Dame Jennifer: Two More Schools Adopted

Education Minister Dame Jennifer Smith announced today [Feb 9] that two more schools have “adopted,” with both Overnight Construction and Greymane Contracting agreeing to sponsor schools – Paget Primary School and Gilbert Institute.

Minister Smith said: “Their example of community partnership, where they give both money and time is heartening, especially during these very difficult financial times.Because of all of our adopters, I am able to say that in just a few short months our diverse community partners have made it possible for the ‘Adopt-A-School Initiative’ to reach a milestone of one hundred thousand dollars in donations to Bermuda’s primary schools.”

The Adopt A School programme involves members of the community agreeing to “adopt” or “sponsor” a school and provide $10,000 per year to assist in infrastructure upkeep.

The initial sponsorship from participants amounted to $60,000 – Burt Construction agreed to sponsor Northlands school and Island Construction Company Limited agreed to adopt Heron Bay Primary School. Oxford Media adopted Francis Patton Primary and Harrington Sound Primary, and Bermuda Healthcare Services adopted Victor Scott Primary and Harrington Sound Primary.

Dame Jennifer’s full remarks are below:

Good afternoon,

It is my great pleasure to come before you again to announce the progress of our Adopt-A-School initiative.

The initiative garnered immediate success, due to the unqualified support of my colleague, Minister the Hon. Zane DeSilva, and the numerous other contributors who stepped forward to take on responsibility for ensuring the physical readiness of Bermuda’s public primary schools.

The initiative was designed to encourage construction firms to help our public school facilities, the idea being that these experts in the field could make valuable ‘brick-and-mortar’ contributions for our students’ benefit.

The Adopt-A-School initiative allows principals, teachers and students to get on with the very important business of teaching and learning, without being diverted by maintenance and repair needs.

I have to say that once the seed was planted, it grew to include any business, organisation, or individual, willing to make an “in kind” donation to our schools.

Each gift received makes an important difference in the lives of our students. But more importantly, the programme brings schools and communities closer together, and demonstrates what can be achieved through teamwork and partnership. These are much needed long-term investments in our schools, and in our students.

Today, I am here to announce that two more schools have been adopted by two more companies who have answered the call.

Overnight Construction and Greymane Contracting have committed to adopting and we are here today to present them with their Certificates of Adoption.

We have Overnight Construction’s, Mr. Sanz (Kitty) Pearman and Mrs. Roxanne J. Pearman who have adopted Paget Primary School. Deputy Principal, Ms. Rochelle Bean is also present.

Thank you for your dedication to Paget Primary School and to its students.

I am also very grateful to Mr. Alex DeCouto of Greymane Contracting and Mrs. Suzanne Booth-DeCouto, who was unable to be here today – who have adopted Gilbert Institute. The Principal, Ms. Coralita Dill is also present.

Thank you for your commitment to the students of Gilbert Institute.

These contributors are already well known to the community, and I think they deserve our thanks for expanding their good works to include education by adopting these two schools.

Their example of community partnership, where they give both money and time is heartening, especially during these very difficult financial times.

Because of all of our adopters, I am able to say that in just a few short months our diverse community partners have made it possible for the ‘Adopt-A-School Initiative’ to reach a milestone of one hundred thousand dollars in donations to Bermuda’s primary schools.

Yes – we still have other schools in need of adoption, so I am looking forward to adding more names to the list of our adopters.

Ladies and Gentlemen – thank you.

#CharityEvents #Construction #Education

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