The Brader Buzz Weekly Update
Back to School Information - Issue: September 26, 2022
There is no School for Students on Monday, September 26! Picture Day and Open House are this week!
We Are...Brader Elementary School!
Our Mission
At Brader, our mission is to work as a CommUNITY to nurture and grow leaders, inspiring one child at a time to embrace their educational journey in order to achieve their full potential in life.
CSD Vision
Together, Educating Every Student for Excellence
Our Commitments
At Brader, We are committed to maintaining a culture of inclusion, where ALL faces, voices, and experiences are reflected and valued, and EVERY child is afforded access to a quality education and high standards of achievement. We pledge to work together to foster strong partnerships with parents/families and the community, to maximize opportunities for EVERY CHILD, EVERY DAY.
Student Day: 8:50 AM – 3:50 PM
School Colors: Blue & White
School Mascot: Tiger
School Motto
Brader Elementary School is the home of the Tigers, where every day you can hear our students practice their ROAR!
Respect
Outstanding Attitude
Achievement
Responsibility
Greetings to our families and the community,
As a reminder, there is no school for students on Monday, September 26. This is a professional development day for staff. It is also the beginning of the Jewish new year. Wishing "Shana Tova" (Hebrew for "A Good Year") to those celebrating.
As a reminder, Wednesday is fall picture day for all students!
Thursday evening is Open House for all grades K-5. The doors will open at 5:45 for entry to the cafeteria. We will host staff introductions from 6:00-6:25. Classroom/grade sessions for each grade level will take place at 6:30 and 7:00 PM. This will be an opportunity for parents/guardians to visit the classroom to hear a presentation from the teacher/team about the instructional program. Each classroom/grade will hold two sessions so that families with siblings will be able to attend two different presentations. Please note that the presentations are geared for adults and we also have capacity limitations, therefore we kindly ask that our students/siblings remain at home for this particular event.
We are making a last call for fall after school activities, and for "Find Your Fun T-shirts" (the final day to purchase a shirt is Thursday, September 27). We will be wearing the shirts for a whole school pep rally this fall! See the links below!
Have a joyful week! We look forward to seeing everyone soon!
Warmly,
Ms. Gallagher
Principal
Mrs. Cottrell
Academic Dean
Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming Dates!
September 15 - October 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month
Monday, September 26 – No School for Students – Professional Development Day
Wednesday, September 28 – Fall Picture Day for All Students
Thursday, September 29 – 6:00-7:30 PM – Open House for Grades K-5
October 3 - October 17 - Joe Corbi's Fundraiser Sales
October 5 - School Closed - Offices Open
Last Call for After School Activities
Classes begin on Wednesday, September 28th.
Registration must be completed online by Monday, September 26th.
Registration information is located at: https://tinyurl.com/yckm22d3
Or you may reach the Wow! Team at 302-907-2888 or advisor@wowsciencecamp.org
Soccer Shots
The program begins Thursday, September 29th.
Registration must be completed by Monday, September 26th.
Registration information is located at: https://tinyurl.com/BraderSoccerShots
Or you may reach Soccer Shots at 302-222-6184 or kevin@soccershots.com
Drama Kids
This program begins Tuesday, September 26th.
Registration must be completed by Monday, September 26th.
Registration information is located at: https://dramakids.com/wilmington-de/christina-school-district/
Or you may reach DramaKids at 302-477-1025 or dramakidsde1@gmail.com
Attention 3rd-5th Grade Boys - Now is the Time to Sign up for Let Me Run!
Attention all 3rd-5th BOYS!
LET ME RUN is back!!!! JOIN TODAY!!!
https://www.pinwheel.us/register/index/Wilmington-F22?sid=6fe15bc97bfe45d7b2842a42f8566296
REGISTRATION OPENS: Aug. 29th until filled
SEASON BEGINS: Week of Oct. 3rd
PRACTICE DATES/TIMES: Mondays & Wednesdays 3:45-5:15
CONTACT: Dr. Ridgeway @ alexis.ridgeway@christina.k12.de.us
Parent Teacher Team/Parent Advisory Council
Last Call: Brader School Unity Tees!
United Way / My Very Own Library Parent Webinar Opportunities
September 27th Kickoff Event/Lead Agency Panel Discussion:
· Nicole Angresano, VP United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County
· Dr. Michelle Taylor, CEO United Way of Delaware
· Catherine Wilson, CEO United Way of Grater Newark, NJ
September 28th Key Note Address and Q&A:
· Dr. Dana Suskind, Author of Parent Nation (I have a limited number of copies of the book for FREE, if you would like to receive a copy for the webinar please contact me at 302-256-1920 or klivingston@uwde.org)
· Yolie Flores, National Campaign Director for Parent Nations
Please registration links below for the above sessions:
Introducing the Brader Counseling Team!
