DOE Maintenance: Addelita Cancryn Jr. High Celebrates Installation of Covered Walkway

Territorial Facilities Manager for the Virgin Islands Department of Education Joseph Sibilly and Charlesworth McCarty, director of maintenance and plant operations in the St. Thomas-St. John district, recently announced significant improvements and upgrades to the district’s schools as part of the Department of Education’s commitment to the year-round maintenance of its school buildings. Notably at Addelita Cancryn Jr. High School this summer, focus was given to constructing a covered walkway that leads from a central area of the main campus to the school’s cafeteria. At the early part of the summer, Dr. Lisa A. Hassell-Forde, Cancryn’s principal, requested the covered structure be built to connect the cafeteria to the school’s administration building, library and classrooms. Since Addelita Cancryn Jr. High School opened in the 1960s as the Wayne Aspinall Jr. High School, students braved adverse weather conditions to get to the cafeteria from their classes. However, when Cancryn students return to school on September 6, they will be greeted with the new structure that will facilitate their movement from the main hallways of the school to the cafeteria in an easier and safer fashion. Construction of the walkway began on August 9 and was completed before September 1. The structure was designed by Tricon Architects and construction was completed by Big Lee, Inc. Local funds in the amount of $45,855 were used to finance the project. Other significant improvements at Addelita Cancryn Jr. High School this summer included the installation of large-scale AC units in various classrooms and the cafeteria. Tree cutting and landscaping were also completed throughout the school’s campus.   Walkway before construction. Walkway under construction.  Completed walkway.

Commissioner Sharon Ann McCollum, Ph.D., STTJ Insular Superintendent Dionne Wells-Hedrington, along with Cancryn Principal Lisa Hassell-Forde and Assistant Principal Judy Edmeade, highlight the newly constructed covered walkway during a television news interview, Tuesday, September 6, 2016.