2006 Press Releases
U.S. Ambassador Rood Reads at C.W. Sawyer and Carmichael Primary Schools
November 20, 2006
United States Ambassador John Rood accelerated his reading program initiative with two successive visits at schools in New Providence last week. On Thursday, November 16 he visited C.W. Sawyer Primary School, followed on Novemebr17 by a visit to the Carmichael Primary School.
Both school visits generated a tremendous excitement by principals, administrators, teachers and students, topped off with a ‘red carpet’ entrance for “His Excellency Rood.” During the hour and a half assemblies, students at both schools showcased their rich talents through song dance, prose, and skits. A mini Junkanoo ‘rush out’ by the students at Carmichael Primary topped off the morning and gave Ambassador Rood and the 858 students, including pre-schoolers, a preview of Bay Street on Boxing Day.
At both venues Ambassador Rood held an interactive session in which he described his work and role as U.S. Ambassador. He lauded the teachers for their dedication and their tremendous efforts in educating the youth. Explaining that President Bush has mandated his Ambassadors to promote literacy, Ambassador Rood told the students that President Bush is committed to promoting literacy around the world, and he read a brief story about U.S. Civil Rights Activist, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. To conclude both visits Ambassador Rood presented school principals Mrs. Cleomie Burrows and Mr. Albert L. Clarke, Jr., respectively, with a framed photograph of U.S. First Lady Laura Bush, a former public school teacher and librarian, and a letter from her encouraging the students to continue to read. Each school also received a donation of books from Ambassador Rood.