Over the course of four days, the Science Enrichment team, consisting of nine DCHS students, worked one-on-one with 7th- and 8th-grade science students at Epworth Christian School teaching them the necessary components of experimental design. The DCHS students focused the teaching on the concepts of variables and constants; the most difficult things for students to identify when designing an experiment.

“First we had to gain their trust in order to teach,” continued Megan. “Once they saw our character and how we lived out our testimony, they really opened up to us and it was so easy to teach them. The greatest joy was just seeing them learn and realizing that we had a hand in helping them.”

Epworth Christian School students are in the midst of preparing for their science fair projects. With the assistance of DCHS students Jenn Baker, Lauryl Berger, Megan Gherke, Maddie Gilbert, Kaitlyn Henry, Tom Hudson, Kyle Kokjohn, Mitch Oppel, and Mignon Winterling, the younger students learned how to design experiments, graph experimental data and produce quality lab reports. They also learned and used probe technology to include temperature, voltage, sound sensor, and motion detector probes.

While at Epworth Christian School, DCHS students Megan Gherke and Kyle Kokjohn explain how to operate the Science Workshop Collection software. The student interns, using a laptop interfaced with a temperature probe that can take temperature measurements with a precision of 1/1000th of a degree at a very high speed, also helped the ECS students analyze their exothermic reaction experiments.

“The Epworth students had a lot of fun with the probes,” said DCHS junior Jenn Baker. “But more importantly, we conducted a pre-test on the first day and a post-test the last day. There was dramatic improvement, and it was interesting to see their growth. So, even though they were having fun, they were learning.”

Jenn continued by saying what the Epworth students learned in just four days with the DCHS students will make the transition to high school easier for them.

“I really enjoyed teaching; the kids said I was a good teacher,” said Jenn. “I’ve been thinking about a career in teaching or scientific/medical lab research so this experience meshed the two together nicely.”

DCHS student Tom Hudson explains the fundamentals of experimental design by using an everyday example to help Eagle’s Nest Christian Academy students understand the role of variables and constants.

The DCHS students conducted all the hands-on learning experiences as well as monitored the student’s classwork and provided feedback on their homework assignments. Following their time at Epworth Christian, the DCHS Science Enrichment team traveled to Eagle’s Nest Christian Academy to repeat their lesson plans with ENCA middle school students.

Delmarva Christian High School’s winter term, known as J-Term, provides students the opportunity to explore their passions in order to help determine God’s will for their lives. This year J-Term experiences include mission trips, archeological investigations, home construction projects, healthcare explorations, filmmaking, music appreciation, college tours, business internships, and Senior Testimony Project preparations in addition to the science enrichment internships.

In Mrs. Stolle’s 8th-grade science class, DCHS junior Maddie Gilbert explains how to graph experimental data correctly to ENCA students.

Church friends, ECS student Jenna Passwaters and DCHS junior Kaitlyn Henry, pause between data collection in Mr. Morris’ 8th-grade science class at Epworth Christian School.

DCHS students Nathaniel Richter and John Henderson befriend a couple of children who attend Howard T. Ennis School in Georgetown.

The last day of the fall trimester is always a highlight of the school year. The day began with the student body creating Christmas cards that were delivered later in the day to the Harrison House, the Stockley Center, the Milton CHEER Center, and the Howard T. Ennis School. Over 2,000 homemade cookies were also distributed by DCHS students as they sang Christmas carols to the residents and children.

The day also included a special Chapel in which a large number of alumni joined DCHS students and the praise/worship team, the choir, and the new wind ensemble in a Christmas celebration of fellowship and music. Performing Arts students concluded Chapel with a thought-provoking and engaging skit entitled, “Act 2: Pete’s Garage Church.”

Under the direction of Mr. Richard Trice, DCHS student Tiffany Matthews and her fellow classmates sing carols to residents of the Harrison House.

DCHS students sing traditional Christmas carols to a Harrison House resident while she receives a permanent wave at the in-house hair salon.

In preparation of their visits to the Harrison House, the Stockley Center, the Milton CHEER Center, and the Howard T. Ennis School, DCHS students Hava Marneweck, Mackenzie Kinnikin, Carol Anne McFarlin, and Bailey Kinnikin create special Christmas cards.

DCHS students Cassie Gordon, Hunter Dorey, Sarah Bryan, and Alex Gordon, along with School Nurse Kristen Bennett, gather the nonperishable food items for pick up.

