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Westchester Belony Basic

May 2023

Westchester Belony Basic School, Portmore - May 2023

Mission Stop #6 – Westchester Belony Basic School 

(Welcome, Tiga!)

The sixth stop on the Read Write Now mission took us to Westchester Belony Basic School in Portmore. Principal Mrs. Pinnock welcomed us warmly into her school and classroom. The learning space, arranged around a large U-shaped table, created a focused environment for the 20 eager students—some of the best-performing readers and independent writers we had worked with so far.

This session was especially memorable because we introduced a brand-new team member: Tiga the puppet. The children embraced Tiga immediately, and his presence brought new energy to the mission.

Our amazing volunteers made the day come alive:
Kavelle Bromfield sang about responsibility.
• Rickie-Ann Witter, dressed in white, introduced the students to her imaginary friend Mr. Green Green.
• Roshea Masters spoke about her career as a journalist and sparked curiosity with stories about aeroplanes.
• Titania Mycko helped the students “rule the runway” with lessons on confidence.

Communication Day became the big highlight, as Dru-Lissa Grant used both Mr. Green Green and Tiga to hold a “communication master class” for the five-year-olds. The students learned the power of expression through play, storytelling, and puppetry.

The creativity didn’t stop there. JIS journalist Mickella Anderson guided the children in writing and illustrating their own story, while Author Day once again featured Danielle Dowie, who captured the students’ imagination with her book and generously donated more copies to the school library, presenting them directly to Principal Pinnock.

Rickie-Ann Witter reading to students.
Rickie-Ann Witter reading to students.
Roshea Masters explaining her career to the class.
Roshea Masters explaining her career to the class.
Class photo with Kavelle Bromfield.
Class photo with Kavelle Bromfield.
Titania Mycko looking on at a student's worksheet.
Titania Mycko looking on at a student's worksheet.
Dru-Lissa Grant with a student.
Dru-Lissa Grant with a student.
Mickella Anderson listens to a student's story.
Mickella Anderson listens to a student's story.
Author Danielle Dowie edutaining the school with her book.
Author Danielle Dowie edutaining the school with her book.
Danielle Dowie presents her books to Principal Mrs Pinnock.
Danielle Dowie presents her books to Principal Mrs Pinnock.
Student completing the worksheet.
Student completing the worksheet.

Westchester Belony was a fun, engaging, and eye-opening experience. The school community showed immense appreciation for the visit, and in a touching gesture, they awarded our team a plaque in recognition of our contribution to literacy at the school.

This stop proved that with the right mix of creativity, teamwork, and imagination, learning can truly come alive—and with Tiga joining the mission, the adventure had only just begun.