Office of Public Relations and Communications

About Us

The Virgin Islands Department of Education’s Office of Public Relations and Communications exists to heighten the public’s awareness of the Department’s mission to ensure that all students are prepared for college or the career of their choice upon graduation from high school.

In support of the mission, the Public Relations Office provides publicity for events, activities and the many successes of the Department’s schools, students, teachers, employees and leadership through internal and external communication.

The Office of Public Relations and Communication, through an integrated marketing communications approach services the marketing, branding, public, and media relations, advertising and graphic design needs of the Department, districts, and schools.

The Public Relations Office reports directly to the Commissioner of Education.

 

Department of Education, Teachers’ Union Host Vaccination Drive to Increase Employee Vaccination Rates

September 16, 2021
Department of Education, Teachers’ Union Host Vaccination Drive to Increase Employee Vaccination Rates

ST. THOMAS, USVI – The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE), in partnership with American Federation of Teachers Local 1825 in the St. Thomas-St. John District and Local 1826 in the St. Croix District, will host a three-day territory-wide vaccination drive on Sept. 20, 22 and 24 aimed at increasing low vaccination rates among Department of Education employees.

As of Sept. 16, Virgin Islands Department of Health records show that only 42.1% of all VIDE employees are fully vaccinated (42.6% - STTJ; 41.6% - STX), while 7.7% are partially vaccinated (8.6% - STTJ; 6.9% - STX), and 50.2% are unvaccinated (48.9% STTJ; 51.5% STX).

“While I respect everyone’s right to choose, I encourage all to get the COVID-19 vaccine and continue to save lives,” said St. Croix Federation of Teachers President Rosa Soto-Thomas. “The numbers tell the story.”

Vaccinations will be conducted in Department of Health mobile van units at designated locations. On Mon, Sept. 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., St. Croix employees may visit the Charles Harwood Complex (facing Queen Mary Highway) and St. Thomas employees may visit the Charlotte Amalie High School (in front of the Ruth E. Thomas Auditorium) to receive the vaccine. On Wed., Sept. 22 from 1 to 4 p.m., St. John employees may visit the Port Authority Gravel Yard in Cruz Bay to receive the vaccine. On Fri., Sept. 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., St. Croix employees may visit the St. Croix Educational Complex High School (eastern parking lot) and St. Thomas employees may visit the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School (under the bus pavilion) to receive the vaccine.

“We are pleased to partner with our teachers’ unions and the Department of Health to bring vaccinations directly to our employees,” said Acting Education Commissioner Victor Somme III, who heads the Department of Education’s COVID-19 Taskforce. “At the Department, we are doing everything within our power to educate and safeguard our employees against COVID-19, and a key component of that is increasing our vaccination numbers. We encourage all unvaccinated employees to take advantage of this important opportunity.”

The COVID-19 vaccine is free of charge.

Employees participating in the drive will be granted one day of administrative leave and receive giveaways.

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Department of Education, Teachers’ Union Host Vaccination Drive to Increase Employee Vaccination Rates 

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St. Croix Warehouse To Resume Normal Operations Sept. 17

September 17, 2021
St. Croix Warehouse To Resume Normal Operations Sept. 17

ST. CROIX, USVI – The Virgin Islands Department of Education’s warehouse in the St. Croix District, located at Estate Anna’s Hope, will resume normal operations on Fri., Sept. 17. The facility was closed on Sept. 14 due to COVID-19 exposure.

The building is being thoroughly sanitized by a contracted vendor using CDC-approved products.

The Department of Education reminds employees that if they are sick, they must remain at home and seek guidance from the Virgin Islands Department of Health or a private healthcare provider. If anyone within a household has tested positive for COVID-19 or has COVID-19-related symptoms, children in that household should not attend in-person classes. All members of the household must remain in quarantine until negative COVID-19 test results are received or all members have been cleared by the Department of Health.

To knowingly expose others to COVID-19 is punishable by fines and imprisonment.

For more information about symptoms and what to do if exposed to COVID-19, visit www.cdc.gov.

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 St. Croix Warehouse To Resume Normal Operations Sept. 17 

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School COVID-19 Closures and Kitchen Inspection Update

September 16, 2021
Joseph Gomez Elementary K-3rd Grade Students, Teachers To Undergo COVID-19 Testing Sept. 16

ST. THOMAS, USVI – Kindergarten through third grade students and teachers at Joseph Gomez Elementary School attending in-person classes will undergo COVID-19 testing by the Virgin Islands Department of Health on Thurs., Sept. 16. The pop-up testing is the result of COVID-19 exposure on the campus on Sept. 14.

