ST. FRANCIS DE SALES SCHOOL DONOR REPORT
OCTOBER 2020
OVERVIEW On the 1 September 2019 Hurricane Dorian made landfall on Abaco island as a Category 5 Hurricane. Hurricane Dorian is one of the strongest Atlantic storms on record to hit land. Hurricane Dorian left in its wake destruction of homes and loss of lives. Catholic Board of Education (CBE) schools in Abaco, St. Francis de Sales (SFDS) and Every Child Counts (ECC), received significant damage because of Hurricane Dorian. Both schools were closed indefinitely.
St. Francis de Sales School Damage • • • •
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The high school and upper primary buildings were destroyed 50% of lower primary was destroyed All teachers were moved to New Providence, a total of thirty-five (35) persons, and housed at the St. Augustine’s Monastery. Teachers were placed in CBE schools throughout New Providence based on the needs of the school and the adjustment to enrollment. Some teachers made the decision to resign and return to their home countries. All SFDS students were displaced. Most of the students were enrolled in CBE schools in New Providence; some students temporarily continued their studies in the United States. Prior to Hurricane Dorian St. Francis de Sales School had a student population of three hundred and seventeen (317). Approximately two hundred (200) displaced students from Abaco and Grand Bahama, another island hit by Hurricane Dorian, were enrolled in Catholic schools in New Providence.
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EACH ONE REACH ONE Student Assistance Natural disasters and extreme weather are just one kind of threat to education examined in a report produced by Theirworld. The organization, a global children’s charity committed to ending the global education crisis states, “Protecting children and getting them back to school is vital for their survival after natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons and hurricanes.” The Each One Reach One (EORO) programme was established to benefit internally displaced students who were evacuated from the islands of The Bahamas impacted by Hurricane Dorian. The programme was administered through the Catholic Education Centre. The EORO programme assisted one hundred and seventy five (175) dispaced students to continue their education. Analysis of Students Assisted by EORO By School:
EORO RECIPIENT DISRIBUTION BY SCHOOL
7% 22% 42% Aquinas College Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Academy St. Cecilia's School 9%
St. Thomas More School Sts.Francis & Joseph School 9%
Xavier's Lower School
11%
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By Gender: EORO RECIPIENTS BY GENDER 95
90
85
80
75
70 Females
Males
By Grade Level:
Furniture & Equipment As a result of Hurricane Dorian the school was in dire need of furniture. All the furniture was mold infested and rusted; because the roof caved in all student and teacher desks were destroyed. The Ride for Hope Foundation donated all the furniture and equipment for St. Francis de Sales Primary School.
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ST. FRANCIS DE SALES SCHOOL INFORMATION About the Catholic Board of Education For one hundred and thirty-one years (131) Catholic schools in The Bahamas have provided an exceptional education to families of diverse backgrounds. Catholic education is a process of learning and formation. Student learning in Catholic Board of Education (CBE) schools is not solely focused on securing a place at a good college or getting a great job but learning to be responsible, civic minded citizens. The CBE is the second largest education system in The Bahamas and the largest private education system. The legacy of CBE schools is one of providing educational opportunities to thousands of persons throughout The Bahamas regardless of race, religion, or class. The Most Reverend Patrick C. Pinder, S.T.D., C.M.G, Archbishop of Nassau, often speaks to the fact that Catholic schools in The Bahamas seek to be excellent and not elitist. The need for education and the talent to be educated to become productive citizens is not exclusive to a select group. A quick analysis will show that CBE schools provide a high quality of education at tuition rates competitive with other local private schools and regional Catholic schools. CBE remains committed to maintaining affordable fees to ensure Catholic education is accessible to as many persons as possible. The “true cost” of educating our students is several thousand dollars more than our annual tuition. Additionally, although CBE schools receive government subvention, those funds are earmarked to pay the salaries of trained teachers only. Teacher salaries represent 59% of the total CBE operating costs. The subvention covers the salaries of 43% of trained teachers or 31% of total CBE salaries. The Catholic Board of Education family of schools include Aquinas College (New Providence), Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Academy (Grand Bahama), St. Francis de Sales School (Abaco), St. Cecilia’s School (New Providence), Sts. Francis & Joseph School (Abaco), St. Thomas More School (New Providence), Xavier’s Lower School (New Providence) and Every Child Counts (Abaco).
About St. Francis de Sales School St. Francis de Sales School in Marsh Harbour, Abaco is one of eight schools under the direction of CBE. The school served students from pre-K to grade 12. Established in 1964, St. Francis de Sales has a rich history and outstanding legacy in the Abacos. SFDS, deservedly known as the “shining star” of education on Abaco, was closed September 2019 because of destruction by Hurricane Dorian.
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RESTORATION OF ST. FRANCIS DE SALES SCHOOL The restoration of St. Francis de Sales Primary School began Spring 2020, construction will be completed November 2020. All Hearts and Hands restored three (3) of the classrooms that will be occupied. The SFDS Administration Building was partially funded by a grant from Cross Catholic Outreach. The buildings repaired include the Pre-Kindergarten and Lower Primary Classroom. Two classrooms in the upper primary block were reconfigured to accommodate a temporary office and storage and can be used for additional classroom space later. The SFDS Administration Building will include administration, staff room, staff restrooms and corrective reading rooms. The repairs to the ELC and lower primary include new roof restoration, gutting, interior walls, painting and tiling of some classrooms, a new covered porch in the ELC and new windows, removal of mold and restoration of the restrooms.
Four of the primary teachers returned to Abaco along with the Principal, Ms. Leandra Kelly-Adderley. As only the primary school will reopen at this time. Five (5) of the teachers remained in New Providence and other high school teachers have resigned or taken an early retirement. The St. Francis de Sales Primary School will reopen on 5 October 2020. A total of fourty eight (48) students will return.
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EXPRESSIONS OF GRATITUDE
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For more ways to help St. Francis de Sales School email: jalbury@cec.edu.bs.
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