The Ministry and Department of Education wish to provide an update on the status of abatement works and facility readiness for Prospect Primary School.
Today, 3 September, Bermuda Public School teachers participated in site-based activities at their respective schools in preparation for the start of the 2019/20 school year.
The Department of Education made a decision to temporarily relocate teachers from Prospect Primary School to Cedarbridge Academy for their activities. This decision was made, in the interest of the health and safety of teachers, for the following reasons:
1. A report was received over the holiday weekend from the Department of Works and Engineering stating that abatement works needed to be carried out in three areas of the school. Abatement works have since been completed and the Department of Education is awaiting a final certificate of completion from the Department of Health - which is expected to be received on or before 6 September, 2019.
2. Some areas in the school required additional cleaning.
This afternoon, representatives from the Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Works and Engineering, and Bermuda Water Consultants met with the Principal and staff of Prospect Primary to give them an update on the status of the building and to respond to any questions. Parents will also be provided with an update by tomorrow.
The Ministry and Department of Education also wish to provide a status report on Clearwater Middle School as a follow-up to previous updates given over the past two weeks.
Some additional abatement works were needed in one area of the cafeteria at Clearwater Middle School. These works did not affect the activities which began today.
The affected area was sealed off and teachers were able to complete today's activities as scheduled. Teachers will be in off-site professional development sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, and they are expected to be back at the school by Friday, 6 September, 2019.
This morning, the Minister of Education and representatives from the Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Works and Engineering, and Bermuda Water Consultants met with the Principal, staff, PTA President and Vice President of Clearwater Middle School to give them an update on the status of the facility and to respond to any questions. Parents will also receive an update by Wednesday, 4 September, 2019.
It is anticipated that students will be welcomed at Clearwater Middle and Prospect Primary on Tuesday, 10 September.