Feb. 12, 2009 — With their fight for funding nearly at an end, administrators at Jane E. Tuitt Elementary School said Wednesday at a parent-teacher meeting they are "cautiously optimistic" they will soon get the resources needed to make it through the school year.
School officials have said Tuitt has been operating with no funds since last September, and have had to take money out of pocket to purchase materials and supplies. But Tuitt should have a check from the government in hand by Friday, said Principal Sidney George. While it's unclear at this point how much Tuitt will get, faculty and staff members have made a list of their critical needs, so the money should be spent in "short order" when it comes in, he said.
Meanwhile, parents can also organize fundraisers to bring in some extra cash, said Tuitt PTA president Emmanuel Alexander. A meeting between the PTA officers is coming up, and a decision will be made on what kind of events should be organized, he told the 11 parents who showed up to the early-evening meeting.
"We have to do it," Alexander said. "And with a little encouragement and strength, I know we can do it."
In addition to the telephone problems that have plagued Tuitt for months — calls can't be made into or out of the school — concerns have been raised about the non-functioning photocopiers, the recent vandalism to the boys bathroom and the need to cut various programs because no money has been available. The school's lack of money has also kept its students from participating in various events, such as the district spelling bee and the science and geography fairs, George said Wednesday. (See "Tuitt Elementary Gets Emergency Funding with Strings Attached.")
But Housing, Parks and Recreation is working with Tuitt to clean up the school's basketball courts, and at least one Education official has come on board to help with the phones and photocopiers, George said. Members of Rotary Club of St. Thomas Sunrise, which has adopted the school, have also donated funds to help with fixing the equipment. Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg has worked on getting Tuitt some new computers, he said.
"I hope that we don't ever have to go through such a situation again," George said. "Because it's the kids who get hurt."
The fight to improve student-achievement levels is still going strong, however. George, along with Tuitt literacy instructor Anita Holder, said parents have to become more involved with helping students learn how to read. Instead of turning on the television, pick up a book and have a family discussion about current events, Holder suggested.
A recent reading exam to test whether students are reading at grade level produced mixed results, Holder said. While the school will work with those students who didn't get a passing score, it's still up to parents to reinforce the lessons at home, she said.
Meanwhile, Tuitt is preparing for the V.I. Territorial Assessment of Learning (VITAL) exam in March, and parents not only have to study with their kids at home, but also make sure they show up for the exam, George said.
"We all have to work hard here, keep meeting our goals for the students and keep them on task for the duration of the school year. Success is definitely not instant — you make incremental progress, not quantum leaps. But the important thing is for us to do that together."
Back Talk Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.
