TN Tatem Students To Be Relocated This Week
The problems surrounding the condition of the TN Tatem Middle School building continue, with the PTSA saying they have grave concerns about the health of the learning environment, staff and students taking to the field today, and the Ministry now confirming that students will now be asked to report to Purvis Primary, Heron Bay and Paget Primary for the remainder of the week.
Commissioner of Education Kalmar Richards said, “TN Tatem Middle School parent and staff representatives have indicated, via a letter to Ministry and Department of Education leaders, that parents and staff still have concerns about the school building.
“Ministry and Department of Education leaders received a letter on the evening of Monday, 8 April, 2019 signed-off by the Parent Teacher Student Association [PTSA] President and the School’s Health and Safety Coordinator.
“The letter stated that staff and students have ‘grave concerns about the health of the learning environment’ and a request was made that testing be conducted in rooms and meeting spaces for air quality and levels of mold; and for repairs to be carried out. There was also a request for alternative learning venues to be provided. A response to the letter was requested by noon on Wednesday, 10 April, 2019.
“Shortly after 8:30 am today, Tuesday, 9 April, 2019, Department of Education officials were notified by parents that staff and students were on the recreation field at TN Tatem.
“Upon receiving this information, a Department of Education leader was assigned to attend the school to meet with and listen to the concerns of school representatives. All staff and the remaining students were asked to report to Purvis Primary School, a school within walking distance of TN Tatem, for the remainder of the school day.
“The Minister of Education, the Hon. Diallo Rabain also met with staff while they were at TN Tatem and he also attended Purvis Primary to listen to them further.
“Minister Rabain, Minister Simmons, the Permanent Secretary of Education, the Commissioner of Education, Director of Academics, and the Facilities Manager met with TN Tatem Acting Principal, Ms. Shernelle Turini; the Health and Safety Coordinator, Dejah Denbrook; PTSA President Albert Wilson and the Cabinet Safety and Health Coordinator to listen to concerns and to determine next steps.
“On Wednesday and Thursday of this week, M3 students will report to Purvis Primary school; M2 students will report to Heron Bay Primary School; and M1 students will to report to Paget Primary to continue with their educational programme.
“Public schools are closed on Friday, 12 April , 2019 for the Annual Exhibition.
“Students should attend their respective sites with a packed recess and lunch. Parents must give their children clear instructions for the after school dismissal plan, specifically students who will be at Paget Primary as the Bus route is different.
“All afterschool programmes, which normally take place at TN Tatem, have been cancelled for the remainder of the week.
“Tomorrow, the Cabinet Safety and Health Officer will carry out inspections at TN Tatem in the morning, and conduct a training session with staff after school.
“When it comes to health and safety, The Ministry and Department of Education are taking the concerns raised by teachers and parents very seriously. Any time the health of our students, teachers and staff is potentially at risk, and the learning of our children is disrupted, we have an obligation to listen, assess and take the appropriate action.
“We also thank the leaders and staff of Purvis Primary, Heron Bay and Paget Primary for opening their doors to the staff and students from TN Tatem.”
This aint Oba problem no more. What ya gonna do pee el pee!?!???
Peoples Campaign, Concerned Bermudians, BUT, BIU, what time is the March!!!!! Oh wait, I forgot our kids are only important, and the government is only at fault when the OBA is leading.
Each week all those PLP sheep, must really be feeling like fools knowing that they were misled by the PLP and all of their “independent” spin off groups. I couldn’t believe that people were actually falling for the hype. Now they could see clearly.
The sad thing is that the PLP and OBA both have candidates that are in it for the people, but they also both have many that are in it for the power. If the best of each could just work together, instead of fighting and belittling each other, we might get stuff done.
You are correct, the hypocrites if it was under any other govt will be marching striking etc. But under this govt it seems ok.
Just like the horrible bus service
Trash all over the place.
The declining retail sales.
The over inflated paid ministers, especially the ones without portfolio.
