Minutes of 2/1/12 NY Executive Committee meeting

Venue: Windies Restaurant, Jamaica

Time: 900-1100pm

Attending: Kris Lachman, Radha and Howard Bernstein, Ameer Gulmohamad, Eno Chabinauth, Ganee Abdool, Riaz Bacchus, Shirley Brijlal

Items discussed:

I. Shirley Brijlal just came back from Guyana and she visited the school and met with the headmaster. Shirely briefed us on what took place:

          1) The Ministry of Ed. delivered 20 computers and related equipment to the school. We think this is because LCSS applied to be a training center for the OLPF program, but we are not sure. If the school is indeed classified as a training center then we feel the government should be responsible for the internet access connection. So far there is no high speed line into the school. This will be clarified. The Ministry thinks the LCSS computer room is too small. There are 12 working computers there presently and now with the 20 new will mean 32 total.

2) The library is unfortunately in poor condition. There are not enough shelves and many books are in boxes. The headmaster has requested funding for immediate improvements to the Citizens Security Programme.

3) Shirley confirmed there is no hope for the playground due to land ownership issues

4) The HM has asked for the following supplies:

a)Game boards for the children to use during recess

b)Table tennis equipment

c)Computer for the school office

d)Workbooks for grades 5-6

e)Remedial education books

II. June 23 will be Guyana Day in Flushing Meadow Park and we will look into having a table there along with other alumni associations. Perhaps this would be a good venue for selling raffle tickets to a September fundraiser

           III. September fund raiser: If we will have it this year we need to decide by the next meeting as a hall will have to be booked

IV.The HM has given us a detailed plan on what he will try to accomplish this year. It is posted in the “News” section of this website. In the next excecutive meeting we will discuss it.

V.Building a new school: We talked about this again and went over the pros and cons. Much more discussion is needed.

VI. Ameer still did not get a reply from the HM on his detailed letter and he will contact Phul to see if she received it.

VII. 2011 Graduation Ceremony was a success and the full details with photos and documents will be posted in the “News” section of the website shortly.

VIII.  Teachers:  We spoke about the status of the teaching staff at the school and how we might be able to fund, attrach and keep even better teachers.  This will require of course much further discussion

IX.  Riaz is going to spend 10 days at the school in April.  Prior to that we will have meetings to discuss the agenda.