State Chamber announces 2019 Superstars in Education award winners

The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and The Partnership, Inc., an education-focused affiliate, have announced the 2019 Superstars in Education award winners. The annual award honors school programs that bring an innovative approach to education and learning.

The Superstars in Education Selection Committee considered nominations from public, private, magnet, charter and parochial schools from around the state. Winners will be recognized at a reception and awards ceremony on Monday, May 13, 2019. The event will be held at 4:45 p.m. in Wilmington University’s Doberstein Admissions Center Auditorium.

Here are the winners:

Latino Family Literacy Project (LFLP) – Blades Elementary School, Seaford School District

The Latino Family Literacy Project (LFLP) supports culturally responsive teaching practices and additive bilingualism by developing family reading routines. It builds community and cultural exchange among Latino families and bridges connections between home and school. There are three components to the program: literacy, connections, and community, that focus on the value and benefit of family reading routines, regardless of language. Bilingual texts are shared each week with families through a lending library system. Trained educators work with adult family members, creating a shared family experience during which both parents and school age children learn English vocabulary together.

BARK Builders – Springer Middle School, Brandywine School District

The BARK Builders program was created to develop critical leadership skills among middle school students already exhibiting an interest in leadership, like those in student government, student ambassadors, and other leadership clubs. The student applicants are selected based on those who demonstrate academic achievement, the ability to work with others, a positive attitude, and the ability to become a spokesperson for their peers. They are examples of the SMS principles that are encouraged from every student. B.A.R.K is an acronym for: Best effort, Academic achievement, Responsible actions, and Kind gestures.

Wizards of Words: “Book Bling” Program – Woodbridge Early Childhood Education Center, Woodbridge School District

Woodbridge ECEC and its WOW (Wizards of Words) Team developed the “Book Bling” program to encourage reading both in and out of school. Students earn charms that they can wear on a necklace at school. For every 10 books/chapters read, a ticket is completed and can then be redeemed for a charm. Book Bling tickets are verified by the student’s ability to verbally summarize or answer questions about what they have read. Students are entered into additional prize drawings with each ticket completed.