(PSS) — All public elementary, middle and high schools on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota held the new school-year’s first day of classes on Tuesday, Aug. 20.
At exactly 7 a.m., the gates of all nine public elementary schools opened, and classes began at 7:30 a.m.
Classes for Saipan’s five middle schools began at exactly 8:30 a.m. Classes at Tinian Middle School started at 8 a.m., while at Rota’s Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior High School classes began at 8:15 a.m.
Tinian High School began its first day of classes at 8 a.m. while classes at Rota’s Dr. Rita H. Inos Senior High School started at 8:15 a.m. On Saipan, classes at the three public high schools started at 9 a.m.
Education Commission Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho emphasized the importance of collaboration and partnership in continuously developing relationships within and beyond the school environment. He and members of his management team visited various public schools to join school administrators in welcoming returning and new students.
“This is an exciting moment for all of us,” Camacho said. “Our students are excited about coming to school to learn. Our teachers and staff are eager to welcome our students. Our parents are as excited as everyone else. We have a lot going on today.”
School administrators on the three main islands reported a generally smooth opening of the new school year.
There were the usual last-minute issues such as late enrollment. PSS expects to have a student population of over 9,000 as enrollment continues.
“There are still a lot of students that were not enrolled,” said Dr. Rizalina Liwag, senior director of the school system’s Office of Accountability, Research and Evaluation, which tracks student data and information.
Early ‘birds’
At Garapan Elementary School, returning and new students began arriving before the opening time. Welcoming them was Commissioner Camacho.
“Welcome back!” he told nine-year-old Steven Flores, an incoming fourth-grader, who was dropped by his older sister, Savannah Flores, an incoming senior at Marianas High School.
Camacho also toured the classrooms with GES Principal Derwin Johnson. “I want to make sure that all of our students are safe,” the commissioner said.
James, a new student entering second grade, arrived at GES with his parents. He is attending school on Saipan for the first time. He moved to the island after completing his first grade in China.
“Good luck with school today and don’t forget to make friends,” Camacho told James. “And thank you parents for joining your child on his first day of school.”
Another first-time student, Madison, arrived with her mother, Jennilyn. Madison attended kindergarten and first grade in Abu Dhabi before she and her family moved to Saipan a few months ago.
“Are you excited?” Dr. Camacho asked Madison. “Yes, I am,” she replied shyly.
Strong support
On Tuesday, all PSS employees — teaching, non-teaching and support staff — were fully engaged in their work, which made the opening of classes a seamless process.
“We are ready. We are ready every single minute of every single day,” said third-grade classroom teacher Mary Grace Mendoza.
“We welcome students with loving hands,” she added.
A bus driver said, “I am just happy to provide safe transport and care for our students who ride our buses.”
Lorraine Arriola, a second-grade teacher, has meticulously organized her classroom. Her students enjoyed breakfast while listening to a soothing instrumental song. “Every morning when my students arrive and eat breakfast, I do this so they can unwind and enjoy learning,” she said.
The food service provider for the schools was also praised by Dr. Camacho for making sure that students eat breakfast and lunch, which is essential for their health and well-being.
There were about 1,200 PSS staff members who reported for work Tuesday. They included 570 instructional staff members, over 40 bus drivers/conductors, and 560 teacher aides, school administration staff, support staff and central office staff.
Very smooth
Principal Jonathan Aguon reported that Marianas High School, the largest public school, smoothly opened its 60 classrooms. “It was a very smooth opening. We were all eager for each one of our students to return,” he said.
Along with his vice principals — Melanie Sablan Rdiall, Preston Basa and Romolo Andrew Orsini — Aguon greeted parents who dropped off their kids.
“A lot of parents were mindful of the traffic situation [due to ongoing road improvement work]. They dropped the students on time,” Aguon said.
There were 1,698 students enrolled at MHS as of Tuesday. Students who were unable to enroll on time were still permitted to attend the first day of classes after MHS staff helped them with the registration and enrollment process.
“It was a great day for us,” said Daisy Quitugua, principal of Rota’s Sinapalo Elementary School, referring to her students’ first day of classes. Parents accompanied the students when they arrived on campus.
The 180 students of Sinapalo Elementary School participated in their first flag ceremony in the school cafeteria. According to Quitugua, the number of students is expected to rise as enrollment continues.
Saipan Southern High School Principal Vince Dela Cruz, for his part, praised the school vice principal, Arisa Sakai Peters, and the support staff for “a good job in creating a seamless opening schedule.”
“Every student showed up and went to attend their class without any problems,” Dela Cruz said.
SSHS reported an enrollment of 685 as of Tuesday.
At Tinian Elementary School, Principal Lou Connie Manglona reported a 159 student population on the first day of classes.
“We were excited to introduce our students to our 35 staff during the flag ceremony,” Manglona said. “We couldn’t contain our excitement at seeing our students return to school.”
Parents were as thrilled as their children, especially those in the elementary grades.
“We are just very happy to be able to see our daughter attend her first day,” a couple said after seeing off their daughter at Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School.
Some parents waited by the door of the homeroom classrooms of their children.
“Did you have a good summer break? Are you ready to learn?” Commissioner Camacho asked a second-grader as his parents stood next to him.
“Yes,” the student said.
During a classroom tour at Garapan Elementary School on Tuesday, the first day of the new school year, second graders are greeted by Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence Camacho.
At 6:40 a.m. on Tuesday, fourth-grader Steven Flores was the first student to arrive at Garapan Elementary School. He and his sister, Savannah, an incoming senior at Marianas High School, were greeted by Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho.
The first group of students was dropped off by PSS S-5 bus in the designated area at the back of Garapan Elementary School at 7:12 a.m., Tuesday. The students arrived on time on the first day of the new school year.
New student James and his father are met by Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence Camacho at Garapan Elementary School. James is attending school on Saipan for the first time.
At Oleai Elementary School, Special Education Program State Director Donna M. Flores joins students during their breakfast in the school cafeteria. Flores and other Public School System officials were at schools to assist in the opening of the new school year on Tuesday.
