How was your first day of school

Children @ Lockhart Elementary via V.I.D.E
As many parents did, I spent the day awaiting pictures of students dressed to impress on thne first day of school! Surely I wasn't disappointed; receiving plenty of pictures from family and friends and observing most of the kids that insaw on their morning commutes, I figured parents must have been all tearing eyes this morning. After conferring with a few mothers I was quite certain that's not always the case. Many first time moms did have those moments, but most complained of the chores of getting ready for school. Many kids were unable to easily make the transition of back to school bed times, transition routines, and even proper meals! So in light of our little 'Back to school conversation' I took some notes to share with my fellow mother's and hope in return you'll share some tips as well, after all who knows everything rite?!
Anyways, for first time moms getting their little ones ready for their first day of school getting kids into a routine can be very hard. Practicing at home routines as well as school routines can help your child feel more confident about attending s new school and can ease your summer back to school transition as well. Many children an parents experience anxiety over back to school or going to a new school, role playing and practicing these routines can help to elevate stress in all parties concerned while boosting confidence levels in children as well.  Noting on a calender or how ever choose the days for school can also help with their anxiety even after school has begin; just as we adults feel more prepared with schedules so do kids and it will ease some stress related to the matter. Reading books about schools, the different activities that exist therein, and the expectations of all involved may very well serve as a formal introduction or an orientation to school rather than just throwing them to the wolves (so to speak). Everyone wants their child's first day of school to be memorable, and impressionable in great aspects, as do the teachers who've excitedly prepared classrooms, lesson plans, and activities for their pleasure and progression so lets be sure to give them the tools they'll need to survive.
Ms. Child Advocate

Ms. Child Advocate

VIDE Transitioning With to SBAC

VIDE Transitioning With to SBAC

 

 

In a recent article published by the St. Thomas Source The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE) announced that it is in the process of making the transition to online assessments with the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) for Virgin Islands students. What does that mean for us and just what is the SBAC?

“The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (Smarter Balanced) is a state-led consortium working to develop next-generation assessments that accurately measure student progress toward college- and career-readiness. Smarter Balanced is one of two multistate consortia awarded funding from the U.S. Department of Education in 2010 to develop an assessment system aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) by the 2014-15 school year (SBAC, 2014).”

At least for me this means that our students and educators will now have a means to measure their progress while implementing the Common Core State Standards within our curriculum as well as resources offered within the forms of networking with others abroad who are going through the same process or have already gone through the process. I’ve read countless articles with regards to the implementation of SBAC tests within schools, both good and bad, but the main problems seemed to stem from either schools that where inadequately equip to make such transition and advocates (parents and educators alike) that have a firm position that SBAC tests aren’t needed at all. Many advocates feel as though it is just another way for the government to access data for their own personal gains, and that it is not for the betterment of the pupils involved. The biggest problem with implementation was that many school districts didn’t have enough technological support nor proper equipment. According to the article in the Source in order to make the next step to online assessments, VIDE spent months working with the department’s technical staff to identify the technical needs of each school, streamline connectivity issues and gather the necessary equipment.

“ According to VIDE’s Office of Instructional Technology Director Dr. Clinton Stapleton, many of the territory’s computer labs were outfitted with new thin clients, which replaced the existing, older, hardware. The thin client devices are easier to manage and maintain and are more energy efficient, and they can hook up to a centralized server; Training sessions with state, district and school technical staff were also conducted, focusing on how to manage and configure the devices for now ongoing field testing (The St. Thomas Source, 2014).”

Since it would appear that they have considered all possibilities as far as technology is concerned ( or as far as I can tell since I’m no expert) then the only thing left is the actual implementation of the SBAC tests and of course the reaction/ response from the community. I would dare to say that within our community we (as I am a member) are ok with this transition and welcome what it can do for our educational institutions. Of course I’m simply going off of mostly private notions from individuals and not organizations, but there is one major reason for my saying so and that reason is lack of public outcry. Many other educators and parents have publicly voiced their concerns with SBAC tests (among other concerns) especially when field testing for implementation began a few months back, but still there was nothing within our territory to suggest otherwise. Now don’t get me wrong, I completely support the move and am very glad to see the different strides being made by the VIDE to ensure implementation is swift and still accurate. I can also say that I’m proud that we’ve finally taken the necessary steps to ensure that our students can continue to compete and excel at the same standards as students abroad.

 

For further readings on the U.S Virgin Islands on topics of education and our children please read When Is It Time To Get Rid Of The Pacifier, Guy Benjamin Elementary is Closing; What Now? And Alternatives to Suspensions and Expulsions.

