Colonial School District - New Castle, De

06/10/2026

🎶 Congratulations to Mrs. DiEmidio! 🎶

We are proud to celebrate Mrs. DiEmidio on being named the recipient of the Delaware Music Educators Association's Outstanding Administrator Award!

This prestigious honor recognizes her unwavering support of music education and her commitment to providing students with opportunities to learn, grow, and shine through the arts. Nominated by Colonial music educators Crissy Lewis, Leslie Bailey, and Robert Miller, Mrs. DiEmidio was recognized for the positive impact she has made on students, staff, and the entire school community.

Thank you, Mrs. DiEmidio, for championing the arts and helping our music programs thrive. Your leadership continues to make a difference in the lives of our students every day.

🎼❤️🖤

06/10/2026

Thank you, Mr. Laws.

After 20 years of dedicated service on the Colonial Board of Education, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Ted Laws as he retires from the Board.

As a Colonial parent whose children attended and graduated from our schools, Ted brought a unique perspective to every discussion and decision. He understood firsthand the impact our schools have on students and families, and he consistently approached his role with one guiding principle: doing what was best for students across the entire district.

Throughout his two decades of service, Ted's leadership, thoughtful decision-making, and unwavering commitment to public education helped shape the future of Colonial. Whether facing challenges or celebrating successes, he always kept students at the center of every conversation.

Thank you, Ted, for your dedication, your service, and your steadfast belief in the Power of WE. Congratulations on your retirement, and thank you for 20 years of outstanding service to Colonial. ❤️🖤

06/10/2026

Please join us in welcoming Estrella Morales Conejo as the newest Student Representative to the Colonial Board of Education! 🎉

As a student board member, Estrella will bring an important student voice to board discussions and decisions, helping ensure that the perspectives of Colonial students are heard and represented.

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to outgoing Student Board Member Mia Castaneda-Ocampo for her outstanding service and leadership. Mia has been a dedicated advocate for students throughout her time on the board, and we are grateful for the insight, commitment, and passion she brought to the role.

As Mia graduates and begins her next chapter at the University of Delaware, we wish her nothing but success. Thank you for your service, Mia, and welcome to the board, Estrella!

06/10/2026

👏 Celebrating Excellence Across Colonial! 👏

At last night's Board of Education meeting, we proudly recognized students and staff whose hard work, leadership, and commitment continue to make us proud.

💰 **Delaware Personal Finance Challenge**
Congratulations to William Penn High School students Hassatou Balde, Pedro Morales, Allison Ortiz-Ocampo, and Luke Stambaugh for representing Colonial at the Delaware Personal Finance Challenge and showcasing outstanding financial literacy skills.

🇺🇸 **Delaware 250 Mock 2nd Continental Congress**
Students from William Penn, George Read, Gunning Bedford, and McCullough Middle Schools participated in this unique statewide civics experience, engaging in debates inspired by the historic Second Continental Congress.

📚 **4th Dimension Equity Practitioner Program**
We also honored Colonial educators who completed the six-month Equity Practitioner Program, deepening their leadership and commitment to creating inclusive learning environments for all students.

Please join us in congratulating these outstanding students and staff members for representing the Power of WE! ❤️🖤

06/08/2026

Congratulations to Shayne Cassidy, Systems Administrator, on being named the 2027 Colonial Technology Department Educational Support Professional of the Year! 🎉

Behind every successful school day is a strong technology team, and Shayne plays a vital role in keeping Colonial connected, supported, and running smoothly. From solving complex technical challenges to ensuring staff and students have the tools they need to succeed, Shayne's dedication, expertise, and commitment make a difference across the district every day.

Thank you, Shayne, for all you do to support the Power of WE. We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition! ❤️🖤

06/07/2026

Wow! What a voice! William Penn grad Ezekiel Stallworth’s rendition of lift every voice and sign was amazing!!

06/07/2026

🎉 Congratulations, Nancy Frailey, on Your Retirement! 🎉

After 16 years of dedicated service to Colonial School District, we are proud to celebrate Nancy Frailey as she begins an exciting new chapter in retirement.

For more than a decade and a half, Nancy has made a difference in the lives of students, families, and colleagues through her commitment, compassion, and unwavering dedication to education. As a valued member of the Southern Elementary community, her positive impact can be seen in the countless relationships she has built and the many lives she has touched along the way.

As she closes this chapter, we thank Nancy for her years of service to Southern Elementary and Colonial School District and for the many contributions she has made to our school community. While she will certainly be missed, we are excited for all the opportunities, adventures, and well-deserved relaxation that retirement will bring.

Please join us in congratulating Nancy Frailey on an outstanding 16-year career and wishing her happiness and success in the years ahead! ❤️🖤

06/06/2026

06/06/2026

THANK YOU FOR A GREAT YEAR!!!!!

As the school year comes to a close, we want to thank our students, families, staff, and community for another amazing year.

Together, we learned, grew, celebrated successes, and showed the true Power of WE each and every day.

We wish everyone a safe, relaxing, and fun-filled summer. Thank you for being part of Colonial Nation, and we'll see you in the fall!

06/06/2026

Community Support Makes Pleasantville Elementary School's 5th Grade Field Trip Possible

Pleasantville 5th graders recently experienced an unforgettable end-of-year field trip to Thrillz Theme Park in King of Prussia, thanks to the generosity of local business owner Jason Silva, founder of Do Big Things Collectables.

When Pleasantville parent Alyssa Wesley learned that rising costs were making the trip difficult for some families, she reached out for sponsorship support to ensure all students could attend. Jason immediately stepped in to fully fund the experience, allowing the entire 5th-grade class to participate at no cost. "I was absolutely stunned at the generosity and the ease with which Jason gave. I was telling him my hopes for the 5th-grade class, the concerns, and their needs. I didn't say more than a few words, and he said, I am in, and how can I help?" Recalls Alyssa Wesley. DBT sponsored the trip by giving more than $1800 to the school to make it all happen.

This generous contribution ensured that students, including Alyssa’s daughter, Anniston Wesley, were able to enjoy a meaningful celebration of their elementary school journey together. In addition to sponsoring the field trip, Jason also donated a Pokémon card raffle prize for the school’s luau-themed end-of-year dance, adding excitement to another special event.

As a graduate of William Penn High School, Jason continues to give back to the community just minutes from the school where he once attended. Community members can support Jason’s local shop, Do Big Things Collectables, located at 807 Churchmans Road Ext, New Castle, DE 19720, where he continues to bring his passion for collectibles and community engagement together, or visit pullbighits.com for store hours and events.

The Pleasantville Staff, students, parents, and Colonial community extend sincere gratitude to Jason Silva at Do Big Things Collectables ( DBT) for helping create lasting childhood memories