KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Black River High School board and administration are mapping out a path for the safe return of students to the institution, which suffered significant damage during the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

The first step was a clean-up day held on Friday, November 14, where parents, students and other stakeholders came together to clean and clear debris from the school building and grounds.

“We will see where we go from there in terms of possibly getting our upper-school students back on board [because they are preparing] for exams, and incorporate and prepare for other kids as well so that the learning loss is not significant,” Principal Christopher Romans said.

The long-term recovery and rebuilding will be focused on creating a safe, resilient space for the approximately 1,500-student population.

Until then, Roman’s priority is ensuring some level of normalcy for students to resume classes as soon as possible.

Currently, the school is sharing space with the Samaritan’s Purse International Relief’s Emergency Field Hospital, which will have to be considered in terms of logistics.

On October 28, Hurricane Melissa made landfall on the island’s southwestern coast, carrying powerful winds and storm surge of up to 13 feet, causing devastation in western Jamaica and sections of central parishes.

Romans said that the hurricane damage at the secondary school is extensive, affecting classrooms and other areas, including a computer-aided design (CAD) laboratory, auditorium and offices.

“In terms of the structures that are covered by metal sheeting, they are all damaged or in some cases demolished. We have lost windows to several offices and classrooms, key areas like the library [and] the staff rooms, so what that means is the contents on the inside, the books, other printed materials, our electronic devices have been compromised. Our main CAD lab, that too has lost its windows, and the device inside there, we are not sure of the status of it,” Romans said.

He noted that, currently, there are approximately 11 classrooms that are not operational, along with the auditorium, which is a major area for meetings, and houses three [grade] 10 classes.

“So, it’s not just the loss of a building; it’s the loss of instructional space,” the principal pointed out.

In addition to the damage to the school, Romans have expressed concern about the welfare of staff, students and parents.

He shared that there are at least 33 staff members, who completely lost their roofs or homes.

“We are also concerned about our students and parents as well, because on the drive up from Westmoreland, where I live, the devastation is graphic, and we can understand that income has been disrupted. Dwelling places are no longer there, so getting back to normalcy for the family will also be a challenge. So, we have to balance it in both ways,” he said.

Among the adjustments Romans is considering are a breakfast programme and making changes to the uniform guidelines so that students and parents “do not feel disenfranchised”.

Vice Principal of Black River High School, Andria Strong-Moses, who said she has been “on the ground” from the second day after the hurricane passed, is giving support to members of staff who were severely affected by the category five storm.

“I have, through my family and my own children, prepared packages for staff members first, but just about anybody next, and that’s what I’ve been doing. I’ve been finding them where they are, and trust me, it helps. For some persons, [it’s] just some water that they need, so, it really helps,” she said.

Strong-Moses shared that her home was also damaged during the hurricane but maintained that “it’s nothing to talk about compared to what I see here”.

Meanwhile, Romans strongly believe that the damage to the institution caused by Hurricane Melissa will one day become a lesson about the resilience and how persons can overcome challenges.

“It’s a good lesson… that life is not always smooth, and that we have to build from the ground up many times. But I know, in a few years, we’ll look back at it and see what we’ve been through and how we built back,” he stated, his words fortified with confidence and promise.

“Because, that’s what we have to point out to the kids when they come; all the damage that you see around, we’ll build back,” he added.

— JIS