In partnership with the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, DCHS students collected nonperishable food items for the Food Bank of Delaware, Sussex County. The food drive, which kicked off December 5 at Eagle’s Nest Fellowship Church, will bless hunger-relief agencies to include churches, food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, low-income daycare centers, rehabilitation programs, senior centers and more. During the school’s week-long food drive, students collected over 200 food items to help hungry Delawareans this holiday season.

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce will continue the food drive through the month of December. Those wishing to make a donation may do so by dropping off their canned or nonperishable food at the County Administration Offices (next to the courthouse) in Georgetown, during the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

DCHS students rake an abundance of leaves at the Eagle’s Nest Campground site.

Although election celebrations were not planned on the Georgetown Circle this year, DCHS still held their annual Return Day community service activities. This year, students covered Sussex County from Laurel to Milton helping with projects from raking leaves, debris removal, and mulching to painting, cleaning, and assembling newsletters. Several students also learned how to install an irrigation system while others learned how to plant shrubs.

DCHS seniors Tommy Hudson and Andrew Oeschler transport boxes of heavy floor tiles.

Cameron Burns and Kyle Weed remove nails from the floor of a Habitat for Humanity home construction. Students also painted, cleaned, and landscaped two Habitat sites in Laurel.

While at Crossroads Community Church, students C.J. Ellis, Miles Warrington, and Lexy Brady stuff envelopes for one of their mailings.

“What better way to start the day and grab the students’ attention!” exclaims long-term substitute English teacher Mrs. Janice Curtis. “The transformation would make Starbucks and Barnes and Noble envious.”

On this particular day, Mrs. Curtis was introducing a new book, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, to her students. Mrs. Curtis presented a brief overview of the book and encouraged the students to engage in a lively discussion by tacking a label to the back of each student. Some of the labels read magistrate and clergy while others read townsperson or outcast. The students then were to mingle amongst themselves, find those with the same label, and group together.

The outcasts had to stand alone in a corner of the room.

The purpose of the exercise was to give the students a sense of the alienation the character Hester Prynne must have felt as she had to wear the letter A around her neck and to understand, in the tiniest sense, what it was like to live in a Puritan Society.

“I think one of the greatest things I learned when I wore the isolated tag was how it made me feel,” said Nick Marsch who had to stand in a corner. “I didn’t like feeling like I didn’t fit in.”

Nick continued by saying, “Throughout the unit I learned that we should realize we are all the same in God’s eyes and it’s not our job to judge. It’s God’s job.”

Following a Chapel service, DCHS Music and Drama Ministry Team members are surrounded by middle school students from Eagle’s Nest Christian Academy. Team members include Erica Apgar, Lauren Bradley, Jordan Carey, Richie Cole, Tyler Collins, Kaitlyn Henry, Ben Hodges, Dylan Holston, Michelle Rideau, Brendan Smith, Rob Van Pelt, Caleb Weed, Jozel Williams, Luke Wright, and Michael Yerkes.

The Delmarva Christian High School Music and Drama Ministry Team took to the road on Thursday by visiting area K-8 Christian schools. Their first stop was at Eagle’s Nest Christian Academy in Milton where the team led the middle school students in a Chapel service. DCHS Praise and Worship members began the service with a set of “Our God Is Greater,” “Give You Glory,” and the “Revelation Song.” The singing was followed by three short skits presented by Performing Arts students and several praise team members. Two of the skits illustrated the parables of the lost sheep and serving two masters.

“I loved how the children participated with us,” said DCHS senior Michelle Rideau.

“They made us feel like little kids again,” chimed in fellow senior Lauren Bradley. “It was so much fun.”

The final skit, entitled “The Birdcage,” demonstrated the most famous Bible verse; John 3:16.

Later in the morning, the team traveled across the county to Epworth Christian School in Laurel where, once again, they led the Chapel program for the children.

Junior Ben Hodges said, “Although it could have been uncomfortable stepping out spreading the gospel, I actually enjoyed it.”

DCHS Praise and Worship Team lead Epworth Christian School with “Our God Is Greater.”

According to the College Board website, the “AP score is an accurate assessment of your proficiency in an equivalent college course.” With a score of 5 equating to “Extremely Well Qualified,” a score of 4 being considered “Well Qualified” and a score of 3 resulting in “Qualified” to receive college credit, DCHS students have the proven skills necessary for college success. Nationally, 33 percent (33%) of students in 2011 scored 4’s and 5’s while 60 percent (60%) of DCHS students garnered these high scores.

As a DCHS junior, Geoffrey Shepard who took both the AP Chemistry and U.S. History in one semester, scored 4 and 5 respectively.

