Rainy skies, state leaders, greet back to school children

An early morning thunderstorm rolled through New Castle County Wednesday.  It probably created a single thought in the minds of many school-aged school children: "do I need a raincoat?"

It was the first day of school for students in the Colonial School District Wednesday.  One by one school busses rolled up to the back of the school where they were greeted by Delaware Governor Jack Markell (D) and Deputy Secretary of Education, Dan Cruce.  It also marked the first time Dr. Dorothy Linn greeted students as superintendent.  She begins her term after replacing long time superintendent George Meney.

There was one other member of the greeting party who was especially happy to see the returning children.  Reading specialist Jenny Bufano says she looks forward to each school year.  She says she treats each school day the same whether it is the first, the second, or the last.   Bufano says it's her third year at Eisenberg, and "it's exciting to watch the children grow through the years."

Many other school districts like Christina, Red Clay, and Appoquinimink in New Castle County have set their opening school dates for August 30th.   The Caesar Rodney School District in Kent County will hold teacher in-service days beginning Monday August 23rd.  Students return on Wednesday August 25th.  Teachers are already back in the classroom in the Indian River School District in Sussex County.  Students begin the 2010-2011 school year on Monday.

One of the big issues facing Delaware schools this fall will be the implementation of the first phase of Race to the Top.  That's the federally funded program aimed at improving education.  Delaware and Tennessee were the only two states to be accepted for funding last spring.  First, Delaware's weekly news magazine on TV 12  has reported on plans for these federal funds.  WHYY will have an update on the August 27th broadcast.