Mrs. Beth McMeekin is our School Counselor! Along with her counseling background, Mrs. McMeekin has 27 years of experience in special education. Mrs. McMeekin is well prepared and available to address the needs of all students through the delivery of a comprehensive school counseling program designed to encourage and enhance all students' academic, social and emotional development. Mrs. McMeekin is looking forward to partnering with the community and the Brader Care Team to ensure that each student is empowered and afforded opportunities for equal access and success. She will be delivering services in small group and individual sessions, as well as whole class lessons. You can contact Mrs. McMeekin at mary.mcmeekin@christina.k12.de.us.
Family and Student Interventionist - Mr. Erick Warren:
A message from Mr. Warren - "My role as the FCT is to empower our families in supporting the social and academic growth and the healthy development of the students we serve. I look forward to working together as a team to ensure that our students and their families understand that the staff at Brader is committed to social and academic excellence."
Mrs. Santillo is new to Brader Elementary School this school year. She is a licensed clinical social worker with over 20 years of experience working with children and families in the state of Delaware. She provides individual and group counseling with students in addition to teaching social-emotional lessons in the classroom. She is thrilled to be a new “Tiger” and to be a part of the Brader school community!
Important Safety Reminders
- Please complete school forms, including emergency forms and return with your child in the original folder. We must have emergency contact information/telephone number(s) for every student in the event that the parent(s)/guardian(s) are unable to pick up.
- If your child is late to school, he/she MUST be signed in by a parent/guardian, and receive a late pass to proceed to class.
- All parents/guardians picking up students must display car tags and have your identification available during dismissal.
- We will not be able to dismiss car riders to parents/guardians who walk up to the door. We are making every effort to eliminate foot traffic near the building in order to maintain the safety and security of students and staff.
- Pets are not permitted on the campus during dismissal.
- Parents/guardians of K/1 walkers should line up at the cone near the cafeteria doors, with their car tag and ID ready, and wait for a staff member to assist/get your student.
- We will not be able to dismiss 2nd - 5th grade walkers from the cafeteria. They are dismissed from their respective areas, and can walk to meet their adult at either of the stop signs near the entrance or side of the school.
Items below this point have been previously shared
Reminder of Important Notification from Special Services Regarding Educator Credentials
September 15, 2022
The Christina School District values the role you play in your child’s education. As a team member and thought partner, we want you to have the information you need to participate in educational decisions and meetings such as Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team meetings.
The Delaware Department of Education has revamped their portal for licensure and credentials, called DEEDS 3.0. Utilizing this tool, a parent/guardian can access the Public Information section of the portal to review the credentials and licensure of any educator within the state.
If you would like to access this information, the direct link is:
https://deeds30.doe.k12.de.us/#/VerifyLicense
Should you have any questions or require assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s school for additional support.
Thank you,
Rebecca Ryan
Director of Special Services
15 de septiembre, 2022
Estimado Padre/Tutores,
El Distrito Escolar Christina valora el papel que usted juega en la educación de su hijo. Como miembro del equipo y socio de pensamiento, queremos que usted tenga la información que necesita para participar en las decisiones y reuniones educativas tales como las reuniones del equipo del Plan de Educación Individualizado (IEP). El Departamento de Educación de Delaware ha renovado su portal de licencias y credenciales, llamado DEEDS 3.0. Utilizando esta herramienta, un padre/tutor puede acceder a la sección de Información Pública del portal para revisar las credenciales y la licencia de cualquier educador dentro del estado Si desea acceder a esta información, el enlace directo es: https://deeds30.doe.k12.de.us/#/VerifyLicense Si tiene alguna pregunta o necesita ayuda, no dude en comunicarse con la escuela de su hijo para obtener apoyo adicional. Gracias,
School Crisis Drills
We are excited to announce our “Find Your Fun” theme for this school year! This mindset theme is a tribute to our newly retired Physical Education teacher who taught us the importance of being proactive with regard to this healthy, positive mindset! To promote “Find Your Fun”, and support children in poverty, our school is selling “Find Your Fun” spirit wear T-shirts with the Brader Tiger logo! A portion of all proceeds from the shirts will be donated to Shoes that Fit to provide children in need with new athletic shoes to attend school with dignity and joy, prepared to learn, play and thrive." To order, access our school store at this link: https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZ5RD0TILMIOGNN_ZZ5V7JU95L0PFD5.
DOE Covid Guidance
Turn In Your Summer Reading "Book Spine" In Exchange for a Tie Dyed Brader Spirit Bracelet!
Participants will also be recognized in our back to school Pep Rally/Assembly!
Childcare Transportation Forms Are Needed!
We are still accepting registrations!
