Advocates for students with special needs say one of the biggest obstacles those students face is the indifference of their parents. A meeting held Wednesday evening to discuss ways to help such youngsters appeared to support the viewpoint.
Members of the group V.I. Find held the meeting at Mongoose Junction Restaurant to provide information about the Individual Education Plan, a customized program within the Special Education offerings in public and private schools. Less than a handful of people showed up.
The V.I. Find representatives were prepared to show parents how to utilize the IEP to maximize their children's success in school. After the all-but-no-show, information specialist Edward Bruce said he would have to try other ways to get the word out.
"I'll take some [informational material] to the schools and give it to the teachers to send home with their students," he said. He noted that "we may not know who their students are," because disability designation "is confidential information that teachers may not tell you."
Bruce estimated that there are about 60 students in school on St. John who would qualify for IEP services. With a total student population of less than 600 for the island's two public and two private schools, that would be about one out of every 10 students.
For the few adults who did appear at Mongoose Junction Restaurant for the meeting, the presentation on what the IEP is and how parents can participate held some clues to what parents face when they do get involved. "It's a team effort; no one person is in control," high school teacher Lisa Etre said. "There's a hell of a lot of paperwork," she added, but "it doesn't go on forever."
The one parent who did appear, Pat Harley, is among those who are satisfied with the efforts they already see in the schools. Harley is a teacher, herself, at Guy Benjamin Elementary School. Her son, Jamien, attends classes at Julius E. Sprauve School.
"I know the primary students in K through 4 are at Guy Benjamin because they have a very good teacher," she said.
V.I. Find is an advocacy group that assists disabled people who want to lead independent lives. Catherine Glenn, the director, says it's been about a year and a half since her team presented the last IEP meeting on St. John. Another is already scheduled for April 12.
Part of the challenge in seeking to engage parents of special needs children, Glenn said, is drawing their attention away from work and other family commitments. For immigrant parents coming from other Eastern Caribbean countries or elsewhere, she said, special education may be an entirely new idea.
Glenn said she wasn't discouraged by the lack of attendees Wednesday. "I feel any number I get is more than no number at all," she said. "If they won't come out, we will try to do a mailing. I will even pay transportation; I will even pay for a baby-sitter. The challenge is for parents to take a few minutes after work to come and find out about something they don't know about." Something that could make a big difference in their lives of their special needs children and of their families overall.
GERS REJECTS EARLY RETIREMENT BILL
An early retirement incentive bill was rejected by the Government Employees Retirement Board and upstaged by another government official at a Government Operations Committee hearing Thursday night.
The bill, proposed by Sens. Almando "Rocky" Liburd, Donald "Ducks" Cole and David Jones, would set up a system of advance service credits that employees could purchase toward retirement.
It would allow workers with 25 years of service to leave early and "buy" their remaining time to 30 years by contributing 8 percent of their annuity over the remaining years. The senators said their aim was to avoid mass government layoffs while providing a "workable vehicle" for early retirement.
However, that's not the way Corrine King, GERS board chairwoman, or Ira Mills, director of Management and Budget, saw it.
King rejected the bill for several reasons, the most important being funding. She said the government could not guarantee the $15 million the bill proposes to use to finance the program. The money is to come from the government's $300 million bond issue.
She also objected to a provision excluding teachers, police officers and other essential workers from the program, calling it "unconstitutional." The bill would only cover executive branch employees.
Mills read from a nine-page document criticizing the bill almost in its entirety. He said the money cannot be paid directly to GERS because of certain "covenants" in the bond issue. He also called the proposal "unconstitutional" and "irrational," citing retirement dates in it that could not possibly be met.
Mills said that since the bill would cause positions to be closed permanently upon retirement, vital jobs would be eliminated, and that a provision banning the government from contracting with former government employees could prevent many workers from sharing their expertise in the private sector and the government from farming out more operations to the private sector.
Liburd replied that the bill was a "working document." Cole accused Mills of "sabotaging" the proposal.
But the real fireworks started later when Mills revealed that he had a retirement plan of his own that he had just finishing drafting. He said his plan would cost less, about $9 million, and was more viable.
The bill's sponsors seemed astonished, and demanded copies. Mills said he had just completed the final draft Thursday.
Cole questioned how he could have done that when they all had spent the day together meeting with the governor. Mills said he had "dictated" the final draft at that time.
