(PSS) — The Public School System is conducting several summer school programs with the Career and Technical and Education or CTE Program.
The summer programs began on June 28 and they include the Nursing Assistant Program, the Construction Boot Camp, the Teacher Academy Program, the Entrepreneurship Program and classes offered by the Northern Marianas Technical Institute.
CTE Program Director Dr. Jessica Taylor said these programs are designed to expand and reinforce core subject areas taught throughout the regular school-year in public high schools.
The programs are conducted through in-person, blended and synchronous learning sessions.
Dr. Taylor credited the PSS’ partnership with various government agencies and the private sector for the implementation of the summer programs.
“This year is a strong year of partnership,” she added. “These are partnerships that we have with Northern Marianas College, the Northern Marianas Technical Institute, the Department of Labor and the business community. They have come together to help us with programs that connect our youths to careers,” Dr. Taylor said.
“The pre-apprenticeship, career-designed programs and all the other summer programs that we have right now are designed to prepare our high school students for college and careers,” she added.
The summer programs are offered to students from ninth to 12th grades and new high school graduates.
Dr. Taylor is hopeful that the summer programs will “result in more students enrolling in courses that cater to their chosen careers.”
Commissioner of Education Dr. Alfred B. Ada said the career-tailored summer programs “reflect the career choices” of the participating public school students.
“I feel extremely honored to know that we are continuing this program for our students and the community,” he said.
“Thanks to the leadership of Dr. Taylor and our great partners, great things happen when we collaborate. Everyone wins.”
Nursing assistants
PSS-CTE has partnered with the Guam Marianas Training Center to offer a nursing assistant summer program which will run from June 28 to Aug. 3, 2021 and is conducted online.
Guam Marianas Training Center’s highly trained nursing instructors provide live lessons to the program participants.
Dr. Taylor said this is a six-week program that includes clinical work. The online classes are conducted from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday to Saturday.
The program has 15 students from Saipan, Tinian and Rota public and private schools. They will receive certification as certified nursing assistants once they complete the program requirements.
“The selection process was very tough,” Dr. Taylor said. “We were looking for students who are committed, focused and serious. We want students who are looking to the future and are college-and-career ready.”
She added, “The purpose is primarily to help build local capacity. There is a high demand for healthcare personnel as well as for teaching, hospitality, tourism, entrepreneurship and construction jobs.”
Some of the members of the pioneering cohort of the Public School System-Career Technical Education Program Nursing Assistant Summer Program pose for a photo.
Students attend an online class at the Chalan Laulau location of the Guam Marianas Training Center.
Nursing-assistant books and other learning modules are provided to the students.
The students attend their online class in a room that complies with social distancing and other Covid-19 safety measures.
