Gov. John Carney on Sunday signed a modification to his State of Emergency declaration, suspending end-of-year evaluations for educators, professional development requirements and assessments due to the suspension of the school year caused by COVID-19.
Carney’s latest modification holds Delaware’s students and educators harmless for the shortened school year, also waiving the required learning hours for students and teacher days. School districts and charter schools must still complete remote learning plans submitted to the Delaware Department of Education.
“Students and educators across our state, especially our 2020 senior class, have been significantly affected by this COVID-19 crisis,” said Carney. “These changes in our latest modification will make sure students and educators are not punished because of the shortened school year. Thank you to all of Delaware’s students, educators and school leaders who have really leaned into remote learning during this challenging, unusual time. We are making progress in our fight against COVID-19. But Delawareans can’t let up. Don’t go out in public unnecessarily. Wear a face covering when you need to go out. Wash your hands. Cover your cough. Disinfect surfaces frequently. And stay informed at de.gov/coronavirus.”
Due to extreme hardships that commercial anchored grill net fishers have faced due to COVID-19, Governor Carney’s modification on Sunday also extends the season closing date for the use of anchored grill nets from today, May 10, to midnight on June 1.
DRBA Police receive PPE donation
The Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) Police Department recently received a donation of 65 face shields to help ensure its officers are protected against the COVID-19 pandemic. All DRBA officers are now equipped with N-95 respirator masks, nitrile disposable gloves, and face shields.
Louise Cummings, whose husband Delaware State Trooper Cpl. Stephen Ballard was killed in the line of duty in April 2017, launched the fundraising effort to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) for troopers and other law enforcement officers in Delaware. Through her efforts, the DRBA Police Department is one of many law enforcement agencies in the State of Delaware to receive this PPE donation.
“We’re extremely grateful to be one of the agencies to receive this generous and thoughtful donation,” said Richard Arroyo, DRBA police administrator. “Her efforts to aid police officers on the front lines during this crisis is a fitting tribute to her husband’s memory.”
“On the third anniversary of my husband’s death, I felt I had to do something to make sure our law enforcement professionals are protected against this deadly virus,” Cummings said. “My goal is to care for our law enforcement officers the way I would have wanted my husband to be cared for during such a challenging time. God bless our first responders!”
Cummings’ fundraising campaign, which can be found at www.gofundme.com/f/honorballardcovid19, has raised more than $8,000 to purchase and distribute PPE to law enforcement professionals in Delaware.
Cummings is coordinating with Hardwire LLC, a Maryland vendor that is providing the face shields at bulk pricing.
Royal Farms donates tractor-trailer load of food
Royal Farms today announced the company was slated to deliver a tractor-trailer truck full of food supplies to the Delaware Food Bank at 10 am on May 8th, 2020.
The truck will be filled with various food necessities including cases of whole milk, 1 percent, and chocolate milk, as well as orange juice, loaves of bread, sliced ham, turkey, American cheese, and containers of yogurt. Also included will be boxes of granola bars, nuts, and cases of bottled water.
“This coronavirus pandemic has resulted in an increased need for food within the communities that we serve. People are worried right now, and where they are going to get their next meal should not be added to their list of worries. Our goal with this donation is to help the Food Bank provide food to those who need it most. We also want to thank our Food Bank partners who fight against this hunger every day.” Said John Kemp, president of Royal Farms.
Royal Farms is a fast casual, convenience, and gas station chain that now operates 226 stores in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
