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ESHS Girls & Boys teams' trip to St Thomas for B/Ball abruptly cancelled

- Varsity teams were scheduled to participate in a basketball tournament this weekend February 19-21, 2016 at the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School on St Thomas, USVI
The decision reportedly by the Elmore High School's Acting Principal, Ms Sandy M. Underhill, to cancel ESHS' participation in the Varsity tournament in St Thomas, USVI has left a number of disappointed students and even parents. Photo: File
The Elmore Stoutt High School girls team, along with coach Derwin Scatliffe, that was scheduled to participate in a basketball tournament this weekend February 19-21, 2016 at the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School on St Thomas, USVI. Photo: Team of Reporters
The Elmore Stoutt High School girls team, along with coach Derwin Scatliffe, that was scheduled to participate in a basketball tournament this weekend February 19-21, 2016 at the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School on St Thomas, USVI. Photo: Team of Reporters
The ESHS Rams players would have been in intense preparation for the competition but are reportedly now crest fallen over the trip cancellation. Photo: File
The ESHS Rams players would have been in intense preparation for the competition but are reportedly now crest fallen over the trip cancellation. Photo: File
There are conflicting reports over why such a decision was taken by Mrs Sandy M. Underhill, however, according to some of the parents who called our newsroom very upset, it’s alleged because a consent form was not signed by parents of students granting them permission to travel reportedly led to her decision. Parents reported that for the most part they were paying for the trip with little or no support from the ESHS or the Ministry and Department of Education. The Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn, who is overseas on an expensive trip to Israel, has come under fire for his reckless spending of taxpayers' monies while public schools lack basic supplies such as toilet paper and water. Photo: VINO/File
There are conflicting reports over why such a decision was taken by Mrs Sandy M. Underhill, however, according to some of the parents who called our newsroom very upset, it’s alleged because a consent form was not signed by parents of students granting them permission to travel reportedly led to her decision. Parents reported that for the most part they were paying for the trip with little or no support from the ESHS or the Ministry and Department of Education. The Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn, who is overseas on an expensive trip to Israel, has come under fire for his reckless spending of taxpayers' monies while public schools lack basic supplies such as toilet paper and water. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Parents, teachers and even young students flooded our newsroom with calls yesterday over the sudden cancellation of a planned trip to St Thomas, USVI for the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) senior girls and boys basketball teams to participate in a tournament.

The students with coaches who were scheduled to leave the main island of Tortola on Friday February 19, 2016, along with a few interested parents, were reportedly told that the trip was call off by Acting Principal of the school Mrs Sandy M. Underhill.

Why the trip off?

There are conflicting reports over why such a decision was taken by Mrs Underhill, however, according to some of the parents who called our newsroom very upset, it’s alleged because a consent form was not signed by parents of students granting them permission to travel reportedly led to her decision. Parents reported that for the most part they were paying for the trip with little or no support from the ESHS or the Ministry and Department of Education.

It is also reported that for the Junior ESHS Rams, in order to raise funds, students had to sell water on the streets of Road Town because of the lack of adequate funding for sporting activities like this.

Sad students

One of the many parents who called said all the students were very disappointed with the decision. “If you saw the look on their faces… you just do not do this to children, ” she told our newsroom, however, not wanting her name to be mentioned for fear of the ruling National Democratic Party’s alleged culture of victimisation.

Does Walwyn care?

The Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn, who is overseas on an expensive trip to Israel, has come under fire for his reckless spending of taxpayers' monies while public schools lack basic supplies such as toilet paper and water.

Last year, leading up to the 2015 general elections, he built a wall around the ESHS costing taxpayers over a million dollars. When the Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith presented the amount in the House of Assembly in response to a question from the Opposition, Mr Walwyn claimed that the Premier had given the public wrong information, as his Ministry’s numbers show that the wall has cost only “nine hundred and fourteen thousand dollars” and the other monies were for other works.

The Ministry of Finance stood by the information and figures they had provided to the Minister of Finance Dr Smith.

The ESHS has been rocked in the last two years by fights, drugs and so called gangs and the morale of students, teachers and parents are reported to be at an all-time low.

Efforts to reach Ms UnderHill for comment were futile.

ESHS Rams girls and boys team coaches Mr Steven E. Parillon and Mr Derwin Scatliffe were also not reached up to press time.

