CIBC FirstCaribbean fulfilling special needs

Term two started with a boost for the Hilda Skeene Primary School’s special unit as it received educational materials which will allow teachers to create lessons and activities to appeal to the students’ various learning styles.

The materials were not those associated with lessons of bygone days; instead, they included small karaoke machines, toys, puzzles, play mats, books, all very colourful but necessary to tap into the students’ various learning styles as well as help them develop their fine motor skills.

Principal Wayne Bryan expressed the school’s gratitude, noting that grants don’t stretch far enough, but the teaching and learning aids were necessary to help the children access the curriculum.

Special Needs teacher in charge of the unit, Sophia Douglin, also thanked the bank for the gifts which included two filing cabinets and a printer. She had earlier pointed out that in addition to the nine students who are assigned to the classroom, the unit also catered to several children who were pupils of other classes but were struggling with numeracy or literacy.  Speaking on the bank’s behalf, Rosalind Waterman said they were so delighted to have the opportunity to help the unit that three of the bank’s departments came together to execute the project under the Adopt-a-Cause programme, which encourages departments and business units to donate money and time toward an outreach activity.

Waterman added that they found out about the school’s needs in November and though it was the busy shopping period, they were eager to source the materials in time for the start of the school term. She explained that to ensure that the unit could also receive the printer, they partnered with PBS which was represented at the presentation by Brian Lashley.
(PR)