It’s been said that all behavior happens for a reason; that it’s a form of communication. Managing a child’s behavior from PreK through their teenage years is never an easy task, as almost every parent can attest. Each age group presents its own unique set of challenges. In this episode, IRSD Director of Special Education Melissa Whisted and Superv…

In this episode, we speak with three IRSD staff members – one whose father was a champion professional boxer, one who taught a reality TV star and another who served in the U.S. Marine Corps and parachuted into some hazardous areas during the Iraq War.Par IRSD Spotlight

Many of us have probably heard the acronym “IEP,” but do we really know what it means and what it’s all about? Director of Special Education Melissa Whisted and Supervisor of Special Education Patti Harris are here to explain this essential tool for students receiving special education services in the Indian River School District.…

October 5 will be a special day in the Indian River School District, as we host our first-ever We Are IRSD Community Festival on the campuses of the Howard T. Ennis School and Sussex Central High School. Nika Reid, IRSD Supervisor of Support Services, gives us all the details about this exciting event. “Stay” courtesy of Hotel Apache and California…

They’ve come from far and wide to join the Indian River School District team and bring with them a wealth of skills and talent. In this Back to School episode for 2024-2025, we meet four new IRSD administrators – Dr. Melissa Whisted, Patricia Harris, Carolyn Fries and Dr. Andrew Davis. All have come from outside the district, with one relocating ne…

On May 9, Deborah Treherne of the Howard T. Ennis School was named IRSD Teacher of the Year for 2024-2025. In this episode, we sit down with Deborah to discuss her interesting career path and what it's like to work with special needs students on a daily basis.Par IRSD Spotlight

In November, Indian River High School senior Brynn Crandell captured her third consecutive state cross country championship and solidified her place among the most-decorated athletes in school history. Meanwhile, Sussex Central High School music teacher Phoebe Marvel marched in this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City as a member…

After serving four years as an assistant principal at Indian River High School, Dr. David Carter has moved into a new position as the principal of Georgetown Middle School. Throughout his time in the Indian River School District, he’s forged a strong bond with students and has never hesitated to sing their praises on his school’s social media pages…

There were some new faces around the Indian River School District office when the 2023-2024 school year began this past summer. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Alexis MacLeish, the district’s new Talent Acquisition and Certification Specialist, and Mr. Matt Schifano, the new Adult and Community Education Coordinator. Both are former teachers who…

Bennett Murray wants anyone who has graduated from Indian River High School during the past 55 years to know that they are a part of a larger family. That is why he was one of the founding members of the Indian River High School Alumni Association more than a decade ago. In this episode, Mr. Murray talks about the association’s numerous scholarship…

The opening of the 2023-2024 school year is only days away and we provide families with some important information, including an overview of the district’s new English Language Arts curriculum and updates on school construction projects.Par IRSD Spotlight

An audio recording of the Indian River Board of Education regular monthly meeting on May 22, 2023.Par IRSD Spotlight

To watch Kasey Revel teach is to watch someone who is in her element; who truly loves what she does. Her enthusiasm for the job is not only evident, but infectious. In this episode we speak with Kasey, who was recently named IRSD Teacher of the Year for 2023-2024.Par IRSD Spotlight

An audio recording of the Indian River Board of Education regular monthly meeting on April 24, 2023.Par IRSD Spotlight

Sussex Central High School recently hosted its annual International Baccalaureate Visual Arts Exhibition. We speak with a student artist and two teachers who helped make the show a reality.Par IRSD Spotlight

Board of Education meeting - March 27, 2023 byPar IRSD Spotlight

An audio recording of the Indian River Board of Education regular monthly meeting on February 27, 2023.Par IRSD Spotlight

In honor of National School Counseling Week (February 6-10), we speak with two of IRSD’s best – Leslee Hazzard and Stephanie Wilkinson.Par IRSD Spotlight

An audio recording of the Indian River Board of Education regular monthly meeting on January 23, 2023Par IRSD Spotlight

Located in the middle of the county seat a few blocks from The Circle, the Georgetown Public Library is a community gem. Library Director Rachel Culver tells us why.Par IRSD Spotlight

An audio recording of the Indian River Board of Education regular monthly meeting on December 19, 2022.Par IRSD Spotlight

