Focus on TeacherAppreciation Week
The Education Department is busy planninga week of schools and community-based activities to focus publicattention on the local education system.
From Friday, November 16 to Saturday November24 Education Week / Teacher Appreciation Week will bring togethermembers of the schools' community on Grand Cayman and Cayman Bracto share their achievements and developments over the past year.Reading Week activities will also run concurrently November 19-24.
Eight days of events get underway on Friday,November 16, when Education Minister Hon. Roy Bodden deliversa policy address to the National Education Conference. Some 300educators from both islands will attend the event at the MaryMiller Memorial Hall.
Following the opening ceremony, teacherswill participate in various workshops including sessions on learningdisorders and mathematics education, led by overseas presentersDr Marjorie Montague and Russell Bell.
These speakers will also lead public workshopson November 15-16.
On Sunday November 18, the Agape FamilyWorship Centre will welcome educators to its morning service.The Education Department has asked all other churches in the Islandsto remember the education system during their own services.
His Excellency the Governor Mr Peter J.Smith and Mrs Smith will officially open the new Lighthouse Schoolon Red Bay Road on Wednesday, November 21. That evening governmentstudents will compete in the Royal Bank Primary School SpellingBee 2001 Finals at the Mary Miller hall, adjacent to the LighthouseSchool and Red Bay Primary campuses.
The following day the Governor will hosta reception for teachers at Government House. His Excellency willrecognise the three educators from Grand Cayman schools: MissGloria McKenzie, Miss Jean Ebanks and Mrs Alma Howell who retiredfrom the teaching service this year. The remaining retiree EducationOfficer for the Sister Islands, Georgette Lazzari, is scheduledto receive her plaque of recognition on November 16, when sheattends the National Education Conference with the Cayman Bracdelegation.
Education Week/Teacher Appreciation Weekwinds down with the culmination of Reading Week activities. Allschools in the Islands have planned literacy awareness raisingactivities for Reading Day, Friday November 23
On Saturday thousands of teachers, students,their families and friends will converge on the Mary Miller hallfor the annual Book Fair, which focuses on making reading funfor children.
Chief Education Officer Nyda Flatley saysshe has high expectations of this year's programme.
"Our staff contribute so much to usand to the country throughout the year. Education Week/TeacherAppreciation Week is an opportunity for the department and thecommunity to show how much we appreciate their services. It isalso a valuable networking opportunity for teachers, other educators,parents and other members of the community to stay abreast ofthe developments that affect our children," Mrs Flatley remarks.
In addition to scheduled events the departmentwill join other organisations in recognising teachers' contributionsthroughout the week.