SandyBank basic school needs help

Treasure Beach Forum: TB Runnin's: SandyBank basic school needs help
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By parent on Thursday, May 22, 2008 - 10:10 pm: Edit Post

I am asking you kind people out their for your help,the name of the school is Sandy Bank Basic school this school needs help big time, my daughter just start attending this school and i am telling you they need chair to sit on,filing cabinets to put each child profile in,they need to pay the two hard working teachers they had to employ because of the new regulation from the Early Child hood commission if these teachers leave i am telling you that the commission would put a hold on that school until the y have all there requirement to perform as a Early Child hood basic school,Miss Rebecca if any one want to help i am asking you to please convey message to the above school principal she is such a lovly lady and i would love to see some thing happen for that school,they got really nice slides and swing and that was very nice but the inside of the school is not right. thank you.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Karen Kennedy on Friday, May 23, 2008 - 10:22 am: Edit Post

I have just sent the following e-mail to the Parent who posted the message above:

Dear Parent,

Please ask Miss Paula to get in touch with me so she can tell me exactly what the Basic School needs the very most. We have helped her before, and we will try to assist her again.

All the best,
Karen Kennedy


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Canada on Friday, May 23, 2008 - 08:22 am: Edit Post

Everyone has a chance to come out and support the fund raising- I guess everyone is thinking $200 is too much, well it's less than paying your fare to go to Jamaica in December to have a fund raising there. My 2 cents, who is the treasurer for Sandy Bank primary school.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Karen Kennedy on Friday, May 23, 2008 - 03:37 pm: Edit Post

If people wish to donate for very needed items for Sandy Bank Basic School, they can easily do so through Treasure Beach Foundation. I would ask that you hold off making any such donations through us until after Miss Paula and I have spoken. It is important that, as the Principal, she explain what the school's most important needs are -- and whether or not the Jamaican Government will be paying for any of them. Then, people can determine whether or not this is something they would like to support.

Please understand I am not saying that Sandy Bank Basic School does not need things, but let's find out exactly what these are before people start sending their hard-earned money.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By parent on Friday, May 23, 2008 - 07:48 pm: Edit Post

miss Kennedy i would like to say how happy i am to here from you ,i most definitly convey this message to miss Paula. Thank you again


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jeff in Toronto on Friday, May 23, 2008 - 08:43 pm: Edit Post

Canada, you refer to fundraising and $200. Can you clarify what you mean by this?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By oh boy on Saturday, May 24, 2008 - 01:57 pm: Edit Post

oh boy... if this is about the school I mean... (it´s the school on the left, when going up past the ice factory) ...there is nothing,...not even a single tree or a single flower standing in their big school yard.... that really hurts...
can´t imagine that "no money" is the reason for that... it is more the THINKING of it being not important...
it is very easy to imagine the lack of materials behind the doors...


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By An American Mother on Sunday, May 25, 2008 - 11:38 am: Edit Post

As someone who has vacationed in Treasure Beach more than once, I am well aware I have more money than most people in Treasure Beach. As someone who tries to keep up with what is happening in Treasure Beach, I do my best to turn to this forum at least weekly. Without meaning to sound selfish or to offend, I would like to add my thoughts to this forum.

The last time we were there we saw two schools on the main road, the basic and the primary school. Both looked sad from the outside. There were almost no flowers and the grounds were fairly littered, especially at the primary school. From what I have seen on this forum, the primary school now has a new coat of paint and the basic school has new playground equipment. These were certainly much needed steps.

Here, however, is the question I raise without wanting to offend. How did those schools get into such an embarrassing condition? How much of that repair and clean up work was done by members of the community? By the parents of the children who go to those schools? By the PTA? I know money is scarce, but what about offering time? Painting? Planting? Assisting in the classrooms? Carpentry? Cooking in the kitchens? Repairing the lavatories? Fencing?

From what I can see, Mrs. Kennedy is a generous person, and her Treasure Beach Foundation awards scholarships to many students each year. My husband and I have bought villa raffle tickets to help raise money for these scholarships, so we feel we are doing our part to help the children. (I cannot pretend we would not like to win a vacation because our money is tight, too.) But I would feel better about contributing a little money to fix up the schools if I knew as much as possible was being done by the people who live in Treasure Beach.

I think we are all familiar with the words of “God helps those who help themselves.” I would like to know that the residents have exhausted all their own resources to help themselves before I am asked to give.

