U.S. Virgin Islands 2015-16 School Year: Everything You Need To Know

The Virgin Islands Department of Education on Monday issued a press release intended to demonstrate its preparedness for the 2015-16 school year.

In the release, pertinent information was divulged, including the official date school reopens territory-wide, the department’s teacher-recruiting efforts, information about school consolidation, uniforms, bus service and more.

School Opening

All public schools across the Territory will reopen for the 2015-16 school year on Tuesday, September 8.

Teachers in the Classroom

There is a demand for teachers across both the St. Croix and St. Thomas-St. John School Districts.

Virgin Islands Education Commissioner Sharon Ann McCollum, Ph.D., along with District Superintendents Colleen Williams (STX) and Dionne Wells-Hedrington (STTJ) are prepared to welcome students back to school and into the classrooms.

For the 2015-16 school year:

A total of 38 teachers from the Philippines and Dominican Republic will be added to the Department’s teaching professionals in September. The educators will be disbursed across the two districts. These teachers will instruct students in physical education, social studies, math and science.

There are 120 teachers in the Department’s current substitute pool  who will be used throughout both districts

The V.I. Department of Education is currently in talks with Education officials in Puerto Rico to begin recruiting teachers from the nearby island into the territory. These teachers are expected to instruct in a variety of subject areas.

Recruitment efforts for teachers in the territory are ongoing and the Department invites interested teaching professionals to apply by calling Human Resources in both districts at (340) 773-1095 on St. Croix and (340) 774-0100 on St. Thomas.

Feeder Estate of Consolidated Schools

Claude O. Markoe

• Estate William’s Delight
• Estate Cane
• Estate Paradise
• Paradise Mills
• Louis E. Browne Villas

Eulalie R. Rivera

• Estate Adventure
• Adventure Hill
• Diamond Envy
• Enfield Green
• Mount Pleasant

School Uniforms (students affected by school closures in STX District)

Evelyn M. Williams Elementary students joining Claude O. Markoe Elementary or Eulalie Rivera Elementary schools will wear the uniform of the school they are attending

Charles H. Emanuel Elementary students will merge with Alfredo Andrews Elementary and wear the Alfredo Andrews Elementary uniform

Elena Christian Jr. High students will wear the school’s gold and navy uniform as they move into the Charles H. Emanuel school building for the 2015-16 school year

There are no uniform changes affecting schools in the St. Thomas-St. John School District

School Bus Service (students affected by school closures in STX District)

Students who would have attended Evelyn M. Williams Elementary…

1. Currently living in walking distance to the closed school: will be bussed to either Claude O. Markoe or Eulalie Rivera. These students will be picked up from and returned to a designated sheltered area at the front of the Evelyn M. Williams school building.
2. Not living in walking distance to the closed school: will be bussed to either Claude O. Markoe or Eulalie Rivera from bus stops in their respective neighborhoods.

Students attending Elena Christian Jr. High…

1. Currently living in walking distance to the closed school: will be bussed to the Charles H. Emanuel school building, which will house Elena Christian Jr. High students and staff. These students will be picked up from and returned to the sheltered bus stop outside of the Elena Christian Jr. High school in Princesse
2. Not living in walking distance to the closed school: will be bussed to the Charles H. Emanuel school building from bus stops in their respective neighborhoods.

Students who would have attended Charles H. Emanuel Elementary…

1. Currently living in walking distance to the school, which will house Elena Christian Jr. High students and staff: will be bussed to Alfredo Andrews Elementary school. These students will be picked up from and returned to a designated sheltered area at the front of the Charles H. Emanuel school building
2. Not living in walking distance to the school, which will house Elena Christian Jr. High students and staff: will be bussed to Alfredo Andrews Elementary from bus stops in their respective neighborhoods

Summer work conducted at schools

During the summer months, the Department’s maintenance/facilities divisions in both districts work to prepare schools for the upcoming school year. Most of these projects are also conducted year-round, but some can only be completed when students are away from the schools during the summer months. Work being conducted include:

• Landscaping
• Pressure washing and painting of designated areas throughout school buildings
• Recertification of fire extinguishers
• General pest control (spraying)
• Janitorial services (cleaning of buildings and waxing of floors)
• Repairs and maintenance projects
• Plumbing and electrical work
• Water testing

The work is being completed by contracted workers as well as in-house employees. Students enrolled in the Department’s summer enrichment programs in both districts as well as those brought in through the Department of Labor’s summer employment program are also assisting with projects.

Volunteers from some community groups and organizations are also supporting the Department as the districts prepare for the reopening of schools. UVI President Dr. David Hall along with university students and staff participated in a day of service at the Alexander Henderson Elementary school, July 29 on St. Croix and the Gladys Abraham Elementary school, July 30 on St. Thomas. Volunteers joined with school administrators and employees to help clean and paint the schools’ exterior and front doors.

Correction: August 13, 2015

Due to formatting issues, neighborhood names were incorrectly displayed under the Consolidated Schools section. It has now been updated to reflect the correct information.