PARENT leaders from Saipan, Tinian and Rota public schools, including Head Start/Early Head Start Centers, gathered on Oct. 9 at Kensington Hotel for the first CNMI-level Public School System Parent Summit.
Close to 200 newly elected Parent-Teacher-Student Association officers attended the event in compliance with Covid-19 safety protocols.
The office of Commissioner of Education Dr. Alfred B. Ada and the Family and Community Engagement Program through interim manager Leila C. Yumul initiated the summit in partnership with the school district’s Parent Advisory Council or PAC.
The theme of the summit was “Empowering Families One Student at a Time.”
“This is the biggest summit ever since prior to Covid-19,” PAC president Rob Harrell said.
PAC, the main organization of all PTSAs, was created in 2010 by the school district as an advisory council to the Office of the Commissioner of Education.
During his remarks at the summit, Harrell encouraged his fellow parents to be more actively involved in their children’s school activities.
He said through the summit, “we will learn about the programs, activities and initiatives that PSS has been working on post-Covid for our children’s continued learning.”
In addition, he said, the summit “will talk about new things post-Covid and our roles as parents when it comes to… digital learning, online and technology-based applications…and understanding where the landscape is now.”
Valuable role
In his virtual message, Commissioner Ada hailed the partnership between PSS and parents.
“Today’s theme…means that we, at PSS, are reaching out to you to share the resources and the skills that every family needs on their home front,” he said.
“Empowering families means helping families register their child online. Empowering families means providing one laptop per child so that they can log into virtual remote learning, through (Blackboard Ultra) and access their lessons virtually.”
Empowering families is also providing mental services for each and every child’s emotional needs, especially amid the pandemic, Ada said.
As key partners in education, parents “determine their children’s academic achievement and success,” he added.
Board of Education Chairman Andrew L. Orsini and Vice Chairman Herman Atalig also recognized the role of parents in the overall work and success of students and PSS.
“We recognize all of you, our PAC president Harrell, other PTSA leaders and all of our parents for helping our educators and (PSS) empower our schools through your commitment and passion…as we all work together to ensure your children’s success,” Orsini said.
Atalig said PSS “needs the parents’ support and assistance to be able to provide optimum educational opportunities to the children.”
He added, “We encourage you to continue working with us because we are one PSS community and it is our commitment to give your children the best possible education.”
BOE secretary/treasurer Maisie B. Tenorio also joined the parent leaders in their summit.
Among the programs and initiatives presented during the summit were: Parenting in the Digital World; SY 2020-2021 State Assessments & Infinite Campus Overview for Parents, Updated Hopwood Middle School and FEMA Projects; PSS School Mental Health Program; the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers’ Village Pride Campaign Project; the Presidential Awards of Excellence in Mathematics & Science Teaching; Updates on PSS Student Vaccination Information; and PSS Strategic Priorities Management Goals Overview.
During the summit, the PTSA officers and school administrators also listed their goals for the new school year.
Parents, students, educators and education officials pose for a photo at Kensington Hotel Saipan during the Public School System Parent Summit on Oct. 9, 2021.
Acting Education Commissioner Eric Magofna, PSS Senior Director Dr. Yvonne Pangelinan and club adviser Harold Easton with the Marianas High School Glee Club which opened the summit by singing the national and CNMI anthems.
Parent Advisory Council president Robert Harrell speaks to parents and educators.
Commissioner of Education Dr. Alfred B. Ada delivered his remarks virtually.
Public School System Finance and Budget Director Arlene Lizama, Human Resources Officer Lucretia B. Deleon Guerrero, Special Education Director Donna Flores, Head Start/Early Head Start Director Lathania Angui, Accreditation Program Manager Marian Tudela and Student Support Services Senior Director Dr. Yvonne R. Pangelinan at the PSS Parent Summit at Kensington Hotel on Saturday.
