The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE) sincerely apologizes to the students and parents of Eulalie R. Rivera K-8 School for a one-time incident that occurred on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, which resulted in an insufficient amount of school lunches for a segment of 8th-grade students. This isolated event affected our students, and for that, the VIDE takes full responsibility.

We recognize the severity of this matter and understand the importance of ensuring that all students receive proper meals during the school day. The Department remains committed to the well-being of our students and to preventing such occurrences from happening again.

The kitchen at Eulalie Rivera School is currently undergoing total renovation, which has been delayed due to required processes. As a result, meals are prepared at St. Croix Educational Complex High School (SCECHS) and transported daily to Eulalie Rivera. While this method has been effective, the incident on September 17th revealed the need for a more efficient process. To address the issues that led to Tuesday's lunch shortage, the Department will implement the following measures as an immediate course of action:

Transition to Batched Meals: Meals will continue to be prepared and transported from SCECHS, but instead of prepackaged portions, batched meals will be provided. This adjustment will allow kitchen staff at Eulalie Rivera to better manage portions and ensure that all students receive lunch on time.

Increased Meal Quantity: To address the fluctuating number of students who choose to eat the school lunch, we will increase the overall quantity of meals delivered each day. This will ensure that every student has access to lunch, regardless of demand.

On Wednesday, Assistant Commissioner Victor Somme III, Assistant Director of the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance Bobby Ferris, District Director of the School Food Authority Leah Christian, and Principal Loretta Moorehead conducted a walkthrough of the school's kitchen and cafeteria to assess the situation and ensure that the necessary steps are taken without further delay.

It is important to note that this is the first time such an issue has arisen at Eulalie Rivera School. In the past, meals have always been adequately provided to students, and the Department is committed to maintaining this standard.

The VIDE assures the public that this will never happen again. We are deeply committed to the health, safety, and well-being of our students and will continue to work diligently to provide an uninterrupted meal service. The Department values the trust of parents and the community and will remain transparent in all future updates related to the kitchen repairs and meal distribution at Eulalie R. Rivera K-8 School.

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Download press release here:  pdf Press Release 0907 24 VIDE Provides Information Regarding School Lunch Matter at ERRS (76 KB)

On September 10, 2024, the Virgin Islands Department of Education’s Division of Special Education held a critical meeting to address concerns and clarify questions raised during the Senate Committee on Education and Workforce Development hearing on September 9, 2024. The inquiry focused on a matter involving a Special Education (SPED) student’s transportation.

The meeting convened key stakeholders, including former Senator Nelly O'Reilly, concerned parents, Special Education Bus Supervisor Ms. Peters, Special Education District Director Dr. Tanya Lockhart, and Deputy Superintendent Andrea Shillingford.

The meeting was prompted by a recent misunderstanding regarding a student's transportation. A parent initially believed their child was not picked up due to incorrect information that SPED buses lacked fuel. However, upon review, it was verified that SPED Bus Supervisor, Ms. Peters, made multiple attempts to contact the parent when the student was absent due to illness. Unfortunately, the parent missed these calls.

This incident underscored the critical need for clear and effective communication regarding the division’s transportation procedures. SPED students typically receive door-to-door transportation services unless otherwise agreed upon by the child's education team. When a student is absent, the SPED Bus Supervisor contacts the parents the following day to confirm attendance and coordinate transportation. In this case, the student was absent on Friday, and the parent missed the follow-up call on Monday.

During the meeting, Deputy Superintendent Shillingford emphasized the importance of transparent communication and thorough fact-checking to avoid misunderstandings. The productive dialogue allowed for the parent to express concerns and feel supported by the SPED Division. Additionally, former Senator O'Reilly shared her commitment to verifying information directly with the VIDE. The VIDE values the opportunity to maintain open communication with concerned stakeholders and community advocates.

Deputy Superintendent Shillingford expressed appreciation to the parent and former Senator Nelly O'Reilly for their continued advocacy. “We are grateful for the parent’s commitment to their child’s well-being and for former Senator O'Reilly's ongoing support of our community. Their advocacy ensures that we continuously strive to improve our services,” Stated Deputy Shillingford.

The Deputy Superintendent also commended Ms. Peters for her dedication to her role as SPED Bus Supervisor. “Ms. Peters’ commitment to ensuring our students' safe transportation is exemplary. Her efforts to maintain clear lines of communication with parents, even in challenging situations, are vital to our department's success,” Shillingford remarked.

To enhance transparency and prevent future misunderstandings, the VIDE’s SPED Division reiterated its standard procedures for special education transportation: when a student is absent, the SPED Bus Supervisor will contact parents the next day to verify attendance and arrange transportation. Parents are encouraged to check voicemails regularly and return any missed calls, as these may be from the SPED Bus Supervisor. Additionally, parents are urged to notify the school or the SPED Bus Supervisor in advance of any planned absences to facilitate efficient route planning.

This meeting underscores the division’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and ongoing support for families within the special education community. The Division of Special Education will continue its diligent efforts to address concerns and enhance services for all students. 

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Donwload press release here:  pdf Press Release 0905 24 VIDE Clarifies Senator's Inquiry Regarding Special Education Bus Transportation (138 KB)