lake forest reporter

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Lake Forest Students Take New State Test - DCAS

Looking at the Science chart you see that we were close to the target. The

test and our curriculum need to be aligned so we make sure that we are

teaching the standards which are tested.

This past year the State of Delaware used a new accountability test in

place of DSTP. This test was administered on the computer. Students did a

really nice job taking the test. Targets for each year were set for each year

up to 2013-14. The targets for 2010-11 were: Reading – 50%, Math –

49%. Schools are expected to be 100% proficient by the 2013-2014 school

year.

The chart at the left shows that our studentgrades 3-10 met the target of

50% proficient. A closer look shows that most students should meet this

year’s target of 66%.

The Social Studies chart showed the district meeting the target. Social

Studies is a reading test which requires students to recall and apply facts

learned in previous lessons.

This first year of testing provided us with a base line of data. Our target of

100% by 2013-14 will be a challenge, but the staff and students in Lake

Forest will meet the new targets.

As you review the Math chart, you see a higher set of scores. Mathematics

showed Lake Forest out-scoring the state across the board. Students were

asked to apply their knowledge to problems in several subject areas. Stu-

dents needed to know the computation and the reason for the correct answer

they chose.

Presorted Standard

Dover, DE 19901

Permit No. 168

Lake Forest Reporter October 2011

School Choice As you can see, over the last four

years, more families are choosing to

send their children to the Lake Forest

School District. As our choice num-

bers increase, the funding we receive

versus the funding we send out is

greater. (See graphs above & below)

Lake Forest FundingThe district’s state funding sources have continued to decrease each year since

2008. Although federal spending increased in 2009 and 2010, much of this funding

was one time ARRA (American Reinvestment Recovery Act) funding to plug some

of the holes created by the decrease in state funds. As you can see, in FY 2011 both

state and federal funds continue to decrease and the district must rely more heavily

on local funds to ensure we continue our programs to fulfill student needs. In FY

2012, the state funds continued to decrease and we are utilizing the last of the ARRA

Jobs funding to ensure no jobs are lost. We cannot continue to take cuts in our state

funding without impacting staffing. (See pie charts above & below)

NOTE: This funding excludes Child Nutrition Services funds.

Kent County Property Tax RatesA property tax is charged to all owners of property within Lake Forest School

District. This tax is based upon the assessed value of the property and is expressed

in dollars and cents per $100 of assessed value. The total property tax rate is cur-

rently $1.1097 / $100 of assessed value in fiscal year 2012.

Over the last four years, the Lake Forest School District Board of Education has

worked very hard to decrease the tax rate for our community members. Lake Forest

has had the lowest tax rate in Kent County for two years. (See graph above)

The Lake Forest Board of Education generally meets

twice each month at the Lake Forest Central Business

Office and occasionally in the schools.

The meeting agendas and minutes are posted on our web

site and the meeting dates and times can be found on the

district calendar. www.lf.k12.de.us or at 284-3020.

John A. Schulties, President

Christopher W. Baker, Vice President

Danny R, Aquilar, Member

Bethel B. Crockett, Member

Ronda A. Swenson, Member

October 2011 Lake Forest Reporter

Lake Forest Welcome

New Staff MembersThe Lake Forest School District building administrators and the

Human Resources Office have been busy this summer. Doing what?

Posting jobs, screening applicants, interviewing, checking references,

processing paperwork, and recommending candidates to the Board of

Education for hire. The result is thirty-three new Lake Forest staff

members including teachers, specialists, paraprofessionals, and custo-

dians. The majority of the district’s job openings are the result of re-

tirements or resignations, with additional openings coming from the

district’s Race To The Top grant and staff allocations from Delaware’s

new Needs Based Funding formula. It takes a team of people perform-

ing a variety of jobs for the district to meet the needs of our students. Each new staff member will play an important role in providing a safe and nurturing learning

environment for our students. Everyone must perform their jobs at the highest quality in order to assure student success. The district is confident that its new staff

members will rise to the occasion, and will join us in saying, “Isn’t It Great to be a Spartan!”

