Tiles draw smiles at Norwood Basic School

WESTERN BUREAU:

Students of Norwood Basic in St James will get a pleasant surprise when in-person classes resume on October 5 after the Kiwanis Club of Montego Bay spent J$200,000 to tile the school’s assembly area and front steps.

Members of the Kiwanis Club of Montego Bay were present at the school on Friday as club President Teisha-Ann Pinnock officially handed over the finished facility to principal Barbara Black. The tiling work will benefit some 50 students who will be enrolled at the school during the upcoming term.

In outlining the history of the project, Pinnock told The Gleaner that the tiling was done to beautify the assembly area, where most of the school’s activities for the 50 students on roll take place.

“We wanted to tile the area to make it lighter, brighter, more conducive to learning, and safer for the children as well. We are happy that we could do this,” said Pinnock.

The tiling initiative has been a long-standing goal for the school since it first opened its doors in 1986. It is one of several projects done by the Kiwanis Club over the years, including painting and other rehabilitation.

Black, who is also a member of the club, voiced deep appreciation for the Kiwanians’ outreach activities.

“It has been wonderful over the years, working with you, and you make me feel teary-eyed each time you come in to do things for our children,” said Black, who also praised the club for assisting with Norwood’s reading programme.

– Christopher Thomas