PRESS RELEASE

FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – September 2024: As the school year begins, the Ministry of Health and Services is dedicated to ensuring students stay healthy and active throughout the academic year. The return to school is an exciting time, and we are encouraging parents to help their children build healthy habits that will support their physical and mental well-being. Here are some essential general health tips to keep in mind:

1. Eat a Balanced Diet: Encourage your child to consume a variety of nutrient-rich foods that support growth and energy.
   • Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein in their daily meals.
   • Limit sugary snacks and junk food, which can affect concentration and energy levels.

2. Stay Hydrated: Hydration is crucial for mental clarity and physical performance.
   • Ensure your child drinks plenty of water throughout the day, especially during school hours.
   • Equip them with a reusable water bottle to make hydration easy and accessible.
3. Stay Active: Physical activity promotes not just fitness, but also mental alertness.
   • Encourage participation in school sports or active play during recess.
   • Aim for at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day, whether through organised sports or free play

4. Manage Stress: School can sometimes be stressful for students, especially as they balance academic and extracurricular activities.
   • Teach your child to take regular breaks to relax and recharge.
   • Encourage open conversations if they feel overwhelmed. Let them know it’s okay to ask for help.

Maintaining proper hygiene and practising illness prevention is essential for keeping students healthy, especially during the school year when they interact closely with others in classrooms and playgrounds. Here are some hygiene-related tips:

1. Wash Hands Regularly: Good hand hygiene is a key defense against illness.
   1. Teach children to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before meals and after using the restroom

2. Practice Good Hygiene: Promoting cleanliness reduces the spread of illness.
   1. Remind your child to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or their elbow when coughing or sneezing.
   2. Encourage them to avoid touching their face with unwashed hands to reduce the risk of infections.

3. Stay Home if You’re Sick:One of the best ways to prevent the spread of illness in schools is staying home when unwell.
   1. Keep your child home if they are showing signs of illness to protect classmates and teachers.
   2. Seek medical advice if symptoms persist or worsen.

4. Get Vaccinated: Immunisations are critical for preventing diseases.
   1. Ensure your child is up to date with their required vaccinations.
   2. Consider the flu shot to protect against seasonal flu, especially before flu season begins.

The Minister of Health and Human Services, Shaun D. Malcolm remarked, “The Ministry of Health and Services is committed to supporting the health and safety of our students as they return to school. By following these simple tips, parents can help their children have a healthy, productive, and enjoyable school year”.

For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.

Kingston, September 14, 2024 – Officials of the Ministry of Education and Youth and school administrators are reporting a smooth start to the 2024/25 academic year, on Monday (September 2), at several institutions.

This, in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, which threatened to derail reopening at some schools.

Ministry of Education Regional Director for St. James, Hanover and Westmoreland, Dr. Michelle Pinnock, provided updates on various schools in those parishes.

She told JIS News that Bethel Primary School in Hopewell, Hanover, was undergoing clean-up efforts following the completion of construction work.

The Regional Director said grade-five and six students were present on Monday, with plans in place for full resumption on Tuesday (September 3).

Meanwhile, she advised that students of Kendal Primary School, also in Hanover, will be temporarily housed in two community church halls while the administration awaits the completion of a new building being constructed by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF).

“Kendal Primary is getting a building from JSIF, which is basically a whole school; even before Hurricane Beryl, the arrangements were made,” Dr. Pinnock told JIS News.

Over at Barracks Road Primary School in Montego Bay, St. James, which sustained roof damage, among other challenges, arrangements were made to ensure the students’ safety and continuity of learning.

“The rains that came last week made us realise that we have some extensive damage to the membrane of the roof.  So, we are staggering the children and, on Wednesday, we will be using Faith Temple Church as an external site. The church has an area very near to the school, and we are going to be hosting students there,” Dr Pinnock informed.

The Regional Director expressed satisfaction with the overall start of the academic year for schools under her office’s purview, noting that some institutions may need to adjust timetables to accommodate teacher availability.

She also highlighted ongoing training initiatives to facilitate independent student learning through Google classrooms.

Meanwhile, Principal of Siloah Primary School in St. Elizabeth, O’Neil Larmond, shared that there was a positive start to the academic year for his institution, citing active parental involvement and a full staff complement for Monday’s opening.

“With a student population of over 500, Siloah Primary is off to a great start. We had a member of the Anglican Church doing devotion for us this (Monday) morning and we [had] close to 200 parents in attendance also. So, after devotion we had a brief meeting with our parents. We [had] our full staff complement and we have water and electricity,” the Principal told JIS News.

Ministry of Education Regional Director for St. Thomas, Portland and St. Mary, Yashieka Grant, reported that the majority of public schools in the area successfully reopened, with only two exceptions.

Mrs. Grant, who acknowledged the impact of Hurricane Beryl, welcomed the successful resumption of classes at the institutions which reopened.

“We have 165 public schools in this Region, and all, except two of them, [were] open to students [on Monday]… so we are grateful for that,” she told JIS News.

Principal of Scotts Pass Primary and Infant School in Clarendon, Mark Powell, also reported a smooth start to operations at his institution, highlighting the importance of establishing classroom routines and building relationships with students from the onset of the academic year.

He told JIS News that, during Monday’s start, “teachers [were] laying down the ground rules, getting to know their students and familiarising them with procedures again”.

As schools navigate various challenges and adjustments in the early days of the new academic year, educators and administrators remain committed to providing a supportive and engaging learning environment for students.

CONTACT: ANDREW LAIDLEY

September 14, 2024 – Educators are invited to participate in a webinar series this September and October to explore the Max Computing curriculum. Developed in collaboration with Digital Schoolhouse, Max Computing introduces play-based learning to build computing skills in students from grades 1 to 9. The sessions aim to provide teachers with essential tools and strategies for incorporating digital literacy in the classroom.

Max Computing, a product of collaboration between Digital Schoolhouse and Macmillan Education Caribbean, is designed to equip students with the fundamental skills needed in the digital era. The curriculum focuses on preparing learners for formal qualifications and future workplaces by enhancing their understanding of essential topics such as hardware, software, algorithms, and digital skills. The upcoming webinars will focus on key elements of this curriculum, which has been lauded for its innovative, playful approach to education.

Facilitators Shahneila Saeed and Estelle Ashman, who are key figures in the development of the Digital Schoolhouse program, will lead the sessions. The webinars will begin with a comprehensive introduction, where participants will be taken through the Max Computing series, including an overview of the curriculum’s structure, its progression framework, and the assessments involved. Attendees will also gain a deeper understanding of the playful learning pedagogy that has been embedded into the teaching method.

The second webinar will provide a more detailed look at the curriculum itself. Teachers will explore how to integrate the Max Computing series into their classrooms, including a focus on the workbook, key academic strands, and how the curriculum supports students’ academic growth.

The first session, “A Comprehensive Introduction,” will take place on Tuesday, September 17, with an additional session available on October 1. The second session, “A Dive into the Curriculum,” will be held on Thursday, September 19, with a repeat on October 3. Each session will last one hour, and all participants will receive a certificate of attendance.

For those interested, spaces for the webinar are limited, and early registration is encouraged. Additional information on the Max Computing curriculum can be accessed via the Macmillan International Curriculum platform, and participants are encouraged to follow the Max Computing campaign on social media.

This webinar series marks a significant step in providing teachers with innovative resources for digital literacy, ensuring students are well-prepared for the demands of the future workplace.

Registration for the webinars is open and can be accessed through www.macmillan-education.com