New staff members are:

Corey Dennis North Grade 2

Kristyn Tribbett North Grade 1

Donnell Briddell North Custodian

Duane Davis North Custodian

Sarah Ferguson North Library Para

Michael Vansant East Grade 2

Rebecca Vansant East Grade K

Amy Slonacher East Grade 1

Tyla Moffett East Compputer Lab

Jessica Fazzini Central Grade 5

Ashley Shaw Central Special Education

David Evans Central Special Education

David Tintle Central Music

Michelle Christman Central Cafeteria Monitor

Janel Sanders WTC ILC Special Education

Kendall Gilliam WTC Special Education

Grace Walton WTC Special Education

Katherine Ream WTC Math

Carole Baker WTC Special Ed Para

Paul Chevalier WTC Cafeteria Monitor

James Smith LFHS English

Emily Reid LFHS English

Stephen Johnson LFHS Math

Luke Pierson LFHS Math

Korey Castronouvo LFHS Math

Allison Scott LFHS Agriculture Science

Jill Badell LFHS Family and Consumer

Science

Siddeeqah Adams LFHS Family and Consumer

Science

Kristine Stith LFHS Special Education

Mike Roscoe LFHS School Manager

Ron McKee LFHS Custodian

anice Parsons CBO Sp Ed CIA Specialist

Leslie Lesko CBO School Psychologist

Katherine Ream and Korey Castronouvo

study the new teacher evaluation process.Grace Walton and Siddeeqah Adams pay close

attention to instructor Dr. Carolyn Lazar.

Strategies That Most Impact Achievementby J. Glenn Davidson, Administrative Assistant-Curriculum, jg-

[email protected] • 302-284-3020 ext. 107

Extensive educational research, according to Learning Focused

Strategies, or LFS, has ranked five top instructional strategies that in-

fluence student learning and achievement. These strategies are:

1.Extending Thinking – This 21st Century skill emphasizes higher

order thinking skills, such as abstracting, comparing/contrasting,

classifying, categorizing, constructing support, error analysis, ana-

lyzing perspectives, and inductive/deductive reasoning.

2.Summarizing – This strategy is completed by students and not the

teacher. Summarizing occurs throughout the lesson, and not just at

the end.

3.Vocabulary in Content – Vocabulary is standards based and re-

lates to the content of the lesson.

4.Advance Organizers – This strategy represents a guide as to what

is going to be learned. One may call this previewing or pre-teach-

ing prior to an actual lesson delivery.

5.Non-verbal representations – This strategy primarily relates to

students using graphic organizers to organize their thoughts and

key vocabulary. Using graphic organizers really helps students

structure their thoughts prior to writing.

LFS has brought those five instructional strategies into the lime-

light within LFSD. Teachers are planning and implementing those five

instructional strategies with a high degree of frequency. We are confi-

dent that implementing effective research based instructional strategies

will lead to increased student achievement.

LFS in LFSDby J. Glenn Davidson, Administrative Assistant-Curriculum

[email protected] • 302-284-3020 ext. 107

All of us know that LFSD represents the Lake Forest School District,

Your Best Choice! Did you also know that LFS stands for Learning Focused

Strategies? Learning Focused Strategies, along with the Lake Forest School

District, have developed a lasting educational partnership. The Learning Fo-

cused Strategies Model, founded by Dr. Max Thompson, from Greensboro,

NC, is a framework for planning and delivering instruction using exemplary

practices with a focus on learning.

Lake Forest is now beginning its third year as a school district that has

adapted, not adopted, Learning Focused Strategies. We have made tremen-

dous progress with exemplary professional development, monitoring of in-

struction, unit development, implementing effective instructional practices,

and policy revisions.

According to Max Thompson, continuous connections of exemplary prac-

tices provide schools with a framework that focuses on learning at all levels.

In Lake Forest, we are striving to develop a culture of connecting exemplary

practices instead of focusing on programs and packaged curricula. The cycle

of addressing planning, curriculum, instruction, assessment, and organizing,

has research supported evidence that schools are able to obtain higher levels

of achievement, just as Lake Forest demonstrated on its first years of DCAS

testing.

So often in education, progress and initiatives seem to come and go.

LFSD is in its third year of LFS. It is safe to say that this research based pro-

gram will be a part of LFSD for many years to come.