 

 

This blog post is the opinions of Ms. Child Advocate and does not reflect on the institution’s she is employed for nor is those she affiliated with through volunteer work or otherwise. For more opinions from us please visit our blog page usviearlychildhoodlearning.blogspot.com or email us at usvi.childhood.learning@gmail.com and like us on Facebook or follow Ms. Child Advocate on Twitter.

 

When is it Time to get rid of the Pacifier?

When is it Time to get rid of the Pacifier?

 

 

 

I don’t usually like to do points mostly off of my opinions, as everyone has the right to their own but I must admit that the urge to write this blog post has been extremely overwhelming (partially because of my own feelings on the matter and the other half because others seemed to think it was ok). Earlier this week I witnessed a little boy whose age couldn’t have been any less than three, with a mouth full of teeth speaking clearly and then he put his pacifier in his mouth. Honestly, I think I spent the first five minutes observing the child (from the back of the room) play and interact with children of various ages (18 months-6 years) but the more I observed the more it resonated with me that he was too old to be using a pacifier especially while out playing. As my focus then shifted to his parents and other parents surrounding I could tell many of them were having the same thoughts I did. I’m certain that his mother has some qualms with it for when it was his turn to go to the evaluator she removed the pacifier from his person and quickly stuffed it in her bag.

I won’t contest two things; the first is I could be completely wrong and he could simply be a child who is very mature and advanced for his age, and that it’s possible that the pacifier is a tool being used only in times of need (like getting him to sit still, play with others well, or sleep). But my main concern is for the child and the fact that such prolonged use of the pacifier at his ‘advanced’ stage may result in dental problems in the immediate future and the long run; It’s simply for the same rules has giving children baby bottles with nipples to drink from after their teeth have formed. Straying from the topic a little, I’ve once meet a parent who thought that it was natural that both of her children (eight years apart) experienced decaying of their primary teeth. While I don’t want to paint an ugly picture I had the pleasure of meeting both children from very young stages in their lives and I can assure you (and many will probably agree) that there is nothing natural or healthy about kids having a mouth full of rotten teeth; it was sadly the only thing that distracted others from their academic achievements and even their appearances. I reason for saying this is that it is not all right to let children ruin their primary teeth because they will get new ones and studies suggest that even when adult teeth are formed children with prolonged use of pacifiers are more likely to have dental issues such as;

1.     

Openbite

 

2.      Overjet (great chances

 

 

 3.      Posterior crossbites (children with more prolonged use are subject to anterior openbite and posterior crossbites)

 

 

While I am not a dental hygienist and can’t offer much on the prices of braces or other orthodontic wear for children, I can say that from the accounts that I’ve read it seems very painful for children. The only alternative to the pain is to put children under anesthesia and many of us know the risks of what can happen when children are put to sleep; anyone remember the little girl that died after going to the dentist? As I said in the beginning I don’t generally like to write about my personal opinions in matters but in this case I had to make an exception.

For further readings on the U.S Virgin Islands on topics of education and our children please read Children Are Dying, Thank God you’re NOT MY MOM!!!, and Thank God you’re NOT MY MOM 2

 

 

This blog post is the opinions of Ms. Child Advocate and does not reflect on the institution’s she is employed for nor is those she affiliated with through volunteer work or otherwise. For more opinions from us please visit our blog page usviearlychildhoodlearning.blogspot.com or email us at usvi.childhood.learning@gmail.com  and like us on Facebook or follow Ms. Child Advocate on Twitter.

 

 

Guy Benjamin Elementary is Closing; What Now?

Guy Benjamin Elementary is Closing; What Now?

So in many recent reports that I've read the Department of Education is receiving a lot of ‘heat’ from the general public, and members of the St. John community. I completely understand it of course; I mean the situation is one that no one would have hoped for. The students, faculty, and staff at the Guy Benjamin Elementary School along with parents have long voiced their opinions and concerns about lack of support it receives, declining numbers, and more recently an ‘invisible operating budget’. The school closing didn’t really come as a surprise to many since there have been rumors of such all year since the removal of kindergarten and first grades to the Julius Sprauve Elementary School in Cruz Bay. So, exactly what is all the fuss about?

