Discussions Over Relocating T.N Tatem Students

December 5, 2016

The Department of Education said they met with PTSA executives from T.N. Tatem and Clearwater; the Bermuda Union of Teachers, and T.N. Tatem teachers, to discuss temporarily relocating to Clearwater Middle School, and the Department has confirmed that T.N. Tatem students will not be required to report to school tomorrow [Dec 6].

The issues surrounding the condition of the TN Tatem Middle School building have been ongoing; last Monday the school was closed, on Friday the school was closed again students and staff showed up at school but did not enter the building, and the school was closed again today.

TN Tatem Middle School Bermuda dec 2016 (3)

A statement from the Department said, “The Department of Education administration met today with PTSA executives of the T.N. Tatem and Clearwater; the Bermuda Union of Teachers [BUT]; teachers and staff T.N. Tatem to discuss and share a temporary relocation plan to move students and staff of T.N. Tatem to Clearwater Middle School on Thursday, December 8, 2016.

“The relocation plan has been modified to accommodate concerns and suggestions raised by the groups during today’s meetings. The Department administration are assisting both schools in working out expected logistical and student transportation for the T.N. Tatem temporary relocation.

“T.N. Tatem teachers will report to school tomorrow [December 6] and work on logistics with the school administration. Students will not be required to report to school tomorrow [December 6].

“It is the Ministry’s primary focus to minimize the disruption of our children’s education and provide an environment where learning and instruction is conducive for students and teachers. “

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Comments (37)

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  1. Onion Juice says:

    And sour milk accused de teachers of making trouble.

  2. BLIND SHEEP says:

    So students and parents now have to fight traffic to go one end of the island than fight traffic again. I am sure a partial relocation of classrooms is all that is needed here. As the complaints were just a section of the Building. What problem solving skills this teaches our young ones bring besides more issues to parents and students that live in the Warwick area. But hey another union got their way over the big bad government. Screw everyone else that is not them.

    • What?? says:

      It was the parents, as much as the teachers, that wanted the school completely closed until it’s free of mold. In this case the union had very little to do with it.

    • serengeti says:

      Oh of course.
      Last week we were told people were coming down with diseases and had growths on their faces due to mold, and it was a ‘sick building’.
      This week you’re complaining because the alternative involves a bus ride.

  3. smith says:

    Good evening on behalf tatem children we will not be attending clear water middle on what ever day your talking bout because some people dont know the location have a blessed evening

  4. Reki says:

    On behalf of the Tatem students I would like for you to consider your offer about relocating use to Clearwater middle school because some people don’t know how to get there and it’s a far way but good evening

    • college student says:

      so you all have no problem going to the airport, clearwater, bay club etc, but now “Long distance” travelling instantly becomes a problem for education. Priorities!!!! Directions can be provided or you can spend time researching them.

      Maybe clearwater is the only school that can accomodate all of them, so they can rotate amongst teachers as usual.

      • Facts says:

        I agree. Geesh, Reki/Rekiasha there’s no pleasing you is there? You don’t want mould, you don’t want to drive…would you like us to arrange to have school in your living room perhaps?

  5. mmm says:

    Prayerfully the top officials of both the Ministry of Health and Education will meet with the students and take great pains to explain the situation, as well as apologise, keep it real, and visit periodically to ensure that all areas of concern at the new temporary location are addressed. Teachers are battling for better working conditions, and parents want to know their children are not troubled or disciplined un-necessarily during this experience. For some students it may mean close to an hour of travel time each way. Hopefully the students stay at Clearwater is short, a few weeks, and they can return to T N T Tatem in January.

  6. Me says:

    Wow Clear Water Middle School! That is extreme, couldn’t they find anywhere closer.

  7. Hair says:

    Bermuda and the buildings are full of mold, but we are all still living to complain about it!! Go figure…

  8. Onion says:

    Which Civil Servant was responsible for school maintenance and when will they be fired?

    • Kathy says:

      Yes, it should have never come down to this. As soon as any form of mold appears, it must be cleaned and the cause of the mold must be found (leaky roof / cracks in walls, etc). Someone should lose their job!

  9. what? says:

    If students must attend Cleawater, I would assume that their will be special buses transporting students to and from. Education and time are precious.

    • Sickofantz says:

      I heard the Ministry say that Yes this will happen.

    • Nae says:

      I agree.
      Tonight, this will be questioned. Students do not need to know the area; however, buses will hopefully be provided to and from a neutral, western location!

