Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Petition to Reinforce the Proper Utilization of the Lisa Narcisse Performing Arts Centre and the Music House at the Immaculate Conception High School
Final supporters
We, the undersigned students, parents, tutors, and supporters of Immaculate Conception High School, are deeply concerned about any misuse of the Lisa Narcisse Performing Arts Centre and the Music House.
These spaces are essential for activities concerning Music Education, such as classes, rehearsals, performances, meetings, seminars, examinations, and workshops. Any other appropriate activities that do not disrupt or endanger the functioning of the Music Department and that are beneficial are to be approved by the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception Convent.
The recent distribution of food in the Performing Arts Center by the Physical Education Department has attracted rodents and other pests, posing a significant threat to the school's valuable inventory of instruments. Moreover, the proposed use of the space for housing sports teams would disrupt music rehearsals, hindering students' ability to prepare for upcoming performances.
Urgent Concerns:
- The upcoming concert on March 30th at the Trench Town Culture Yard is an act of community service, and subsequent events in April are crucial fundraisers for the Franciscan social projects. These commitments are of utmost importance and must be prioritized.
- The takeover of the PAC would severely impact the quality of these performances, which students have worked tirelessly to prepare for.
- The Lisa Narcisse Performing Arts Center is currently undergoing refurbishment, and workmen are still on site. It is critical that this project not be hindered, as it is essential for the Music Department's activities.
- Furthermore, the newly installed glass windows have necessitated the removal of curtains, making the space unsuitable for housing students.
We urge the administration to take immediate action to:
1. Prohibit the distribution of food in the Performing Arts Center to prevent pest infestations.
2. Designate alternative accommodations for sports teams, ensuring that the Performing Arts Center is reserved for the activities stated above.
We request that the school administration establish open communication channels with the convent to facilitate access for students requiring overnight stays for school programs.
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Updates
March 21, 2025
I have been reading through the stories you are sharing about how much these music spaces mean to our students and my heart is truly full. It is becoming clear that protecting the Music House is not just about a building but about the effort everyone puts into their craft. This is honestly all thanks to your dedication to our school community.
34 Comments
Lisa Narcisse must be turning in her grave. This music programme at Immaculate Conception High School is like none other in the Caribbean and we cannot allow the current administration to do whatever it feels like whenever it is convenient. We must uphold standards and discipline. My daughter is a product of the ICHS SO and eating in that building was never allowed! To have young people being fed and housed there is not the designated purpose of the building and will definitely encourage the growth of insects and possibly rodents. We have a hostel at the Convent that I’m sure the Franciscan Sisters would have allowed the young athletes to stay at for a discounted price as they have done in the past.
Because of this music program, I am able to have a career as a full time musician. I am now a lecturer at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. As a high school student, this music program allowed me the opportunity to study music in North America and Europe. I was the concert master of the Interlochen Philharmonic, an orchestra at a very prestigious arts camp in Michigan. I am not sure that I'd have a career today without the orchestra and Music department at ICHS. Also, this program gave me a lovely community of friends who I still make music with to this day.
I'm horrified and saddened by this misuse of the performing arts centre that puts instruments and proper use by music students at risk. Surely there are other spaces that would be more appropriate. As a an alumna and further music student and Glee Club member under the tutelage of Ms Narcisse, I urge the current administration to respect her memory, the centre that bears her name, and the expressed concerns of the music department.
I agree food has to be kept out of area to avoid damage to the expensive instruments.
This, should not be necessary. It's disheartening to see my school's administration disregard a core part of my experience at Immaculate and I cannot imagine why they would try to hinder the development of the orchestra, an iconic feature of Immaculate, in such a way.
The destruction of such an iconic institution is disgraceful
Music has always been a source of inspiration and excellence at ICHS. The convent has also welcomed me as a guest when the class of 1971 had their first reunion. I would wholeheartedly support a request to use those more appropriate facilities to host our athletes and ensure proper rest prior to the competition.
