Greetings from Holy Cross Anglican Primary School as we begin our SECOND MONTH of operation - WOW!  So much has happened in such a short time - so many ’firsts’ for all of us, especially our students.  So many challenges and blessings and frustrations and joys and exhaustion (the adults) and amazing energy (the students - smile!).  And always the loving hands of God supporting us and the prayers and donations of each of you to keep us going!

Among the ’firsts’ for our children was their “First Visit to the Dentist” (pictures are coming!).  This wonderful gift was made possible through the generosity of Dr. Mark and Joan Johnson.  Mark and Joan come to San Pedro several times a year from their home in Minnesota and provide FREE dental care to the children on the Island.  They work out of a dental office they equipped in the local Poly Clinic and are a truly a blessing!! Thank you Dentist Mark and Hygienist Joan!!

Another ‘first’ was our Parent-Teacher Meeting held on September 28th.  We had a huge turnout and estimate that almost 100% of our students were represented by a parent or older sibling.  Mayoress Elsa Paz was a surprise guest and welcome addition to our meeting.  Afterwards she commented that all our children would have been on the street, certainly not in school, if Holy Cross had not opened.  Thanks to your help, 100 children are learning to read, write, add, subtract and prepare for a meaningful life - breaking the cycle of poverty!!!

A special thank you to Heather Leslie, our first school nurse.  Heather comes from Yellowknife, Canada and will be with us until the middle of October.  She has been our official school nurse since the first day of school but she has also painted walls, varnished furniture, taught classes, conducted Chapel, organized snacks, done home visits, dried tears, hugged children and loved us all.  Thanks Nurse Heather and thanks to Rick her husband for sharing this wonderful lady with us!!

A Few Thoughts From Nurse Heather…...

"The links between poverty, health and educational performance are well known.  Since most of the children attending Holy Cross Anglican School come from disadvantaged homes, I was delighted  to observed (and be part of) the measures being implemented to improve their overall health.

The children who attend Holy Cross are given a healthy breakfast, a fruit snack mid-morning and a balanced lunch, free of charge.  This ensures that there is no barrier to good nutrition and learning during the school day.  I see happy, bright eyed children enjoying their classes.

A volunteer dental team recently examined all the children who attend the school. 
Dental work commenced on the large number of children in need of care and will continue as the dental team visits again in November.  The children were taught preventative dental care and given a toothbrush and toothpaste.  The stickers and toys were a big hit too.

During the dental visit at the local Poly Clinic, I was able to weigh and measure the Infant I students and found that the majority of these children were at or below the 25th percentile compared to other children in their age and ethnic group.

All students will be given daily multivitamins and receive de-worming medications, and we expect that when they are reexamined at the end of the year, that they will have gained weight and grown taller.

As is commonly the case in all schools, Holy Cross has a number of children with behavior problems.  They will be assessed by a volunteer psychologist and she will work with the family and child to improve the child's learning ability.

One of the benefits of having a volunteer nurse around is that I have time to observe the children from a health point of view while the teachers are busy with instruction.  A very unhappy tiny little girl came to my attention, when she was having such a crying fit that we all noticed her.  As I comforted her, her poor state of health became clear to me.  She coughed continuously, had low energy, ate poorly and clung to me continuously.

Francis and I were able to get her assessed and she was diagnosed with tuberculosis.  She is now under treatment and is starting to look like an energetic six year old should.

What comes first, good education or good health, I say they go hand in hand at Holy Cross. God bless all of you who have supported this fine school."  Love, Heather

I hope each of you will soon visit the classrooms you helped build and equip and be surrounded by the little ones you feed, clothe and educate so that you can share first hand in the incredible blessings of Holy Cross Anglican School.  Many thanks, Francis