Please inform all family and friends in the community that we are accepting registrations for new students (especially for Kindergarten) between 9:15 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (M-F). Additional times available by appointment. You may register online or in person by appointment. To register online, please visit: https://www.schoolformsde.com/.
You may make an appointment by contacting Ms. Johnson at 302-454-5959, or preferably by emailing her at devonne.johnson@christina.k12.de.us. Prior to your appointment, please visit the district website (christinak12.org) to download and complete the student registration packet in its entirety. Then bring all supporting documents with you to your scheduled appointment, and registration should take approximately 20-30 minutes. Please note that the following items are needed to register your student: birth certificate, immunization/physical records (within 2 years), IEP/504 documents, official custodial/guardianship documents, current proof of residence, and photo ID. For continuing families that have moved, please bring the following information: current signed and dated lease, and current electric or utility bill. We would like to ensure that bus transportation is routed correctly.
Back to School Welcome Letter
Welcome Kindergarten Families!
We hope you had an opportunity to review the Kindergarten Welcome Back Letter (attached below for your reference). As a reminder, orientation for Kindergarten students and parents will be held on Tuesday, September 6th, from 9:30 AM-10:30 AM. At orientation, you will receive a nametag for your child’s first day of school and learn about important school procedures. Your child does not ride the bus to or from school on orientation day. At the conclusion of orientation on September 6th at 10:30 AM, all kindergarten students will go home with their parents/family members. We are excited to meet you and strongly urge you to attend orientation on September 6th.
Car Tags, Arrival & Dismissal
Car Tags
ALL families will be given a set of two numbered hanging car tags to be used when picking up your child/children from the car line. Please display the tag from the rearview mirror for easy viewing. We ask that you help your child/children memorize their car tag number. We plan to distribute car tags at Meet & Greet on September 1st.
Our doors will open at 8:50 AM daily, and will remain unlocked until 9:10 AM as we welcome our students through the front doors. Students that are planning to eat breakfast at school should stop in the cafeteria to key in their student ID in order to pick up a Grab & Go breakfast on their way to their classroom.
Arrival
Walkers - Walkers should enter the building from the front doors and proceed to the cafeteria to purchase breakfast, or proceed directly to class. We encourage all families to say their good-byes outside, however, we will work with K/1/new families to ensure a positive and happy first day/week experience.
Car Riders - Families that are driving to school each morning will enter the school driveway in a single lane, and will travel straight, and then veer left to follow the bend of the car line circle. Families are asked to patiently remain in line along the curb and wait for a staff member on duty to guide you through the circle to a safe stop point where your child will be welcomed to exit the vehicle from the passenger/curbside only. Adults are asked to please remain in the vehicle so that we can move the car line quickly and safely. You may not pass cars that are unloading children. The inside lane of the circle is not for driving or parking. It should only be used for parents pulling out of parking spaces. All cars will stay in line to exit the lot.
Bus Riders - The Department of Transportation will be sending separate transportation mailers that contain your child/children’s bus number and pick up/drop off address/location. Times are not exact, so please be at the pick-up/drop off location 10 minutes earlier than the assigned time. Upon arrival at school, buses will park in the bus lot and will wait for our bus duty staff to dismiss the students on each bus and guide them to the main sidewalk. Students will not be crossing any traffic.
Dismissal
Afternoon announcements will take place at 3:45 PM, followed by dismissal at 3:50 PM with car riders and walkers, followed by bus riders. Please note that we will begin the dismissal process a few minutes early during the first week of school. To ensure the safety of our students, all parents picking up are required to have their photo identification with them EVERY DAY. If you have authorized additional adults to pick up your child/children, they must present photo identification and their names must be listed on the emergency card/office information sheet.
Walkers - K/1 will wait in the cafeteria with car riders and will be released from the cafeteria doors to an authorized parent. 2nd/3rd will exit from the Wetlands Pod side door, and 4th/5th will exit from the Butterfly Pod doors. All walkers will be escorted by staff on duty to a designated safety zone (tree near bus lane at the front entrance to school or the stop sign near the crossing guard on the side of the school). Parents and guardians will be able to meet their child(ren) at these locations. Older siblings, who do not attend Brader, may meet siblings at the stop signs located near the crossing guards, but not on school property. Our duties staff will be outside and ready to help our families learn the designated locations on the first day of school. It is very important that families pick up their child/children at the designated locations so that we are able to maintain a safe and orderly dismissal process.
Car Riders - Due to having a much higher volume of car riders, we will once again be dismissing our car riders from the cafeteria this year, instead of having the children wait outside. We appreciate your patience as we work together to implement the dismissal procedures at the beginning of the year. Upon your arrival, staff will call/signal for your child to be brought outside for pick up, according to their assigned car tag number. Duty staff will ask for identification if they do not recognize the adult picking up. Please notify the office immediately if your car tags are lost or stolen. We hope to disseminate car tags to families at the Meet & Greet on September 1st. To maintain student safety, there is no parking/driving in the bus lane, under any circumstance.