I have two little children so I can not work in a job away from my home. But I do go to my older daughter’s school once a week to help the teachers. I have made cookies and cupcakes and punch and brought them to the school. My husband has worked evenings and weekends on making a basketball court at the school. I am suggesting parents help at the basic and primary schools the way my husband and I do at our daughter’s school. If most parents in Treasure Beach already do this, I apologize for being insensitive and misunderstanding the situation.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Second on Monday, May 26, 2008 - 08:47 am: Edit Post

Well said An American Mother.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By resident on Monday, May 26, 2008 - 01:58 pm: Edit Post

Lest see what happen when Miss Kennedy speak to Miss Paula to get the fax.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Another Mother on Monday, May 26, 2008 - 09:38 am: Edit Post

Interesting points. Would like to hear from a member of the TB community on this.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rebecca on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 - 07:24 am: Edit Post

I remember up to just a few years ago, just about every week one church, school or organization was holding a bingo night, family fun day, cricket match or some type of fund raiser for their particular organization or cause. It was a wonderful opportunity for many in the community to get together, raise some money and have a great time doing it.

My "American" memories of bingo was the one time my friend dragged me to a Catholic Church basement which was so filled with cigarette smoke I near choked to death and everyone was so serious, I was afraid I would make a mistake and be thrown out of the place. I never cared to go back.

I remember my friend Tojo taking me to my first "Jamaican" bingo night. He promised me we would have loads of fun and the proceeds were for a good cause. I was not real enthusiastic, but agreed to go. It was held at the Pedro Plains School. We parked the car, got out and Tojo told me to pick up little pebbles from the ground. I certainly was puzzled, but complied. We then proceeded into a classroom with fists full of pebbles, squeezed our large bodies into very small desks, got the cards and the games begun. Of course, the pebbles were used to mark the cards, duh! What fun. I don't think I stopped laughing and yelling out comments, along with everyone else, all night long! From then on, I would seek out the bingo nights being held anywhere in South St. Elizabeth. I was hooked!

Now, I can't remember even hearing about a bingo night, etc. for a long time - other than the Treasure Beach Women's Group. Let's reignite the fire to help ourselves and combine efforts with others instead of just depending on outside sources. A popular saying here is "Together Everyone Achieves More - TEAM". Fund raising not only allows us to take on responsibility for ourselves, giving us a stronger sense of ownership and pride, but it is also a wonderful opportunity for the community to gather together and keep the bond of the community strong.

Not to mention - I long for a good bingo night!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By RESIDENT on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 - 11:20 am: Edit Post

American Mother, you are spot on with your comments. There actually was a time when the school-community spirit in Treasure Beach was more vibrant. This can be reignited.
Too many of us now rely almost exclusively on "The Government" and outside benefactors.
I hope your intervention will serve as a timely reminder of the sort of self-reliance for which we were once known in these parts and of which we all ought to be proud.
Of course, because resources are genuinely scarce, there will be times when outside assistance might be needed. Let's start with what we can do, however, before we look to others.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Looking On on Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 10:21 am: Edit Post

I totally agree with American Mother. It is so evident that parents are not helpful anymore - they hardly even want to go to meetings to hear about their children. It seems as if they are just glad to get the kids off their hands daily and that's it. Yet when exam results are out they expect the kids to excel more than their true potential because the teachers alone cannot put the information in their heads. It is the parents, the community, the teachers and the kids themselves which aid learning. Without discipline the kids cannot settle down to learn.
Parents need to go to Meetings and find out what is needed at the school to be done etc. and volunteer to do the work. Just recently one school had to pay thousands of dollars to get the school painted when parents could have volunteered.
We need to get out of this mindset of begging, begging, begging and start helping ourselves then others will see and pitch in with what little they can give. ALL THE BEST.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Looking in on Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 12:49 pm: Edit Post

American Mother you said it best, I would like some feed back from the principal herself.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mair on Friday, May 30, 2008 - 05:55 am: Edit Post

Rebecca! I almost blew coffee out of my nose while reading your description of "Catholic church basement bingo"!! That's some scary stuff there! Those bingo ladies took their games seeeriously. The whole ambiance of those events were enough to scare anyone away from bingo forever!

I'm glad you were able to get over your F.O.D. (fear of dauber) and try it out Jamaican style.