S.T.E.A.M. — Science. Technology. Engineering. Art. Mathematics

The STEAM initiative at Lake Forest High School is a way to incorporate multiple content areas in an

effort to give students a common platform to explore the natural and man-made world using science, tech-

nology, engineering, arts and mathematics. English language art, as well as visual art, is also essential in

the communication of ideas and innovation. We began building our ideas last

year through discussions and professional development. Our goal this year is to

help students understand how these disciplines are interrelated.

It has been estimated, by the National Science Foundation, that 80% of the

jobs created in the next decade will require math and science skills. We want

students to gain the ability to think critically, brainstorm, problem-solve, collab-

orate, contribute and communicate new ideas to prepare for this market. We

have begun with standardizing concepts, notebooks, language, and teaching

methods. For example, when a student learns about unit conversion in science,

that same method will be used in math, engineering, and technology education

courses to allow students the opportunity to see the same concepts more than

once to maximize learning. We are currently in the process of starting a STEAM

club, where the students will work on a grant funded project through Texas In-

struments using Vernier probes to analyze water runoff samples from various lo-

cations, take field trips to STEAM events, and meet with scientists. The

STEAM club will provide a great opportunity to get some real world experience.

We are looking forward to a challenging and fun year!

To kick off the beginning of the year the Lake Forest STEAM committee de-

cided to complete a hands-on project that would demonstrate the main concepts that best represent our

goals. We selected a scaled model of a geodesic sphere, which would measure 8ft in diameter. The project

started as a newspaper structure and morphed into a full blown wooden structure that took a mass produc-

tion style assembly process to complete. The geodesic sphere as a student learning experience includes

many content areas within Lake Forest High School; Science, Technology Education, Engineering, Arts,

and Mathematics. To start, the Sciences can include many topics from the likeness of the sphere to a chem-

ical compound, showing elements which are represented as hubs and bonds which are represented as struts.

Technology education is represented by the impacts on society by using building techniques which reduce

the impact on the environment due to the minimal materials required to build the structure. The engineer-

ing facet shows students, by the use of physics, how load and force transfer making a geodesic sphere a

strong and efficient structure. The arts can show us through graphic communication, as well as through

written communication the process of planning, preparing, and the utilization of the geodesic sphere by

using scientific/engineering notebooks. Lastly, Mathematics is the keystone to the entire system; geometry,

calculus, and algebra are all incorporated in every other component of the STEAM project. Using a for-

mula, one can calculate structural integrity by verifying that the structure is complete and stable. Through

the work of teachers, the STEAM committee, and administrators at Lake Forest, we have been able to de-

sign and build a geodesic structure that will allow students a visual reference to show the collaboration of

teachers and disciplines. This project not only shows that teachers can work together for a common goal,

but it also gives students the opportunity to see how to apply concepts (learned in the classroom) to real

world problems to final solotions

LAKE FOREST HIGH SCHOOLThe Lake Forest School District has one focus, student success. At the High School, we have a focus statement that

guides all that we do. It states:

Lake Forest High School will implement a strategic school-wide effort to use Learning-Focused Strategies to improve

instruction in the critical thinking skills of reasoning, interpreting, making connections, and extending meaning. Our pur-

pose is to show measurable individual growth as indicated by improved scores on national, state, and local curriculum-based

assessments and indicators.

The symbol at the right is a graphic representation of this statement, and is seen on all our paperwork and throughout the

school. It acts as a constant reminder to teachers and students as to the critical thinking skills we want to remain at the forefront of our

minds as we go about the daily work.

The library has been fully

renovated with a new floor

plan and furniture.

LIBRARY

MEDIA CENTERStarting at the beginning of the

2011-2012 school year, Lake Forest

High School’s Library Media Cen-

ter will be open for extended hours

after school. This time is designed

to be used by students who need to

utilize computers for school assign-

ments and for parents and guardians

who would like to use the comput-

ers to access the internet with the

purpose of checking their students’

grades through Home Access Cen-

ter, email teachers, and monitor the

progress of their students’ Student

Success Plans (SSPs).

These extended hours are de-

signed not only to encourage our

students to work to their fullest po-

tential, but also to provide an oppor-

tunity for parents and guardians to

stay connected to their students’

school progress.

Extended Hours will be

Monday through Thursday,

2:30 through 4:15.

The sphere is hang-

ing in the Atrium.

The view of the

STEAM sphere from

the bottom..