Bus Riders - All bus riders will be escorted to their bus by a member of your child’s grade level team. Buses are expected to arrive at school beginning at 3:45, and typically depart between 3:55-4:10 PM. An announcement will be made on Class Dojo to notify families when all buses have departed.
Child Nutrition Services - Free Breakfast & Lunch
All students will be able to receive a free breakfast and lunch daily again this year. If your child is allergic to food, please provide a signed physician note to our school nurse stating the allergy. If a special menu is needed, a registered dietician will create a menu for your child. For more information, please contact Child Nutrition Services at 302-454-2400.
School Health - A Message from Nurse Ebaugh
Welcome to Brader! I am looking forward to working with you and your child this year. Here is some important information from the Nurse’s Office.
EMERGENCY CARDS will be sent home with each student during the first week of school. The card contains a health history. Please complete ALL PAGES, SIGN IN ALL PLACES and return to your child’s teacher ASAP. It is very important that you inform the school of any changes to your address and phone numbers or to the additional contact numbers during the school year so that you can be reached in the event of an Emergency. If your child has a health problem such as Asthma, Seizures or Food Allergies, please inform me so that I can maintain the highest level of care and safety for your child.
MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW STUDENTS In most cases, when you registered your child for school you were advised of his/her need for any Immunizations, Physical, TB test or Lead Screening. Please submit this information to the Nurse’s Office ASAP. I will be following up on these items in the next few weeks. According to Delaware regulations, students will be excluded from school if medical requirements are not met.
MEDICATION Both prescription and over the counter medications may be administered at school with written permission from the parent/guardian. All medicines must be in the ORIGINAL containers. Prescription medications MUST have the pharmacy label intact – this includes inhalers and nebulizer solution. Controlled medications must be transported to and from school by a parent or other adult. ALL MEDICATION MUST BE KEPT IN THE NURSE’S OFFICE.
FEVER/VOMITING If your child develops a fever (temperature of 100 degrees or higher) or vomiting at school, you will be called to come for your child. It is recommended that your child be free of fever (without taking fever-reducers such as Tylenol, Motrin, Advil) or vomiting for 24 hours before returning to school. This helps prevent spread of infection to others and insures that your child is fully recovered and can do his/her best.
CLOTHING CHANGE Occasionally, a child will need to change clothes at school (bathroom accident, spilled food etc.) Please send an extra set of clothing to keep in his/her school bag. Sometimes, I can provide clean items, although clean underwear is usually not available. I will send your student’s soiled clothing home with him/her. Please wash and return the loaned items.
VISION/HEARING/POSTURE SCREENING All Kindergarten, second and fourth students will be screened for hearing and vision. All fifth grade students will be screened for posture. I will send you a notice if your child needs follow-up with your family doctor.
ATTENDANCE Your child’s daily attendance is very important. What he/she learns in Pre-School and Kindergarten is the basis for all future learning. If your child is absent for illness, please provide a note to the teacher within 5 days of his/her return.
NEMOURS LINK Christina School District teamed up with Nemours Pediatrics/A.I. DuPont in 2012 in an effort to improve communication and enhance student health. The Student Health Collaboration allows school nurses to obtain health information on your child that would help us better care for your child during school hours. The health information that the nurse would obtain could be seizure action plans, asthma action plans, diabetic action plans, physicals, updated immunizations, etc. Remember this is voluntary and it is confidential. The nurse will only obtain the information that we need to better care for your child, as well as any forms that are required for school. Please return the consent form to the nurse as soon as possible.
We are looking forward to a happy, HEALTHY school year for your child here at Brader. Please feel free to call or visit with any questions.
Sincerely,
Janene Ebaugh MSN, RN, NCSN
Email: janene.ebaugh@christina.k12.de.us
Phone: 302-454-5959 X 112
Fax: 302-454-5459
School Communication
At Brader, we believe that strong communication between home and school is essential for student success. You will receive school wide communications from us through:
Parent Link - Weekly Sunday evening email/newsletter message at 7PM during the school season with short notification via telephone
The Brader Website - Braderes.org - Visit for school forms and to access district links
Please be sure to follow us on social media! You may hear about our day to day fun and exciting experiences through:
Schoology - Brader School Community Group, Class Dojo, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram
If your contact information has changed, please email our Administrative Secretary, Ms. Devonne Johnson at Devonne.Johnson@christina.k12.de.us.
Please be on the lookout for a notification to complete the required annual school forms that will soon be accessible on the website. We appreciate your prompt attention to this task, as it is important that we have completed forms on file for every student.