Virgin Islands Department of Education Announces Exciting New Mini-Pitch Soccer Project at Lockhart K-8 School: Join Us in Creating a Lasting Legacy for Youth
The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE), in partnership with Kick It Forward (KIF) and Musco Lighting, is excited to announce an initiative to bring a Mini-Pitch field to the Lockhart K-8 School. This innovative project promises to transform the school’s grounds, providing students and the community with a safe, inviting, and accessible space to enjoy the game of soccer while fostering physical activity, teamwork, and community spirit.
St. Thomas has a proud soccer culture rooted in its diverse community, making the addition of a Mini-Pitch a perfect match. This compact, futsal-style soccer field will give children a dedicated space to play, connect, and grow. Designed and engineered by Musco Lighting, the Mini-Pitch System is known for transforming unused or underutilized spaces into vibrant hubs for activity and connection. Complete with lights, goals, and benches, the pitch will offer students, families, and community members a safe, well-lit space to play throughout the day, year-round.
To bring this vision to life, we invite our community, local businesses, and supporters of youth development to get involved! Your contributions can help make this Mini-Pitch a reality, providing a space where youth can experience the joy of soccer while building confidence, resilience, and camaraderie. Together, let’s inspire our youth, encourage active lifestyles, and build a sense of community through soccer.
There are various sponsorship levels available, allowing both individuals and businesses to contribute in meaningful ways. Visit https://www.kifsoccer.org/usvi/#sponsorship-desktop to learn more about how you can support this initiative and make a lasting impact in the lives of our students.
Kick It Forward strives to making soccer accessible to all. They are driven by their mission to enrich communities through soccer and nurture young people’s athletic and life skills. Musco Lighting, a leader in the design of sports lighting systems, has installed over 350 Mini-Pitches worldwide, each creating a positive impact on communities.
“At the VIDE, we are dedicated to fostering environments that inspire our youth to embrace physical activity and community-building. This Mini-Pitch at Lockhart K-8 School will be a wonderful asset, providing students with a supportive space to build both athletic and life skills. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Kick It Forward, Musco Lighting, and Mrs. Carol Howell, a passionate youth soccer advocate and Founder of New Vibes Soccer Club. Their outstanding efforts have been essential to bringing this initiative to life,” said Dr. Stefan Jürgen, St. Thomas-St. John Insular Superintendent.
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Download press release here: pdf Press Release 1102 24 Mini Pitch Youth Soccer Initiative (136 KB)
Virgin Islands Department of Education Seeks Public Comment on Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect Draft Policy
The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE), through its Internal Audit Division, invites public feedback on the newly drafted Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect Policy. Community members are encouraged to review the proposed policy and submit their comments by the end of day on Friday, November 22, 2024.
The draft policy is designed to establish a uniform process for reporting any suspicions of abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect by mandatory reporters within VIDE. This includes prompt reporting to the appropriate authorities, maintaining accurate records, and collaborating with other Government of the Virgin Islands (GVI) agencies. The policy aims to standardize VIDE’s approach to safeguarding and supporting the well-being of children across the Territory.
This policy is applicable to all VIDE-affiliated personnel, including teachers, administrators, support staff, contractors, volunteers, and affiliates, irrespective of their specific roles or titles.
Public Access and Submission of Feedback
The draft policy can be accessed on the VIDE website at https://www.vide.vi or directly via the following link: pdf DRAFT VIDE Mandatory Reporting Policy and Procedures for Public Comments (905 KB)
Community members can submit their feedback directly to the Internal Audit Division via email at: internalaudit@vide.vi.
The Virgin Islands Department of Education is deeply committed to the safety and well-being of all students. Protecting children goes beyond instruction. Educators and staff have a profound responsibility to create a secure environment where students’ mental and physical health are prioritized. This commitment extends to swiftly reporting any suspected signs of abuse, neglect, or abandonment, as a matter not only of policy but of ethical duty.
The VIDE staff are empowered to act as both educators and protectors, complying with federal and local law in identifying and reporting potential cases of child abuse or neglect. Through these measures, VIDE ensures that every child feels seen, safe, and supported, fostering a nurturing environment for students.
For further information, please contact the Internal Audit Division at 340-773-1095 or 340-774-0100 or via email at internalaudit@vide.vi.
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Download press release here: pdf Press Release 1101 24 VIDE Seeks Public Comment on Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect Draft Policy (145 KB)