W.T. Chipman Middle SchoolW.T. Chipman Middle School is focused on improving students’ ability to apply and transfer knowledge in all subject

areas through the implementation of Learning Focused Strategies. Student growth will be measured by common depart-

mental assessments and individual DCAS data.

Rachel’s Challenge Anti-bullying Campaign – let’s be

Kind, Compassionate and Tolerant Chipman has joined the thousands of other

schools around the country in the Rachel’s

Pledge to be an Anti-Bullying School!

Rachel Scott was the first person killed at

Columbine High School on April 20,

1999. Her acts of kindness and compas-

sion, coupled with the content of her six

diairies have become the foundation for

one of the most life-changing school pro-

grams in America.*

* from www.rachelschallenge.org

Our Fitness Matters!

Be a Healthy SpartanStudents at Chipman get to partake in PE

and in our Fitness Center as a class. We have

cardio and weight training to offer our students

Chipman Gives Back!All three grade levels each year take on the

task of creating a community service project.

Be on the lookout for our kids in the commu-

nity giving back!

Chipman teams up with numerous com-

munity organizations: Harrington Police Dept.,

Delaware State Fair, McDonald’s, JD Signs,

Food Lion, Senior Center, and the Food Bank.

We are always looking for community mem-

bers to come join us!

Drive 2 End Hunger

Campaign - National with AARPOur Rachel’s Challenge Organization has

teamed with AARP in the fight against hunger

for our Senior Citizens.

We have raised over 5 truckloads of non-

perishable food to donate to the local food

banks so far.Staff & Students dance together at

Chipman’s Annual Back to School

Block Party Dance

Staff Softball

Game:

Blue v. WhiteEach year our staff comes together in the

fall to play in the Battle of the Halls

Softball game for school bragging.

Stop by & visit us!

TEAM CHIPMAN

Mr. Richard Ford, Fitness Instruc-

tor, demostrating proper form to

his students.

Welcome to Chipman!

The Friends of Rachel Organization

raised over 50,000 canned goods for

AARP's Drive to End Hunger.

Steps to Success - Learn It,Know It, Use It

Chipman To Meet Jeff GordonOn Friday, September 30, ten W.T. Chip-

man students and Friends of Rachel staff

members will get to meet Nascar superstar

Jeff Gordon as they present the school’s

final donation in the Drive to End Hunger.

Select students and contest winners will join

Gordon in a question and answer session

with local media.

All Chipman students, staff members

and their families are invited to attend the

presentation ceremony at 6:30 p.m. in front

of J.C. Penney in the Dover Mall.


Lake Forest Central Elementary SchoolCentral Elementary is the first central stop for all Lake Forest School District Spartans. Students arrive

from the district’s three feeder schools; North, South and East Elementary Schools. Central houses grades

four and five and the staff specializes in meeting the unique needs of this age group.

There are over 660 students enrolled in

Central Elementary. The fourth grade cohort is

slated to graduate in the year 2020! Central’s

students are provided solid instruction in all

core subjects from a highly qualified staff of

teachers and paraprofessionals. Additionally,

the students at Central attend weekly classes in

computer science, music, physical education,

library and art. The staff at Central works in

concert to provide a first class education where

the students will be prepared with skills to be

productive, happy and successful members of

the 21st Century.

At Central, one of our goals is to train

young people for leadership. We currently

have the “Fighting for Animals Club,” a stu-

dent created and managed group whose mis-

sion is to raise awareness and money for our

furry friends.

“Spiffy Spartan Day.”One Wednesday per month the students

and the faculty dress up in clothing appropriate

for meetings or church or another important

occasion. On these days the Spartans are

dressed to impress. This year each class and every student will

make SMARTe goals to foster student achieve-

ment. Our mascot is SMARTe Sparty. Alana

Corrigan submitted the inquisitive mascot and

won our school wide contest.

SMART-e

Sparty reminds us

that our educat-

educational goals

should be Smart,

Measurable, Attain-

able, Realistic,

Timely and meet the

needs of Everyone.

The Spartans at

Central Elementary

take pride in saying the Spartan Battle Cry.

“Who are we? Spartans! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!”

We welcome you to visit us and become an ac-

tive member of the Central Elementary Spartan

community. Parents and visitors are always

welcomed to visit us at our beautiful school.

Come join us and be Central part of our stu-

dents’ success.