58 Responses to “ESHS Girls & Boys teams' trip to St Thomas for B/Ball abruptly cancelled”

  • ... (18/02/2016, 13:26) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    SMH
    • the rock (18/02/2016, 16:50) Like (49) Dislike (6) Reply

      the principal should be applauded for sticking with the rules, what if something should go wrong over there, it will be those same damn lawless parents down her throat, Hon Walwyn is away, let him stay away and handle our affairs, but no u all here talking piss, principal hill, great job!

      • Minister Not fit for job (18/02/2016, 20:20) Like (20) Dislike (4) Reply

        So people can't even begin to understand the struggle of the students and teachers in that school. Myron needs to get his act together. Building a wall that cost $900K for no reason when the teachers have to go into their pockets to buy markers to teach the students. Now he in Israel for god knows what. Has he any concern about the student in the Elmore stoutt high school? What the news headline should be is WHAT IN THE HELL IS MYRON DOING? Cause honestly I see him doing nothing sensible for that school.

      • JACK BE STILL (18/02/2016, 20:47) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
        The education system from top to bottom needs new blood bottom line
      • Yup (18/02/2016, 23:20) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
        They are representing the school....if a consent form from the school wasn't signed so they can "represent" the school then she has all right to pull the plug. If it was a non school basketball team then they have all right to travel without a school consent form.
      • Binocs (19/02/2016, 09:11) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
        Thats yall bloggers problem quick to think on the negative side . What about the positive side those children can benifit from going to tournament on the sister islands because most times there are scouts looking for young boys intrested in sports ... Smh yall sick
    • Junior Team Parent (20/02/2016, 16:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree with the principal, rules are rules.Also there is nothing wrong with the children selling water to raise funds.
  • please (18/02/2016, 13:33) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply

    The JV boys raised funds because they were being taught a lesson in responsibility which is apart of the core program being instilled in these youths and its something the guys took pride in.

    The school was never sought out for any financial means for this particular reason.

  • Uhmm (18/02/2016, 13:39) Like (11) Dislike (6) Reply
    NOTHING WRONG WITH SELLING WATER TO RAISE FUNDS TO GO ON A TRIP !!
    • @Uhmm (18/02/2016, 14:03) Like (16) Dislike (3) Reply
      Nobody said anything was wrong with selling water... what I got from the article was that the children WERE/ARE selling water to raise funds due to lack of assistance
    • Exactly (18/02/2016, 18:53) Like (9) Dislike (6) Reply
      When I was away going to school and the school had a trip to Spain, we wash cars, sold cookies, and walk dogs to raise money.
  • Grinch (18/02/2016, 13:43) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    Let we do tha thing
  • Get Real! (18/02/2016, 13:48) Like (25) Dislike (6) Reply
    Information seems to be missing here, but the reality is that minors should not be taken anywhere off the premises of a school, church, etc. without a consent form being signed by a parent or guardian. It certainly doesn't happen in organisations like the Girl Guides. I don't know what other factors were involved in the decision, but stop being hysterical about this particular point -- right is right!
    • @ Get Real! (18/02/2016, 14:55) Like (13) Dislike (7) Reply
      They have travelled for years without it so what’s your point????. Plus yea nothing is wrong with selling water but if you going spend a million dollars on a wall that has no Value and some $13 thousands plus on a ticket to Isreal at least you can put aside $700.00 for the ESHS sports for a year!!!!.

      Bottom line they care less about the youths!
      • Knows it (18/02/2016, 22:59) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Says who? That they traveled without signed permission!!! School children always had to turn in a signed consent form. The Department of Education mandates that permission must be signed and returned before the trip. So get the facts. Ask parents who has children who traveled on school teams in the past. I had to sign them for my children
  • QTNA (18/02/2016, 13:58) Like (17) Dislike (6) Reply
    How do you expect the youths to get exposure if you are preventing them from travelling?
    • wize up (18/02/2016, 14:50) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      @ QTNA: who accept the liability for people children when on these trips...
  • bvi (18/02/2016, 14:26) Like (5) Dislike (10) Reply

    That principal like her boss, the minister for E & C. They like 2 peas in a pod

    • @ bvi (20/02/2016, 22:35) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      You know the old adage "birds of a feather, flock together"

      Just saying...
  • unknown (18/02/2016, 14:39) Like (20) Dislike (2) Reply

    Ms. Underhill has and WILL always be in FULL support of any activities of all her students at ESHS. She is always supportive of the students no matter what. If Ms. Underhill pulled the plug on this trip, it must have been for a VALID reason and in the best interest of the students' safety and accountability. When quick to report stories to the media of negativity, you must first get the facts correct. IF some of you as parents aren't concerned with the safety of your children, you should be grateful to know that the Principal always is. Safety of the students and staff of ESHS, is always her number one priority!