“Taking two AP classes in different disciplines was difficult but rewarding,” said Geoffrey. “This experience has helped me decide what direction to take in college and what degree to pursue.”

2011 AP students Colby Willey, Geoffrey Shepard, Rob Van Pelt, Kyle Kokjohn, Tyler Collins, Brendan Smith,
Haley Embleton, Lindsay Townsend, Sarah Hinkle, Marshall Oppel, and Mitch Oppel.
Not pictured 2011 graduates Maegan Bourne, John Hopkins, and Lucas Johnson.

The AP exam is the culmination of a semester of intensive instruction from a specially qualified teacher.

As stated on the College Board website, “From the moment you enter an AP classroom, you’ll notice the difference—in the teacher’s approach to the subject, in the attitude of your classmates, in the way you start to think. In AP classrooms, the focus is not on memorizing facts and figures. Instead you’ll engage in intense discussions, solve problems collaboratively, and learn to write clearly and persuasively.”

At Delmarva Christian, this was very much the experience of the AP students in 2011. AP Chemistry student Tyler Collins said of his experience, “Since I have a passion for chemistry, I enjoyed the fast pace of the curriculum that enabled us to delve deep and cover a sizeable amount of material. It was a challenge but I liked the challenge.”

All DCHS students enrolled in the AP classes are required to sit for the exams. The average score in each of the AP classes offered at DCHS in 2011 to include Chemistry, English Literature & Composition, and U.S. History was above 3.5.

“Its usage has far exceeded my expectations and I know that the students are already benefitting,” said Information Technology Specialist Mike Vonhof.  “It is amazing to think that a week ago the students had just arrived yet…we’ve come a long way…in a short time.”

In addition to the iPads, other new exciting changes have been made at DCHS. As the school continues to grow, four staff members have been added to the Royal Family.

L to R: Kevin Smith, Bethany Bates, Kristin Bennett, Drew Johnson

Miss Bethany Bates, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education—History from Lee University, is the new Social Studies teacher. She completed her student teaching at Cleveland Middle School and Walker Valley High School in Cleveland, Tennessee. With a father as a pastor, Miss Bates originally believed her calling was to reach out and teach in the public school system; however, in her senior year at Lee her heart was convicted to help those in the Christian private school setting. Miss Bates has a passion for traveling and has visited 40 states and four countries to include a mission trip to the Ukraine and a study-abroad tour in England and Scotland. Currently, Miss Bates lives in Millsboro.

Mrs. Kristin Bennett, with over 16 years of nursing experience, is the new School Nurse. Prior to coming to DCHS, Mrs. Bennett was a manager at Bayada Nurses, a home health care company, and a substitute at Eagle’s Nest Christian Academy. Mrs. Bennett holds degrees in engineering and nursing but her specialty is medical/surgical pediatrics. With a passion for photography, Mrs. Bennett shoots family portraits part time. She also enjoys family-oriented activities, the beach, reading, crafting, and spending time with her close girlfriends in Christ. Mrs. Bennett lives in Lincoln with her husband Mark and their three children Skyler, Sutton, and Seader. The family attends Eagle’s Nest Fellowship Church.

Mr. Drew Johnson, with 18 years of educational experience, is the new Computer Applications Teacher. With a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Maryland—College Park and a Master’s degree in Secondary Education, Mr. Johnson has experience as an English teacher, a Special Education teacher, an athletic director, and has coached baseball, basketball, and football. Furthermore, prior to his teaching experience, Mr. Johnson was an infielder in the minor leagues with the Baltimore Orioles. Relocating to the Eastern Shore has enabled Mr. Johnson to devote more time to his family and has made it possible to share his passion of surfing with his sons.  Mr. Johnson lives in Lewes with his wife Karen and their two children Sam and Luke. The family attends St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.

Mr. Kevin Smith, a recent graduate from Syracuse University, a private research university located in New York, is the new Spanish teacher. Mr. Smith earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics and Policy Studies. Mr. Smith has experience as a substitute teacher and served as an executive assistant during a recent political campaign. In his free time, Mr. Smith enjoys hiking and geocaching. Mr. Smith lives in Georgetown with plans to move to Milford in the coming weeks. Mr. Smith attends Eagle’s Nest Fellowship Church.

Over 180 iPads were distributed and synced in less than 90 minutes; and all DCHS students are now able to access e-textbooks, classroom assignments, labs, quizes and tests, downloadable files from teachers, and the ever-growing online library of digitally-enriched educational resources.

Read our detailed iPad rollout post here.

Delmarva Christian High School welcomed over 180 new and returning students to the 2011-2012 school year on August 17th.