FFAC’s charity car wash event.

LF Central’s “Fighting for Animals” Club raises

awareness about and money for furry friends.

Mrs. Tucker and her students are looking Spiffy!

The Central Chorus led by Mr. Teesdale performs

for the students

Mr. Martin and a few Spiffy Spartans.

We encourage students to dream of ideas

and we help them to bring them to life. That,

we feel, is an essential component of educa-

tion; to cultivate innovation. We also believe

that a successful Spartan knows when and how

to dress appropriately. Central’s Parent Resource Center


Lake Forest East Elementary SchoolLake Forest East has certainly been the recipient of community support for our school and our students. Parents, local busi-

nesses, the Air Force Base, and community volunteers have all helped with our Positive Behavior Support activities, our home-

coming float, and our Multi-cultural Day. The students have learned about the history of Frederica through walking tours of the

town and through oral history from school visitors.

Last year, our third grade reached out to the Senior Center and performed a play at their facility. Our third grade was inspired to do

even more in the community following their work with older Fredericans and decided to reach out to our

younger citizens as well. With the third grade teachers’ help, students began a book collection campaign

to help build home libraries for all children in the Lake Forest East area.

Students came up with the name “Books for Tots - Children Helping

Children” and another East altruistic project was born. Students have

collected over 1,000 books to place in homes of our school community to

help improve literacy, develop a stronger sense of community, and hope-

fully impact overall student achievement. Additional support for this ini-

tiative from our community, either in collecting or finding homes for the

donated books, is always appreciated.

To find out more information on Lake Forest East Elementary events and initiatives, visit our website

at www.lf.k12.de.us/east

Lake Forest East Elementary is happy to announce

the addition of a four year old program housed in our

building for the 2011-2012

school year. The Early Child-

hood Assistance Program or

ECAP is a State Department of

Education funded pre-kinder-

garten program which follows

the Delaware Preschool Early

Learning Foundation standards

to provide a comprehensive

early childhood program to

prepare children for school

success. The Frederica area

has not previously had a State

funded four year old program

so the community is happy to

have eighteen “soon-to-be

East” students starting out right on the East campus.

The ECAP curriculum focuses on social-emotional

development, literacy and language development, physi-

cal and mental health and development. Families are

actively involved in ECAP classrooms and in program

governance through a policy council.

All together ECAP serves 234 children in thirteen

classrooms who will attend kindergarten in five school

districts-Capital, Lake Forest, Woodbridge, Seaford and

Cape Henlopen.

Curtis Harris, III gives a thumbs

up on his first day in Frederica's

new four year old program.

Ms. Oevita Fulman

welcomes ECAP stu-

dents with a story on

their first day.New ECAP students peruse books in

their new classroom

Third grade teacher Andrea Hamilton and

her students sort through donations for

Books for Tots.

CCOOMMMMUUNNIITTYY

HHEELLPPEERRSS

AATT EEAASSTT

East Welcomes

Four Year Olds

Safety First at Lake Forest East ElementaryEast teachers Ian Kircher and John Conn will be sporting new safety attire this year as they

work the street in front of the school during bus arrivals and dismissals. These gentlemen assist

with stopping traffic for buses and children who walk to school. Their bright presence helps to

create awareness on Route 12 that school is in session and drivers need to be aware of their

speed and watch for children.

East teachers Ian Kircher and John

Conn model the new safety attire they

will be wearing during bus arrival and

departure times this year.


Lake Forest North ElementaryLake Forest North Elementary School in Felton, Delaware, is proud to service the students in the Felton and

Viola areas. Students from pre-kindergarten through third grade attend. The student population is just over 500

students. Lake Forest North’s

number one focus is student suc-

cess. Our parents are faithful sup-

porters of our activities and programs. We are also grateful for our

community leaders and business partners who support our endeavors.

Our Felton Town Hall provides us with a summer library. Over

one hundred students participate in this summer program.

Our mentoring program has proved to be beneficial to our students

academically and socially. The mentoring program would not be suc-

cessful without the help of our Felton Police Department, the Town

Hall staff and the Dover Air Force Base Personnel.

Doing What WorksLake Forest North Elementary was selected

to be featured on the “Doing What Works”

(DWW) website. This website provides re-

searched based reading strategies for schools

that need ideas and support concerning student

achievement. DWW assists teachers with

planning and implementing these practices by

showcasing schools that are successful.