At a meeting held at Guy Benjamin School for parents and students on Monday, Education Commissioner and Superintendent gave the awaiting parents the daunting news they’d feared for so long. While education officials only cited one reason for closing the school, declining students and operating costs, all of the arguments coming from parents and even teachers involved had little to do with the benefit of students. Attendees of the meeting cited how the school has always met the standards of the AYP report, and that residents of Coral Bay would now have to ‘commute’ to Cruz Bay in defense of the children. Other concerns expressed pertained to the area of the school (being around bars) and the amount of funding being saved by closing the school.

Those remarks almost seem selfish to me. In a school that has been operating without a principal or ‘checkbook’ how parents can and teachers alike expect the institution to continue with the same results. And while there were a few in attendance, mostly those affiliated with the school, haven’t heard of any actions taken by the community or the parents of students at Guy Benjamin Elementary to thwart the long awaited decision of closing the school. I did however read reports of education officials urging residents of St. John to consider enrolling their children within Guy Benjamin to hinder the pending decision, but one can only assume it was to no avail since the enrollment ratio for the next school year compared to the last were still very slim    While all students can benefit from a lesser student to teacher ratio, parents and educators should look at the benefits of this merge;

·         With the space at the closing elementary school new, necessary programs like an head start or even a K-12 institution may be implemented (which is well needed on the island)

·         Funds saved by the department can be used to enhance student life on the island itself as well as at the remaining school

·         Education official spoke of transportation for students of Coral Bay to the Julius Sprauve school in Cruz Bay under the supervision of teachers/aids; that is much more than most, if not all of our students within this territory (At least in my own experience it is mainly/solely the bus driver) and abroad.

Anyone can appreciate that change can sometimes be challenging, especially for children so young, but as adults (teachers and parents) should consider working on making the transition easier for all involved and encouraging already discouraged students to look on the bright side of things, after all the children are the ones who are really being affected the most aren’t they?

For further readings on the U.S Virgin Islands on topics of education and our children please read “Alternatives to Suspensions and Expulsions”, “Families Matter for the Achievement and Development of Goals”; and “ So Carnival Warrants Closing School Now!?”

This blog post is the opinions of Ms. Child Advocate and does not reflect on the institution’s she is employed for nor is those she affiliated with through volunteer work or otherwise. For more opinions from us please visit our blog page usviearlychildhoodlearning.blogspot.com or email us at usvi.childhood.learning@gmail.com  and like us on Facebook or follow Ms. Child Advocate on Twitter.

Alternatives to Suspensions and Expulsions

Alternatives to Suspensions and Expulsions

Photo Credit to U.S.V.I Dept. of Education Image Gallery

Yesterday I read an article in The St. Thomas Source that immediately prompted me to write this blog post. I’ll first start by stating that the fact the Virgin Islands Department of Education officials can publicly state that our territory doesn’t have a problem with regards to serving troublesome student without pushing them out of classrooms/ schools, or at least in more recent times, is a drastic improvement. Don’t just take my word, the very same article that prompted this blog post cities the territories statistics in these concerns, and unfortunately they are not very far from what I expected; maybe others within our community had different expectations (whether higher or lower), but not me. Why? Why I am not surprised?  Because I have noticed the many strides that the Department of Education and other government entities, among other private groups, programs, and affiliates, have made to secure a better future for the youths in our territory; regardless of demographic. So what is the concern you may wonder; the concern is the simple infractions that are causing students to be keep away from the classroom where they belong, and in some cases sending them to the last place they need be, jail/prison

As a former student under the Virgin Islands Department of Education I must state that many of the infractions that usually send students to the principal’s office should send them to the school counselor. As outlined in the source feature ‘Undercurrents; Educators Try to Curtail Suspensions’, there are different levels of infractions (levels1-4, 4 being more serious offenses), all of which usually lands students in the main office to a principal. Is there no other way? Aren’t there better ways to teach discipline, humility, and respect other than excluding children from school? Even for more serious offenses, like engaging in a fist fight ( a usual occurrence in middle/ high schools) instead of suspending students , according to how much physical damage they’ve inflicted on each other, wouldn’t they benefit more from anger management classes for a few weeks along with community service (counseling early learners, maybe). This model would also do well for students who are habitually disruptive (since early learners can be somewhat disruptive to those without training) to teach them the same lesson. For every in school suspension given for obscene language students could instead be required to write an essay on a subject of literary importance/nature with the hopes of them learning the power of words among other things.

