Maria Weeks Named Christina School District Nurse of the Year

Maria Weeks Named Christina School District Nurse of the Year

Wilmington, Delaware – May 12, 2021: Maria Weeks, BSN, MSN, School Nurse at Gallaher Elementary School, has been named the Christina School District Nurse of the Year. Maria has been a nurse for nearly 30 years and has worked in the Christina School District for the past nine years. Before Christina, Maria worked as a school nurse at St. John the Beloved and as a full-time associate professor at Wilmington University.

"Our community is grateful for Maria’s commitment, and we thank her and her fellow school nurses for everything they’ve done and the time and energy this past year to ensure our students and staff are safe,” said Dr. Dan Shelton, Christina Superintendent of Schools. “Maria demonstrates the vital role school nurses play in improving the health and well-being of our students.”

“I work with amazing nurses and to be chosen as the District Nurse of the Year is truly an honor especially considering what we all have been through this past year; this is a huge honor, said Mrs. Weeks.

Maria’s outstanding contributions to her school and Christina School District includes a partnership with the Food Bank of Delaware (FBD) backpack program – she created the Food Rescue program, donating thousands of pounds of food back to FBD that would otherwise have been thrown out. She received a donation of a refrigerator to facilitate a program from FBD after meeting to discuss the backpack program and how it benefits our students. Maria has worked with FBD to do a public service announcement and letter for grant continuance.

“Mrs. Weeks is one of the greatest professionals I have ever met. She is an outstanding thought partner, problem solver, and friend. I can say, without reservation, that we have managed this pandemic, the protocols needed and education, in large part, due to her excellence and professionalism. She is, quite simply, one of the best!” Principal of Gallaher, Erin Cassel, said.

Maria’s service to our community includes:

• Partnership with community agencies to provide Holiday Assistance to students.
• Collaboration with a local church to offer yearly donations of school supplies for students and staff.
• Gallaher Emergency Planning – development & delivery of education to staff and students
• Girls on the Run – started the program at Gallaher
• Dental Society of Delaware Poster Contest – a collaboration with Gallaher Art teachers and local dental offices
• The pilot site for Vision to Learn
• The pilot site for Antigen Testing
• Member of CSD COVID Operations Team and Facilities Workgroup

“Maria exemplifies the true values of an excellent school nurse. said Karen Kleinschmidt, Christina School District Lead Nurse. “She goes above and beyond with the students, staff and community to provide quality healthcare to all.”

Maria is a graduate of Neumann College, where she earned her BSN in nursing, and a graduate of Wilmington University, where she completed her MSN in Nursing Leadership.

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About Christina School District

The Christina School District is a Delaware public school system, serving more than 14,000 students and employing 3,300 people. Our district currently serves the City of Newark and its surrounding suburban areas as well as the City of Wilmington. Christina has 2 early education centers, 14 elementary schools, 2 elementary/middle schools, 3 middle schools, and 3 traditional comprehensive high schools. In addition, the District is home to the Brennen School (Delaware Autism Program), Delaware School for the Deaf, Douglass School, REACH Program, Middle School Honors Academy at Christiana High School, Networks School for Employability Skills, and Sarah Pyle Academy. For more information visit https://www.christinak12.org