Friday 26th November 2004

All Hands on Deck for Recovery: The first step towards normalcy for the Ministry of Education was to establish a central base for communication and decision-making. The base was located in the Schools’ Inspectorate offices, which were converted to serve as a meeting place for other departments within the ministry.
Board the Express!: All aboard ‘The Express’—a new bus service for professionals who lost their vehicles during Hurricane Ivan—which takes to Grand Cayman’s roads on Monday, 26 November.
CUC Current: CUC is on target to complete the restoration of all re-connectable customers islandwide within the 90-day period projected after Hurricane Ivan.
Child Psycholigist offers Post-trauma Support: During a recent visit to Grand Cayman, Child Psychologist Dr Jerome Brodlie visited a number of schools and learning centres, spending time with students and discussing their hurricane experiences.
Contact Employment Services for Help: The Department of Employment Relations & Employment Services Centre is open and located on the 2nd Floor of the Old Royal Bank Building.
Contact RC Restoration for Free Removal of Debris: Property owners should call 939-1942 to have Hurricane Ivan debris removed from private property.
District Peer Counselling Underway: The Ministry of Health Services plans to establish a Community-based Peer Counselling programme in each district.
Editorial: On Monday all government schools will be back in operation – quite an achievement in the two months since Hurricane Ivan swept through the Islands.
Education Recovery Phase 2:: Getting children back to school in a safe environment was the goal of the Ministry of Education, which will hit a high point on Monday (29 November) with the launch of Phase 2 of an intensive $18 million rebuilding programme to continue until the end of the school year.
Education Update: When Year 10 students from John Gray High School (JGHS) returned to classes on Thursday, 24 November, at the Agape Church, they were completing the re-opening of the island’s only government senior high school. Years 11 & 12 students from JGHS have already returned to the school site and a longer school day has been introduced to compensate for any missed classes. It is anticipated that all Year 10 students will be able to return to the school site by 1 February.
Focal Point on Disaster Evaluation: Ricardo Zapata Marti, “Focal Point on Disaster Evaluation,” of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), spoke to media this week on the aims of the five-member UN mission that arrived in the Cayman Islands on Monday (29 November). Essentially, the review aims to assess the impact of Hurricane Ivan on Cayman’s macro economic position.
Government Schools Ask: ‘Confirm January Registrations’: All parents and guardians of government school students who are not presently in attendance are asked to advise principals whether their child will be returning in January 2005.
Many Partners Aid Recovery: In its thrust to retun schools to normalcy the ministry has had many partners.
Minister Bush Announces Housing Solutions: Leader of Government Business, the Hon McKeeva Bush, OBE, JP, recently won Cabinet support for a comprehensive emergency recovery plan for the housing sector.
More Information on Handling Damaged Vehicles: Contrary to common theory, it is lawful to purchase and repair a vehicle deemed a ‘total loss’ by an insurance company. However, before it can be driven it must be insured and inspected. If the vehicle passes inspection, it can be registered and the owner will be given the plates and registration coupon.
Psychologists: Parents Can Help Childrent Through Trauma: The consequences of a traumatic experiences may be lingering and deep-seated and children are as susceptible to the after-effects as adults—and sometimes more so. Phychologists advise parents on how to identify and help their children through problems
Red Tagging of Vehicles Underway: Owners of abandoned vehicles are again notified that red tagging of unclaimed derelict vehicles on public rights of way has commenced.
Status of School Re-openings: Prior to Nov 1 (the initial target for reopening): 200+ students from Grand Cayman were absorbed by Cayman Brac schools;
Strategies make up for Lost Time: With stage one of the exercise to resume classes for all children attending government schools completed on Monday (29 November), the Ministry of Education is now focusing on strategies to make up for lost curricular time.
Traffic Signals to Become Fully Automatic: Having completed the restoration of traffic signals at six intersections, Florida-based contractors CSL will return to Cayman for a week in mid-December to complete the repairs and upgrades. This will include fully automatic control, permitting traffic signals to respond to varying traffic conditions
Water Flows Eastward: The Water Authority is steadily moving towards the eastern districts, with efforts to restore service in High Rock beginning this week. Restoration of water service to customers in the area of Gun Bay should be complete in the next month.

Friday 26th November 2004

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