THE Public School System will continue implementing initiatives, programs, and practices that not only meet the diverse needs of learners, but also give parents a sense of ownership and empowerment over their child’s learning success, Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho said during the Parent Summit at the Aqua Resort Club on Sept. 28, 2024.
In acknowledging the unique role that parents play in their child’s educational progress, Camacho said it is the “incredible strengths of families” that will help PSS improve student learning.
“Your PSS will continue to work with you to ensure the sense of ownership and empowerment in the very stakeholders that the school district is designed to serve,” he told parents.
“We will continue to create a supportive environment where all voices are valued. This is the beauty of working together, us at PSS and you, our parents, our most valued partners,” he said.
According to Camacho, PSS is a complex organization that seamlessly works with various offices at its central office, including the governing body, the Board of Education, 20 elementary, middle and high schools as well as critical programs.
“Every single minute of every day, things are happening in all of our 20 schools and at the central office,” Camacho said. “This is a complex work that is done cohesively because we all see the same direction — to serve our students, staff and personnel, our parents, and the community as a whole.”
He said PSS succeeds as a complex organization “because we have your trust and confidence that we take care of your children, that we will be better custodians because of our partnership together.”
‘Engagement’
Parent Advisory Council President Alyssa Pangelinan said parent summits and similar events organized by PSS are designed to expand the learning opportunities and engagement of parents.
“There are strategies that us parents need to keep ourselves aware so we can share them with our families, our schools, and the community,” Pangelinan said in her remarks.
“We need your continued collaboration with PSS to be able to accomplish its missions, goals and vision,” said Pangelinan, who is also the vice principal of Oleai Elementary School.
She asked parents to recruit more parents to school-related activities.
PSS Family & Community Engagement Program Director Liela C. Yumul praised all parent leaders for continuously supporting the school system.
“Your presence here is a humbling opportunity for us at PSS, to be able to continuously work with you in our commitment to support the learning and success of your children,” Yumul said.
The theme of the Parent Summit was “Engaging Our Parents as Partners in Education,” with over 100 parent leaders participating. They represented 20 public schools, including elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as Head Start/Early Head Start centers and the Special Education Program.
The summit is one of the primary events of the school district’s Family Engagement and Community Involvement Program. It was created in school year 2011-2012 by the Office of the Commissioner of Education and the Federal Programs Office to underscore the critical role of parents in the overall growth of PSS. The program is federally funded.
Unwavering support
In his remarks, Commissioner Camacho also praised House Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez for his unwavering support, noting that he never missed any parent activities within the school district. Villagomez is a parent leader representing Oleai Elementary School.
Also attending the summit was Board of Education member Daniel O. Quitugua of Rota.
“On behalf of our Board of Education and Public School System, our great school administrators and school personnel are able to deliver the tasks expected of us because of the support — the external support that we receive from our partners in the government,” Camacho said.
“Both internal and external systems of support” have been the key to PSS’ success, he added.
“From our parents to our partners in the community, you are influencers who encourage our children to continue learning, and help us, at PSS, achieve our goals,” Camacho said.
“This is the most important reason why we exist as one school system: our partnership to ensure that our children are successful,” he added.
Parent leaders from Saipan, Tinian, and Rota as well as other stakeholders listen to Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, standing left, as he discusses the vital role parents play in each child’s education, development, and success during the Parent Summit at Aqua Resort on Sept. 28, 2024.
Tanapag Middle School and Saipan Southern High School parent leader Fred Fatiolofa discusses the topic, “Through the Lens of a Parent, The Portrait of a Graduate” to his peers.
Celine Orsini of the PSS Accountability, Research and Evaluation Office presents the “School Accountability Report Card” to parents.
Education Commissioner Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho talks about the school district’s five-year, multi-tiered PSS Strategic Plan.
Board of Education member Daniel O. Quitugua of Rota deliver his remarks at the Parent Summit.
