Parents attacking teachers amid contraband discoveries at ESHS
Parents have been accused of confronting teachers and administrators at the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) at an increasing rate after contraband was found in students’ possession.
“This type of behaviour will not be tolerated,” Principal Vanessa Garraway wrote in a letter dated February 20. “We expect all discussions to remain respectful and professional.”
Routine random searches at the school uncovered “an alarming number of contraband and illegal substances,” posing “a serious threat to the safety and well-being of all students and staff,” Garraway stated.
In response, ESHS is partnering with the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) to station School Resource Officers on campus to manage violence, inappropriate behaviours, and the presence of illegal substances. “Their presence will help reinforce discipline and ensure a safer school environment,” Garraway wrote.
The ESHS Principal also commented on the practice of threats being issued by students. “Please educate your children about making threats, whether they intend to carry them out or not,” Garraway stated. “We are taking a no-nonsense approach to this type of behaviour, and we are reporting all matters of this nature to the RVIPF.”
Immediate suspension
The school will implement stricter measures regarding prohibited items starting today, February 24. Students found with contraband will face immediate suspension, and parents must collect their children from school. The principal added that if students need to use their phones for after-school activities, they must check them in at the administration office and collect them at the end of the day.
Garraway urged parents to monitor their children’s belongings and discuss the importance of adhering to school rules and making positive choices. “As parents and guardians, we need you to do more,” she wrote. “It is your responsibility to ensure that your children are prepared for school with the necessary tools to be successful—both academically and behaviorally.”
The issue of contraband at ESHS is not new. Local youth leader Henderson Tittle previously described the situation as a “lost generation,” noting that students were bringing marijuana-laced edibles, sometimes mixed with cocaine, onto campus. He also reported incidents of students carrying weapons, including brass knuckles with knives attached. “It is serious! I’ve never seen so much brass knuckles in all my life,” Tittle said.
In January 2023, Education Minister Sharie deCastro announced a behaviour management plan to address disciplinary issues. “Secondary schools were charged with developing a positive behaviour management plan for their campuses,” deCastro said. Despite these measures, challenges have persisted.
“We need your partnership in this effort,” Garraway added. “Let’s work together to ensure that ESHS remains a place where students can thrive without distractions or safety concerns.”
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Kids emulating their parents?
Or parents emulating their kids…
Parents only expect teachers to educate their children these days. They want nothing to do with them
The school officials know who the troubled teens are and instead of addressing the situation they blanket the entire student body as being bad asses. Too many educators and officials nowadays are just there for the salaries and getting long Summer vacation. They are not like the teachers and caretakers years ago who had genuine love and interest for the young people. When positive things happen at the school it is never highlighted in the manner that the negatives are. When last parents received a letter from the school listing all the POSITIVES for that year, or term etc. School Concert? Athletics? Robotics? Drama Clubs? Music Programs etc.? Deal with the troubled kids and let the school function how it should. Some of the individuals are adults over the age of 18 and no proper alternatives are in place for them so you just paint the whole school black while not addressing the situation. Do you think it’s fair for our kids to be in the same classrooms/campus as these KNOWN dangerous persons? What are the guidance counselors doing? What is there real function? Do we have programs for rehabilitation for these young people that are going down the not-so-nice path? Come on man, stop being lazy!
BLM is to blame for lack of respect to authority and general ignorance you see nowadays..the youth have been radicalized..blame the social Justice warriors for this
VI culture being passed down.
discipline problems in ESHS is no surprise. This school was rebuilt by a cri***al so now the students are turning to crime. You reap what you sow!
When teachers who are belongers or expatriates discipline or do not accept disrespectful behaviour from students, the parents attack the teachers in the presence of the students both at home and in the school
How dare you come here and want to tell our children what to do? This has been going on over the years
Now they have no respect for neither you as parents not the principal or teachers
This attitude is one of the reasons why we are getting downhill
Once you push back on anything with these immature persons working at the schools it’s called disrespect. They expect to just sit there holding titles, extended vacations and good pay without any challenges. Complete waste of f**king time they are. I’m so glad I don’t have any kids in that sorry place. The so called leaders have failed our youth in a major way. They only remember them when voting time comes around.
teachers cant talk to children and parents, simply solution, stay home and teach your kids.