Small Town News

Cape students lead the way to hope

---

A year ago, the Cape Henlopen School District was reeling. Nothing was as it seemed, whether it was a pediatrician charged with abusing patients, a football coach accused of child abuse or a father charged with murdering his son.

As those events shook the foundation of the community, more controversy roiled at Cape over an expensive preschool program, failing technology and the once-heralded Cape theater program.

Just one year later, controversy over the preschool program has disappeared; district officials have refocused on Cape's mission of providing outstanding education for all students K-12.

Students and teachers at all levels are learning with current technology, including iPod Touches for elementary students. They're also using technology to solve problems. As if to prove the district's commitment to technological excellence, this year Cape will send two rocket teams to a national competition, and Beacon technology teacher Don Schlater has been recognized among the top 40 technology teachers in America.

In the same year, Hunter Graves, a student in the revamped theater program, is competing for a prestigious national Shakespeare award, while his teacher, Martha Pfeiffer, was selected to study the teaching of Shakespeare in London after Graves won a regional championship. Cape students came out of nowhere to steal the show in a string of theater competitions, and graduating seniors have been accepted into university-level theater programs.

Beyond all this, and perhaps even more remarkable, Cape's discipline program, focusing on encouraging positive behavior, has produced real change in the demeanor and outlook of students at all levels.

This has been a year of accomplishment and change in Cape schools, thanks in part to teachers and staff, Superintendent Dave Robinson and a newly unified school board.

Still, the greatest praise must go to Cape students, who have fought through profound disillusionment to redirect sorrow, rebuild a community and rediscover hope.





© 2011 Cape Gazette Lewes, Delaware. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

More from Cape Gazette