Faculty and staff have been informed to report to the school’s front entrance for testing from 10- 10:45 a.m. on Sept. 16; students should report immediately following. COVID-19 testing is free.

All classes are canceled for K-3rd grade students and teachers on Sept. 16; students in grades 4-6 will continue to learn virtually. Gomez Elementary School will conduct all classes virtually on Fri., Sept. 17.

The affected areas of the campus will be thoroughly sanitized by a contracted vendor using CDC-approved products before the campus reopens.

The Department of Education reminds employees that if they are sick, they must remain at home and seek guidance from the Virgin Islands Department of Health or a private healthcare provider. If anyone within a household has tested positive for COVID-19 or has COVID-19-related symptoms, children in that household should not attend in-person classes. All members of the household must remain in quarantine until negative COVID-19 test results are received or all members have been cleared by the Department of Health.

To knowingly expose others to COVID-19 is punishable by fines and imprisonment.

For more information about symptoms and what to do if exposed to COVID-19, visit www.cdc.gov.

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Ulla F. Muller Elementary Kitchen Closed Sept. 16, 17 Due to COVID-19 Exposure

ST. THOMAS, USVI – The Ulla F. Muller Elementary School kitchen will be closed Sept., 16 and 17 due to COVID-19 exposure. In-person classes are not affected and will continue to operate safely.

Students attending in-person classes will receive breakfast and lunch satellited from nearby schools.

As a result of the closure of the kitchen, various meal distribution sites will temporarily close, including Bordeaux, Michael Kirwin Terrace, Contant Knolls, Savan Basketball Court, and Uller Muller School (parking lot). Parents of students living in these neighborhoods who attend school virtually are asked to pick up meals at other distribution sites. Visit www.vide.vi for a complete list of sites.

The kitchen will be thoroughly sanitized by a contracted vendor using CDC-approved products before reopening.

The Department of Education reminds employees that if they are sick, they must remain at home and seek guidance from the Virgin Islands Department of Health or a private healthcare provider. If anyone within a household has tested positive for COVID-19 or has COVID-19-releated symptoms, children in that household should not attend in-person classes. All members of the household must remain in quarantine until negative COVID-19 test results are received or all members have been cleared by the Department of Health.

To knowingly expose others to COVID-19 is punishable by fines and imprisonment.

For more information about symptoms and what to do if exposed to COVID-19, visit www.cdc.gov.

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Joseph Gomez, Bowsky Elementary Kitchens Temporarily Closed Due to Electrical Failure of Refrigeration Equipment

ST. THOMAS, USVI – Kitchens at the Joseph Gomez Elementary School and the Yvonne Milliner-Bowsky Elementary School are temporarily closed due to the failure of refrigeration equipment at the two locations.

The closure of the Gomez Elementary kitchen is unrelated to the COVID-19 exposure reported at the school on Sept. 14.

Inspectors closed the Gomez and Bowsky kitchens on Sept. 13 when freezers and refrigeration units became inoperable that day. Perishable food items were discarded—the standard procedure when refrigeration is compromised. Inspectors also observed a slow leak in an industrial steam kettle in the Gomez kitchen, and water discoloration briefly appeared when some faucets were first opened—an issue affecting potable water customers in the Territory due to older WAPA piping infrastructure. The discoloration cleared as water continued to run.

Department of Education maintenance crews are assessing the cause of the equipment failure, which could stem from recent, frequent power outages. Repairs are being planned.

Students attending in-person classes at the two schools are not affected by the kitchen closures, as breakfast and lunch are being satellited to the campuses from nearby schools.

The kitchens will reopen when all repairs have been made.

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School COVID-19 Closures and Kitchen Inspection Update

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St. Thomas

1834 Kongens Gade, St. Thomas, VI 00802
Phone: 340-774-0100

Curriculum Center:
340-775-2250
Mon – Fri:  8AM – 5PM

          

St. Croix

2133 Hospital Street, Christiansted, St. Croix, VI 00820
Phone: 340-773-1095

Curriculum Center:
340-778-1600
Mon – Fri:  8AM – 5PM

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