GTC Elementary School PTSA officers Charlotte Flores and Jovannalyn Moses with school principal Raena B. Camacho and Office of Vocational Rehabilitation’s Shemaine Flores and Rita Santos.
Francisco M. Sablan Middle School PTSA officers Rita Villagomez, Meena Benavente and Della Angel with school principal Cherlyn C. Osung.
Saipan Southern High School PTSA officers Anthony Tomokane, Maria Fe Montano, Marites Villanueva and Catalina Benedicto with school principal Vince Dela Cruz.
Tinian Jr. Sr. High School PTSA vice president Rosaly Acollador, right, with vice principal Nikita Mendiola and principal Liz Hofschneider.
Chacha Oceanview Middle School PTSA officers Benylin Mettao, Theo Minor, Anastacia Minor, Porsha KAneshi and Gabriella Murphy with school principal Martha Kintol
From left, Board of Education Vice Chairman Herman Atalig, Secretary/Treasurer Maisie B. Tenorio, Parent Advisory Council president Robert Harrell, BOE Chairman Andrew L. Orsini, and acting Commissioner of Education Eric Magofna.
Kagman High School PTSA officers John Oliver Gonzales, Antonette Castro, Josepha Kaipat, Paul Murphy, Patricia Castro with vice principals Francisca Bondoc and Shirley Norita.
Oleai Elementary School PTSA officers Ana Liza Padernal and Mareen Evan Usi with school principal Jasylene Parico.
Sinapalo Elementary School PTSA officers Angie Anna Hocog-Muna and Davia Ann Manglona, school principal Daisy Quitugua, vice principal Juana Atalig, Tinian Elementary School PTSA officers Raena Cing Cabrera and Lyn Borja and TES principal Lou Connie B. Manglona.
William S. Reyes PTSA officers Marlon Cabrera and Catherine Acera-Cabrera with school principal Lynn Mendiola and vice principal Jocelyn Manibusan.
Da’ok Academy PTSA officers Matilde Rasa and Arlen Sanra Satur with principal Christine Tudela.
Kagman Elementary School PTSA officers Crystal Peredo, Lou Guevarra, Juvy Taitano, and Justise Quitugua with principal Dr. Ignacia Demapan, center.
Public School System nurses Xiao Hua “Susan” Yuan, Rocel Cariaso, and Laurina Boyer with Randee-jo Barcinas Manglona, Liela Yumul and acting Commissioner of Education Eric Magofna.
Hopwood Middle School PTSA officers Candace Celis, Ray Austin and Damiana Arkoh with principal Vic Borja and vice principal Karen Manuel.
Marianas High School PTSA officers Angie Mister, Heather Kennedy, Karen Manuel and Carla A. Sablan with principal Jonathan Aguon and vice principal Rome Orsini.
Koblerville Elementary School PTSA officers Alma Villagomez, Valerie Mendiola and Juanicia Villanueva with principal Naomi Nishimura.
San Vicente Elementary School PTSA officers Jonas Barcinas, Suaad San Nicolas, Tanya Pangelinan and Janice Muna with principal Paulette Tomokane.
Dandan Middle School PTSA officer Norelyn Tenorio with DMS principal James Sablan and MHS vice principal Melanie Rdiall.
Tanapag Middle School PTSA officer Kiki Igitol Benjamin with principal Hilda Rios and vice principal Felisa V. Brel.
Garapan Elementary School PTSA officers Marrie Attao and Joie Osias with vice principal Terra Allen and principal Derwin Johnson.
Rota’s Dr. Rita H. Inos Jr. Sr. High School PTSA president and Parent Advisory Council vice president Elvira Mesngon with the school’s PTSA officers Marilou Quitugua, Sabrina Calvo and Jennifer Yalung pose for a photo with principal D. Tanya King and vice principal Annette Calvo.
Kagman High School JROTC cadets Frances Reyes, Zyran Espirito Santo, Riley Sablan, Andres Muna, Luis Dela Cruz and Manuel Babauta.
