Yorke school addition in final stages; principal enthusiastic for completion

Photo By 1st Lt. Kali Gradishar | Construction is nearing completion on the Edward P. Yorke addition May 21, 2014, in Belize City, Belize. Members of the Belize Defence Force Light Engineer Company have been working alongside U.S. Air Force, Army and Marine engineers on additions at four schools and one medical facility throughout Belize as part of New Horizons Belize 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kali L. Gradishar/Released)  

BELIZE CITY, BELIZE

05.21.2014

Story by Tech. Sgt. Kali Gradishar 

12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern)

BELIZE CITY, Belize - The Edward P. Yorke school in Belize City, Belize, is receiving a 1,372 square-foot addition for use by senior classes at the school.

The school is one of five projects being completed by New Horizons Belize 2014 engineers from the Belize Defence Force, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps. New Horizons is an annual exercise providing mutual training opportunities for civil engineers in each of the military services.

For Yorke Principal Rodrick Cardinez the addition to the school is momentous.

Cardinez began teaching at the school in 1987, was the vice principal from 1992 to 2001 and has been the principal since 2001. In nearly 30 years, to his recollection, this is the first time the school has received a new building since it became a full-fledged secondary school in 1990.

"Definitely, it is a most welcome project," Cardinez said. "We have always wanted a permanent structure to house specifically our senior students. ... Getting these two classrooms means we'll be able to house all seniors in one general area."

After less than two months under construction, the building is in its final stages.

Power is scheduled to be turned on by May 28, and then the Ministry of Education will do a walk-through of the building.

"Barring no issues with the walk through with the Ministry of Education, we'll be turning over the keys," said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Nicholas Alessi, project manager at the construction site. "It's gone well. We hit a lot of milestones ahead of the other (New Horizons) construction sites because it's a much smaller building, but we're almost right on schedule.

"It's been a learning experience, and hopefully it's been a learning experience in both directions," Alessi said about working with other U.S. military branches, as well as the BDF. "It's been good to get a better understanding of how the others work."

The different military branches were able to learn from one another on various construction techniques, all while constructing a building that will facilitate more learning for Belizean students.

Previously, the school had been utilizing temporary structures to house their senior classes, and those structures were scattered throughout the campus. This permanent New Horizons structure will bring them together. It may also ease any future enrollment increases, freeing up the temporary facilities currently being used by the seniors.

Enrollment was approximately 380 in 1987 and grew to nearly 450 when the school became a full, four-year secondary school.

Since then the school has added two additional educational programs, bringing enrollment to approximately 600, Cardinez noted. And he has been around for all of that growth.

"Probably the best way to describe it is to say it is sentimental," he said. "While I grew, the school also grew."

And it's growing an addition 1,372 square feet.

With 36 teachers, three administrators, four support staff members and three security providers, the whole lot seems to be excited about the new building, according to Cardinez. The students' parents seem excited, as well.

"I think the sentiment (from the parents) is 'Why not sooner?'" Cardinez said. "They're very happy about it because it's an improvement not only in terms of academics, but also in terms of infrastructure."

Cardinez revealed a considerable pride in being selected for a New Horizons project, but said even with the new facility, credit for the school's success should go to his teachers and staff.

With approximately 600 students, the school holds an internal pass rate of not less than 90 percent, he said. "The teachers are the ones who make that happen."

• Date Taken: 05.21.2014
• Date Posted: 05.22.2014 15:08
• Story ID: 130818
• Location: BELIZE CITY, BZ