BUREAU LEERPLICHT

Compulsory Education
News coming from the Compulsory Education Officer
B. van Putten

A CHILD Newsletter Date

January & February
If a child lives each day with criticism, he/she learns to condemn. 2010
If a child lives with hostility, he/she learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule, he/she learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame, he/she learns to feel guilty. School year 2009-2010
Volume 4, issue 4
If a child lives with tolerance, he/she learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement, he/she learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise, he/she learns to appreciate. Special points of
If a child lives with fairness, he/she learns justice. It’s choice- not chance - interest:
that determines your
If a child lives with security, he/she learns to have faith. destiny. Only you can
change your life. No one 
Highlight “A child
If a child lives with approval, he/she learns to like himself/herself.
can do it for you.

Compulsory educa-
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he/she learns to find
tion
love in the world.

Highlight for parents

Compulsory Education 
Ten things


Failure syndrome


Consultation reminder
Is my child required to go to a school while he/she is off island for a period longer than
10 days? 
Your child and fears

Yes, you as parent are responsible for your child’s education and world wide compulsory education is a law. Every
school outside of St. Eustatius should be able to offer your child temporally education when parents have to travel in
situations as sickness, death or work related situation just to mention a few.
In this case you must register your child in a school before traveling. Your school principal and the compulsory Educa-
tion officer must receive a copy of the school enrollment and when leaving the school should provide a valid report of
your child’s attendance.

HOMESCHOLING:
Our island is to small for homeschooling. All children must be enrolled in a regular school where they can be monitored.
Homeschooling is not allowed. NUSTAR (Statia Terminal) has a homeschooling curriculum “Calvert”, and their students
attend school daily from 8.00 am to 2.pm. in that way they are monitored and they are a part of our compulsory educa-
tion system.

DURING SCHOOL HOURS

All students should be attending school regular and are required to stay on the school premises during school hours.
Walking the streets or chilling-out during school hours is not allowed. Remember you can be picked-up by the police
and you or your parents can receive a penalty. This is very important for example: should you get in an accident or
been attack outside the school premises during school hours, then this can become a very serious problem for your
medical insurance.
Page 2 Compulsory Education

PARENTS
Children do not only require food, nice clothes, shoes and toys. A child longs for a lot more from parents that money cannot buy.
They need daily guidance from their birth until adult age and beyond. They need their parents love and care that will last a life
time. As parents you have a task to educate your children to the best of your ability.

 Learn to listen to your child, find out
what he/she wants or means;
 Respect your child’s opinion;
 Don’t shout at your child; try to talk
calmly and in a (self)-controlled man-
ner;
 Talk decently, and with a friendly lov-
ing facial expression;
 Show interest, ask daily how school
was;
 Make quality time, at least one meal-
time per day, to sit together at the
table with your child;
 Always try to think positively, that will
make life more pleasant;
 Teach your child to be pleased with
what you offer him/her;
 Urge your child not to borrow things
from others;
 Explain to your child why you can-
not/will not buy expensive things; moon; but reward him/her for good
behavior;
 Teach your child to save, and think
about tomorrow;  Motivate your child to do his/her
 Be honest with your child, don’t lie
best, for a good future;
or tell lies about others;  Teach your child to take the initia-
tive/decisions;
 If your child complains about a
teacher, or anyone else, always  Teach your child not to be depend-
ask your child what he/she did and ent on others; but to with you and
investigate it; others. discuss
 Remember that a prob-
lem/argument does not happen These are a few pointers which will
without a cause; contribute to a pleasant lifestyle.
 Children tell a story their own way; As every parent is a role-model for
his/her child.
how they experience it;
 It is advisable to listen to the other
side;
 Do not overload or spoil your child
with gifts;
 Do not promise your child the

TEN THINGS YOUR TEEN WOULD LIKE TO HEAR YOU SAY TO THEM
1. I love you
Of course you love your child, no doubt about it, but when was the last time you actually said it?
2. I am proud of you
There are many things about your child that makes you proud. Then let them know about it.
3. I support you in the things you to do in your life.
As a loving, supportive parent, just saying “ I support you in the things you want to do in your
life” can make all the difference.
4. I believe in you.
When was the last time you told your child “I believe in you” or that you
believe they can succeed? Now may be the time.
5. I am sorry.
When you are wrong , admit it. It will not undermine your position as a parent
In your child’s eyes, rather, it will earn you some respect as they see that
you are big enough to admit that you are wrong and can own your
mistakes and say “I am sorry,”
6. You’re a good person.
Kids need to know that their parents approve and think highly of them.
Take time to tell your child positive things that you observe about them.
Everyone teen no matter how difficult they are, you can certainly find a positive
attribute to highlight.
 School year 2009-2010 Page 3
7. It’s OK to love your mom/dad.
In divorce cases or separation children are sensitive to their parents’ emotions. Give them per
mission, tell, them “It’s OK to love your mom/dad.
8. I accept you.
Teens needs to feel accepted by their parents. They may not always act like it. Accepttrance is Each family household should
that unconditional love. Letting them know that you will always love them, just as they are. Say actually be a mini-church com-
to your teens, “I accept you and love you no matter what”. ing together to form one body
9. I didn’t mean it. Some parents don’t think that they need to let their child know that they did of love and understanding.
not mean what was said. Do apologize and say “ I didn’t mean it”.
10 You are very important/special.
You might think that your child is important or very special, but how many times have you actu
ally told them that you feel that way. Hug your teenagers and tell him/her that they are impor
tant and very special. It only takes a minute, but it will make a big difference for your child.
These 10 points may seem small, but for your teen, they are huge. Just take the time to say the
words. Actions are important, but the words need to be heard also. Give your teen the gift of
your words, powerful and true that will build them as a positive human being.