    • @ unknown (18/02/2016, 17:07) Like (14) Dislike (9) Reply
      Some of you people are so phony and are big hypocrites!!! If she was so interested in the students’ safety then she would have advised her pal MVW not to waste money on such a wall where students can still easily jump over, portions still have the old fence and the money could have been used to provide so many things the students need for their education…

      Maybe Ms. Underwood need to be more concerned about the students education and strengthen the athletic department than her so call new found interest in safety knowing the waste of fund on a stupid wall that is useless and was just mvw political Peggie bank
  • another minister blunder (18/02/2016, 14:50) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Some of that money wasted on the great wall of china could've covered the trip.
  • school children (18/02/2016, 14:56) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    dem say tis ah cat fight between steve and da underhill lady
  • student (18/02/2016, 16:39) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let my people go
  • wow (18/02/2016, 17:01) Like (0) Dislike (6) Reply
    So we look at this but what about the millions spent on youth development? Really?
  • tretretrete (18/02/2016, 17:10) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    in the end only the students suffer
  • agreed (18/02/2016, 18:45) Like (8) Dislike (10) Reply
    The principal did the right thing. No consent form sign, no trip. Then if something happen, the same parents is going to jump down the principal throat or want to sue.
    • @ agreed (18/02/2016, 19:27) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply

      but how come she wants consent form all of a sudden? something sounds fishy and personal if you ask me..

  • insider (18/02/2016, 20:47) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Myron in Jerusalem to find out how they built the Jerusalem wall back in the days. Then he will build a bigger wall for his legacy
    • (19/02/2016, 08:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Did you ever stop to think how
      • maybe just maybe (20/02/2016, 22:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        As a form 5 student back in the day, my teacher put a good cut ass on me it was not funny. A certain Minister of Education took corporal punishment out of school and this is the end result.
  • need to stept down (18/02/2016, 21:55) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wasting tax payers money in tel aviv and when he returns not even a dawn report....
    • Noreport (19/02/2016, 08:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Need to step down... Maybe he can't report because it's personal. Did anyone know that
      he was awaway?
  • Tired (18/02/2016, 22:12) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    Do we realize why we are third world? Besides the obvious reasons, its a state of mind. How can educated, sensible, rational adults not understand that Underhill has the best interest at heart. Do you realize the legal fight that would result if one of those kids get hurt, and the parent did not consent for them to go? Frustrations need to be directed to the coaches for not following protocol. Who ever heard of field trip OFF ISLAND without parental consent?! And some of you talking about the wall like its a joke because outside of gossip you are not really in tune with what it like to run eshs. The wall is one step in the direction to keeping the kids safe. If they were toddlers would any of you find the wall a waste of money? Cost wise l agree its expensive but we all know the price of things jump through the roof when people know government is paying. Grow up!!
    • @ Tired (19/02/2016, 08:46) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply

      Blah blah blah she is too dawn immature if she has a beef with Steve she should not take it out on the students so go sit down with your rubbish about she caring about students…many of us teachers know better the ESHS is in so much confusion

    • @ Tired (19/02/2016, 11:42) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Look how you fool justifying corruption over a wall!!!! sick to my stomach when schools do not even have toilet paper to wipe the students rear!
  • ............. (19/02/2016, 08:13) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Think about the children and not about defending sandy
  • &&&&& (19/02/2016, 08:15) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    I agree with you 100%. Don't even try to explain anything to these backward third world Country people. They are only showing the outside world how backwards and ignorant they are. I bet these people is willing to go tho the doctor and let the doctor perform surgery on them without signing a consent form.
  • @ &&&&& (19/02/2016, 08:48) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply

    They treat the athletic dept. like sh*t anyway, she could have told them long time they needed a consent form set of oppressors

    • Yes (19/02/2016, 10:53) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply

      The crazy thing is with all the money M*** made on pier he could have donated a pallet of water and toilet paper from his store. Set of MooMoo.

      Moron uses bully tactics and so all his croonies do to. She trying to bully steve and all of us who know steve knows he not going for that sh*t!

