School Start/End Times, New COVID-19 Guidance, Orientation Schedules & More!

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August 4, 2022

$30 Technology Fee Rescinded for Use of Department-issued Laptops

New technology grant will allow Department to provide devices to students, teachers for permanent use

The Virgin Islands Department of Education has rescinded a $30 technology fee being assessed to students for temporary use of Department-issued laptops and Chromebooks for the 2022-2023 academic school year.

The fee will no longer be collected, and full refunds will be issued to all who have paid, effective immediately.

Education Commissioner Nominee Dr. Dionne Wells-Hedrington explained that the two school districts established the fee this year to offset the high costs of repairs and replacement of computers that were returned damaged or not returned at all following the close of the 2021-2022 school year.

“We have listened to the voices of parents, and it is not our intention to cause undue financial hardship to households during this time,” Wells-Hedrington said. “We want our students to have access to the technology they need, but we also ask parents to help us ensure students are taking care of the devices they have been issued so that we may have use of them for as long as we possibly can.”

Students’ use of laptops not issued by the Department are also allowed on campus.

Wells-Hedrington further explained that the Department has been awarded a grant from E-Rate under the Emergency Connectivity Fund, which would provide each student and teacher a laptop for permanent use.

“This is a one-time opportunity, and we are pleased to be able to provide this service to students and teachers across the Territory,” she said. “Until this program officially rolls out, we are asking students to take care of the devices they have been temporarily issued.”

All other school fees remain in place.

August 2, 2022

New High School Schedule Aimed At Addressing Students’ Academic/Social-Emotional Needs, Teacher Shortages, and Expand Program Offerings

For the first time in Virgin Islands Department of Education history, the territory’s four public high schools and St. Croix Career & Technical Education Center (CTEC) have established a standardized start time of 7:40 a.m. and an identical daily schedule, as part of the Department’s transformational efforts to better address students’ academic and social-emotional needs, supplement teacher shortages, and expand program offerings to students.

The changes will take effect at high schools territory-wide on Aug. 8.

Last spring, the school principals, along with state and district Curriculum & Instruction leaders, began re-evaluating teaching and learning practices at the high-school level. This involved five months of intensive planning and cross-district visits to assess needs and find solutions to common problems being experienced at the schools.

According to district leaders, Dr. Stefan Jurgen, St. Thomas-St. John Insular Superintendent, and Ericilda X. Ottley-Herman, St. Croix Acting Insular Superintendent, a primary benefit of the new schedule establishes a 45-minute Flex Block that will create time for programs and experiences that cater to students’ academic and social-emotional needs, such as:

Intervention/enhancement by subject
Live tutorials
Program implementation information (AVID, JAG, SAT Prep, Achieve3000, Exact Path, iReady, Advisory Council, etc.)
Hands-on application (Science Lab, CTE Lab, AP Lab, Research Lab, Writing Lab, etc.)
Classroom extension activities/performance tasks

“We have taken a deep dive into our data, and it became clear that we needed to do somethings differently in order to have different and better outcomes for our students,” said Acting Commissioner Victor Somme III. “The change in scheduling allows us to build into the school day many more supports to ensure students’ overall success.”

Another significant benefit of aligning the high school schedules is to provide students with access to classes offered at schools other than their own. District leaders explained that the opportunity will now exist for students at Charlotte Amalie High School and Ivanna Eudora Kean High School to enroll in classes at St. Croix Career & Technical Education Center, Central High School, and St. Croix Educational Complex High School, and vice versa. In August, the initial rollout will see high school students in the St. Thomas-St. John District enrolling in the Aviation Academy at the St. Croix Career & Technical Education Center.

“We find this to be a creative way to address our critical teacher shortages by providing cross-district and inter-district access to classes, which is now possible through the Department’s technology infrastructure that has been built out over the last two years,” explained Somme. “We can have students from one district in the same virtual classroom with their peers in the other district if there isn’t a teacher available to teach a particular class in the student’s home school.”

A third part of the high school transformation, which will rollout in Jan. 2023, will establish six territorial career pathways that are aligned to the Virgin Islands Board of Education’s new graduation requirements for students in grades 9-12:

College Prep
Military Sciences
Career & Technical Education
Fine Arts
STEM/STEAM
Early Admissions/Dual Enrollment

This means that if students were to transfer between any of the territory’s public high schools, they would have the opportunity to enroll in either of the pathways.

The high school transformation plan has been presented to all instructional staff at the affected schools, the Virgin Islands Board of Education, teacher unions, Senate Committee on Education & Workforce Development, and the Office of the Governor. Similar overhauls to the schedules of elementary, junior high, and K-8 schools are in the planning phase.

The following is the daily schedule for Charlotte Amalie High School, Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, St. Croix Central High School, St. Croix Educational Complex High School, and St. Croix Career & Technical Education Center.

