Indian River School District

For third-grade teacher Heather Atkison, teaching is more than just books.

Mark Marvel has directed the Indian River High School (IRHS) concert and marching bands for more than 25 years, allowing him to cultivate some of the most promising student talent in the district. But he has taken basic music education outside of the classroom and created two bands, giving young musicians a chance to play professionally on the beach music scene.

Donald Hattier will retain his school board seat in the Indian River School District for another three years.

On May 6, Indian River High School’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter held an “above the influence” presentation to promote Prom Promise, with the goal of deterring students from drinking and driving on prom night.

School board elections for Indian River School District’s District 4 are set for Tuesday, May 10, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The candidates in District 4, vying for a three-year term that begins July 1, are incumbent Donald G. Hattier of Dagsboro and challenger Harold I. Walters of Ocean View.

The Indian River School District will hold school board member elections Tuesday, May 10. The polls will open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

On April 21, representatives from the Center for the Inland Bays held a dedication for the wetlands constructed by Indian River High School Students on the school’s property.

The Indian River High School Marching Band and Show Choir hit a high note performing in this year’s band trip to Disney World.

On April 12, the Quiet Resorts Charitable Foundation (QRCF) announced that the Indian River High School science department would receive the first grant through the non-profit’s “Back Our Schools” initiative.

“Energetic,” “persistent” and “student-centered” are just some of the words Indian River School District Superintendent Susan Bunting used to describe the 15 teachers honored at the district’s annual Teacher of the Year Ceremony last week. And Sharyn Crandell of Selbyville Middle School won District Teacher of the Year for 2011-2012.

For local students aiming to help Japan after the devastating earthquake and tsunami, origami is the new bake sale.

The Indian River High School Marching Band and Show Choir migrated south this week for that most anticipated of school trips: Disney World.

On March 28 and 29, elementary students from the Southern Delaware School of the Arts and Phillip C. Showell Elementary School were the first in Delaware to participate in Leaders for the Future, a national leadership program.

“When the day comes that I say, ‘Pshew. I have to go to school today,’ I’ll retire. And that hasn’t happened.”

At its regular monthly meeting on March 22, the Indian River Board of Education approved a series of changes to the 2010-2011 school district calendar.
 
The last day of school for students will now be Friday, June 10. It will be a full day of school.
 
Teachers will participate in professional development activities from June 13 to 16. The last day for teachers will be Thursday, June 16.

The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act – commonly referred to as the stimulus package, or stimulus funds – provides $4.35 billion for the Race to the Top Fund, a competitive grant program.

In honor of Music in Our Schools Month, local upcoming musicians and performers in Indian River High School’s music department will host their annual band and chorus variety show on Friday, March 18, and Saturday, March 19, at the school, located in Dagsboro.

The international creative problem-solving competition that teaches students to “think outside the box” surpassed its own boundaries this year.

Delaware’s annual Odyssey of the Mind (OM) competition is usually a one-day event in Newark. Yet, with 230 teams representing 90 schools, Executive Director Rob Raab-Long said, “We outgrew the University of Delaware.”

The following Indian River High School students received High Honors for grades between 93 and 100, for the second marking period of the 2010-2011 school year:

The Indian River High School Band Boosters will hold their 3rd Annual Longaberger/Vera Bradley/Cash Bingo on Friday, April 8, at the Millville Fire Hall, located at 35554 Atlantic Avenue in Millville. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and games begin at 7 p.m.

Although participation and attendance were down from last year, the Third Annual Indian River Chili Cook-off still heated things up two weeks ago, in fundraising efforts to benefit the school’s athletic programs.

Outstanding performance on the 2010 Delaware Student Testing Program (DSTP) recently brought Ferguson Scholarships for 27 Indian River School District students. Each year, the State of Delaware awards $1,000 scholarships to top scorers on both the reading and mathematics tests.

Due to inclement weather, all Indian River School District schools will open two hours late on Tuesday, Feb 22. There is no morning kindergarten. All 12-month employees should report on time.

The Chichester duPont Foundation recently donated $18,000 to the Delmarva Community Wellnet Foundation in order to support the Wellnet’s SNAC Program. The SNAC (School Nutrition Advisory Committee) program is a community outreach service to improve children’s health through nutritional education in the classroom and at school meetings and festivals.

Each year, students across the United States pursue a chance to study and to serve their country.

But before applying to a military service academy, most students must seek a Congressperson’s official nomination, and Jonathan Arnold is the only Indian River School District student to be recommended this year by U.S. Sen. Tom Carper.

Who knew that 4,000 pairs of shoes could buy clean water for those in need and provide small business opportunities in other countries?

Update: This event has been cancelled. General donations can be sent to Justin Lowe Fund, Fulton Bank, Millsboro, Delaware.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,” reads Hebrews 11:1 in the Bible, and it is a quote by which Justin Lowe – a senior at Indian River High School – lives.

The same week state officials filed a $19 million lawsuit against a consultant on the Indian River Inlet Bridge replacement project over the prior design’s roadway approaches, the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announced that Dover-based contractor George & Lynch Inc. had been awarded contract to construct re-engineered roadway approaches and to demolish the existing bridge.

On Valentine’s Day weekend, the Indian River High School swim team will break from swimming to go sitting — babysitting, that is.

This winter has been harsh, but next weekend Indian River High School is offering a cure for the cold. The Third Annual Indian River High Chili Cook-off will take place in the school’s cafeteria and will offer plenty of chili to the general public, all while raising funds to ultimately benefit the school’s athletic department.