Jones accused Mills of "highjacking" their bill at the "11th hour," and in an evening already filled with sparring between Mills and Cole, Cole accused Mills of disrespect and of playing politics. For the second time in the evening, Committee Chair Gregory Bennerson had to use his gavel to bring order.
Two more committee hearings are scheduled on the proposal, one at 6 p.m. Friday on St. John and another at 6 p.m. Monday on St. Croix. Mills promised to have his proposal with him Friday in St. John.
The bill, proposed by Sens. Almando "Rocky" Liburd, Donald "Ducks" Cole and David Jones, would set up a system of advance service credits that employees could purchase toward retirement.
It would allow workers with 25 years of service to leave early and "buy" their remaining time to 30 years by contributing 8 percent of their annuity over the remaining years. The senators said their aim was to avoid mass government layoffs while providing a "workable vehicle" for early retirement.
However, that's not the way Corrine King, GERS board chairwoman, or Ira Mills, director of Management and Budget, saw it.
King rejected the bill for several reasons, the most important being funding. She said the government could not guarantee the $15 million the bill proposes to use to finance the program. The money is to come from the government's $300 million bond issue.
She also objected to a provision excluding teachers, police officers and other essential workers from the program, calling it "unconstitutional." The bill would only cover executive branch employees.
Mills read from a nine-page document criticizing the bill almost in its entirety. He said the money cannot be paid directly to GERS because of certain "covenants" in the bond issue. He also called the proposal "unconstitutional" and "irrational," citing retirement dates in it that could not possibly be met.
Mills said that since the bill would cause positions to be closed permanently upon retirement, vital jobs would be eliminated, and that a provision banning the government from contracting with former government employees could prevent many workers from sharing their expertise in the private sector and the government from farming out more operations to the private sector.
Liburd replied that the bill was a "working document." Cole accused Mills of "sabotaging" the proposal.
But the real fireworks started later when Mills revealed that he had a retirement plan of his own that he had just finishing drafting. He said his plan would cost less, about $9 million, and was more viable.
The bill's sponsors seemed astonished, and demanded copies. Mills said he had just completed the final draft Thursday.
Cole questioned how he could have done that when they all had spent the day together meeting with the governor. Mills said he had "dictated" the final draft at that time.
Jones accused Mills of "highjacking" their bill at the "11th hour," and in an evening already filled with sparring between Mills and Cole, Cole accused Mills of disrespect and of playing politics. For the second time in the evening, Committee Chair Gregory Bennerson had to use his gavel to bring order.
Two more committee hearings are scheduled on the proposal, one at 6 p.m. Friday on St. John and another at 6 p.m. Monday on St. Croix. Mills promised to have his proposal with him Friday in St. John.
GERS REJECTS EARLY RETIREMENT BILL
An early retirement incentive bill was rejected by the Government Employees Retirement Board and upstaged by another government official at a Government Operations Committee hearing Thursday night.
The bill, proposed by Sens. Almando "Rocky" Liburd, Donald "Ducks" Cole and David Jones, would set up a system of advance service credits that employees could purchase toward retirement.
It would allow workers with 25 years of service to leave early and "buy" their remaining time to 30 years by contributing 8 percent of their annuity over the remaining years. The senators said their aim was to avoid mass government layoffs while providing a "workable vehicle" for early retirement.
However, that's not the way Corrine King, GERS board chairwoman, or Ira Mills, director of Management and Budget, saw it.
King rejected the bill for several reasons, the most important being funding. She said the government could not guarantee the $15 million the bill proposes to use to finance the program. The money is to come from the government's $300 million bond issue.
She also objected to a provision excluding teachers, police officers and other essential workers from the program, calling it "unconstitutional." The bill would only cover executive branch employees.
Mills read from a nine-page document criticizing the bill almost in its entirety. He said the money cannot be paid directly to GERS because of certain "covenants" in the bond issue. He also called the proposal "unconstitutional" and "irrational," citing retirement dates in it that could not possibly be met.
Mills said that since the bill would cause positions to be closed permanently upon retirement, vital jobs would be eliminated, and that a provision banning the government from contracting with former government employees could prevent many workers from sharing their expertise in the private sector and the government from farming out more operations to the private sector.
Liburd replied that the bill was a "working document." Cole accused Mills of "sabotaging" the proposal.
But the real fireworks started later when Mills revealed that he had a retirement plan of his own that he had just finishing drafting. He said his plan would cost less, about $9 million, and was more viable.
The bill's sponsors seemed astonished, and demanded copies. Mills said he had just completed the final draft Thursday.
