Interim Commissioner of Education Donna M. Flores and Associate Commissioner for Administrative Services Eric Magofna with Rota’s Sinapalo Elementary School staff, personnel and students led by Principal Daisy Quitugua during the Education Day celebration in the school cafeteria on Nov. 21, 2023.
Tinian Middle School and Tinian High School staff and personnel, led by Principal Liz Perzinski, 4th left front row, pose for a photo with Interim Commissioner of Education Donna M. Flores, third left, front row, and Associate Commissioner for Administrative Services Eric Magofna, second left, front row, during the PSS Education Day Celebration on Nov. 21.
ROTA — As part of the 35th anniversary celebration marking the Public School System’s establishment as an autonomous government entity, Interim Commissioner of Education Donna M. Flores visited Rota and Tinian to commend the PSS staff on both islands.
“I, together with our Associate Commissioner for Administrative Services Eric Magofna, are here with you today to personally recognize you for your heartfelt dedication and commitment to the job that you all do,” Flores said. “It is not an easy job, but it is a ‘heart’ job that we all do,” she told Sinapalo Elementary School and Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior-Senior High School staff during their Education Day celebration on Nov. 21.
“The reason we work for PSS and for our schools, and work together with our parents, is because we want our students to be independent thinkers and contributing members of our society,” Flores said.
“PSS works hard to give our children the education they need in each of our 20 schools, and we know it is possible because we have professionals in various roles and capacities committing themselves to the success of our students,” she added, as she also praised Board of Education Vice Chair Herman T. Atalig for “always sticking with our Rota stakeholders.”
Sinapalo Elementary School Principal Daisy Quitugua led the school staff in a celebration in the school’s cafeteria. Also participating were AmeriCorps students.
At Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior-Senior High School, Principal Annette Calvo and Atalig joined the school staff in a celebratory lunch in the cafeteria.
On Tinian, Flores and Magofna joined the staff of Tinian Elementary School, Tinian Middle School and Tinian High School in their celebration.
At Tinian Elementary School, Principal Lou Connie Manglona also honored the school’s outstanding employees in the cafeteria, which was followed by a celebratory lunch.
Tinian Middle School and Tinian High School Principal Liz Perzinski held a similar activity for the school staff.
“Thank you for caring for our children; thank you for taking time, especially for our children who need extra support and attention. It’s not just about classroom instruction but the whole child as well,” Flores told Tinian PSS staff and personnel.
Magofna echoed Flores’ statement.
“We, at PSS central office, are not able to do it alone,” he said. “We have all of you who make things happen for our schools, for our parents, for our children. That’s why we extend our Un Dangkulu na Si Yu’use Ma’ase to all of you,” he added.
Flores likewise thanked BOE Chair Antonio L. Borja for “making it happen” for the school system on the three main islands.
“We are one system even if the ocean separates us. I wish I could tell the whole world that you’re all doing a great job, but for now these are the words that I would like to share with our local community,” Flores said.
She thanked the Tinian PSS staff for their support. “I would like to thank you all for your support for my interim position. The job isn’t easy, but I am motivated to go to work every day because I feel respected and well received,” she added.
Board of Education Vice Chairperson Herman T. Atalig, Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior-Senior High School Principal Annette Calvo, Interim Commissioner of Education Donna M. Flores and Associate Commissioner for Administrative Services Eric Magofna present an award to Éclair M. Ladao, the 12th grader who won the 35th Education Day theme competition. With Ladao are her parents.
Led by Principal Lou Connie Manglona, Tinian Elementary School staff and personnel pose for a photo with Interim Commissioner of Education Donna M. Flores and Associate Commissioner for Administrative Services Eric Magofna as they honored the school’s outstanding staff and personnel.
Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior Senior High School 11th grader Mazed Mizan is this year’s Public School System logo winner. He was presented with his award by Board of Education Vice Chair Herman Atalig, Interim Commissioner of Education Donna M. Flores, Associate Commissioner for Administrative Services Eric Magofna, and Principal Annette Calvo. Also in photo are Mizan’s parents and siblings.
Sinapalo Elementary School personnel and staff, led by Principal Daisy Quitugua, pose for a photo with Board of Education Vice Chair Herman Atalig during their Education Day celebration.
Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior-Senior High School honors its outstanding teachers and personnel as well as its students who won CNMI-wide competitions on Education Day.