St. Croix District Start & End Times

Grade	School	Start Time	End Time
9-12	St. Croix Central High School, St. Croix Educational Complex, St. Croix Career & Technical Education Center	7:40 am	2:30 pm
7-8	John H. Woodson Jr. High School	8:00 am	3:00 pm
PK-8	Eulalie Rivera, Juanita Gardine, Pearl B. Larsen	8:15 am	3:15 pm
PK-6	Ricardo Richards, Lew Muckle, Alfredo Andrews, Claude O. Markoe	8:30 am	3:30 pm

St. Thomas-St. John District Start & End Times

Grade	School	Start Time	End Time
K-4	Jane E. Tuitt Elementary School	8:15 am	3:00 pm
K-5	Joseph A. Gomez Elementary School	8:15 am	3:00 pm
PK-6	Joseph Sibilly Elementary School	8:15 am	3:00 pm
PK-8	Julius E. Sprauve Elementary School	8:15 am	3:00 pm
K-3	Lockhart Elementary School	8:15 am	3:00 pm
K-6	Ulla F. Muller Elementary School	8:15 am	3:00 pm
PK-5	Yvonne Milliner Bowsky Elementary School	8:15 am	3:00 pm
6-8	Bertha C. Boshulte Middle School	7:25 am	2:25 pm
4-8	Addelita Cancryn Intermediate & Junior High School	7:45 am	2:45 pm
9-12	Charlotte Amalie High School	7:40 am	2:30 pm
9-12	Ivanna Eudora Kean High School	7:40 am	2:30 pm

July 26, 2022

New COVID-19 Guidance for Schools, Orientation Schedules Announced

The Virgin Islands Department of Education wishes to inform students, parents, and the general public of new COVID-19 guidance for schools issued by the Virgin Islands Department of Health and orientation schedules planned for the Aug. 8 reopening of school.

New COVID-19 Guidance for USVI Schools Issued By the V.I. Department of Health

Masks are no longer required to be worn in schools; however, personal choice should be respected and encouraged for those who choose to wear a mask
Mass testing of students and staff will no longer be required before returning to school after extended breaks; testing is recommended for anyone that is symptomatic
Please social distance as best as possible on school campuses
Contact tracing will be conducted by DOH for every positive case; in the event there is an outbreak in a specific school, there is the potential to test that entire school

The main strategies for preventing COVID-19 in schools are:

Staying up to date on vaccinations
Staying home when sick
Optimal ventilation systems to improve indoor air quality to reduce risk of germs
Good hand hygiene and covering coughs and sneezes
Cleaning and disinfection at least once a day to reduce risk of germs

Detailed guidance is also available at the following CDC site: Schools, Child Care, and Colleges | COVID-19 | CDC

2022-2023 Orientation Schedule – Virgin Islands Virtual Academy (VIVA)

A virtual orientation for all VIVA students will be announced shortly.

2022-2023 Orientation Schedules – St. Thomas/St. John District

Ivanna Eudora Kean High School

Location: Gymnasium (arrive early; late admissions will not be allowed)

August 2, 2022, orientation will be held for 12^th graders 9:00-10:30am

August 2, 2022, orientation will be held for 11^th graders 11:30-1:00pm

August 3, 2022, orientation will be held for 10^th graders 9:00-10:30am

August 3, 2022, orientation will be held for 9^th graders 11:30-1:00pm

All students must be in full uniform and accompanied by a parent/guardian. Please bring your child’s immunization card/waiver card, parent/guardian insurance card, and be prepared to pay for fees.

Charlotte Amalie High School

Students must attend orientation in their full school uniform and at least one parent or guardian must be present. Classes begin for all C.A.H.S. students on August 10.

Orientation Location: Auditorium

August 8, 2022

8:30 am- 9^th Grade

1:00 pm- 10^th Grade

August 9, 2022

8:30 am- 11^th Grade

1:00 pm- 12^th Grade

Ulla F. Muller Elementary School

Location: Cafeteria

Kindergarten 10:00am - July 29, 2022

3^rd & 4^th Grades 9:00am - August 2, 2022

5^th & 6^th Grades 11:00am - August 2, 2022

1 & 2^nd Grades 9:00am - August 3, 2022

Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School

Location: Auditorium

August 5, 2022

7^th & 8^th Grades

8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

6^th Grade and all new students

10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Fees:

ID - $15

Insurance – $18

Jane E. Tuitt School

Location: School Campus

August 3, 2022 – 1 pm - 2^nd ,3^rd & 4^th Grades

August 4, 2022 – 1 pm - Kindergarten & 1^st Grade

Fees will be collected at orientation.

Fees:

$18 School Accident Insurance

$10 PTSA dues (one payment per family)

$10 tech/$12ea. P.E. shirts/pants (available onsite)

Please provide a copy of the student’s updated immunization card and insurance card (in lieu of insurance fee). Students must be in full uniform and accompanied by an adult for the first day of classes.