Being black listed.
Know talk of the ballooning debt.
Getting tired of typing, well done to the voters.
How many times do the children have to be inconvenienced, get to the root of the problem and fix it immediately.The children are our future
Where is mouthbox Tweed and his cronies when our children are moved from pillar to post
Status yet?
Any one wondered why all these schools are closed in? Who doesn’t know when the class is closed in, (when its all closed in windows) a/c will be needed.
A/c creates moisture.. Moisture creates dampness… Dampness creates mold…
Who doesn’t know that fresh air eliminates this money and lack of education problem. Open up Windows then things will work out.. This never happen before 97..
What a bunch of idiots we have running our education system (Minister) and the those responsible for facilities. I’ve been in this business for nearly 20 years and have never heard such a crock of BS being spewed and blamed dumped on the previous government. You’ve had testing and more testing done to prove what we already know. YES ITS MOLD and its not going to change until you identify how WATER (rain) is infiltrating walls, ceilings and the like. Also, without a good exchange of fresh air (at least 15%) to a closed up area is going to produce mold. What is so difficult about this? Stop relying on Works and Engineering who by the way of example have taken nearly 1 YEAR to build 100 feet of wall along the south shore road heading east to John Smiths Beach with no end in sight. Hire a competent contracting firm that can identify cracks in the roof, window jams and sills where caulking has failed cracks in walls, condensate drains from air conditioning units that run in wall that may have not been properly insulated when the were installed and now sweat within the wall cavities. Ran water leaders that are poorly sealed at the roof which just get painted over. This school is for the most part constructed from BDA Stone which acts like a sponge and retains moisture. Until you BOZO’s hire competent, knowledgeable people to oversee your facilities Island wide this problem will NEVER GO AWAY. Now run along, I’ve told you for fee where to start looking for FREE. Get it sorted and stop the blame game. Your the Blame, your in power get it sorted ROBAIN.
What a bunch of idiots we have running our education system (Minister) and those responsible for facilities. I’ve been in this business for nearly 20 years and have never heard such a crock of BS being spewed and blamed dumped on the previous government. You’ve had testing and more testing done to prove what we already know. YES ITS MOLD and its not going to change until you identify how WATER (rain) is infiltrating walls, ceilings and the like. Also, without a good exchange of fresh air (at least 15%) to a closed up area is going to produce mold. What is so difficult about this? Stop relying on Works and Engineering who by the way of example have taken nearly 1 YEAR to build 100 feet of wall along the south shore road heading east to John Smiths Beach with no end in sight. Hire a competent contracting firm that can identify cracks in the roof, window jams and sills where caulking has failed cracks in walls, condensate drains from air conditioning units that run in wall that may have not been properly insulated when they were installed and now sweat within the wall cavities. Rain water leaders that are poorly sealed at the roof which just get painted over. This school is for the most part constructed from BDA Stone which acts like a sponge and retains moisture. Until you BOZO’s hire competent, knowledgeable people to oversee your facilities Island wide this problem will NEVER GO AWAY. Now run along, I’ve told you for free where to start looking for FREE. Get it sorted and stop the blame game. Your the Blame, your in power get it sorted ROBAIN.
Good Comment! Many of our buildings have some level of mold growth, however the school is located in a valley that gets very damp quite often during the year. That also adds to the horrific mold problem. Just think, how many of our schools are located in valleys such as this? Very few. Most are on hills and some sort of ridge or elevation. But the building’s infrastructure Needs to be addressed. Mold does cause serious health problems and attention deficiencies. When I attend events at Cedar Bridge, I have to take allergy pills to get me through, otherwise I suffer. Are our tax dollars properly at work?….Health Ministry, here is a big one for you. It seems that many more people are affected by mold now than ever before. Let’s start educating, so as to adopt procedures that would tend to cut down on serious Mold production. Save the next generation.
Throw the whole school away
The person who can read and does not has noadvantage over the illiterate.