Foundations

Thousands of students will soon enjoy “Clean and Beautify – School Edition” (C&BS E).

In June 2010, the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago launched the Clean and Beautify T&T initiative. The Honourable Prime Minister stated that “no street nor river nor drain nor beach must be left unattended.”

As an extension of this initiative, The Minister of Education The Honourable Dr. Tim Gopeesingh launched Clean and Beautify – The School Edition.

Minister Gopeesingh will execute this worthwhile initiative through the Education Facilities Company Limited (EFCL).

EFCL will officially commence the Clean and Beautify – School Edition (C&B S E) pilot project during the month of March 2011. The pilot project encompasses a total of twenty-one (21) schools located in each of the seven (7) educational districts across the country.

The C&B S E which will form part of EFCL’s ongoing preventative maintenance programme will be monitored by the Organisation’s Board of Directors and Executive Management Team.

The programme will not only seek to uplift the appearance of our nation’s schools, thus making the school environment more conducive to learning, but, will also serve to encourage school users to preserve the enhanced surroundings.

EFCL anticipates that as this project moves from its pilot stage to a full scaled national project we would be able to state, “No School must be left unattended”.

March 2011 Vol :1 Issue 1

Pilot SchoolsPort of Spain and Environs

Ascension AC Crystal Stream Government

Maraval RC

CaroniGran Couva RC

Freeport Presbyterian Cunupia Government

South EastRio Claro Hindu Princes Town RC Iere Government

St PatrickSiparia Union Presbyterian

Delhi Road Hindu Clarke Rochard Government

VictoriaSan Fernando TML

Gasparillo Government Tabaquite Presbyterian

North EasternSanta Rosa Government Sangre Grande Hindu

Upper Cumuto #2 Government

St George EastLa Horquetta South Government

Aranguez T.I.A. Curepe Presbyterian

Quote of the DayPlans are only good

intentions unless they immediately degenerate

into hard work. Peter Drucker

ST AUGUSTINE GETS A STAR!

St Augustine Secondary School

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St. Augustine Secondary School or “the green machine” as it is more popularly known is the newest star in its community. On September 8th 2010, EFCL

officially handed over the keys to the Ministry of Education for Phase 1 of the construction /upgrade project that included the new Administration Building,

Multipurpose Hall, Cafeteria, Science Block, Visual and Performing Arts blocks. Also completed in time for the start of Intercol were works to the football field

and their spanking new pavillion that can seat 500 spectators.

The staff, students and community must be proud!

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With a number of key projects high on the national agenda, the new Education Facilities Company Limited's (EFCL) Chairman, Ronald Phillip and his Board of Directors got off to a busy start touring schools under construction.

The eight (8) members of the Board of Directors accompanied the Minister of Education, The Honourable Dr. Tim Gopeesingh, the Minister in the Ministry of Education, The Honourable Clifton de Coteau, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education and other officials of the Ministry of Education on tours of various school construction sites.

Tours were conducted to:— Aranguez Secondary School— Barataria South Secondary School— Biche High School— Biche Presbyterian School— Clark Rochard ECCE Centre— Five Rivers Secondary School School— Marabella South Secondary School

— Mount Hope Secondary School— Penal Rock Road SDMS Primary School— Pleasantville East Secondary School— Siparia East Secondary School— St Joseph Secondary School

ors he

the de of of on

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In Photo: The Honourable Minister of Education Dr. Tim Gopeesingh (2nd from left) chats with the Media after a tour of the Five Rivers Secondary School. Looking on are The Honourable Clifton De Coteau (left) Mr Ronald Phillip (centre), Mr Paul Taylor (right) and Mr Rudy Narinesingh in black.

Members of the Board of Directors:

— Mr. Ronald Phillip Chairman— Mr. Lester Applewhite Director — Ms. Lisa Marie Daniel Director— Dr. Raphael Sebastien Director— Mr. Rudy Narinesingh Director— Mr. Shaffiat Ali Director— Ms. Sharon Ramkissoon Director— Mr. Stanley St Omer Director

CHARLIEVILLE PRESBYTERIAN PRIMARY SCHOOLCELEBRATES THEIR NEW SCHOOL FACILITY!!!

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Students, staff and members of the community were on hand on Monday January 24, 2011 to witness The Honourable Dr. Tim Gopeesingh Minister of Education and The Honourable Clifton de Coteau – Minister of State in the Ministry of Education hand-over keys to the Presbyterian Primary School Board of Education.

