New Academic Year Brings Changes to LCS
New Academic Year Brings Changes to LCS
by Katie Guzik (THP Volunteer)
Cries of recognition, laughter and excitement fill the campus as Louverture Cleary School (LCS) students return for another year of hard work and education. This energy comes as no surprise, as The Haitian Project (THP) community has a great deal to be excited about: new students, new curriculum, new staff and new facilities.
The arrival of 47 new Louverturians, the Sizyem students (7th graders), is an annual cause for joy. Esther Paul, Director of Operations in Haiti, looks forward to this time each year. “The Sizyem students are excited to be here. They are very nice…and very desòd (rambunctious),” she said with a smile. The new class arrived early last week for orientation in the many work projects they will contribute to at LCS.
This year’s curriculum features two important additions: economics and solar power. Thanks to a recent donation of economics textbooks from Harvard Professor Gregory Mankiw, Volunteer Edward Drislane has developed a new curriculum around Mankiw’s text, Introduction to Economics. Former Volunteer and longtime community member, Adam Osielski returns to the classroom with a solar power curriculum for our Rheto (12th grade) students. As one ofHaiti’s most abundant resources, solar energy has the potential to be a significant factor in the rebuilding of this beautiful country.
LCS also celebrates the advancement of one of its alumna within the school’s leadership. Marjorie Mombrun has recently accepted a position as the Dean of Academics after completing a year as Assistant Dean of Academics. After her graduation, Ms. Mombrun pursued a degree in administrative management while continuing to serve LCS in various roles, including teacher, Junior Staff member, and Director of Campus Ministry. Ms. Mombrun knows that as an LCS graduate she is especially qualified to work at LCS. “I can give to the students what I received as a student…the opportunity to become a better person,”she said. “Louverturians are able to help their family and the country. And they do well in any job.” Her hard work and dedication to the LCS community is a shining example of what it means to be a Louverturian.
In addition to these exciting advancements in the community, Deacon Patrick Moynihan, President of THP, looks forward to having “the Jean Jacques Dessaline building back so that we can return to normal dormitory space for the students.” Over the past year, students, staff and Volunteers have spent countless hours mixing, pouring and sanding the concrete of this three-story building. The completion of this massive project would not have been possible without the generous support of friends and family of THP.
On opening day, students and staff will convene on the basketball court to kick off the new academic year. Voices will rise in a renewed commitment to the ever-present call of the school’s mission: Nou pare pou nou rebati Ayiti. E ou? (Personally, I was impressed to learn that this motto – We are ready to rebuildHaiti. Are you? – was written on the wall beside the basketball court many years before the 2010 earthquake.)