Turks and Caicos students prepare for hurrican season

(July 10, 2012)- In preparing for the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season, the Sandals Foundation hosted a fun-filled ‘Let’s Get Ready’ hurricane preparedness seminar at one of their adopted schools in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI).

The event, which saw the participation of Beaches Turks and Caicos and Sesame Street friends, was aimed at increasing hurricane awareness levels and improving readiness of hundreds of students at the Enid Capron Primary. The seminar featured an exclusive screening of Sesame Street’s ‘Let’s Get Ready’ movie in which popular Sesame Street characters, Grover and Rosita prepare their own families for emergencies through song, dance and games.

The students were informed of the roles of emergency service professionals in their communities, and the importance of having a comprehensive hurricane kit in their homes. They were also given tips on remembering their personal details and received free giveaways, which included DVDs and interactive booklets.

Rachel Taylor, principal of the Enid Capron Primary School, commented on the event, saying: “We are delighted to support such a fantastic initiative and play our part in preparing our students for the 2012 hurricane season.

“This hurricane preparedness seminar will empower our students with the knowledge they need to help keep themselves, families and friends safe and well.”

Meanwhile, General Manager of Beaches Turks and Caicos Donald Dagenais noted the importance of being prepared for hurricane season.

“Getting ready for the hurricane season is serious business but there’s no reason why the information can’t be delivered in a fun and appealing way,” he said. “There is a real need to educate, especially the younger children, on easy ways to prepare mentally and physically for any emergencies and we believe they’ll feel much more secure learning about the things that keep us safe.”

The ‘Let’s Get Ready’ hurricane preparedness seminar is the first of many interactive seminars the Sandals Foundation, in collaboration with Sesame Street Workshop, is scheduled to host this year at Enid Capron.

Other Seminars will include topics such as ‘Happy Hygiene’, ‘Healthy Teeth, Happy me’ and ‘For Me, For You, For Later: First Steps to Spending, Sharing, and Saving’.

The Sandals Foundation has adopted 26 schools in the Caribbean, including Enid Capron Primary. The Foundation provides support and assistance to schools while teaching students important life skills through interactive and fun-filled learning with the help of Grover, Elmo and the whole Sesame Street gang.