  • Rules are Rules (19/02/2016, 10:53) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Everything we speak about in this country " and By the way I am a BVislander" Has been made political .. When would people start taking responsibility for their own actions. HAD those Children LEAVE THE ISLAND and something had happen AND!! the people found out that they LEFT! with no PERMISSION!! from their parents.... REGUARDLESS OF WHO IS SUPPORTING OR WHO SPENDING MONEY!!! THE BLAME would have been with MRS Underhill. first thing people would say is... SHE CARELESS she should have known better if the parent didn't sign make them stay!... NOW PARENTS DIDNT SIGN and the kids don't get to go .. IT TURNS INTO WHO WRONG FOR NOT SENDDING THEM OR WHO AINT SUPPORTING THEM ETC... its simple ... if the parents don't sign it simply means the parent does not agree for their children to participate for what ever reasons they may have. ... IF YOU DONT SHOW YOUR PASSPORT WHEN U TRAVELING YOU THINK THE BOARDER PATROL SHOULD STILL LET YOU PASS? SURE YOU COULD BUT THERE ARE ALWAYS CONSEQUENCES FOR RECKLESS ACTIONS... I don't care what her reasons were if there weren't allowed to go on this trip she had her reason... ITS EASY TO POINT FINGER WHEN YOU NOT THE ONE GETTING THE BLAME....
    • @ rules are rules (20/02/2016, 00:27) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      You all not going anywhere further than where you are. What a shame the BVI on a stand still under the NDP goes!.
  • A Parent (19/02/2016, 13:40) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    As a parent, there is no way I would allow my child to go anywhere on a trip without signing a concent form. I stand behind the principal with the decision that she made. Suppose something to that child on the trip? The same parents who is yacking at the lips about it is unfair is the same ones who is going to be in the front of the line blaming the school and filing law suits left and right. I am 100% behind the principal and the decision she made. #oh well parents who is mad, get over it.
    • @ A Parent (20/02/2016, 00:31) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      You paid NDP and Sandy bloggers are so desperate!!!!!you make no sense...always coming with some red herring tactic that explode in your face..she knew why she stop the poor kids from going!
      • parent (21/02/2016, 03:16) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        Prove it. And if you can prove what you said I will give your desperate for money behind a million dollars. I set the rules and make the decisions for my underage child.How about that....
  • I Have a Serious Question (19/02/2016, 14:35) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    I understand that there were no permission slips signed, but you guys sound real foolish insinuating that the parents would jump down the principal's throat. Being an educated individual, I would want to assume if the parent(s) give the child the funds to travel than that is also permission allowing them to go. Further more if the parents are funding the trip then they should carry them under a different team name if possible. The exposure would have been great for them.
    • Nary man (19/02/2016, 16:23) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      Oh please.... Rules are rules. Some of you people have to learn, you can't be wrong and strong at the same time. Mrs.Underhill you were right in the decision process.
      • @ Nary man (21/02/2016, 12:17) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        the Minsitry of Ecuation and the High School got a Set a small minded, stupid, ignorant people runing things!
    • ?????? (19/02/2016, 16:29) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Educated you say? Just wondering. SMH,LOl.
      • @ Nary man (19/02/2016, 23:54) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
        I notice funny man and sandy have dem bloggers out but I see nothing the Education Dept or the ESHS proposes that will result in net benefit for the students or parents.
  • Interesting (19/02/2016, 18:20) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Oh no! This is not the DYAS this time. And on another note, quit bashing the Minister because next election y'all still going to vote for him, sick people. You get what you pay for. Why were the consent forms not signed. Follow the rules people. Teach your children to be obedient to the rules parents.
  • Just Me (19/02/2016, 19:55) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    Most of you people is up here talking
    About no toilet paper or water in the school. Stop complaining so ... much and donate some toilet paper and bottled water to the school. The wall that was placed around the school is for safety reasons. Stop blaming the government for everything and stop depending on the government for everything. If your stove stop working is that the government fault or problem?
    • @ Just Me (20/02/2016, 12:30) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      Stop your hog wash what about the million dollar wall was he not depending on the government to get elected?
  • Logic (20/02/2016, 22:30) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Child's play making headlines.

    Child's play commanding a lotta hype and the readers and school attention.

    Child's play have those who were supposed to be in control baffled and clueless.

    Child's play rumors bring out the worse in the school leadership have them trying to find out who give VINO infor.

    Child's play gone far because, this is the BVI
  • Music (21/02/2016, 16:47) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    What was the actual situation here?
    Did the sports dept issue consent forms for parents to sign?
    Did the kids give them to their parents?
    Did some parents not sign them?
    Did the kids return the forms to school?
    Are the complainers parents whose kids have not been abroad before and thus maybe did not know that consent is required?
    What is different this time?
  • ta ta (22/02/2016, 00:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    U****8 to dam political see when ppl get jobs because of politics we now see the results



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