THE Public School System will celebrate 33 years of public education in the CNMI on Nov. 24.
But instead of organizing a district-wide celebration, the Board of the Education on Friday decided to hold the event at the school level as recommended by the BOE’s Fiscal, Personnel and Administration Committee in light of the new Covid-19 cases — 102 since Oct. 28, 2021.
BOE Vice Chairman Herman Atalig said the allotted $127,000 budget for the centralized celebration of Education Day will be divided among the 20 public schools so each can hold activities to highlight the event.
During a special meeting Friday afternoon, the BOE designated November as Public School System Education Month on Saipan, Tinian and Rota.
Created on Jan. 11, 1988 pursuant to Article XV of the CNMI Constitution, PSS provides Head Start, elementary and secondary programs to students 5 to 17 years old.
PSS also has special and early childhood education programs for children from 0 to 4 years old.
As for the annual Education Month celebration, it recognizes the commitment and dedication of PSS faculty, support staff and school administrators in the education of students.
“I want to thank PSS personnel, teachers and school support staff, bus drivers, facilities and building maintenance personnel, all PSS central staff, food services personnel, the commissioner of education and the associate commissioner for administrative services and the BOE board staff for all their continued dedication, services, and sacrifices for the good of all the students and PSS,” BOE Chairman Andrew Orsini said on Friday.
“And let us not forget those who served the PSS in the past and are [now] retired, and especially those who have passed on,” he added.
Spirit Week
This year’s Education Month celebration will include Virtual Spirit Week with these different daily activities:
On Nov. 15, PSS Pride Monday, students were asked to wear the PSS colors — blue and/or yellow.
On Nov. 16, the theme is “Thankful Tuesday,” and students can show their appreciation to PSS educators, frontline workers, family members, friends and others by posting messages on official PSS social media accounts.
“Ambitious Wednesday” or Career Day will be the focus on Nov. 17. Students can wear the costume of their chosen career.
On “School Pride Thursday,” Nov. 18, students can wear the official colors of their school.
On Nov. 19, or “Hafa Adai Friday,” students can wear island attire.
Students are also asked to use the hashtags #PSSVirtualSpiritWeek, #HafaAdaiFriday, #2021EducationMonth.
