mental health awareness in the process, as previously reported by Delaware Online/The News Journal.
The junior linked up SL24: UnLocke the Light Foundation, a vocal organization sharing mental health awareness and resource in Delaware, to organize the “Serving Up Support” tournament. It marked the first of its kind for the school.
Serving Up Support follows a summer of similar events that have supported UnLocke the Light, in memory of former Saint Mark’s student Sean Locke. For this October tournament, Saint Mark’s auditorium filled with students and families, while the lobby packed with SL24 volunteers. Tickets sold at $7 to support the foundation.
Way was inspired by her own experience.
“Most people know me as a fun-loving, energetic volleyball player that is committed to my teammates, coaches and classmates. What they don’t know is that deep down, I struggle,” Way said. “The reason I agreed to speak on this topic tonight is to encourage any of you that are in pain or who are suffering to speak up.”
Her team then topped Newark Charter 3-1, clinching the tournament back in October.
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.
WILMINGTON – Today, in his first executive action as Governor of Delaware, Governor Matt Meyer signed Executive Order #1, ordering state agencies to prioritize the development of youth apprenticeship programs across the state.
Led by the Delaware Department of Education, Executive Order #1 establishes a statewide working group consisting of at least 15 members from across labor, educational, and nongovernmental sectors, with the ultimate goal of developing proposed processes and policies to expand youth apprenticeships and workforce development across the state.
“If we’re serious about educating our kids, then we need to be serious about the opportunities we want them to have,” said Governor Meyer. “Workforce development programs for youth are integral to growing Delaware’s economy in a way that all families can prosper. This executive order aims to improve access to apprenticeships so we can better prioritize the needs of working families, invest in our children’s futures, and ensure we’re building an efficient and sustainable 21st-century economy.”
Read the Full Executive Order Here.
Governor Meyer is committed to using the full power of his office to bring meaningful change to Delaware. The order will implement immediate, actionable measures that aim to reform how we prepare our kids for the jobs of tomorrow. By bringing stakeholders from across Delaware to the table, Governor Meyer is laying the foundation for a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous Delaware for generations to come.
For any questions or to schedule a one-on-one interview with Governor-elect Meyer, please contact Mila Myles at mila.myles@delaware.gov.
About Delaware Governor Matt Meyer
Governor Matt Meyer is a former public school math teacher and small business owner who served as New Castle County Executive from 2017 through January 2025. As the leader of Delaware’s largest local government, Matt proved that government can still work for the people– delivering real results for real people and making real progress for Delaware’s working families. Governor Meyer aims to bring that same result-driven leadership to the state by creating an effective government that reflects our values and priorities.
From Wilmington to Kenya and Iraq: Growing up in Delaware, Matt attended schools in the Brandywine School District, followed by Wilmington Friends School, and then studied Computer Science & Political Science at Brown University. He then moved to Nairobi, Kenya, where he learned Swahili and created Ecosandals, a recycled footwear company that sold environmentally friendly footwear to customers in 17 countries on five continents. Matt subsequently spent 12 months in Mosul, Iraq, as a diplomat embedded with the United States Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.
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Related Topics: executive order, Governor Matt Meyer
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.
WILMINGTON – Today, in his first executive action as Governor of Delaware, Governor Matt Meyer signed Executive Order #1, ordering state agencies to prioritize the development of youth apprenticeship programs across the state.
Led by the Delaware Department of Education, Executive Order #1 establishes a statewide working group consisting of at least 15 members from across labor, educational, and nongovernmental sectors, with the ultimate goal of developing proposed processes and policies to expand youth apprenticeships and workforce development across the state.
“If we’re serious about educating our kids, then we need to be serious about the opportunities we want them to have,” said Governor Meyer. “Workforce development programs for youth are integral to growing Delaware’s economy in a way that all families can prosper. This executive order aims to improve access to apprenticeships so we can better prioritize the needs of working families, invest in our children’s futures, and ensure we’re building an efficient and sustainable 21st-century economy.”
Read the Full Executive Order Here.
Governor Meyer is committed to using the full power of his office to bring meaningful change to Delaware. The order will implement immediate, actionable measures that aim to reform how we prepare our kids for the jobs of tomorrow. By bringing stakeholders from across Delaware to the table, Governor Meyer is laying the foundation for a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous Delaware for generations to come.