DWW selected six schools, in the nation,

to model best practices. The schools are show-

cased on the website for a full school year.

North will be showcased from August 2011

until August 2012 for the effective use of com-

prehension strategies, using data to drive in-

struction and team collaboration to plan

effective lessons.

One of our third grade teachers, Mrs. Erin

Dotson, was featured teaching a non-fiction

read aloud. Another third grade teacher, Mrs.

Nakia McNair, was highlighted using a graphic

organizer to teach text features with a non-fic-

tion book. Mrs. Cindy Burke, our kindergarten

teacher, was featured teaching her students

character and setting. Mrs. Anita Hart, our Lit-

eracy Coach, was highlighted conducting a

third grade team meeting involving student

data and providing researched based strategies

to improve the data. Also, relevant strategies

were presented on how to improve reading

benchmark scores. Members of the third grade

team included in this segment were Mrs. Erin

Dotson, Mrs. Nakia McNair, Ms. Jennifer

Maczynski and Mrs. Sara Bushey. Mrs. Wyn-

der, the principal, was featured discussing

leadership practices that foster high student

achievement. She also discussed teacher ac-

countability to use data to drive instruction.

Mr. Ed Cutler, from the district office, dis-

cussed the

changes that

have oc-

curred at

North due to

team collab-

oration, ef-

fective

leadership

and the use of

researched

based prac-

tices in the

classroom.

North’s

showcase

can be found at http://dww.ed.gov.

Lake Forest North: National Title I Distinguished SchoolOn February 17, 2011, Governor Jack Markell attended a celebration at Lake Forest

North Elementary School. He was proud to present North with the National Title I Dis-

tinguished School (NTDS) award. In order to receive this award, Title I schools must

have a poverty rate of at least 35 percent and must have met or exceeded state standards

on the statewide testing. NTDS is an annual recognition for Title I schools showing re-

markable improvement and innovation.

North’s poverty rate is over 50 percent and more than 90 percent of our students met

or exceeded the standard on the state assessment in reading and math. Lake Forest North

was one of two schools to be selected from 200 schools statewide for the award. North

was presented with a banner, a certificate and a check for $10, 000 for its outstanding

performance in closing the achievement gap between student groups. The staff and the

students were elated to be recognized for their dedication to student success.

LF North staff members featured

on the DWW website were (back

row, from left) Cindy Burke, Nakia

McNair, Sara Bushey, Anita Hart;

(front row from left) Jennifer

Maczynski, Nakia McNair and

Principal Brenda Wynder.

Students in the mentoring program are shown

with Master Sergeant Chris Guild, Sarah Fer-

guson, Chief Levi Brown, Rebecca Greene and

Corporal Philip Thomas.

Felton Town Hall Summer Library

Assembly — This summer reading

program serves over 100 North

students.

Early this year, Lake Forest North Elementary was recognized as a National Title I Distinguished School. Delaware Governor Jack Markell was on hand to make

the presentation and join in the celebration. In the picture are (back row from left) Principal Brenda Wynder, Governor Markell, Assistant Principal Laura Lands

and Literacy Coach Anita Hart; (front row from left) students Gannon Thompson, Taj McNair, Destiny Butler and Brianna Maull.


Welcome to Lake Forest South Elementary

School where we believe all who work, play,

and grow with us are on track for success! It is

our mission that our Lake Forest South family

will meet the essential needs of all learners by

working together as a respectful community.

We work to support our students both inside

and outside the school. We have worked to es-

tablish a variety of community partnerships to

help us achieve

our mission and

vision. We

know that sup-

porting children

as learners and

citizens of the

world requires a

variety of learn-

ing experiences

across multiple

settings.

At Lake Forest South Elementary School

we take educating the whole child seriously.

While we do value the importance of learning

to read and write, we also value the impor-

tance of establishing healthy habits that will

last a lifetime. Whether it is a field trip to our

local skating rink or adding movement into

our classrooms, we work to incorporate the

arts, music, and physical activity into our

everyday learning activities. A partnership

with the Nemours Foundation has provided

us with support. Additionally, a grant through

the United States Department of Agriculture

allows our students and staff to sample fresh

fruits and vegetables throughout the school

year. We work to purchase these items

through our local farms and farmers as often

as possible.

