Roseau based Saint Mary’s Primary school is prioritizing environmental cleanliness and an enhanced learning environment.
In recent weeks, the school’s 4H Club, parents and teachers undertook the beautification and enhancement of the entire school plant.
They also undertook awareness building activities including the installation of relevant posters in classrooms.
Bert Paul, organizer and Chairperson of the National Youth Council of Dominica’s (NYCD) General Assembly explained that the idea behind the efforts is aimed at keeping the school “clean and green” as well as “making it conducive for learning”.
He said, “The 4H Club planted trees in the yard. The Fire Department and parents were involved in power washing the yard. The purpose for these exercises is to make our environment clean and green as well as to make our classrooms conducive for learning.”
“The more you point to environmental cleanliness, the more the students appreciate the idea. We are seeing a big difference in terms of littering; it is not a [troubling] issue, the school’s Visual and Performing Arts teacher said.
On December 17, 2013 a paint job was done on the school by the parents and teachers.
Paul added that the school continues to raise awareness on cleanliness in the environment during both Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) and Science classes.
The Grade 6 students also have a calypso song with the message: Keep your schoolyard tidy’. It is hoped the song can be featured as a Public Service Announcement (PSA)
Going forward, awareness building will continue when the school observes its Green Day on January month-end, with students expected to wear green shirts.
we would welcome the contribution of the white boards to add to the classes without
Excellent job by 4H Club, parents and teachers.
I attended an elementary school and then high school in D/ca. The grounds were always clean. Of course, those were disciplinarian days/schools with likewise teachers as in those days. The school children as we were then called, were impeccably dressed – clean with their hair well-combed. The school yards were cleaned. We did not litter the grounds; never considered doing that.
We students did not have to be told or reminded to keep our school environment clean. Students of those days were obedient and respectful to also the teachers.
Am I to say that today, students (some of them) litter the school yard and do not care about its appearance? I hope with the help of the concerned 4H Club, parents and teachers, they will never forget to keep the school environment as clean as possible.
The saying, “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” It also applies to our mode of attire, personal appearance, deportment and also our homes. It commences from childhood.
By the way this reminds me, at the Convent High School we had weekly and monthly “Marks” for studies, conduct and diligence. These “Marks” as they were called, were conducted in the presence of the class of students.
What a proud time!
Parents cooperated with teachers in those days.
Complimentary remarks were extended. Those were the days my friend. Fond memories which I will never forget.
A student who excelled that week would receive a weekly medal with a red ribbon. The Nun who was the teacher would pin it on the left top side of the blouse.
We also had two monthly medals with blue and green ribbons. The blue was for conduct; the green for diligence. These were worn for four weeks.
At the end of the month, the student who received at least one returned it to be given to another fortunate student who qualified for one. Fortunate for those who received all medals.
I recall I once received the red weekly medal as we called it. Then, the following week which was the end/beginning of the month I received both conduct and diligence medals.
I had three medals on my blouse which I proudly wore to school. When the blouse was laundered, we did not forget to pin our medals on another blouse. I believe if we did not wear it/forget to wear it, we could have lost Marks for the week just as if we did not wear our uniform. We were obligated to bring a written note with an acceptable excuse from our parents if we did not wear our uniform, be it our shoes and socks. Being late for school and talking in the classroom were also loss of Marks.
For a few weeks, the medals became part of our dressing.
Receiving those medals, even one, made my parents happy and proud as also other parents of the students who received even one. This included when we received the end of term honour roll certificate.
Now, if we did not excel and lost too many marks for the week/month, we would have to stay in for detention after school. Therefore, consider that we would do our utmost to avoid this. If we did we would receive a severe scolding from our parents. This meant, as punishment, no matinee or teenage dances, etc. for a while.
I was the happiest, proudly wearing those medals which everyone in Roseau who saw me observed.
I would recommend this for all schools. It will keep the students motivated and also assist in disciplining them and keeping them disciplined. Schools must get back to the disciplinarian measures as it were in those days for the benefit of the students and later on in adulthood.
I feel proud wherever I go, be it to a store when I am told, “You are a disciplined person.” There are times I simply state, “Thank God for my parents” and the schools I attended as taught by the teachers.
This does not mean if need be, I will not stand up for what is right. I receive excellent service or else…
Some will say time has changed and we reside in a different era. Discipline has not gone out of style and never will. If we do not change, it is an asset which assists us throughout our lives. Overall, this is a lesson for the students.
My bro is doing a good job. proud of you man
Time to switch away from chalkboards to whiteboards.
can you help them make the switch?
Great job SMP. Let’s all as parents, teachers, present and past students come on board to make our school environment one we will all be proud of.
On Tuesday 21st January 2014 some of the teachers and parents/ old school students will be undertaking a project to level the grassy area for the boys to play. We will be starting at 2:00 pm, bring along your rake, garden hoe, pick axe.