Phillip C. Showell Elementary School music teacher Debby Dudley has 42 years of service in the Indian River School District, by far the most of any district teacher. Her remarkable career began in the late-1970s and has included stints at four IRSD schools. She consistently earns high praise from administrators, colleagues, parents and students. De…

An audio recording of the Indian River Board of Education regular monthly meeting on November 28, 2022.Par IRSD Spotlight

An audio recording of the Board of Education workshop meeting on November 16, 2022.Par IRSD Spotlight

Board of Education meeting - October 24, 2022 byPar IRSD Spotlight

An audio recording of the Board of Education special meeting on October 19, 2022.Par IRSD Spotlight

An audio recording of the Indian River Board of Education regular monthly meeting on September 26, 2022.Par IRSD Spotlight

Lori Smyth’s roots in the Indian River School District run deep. She is an Indian River High School graduate, a district parent and a local business owner. Her husband is also an Indian River graduate and her father was an IRSD employee for 32 years. Lori also has an incredible story of escaping Lower Manhattan on September 11, 2001. She shares tha…

An audio recording of the Indian River Board of Education regular monthly meeting on August 22, 2022.Par IRSD Spotlight

With the start of the 2022-2023 school year only two weeks away, we speak with Superintendent Dr. Jay Owens about what’s happening around the district and what families can expect when schools open their doors in September. We also meet with two new members of the IRSD administrative team – Monica McCurry, principal of East Millsboro Elementary Sch…

An audio recording of the Indian River Board of Education regular monthly meeting on July 25, 2022. (Beginning of public session missing due to technical problems.)Par IRSD Spotlight

An audio recording of the Indian River Board of Education regular monthly meeting on June 27, 2022.Par IRSD Spotlight

An audio recording of the Indian River Board of Education regular monthly meeting on May 23, 2022.Par IRSD Spotlight

In this episode, we speak with Jennah Truitt, IRSD Teacher of the Year for 2022-2023.Par IRSD Spotlight

An audio recording of the Indian River Board of Education special meeting on April 27, 2022.Par IRSD Spotlight

An audio recording of the Indian River Board of Education regular monthly meeting on April 25, 2022.Par IRSD Spotlight

An audio recording of the Indian River Board of Education regular monthly meeting on March 28, 2022.Par IRSD Spotlight

In this episode, Superintendent Jay Owens joins us to answer questions submitted by “residents” of the Indian River School District.Par IRSD Spotlight

An audio recording of the Indian River Board of Education regular monthly meeting on February 28, 2022.Par IRSD Spotlight

An audio recording of the Indian River Board of Education special meeting on February 11, 2022.Par IRSD Spotlight

In this episode, we take a look at the Girls on the Run program, which has become extremely popular at elementary and middle schools throughout the Indian River School District.Par IRSD Spotlight

In this episode, we speak with Sussex Central High School teacher Phoebe Walls about her experience at the Tournament of Roses Parade and with Greg Hockman about the upcoming Career & Trade Fair at Indian River High School.Par IRSD Spotlight

An audio recording of the Indian River Board of Education regular monthly meeting on January 24, 2022.Par IRSD Spotlight

An audio recording of the Indian River Board of Education regular monthly meeting on December 20, 2021.Par IRSD Spotlight

In this episode, we celebrate Southern Delaware School of the Arts and its recent National Blue Ribbon School Award by speaking with Principal Travis Bower and teachers Mary Litchfield and Mary Caligiure.Par IRSD Spotlight

An audio recording of the Indian River Board of Education regular monthly meeting on November 29, 2021.Par IRSD Spotlight

An audio recording of the Indian River Board of Education special meeting on November 1, 2021.Par IRSD Spotlight

An audio recording of the Indian River Board of Education regular monthly meeting on October 25, 2021.Par IRSD Spotlight

An audio recording of the Indian River Board of Education regular monthly meeting on September 27, 2021.Par IRSD Spotlight

In this episode, we celebrate Gemma Cabrera, a bilingual community liaison at North Georgetown Elementary School. We speak with Gemma about her life’s journey and hear from a few people who have had the privilege of knowing and working with her.Par IRSD Spotlight