Lake Forest South is a CHARACTER

COUNTS! school. We teach our children that char-

acter is what you do even when no one is looking.

CHARACTER COUNTS! is based on six ethical

values, or pillars. Throughout the school year our children and families learn about a new pillar each

month. For example, during the month of September, we highlight the pillar of responsibility. We teach

and model the following ways that people of character behave responsibly:

• Responsible people do their part.

• Responsible people don’t take credit for other people’s work, and they admit their own mistakes.

• Responsible people show self-control by choosing words or actions carefully. That means they think

carefully before they say or do anything. • Responsible people work hard and do their best.

Lake Forest South Elementary

A South student gets a

hug from the Lake Forest

Spartan.

Activity for Healthy Spartans at

The Centre Ice Rink

We love having surprise vis-

itors at South!

Stop by and visit us!We are always looking for community members to come join

us!You can count on receiving a warm welcome, experiencing ac-

tive children and families, having access to great resources in our

Family Resource Library, free Friday night movies, great learning

opportunities, and more. Come join us and you, too, will be certain

to be on track for success!

Clowning around with

South!

Learning about and

practicing healthy

habits at the Centre

Ice Rink

Dinner with the Lake

Forest Spartan at our

Harrington McDonald’s.

Lake Forest Staff work

along with our partners

to ensure our school com-

munity is on track for

success!

If you are an alumni of Lake Forest South Elementary School, a family

member of a current student or are a local business interested in contributing

to the creation of our outdoor classroom, please consider purchasing a brick.

We will begin construction of Lake Forest

South’s first outdoor classroom space at the start of the 2011-2012 school year.

The outdoor classroom will be located behind our library caboose, between the

wings of our building. The foundation of the outdoor classroom space will be

made from 4” x 8” paver bricks engraved with a message of your choice. Each

brick will hold three lines of text, up to 13 characters per line including spaces.

Our goal is to have three to four 20’x20’ outdoor classroom spaces. The price of each brick is $50.00

which includes the cost of the brick, shipping, and engraving. Please become a part of this exciting project

and make a lasting contribution to Lake Forest South Elementary.

You can purchase a brick by visiting our website at: http://www.lf.k12.de.us/south/ or phoning the

school at 398-8011 Thank you for your consideration!

On track for success . . .

On track for community partnerships . . .

On track for

success . . .

On track for Healthy Spartans . . .

LF South PTAG

On track for an

outdoor classroom . . .

On track with Character Counts . . .


Delaware Early Childhood Center Serves

Young Children and their Families in Lake ForestThe Delaware Early Childhood Center (DECC), a division of the Lake Forest School

District, provides a number of services for young children, ages birth to kindergarten, and

their families in Kent and Sussex Counties. The program began in 1979 with a focus on

services to young children with disabilities. These services became known as Early

CHOICES, one of DECC’s central programs. Early CHOICES has provided special edu-

cation and related services for three and four year old children with disabilities and their

families in Lake Forest for more than 20 years. Early CHOICES expects to serve approxi-

mately 40 Lake Forest children in the upcoming 2012 school year.

The Delaware Early Childhood Center provides preschool services for four year olds

to prepare them for kindergarten through its largest program, the Early Childhood Assis-

tance Program (ECAP). DECC’s ECAP is serving 18 Lake Forest four year olds in a new

classroom at Lake Forest East Elementary School. Children are served at East in a morn-

ing class, operating from 8:20 am to 12:20 pm. Classes will be held for 160 days follow-

ing Lake Forest’s calendar, starting on September 6. ECAP serves children whose families

meet the income requirements as well as children who have identified disabilities.

The Delaware Early Childhood Center’s Parents As Teachers (PAT) program provides

parent education and family support services for families of children birth to five with a

primary focus on high risk families of infants and toddlers. Twenty-five Lake Forest fami-

lies are currently enrolled in the program. Families served by Parents As Teachers receive

monthly home visits as a major component of the program. Certified Parent Educators

visit families to share support and information about their child’s development and other

concerns the family may be facing.

DECC partners with the University of Delaware to provide home-based services for

Kent County families of children ages birth to three through New Directions Early Head

Start-Kent County. Sixty families are engaged in this service, with approximately 20 of

them being Lake Forest families. Early Head Start follows the Parents As Teachers cur-

riculum offering families weekly home visits of 90 minutes a week.