Principal Dianne Phillip-Rajmattan expressed her depth of gratitude for the new facility noted, “staff morale is at an all-time high, the ability to provide individual classrooms for each class assists in the effective delivery of the curriculum. The environment is much more conducive to

learning; student performance is at a peak.”She added “Students and teachers at the Charlieville Presbyterian Primary School are overwhelmed and deeply impressed by the modern facilities”

The new pre-engineered Charlieville Presbyterian Primary School that can accommodate 265 students was constructed in the record time of two and a half (2 ½) months.

Principal Phillip-Ramjattan said parents, teachers and students have embraced EFCL into the Charlieville Presbyterian family. KUDOS TO EFCL’S CHAGUANAS

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On Tour at the Five Rivers Secondary School. Minister of Education The Honourable Dr. Tim Gopeesingh holds talks with the media. He is accompanied on his left by Chairman of the EFCL Mr. Ronald Phillip and CEO of the EFCL Mr. Paul Taylor. To the Minister’s right is Minister of State in the Ministry of Education The Honourable Clifton de Coteau.

Minister of Education The Honourable Dr. Tim

Gopeesingh addresses members of the audience at

the Balmain Presbyterian Primary School Sod-Turning

Turning the sod! Minister of Education, The

Honourable Dr. Tim Gopeesingh and The

Honourable Rudranath Indarsingh Member of

Parliament for Couva South are ably assisted

by representatives of the EFCL, Ministry of

Education and Contractor - IERE Concepts

Ltd. Principal of the Balmain Presbyterian

Primary School - Charissa Niffikeer-Sobie

and throngs of cheering students were on

hand to witness the start of construction.

Balmain Presbyterian School

Sod-Turning Ceremony

Tour of Works in Progress

Exiting the Five Rivers Secondary School. Mr. Rudy Narinesingh Director - EFCL in conversation with Minister of Education The Honourable Dr. Tim Gopeesingh.

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Minister of Education, The Honourable Dr. Tim Gopeesingh (3rd from left) is flanked by (from left to right) Paul Taylor - Chief Executive Officer, EFCL, Ronald Phillip - Chairman - EFCL, Sookeah Boochoon - Principal, Biche Presbyterian Primary School, Minister in the Ministry of Education The Honourable Clifton de Coteau, Rudy Narinesingh - Director, EFCL and Shaffiat Ali - Director, EFCL. Residents and students of the Biche community were thrilled to be part of the commencement of works of the Biche Project!

Minister of Education, The Honourable Dr. Tim Gopeesingh

accompanied (on his right) by Minister in the Ministry of

Education The Honourable Clifton de Coteau and (on his left)

by The Honourable Colin Partap Member of Parliament for

Cumuto/Manzanilla officially commence works on Biche

High School

h ourable Dr. Tim Gopeesinghf Minister in the Ministry of) on de Coteau and (on his left)

Minister of Education The Honourable Dr. Tim Gopeesingh in discussion. Extreme right, Dr Raphael Sebastien - Director - EFCL

From left, Paul Taylor - CEO, EFCL, The Honourable Winston Peters,Member of Parliament for Mayaro, tour - Biche High School.

Commencement of works

BICHE PROJECT

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Stakeholder feedback has been extremely positive and served to share critical information with stakeholders and obtain ‘buy in’ and understanding of EFCL, its projects and approaches.

Business and Social ProtocolBusiness Protocol

1. Understand the importance of relationships.2.

3. Use meetings to explore common goals.4. Avoid direct questions in confrontational debate.5.

6.

7. Keep communication succinct; show humility when referring to self.

8. Observe the naming conventions; title plus family name.

Social Protocol

1. Treat names with respect and attention.2. Approach gift-giving with thoughtfulness and care.3. Observe the hierarchy in seating arrangements.4. Do not toast using tea.5. Stick to safe topics (culture, food, landscape,

achievements).6. Avoid judgmental references to politics, culture and

government.

Visit EFCL on the World Wide Web!EFCL has embraced new media and modern technology into its communications mix and now maintains an interactive website at www.efcl.co.tt. EFCL also maintains a Facebook group at www.facebook.com\ Education Facilities Company Limited (EFCL). Log on today! Be sure to share this information with Teachers, Principals, Contractors and job-hunters as through technology the EFCL and its services can be more readily accessible.

Ongoing Stakeholder Meetings

“Good morning Tom, another Productive night spenton the project...all set for the board meeting at 9am?”

“I haven’t read your proposal yet, but I already

have some great ideas on how to improve it!”