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Petition to Reinforce the Proper Utilization of the Lisa Narcisse Performing Arts Centre and the Music House at the Immaculate Conception High School
Final supporters
We, the undersigned students, parents, tutors, and supporters of Immaculate Conception High School, are deeply concerned about any misuse of the Lisa Narcisse Performing Arts Centre and the Music House.
These spaces are essential for activities concerning Music Education, such as classes, rehearsals, performances, meetings, seminars, examinations, and workshops. Any other appropriate activities that do not disrupt or endanger the functioning of the Music Department and that are beneficial are to be approved by the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception Convent.
The recent distribution of food in the Performing Arts Center by the Physical Education Department has attracted rodents and other pests, posing a significant threat to the school's valuable inventory of instruments. Moreover, the proposed use of the space for housing sports teams would disrupt music rehearsals, hindering students' ability to prepare for upcoming performances.
Urgent Concerns:
- The upcoming concert on March 30th at the Trench Town Culture Yard is an act of community service, and subsequent events in April are crucial fundraisers for the Franciscan social projects. These commitments are of utmost importance and must be prioritized.
- The takeover of the PAC would severely impact the quality of these performances, which students have worked tirelessly to prepare for.
- The Lisa Narcisse Performing Arts Center is currently undergoing refurbishment, and workmen are still on site. It is critical that this project not be hindered, as it is essential for the Music Department's activities.
- Furthermore, the newly installed glass windows have necessitated the removal of curtains, making the space unsuitable for housing students.
We urge the administration to take immediate action to:
1. Prohibit the distribution of food in the Performing Arts Center to prevent pest infestations.
2. Designate alternative accommodations for sports teams, ensuring that the Performing Arts Center is reserved for the activities stated above.
We request that the school administration establish open communication channels with the convent to facilitate access for students requiring overnight stays for school programs.
Updates
March 21, 2025
I have been reading through the stories you are sharing about how much these music spaces mean to our students and my heart is truly full. It is becoming clear that protecting the Music House is not just about a building but about the effort everyone puts into their craft. This is honestly all thanks to your dedication to our school community.
34 Comments
I'm a past student and this is so upside down! We weren't allowed at the music house outside of music class or music related activities after school and carrying food into the music house was a punishable offence!
Lisa Narcisse must be turning in her grave. This music programme at Immaculate Conception High School is like none other in the Caribbean and we cannot allow the current administration to do whatever it feels like whenever it is convenient. We must uphold standards and discipline. My daughter is a product of the ICHS SO and eating in that building was never allowed! To have young people being fed and housed there is not the designated purpose of the building and will definitely encourage the growth of insects and possibly rodents. We have a hostel at the Convent that I’m sure the Franciscan Sisters would have allowed the young athletes to stay at for a discounted price as they have done in the past.
Because of this music program, I am able to have a career as a full time musician. I am now a lecturer at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. As a high school student, this music program allowed me the opportunity to study music in North America and Europe. I was the concert master of the Interlochen Philharmonic, an orchestra at a very prestigious arts camp in Michigan. I am not sure that I'd have a career today without the orchestra and Music department at ICHS. Also, this program gave me a lovely community of friends who I still make music with to this day.
I'm horrified and saddened by this misuse of the performing arts centre that puts instruments and proper use by music students at risk. Surely there are other spaces that would be more appropriate. As a an alumna and further music student and Glee Club member under the tutelage of Ms Narcisse, I urge the current administration to respect her memory, the centre that bears her name, and the expressed concerns of the music department.
I agree food has to be kept out of area to avoid damage to the expensive instruments.
This, should not be necessary. It's disheartening to see my school's administration disregard a core part of my experience at Immaculate and I cannot imagine why they would try to hinder the development of the orchestra, an iconic feature of Immaculate, in such a way.
The destruction of such an iconic institution is disgraceful
Music has always been a source of inspiration and excellence at ICHS. The convent has also welcomed me as a guest when the class of 1971 had their first reunion. I would wholeheartedly support a request to use those more appropriate facilities to host our athletes and ensure proper rest prior to the competition.
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I'm a past student and this is so upside down! We weren't allowed at the music house outside of music class or music related activities after school and carrying food into the music house was a punishable offence!