(PSS) — The Office of the Commissioner of Education, Dr. Alfred B. Ada, announced Saturday that all public elementary, middle and high schools on Saipan, Tinian and Rota will return to remote learning for two weeks, beginning March 13 until March 27.
The decision was made with the Board of Education led by Chairman Andrew L. Orsini and in coordination with the CNMI Governor’s Covid-19 Task Force.
“Today [Saturday, March 13] at 11 a.m., the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. informed the CNMI Public School System of a positive case of Covid-19. The case was identified via contact tracing. The impacted school, teacher, students and families of the affected class have been identified and quarantined as part of the continued contact tracing efforts.
“I want to assure all of our students, parents, teachers and staff, and our public education stakeholders that we are doing everything we can to get through this, and ensuring optimum safety of all our students, staff, and their families,” Commissioner Ada said.
The Office of the Commissioner of Education said school staff should self-quarantine for the next 14 days beginning Saturday, March 13, to Saturday, March 27, 2021.
School administrators and support staff will self-quarantine for five days after securing their campuses.
All campuses will continue their regular deep cleaning and sanitation that began prior to the resumption of in-person instruction through blended learning on Feb. 2, 2021.
PSS central office personnel will report to work enforcing the 3W’s, and all social distancing measures and protocols, among other things.
“During this period covered, my office along with the Covid-19 Task Force, will monitor the situation,” Commissioner Ada said.
“You may feel worried or anxious about the near future and your own health,” he told PSS personnel. “Rest assured that you are invaluable to PSS and that your welfare is our priority. If you feel the need to reach out for help, please contact mentalhealth@cnmipss.org or the Community Guidance Center at 323-6560.”