Everything is better in Jamaica - apparently even BINGO!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sick and Tired on Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 06:42 pm: Edit Post

I am very interested to see what will come of this discussion. I hope Miss Kennedy or the Principal or someone can give us some straight answers. Also could someone please explain the remark about some school having to pay thousands of dollars to get repainted. I seem to recall this was a volunteer project and wasn't paid for by the school.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Another U.S.A. Parent on Friday, May 30, 2008 - 12:33 pm: Edit Post

No doubt the schools in Treasure Beach are woefully underfunded, especially the Basic School. I might suggest some sort of compromise after hearing from the principal. It would be wonderful if parents and the community assisted in any way they can. Working to fix up the school takes time but it does not take money; that time is worth money to the school, and every parent who sends a child to that school should care enough about the school to help in whatever way possible. Rebecca's idea of fundraising such as bingo games is also quite excellent. Maybe AFTER those kind of help-yourselves things are done, then others might feel better about making monetary contributions.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sick and Tired2 on Friday, May 30, 2008 - 04:45 pm: Edit Post

The school the painting was done recently was the Primary School $$$$$. Parents need to be more helpful and not just leave the school without options but to pay for jobs like painting. I believe if you have children at the school you must put in some volunteer work - this will also help your kids to appreciate what you have done also the teachers. Kids should not just be sent to school day in day out and be left only to the mercy of teachers. Parents must do their part. When outsiders and other community members see this they will be drawn to help - come on Parents we are too selfish. May God help us!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Another U.S.A Parent on Saturday, May 31, 2008 - 06:38 am: Edit Post

I would appreciate it if someone could answer these questions for me.

Parents pay school fees. Do these go to the individual school, or do they go to the government? If they go to the school, who decides how the the fees are used? (I am aware the fees at the basic school level are not that high, even though paying them is a burden to many families.)

Where does the pay for the principal and the teachers and the teaching assistants come from?

If the school needs furnishings such as desks and chairs, does money for that come from the government? What about repairs such as roofs and bathrooms? What about interior and exterior painting?

The answers to these questions would assist me and others to understand the situation more completely, as I know it is different in Jamaica than here in Connecticut.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By wanting to help on Saturday, May 31, 2008 - 01:58 pm: Edit Post

I'm here to ask the same questions as "Another U.S.A.Parent".

Is it the the responsibility of the people living in the community to paint the Primary School or is it the Government?

Is the Basic School a part of the Government School System or is it just a Private School run by caring community parents?

Please help me here so I can know where to send my most needed donation.It seems to me because there is always help coming from caring people there and abroad the Government has turned their backs on those schools.

One more thing as mentioned by others, I do think if parents of either schools could just roll up their sleeves and do some land scaping/painting the schools and grounds would look so much nicer.
Nothing like a few trees/flowers/scrubs to beautify one's property.
It takes a Community to build a Community.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Karen Kennedy on Monday, June 02, 2008 - 03:25 pm: Edit Post

A very respected member of the Treasure Beach community is going to meet with Miss Paula Deleon, Principal of Sandy Bank Basic School, tomorrow. I have already spoken to Miss Paula, a lady whom I definitely admire and trust, but it would be prudent to get input from someone else before anyone outside Treasure Beach decides to make a donation for the Basic School's needs. And, yes, they realize that the local community, most especially the parents, is obliged to pitch in themselves. This is being done to an extent but perhaps not to the extent that it could.

I hope to have some news on this situation in several days.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom and Jeanie on Wednesday, June 04, 2008 - 09:14 pm: Edit Post

We visit TB at least twice a year for as long as we can afford to be there. Please advice us of your needs, as we would like to support education in our Jamaican home, as well as our US home Much love and missing you all Jeanie and Tom


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Karen Kennedy on Friday, June 13, 2008 - 06:51 am: Edit Post

We have J$102,000 for use at Sandy Bank Basic School. This will not cover all their needs; however, it will make an excellent start. Sheila Hamilton will be working closely with Paula Deleon to prioritize needs and get things handled as quickly as possible.

After that, it will be necessary for the parents to get together to see what they can do. As of now, attendance at PTA meetings is alarmingly low.

We have told Miss Sheila and Miss Paula we will continue to assist Sandy Bank Basic, so long as the parents first demonstrate they care enough to help.

If you are a parent of a Sandy Bank Basic School child or you speak to one, please ask them to get involved in their PTA -- and in any other possible activities which will benefit their child's school.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Miss Sheila on Thursday, July 17, 2008 - 06:22 pm: Edit Post

Some new benches and desks were built and installed at the Basic School - thanks to Mrs. Kennedy and the Treasure Beach Foundation. Also some bookstands and closets are being refurbished as well.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Melinda on Friday, July 18, 2008 - 11:10 am: Edit Post

This is wonderful to hear. Now I hope the PARENTS do their part. Children are a precious gift from God and they need to be the first priority for the parents.