‘We are ready’
Corporate Area schools add finishing touches ahead of Monday’s reopening
Published:Saturday | August 31, 2024 | 12:09 AMSashana Small/Staff Reporter
Principals across the Corporate Area are anticipating a smooth reopening of school on Monday, after putting in weeks of preparation.
At the New Providence Primary School, Principal Nicole Thompson was relieved that damage to the sewerage system at the institution was resolved in time. Yesterday, workmen were busy putting on the finishing touches to the frame for a covering for its manhole, while teaching staff at the institution engaged in their final meeting before the new school year.
“We are good to go,” Thompson told The Gleaner. “We received our furniture already, we received our books, we’re cutting our trees, done pest control, we got rid of some wasps that we have, the plumber is in to finish the plumping today…so we are good to go.”
She shared that only one teaching vacancy remains at the school, but with a current staff of 24 teachers, that should not have much impact.
And while she is still keen for the school’s computer lab, which has been closed for two years, to be reopened, Thompson is certain that this will have little effect on educating the almost 400 students.
“They were given tablets for the programme so, for example, if we have a situation where we have to go online, we have a lot of tablets and things like that. It’s not the best, we really would like our computers, but I don’t think it is reducing, I think it (the computers) will enhance,” she said.
COVID-19 SAFEGUARDS
Winsome Reid, principal at the Clan Carthy Primary School, managed to fill two of three outstanding vacancies on her teaching staff on Thursday.
She also spent this week leading professional development meetings with teachers, as well as overseeing repairs, landscaping, and repainting on the school compound.
“We are ready, we’re cleaning up. Monday morning bright and early we are ready,” she said.
An important aspect of Clan Carthy’s preparation, Reid shared, is its focus on sensitising parents about COVID-19 after surveillance data indicated high transmission of the virus among the population.
On Wednesday, Minister of Education Fayval Williams encouraged schools to implement safeguards to prevent further spread of the virus.
“We have to put everyone on the alert. As a matter of fact, we have got our sanitisers, I am hoping that we have enough for every single class, and we have acquired our masks and so on,” Reid told The Gleaner.
The principal also shared that the school received textbooks for some grades in July, and is she anticipating that they will get the additional textbooks from the ministry soon.
“We don’t have a problem with furniture. What I have advised the staff to do is that because we have a bigger cohort in grade one, we’re going to be using up any empty desk in other classrooms,” she said.
However, Reid noted, there are not enough chairs for teachers who work at the institution. A matter, she said, that has already been relayed to the Ministry of Education and is awaiting redress.
SUPPORT TO STUDENTS
Principal of Grove Place Primary, Francine Taylor Arnett, has also brought to the ministry’s attention the fencing at the school that is in need of repair, which she said presents a danger to the students. The education ministry is also aware of the damage Hurricane Beryl caused to the foundation of the bathroom facilities at the school.
“We had a meeting yesterday [Thursday], and we were assured that these issues will be addressed,” Taylor Arnett told The Gleaner, adding that these were the only two concerns that may add a slight damper to the jolliness as the St Andrew-based institution welcomes its 105 students on Monday.
Cognisant of the severe damage caused by the Category 4 storm to some schools across the island, she acknowledged that those institutions would be prioritised by the ministry.
A total of 362 schools were damaged by Hurricane Beryl on July 3, and is costing the education ministry more than $3 billion to repair.
In the meantime, Taylor Arnett said attention has been placed on cleaning the school compound and finding ways to offer support to students whose parents are struggling with back-to-school expenses.
“Grove is known for its nurturing character trait, in terms of the staff and the sponsors we have helping. When we identify a parent or student with needs, we try to help them as best as we can. From time to time we would get some donations and we try to share this among those in need,” she said.