Community Rallies Around Schools In Preparation For 2015-2016 School Year

ST. CROIX, USVI – Community groups are rallying around local public schools in preparation for the upcoming 2015-16 school year. On Wednesday, July 29, University of the Virgin Islands President Dr. David Hall along with staff members and students visited the Alexander Henderson Elementary School on St. Croix to help prepare the building before the start of school in September.

Approximately 35 volunteers, including Dr. Hall, could be seen painting the front of the building, columns, doors and the school’s signage. St. Croix Insular Superintendent of Schools Colleen Williams praised the effort.

“A wonderful thing happened at Henderson school with the partnership with the University of the Virgin Islands, where volunteers scraped and painted so when our students, teachers, faculty and staff return in September, they will be seeing the wonderful work that was done by the students at the University of the Virgin Islands partnering with the Department of Education,” she said.

Williams continued, “Hats off to President Hall and Dr. McCollum, our Commissioner, for these collaborations that are happening with Education and all of our partner organizations. Thank you on behalf of the students in the St. Croix District.”

Following a selection process by university officials, Alexander Henderson Elementary on St. Croix and Gladys Abraham Elementary on St. Thomas were among local entities identified to receive a mini makeover.

Dr. Hall explained that the effort is a part of his annual presidential goals that are aligned with the university’s overall strategic plan.

“Every year, I have to create presidential goals that I present to the Board, and since we developed our new strategic plan I have tried to base my presidential goals on our strategic plan,” he explained. “One of the goals in our strategic plan was for the university to do even more with regards to doing community service with organizations in the community, so this was the year to kick that off.”

Assisting Dr. Hall were members of UVI’s Golden Key National Honor Society, Student Government and campus organization, Sisters with A Purpose. Staffers from former educator Senator Kurt Vialet’s office were also on hand to help out.

Incoming Henderson Assistant Principal Lorraine Cadet also participated and expressed her appreciation.

“UVI is a community partner and they have partnered with us to do something to motivate the students, staff and the parents. We welcome all the support from the community,” she said, also conveying thanks on behalf of incoming Principal Natasha O’Halloran-Smith. “We are very excited and happy that everyone is here to support.”

The university also donated a new refrigerator to the teacher’s lounge. The paint was donated by Home Depot.