      Lord HELP THIS ISLAND!

  10. Thi says:

    The civil service is an embarrassment

  11. Patricia says:

    Good Afternoon, there has been a massive negative vibe from the students of tntatem middle school and the student do not believe that Clearwater middle school would be a suitable place for us to be places. Considering that we are a western school and u are trying to locate us in the eastern part of the island is just ridiculous. The student will not and I repeat will not be attending Clearwater middle school for a week. Thank you for your time and end of discussion.!!

    • Sickofantz says:

      Well i guess education isn’t a priority for everyone. What a shame!

    • Just the Tip says:

      Why? what does does a western school and an eastern school have to do with anything? it’s to allow for learning to continue, other than it’s inconvenient what legit problem is there with this?

      It feels like this weird mentality that has developed because of the gangs were people do go to this or that part of the island, we are a speck on map and you want to try and limit it even more??

    • Patricia sister says:

      I agree with Patricia

  12. Jus' Askin' says:

    :-(

  13. Consider Other Options says:

    I’m not sure of the extent of the mold but if it is truly confined to 1 area/building, can they not supply portable classrooms like the did at the old Berkeley site? Back when they implemented the new middle school system and merged high schools, there was a bit of overcrowding at Berkeley and so portable classrooms were placed on the lower field to accomodate accordingly. I know Berkeley has their own Board of Governors but can this/ was this option looked in to? I think it’s a bit inconsiderate to have the students and teachers to have to travel so far when 80% (or more) of them probably reside in the west. So what happens if/ when the buses go on strike? How long do they suppose this relocation will be? Is there enough room to house both Clearwater and Tatem students and teachers without causing a commotion and confusion? If I was a teacher or a parent of Tatem/ Cleawater student these are just a few of the questions I would want answered?

    Just wondering if they considered multiple options before deciding the quickest and cheapest solution…

  14. mmm says:

    Funny, they can find room for over a hundred students and staff, at another public school — yet The Cabinet senators and related staff were moved into a privately owned business on Reid Street about two months ago so that they could conduct the Government,s business. There is concern about cost to the taxpayer, I wonder how much rent is being paid and why the Senators can,t eat humble pie for a few months.

  15. Hubris says:

    So the kids who live in St Davids and go to Warwick Academy are using superpowers to get to school on time?

    Long travel to get to school isn’t really an excuse not to go to school, and not knowing directions is even worse in 2016.

    According to my grandma she had to walk uphill both ways, the least these guys can do is catch the FREE bus.

    To be fair, tents on the field would be the best option as it is not too hot at the moment, but that would only be met with complaints by the coddled as well.

  16. Nae says:

    Clearwater students are where? Please.
    If they will be sharing then why not share with Sandy’s? Otherwise, please disregard.
    Answers would be appreciated.

  17. Proud Bermudian says:

    Parents please go to Warwick Workmens Hall this evening at 6p.m. to learn about what will be happening and be brought up to date.

  18. hmmm says:

    I think it will be a good experience for the children to go to a different school for a few days.

    Perhaps we could do it as part of the curriculum in all schools to help children be more adept to change. Broadens horizons.

  19. mmm says:

    Mass media means mass methods of communication, and in some instances mis-understood or exaggerated information is put out there. Do any western schools have space, Heron Bay, Paget, Port Royal, Elliott, Whitney, Berkely. Is there an attempt to place all students at one location? It is a nightmare for Ministry officials. At some point responsibility rest with someone, and if its lack of adequate care, then those people need to foot the bill. Was this mold lying dormant all summer ? Was it discovered by accident, following someone taking sick ? Are other schools being tested ? Again, do Ministry simply have schools painted, and floors scrubbed, or is there extensive maintenance ?

  20. mmm says:

    Actually, when it is not your own money you are spending, you are not as careful..and I have not always be diligent with my own, who has ? Taxes get raised 2%(percent) and it does not represent a chunk of money for one person,s weekly paycheque, how-ever if that is deducted from 30,000 paycheques each week, that is a large sum of money. Consider 4.75 percent payroll tax etc. etc etc. in other taxes. Say 5 dollars was deducted for XYZ tax each week, times that by 30,000, that is $150 thousand dollars each week. ( the 30,000 is 30,000 paycheques) If one tends to have nice perks along with plush carpeting, and a comfortable travel allowance, unlimited calls, and various other services besides a GP car his/her concern for the average person becomes distant…thus Dockyard has been transformed in the past few years and the Town of St. George,s appointed a dismal backseat.