Joseph Sibilly Elementary School

Location: School Campus

August 3, 2022

PreK – 2^nd Grades 9:00-10:00am

3^rd – 5^th Grades 11:00am-12:00pm

6^th Grade 1:00-2:00pm

Addelita Cancryn Intermediate & Junior High School

Date: August 5, 2022

Location: Cafeteria

All students must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Students should be dressed in full uniform.

4^th & 5^th Grades - 8:30am

6^th Grade - 9:45am

7^th Grade - 11:00am

8^th Grade - 1:30pm

Fees will be paid by parents online unless they do not have access to online accounting. Copies of all immunization records will be collected by the school nurse; please walk with a photocopy for the school’s files.

Yvonne E. Milliner-Bowsky Elementary School

Virtual Orientation SY 2022-2023

PreK-2nd Grades

Date: Wednesday, August 3, 2022

Time: 5:30 p.m. Via Zoom

3rd-5th Grades

Date: Thursday, August 4, 2022

Time: 5:30 p.m. Via Zoom

The Zoom link will be sent to parents/guardians email addresses listed in PowerSchool.

If you need to update your email address or any other information beforehand, please feel free to contact the school via telephone (340) 775-3220 (Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)

New Student Registration/Orientation

All new students, including PreK and Kindergarten students and parents

Date: Monday, August 8, 2022

Time: 8:00 a.m.

Location: Outside the school’s cafeteria

Must have admission slip (white paper) provided by Curriculum Center registration office
Copy of up-to date immunization card
Copy of insurance card/Medicaid card/letter( if applicable)
One (1) passport-sized photo for students utilizing the school bus service

Joseph A. Gomez Elementary School

Date: August 3, 2022

Location: School Campus

Kindergarten & 1^st Grades - 8:00-9:30am

2^nd & 3^rd Grades - 10:30am -12:00pm

4^th & 5^th Grades - 1:00-2:30pm

Lockhart Elementary School

Location: Sprung

August 3, 2022

Kindergarten 9:00am

1st Grade 11:00am

August 5, 2022

3^rd Grade 9:00am

2nd Grade 11:00am

For more information, call (340) 774-2133.

Julius E. Sprauve School

August 8, 2022

Location: Cafeteria

8:30am – 7^th & 8^th Grades only

10:00am - PreK to 2^nd Grades only

11:00am – 3^rd to 6^th Grades only

2022-2023 Orientation Schedules – St. Croix District

Eulalie R. Rivera PreK-8 School

Date: August 4, 2022

Location: School Pavilion

PreK - 9:00-10:30am

K-5^th Grades – 9:30-11:00am

6^th-8^th Grades - 1:00 - 2:30pm

John H. Woodson Jr. High School

Grade 7 Date: August 3, 2022

Time: 9:00am-12:00pm

Location: Auditorium

Grade 8 Date: August 4, 2022

Time: 9:00am-12:00pm

Location: Auditorium

All students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Please bring the student’s Immunization Card. Parents will be asked to complete a demographic information form and a media release form.

Fees:

School ID: $15

Students are required to come to the orientation wearing a white polo or buttoned-down, collared shirt/blouse to take their ID pictures.

School Insurance: $18 (or provide proof of insurance)

Physical Education T-Shirt: $12

Ricardo R. Richards Elementary School

Date: August 5, 2022

Location: Cafeteria

Granny PreK: 9:00-9:45am
Kindergarten, 1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd Grades: 10:00-10:45am
4^th, 5^th & 6^th Grades: 11:00-11:45am

Additional Activities

Sign up for Parent Portal
Update Demographic Form
Sign Media Form
Pay School Fees (School Accident Insurance $18)
Device Distribution(Parent/Guardian must present valid ID)

Pearl B. Larsen PreK-8 School

August 4, 2022

Class schedules and devices will be distributed after each orientation.

8:30- 9:00am: First-time parents

Location: Library

9:00-9:30am – Orientation (Spanish speakers only)

Location: Library

10:00-10:30am – Orientation (English for returning families)

Location: Auditorium

Lew Muckle Elementary School

Date: August 5, 2022

Location: Cafeteria

PreK - 9:00-9:45am

Kindergarten-3^rd Grades - 10:00-10:45am

4^th- 6^th Grades - 11:00-11:45am

Devices will be available for pick up. Parents must have ID available. School Accident Insurance - $18 (please have exact change). If you are using private insurance, you will be given a waiver to complete (a copy of the insurance card is required). If your child will be playing sports, we strongly recommend that you purchase the school’s insurance. A copy of students’ updated immunization card is required.

Alfredo Andrews Elementary School

Date: August 4, 2022

Time: 1:00pm

Location: Auditorium

Juanita Gardine K-8 School

Date: August 4, 2022

Time: 9:00am

Location: Auditorium

Claude O. Markoe Elementary School

Date: August 4, 2022

Time: 9:00am

Location: Cafeteria

St. Croix Educational Complex High School

August 3, 2022

9^th Grade

8:00-11:30am - Students with Last Names beginning with A-L