Dear Friends and Fellow Past Students,
Carlinton Powell
The Covid–19 pandemic challenged us to think outside the box and become even more agile in our thinking and the way we conduct businesses and operate. As a result, we are now living in an era where we are not longer limited by geographical borders, time zones and economic jurisdictions. Meetings, academic activities, church services and social activities all moved to a virtual space allowing us to experience life in a different way.
For many years we have tried to establish and re-establish the Content Gap Primary Past Student Association (the Association), but we were not able to gain the traction needed for growth and strategic development. We have been hindered by various nuances, distance being the most common, but through the COVID-19 pandemic we have learnt that distance too is just a number that stands no chance against our will to give back to our community and school.
The Association was officially formed and incorporated as a non-profit organization in November 2021. This organization was formed with neither prejudice nor favouritism in mind but only due to the willingness, sacrifice and dedication of a group of past students, to take on the leadership and offer their professional knowledge, skills and business acumen to establish a solid foundation for the Association.
The Association’s Board of Directors were also officially selected, and their portfolios assigned in November 2021 and each board member has committed to two consecutive years of service. I must applaud our board members for making the bold step of being the first, as well as accepting the challenge of serving for two years. This will allow us as a team to lay the foundation, build systems and develop the processes necessary for the Association to assist the students, the school and the community as a whole.
In addition to electing willing and competent board members, it is also our objective as the Association’s leadership team to ensure that we train, coach and develop the youths in the Content Gap community. As a board, our first task was to establish a process that will allow two past students who are currently in high school the opportunity to also serve for two consecutive years as “non-voting board members”. The candidates were selected solely based on their well-written and intelligent responses to a survey that was published inviting past students to voluntarily apply for the Association’s leadership roles.
The board of the Content Gap Past Student Association key focus areas are: To create a safe, stimulating and academically progressive environment for the children of Content Gap and its surroundings.
To maintain the strong bond that is shared among the past students in the diaspora and locally in Jamaica while creating an entity that embodies the vision of growth, cutting edge development and excellence for the school and most importantly the current and future students.
I invite you to reflect with me on the joy, opportunities and healthy competitions we were afforded as students. We were so well – rounded due to the National Spelling Bee Competition, 4H Club, Brownies, Red Cross Society, the many performing arts concerts as well as the coveted All-Age now Primary School Track and Field Championship. It is with sadness that I report that the current student population has not experienced or benefited from any of these things for well over five (5) years. Additionally, while the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to think bigger and operate beyond our physical space, it has left the students of our alma mater significantly disadvantaged in their learning, academic development and preparation for the government administered examinations at all grade levels. The school lacks the technological advancement and resources that are now required for academic excellence in Jamaica.
The children need us to change their trajectory and have the benefits of what we so enjoyed growing up restored to them. A community effort is needed to effectively tackle and resolve the many financial and non-financial issues that plague the school. The Association needs your help and as such we are knocking on the doors of your hearts and asking for your usual kindness, community spirit and empathy. Answer monetarily and then voluntarily by giving of your time, efforts and support to help us build a solid foundation and restore the powerhouse which is “Content Gap Primary School”. We understand that this is a marathon and not a sprint; partner with us by emphasizing our motto ‘BE KNOWN BY THE GOOD YOU DO’ and watch your blessings return tenfold.
Join us in our quest, run this marathon with us, help us carry the baton and we will meet at the finish line to celebrate the victory of enhanced learning environment, academic excellence and the well-rounded brilliant students prepared to be the leaders of the future.
Your President,
Carlinton Powell