By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

GARAPAN Elementary School will break with the past in its traditional promotion ceremony this year by holding it at the World Resort Hotel.
This was the decision of the parents who want to provide a different kind of experience for their children, according to Dale Roberts, GES vice principal.
“Our parents and sixth graders came together and voted for what they want in the event,” he said. “The result was a fairly close vote but a majority chose to go to World Resort instead of having a formal ceremony on the campus. They want it at the water park where the award ceremony will also be held.”
Roberts said each of the parents volunteered to pitch in $20 for the event.
“All the students’ awards and recognitions, including those for the Top 10, will be handed out on that day by our education commissioner (David M. Borja),” Roberts said, adding that students are expected to wear their swimming outfits at the venue instead of the traditional gowns on formal rites.
The event is scheduled for June 6, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
GES has 112 sixth graders who will be promoted to junior high.
“After the ceremony, they will be given the chance to enjoy the water park,” Roberts said, adding that the “event’s objective is to wish our students well in their next adventure.”
Roberts said GES has conducted other promotionceremonies outside the campus in the past — at the Susupe Civic Center and the Garapan Central Park.
PSS has given each school the opportunity to decide how and where to hold their promotion activities.
Due to financial constraints, most of schools have scheduled “simple but meaningful” ceremonies.
PSS asked schools to consult and work closely with the PTAs in preparing for the event.