Cole questioned how he could have done that when they all had spent the day together meeting with the governor. Mills said he had "dictated" the final draft at that time.
Jones accused Mills of "highjacking" their bill at the "11th hour," and in an evening already filled with sparring between Mills and Cole, Cole accused Mills of disrespect and of playing politics. For the second time in the evening, Committee Chair Gregory Bennerson had to use his gavel to bring order.
Two more committee hearings are scheduled on the proposal, one at 6 p.m. Friday on St. John and another at 6 p.m. Monday on St. Croix. Mills promised to have his proposal with him Friday in St. John.
The bill, proposed by Sens. Almando "Rocky" Liburd, Donald "Ducks" Cole and David Jones, would set up a system of advance service credits that employees could purchase toward retirement.
It would allow workers with 25 years of service to leave early and "buy" their remaining time to 30 years by contributing 8 percent of their annuity over the remaining years. The senators said their aim was to avoid mass government layoffs while providing a "workable vehicle" for early retirement.
However, that's not the way Corrine King, GERS board chairwoman, or Ira Mills, director of Management and Budget, saw it.
King rejected the bill for several reasons, the most important being funding. She said the government could not guarantee the $15 million the bill proposes to use to finance the program. The money is to come from the government's $300 million bond issue.
She also objected to a provision excluding teachers, police officers and other essential workers from the program, calling it "unconstitutional." The bill would only cover executive branch employees.
Mills read from a nine-page document criticizing the bill almost in its entirety. He said the money cannot be paid directly to GERS because of certain "covenants" in the bond issue. He also called the proposal "unconstitutional" and "irrational," citing retirement dates in it that could not possibly be met.
Mills said that since the bill would cause positions to be closed permanently upon retirement, vital jobs would be eliminated, and that a provision banning the government from contracting with former government employees could prevent many workers from sharing their expertise in the private sector and the government from farming out more operations to the private sector.
Liburd replied that the bill was a "working document." Cole accused Mills of "sabotaging" the proposal.
But the real fireworks started later when Mills revealed that he had a retirement plan of his own that he had just finishing drafting. He said his plan would cost less, about $9 million, and was more viable.
The bill's sponsors seemed astonished, and demanded copies. Mills said he had just completed the final draft Thursday.
Cole questioned how he could have done that when they all had spent the day together meeting with the governor. Mills said he had "dictated" the final draft at that time.
Jones accused Mills of "highjacking" their bill at the "11th hour," and in an evening already filled with sparring between Mills and Cole, Cole accused Mills of disrespect and of playing politics. For the second time in the evening, Committee Chair Gregory Bennerson had to use his gavel to bring order.
Two more committee hearings are scheduled on the proposal, one at 6 p.m. Friday on St. John and another at 6 p.m. Monday on St. Croix. Mills promised to have his proposal with him Friday in St. John.
BIR TAX ASSISTANCE ON ST. JOHN MOVED
The VI Bureau of Internal Revenue advises St. John taxpayers that the location of the Assistance Program has been moved to the St. John Legislaure Building's Conference Room.
Taxpayer assistance is available every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This program will be available until April 17.
Question concerning the St. John taxpayer Assistance Program should be directed to Roy L. Moorehead at 714-9327, or 774-5865, ex. 2236, or 2237.
Taxpayer assistance is available every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This program will be available until April 17.
Question concerning the St. John taxpayer Assistance Program should be directed to Roy L. Moorehead at 714-9327, or 774-5865, ex. 2236, or 2237.
NATURAL HISTORY OF SEA TURTLES WORKSHOP
A free workshop on the Natural history of the Sea Turtles in the Virgin Islands will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22, in the UVI Research and Extension Center, room 133.
For furthr information contact Olasee Davis at 778-9491.
For furthr information contact Olasee Davis at 778-9491.
ADVOCATE REFRESHER TRAINING
The Women's Coalition of St. Croix announces the Advocate Refresher Training at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28, at the Juan F. Luis Hospital.
PUBLIC HEARING ON VENDERS
A public hearing will be held on venders at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22, in the Legislature Conference Room.
The moratorium on itinerant/mobile vendors as well as other issues affecting vendors will be discussed.
All vendors and interested persons are invited to attend this hearing. For further information contact the Division of Licensing at 773-2226.
The moratorium on itinerant/mobile vendors as well as other issues affecting vendors will be discussed.
All vendors and interested persons are invited to attend this hearing. For further information contact the Division of Licensing at 773-2226.
