PHILIPSBURG:--- The Department of Public Education hosted a motivation and recreation program for its teaching staff at the Leonard Connor School on Friday, June 29, 2018. Minister of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sports the Honorable Whycliffe Smith stated that he looks forward to creating a new image for the public education systems with the help of all the staff. Smith addressed the teachers by first commending their spirit of resilience demonstrated throughout this difficult school year. In this recovery and rebuilding period, Smith noted it was the opportune time to work under the theme “Doing It Right, Doing It Better”.
As Minister Smith encouraged all to become familiar with the Governing Program which is available for download on the Government’s website, he pointed out that repairing the schools and having them disaster ready are goals which have his urgent attention. Acknowledging that much has been lost and damaged physically, the Minister also wants to work on renovating the image of public schools, which have become last resort for most parents seeking to enroll their children. “Let us change the image of our government schools from a negative one to a positive one,” said Minister Smith. Appealing to the spirit of teamwork , he declared that he looks forward to hearing from the school managers and the officers in the Department of Public Education that together they can address the image of public education.
This school year closes on July 6, 2018. Teachers and staff are encouraged to use the closing time to connect in creative ways with their now promoted students. Afterwards, Minister Smith admonished them to use the summer vacation to refresh themselves, get energized and ready to meet the new faces of the school year 2018-2019.
