Rivera Students Celebrated On their Return to School

ST. CROIX, USVI - Students at the Eulalie Rivera Elementary School in Estate Grove Place were warmly greeted on the return to their campus on October 1 with applause, cheers and well wishes from school administrators, teachers, parents and community members.The joyful atmosphere was described as a “clap in” as school administrators, teachers and parents lined the school’s outdoor pavilion cheering the students on as they walked through to their classrooms.

Acting Principal Loretta Moorehead expressed her satisfaction with the successful opening of the school for the 2018-19 school year. “I think it went well because the parents were pleased that they can walk with their children versus dropping them at the bus stop and [leaving],” she said. Mrs. Moorehead was referring to the double-session schedule of last school year, where Eulalie Rivera students were bused to the St. Croix Educational Complex High School campus for a half-day of instruction beginning at 12 p.m.

“What happened last year is that we didn’t see a lot of parents because some of them don’t have cars, so they weren’t able to come to the Complex,” she explained. “So a lot of them were here this morning being able to see their kids go off for the first day, so I think that was really good.” Mrs. Moorhead described the 10 new, air-conditioned modular classrooms on her campus as “awesome” and praised the overall face lift the campus received.

“The cleaning that was done for the school was good,” she said, adding, “there were a few issues we needed to address, but for the most part, the cleaning companies did a really good job and the campus is ready to go.” Deputy Superintendent Vaughn Hewitt was on hand for opening day and expressed his excitement at seeing the students’ return to the campus. “Today marks the opening of Eulalie Rivera Elementary School, parents and students are here, and that’s what we want to see,” he said. “It took time, but we wanted to make sure we got it right.”

As students settled into their classrooms, Mrs. Glenda Benjamin’s third grade class, housed in one of the new modular units, was engrossed in a mathematical exercise that helped them become acquainted with their teacher in a fun way. Students in Ms. Deborah Caines’ second grade class, also occupying one of the new modular classrooms, enjoyed a writing and coloring exercise that allowed them to explore what they want to be when they grow up. Students in Ms. Celestine Moore’s fifth grade and Mrs. J. French-Thomas’ sixth grade classes, both occupying freshly sanitized classrooms, sat quietly working on assignments or receiving instructions from their teachers.

Aishah Mutidi, a caregiver for a sixth grader attending the school, said she was very pleased to see students return to the campus. “I have goosebumps right now,” she said. “I am glad because I’m very serious about children, the learning process and education. The learning process for children is very important. Without an education, they would stray.”

Mutidi further shared her thoughts on the look of the campus and the modular classrooms. “I’m glad the school is back together and everything is in place and students are back in their classes,” she said. “The school looks good, the classes are spacious, and the students are eager to get into the classes and start to learn.”