May the next six months of this school year be "Months To Be Remembered".

*Adequate Supplies/Advance Technology *Clean Classrooms *Cool/Air Conditioned Classrooms/Activity Centers

*Well-maintained Grounds and Schools *Students eager and ready to learn * Supportive Administrative Team *Colleagues "Working Together" *Site-Based Management/School Improvement Team *Parental Involvement *Assessment of Block Scheduling *Assessment of K-3 (No Retention Policy) *Assessment of other Programs implemented by Dept. *Accreditation restored

*Retroactive Pay (Sept 1^st-Dec, 27^th) or date of Salary Increase *Action on "The other Retro" *Action on AFT Bldg/Plans *AFT ER&D courses at University of the Virgin Islands *On going Professional Development *Member paying off AFT Strike Loans *An AFT Retirees’ Chapter *Members taking advantage of the opportunity to shine on "AFT Speaks"or in "The Drumbeat" *Settled Grievances, Hearings and Cases *Printing of New Contract *Improved Attendance *Continued relationship with Local 1826 *Policing our Contract/Proactive *All members including Reps, Officers and President working together to continue to build upon the strength of the AFT. Our Local has made many strides in serving our membership both nationally and locally. We encourage you to voice your concerns. There are several educational issues on the burner which must be settled. AFT is in the right direction in dealing with them. Congratulations to our school nurses in celebration of their week and their luncheon held on National School Nurse Day January 23, 2002. A special thank you to our Executive Board member, Nurse Shirley Sheridan who gave remarks on my behalf. Congratulations to all Reps who have fulfilled their obligations by disseminating information, holding meetings and submitting membership listings thus far. Congratulations to Offices/Exec. Board members for Overseeing committees/schools/activity centers and submitting reports. Special thanks and appreciation to all committee chairs and members especially Education Committee for another successful QuEST and Social Committee for our Installation Ceremonies and Recognition Dinner Dance. The Professional Development Team is off to a great start with our Technology Program in conjunction with the Office of Technology Government of the VI. An update and more details will follow in another Drumbeat.

School safety begins in the community before students leave their homes each day to enter the campus area. The safety and welfare of students in the overall community leads to a successful school climate. School safety does not occur by accident. It happens when schools work together with the community to insure that students are practicing good citizenship skills based on respect and tolerance.

Teachers should not tackle the issue of campus safety alone. Their role should be one of supporting a safer school, which leads to a safer community. After all, the school is the community and the community is the school.

Dear Mr. Belardo:

Please be advised that membership dues deduction have been increased from

as per our new agreement effective December 27, 2001. If it’s too late for these deductions January 10, 2002 should be an appropriate date.

In addition, we are asking your indulgence in expediting the payments being sent to us. Two or three periods behind is jeopardizing our operation.

Let us know what we can do to assist you. Thank you for your cooperation thus far.

Sincerely,

Vernelle S. de Lagarde

"What I like best about my School...."

In December the program centered around a play "Scenes of Christmas." Individual students from all classes performed, recited or sang their parts. In addition to the play, the Hearing Impaired and MIS Intermediate classes presented a skit and song about unlikely heroes of Christmas past (Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer) and Christmas present (military, police, fire persons, etc.) The group also sang and signed God Bless America.  The P.C.S. Choir was busy during the month of December. They performed at the Reichold Center for a taping by WTJX, which was aired during the Christmas holidays along with the Governor’s Christmas Message. The choir’s tape was aired on "AFT Speaks."

The 2001-02 MOM USA student writing contest invites students to nominate their mothers for the national Mom-of-the-Year title in essays of up to 300 words. The writing contest is free of charge, and judging is grouped into three categories: ages 12-13, 14-15 and 16-19. Each state winner will be eligible to compete for national honors, including a $10,000 U.S. Savings Bonds and other prizes. For details, visit www.momusa.com. Deadline is December 15, 2002.

Applications are now being accepted for the AFT’s Robert G. Porter Scholars Program. The program offers four $8,000 scholarships for high school seniors graduating in 2002 whose parents are AFT members and who intend to pursue a career in Labor, Education, Healthcare or Government Service. Also offered are 20 one-time grants of $1,000 for AFT members to pursue further study.

(no phone calls please) to Robert G. Porter Scholars Program, 555 New Jersey Ave. N.W. Washington, D.C. 20001 applications must be postmarked no later than March 31, 2002 to be considered.

1. Commitment from employers (HOVENSA) to invest in our youth and to help prepare them for the workplace of the 21^st century.

2. Involvement of Governmental branches and agencies which play pivotal roles in achieving success in the school to work/career initiative in Education Department, Labor Department, Legislative and Executive Branches.

Mr. Simmonds says he has a better understanding of the challenges facing our youth as they attempt to cross the technological chasm in transition from school to work. "We at AFT 1825 can focus on fostering changes in the Department of Education to better prepare our children to meet and overcome these challenges,"stated Mr. Simmonds.

1. Size of T-shirt must be 18X12

2. A bonafide original and authentic (multicolored) drawing must be submitted.

3. Design must be centered around Carnival theme.

4. Artist shall select color of T-shirt.