The dual-language immersion model aims to change that dynamic by helping children maintain their cultural roots while excelling academically.

The school will be housed in Georgetown’s historic ice house on Depot Street, which has seen decades of use and disuse. Once a cornerstone of the town’s industrial and commercial identity, the brick structure has been a warehouse, a home to businesses, and even considered for apartment conversions before falling into neglect.

“Right now, the building’s not looking like much, but we have some great plans,” López Waite said. “We’re working with a great architect to really transform that building into a beautiful school.”

Renovations will begin as soon as the project receives final approval from the State Board of Education. The process will take about 18 months. The first phase will focus on the ground floor to accommodate the initial cohort of students in September 2026.

“We’re going to renovate the first floor first, and so that’s enough space for us to house kindergarten, first and second [grades],” she said. “Then [we] will continue to renovate the other floors and be able to accommodate the growth each year as we add a grade. And so at our full capacity, we’ll have 400 students in kindergarten through fifth grade.”

Through it all, they aim to serve as a bridge that unites the community, fostering connections across cultures, resources and opportunities. By working closely with local nonprofits such as La Esperanza, La Red, La Plaza, the Sussex Health Coalition, and the Georgetown Town Council, they hope to build a foundation of collaboration and shared progress.

Ultimately, the school’s impact is envisioned as going far beyond education.

“We want us to be able to come and basically help our communities come together because we do believe that the majority of our residents have a desire and are hopeful that that can happen,” Waite said. “But there really hasn’t been, I guess, sort of the catalyst, sort of the gel that brings these things together. And they are optimistic that having their children attending a school together could be maybe that catalyst.”

The State Board of Education is expected to rule on the school’s proposal at its meeting on January 16.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A 19-year-old is facing charges after a shooting on Delaware Avenue in Buffalo between Shoreham Parkway and Cheltenham Drive.

Buffalo Police say officers responded to a person shot just before 6PM on January 10.

Police say the suspect was alleged to have robbed an off-duty Niagara Falls police officer by displaying what looked like a handgun while taking the officer’s 2010 Mercedes.

Officials say two of the officer’s children were on the scene at the time: a 13-year-old was inside the vehicle while a 15-year-old was outside.

Authorities say the officer shot the suspect who police identified as 19-year-old Dorian Jones.

Police say they found Jones on Wilbury Place and the child was located around the corner.

Jones is now charged with two counts of Robbery in the 2nd Degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Child charges.

Police are now looking for a second suspect involved in the robbery.

Less than a week after a massive winter storm dropped a foot of snow on some parts of Sussex County, Delaware’s southernmost areas will again receive the brunt of an incoming snowstorm − though it’ll be significantly less snow than on Monday.

How much snow will we get in Delaware?

The storm, which will hit the Delmarva Peninsula and Pennsylvania and New Jersey on Friday night into Saturday, is expected to bring 1-3 inches of snow to Sussex County, the National Weather Service said Friday morning.

Kent and New Castle counties may see 1-2 inches and less than 1 inch, respectively.

“Light snow” is expected to begin between 10 p.m. Friday and 3 a.m. Saturday and end between 7 and 10 a.m. Saturday, the weather agency said.

Sussex County has been placed under a winter weather advisory.

Monday storm dumped a foot of snow in some Sussex areas

Monday’s snowstorm hit southern Delaware the hardest, prompting days of closures and delays for schools and businesses.

A polar vortex − a swirling mass of Arctic air typically contained over the North Pole − then moved south. It drove bone-chilling temperatures into the eastern United States, including Delaware. 

However, the frigid temperatures are expected to abate slightly this weekend, just in time for Sunday’s Eagles-Packers game.

STORY: What’s the weather for the Philadelphia Eagles-Green Bay Packers game, what to wear

The National Weather Service calls for clear skies and highs near 37 degrees, but with a 4:30 p.m. start time, those temps will drop into the low 30s and upper 20s as the sun sets. Winds should be around 13 mph, leaving the wind chill from the upper 20s to the upper teens.

Got a story tip or idea? Send to Isabel Hughes at ihughes@delawareonline.com. For all things breaking news, follow her on X at @izzihughes_