I personally believe in the power of community service; if more students were/had been exposed to community service then we would have a community of caring individual adults who would be willing to volunteer their services to the community. It does not start after school stops, but before and during. The infractions listed under levels 1 &2 should first be addressed with mandatory hours of community service and counseling. Students with infractions ranging from levels 3-4 may benefit from outside assistance, but not the police dragging them off to jail. Programs like P.A.L.S, The Drug Free Program, The My Brother’s Keeper Initiative, Jr. Fire Fighters, Civil Air Patrol and R.O.T.C should be given as alternatives before suspension/expulsion. Students need to be given the opportunity to make choices about their lives and should not have to live the rest of their lives based on prior mistakes that can be learned from. Parents also have to be involved to ensure accuracy of the program. Many students don’t have the parental support they should at home academically. As educators/ advocates it’s the job to help these children and referrals obviously aren’t doing the job. Mentors should be available for all students, but especially those considered ‘troublesome’; those who don’t display those levels of resilience needed to succeed in a rather stagnant economy and need help preparing for professionalism. An equal amount of support is needed for the little ten percent of over fifteen thousand students so we can ensure that the same ten percent does not end up apart of another statistic of more grave and serious natures.

Since my personal experience and knowledge in the special education/needs field is very limited I’ll keep it very light. With all the fuss and focus on special needs kids and the infractions that usually land them in the principal’s office or a special committee to determine their educational fates has anyone taken record of such incidents to determine the causes and what can be done to remedy the situations? From my readings and a personal discussion with another there can be many factors that may cause a student of special needs to ‘act out’ and become ‘troublesome’. Could these students not also benefit from counseling and behavioral programs, instruction based on reflection on ones actions and determining the better action, rather than further excluding them from the rest of the student population and their peers? And do other students and school officials have a basic understanding/ underlying respect for those of special needs? If not they may benefit from such training/instruction to attain a higher level of positive social interactions between all students, special needs or otherwise, and school official s and administrative officers.

 Dropout rates are significantly lower, as graduation rates have increased; violence among adolescents in school and out has also drastically decreased. Don’t believe me, when was the last time you heard of a student being arrested or involved in a serious altercation (using weapons and causing critical harm)? I know it is nothing like it used to be, if continued at all. While I’d like to credit the wealth of opportunities that have been continuously presented to students for these changes, it alone cannot be the driving influence. Our community is the that driving influence and determining factor, whether its recognized by a majority or not; it is the community who illustrates the positive/ negative images in which our children choose to take part in, become a part of, or affiliate themselves with in any way they can.

For further readings on the U.S Virgin Islands on topics of education and our children please read “What About The Children We Failed”, Risk Factors for Challenging Behavior, and Too Much Violence; USVI Shootings Near Preschools

This blog post is the opinions of Ms. Child Advocate and does not reflect on the institution’s she is employed for nor is those she affiliated with through volunteer work or otherwise. For more opinions from us please visit our blog page usviearlychildhoodlearning.blogspot.com or email us at usvi.childhood.learning@gmail.com  and like us on Facebook or follow Ms. Child Advocate on Twitter.

  

Children’s Day 2014: Treasure our Children

Children’s Day 2014: Treasure our Children

Figure 1 Arzucanaskin.com photo credit

       As many of us have experienced throughout our lifetimes, there are days internationally reserved to specific topics to draw awareness/advocacy or simply to honor a memory. Many days are highly publicized making them more popular than others, and many with their own right. We’ve recently celebrated Memorial Day and it’s a day I’m sure all can empathize with; whether you’ve known someone in the battle, were a part of it yourself, or was just touched by the actions and efforts of your fellow countrymen. It is certainly a day to be recognized and (one I personally think) should rightfully be done internationally.

       But there are other important observances that go unnoticed every year; they are under publicized, uncelebrated and go without any recognition and the sad part about it is that those days are usually those observed for the rights, well-being, and education of children. I couldn’t help but wonder if the reason for those aren’t because, on a larger scale (judging by the insights of a majority) children’s issues are ‘seemingly’ marginal or does it just truly reflect what we as human beings in today’s societies value; ourselves.

       On this past May 11 our nation, like others (whether before or after) celebrated Mother’s Day; another day rightfully observed for all the hard work, perseverance, and stress (just to name a few) that mothers (like myself!) go through. There were plenty of advertisements ‘reminding’ us of the observed day and the things we could do to either support mothers and their struggle or to celebrate others. But also observed in May that has already come to pass was Brothers & Sisters Day/ Baby Day on May 2 and while the International Day of Families did have some ‘clout’ I can’t help, but wonder once again if it isn’t due to the fact that once more, adults were involved rather than it just being a celebration of children.  Then again, as I have thought of this I’m sure someone else has already and thus; Children’s Day was born, to bring light to the most innocent part of humanity that is probably the most abused/neglected because of size and age.