The Secondary Schools arm of the Project Management Department has been working at fostering open lines of communication with stakeholder bodies. In this regard, monthly meetings are conducted with stakeholder groups of Secondary Schools under construction. These meetings include representatives of Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association (T&TUTA), Public Services Association (PSA), as well as, the relevant School Supervisors, Principals,

Contractors and Consultants. Meetings have also been held with the SWAHA, Miracle Ministries, Catholic and ASJA School Boards of Education with a view to initiating the projects under the 2010/2011 Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP). These impending projects include the addition of an A’Level Block at the Sangre Grande SWAHA College and the construction of the Holy Name Point Fortin and ASJA Girls and Boys Charlieville Secondary Schools.

Happy spaces for happy children!

At EFCL we are committed to the concept that

where children learn is as important as what

they learn.

In the Early Childhood Care and Education

Centres constructed and equipped by the EFCL

you will find counters and seating readily

accessible to children of a pre-school age, open

shelves, filled with educational materials to

encourage independence and learning.

The furniture allows children to work

individually, together in small groups, or in a

large group with clear pathways to move from

one area to another, ensuring maximum space

flexibility.

Small, semi-private, easily supervised places

provide children with opportunities for solitude

mixed with classroom environments that

include soft elements designed to modulate

interior noise whilst minimizing exterior noise.

Students between the ages of 3 – 5 benefit from

these state-of-the-art learning environments

which are equipped with sections and tools for

Language and Literacy, Discovery, Art and

Craft, Math, Sand and Water Play, Music and

Movement and Dramatic Play. These Centres

also house a Computer Centre, Sick Bay and are

outfitted to facilitate the needs of

Differently-abled students.

Here is a snapshot of what our Pre-Schoolers

now enjoy.

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Viruses and your computerComputer viruses are small software programs that are designed to spread from one computer to another and to interfere with computer operation.A virus might corrupt or delete data on your computer, use your e-mail program to spread itself to other computers, or even erase everything on your hard disk. Computer viruses are often spread by attachments in e-mail messages or instant messaging messages. Viruses can be disguised as attachments of funny images, greeting cards, or audio and video files. Computer viruses also spread through downloads on the Internet. They can be hidden in illicit software or other files or programs you might download.

To help avoid computer viruses:1. Never open e-mail attachments

unless you know who it's from and you are expecting it.

2. Keep your computer current with the latest updates and antivirus tools.

3. Stay informed about recent threats.

4. Run your computer as a standard user (not as administrator).

5. Follow a few basic rules when you surf the Internet, download files, and open attachments.

Once a virus is on your computer, its type or the method it used to get there is not as important as removing it and preventing further infection.

WORDS OF ADVICE FROM OUR I.T. DEPARTMENT:

‘Downloading unnecessary content, streaming music and video online impede the network

response time … resulting in a slow system’.

W

‘Domu

tion.

gk

How the customer explained itHow the Project Leader

Understood itHow the analyst designed it How the Programmer wrote it How the Business Consultant

Described it.

How the project was

documentedWhat operations installed How the customer was billed How it was supported What the customer really

needed 10

PROJECT PLANNING

CRANBERRY VINAIGRETTE:

SALAD:

Directions:

Makes 16 squares

Ingredients:Try your hand in thekitchen with Trinidad Barfi

C

1 1

Be Consistent.An allowance is a way to teach your child about handling money that comes in regularly. "You have to stick with it, otherwise it defeats the purpose," Berg says. This means you decide on how much, how often, how it can be used and, most importantly, how it's earned.

Know When to Start.Typically, the best time to begin an allowance is when your child expresses an interest in buying things his/herself. Depending on the kid, that could be at age five or older.

Know When to Stop.Don't continue with an allowance once your older teen starts earning his own money at a regular part-time job. You may want to consider a quarterly clothing allowance instead. You can’t expect a teenager to be financially independent either at this point.

Don't Withhold Allowance as a Punishment."Money should be separate from discipline," says Nathan. If you cut off allowance for bad behavior, your child may think that she's being paid for good behavior, not the message you want to send! You want to reduce the emotion connected to money. Rewarding your child with money when he’s pleased you and taking it away, when he’s angered you, lays the foundation for making financial decisions based on emotion.

Do Provide Allowances in Small Change.For example, if your child gets $5 a week, give it to him/her in dollar bills or quarters, rather than a $5 bill. This makes it easier for her to divide into amounts to spend, save and donate.

And Finally…

Check in with your Child.Don't assume that simply giving a child an allowance teaches financial literacy-you've got to periodically talk with your child about how he/she is spending, saving and investing.

Source: www. kaboose.com

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To give or not to give? What amount? How often? Is your child ready to receive an allowance or is it time to stop? Amy Nathan, author of The Kids' Allowance Book and Adriane Berg, co-author of The Totally Awesome

Money Book for Kids, gives this advice.

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