ENFANT JESUS SCHOOL TO-DAY

During April and May 2010 and after several contacts, FEJ administration noticed some lack of dedication among the teaching staff; it also seemed that the educational structure was no longer appropriate for the management of the school.

The administration took the following decisions:
Hiring of a new Director (Mr Romane DESIR) and an Education Advisor who would also coordinate the sponsorship program (Madame Maryse VIEUX).

Interventions 1

Remodeling of the school staff.
1. One education supervisor.
2. One Deputy Head.
3. Appointment of the teachers per class, according to their capacities.
4. Inventory of all the school supply and equipment.
5. All possible suggestions to make teachers work easier.

Interventions 2

Several training sessions were organized for the teachers from July 27th to August 12th 2010, with Mr. Romane DESIR:
A. About self-esteem to be able to face the coming 2010-2011 school year.
B. To discuss all technical problems met during 2009-2010 academic year in order to find appropriate solutions.
C. How to face possible earthquakes.
D. How to manage the children in case of replicas (knowing that the school now counts all in all 519 children).

Interventions 3

1. Training about hygiene organized for school staff (the whole team) from July 12th to 16th, by Dr Reid.
2. Four teachers have performed “World Vision Tipa Tipa” training in August 2010.
3. Five teachers have already started their French Class at Haiti’s French Institute. (in different grades according to their level).
4. The teaching staff and the school nurse, Olgard OCCELIN, have followed a 3 days training session about water purification (Pure Water).
5. Ms Olgard is the person in charge of the daily water treatment for the school needs. She also gives hygiene lessons about cholera to increase teachers and children awareness.
6. Four days training, 2 hours/day about psychotherapy and trauma have been organized by Bethany Christian Services for all the teaching staff.
7. Mr. Romane DESIR has organized a supervision pattern to control the teachers work; this supervision will be performed 3 times a week.
8. All teachers are presently taking English lessons with Mr. Romane DESIR; this will go on for 6 months.
9. The Director and the teachers have followed 16 hours of training about self and child psychology with Mrs. Simone CASTERA. All year long, she will perform a follow-up by watching them in their classrooms and will provide assessment and further recommendations.
10. This year, Mrs. Lomène NERISIER, our daycare assistant, has gone back to school to complete high school.
11. Special Education Center (CES) has offered a new support program for the remedial class, as well as an additional training for the preschool teachers during second and third terms.
12. From January 2011, teaching staff and teenagers victims of the earthquake will have access to Distance Learning.
13. From January 6th to May 14th 2011, Mrs. Paula Clermont PEAN (Cultural Center Pyé Poudré) will set up a sociocultural workshop program for 100 children (4 groups of 25 participants).

CONCLUSION

After this 1st term assessment, we note that the children have improved in the academic as well as in the discipline areas, and the school atmosphere is serene.
For this 2010-2011 school year, educational and learning supplies (schoolbooks, notebooks, pencils …) have been given to the children to help improve their learning capacities.
The primary grades pupils visit the school library once a week during 2 hours. We are planning to organize a book renting system to encourage reading.
The administrative staff has organized clothes and shoes distribution to each child, twice.
The pupils fully enjoy the cafeteria where they share 2 meals per day in a family atmosphere.
Parents/teachers meetings are scheduled 4 times a year to establish and maintain a strong bond between school and families.