BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - MORE than one dozen blue and white balloons were released into the sky sometime last week by students of the Maurice Hiller Epworth Memorial School to signal the official launch of the learning institution’s month-long “I Love My School” programme.
Promoting a healthy acceptance of, appreciation and love for their school, its environment and its values, the students and members of the school’s Parents Teachers Association held a special Assembly to publically inform the children of the new thrust.
The students were told by Secretary of the Parent Teachers Association (PTA) Alleyne Morris that their school produced the likes of Tourism Minister Richard Skerritt, Queen Counsel Tapley Seaton, Deputy Clerk in the National Assembly Jihan Williams, entertainer and Constituency Number Three representative for the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Konris Maynard and entertainers Nicha B and Mr. Bagnall.
There were a couple of highlights of the assembly and two in particular seemed to spark the students’ interest.
CARICOM Youth Ambassador Sonia Boddie - a former teacher - interactively delivered a message to the children about caring for their school.
She spoke of respect for teachers, being respectful to parents and others, doing homework, being punctual and taking care of the school’s property.
“Whether at work or play, I will love my school in every way, every single day,” Boodie said.
Boddie also spoke to the teachers and encouraged them to continue doing the great job they are known for, while urging them go the extra mile in ensuring that their school remains one of repute.
Patterned after Ellie Matt’s ‘Viva St. Kitts’, the students lustily sang ‘Viva Epworth’, the song which will become the theme for the month of activities.
And then there were balloons! In the sight of their peers, several of the students, who had each received a balloon, stood at the entrance of the school’s property and while loudly and boldly declaring their love for the school released the helium-filled spheres into the air.
Secretary for PTA Alleyne Morris explained to SKNVibes that the idea for this venture was birthed following the PTA Executive Meeting held at the beginning of the school year in 2013.
She said there was somewhat of a disconnection between the parents and the school, in that there was a need to get them more involved in all things related to the institution.
Some of the activities planned for the month are of a social nature for parents and teachers to socialise in a relaxed environment, discussions between both groups, appearances on various radio stations, an “adopt a space” project for students and a church service.
Morris expressed her belief of other schools adopting similar programmes to promote a love and appreciation for their school.