      But unlike other highly publicized observances that usually call upon a need to show support through donations or gifts I simply urge others to make yourselves more aware of the issues that are plaguing our world and to resonate closer to home, our nation. Did you all know that there is still child labor happening in the U.S? I’m sure most of you have heard of those children who aren’t allowed to purchase or smoke tobacco, picking tobacco leaves for profits, either way check out the Human Rights Watch! Among us are many evils lurking that many of us, myself included, thought were long gone. Awareness is the key to put a stop to these injustices for our fellow peers, as has touched the case of those children and the unfortunate one of the seven year old who died after becoming ill in a school with no nurse, who may have been able to discern the seriousness of the situation. There are many different topics to choose from and while I can only encourage self-awareness, spreading the word is the only way to kill this disease plaguing our world and nation so that we may begin to ‘treasure our children’ sincerely. 

A True Leading Revolutionary; Malcolm X Day

A True Leading Revolutionary; Malcolm X

As a child growing up in the Virgin Islands, I was taught to have a lot of pride; self-pride, female pride, island pride, and most of all black pride. I grew up with a slew of books in my room (house) all dedicated to educational aspects, inspirational leaders, and leading innovators around the world. One the walls in our living room hung only one family portrait, the rest where pictures of leaders who have paved our way with their life’s work and their lives; Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, and Malcolm X. As an adult now, I’ve held the same ideals near and become overly excited to convey all that I’ve learned to others. I also have pictures of my favorite inspirational revolutionaries on my walls at home and while some of the faces have changed, the theme is still the same.

“A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything”- Malcolm X

Many of the children of the Virgin Islands are also raised with similar values, norms, and ideals. It’s displayed in the way that they choose to promote culture through music, hair and clothing trends and even traditional events like Carnival. But there should be more to our culture than those things, there is much more we are responsible for with regards to preparing our children for their futures. Our ideals have been distorted to fit the views of a few ignorant minds. Norms and values are being discarded for attention and popularity. If we cannot teach our children what they do today affects everyone’s tomorrow how can they be expected to grow, participate and strive to make a better community/society for them as we once did.

“Stumbling is not falling”- Malcolm X

Malcom X is a great example to lead the young men in our society. He was a black man, who wasn’t afraid or ashamed to admit when he was wrong. He continued to strive for education and for the betterment of the human race despite what others said of him. He is a role model and the epitome of what many of our youths strive to be, a conscious member of their society.

“Without education you’re not going anywhere in this world”- Malcolm X

Throughout this post I’ve included some of my favorite quotes from Malcolm X, as I have shared with you please share with others, we’ll never know who these words may resonate with most.  

“Do not be in a hurry to condemn because he doesn’t so what you do or think as you think or as fast. There was a time when you didn’t know what you know today”
“A race of people is like and individual man; until it uses its own talent, takes pride in its own history expresses its own culture, affirms its own selfhood, it can never fulfill itself”
“I am not a racist. I am against every from of racism and segregation, every form of discrimination. I believe in human beings, and that all human beings such be respected as such, regardless of their color”

Families Matter for the Achievement of Development Goals

"Families Matter for the Achievement of Development Goals"

Because many of us unfortunately have been reared through these times where the importance of family and all that it teaches has diminished greatly, we all look through distorted lens with regards to matters of family. Once upon a time, our country and people where looked up upon by outsiders/tourists for various reasons; social culture and agriculture, but mainly resilience. We once were a people of ideals and values placed throughout our communities with presence of our culture.

            Now the culture and presence of our ancestors have all been warped. We've incorporated every other culture with ours to suit the needs of a vastly changing demographic within our territory and as a result, we've lost our identity.

            Like any other community around the world, the members of those communities become one with each other to help their well beings. The ‘family’ created within these communities are now who are rearing the next generations to come, and while they are readily available to do so, they are also unqualified.

             For this reason and so many more it is time for us to make the presence of the families more important within our communities rather than gangs, corners, or communities that pride themselves in taking in youths who are ignorant to their intentions. It is for these reasons and more that our territory must make a more profound effort to encourage our young men and women to build families and homes instead of only facilitating events where those from all demographics can enjoy themselves and indulge in different vices which contribute to our small, violent and stagnant community. And it is certainly for the promise of hope in our futures and those of our children that we change the ideals being kept at the helms of society; money, power and violence is not the only way to procure or sustain a fulfilling life.

