Third-graders at Juanita Gardine Elementary School on St. Croix could barely keep their excitement in check Thursday while they were celebrating American Education Week. The students were all abuzz playing a game blindfolded that stressed the importance of sight and senses.
All V.I. public schools joined in the 89th national observance of American Education Week to raise awareness about public education, its benefits, and to provide an opportunity to recognize professionals who work with students. The theme is "Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility."
During the weeklong observance, schools hosted activities for students, parents and community members. Education Commissioner La Verne Terry said the activities provide the department with opportunities to recognize individuals, teachers, paraprofessionals and support staff who make a difference in the lives of students.
Around 40 students in the three third-grade classes at Gardine were taking part in one of the many activities held at the school this week.
Sheryl Muckle-Williams, a retired educator from Gardine, led the game in the library where children were blindfolded with colorful bandannas. As part of the game, they had to identify musical instruments, such as a scratch squash, jingle bells and a tambourine.
She then had them identify kiwis, tomatoes, carrots and cucumbers by touching, smelling and tasting them. She told the students she has a mild sight weakness and stressed how important sight is and to protect it.
During the week, employees from Scotia Bank and Banco Popular gave the students tips on saving money. There was also a fire truck and firefighters from the Richmond Station at the school on Tuesday giving fire-prevention and safety tips. A student from each class was chosen to switch roles with their teacher and be a teacher for the day on Friday.
“This week has been a lot of fun for me,” student Angelica Torres said.
Two of the organizers of the activities at Juanita Gardine, Leotha Cuffy and Jennifer Esdaile, said, so far, the week had surpassed all their expectations.
“We are very pleased with how well everything has turned out,” said Esdaile, who has helped with the activities more years than she can remember.
To wrap things up the students are writing poems and essays with the theme "Through the Eyes of a Child."
