As public schools across the territory opened their doors on Monday, students, families and faculty welcomed the start of a new academic year with a mix of excitement and anticipation. For many, the day marked a reunion for friends and a return to structured learning after the long summer break.
At Joseph Gomez Elementary School on St. Thomas, Joyann Foster, a music teacher entering her fifth year, expressed her enthusiasm for enhancing the school’s music program. “I’m ready for the opportunity to enhance the music program and have more in-school performances on campus,” Foster said. “I love to see students express music in new and different ways.”
Nearby, Jaiel Bedminster dropped off his daughter, Lynelle, 7, and son, Jaiel Jr., 4. “The staff at the school are always very welcoming, and the kids are very happy here,” he said. “I’m excited for them to have a great school year, make the honor roll again, and hear about all the things they learned at the end of the day.”
Although some cosmetic issues, from untrimmed grass to chipped paint, persisted, administrators focused on the smooth transition into classrooms, thanks to an effective early orientation process.
The sentiment was echoed at Joseph Sibilly Elementary, where staff welcomed families with smiles and photo props. Lorenzo Donastorg, the Education Department’s Health and Physical Education Coordinator, captured the moment. “I’m always so excited to see the students come back to school,” Donastorg said. He emphasized the importance of physical activity for student engagement and praised the supportive presence of fathers and father figures.
One young student, G’Vante Simon, 4, was reluctant to part from his father, Gregson Samuel, on his first day. “He definitely keeps me on my toes,” Samuel joked. “It’s his first year at Sibilly, so we’re really looking forward to a great year for him.”
Meanwhile, the first day at the Julius E. Sprauve School on St. John began with parents and students packed into the school cafetorium. Principal Sharon Richardson and Assistant Principal Clifton Boyd stood and sat among the crowd where they spoke frankly.
“Did we make progress last year? Yes,” Boyd said,” But was there enough progress to make a difference? No.”
For students to get the most from their school experience, families must get involved, he said. That means helping with homework, checking report cards and asking questions about the subjects covered in class. “We have a lot of fight ahead of us, a lot of struggle from here to the end of school,” the assistant principal said.
The crowd shuffled out, with parents nudging their little ones toward their new classrooms.
As one assembly let out, a new one made up of middle school students took their place. For Richardson, as Sprauve School principal, it was the start of her second year.
Enrollment as of opening day was 218 — about 10 short of last year’s count. The classrooms and other facilities were as ready as they could be, and there were enough instructors in place to match enrollment numbers. Some, Richardson added, were teachers assisted by certified paraprofessionals.
And, by midday Monday, students at Charlotte Amalie High School were finding their way into modular classrooms. A handful of students stood in the entryway to the principal’s office, waiting for directions.
Principal April Petrus said the CAHS student body was roughly 1,000 — about 44 short from the previous year. Among them were 171 English as a Second Language Students, 79 Special Education Students and an undisclosed number of ninth graders attending what is called CAHS’ Ninth-Grade Academy.
The new school year promised to be busy: many, but not all, students are pursuing a dual academic/vocational education track. “Not all students are selected for vocational track,” Petrus said.
Most students also take a Financial Literacy course which the principal says seems to help prepare them for work and taking on adult responsibilities. In some cases, she said, the course allows families to come to terms with which college choices make the most sense.
“They learn a lot,” the principal said.
But CAHS is still looking for teachers — Math teachers, Foreign Language teachers, and V.I. History teachers. “We have some vacancies,” Petrus said.
On St. Croix, families arrived with freshly pressed uniforms, packed bookbags, and eager smiles. Fathers and father figures played a prominent role in the morning routine, responding to the V.I. Department of Education’s call for their involvement. Manuel Fonseca, whose children are in kindergarten, second, and fourth grade at Ricardo Richards Elementary, stressed the importance of parental involvement. “As a father, it is very important to be involved with your children because you are the mirrors of them,” Fonseca said.
Samuel Parrilla, escorting his son Samir with his wife Jennifer, highlighted the value of male role models. “Having a male figure in general gives them something to look up to and aspire to be,” he said. While acknowledging the need for improvements, he commended the school’s resilience.
The bustling scene was similar at St. Croix Educational Complex High School and John H. Woodson Middle School, where students lined up for the start of the year.
However, not all schools experienced a smooth start. Eulalie Rivera K-8 School faced significant challenges, with some classes having maintenance issues. In a live Facebook video stream, Rosa Soto-Thomas of the St. Croix Federation of Teachers, AFT-Local 1826, voiced parents’ frustrations. “I walked into a school this morning and I have some parents who are very, very upset for what’s happening here,” she said, noting that sixth-grade classrooms were not ready.
Soto-Thomas criticized the department’s maintenance efforts as inadequate, stating, “They keep saying that they have year-round maintenance, that is the biggest farce.”
Parents expressed concerns about the condition of kindergarten classrooms, with one noting an unpleasant smell. “The entire summer was here for what they needed to get done, so hopefully we can see some improvement soon,” she said.
Despite these setbacks, teachers remained committed to their students. “I’m praying that the matter be resolved because I am here to serve my students,” one faculty member said. Soto-Thomas also confronted Senate President Novelle E. Francis, who visited the school and promised to look into the issues.
For a complete view of the live stream, visit here.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued Monday afternoon, Sen. Kenneth L. Gittens said that while he has been “moved” by statements made by Education officials, he observed some issues that could have delayed the start of school on some campuses.
“While I extend sincere appreciation for the efforts made to reopen schools, there is much work to be done. It is evident that some progress has been made, however, some critical areas are still not completed or have not been touched such as some of the kitchens, gymnasiums, and classrooms on some campuses,” Gittens said. “We must recognize the strides that have been made, but acknowledging the areas that require immediate attention is also paramount.”