            On this world family day U.S Virgin Islanders I propose we all take the time out not only to enjoy the company of our loved ones, but to appreciate what we can learn from them to help others less fortunate; those who don’t have a support system or a true family. Take the things that you’ve learned and share them with others, whether or not you know of their family structure. The idea is to promote the ideals and norms that can bring our communities back to being the structure that is was instead of the street family that it has become. 

So Carnival Warrants Closing School Now?!

So Carnival Warrants Closing School Now?!

As a native and longtime resident of the U..S.V.I I was shocked to find out that there wouldn’t be any public school for the entire last week of this year’s Carnival events. 

I will assume that this is at least a part of why school teachers are rallying against the government. As a student, some ten years ago, when I attended public school students were given a vacation period similar to that of adult government employees’; attend school regularly and on Food Fair (usually a Wednesday) schools would end early (half day) and the rest of the week was Carnival vacation for students participating in Carnival activities or those who choose not to partake at all. 

            With this schedule everyone was allotted time to enjoy the festivities while most business offices made accommodations for their clients for the short vacation period. No parent needed to take time off to stay home with their child, or find/pay a babysitter (which can be hard during the festivities), nor did employers become short staffed due to unforeseen circumstances (a bunch of parents with no help!). No parent would be in danger of/ or losing their jobs and maybe, just maybe, a lot of public school teachers wouldn’t be upset for having to give up two weeks or more of their vacation time.

            While I don’t want to be misunderstood, this is not me criticizing the government for their decision for they are the policy makers and are qualified to do so, but why make such a change/ shift with such a problem (as teachers protesting extra days), when this could’ve easily been an opportunity to elevate at least some of the pressure and tension of the situation by subtracting a few more days?

            Furthermore, I also wonder if any of the public school teachers have any say on the matter as it pertains to the Carnival season or if it was sanctioned by requests from faculty and staff members of our public educational institutions. I mean, since it is them who are being done ‘injustice’. 

This is the opinion of Ms. Child Advocate and doesn't reflect the views of the preschool or other community activities she engages in or works for. Any questions or comments are welcomed and appreciated and can be sent to usvi.childhood.learning@gmail.com or can be left on our blog website, http://usviearlychildhoodlearning.blogspot.com/. 

National Poem In Your Pocket Day

My Pledge of Allegiance to Me

There’s more to me than the human eye can see.

I’m a woman of purpose and destiny.

A perfect design, I’m special and unique.

I won’t be identified by the parts that make

up my physique.

My beauty is not defined by my skin or my hair

and my soul has more value than

 the clothes that I wear.

I’m not a symbol of pleasure or sex appeal;

I have the natural ability to comfort

and the power to heal.

When God made me, He created a gem

because He fashioned me in the likeness of Him.

I refuse to do anything that will put God to shame.

I deserve to be treated with reverence

and called by my name.

I can’t be purchased or sold at any price

because I’ve already been bought and paid

for by the precious blood of Christ!

Written by Letitia L. Hodge

#HappyEarthDay

Happy Earth-day Everyone! At the link below you can find out just what is Earth Day and how you can get involved. Remember the children are our futures so they need knowledge of how to abide by the earth or else we will continue on the path of destruction that has lead us to the state we are currently in. Participate and get involved!

http://www.earthday.org/earth-day-history-movement
http://www.earthday.org/
#HappyEarthDay!!!

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USVI Early Childhood Learning

Children's Corner; Easter Poetry

Easter Joy     Jesus came to earth,
To show us how to live,
How to put others first,
How to love and how to give. Then He set about His work,
That God sent Him to do;
He took our punishment on Himself;
He made us clean and new. He could have saved Himself,
Calling angels from above,
But He chose to pay our price for sin;
He paid it out of love. Our Lord died on Good Friday,
But the cross did not destroy
His resurrection on Easter morn
That fills our hearts with joy. Now we know our earthly death,
Like His, is just a rest.
We'll be forever with Him
In heaven, where life is best. So we live our lives for Jesus,
Think of Him in all we do.
Thank you Savior; Thank you Lord.
Help us love like you!     By Joanna Fuchs  

Children's Corner; Poetry

The Day

It hangs on its

                stem like a plum

at the edge of a

               darkening thicket.

It’s swelling and

               blushing and ripe

and I reach out a

               hand to pick it

but flesh moves

               slow through time

and evening

               comes on fast

and just when I

               think my fingers

might seize that

               sweetness at last

the gentlest of

               breezes rises

and the plum lets

               go of   the stem.

And now it’s my

               fingers ripening

and evening that’s

               reaching for them.

BY GEOFFREY BROCK