Delaware Governor greets arrriving elementary school students in Claymont

The new academic year is getting underway in Delaware, but one school has already been in session for nearly two weeks.

Governor Jack Markell visited Claymont’s Maple Lane Elementary School Monday to encourage youngsters, to help a few students with their books and backpacks, and to chat with parents and school administrators.  Maple Lane operates on what it calls a “balanced schedule,” and has been in session since August 7th. 

“These kids seem very motivated.  The parents seem excited,” Markell said after meeting with a number of students who had just stepped off the school bus or had been dropped off by their parents.  “I think we’re building on a really good school year from last year.  But, there’s a lot of work to be done.”

The start of the new school year comes a few weeks after the Delaware Department of Education released the results of the previous year’s student assessment, the Delaware Comprehensive Assessment System (DCAS).  The scores found that thousands of more students were becoming more proficient in reading and math.

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“I’m more excited about what’s going on in Delaware schools than I’ve ever been,” Markell said.

The Governor was also encouraged more parental involvement with their schools by attending parent-teacher nights and learning more about what their boards of education are doing.

Markell was accompanied by Secretary of Education Mark Murphy, who was sworn in earlier this year and is starting his first full school year.

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