PUBLIC HEARING ON VENDORS
A public hearing on vendors will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22, in the Legislature Conference Room.
The moratorium on itinerant/mobile vendors an other issues affecting vendors will be discussed.
All vendors and interested persons are invited to attend. For further information contact the Division of Licensing at 773-2226.
The moratorium on itinerant/mobile vendors an other issues affecting vendors will be discussed.
All vendors and interested persons are invited to attend. For further information contact the Division of Licensing at 773-2226.
RARE, OUT-OF-PRINT BOOKS GO ON SALE SUNDAY
More than a thousand rare and out-of-print books and other memorabilia from the MAPes MONDe collection will go on exhibit and sale on Sunday, March 19, at the Haagensen House Museum in downtown Charlotte Amalie.
The works, all having to do with the Virgin Islands, are "mainly in English but some also in Danish and French," MAPes MONDe editor and publisher Michael Paiewonsky said. "Many items worth seeing will be displayed — V.I. newspapers from 1777, the last set of stamps canceled in the Danish West Indies, signed by the outgoing Danish governor and the incoming U.S. governor, old picture books."
Among the other items to be offered for sale will be Virgin Islands maps, artwork depicting town and country views and botanical subjects, and books on Africa, he said.
A portion of the proceeds from Sunday's sale will benefit the museum, Paiewonsky said.
MAPes MONDe has the largest Virgin Islands and West Indian collection of privately owned books, he said. The publishing house operates a gift shop at the Haagensen House Museum as well as a main outlet at A.H. Riise Shops on Main Street and another at Mongoose Junction on St. John.
Haagensen House is located at the top of the 99 Steps adjacent to Hotel 1829. It can easily be accessed from the top of Blackbeard's Hill. The sale will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. More information on the offerings may be obtained by calling 774-3280 or toll-free (888) 774-3280, or by e-mail to map@mapesmonde.com. To access the company's website, click on www.mapesmonde.com.
The works, all having to do with the Virgin Islands, are "mainly in English but some also in Danish and French," MAPes MONDe editor and publisher Michael Paiewonsky said. "Many items worth seeing will be displayed — V.I. newspapers from 1777, the last set of stamps canceled in the Danish West Indies, signed by the outgoing Danish governor and the incoming U.S. governor, old picture books."
Among the other items to be offered for sale will be Virgin Islands maps, artwork depicting town and country views and botanical subjects, and books on Africa, he said.
A portion of the proceeds from Sunday's sale will benefit the museum, Paiewonsky said.
MAPes MONDe has the largest Virgin Islands and West Indian collection of privately owned books, he said. The publishing house operates a gift shop at the Haagensen House Museum as well as a main outlet at A.H. Riise Shops on Main Street and another at Mongoose Junction on St. John.
Haagensen House is located at the top of the 99 Steps adjacent to Hotel 1829. It can easily be accessed from the top of Blackbeard's Hill. The sale will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. More information on the offerings may be obtained by calling 774-3280 or toll-free (888) 774-3280, or by e-mail to map@mapesmonde.com. To access the company's website, click on www.mapesmonde.com.
MARTIN P.R. PROMOTES V.I. SPRING SALES
Caribbean Spring Sale
Caribbean Spring Sale offers 30 percent discounts on air-inclusive packages.
Future Vacations, American Airlines and nine V.I. hotels are teaming up to make this month the best, most affordable time of year to purchase vacation travel to St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas as part of a new Caribbean Spring Sale. Offering discounts of 30 percent off air transportation and hotel accommodations for each vacation package, the sale is valid for bookings made through March 30 for travel April 2 to June 30 this year.
As an example, a four-day/three-night package to St. Croix including air transportation from New York (JFK), hotel accommodations at St. Croix's Chenay Bay Beach Resort and airport transfers starts at $499 per person based on double occupancy.
Vacationers can also choose to stay at the Best Western Emerald Beach, The Buccaneer, Carambola Beach Resort, Marriott Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort, Point Pleasant Resort, Renaissance Grand Beach Resort, Sapphire Beach Resort & Marina or The Westin Resort, St John.
Rates are subject to space availability and certain restrictions apply. For reservations or additional information, call (800) 456-2323 or visit the Future Vacations web site at www.futurevacations.com.
St. Thomas Resort Offers "Winter Villa Sale"
Vacationers wanting to stay in a spacious seaside villa can enjoy the added value of the "Winter Villa Sale" being offered at Bolongo Bay Beach Club and Villas.
