STX......What to bring...Stock up on.

Welcome home it sounds like!. Your husband will likely be familiar with what is available and not available here on the islands, but, then again 8 years ago we had a lot less than we do now. Several old posts deal with this topic and what to bring varies for everyone. When I visit the states (which is very different from the initial moving here trip) I never come back without a couple of packs of Red Vines brand licorice (not sold here and I have a weird childhood addiction 🙂 ), several different packets of my favorite spaghetti mix, curry paste blocks, teas (cheaper there) , favorite cake and dry mixes, and anyother grocery store items that I see on the shelf that are non perishable and unavailable here. For housegoods I'm usually looking for bargains... I like a particular brand of sheets and I can get them at TJMax for a quarter the price here. I have to admit though that there is nothing I really need to bring back, I could get by with what is here... but it is a personal treat to pack my bags full of goodies that are rarely seen here and treat myself and my hubby to them.

As far as the schools go, I'm unfamiliar with the teachers at Pearl B. , but I would suggest you check it out thoroughly. I think the quality of education in all the public schools varies greatly depending on the teacher. i've been to several of the schools doing presentations and I can tell you there are great teachers in the public schools... as well as some really terrible ones. I believe elementary education is extremely important as it sets the stage (and is the foundation) for the way your child will feel about learning for the rest of their life. Parents that care and are involved are always the most important factor. Good luck.

Is can't be that bad what you want for you kids? Do your research when you get here and really talk to other parents. If people can afford private school here that is where their kids go. I've been here about as long as your hubby has been gone and have yet to hear anything good about the public schools. They hire teachers without degrees, can't keep computers in the schools (always get stolen), some of the schools have problems with water/sewage systems and many don't have enough books, etc...

You can find all the sundries you need here, I wouldnt wasted the space or pay to ship down that kind of stuff on your main move down. After you've lived on the islands long enough to miss the things you can't find here it will be time for a visit to your stateside home and you can stock up then. Right now just worry about getting all your necessary "stuff" here.

I have heard wonderful things about Pearl B and I do know a teacher there. I may be wrong but I am positive that you must have a degree to teach in public school on St. Croix. You do not need a degree to teach in private school here. I was told that by the head master at Good Hope,( a private school here). I believe that Country Day School, (another private school) has higher standards and does not hire non degreed teachers and that they must also have teaching experience. I also see white children at Pearl B. The west indian people I know tend to put their children in public school for elementary and private for junior high. There is also a public school teacher here that has posted on this message board that her white daughter will be attending the educational complex for high school. I personally am not an advocate of blanketing all the public schools here as bad. I feel like if more transplants would at least try the public elementary schools and get involved we might be surprised. Please keep in mind I am not trying to start a debate. This is just my opinion. I do not have a child in public school.

As far as things to stock up on. If you are shipping a container I would bring laundry det. soap, shampoo, dishwashing det. dog or cat food if needed and favorite non perishable food. If just your suitcases, toiletries that I use are much more expensive here so I always bring them back in a suitcase or ship some in a prepaid USPS box.

Good luck.

Tammy

Thanks for the inputs...

Yes we are going to have a container with Tropical...pretty much all ready to go.

As for the public school system...Tammy...I do believe what you say is true about the public school system not being given a chance and therefore getting a bad rap. From reading this board...If I had never met my husband or his family I would NEVER let my child attend public school there either, but everyone in his family is very intelligent and successful and they all went to public school there...so as limetime stated its all about getting involved and what you put into it.

Thanks again for the answers. I'm so ready to leave here...not looking forward to getting my food handler's card though 🙁 "sample"

If you look at Good Hope's website for new hires, it says that all applicants must have a B.A. and a master's degree is preferred and teaching experience is required. True, private schools can hire those without a college degree and may have on staff certain ones who have many years of experience who do not have a full college degree, but I do not believe the standards for Good Hope or Country Day are really any different currently with respect to new hires, at least.
Tam, I love your posts and just wanted to clarify that.

Thanks MegC. Please don't think I was putting down Good Hope in any way. My son attends preschool at Good Hope East End. I reread my earlier post and it did sound like I was implying that Country Day had higher standards than Good Hope. That was not my intention. Both are excellent schools.