🌱 Patch AM: What a single New Castle school district could mean for Wilmington families

Good morning Wilmington! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• What a single New Castle school district could mean for Wilmington families
• Who secretly cleared $8,000 in Wilmington Burlington layaway bills?
• Why county officials blocked a rehab center near Wilmington’s historic Montchanin inn

Also on today's calendar: Christmas Day Bash! and 1 more event.

Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Saturday: Some sun, then clouds; colder, with a high of 39 and low of 32 degrees.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny and windy, temps: high: 48, low: 24.
• Monday: Sunny to partly cloudy, with a high of 38 and low of 28 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Delaware group votes to make single $20M New Castle school district (whyy.org) — Wilmington leaders are backing a controversial plan to merge New Castle County’s school districts into a single $20 million system, a move that could reshape education for city students. Mayor John Carney and Sen. Tizzy Lockman support the countywide model despite cost concerns and suburban pushback, especially from Brandywine residents. Final recommendations go to state officials in early 2026 and could take years to roll out.
   

• Anonymous Secret Santa Pays Off $8,000 in Layaways at Burlington in Wilmington (delawareblack.com) — An anonymous donor quietly paid off nearly $8,000 in layaway balances at the Burlington store in Wilmington, wiping out holiday debts for dozens of local families just before Christmas. Shoppers and staff described emotional reactions and say the surprise relief comes at a time of tight budgets, turning a routine shopping trip into a powerful reminder of community generosity.
   

• Board denies Inn at Montchanin's plan to become brain injury center (delawareonline.com) — A proposal to turn the historic Inn at Montchanin, just northwest of Wilmington, into a 34-bed brain injury rehab center was narrowly rejected by New Castle County’s Board of Adjustment. Neighbors in the affluent community opposed the plan, despite county staff calling it a good reuse, and the inn’s recent prominence from hosting Kamala Harris during Biden’s Wilmington Riverfront events.
   

📸 Around Wilmington

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Wilmington

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Wednesday December 24

• DCM OPEN 10a-3p
  Delaware Children's Museum , 550 Justison St , Wilmington
  10:00 am

Thursday December 25

• Christmas Day Bash!
  Dogtopia of Wilmington , 2101 Concord Pike , Wilmington
  9:00 am

Monday December 29

• DCM OPEN 10a-5p
  Delaware Children's Museum , 550 Justison St , Wilmington

Wednesday December 31

• Mastering Online Learning: Student Meetup by Online Class Help 247
  221 W 9th St PMB 150, Wilmington, DE 19801
  9:00 am

📣 Wilmington Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Saturday December 20

• Brandywine Holiday Festival of the Arts
  Chase Center on the Riverfront , 815 Justison St , Wilmington
  10:00 am
• Miracle on 34th Street
  The Playhouse on Rodney Square , 1007 N Market St , Wilmington
  2:00 pm
• Fossils From the Future
  Smalls Music Shop , 100 Greenhill Ave F , Wilmington
  7:00 pm
• Montana Wildaxe
  The Queen , 500 N Market St , Wilmington
  8:00 pm

Sunday December 21

• Coffee ☕️ and Surprise Book Exchange 📚
  The Chancery Market , 1313 N Market St , Wilmington
  12:00 pm
• First State Ballet - The Nutcracker
  The Grand Opera House , 818 N King St , Wilmington
  2:00 pm
• Raven & Goose @ Arden DE Contra
  Arden Club , 2126 The Hwy , Wilmington
  2:30 pm

Wednesday December 24

• DCM OPEN 10a-3p
  Delaware Children's Museum , 550 Justison St , Wilmington
  10:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Wilmington PatchAM possible:

• Dogtopia of Wilmington — (475) 338-3501
  Dogtopia – Dog Daycare, Boarding, Spa & Wellness
• Champion Force Athletics — (800) 940-7469
  Join Champion Force Cheer - Classes Starting at $10

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Congratulations to CSD’s First Cohort of DEIB Trainers —Christina School District Read on Patch
• 2025 Christiana Classic Invitational —Christina School District Read on Patch
• Christina School Board Listening Session - Dec 18 at Pritchett Academy  —Christina School District Read on Patch
• PUBLIC NOTICE: Board of Education Vacancy Nominating District A —Christina School District Read on Patch
• Transition to Adult Life Fair, March 12 —Christina School District Read on Patch

• hello my fellow willow run neighbors.
  my all black male cat has gotten out again he is limping on his back leg. i am only worried because he is on medications for his leg and he likes to… (Nextdoor Willow Run Wilmington De)
• Need recommendations for flooring companies.
  Someone you have used and did a good job, must be a company. Also names of places you would not recommend. (Nextdoor Rodman)

• Kentucky Fried Chicken posted a job opening for Team Member in Wilmington. Apply here.
• Target posted a job opening for General Merchandise, Closing, Fulfillment (T1146) in Wilmington. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Wilmington here.

🗞 Nearby News

New Castle

• Delaware Advances Plan to Merge Four New Castle County School Districts, Sparking Communitywide Debate (delawareblack.com)
• Delaware small businesses saw $14M through this federal program (delawareonline.com)
• Jackson Inn to be torn down. This is what's replacing it (delawareonline.com)

Claymont

• A state store-stocked Napa Valley cabernet splurge that makes for a great gift (inquirer.com)

Ok Wilmington! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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