For any questions or to schedule a one-on-one interview with Governor-elect Meyer, please contact Mila Myles at mila.myles@delaware.gov.
About Delaware Governor Matt Meyer
Governor Matt Meyer is a former public school math teacher and small business owner who served as New Castle County Executive from 2017 through January 2025. As the leader of Delaware’s largest local government, Matt proved that government can still work for the people– delivering real results for real people and making real progress for Delaware’s working families. Governor Meyer aims to bring that same result-driven leadership to the state by creating an effective government that reflects our values and priorities.
From Wilmington to Kenya and Iraq: Growing up in Delaware, Matt attended schools in the Brandywine School District, followed by Wilmington Friends School, and then studied Computer Science & Political Science at Brown University. He then moved to Nairobi, Kenya, where he learned Swahili and created Ecosandals, a recycled footwear company that sold environmentally friendly footwear to customers in 17 countries on five continents. Matt subsequently spent 12 months in Mosul, Iraq, as a diplomat embedded with the United States Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.
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Related Topics: executive order, Governor Matt Meyer
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.
From Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover? Let us know!
This story was supported by a statehouse coverage grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Delaware is set to welcome its 76th governor Tuesday. Democrat Matt Meyer is being sworn in at Delaware State University in Dover. State Sen. Kyle Evans Gay will become his lieutenant governor.
The ceremony was moved indoors amid dangerously cold temperatures.
Meyer was New Castle County executive from 2017 to 2025. He won the September Democratic primary for governor against Gov. Bethany Hall-Long and former state environmental chief Collin O’Mara, then beat former Republican House Minority Leader Mike Ramone in last year’s general election. Gay came out ahead of former Republican state Rep. Ruth Briggs King in November.
Hall-Long, the state’s lieutenant governor for the past eight years, assumed the position as Delaware’s top executive for a two-week stint after former Gov. John Carney resigned early to become the mayor of Wilmington on Jan. 7. Both were term-limited in their previous roles.
Claiming lottery in Delaware
18 states have laws that allow national lottery prize jackpot winners to remain anonymous, but is Delaware among them?
The Delaware Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 20 drawing
15-16-32-47-54, Powerball: 06, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Play 3 numbers from Jan. 20 drawing
Day: 2-7-4
Night: 5-3-6
Check Play 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Play 4 numbers from Jan. 20 drawing
Day: 6-4-9-4
Night: 7-3-5-9
Check Play 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Multi-Win Lotto numbers from Jan. 20 drawing
12-17-18-20-25-28
Check Multi-Win Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 20 drawing
04-08-12-22-35, Lucky Ball: 15
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from Jan. 20 drawing
02-04-22-23-32, Star Ball: 05, ASB: 03
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Play 5 numbers from Jan. 20 drawing
Day: 1-2-8-0-8
Night: 2-9-0-3-9
Check Play 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
- Sign the Ticket: Establish legal ownership by signing the back of your ticket with an ink pen.
- Prizes up to $599: Claim at any Delaware Lottery Retailer, in person at the Delaware Lottery Office, or mail your signed ticket and claim form; print your name/address on the ticket’s back and keep a copy/photo for records. By mail, send original tickets and documentation to: Delaware Lottery, 1575 McKee Road, Suite 102, Dover, DE 19904.
- Prizes up to $2,500: Claim in person at Delaware Lottery Retailer Claim Centers throughout Kent, Sussex and New Castle Counties.
- Prizes of $5,001 or more: Claim in person at the Delaware Lottery Office (business days 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) with a photo ID and Social Security card.
- For all prize claims, directions to the Delaware Lottery Office are available online or via mapquest.com for a map.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Delaware Lottery.
Can I claim a jackpot prize anonymously in Delaware?
Fortunately for First State residents, the Delaware Lottery allows winners remain anonymous. Unlike many other states that require a prize be over a certain jackpot, Delawareans can remain anonymous no matter how much, or how little, they win.
How long do I have to claim my prize in Delaware?
Tickets are valid for up to one year past the drawing date for drawing game prizes or within one year of the announced end of sales for Instant Games, according to delottery.com.
When are the Delaware Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
- Play 3, 4: Daily at 1:58 p.m. and 7:57 p.m., except Sunday afternoon.
- Multi-Win Lotto: 7:57 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: Daily at 10:38 p.m.
- Lotto America: 11:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday
Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Delaware Online digital operations manager. You can send feedback using this form.
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