The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE) is actively investigating an incident involving a student who was removed from a school bus earlier this morning, Tuesday, October 1, 2024. The student was utilizing transportation services provided by School Busing Inc., a contracted vendor of the VIDE. It is important to clarify that school bus drivers are not employees of the Department of Education.

We regret that this student had to experience being removed from the bus, and the Department is working diligently to gather all the facts surrounding the situation. Due to the nature of the incident, which involves the safety and well-being of students and staff, an incident report has been requested to outline the sequence of events and the cause for action. It is crucial that accurate information is obtained to ensure a fair and thorough investigation.

Initial reports from School Busing Inc. indicate that the student exhibited inappropriate language, unruly behavior, and irate actions that posed a safety concern for other passengers. The bus driver believed these actions could compromise the safety of all on board and, as a result, made the decision to remove the student from the bus. A second bus was dispatched to pick up the student, but the driver was unable to locate him. The school’s administration was immediately notified, and a Virgin Islands Police Department officer subsequently transported the student to the Bertha C. Boschulte campus.

The Department emphasizes that while School Busing Inc. is a contracted vendor, it is critical that all situations are handled according to established procedures and guidelines. As we continue our investigation, both the school bus company and the VIDE will address concerns raised regarding the actions taken by the bus driver.

In accordance with the VIDE’s commitment to student safety, a Bus Conduct Responsibilities and Consequences document provides comprehensive guidelines for school bus safety procedures. These rules are in place to ensure that students, staff, and bus drivers understand their responsibilities while on the bus. Students are expected to exhibit orderly conduct at all times, and bus drivers must adhere strictly to the proper protocols. Failure to follow these policies will result in accountability measures for all parties involved.

A parental hearing will be conducted to ensure that all parties are heard, and appropriate steps will be taken to resolve the situation and prevent further incidents. The Department remains committed to ensuring the safety of all students and will take corrective action based on the findings of the investigation.

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Download press release here:  pdf Press Release 1001 24 VIDE Investigating Incident Involving Student Removal from School Bus (134 KB)

The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE), in collaboration with Island Green Living and the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, proudly announces the launch of the Seeds of Security educational program. This pioneering initiative is set to ignite a movement of sustainability, food security, and environmental stewardship across the Territory, marking a significant step forward in the USVI Agricultural Plan’s commitment to integrating agricultural education into PreK-12 schools.

Under this innovative program, students and educators will be empowered to take meaningful action to create a more sustainable and resilient future for our islands. Every public school across both the St. Croix and St. Thomas-St. John districts has been selected to pilot this transformative program, positioning them as leaders in food sovereignty and sustainability initiatives.

VIDE State Sustainability Director, Cydney Meadows, emphasized the program’s potential impact, “As we embark on this journey together, we are calling on visionary educators and leaders to form a ‘Sustainable Council’ within your respective schools. This is an opportunity to be at the forefront of creating lasting change. We invite you to nominate three passionate individuals from your team who are ready to make an impact through sustainability efforts that will ripple far beyond the classroom. The Seeds of Security program will choose 16 educators to participate in year 1 and a waitlist will be created for engagement with future schools."

Members of each school’s Sustainable Council will have access to funding opportunities, professional development, and exclusive training, empowering them to lead their school’s sustainability efforts and inspire the next generation of environmental leaders. Seeds of Security will place schools at the center of driving climate resilience and sustainable agricultural practices across the Territory.

This initiative is more than a program it’s a movement. Each school will become a hub for food security, climate resilience, and sustainability, sowing the seeds for a future that reflects our shared values of environmental stewardship. The Virgin Islands Department of Education is thrilled to embark on this groundbreaking initiative and invites educators, students, and community leaders to join in sowing the seeds of a sustainable future.

For additional information about the Seeds of Security educational program, please contact VIDE State Sustainability Director, Cydney Meadows, at cydney.meadows@vide.vi. 

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Download press here:  pdf Press Release 0911 24 VIDE Launches “Seeds of Security” Educational Program (171 KB)