The Tribune

THE push to re-open schools on Long Island next week received a boost yesterday when the Chinese Bahamians, Pinder Enterprises, Super Value and KissFM’s morning show agreed to provide funding for the workmen and the requisite materials to restore NGM Major High School to operation on Monday.

Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner had said that her team had brought together partnerships and alliances with individuals who were already preparing the schools for a speedy reopening and yesterday morning The Tribune agreed to pay up to $8,000 for local workmen, challenging them to get the job done in time for the students to attend classes on Monday.

A DC-3, donated by Mr Rupert Roberts, was loaded with the requested

supplies from Pinder Enterprises and arrived in Long Island yesterday afternoon.

The pledges were obtained by KISS FM morning show presenter ‘Naughty’, who contacted representatives of the organisations live on air asking for their help.

Mrs Butler-Turner said: “We’ve got four amazing sponsors to provide materials and workmen. We’re making sure we get these kids back into their normal routine and familiar setting. Some of the persons had the means to get out and have gotten out but most of those kids will be back on Long Island in short order. We will have these schools up and running, with the help of the Ministry of Education very, very soon. It is a priority.”

NGM Major Principal Machon Cartwright told The Tribune this week that the most damage at the school - which serves around 300 students - was sustained in room 4, used for biology, which saw its roof compromised.

“We lost shingles on the Home Economics block, there was a lot of stripping of shingles, then some water damage,” he said. “We should be up and running on Monday, we’ll start with the ninth graders and the twelfth graders first. It’s important to get the entire student body back as quickly as possible.”

“The community has established it as a critical priority to make NGM Major – the only high school in southern Long Island - usable by Monday so that the students can return to a sense of normalcy, continue their studies and avoid any displacement which could further inhibit their learning and development,” a statement from The Tribune Media Group said. “We have the practical support and the funds donated to us so that we can pay local people to rebuild their own communities.

“A local anonymous sponsor with The Tribune did this for 300-plus homes in West End, Grand Bahama, and Moore’s Island after Hurricanes Jean and Irene. However, we have never tried for one like this in such a short period of time, but if anyone can pull this off, we believe Long Islanders can.

“The Tribune Media Group would also like to thank Save the Bays, which saved the day when they learned that we desperately needed help. They quickly came to the rescue with planes making airlifts possible to the various islands and an anonymous donor who has helped supply funds for workmen to rebuild the school and medical supplies for other communities in need.”

Mr John Bostwick, who encouraged the Chinese Bahamian Association to join the community effort was also instrumental in inviting Bookworld & Stationers Ltd to donate $12,500 worth of books to the Long Island schools.

As well as NGM Major, Mangrove Bush Primary School is on track to open on Monday. North Long Island High School opened on Wednesday.