The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE) proudly announces the successful completion of its annual pre-school opening walk-throughs across both the St. Croix District and the St. Thomas-St. John District. Key inspection agencies, including the Department of Health, Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Department of Public Works, and Fire and Emergency Medical Services, played a crucial role in these inspections. Additionally, members of the Board of Education, St. Croix Coalition and school PTA representatives were actively involved, ensuring a comprehensive review process.

Each public school in the territory was meticulously inspected to ensure compliance with safety and operational standards. With all walk-throughs now concluded, the VIDE will await detailed reports from the respective agencies. These reports will encompass findings, recommendations, and necessary approvals for each school's opening.

The VIDE continues its commitment to completing all school repairs, from minor fixes to significant projects. Cleaners and landscapers have been deployed across districts, and maintenance directors have spearheaded the walk-throughs, providing critical updates on action plans and next steps for each school site. Maintenance efforts are ongoing to guarantee that all campuses provide safe and conducive environments for faculty, staff, and students.

The VIDE acknowledges that some maintenance work remains at various school sites. The department assures parents, students, faculty, and staff that maintenance teams are fully aware of each school’s needs and the progress of ongoing work. While some campuses, due to their age, may not reflect a brand-new appearance, they have been retrofitted to enhance both interior and exterior areas. Certain sites require more extensive work beyond routine maintenance, with pending contracts for repairs necessitating additional time for completion.

There are five schools across the districts where repairs have been delayed, posing concerns. These school sites include Eulalie Rivera and Central High School on St. Croix and Charlotte Amalie High School, Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, and Lockhart School on St. Thomas. The VIDE is making every effort to expedite work orders and fulfill other internal requirements to ensure timely completion.

Regarding the overall readiness of school sites, the VIDE confirms the official Back to School opening date of Monday, August 5, 2024, for the return of students, faculty, and staff. To maintain transparency and keep the community informed, videos of the walk-throughs will be publicly available on July 30th.

These videos will provide insight into the preparation process and reaffirm the VIDE's dedication to delivering safe and conducive learning environments for all students.

The VIDE remains steadfast in its mission to ensure every school is a safe, welcoming, and well-prepared environment for the upcoming school year. We look forward to welcoming back our students, faculty, and staff for a successful and productive year ahead.

 

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Download press release here:  pdf PRESS RELEASE 0701 24 VIDE Provides Update on Pre School Walk Throughs (147 KB)

The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE) is pleased to share significant progress in the distribution of tablets to students across the Territory, courtesy of Heritage Wireless, as part of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Spearheaded by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), this federal initiative aims to bolster internet accessibility for households, a critical need particularly emphasized during periods when home-based virtual learning is imperative.

A shipment of 1,584 tablets arrived in the Territory, courtesy of Heritage Wireless, as part of the ACP. Each family had access to one tablet, complete with a pre-loaded T-Mobile internet service SIM card. The distribution spanned across both the St. Thomas-St. John and St. Croix Districts.

In the St. Thomas-St. John District (STTJ), 785 tablets have already been distributed, with 732 allocated to St. Thomas and 53 to St. John. Of these, 613 went to public school students and 119 to non-public school students on St. Thomas, while on St. John, 46 were designated for public school students and 7 for non-public school students, achieving an overall distribution rate of 90.5%.

In the St. Croix District (STX), 535 tablets were distributed, comprising 454 for public school students and 81 for non-public school students, resulting in a district-wide distribution rate of 77%.

While a significant number of tablets have already been distributed, there remain some yet to be collected in both districts. VIDE staff continues their efforts to reach out to parents and guardians to ensure the retrieval of these devices. The distribution process has been streamlined, with designated locations and times established for collection. Parents are required to present a valid ID and sign a receipt acknowledging the terms and conditions of distribution during collection.

The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE) remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the ACP, ensuring that families have the requisite technological resources to foster educational development and create equitable opportunities for all students.

 

Download press release here:  pdf PRESS RELEASE 0509 24 Virgin Islands Department of Education Provides New Update on Tablet Distribution (85 KB)