(PSS) — Education and CNMI officials joined Garapan Elementary School students in inaugurating their newly built, federally funded cafeteria on Monday. Their old cafeteria was constructed over three decades ago.
Participating in the ribbon-cutting ceremony were GES Principal Derwin Johnson, his nearly 500 students, Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, Board of Education Vice Chair Maisie B. Tenorio, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero, House Speaker Edmund Villagomez, Associate Commissioner for Administrative Services Eric-Magofna, Public School System-Child Nutrition Program Director Dale Roberts, PSS-Facilities Development and Management Director Edward Mendiola, Herman’s Modern Bakery President Herman T. Guerrero, and HBR International General Manager John Gilbert Saludez.
“What do you think of your new school cafeteria?” Principal Derwin Johnson asked his students
“Excellent!” some of the students replied. “It looks beautiful!” others said.
Johnson thanked “our many leaders who have supported our project. It is a great moment and a great day for Garapan Elementary School,” he added.
Dale Roberts, the PSS-CNP director, said, “I worked here for 19 years, and this school is dear to my heart. There are adults in this room who are part of the school’s journey, who were once students at one time. What we have today is a testament to how important Garapan Elementary School is in the community.”
Improved learning atmosphere
The new school cafeteria’s opening will further “enhance the learning environment at Garapan Elementary School — or any school campus where a new facility is constructed, for that matter,” Commissioner Camacho said.
“When we see improvements within our schools, we see the change of atmosphere in our learning climate. It’s great that this is happening because we know our students and staff, our parents, and this community that the school serves are happy about the improvements and advancements that we are making,” he added.
“I ask that everyone here at Garapan Elementary School take ownership of it. Because this is a component of the ecosystem of support that is required for learning: healthy children create a positive learning environment; children who eat healthily learn better,” Camacho said.
He also expressed his appreciation to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for funding the construction of the school cafeteria. He likewise thanked the PSS-CNP Program, PSS-FDM, the contractor, and the school caterer, Herman’s Modern Bakery Inc.
“The U.S. Department of Agriculture provided us with support for this construction as part of the ecosystem of support. We have a dedicated ecosystem of support, from our contractor, Facilities Management and Development, and the Child Nutrition Program. I also want to thank the community and leadership of Garapan Elementary School, as well as Herman’s Bakery, which will continue to provide wholesome food here,” the education commissioner said.
He said he had only one request for the students: “Continue to love learning.”
On behalf of Board of Education Chair Greg Borja, BOE Vice Chair Maisie B. Tenorio congratulated the GES school community “for having this beautiful cafeteria.”
Tenorio also praised GES personnel, staff and parents for their leadership and for supporting each other.
Associate Commissioner for Administrative Services Eric Magofna, in his closing remarks, said, “This is not just a cafeteria: this building is a symbol of our hard work and dedication. To our students of Garapan Elementary School, this is yours.”
The new facility, which has a seating capacity of 418, will serve free meals on three staggered schedules to its students, GES Principal Johnson said.
USDA surplus funds
The construction was estimated to cost $4 million, and its funding source was the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Child Nutrition Program’s surplus funds.
GES opened in 1967 and was relocated to its current location in 1968 after Typhoon Jean ravaged the island.
Planning for its new cafeteria began four years ago. In 2022, a groundbreaking ceremony was held, and construction officially began.
The new cafeteria is a single-story concrete facility with a large kitchen as well as an office and storage area. It is outfitted with an air-conditioning system, among other things.
PSS’s two other newly constructed cafeterias are at Marianas High School and Koblerville Elementary School.
Student leaders join CNMI and education officials in cutting the ceremonial ribbon for the newly constructed Garapan Elementary School cafeteria. With the students are GES Principal Derwin Johnson, Commissioner of Education Lawrence F. Camacho, Board of Education Vice Chair Maisie B. Tenorio, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero, House Speaker Edmund Villagomez, Associate Commissioner for Administrative Services Eric Magofna, Public School System-Child Nutrition Program Director Dale Roberts, PSS-Facilities Development and Management Director Edward Mendiola, Herman’s Modern Bakery President Herman T. Guerrero, and HBR International General Manager John Gilbert Saludez.
Garapan Elementary School students sing the national anthem in their newly constructed cafeteria.
Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, in his remarks, tells students “to continue to love learning.”
Board of Education Vice Chair Maisie B. Tenorio praised the Garapan Elementary School community for the “strong partnership” that led to the construction of its new school cafeteria.
A Garapan Elementary School student, standing left, performs a song number as part of the student-led celebration in their new cafeteria.
Garapan Elementary School students perform a special dance number in their newly constructed cafeteria.
