Schools

mtdoramike. Like your classmates who cried, I too am horrified. Take care.

And my grandfather walked 2 miles, barefoot, in the snow....yada, yada, yada, ...yes, I know ....and he survived. Time to move on.

My wife has a friend who is Crucian and grew up on St Croix. She, her husband, and three younger children recently moved to Orlando in part due to her desire for her kids to have a better education and grow up in a safer environment. They could not afford private tuition on the island. They also wanted their kids to have more positive influences toward college, and better employment prospects. That said, her friend and husband do imagine moving back to the island in their old age!

My own daughter attended a private school on St Croix and it was not academically rigorous by stateside private school standards. Not saying it should have been. Just saying.

Everybody here has an opinion. You should just be sure to do research, visit schools, andd educate yourself regarding the schools, both public and private before making any decision.

Did our grandfathers know each other? Just kidding. Sheiba, I know you and think you are a very nice person with great kids. I believe you are a truly dedicated professional working to better the public schools here on St. Croix, just as is Yearasta. I do not in anyway advocate corporal punishment in the schools. Nor would I want anyone to hit my child.

My point was that when I was growing up we were disciplined at home and at school. Not abused. It may seem harsh by todays standards but the reality, in my case anyway, was I had a very healthy respect for both my parents and teachers. Most kids also had a stay at home parent in their early years or at least a family member caregiver. In my very humble unprofessional opinion that is the problem. I believe the rise in violence in the schools and in society is due to institutionalizing our children at a very young age via daycare and preschool. No time to be taught properly at home. No family unit. Peace!

Yearasta. What can myself/ others do to help improve the public schools?. I believe banning corporal punishment is a fantastic start and could make an enormous difference. Thank you for being a part of that. The children are the future of this island.

Here's recent news about corporal punishment in VI schools

"Teacher accused of hitting child advised of rights"
http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/teacher-accused-of-hitting-child-advised-of-rights-1.1474202

Two excerpts:

Figueroa said Randolph told police that she gave the girl two lashes [with a music conductor's baton] on her upper arm and said that it was the first time that she disciplined any of her students and left visible marks. She said that she usually takes away privileges in the classroom for misbehavior but that she hit the girl because the profane language was extremely loud, according to Figueroa.

Corporal punishment is allowed to be used in the public school system, but it is to be used as an "absolute last resort," Pancham said. After using corporal punishment against a student, a teacher is obligated to inform the school's administration that those measures were taken, she said.

Sheiba, Corporal punishment is up to bat first (did that sound bad?), another office is working on bullying, We are working on truancy. We will be getting a new commisioner of education soon....so things are in the works...

Always open to ANY ideas..just contact me...we're listening.

Feel free to contact me ANYTIME.

This is great news! I have been paying attention and have been talking to other parents. Very exciting!