Back to School U. S Virgin Islands
It’s
that time of year again, back to school for all the students in the territory.
Many will be attending new schools while a few may be attending school for the
first time. If so, there are some things that should be done to ensure that policies
are met and students are fully equip/ prepared to begin the new 2016-2017
school year. School does begin this year on September 8, 2016, but orientation
for a number of school like Jane E. Tuitt Elementary School, Charlotte Amalie
High School, and St. Croix Central High School are preparing for school through orientation, insurance, and I. D card issuances. For a listing of which
schools in the U. S. Virgin Islands are commencing with orientation and other back
to school necessities you can visit the U. S Virgin Islands Department of
Education or contact the respective school ( a listing of the district’s
schools and accompanying websites can be found on VIDE’s Edline page) of
concern as most administrative personnel are still at work while others will be
returning within the next week. During orientation many things will be
discussed that can shape the school year for your child and family, this is why
participation is necessary and
equally important.
For all new students to
the territory’s public school system, there are immunization requirements to be
met as there are in most school districts at home and abroad (if not all). Some
families or students may need to opt out for medical or religious purposes and that’s
fine too, but they to need to submit formal notice of such prior to the beginning
of school and prepare for lab work for the kids.
Other than the major
requirements here are a few friendly reminders to help ease the transition from
summer break back to school;
·
Summer assignments- Many schools have
them, most require the completion of these summer assignment the first two to
three weeks of school (if not sooner). You don’t want to wait until school
begins to start a summer reading assignment with three books and essays to accompany
each, when you should be focusing on the upcoming school year and what it has
to offer.
o
The Governor’s
Reading Challenge- All schools were invited to participate in the Governor’s
Reading Challenge and many elected to use the challenge as a summer assignment
as well. Books were provided to students at the end of the school year along
with a listing of other books included in the challenge, a track sheet to keep
track of the books read, and a questions/ writing prompt to aid in the comprehension
of the required books.
·
All schools have a dress code, and while
many of the territory’s public schools dress codes are similar you should still
check with each institution to ensure accuracy
o
Shoes should be black or white (or both)
o
Skirts should be at knee length
o
Earrings should be no bigger than the size
of a quarter
·
Bringing Your Own Device (BYOD)- This is a
sincerely controversial issue in every state on the mainland, and in many
schools public and private right here at home. The only way to ensure that you
or your child are abiding by the school’s rules are to become familiar with
them. Orientation is great help; it is an overview of what one needs to know of
the upcoming school year as a parent. Orientation also attributes to the
familiarity that many have with the rules, policies, and procedures that occur
within a school; checking with each school and becoming familiar with their
policies on BYOD is the only way to ensure that you and your child are adhering
to the schools’ policies and prevent and repercussions (like having your device
confiscated).
The views expressed within the blog are solely those of Ms.
Child Advocate and does not reflect on any of her affiliations. For more on the
U.S Virgin Islands youths read PTA, Parent Committee, &
Volunteering: Get Involved , Simple
Classroom Management Tips, Ethical
Leaders Anyone? and Respect Goes Both Ways: Teacher and
Student
