March 27, 2009 — The St. Croix Office of the Insular Superintendent held a community forum on Thursday at St. Croix Educational Complex auditorium, but the community didn't show up.
The "Expectations for Education" forum was scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Hoping more people would trickle in, Gary Molloy, the St. Croix district superintendent, waited until 6:30 to begin. There were 16 people in attendance and all but a couple of them were Department of Education employees.
"We had 150 parents here for the last two nights taking part in the Parent University Program," said Molloy. "That is probably why they aren't here tonight."
Molloy added the school district provided childcare, snacks and transportation for the two-hour program covering topics such as raising boys, identifying gangs and when grandparents become parents.
The forum was to address community concerns and make presentations on nutrition, health and wellness in celebration of National Nutrition Month as well as the observances of Music in our Schools Month and V.I. History Month.
A concerned teacher got the forum started voicing concerns about seeing students eating unhealthy sweets while monitors made their rounds, allowing the students to eat the sweets. She said she felt the monitors aren't doing their jobs.
Yvette Edwards, director of school lunches, said it could be some group had sold cookies and candy for a fund raiser. She said they aren't supposed to sell anything other than nutritious foods while school is in session. Edwards said food sales vendors must get permission from the district.
"This is a problem because we could lose funding if required items mandated by Congress aren't on the plate according to allowable meals in a menu cycle," said Edwards.
Beryl Shaw, retired teacher from Central High School, was concerned about students getting school breakfasts that consisted of pastries.
"I feel if unless our students are given high-caliber breakfasts the academic day is wasted," said Shaw. "We should start out with fruit."
Edwards said the schools don't have large enough refrigerators for much fresh fruit. She added new kitchen equipment is expected with $100,000 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Gerard Emanuel, program assistant of the cultural education division, gave the highlights of the third annual Music Series. With the help of the Council of the Arts and V.I. Cultural Heritage Institute numerous music presentations were held at schools to honor local music icons. Some of those honored in "Celebrating Our Sons and Daughters" were Wesley and Archie Thomas, Alphonso Sebastian Forbes, Ethel Mcintosh, and Leona Watson.
On the instructional side, Molloy spoke about professional development for teachers. He also commented on the policy of registering students at schools where they actually live. He said some parents want their child in a certain school for their convenience and not hardship reasons.
Molloy touched on the Alternative Education Program and the 23 students returned back to their junior high schools with certain support services. He briefly spoke about a planed twilight program for very disruptive students.
"To get more to attend forums we should make sure to advertise a little longer," Molloy said.
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