FAILURE SYNDROME
Fear also have to do with failure. Failure syndrome is one of several term Happy B-Day to all January
that teachers commonly use to describe students who approach assign- &February principals,
ments with low expectations of success and who tend to give up ate early teachers and students.
signs of difficulty.
Who are failure students?
Most children begin school with enthusiasm. Many children find it difficult
to have their performance monitored in classrooms where failure carries
the danger of public humiliation. It is surprising, therefore, that some
students, especially those who have experienced a continuing history of
failure or a recent cycle of failure, begin to believe that they lack the abil-
ity to succeed. Eventually such students abandon serious attempts to
master tasks and begin to concentrate instead on preserving their self-
esteem in their own eyes and their reputations in the eyes of others.
These students need assistance in regaining self-confidence in their
academic abilities and in developing strategies for coping with failure and
persisting with problem solving efforts when they experience difficulties.
Test/exams anxiety is the same as fear. You did all your homework,
studied hard, and think you have a grip of the material(s). But then the
day of the test comes. Suddenly, you blanc out, freeze up, zone out, or
feel nervous that you can’t get it together to respond to those questions
you knew the answers to just last night. If this sounds like you, you may
have a case of anxiety or fear. That nervous feeling that people some-
times get when they’re about to take a test. On the other hand it is pretty
normal to feel a little nervous and stressed before a test. Just about eve-
ryone does get butterflies in their stomach or headache, bellyache.
But for some persons, this normal anxiety is more than intense which is
failure syndrome. Test anxiety also have to do with your thoughts and
concentration. A student worrying about doing poorly might think
thoughts like,” What if I forget everything I know with this very important
exam? Or what if the test is to hard, or I don’t understand the question.
Students who aren’t prepared for the test but who care about doing well
are likely to experience test anxiety. If you know you’re prepared, then be
positive and give it your 200%.

Bureau Leerplicht
Location: Department of Education
Cottage road #7
Sint Eustatius
Tel.: (00-599) 318-2665
Fax: (00-599) 318-3039
E-mail: leerplichtzaken@gmail.com
Email: eux.edu.dept@gmail.com
Your child and Fears
Fears are common and normal in childhood its
part of growing-up. However, there are children
who have fear that is so strong that it stops them
from doing things. As each one of us are unique
in our on way, our reactions to the same situa-
tion can and do vary. As it is not only children
that have fears, we as adults also do.
What is fear?
Fear is one of the most basic human emotions. It
is programmed into the nervous system and
works like an instinct. Fears helps protect us,
making us alert to danger.
Fear involves worrying about bad things that can
happen. Fear can also involve changes in our
body such as increased heart beat, breathing,
sweating and shaking. Example: fear of the sea,
climbing heights, animals, insects, thunder, light-
ning, afraid of the dark, getting burn an exam
etc. When children fear something they may
scream, cry or run to their parents for comfort
and security. At school being sent tot the princi-
pal office punishment, failure for exams, and
negative criticism, embarrassment and rejection
to mention a few. Some fears are realistic, such
as fear of deepwater, electricity or savage dogs.
These fears help keep our children safe. How-
ever, if a fear becomes so strong that the
amount of fear does not match the real danger,
and the fear interferes with a child’s normal ac-
tivities, it is called phobia. If your child has many
fears that interfere with their daily activities, seek
professional help.
CONSULTATION REMINDER
January, February & March
Gov. De Graaff school: Jan.27th, Feb.24th, March 28th
Golden Rock school: Jan.28th, Feb.25th, March 25th
Lynch Plantation School: Jan.26th,Feb.23rd,March 30th
Bethel Methodist School: Jan.27th,Feb.25th,March 28th
Gw. Van Putten school: Jan.4th, Feb.1st, March 1st
Why do children have fear? child about situation when you have felt
anxious, afraid or scared. Remember to
As infants, these children often react with
mention how you handled or faced your
distress to strangers, sudden changes and
fears that are similar to theirs. Don’t forget
changes and strange noises. These children
to praise your child for facing their fears.
are more likely to interpret many situations
Talk to them about dangerous situations
and objects as threatening. Some fears are
such as crossing a busy street or ridding
learned through experience. For example a
bicycles on the road, open fires and ap-
child while walking home from school, a child
proached by strangers. Have clear, specific
sees a dog that comes to close barking
rules about these situations and explain
loudly. This sudden, loud noise may lead to
why or what can happen. If they are afraid
fear of this particular dog and associate other
don’t scream at them calling negative
things that have to do with dog such as all
names. Try always to be calm and positive.
large dogs or walking home alone from
Encourage your child together with you to
school. Whenever that child sees large dogs
overcome fears.
they will temp to run, shake, hide or cling to
someone. If children should avoid facing
what they are afraid of, their fear will con-
tinue. Fear can also come from watching
others being afraid. For example, if a child
sees someone scream at the sight of a spi-
der, mouse or cockroach, the child may start
to fear those same things. Many children fear
the same things that their parents fear. Fear
can also develop if it is accidently rewarded.
For example, if a child shows fear to enter a
dark room, their parents can go with them,
turn on the lights, and give their child a lot of
attention and reassurance not to fear the
dark. In this case the child’s fear is being
rewarded with attention and their fear for the
dark is likely to discontinue. It is very helpful
to tell your child that everyone gets scared at
times even you as a parents. Talk to your