Early intervention services are available to children ages birth to three and their fami-

lies in Lake Forest. Children qualify for Birth to Three Early Intervention Services

through an evaluation at Child Development Watch in Milford. An Individualized Family

Service Plan (IFSP) is developed outlining the services needed to help the children achieve

their developmental outcomes. DECC Child Development Specialists visit families in

their homes when they are referred families whose children need educational services.

The Lake Forest Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English Language Learner (ELL)

Program serves adults who are seeking to obtain their GEDs or to learn English as a sec-

ond language who live in Lake Forest and Milford School Districts. ABE/ELL classes are

offered at the Harrington office and at Grace United Methodist Church in Lincoln. The

program is funded to serve 100 adults during the course of the year. The Harrington site

offers classes during the day and in the evening.

DECC has expanded its preschool program in Lake Forest this year, the Little Spartans

Early Learning Center, to include two classrooms serving children ages two to five. Thirty

Lake Forest children are served in this program, which provides high quality, full day,

school year preschool services for families interested in this Harrington-based program.

Families support this program through their weekly payments, as well as through their on-

going involvement in all aspects of the center. Little Spartans is entering its fifth year in

providing preschool services for children and families in Lake Forest. This program has

successfully helped children transition successfully into kindergarten, enhancing the begin-

nings of children’s years of learning in school.

The Delaware Early Childhood Center has long been a member of the Lake Forest

community. Through its services, DECC provides a vital role in helping children enter

school well on their way to being eager, engaged, and acquisitive learners, with their fami-

lies skilled and experienced in working in partnership with the program. This year DECC

will serve approximately 150 Lake Forest children and families in its variety of programs.

WAYS TO HELP YOUR

SPECIAL EDUCATION CHILD

GET BACK IN A ROUTINE:

• Begin talking about school ahead of time, highlighting

the things that your child may be looking forward to

doing once back in school.

• Emphasize the positives of what your child is good at

and what motivates him to do his best.

• Make a list of school supplies with your child and take

her shopping to pick out that special notebook or set of

pencils.

• Arrange and confirm your child's transportation to

school ahead of time and talk with him about these

arrangements and what he can expect.

• Begin adding more structure back into your child's rou-

tine (i.e. earlier bed time) to help with easing back into

those first few weeks of school.

• Become familiar with what your child will be learning

for the current school year. You can find information

about grade level curriculum and standards at

www.doe.k12.de.us. If your child receives a modified

curriculum, make sure you understand the difference.

Not sure? Call the Special Education Coordinator at

your child's school.

• If you have an early annual IEP date, contact your

child's school to discuss any assessments that may need

to be completed prior to scheduling a meeting.

• Be familiar with your child's IEP and what accommo-

dations and modifications she should be getting in the

classroom as well as on the state test. If you're unsure,

call your child's school and ask to speak to the Special

Education Coordinator.

• Schedule a parent conference time to meet with your

child's teachers. Plan to share any special concerns or

considerations that you believe will impact his success

in the classroom.

• Begin early communication with your child's school

and maintain a regular contact with them regarding

your child's progress. Establish the mode of communi-

cation (phone, journal/agenda, e-mail) that will work

best for all.

• Lastly, and just as important ... Take time to celebrate

the small successes: getting up, eating breakfast, and

making it to the bus on time with minimal trouble is

something to shout about! Reinforce and praise the ef-

fort and behaviors you want to see.


New Look! New Styles!

Amazing Boots at Amazing Prices

for Ladies, Men & Kids!

Cowboy Cut,& Fashion JeansFor Guys & Gals

Name Brands You Know!

Visit us ator stop by the store across from the Fairgrounds in Harrington

Everything for Horse & Rider

We Proudly Support

Harrington Heritage Day

Sat., Oct. 22 • 9-3

Downtown HarringtonShop Tuesday thru Saturday 10 - 6 • Sunday 11-5


October 8, 2011

Lake Forest High School

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Come tour the newly remodeled

Lake Forest High School

and enjoy food, entertainment, exhibits

and activities for the whole family.

Celebrate what it means to be a Spartan!

lake forest reporter - fall 2011

Documents

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