Valid on bookings for travel through April 23, rates for a two-bedroom villa during the sale are $390 per night plus tax and service charges.
The overall discount, as compared to the normal winter rate, equals $245 for an eight-day/seven-night stay. The rate also includes complimentary use of the resort's fitness center, volleyball, basketball and tennis courts and one free scuba dive lesson per person.
Guests have the option to purchase an upgrade to the resort's semi-inclusive Continental Plan (CP) or the all-inclusive program. For an additional $16.95 per person, per day, guests can purchase the CP option, which includes daily Continental breakfast and complimentary use of non-motorized watersports.
The all-inclusive program is available for an additional $119.50 per person, per day and includes all meals, unlimited beverages including premium brands, complimentary use of non-motorized watersports equipment, hotel taxes, gratuities and service charges.
For reservations or more information, call (340) 775-1800 or (800) 524-4746, or visit the resort's web site at www.bolongo.com.
Specialty Caribbean Products Go Global at eKalaloo.com
The e-commerce revolution is about to make new waves in the Caribbean market this spring. eKalaloo.com will make its online debut on May 1, making it easier for visitors to replenish the Caribbean products and merchandise that they enjoy while vacationing in the V.I.
eKalaloo.com, the Internet division of Kalaloo LLC, a Maryland-based company formed by native Virgin Islander John Engerman and other Caribbean entrepreneurs, will enable Caribbean vendors to market their products globally on the World Wide Web.
The site is designed to educate the world about the culture, products and services of the Caribbean and to expand the reach of Caribbean specialty items in the global marketplace. For more details, call toll free (877) 525-2566.
Caribbean Spring Sale offers 30 percent discounts on air-inclusive packages.
Future Vacations, American Airlines and nine V.I. hotels are teaming up to make this month the best, most affordable time of year to purchase vacation travel to St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas as part of a new Caribbean Spring Sale. Offering discounts of 30 percent off air transportation and hotel accommodations for each vacation package, the sale is valid for bookings made through March 30 for travel April 2 to June 30 this year.
As an example, a four-day/three-night package to St. Croix including air transportation from New York (JFK), hotel accommodations at St. Croix's Chenay Bay Beach Resort and airport transfers starts at $499 per person based on double occupancy.
Vacationers can also choose to stay at the Best Western Emerald Beach, The Buccaneer, Carambola Beach Resort, Marriott Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort, Point Pleasant Resort, Renaissance Grand Beach Resort, Sapphire Beach Resort & Marina or The Westin Resort, St John.
Rates are subject to space availability and certain restrictions apply. For reservations or additional information, call (800) 456-2323 or visit the Future Vacations web site at www.futurevacations.com.
St. Thomas Resort Offers "Winter Villa Sale"
Vacationers wanting to stay in a spacious seaside villa can enjoy the added value of the "Winter Villa Sale" being offered at Bolongo Bay Beach Club and Villas.
Valid on bookings for travel through April 23, rates for a two-bedroom villa during the sale are $390 per night plus tax and service charges.
The overall discount, as compared to the normal winter rate, equals $245 for an eight-day/seven-night stay. The rate also includes complimentary use of the resort's fitness center, volleyball, basketball and tennis courts and one free scuba dive lesson per person.
Guests have the option to purchase an upgrade to the resort's semi-inclusive Continental Plan (CP) or the all-inclusive program. For an additional $16.95 per person, per day, guests can purchase the CP option, which includes daily Continental breakfast and complimentary use of non-motorized watersports.
The all-inclusive program is available for an additional $119.50 per person, per day and includes all meals, unlimited beverages including premium brands, complimentary use of non-motorized watersports equipment, hotel taxes, gratuities and service charges.
For reservations or more information, call (340) 775-1800 or (800) 524-4746, or visit the resort's web site at www.bolongo.com.
Specialty Caribbean Products Go Global at eKalaloo.com
The e-commerce revolution is about to make new waves in the Caribbean market this spring. eKalaloo.com will make its online debut on May 1, making it easier for visitors to replenish the Caribbean products and merchandise that they enjoy while vacationing in the V.I.
eKalaloo.com, the Internet division of Kalaloo LLC, a Maryland-based company formed by native Virgin Islander John Engerman and other Caribbean entrepreneurs, will enable Caribbean vendors to market their products globally on the World Wide Web.
The site is designed to educate the world about the culture, products and services of the Caribbean and to expand the reach of Caribbean specialty items in the global marketplace. For more details, call toll free (877) 525-2566.
