Parents of M3 students enrolled at TN Tatem Middle School are urged to attend a meeting at 5:45pm on Monday, April 15, when students head off to different locations now that the Warwick school will be closed for the rest of the year.“M3 students will also be transferred to other middle schools. The School Principal will meet with M3 parents at 5:45pm on Monday, April 22nd, 2019 to share specific details about this.”
School Principal Garita Coddington will meet with staff on Monday to more details and meet with the parents of M3 students at Bermuda College at 5:45pm.
Moving forward, the Minister said: “It was assumed, and rightly so, that the recommendations in the 2016 report, which resulted in the school being closed, had been followed and the source of the causes of mold had been addressed.
“Sadly, this was not the case. However, based on the information now known, a plan was set in motion earlier this year to address the concerns from the 2016 report and subsequent follow-up report from February 2019.”
As announced on March 25, he reiterated that both the Ministries of Education and Public Works “are developing a strategy to address the water leaks and other structural issues that had not been addressed since 2016.
“We will review reports, and determine the scope and extent of the work that must be carried out to bring the facility up to standard.
“The bulk of these works have been scheduled to be addressed during the annual summer works for public schools.
“Once we are clear about what is required, we will make a determination about whether that work can be successfully completed over the next four months, from May to August, and make a decision about the return then.
“Parents and staff will be given advanced notice of the decision.”
The Minister concluded: “The actions we are taking are to ensure the health, well-being and safety of students and staff.
“Our children’s and our educator’s health and well-being must always come first and today’s announcement is with their health in mind. It is unfortunate that we find ourselves here today addressing the issue that have been long identified, but not addressed adequately in the past.”
Education Commissioner Kalmar Richards urged parents to attend the meeting at Bermuda College on Monday evening for “specific details of next steps”.
“I urge all M1 and M2 parents to attend this meeting as specific information will be shared in reference to having M1 and M2 students transfer to other middle schools for the remainder of the school year.
“All staff will be given some time to plan and prepare for this transition, which we hope will be a smooth one,” she added.
“We hope that the transition to other schools will be a smooth one for students and staff.
“We wish everyone all the best and thank the Purvis, Paget and Heron Bay Principals, and staff for their support of TN Tatem staff and students.
“We thank the Bermuda Fire Services for their assistance with providing an alternative learning site.”
- Photos Courtesy of DCI: Cabinet Health & Safety Officer, Titus Gordon, Minister Rabain & Kalmar Richards, Commissioner of Education
“We wish everyone all the best and thank the Purvis, Paget and Heron Bay Principals, and staff for their support of TN Tatem staff and students. We thank the Bermuda Fire Services for their assistance with providing an alternative learning site.”
Group Photo (l-t-r): Cabinet Health and Safety Officer, Titus Gordon; Minister of Education, The Hon. Diallo Rabain; Commissioner of Education, Kalmar Richards
