(Office of the Commissioner of Education-Public School System) — The Public School System is taking the next step toward re-opening its campuses. Starting on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, all public elementary, middle and high schools will transition into blended learning from remote learning.
The Public School System has informed the Board of Education that an average of between 15,000 and 20,000 technology devices (laptops, computers, iPads and mobile phones) are logged on daily using PSS’s online learning resources on Saipan, Tinian and Rota. Photo shows BOE Chairman Andrew L. Orsini, BOE member Maisie B. Tenorio, non-public school representative Dr. Ronald Snyder, BOE member Gregory Borja, and Commissioner of Education Dr. Alfred B. Ada with PSS State Technology Director Jesse Tenorio, left, during a briefing on Thursday. PSS says it has invested millions of dollars over the years in free technology devices, including Mi-Fis, that are provided to its students.
PSS photo
Blended learning uses both in-person and online instruction when teaching students. For example, students will attend a class taught by a teacher in a traditional classroom setting while also independently completing online or outside of the classroom their school-work or paper-based learning packet components.
To maintain appropriate social distancing in every classroom, schools have organized students into cohorts. Each cohort will be scheduled to report to school to attend in-person classes.
Schools will reach out to parents to inform them of their children’s school schedule.
Since students will be reporting to school, safety is of utmost importance. They must wear a face mask on campus at all times. Hand sanitizing and social distancing will be enforced.
Although these are unprecedented times school attendance is still compulsory under CNMI law. All students must attend in-person classes when instructed to do so.
3 CMC § 1131 states, “Every person between the ages of five (5) and seventeen (17) shall attend a public school or non-public school or until the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade or upon meeting the high school graduation requirements. Any parent, guardian, or other person having the responsibility for the care of a child, whose attendance at school is obligatory, shall enroll their child in school.”
Students with a medical condition that may impair their ability to attend school in person may apply to the commissioner of education for a waiver. Such applications will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
If you have any questions, contact your children’s school.
Elementary schools schedule
On-campus (in-person) classes:
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday — 7:30 a.m-1:15 pm.
Remote learning (virtual live):
Monday — 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Students attend classes on campus twice a week and work on assignments independently on days they are not scheduled on campus.
Students will attend classes virtually (Blackboard Ultra) every Monday in the same way PSS is currently implementing remote learning.
A maximum of up to 15 students are allowed in each classroom, depending on classroom size. Some schools may conduct back-to-back classes within the week (Tuesday/Wednesday and Thursday/Friday on-campus cohort schedules).
Schools will notify parents regarding their children’s schedule before the beginning of the 2nd semester.
After-school remedial or wellness programs may be available depending on a school’s offerings from Tuesday through Friday and/or Saturday.
Middle schools schedule
On-campus (in-person) classes will be held from Tuesday to Friday.
Chacha Oceanview Middle School, Dandan Middle School, Francisco M. Sablan Middle School and Tanapag Middle School will hold classes from 8:25 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Hopwood Middle School, from 8:20 a.m. to 2:45 a.m.
Tinian Jr. Sr. High School, from 7:40 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Dr. Rita H. Inos Jr. Sr. High School, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Remote learning (virtual live) classes will be held every Monday from 8 a.m.-to 12 p.m.
Students attend classes on campus twice a week and work on assignments independently on days they are not on campus.
Hopwood Middle School has four cohorts. Each will attend classes on campus once a week. All students will attend classes virtually on Blackboard Ultra every Monday.
A maximum of up to 15 students are allowed in each classroom, depending on the classroom size.
Some schools may conduct back-to-back classes within the week (Tuesday/Wednesday and Thursday/Friday on-campus cohort schedules).
Schools will notify parents regarding their children’s schedule before the beginning of the 2nd semester. After-school remedial or wellness programs may be available depending on the school’s offerings from Tuesday through Friday and/or Saturday.
High schools schedule
Remote learning (virtual live) classes at Kagman High School, Marianas High School, and Saipan Southern High School will be held on Monday from 8:30 a.m.-10:55 a.m.
At Da’ok Academy, Monday, from 8:25 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
On-campus (in-person) classes will be held from Tuesday to Friday.
At Kagman High School, Marianas High School, and Saipan Southern High School, classes will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Da’ok Academy, 8:25 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tinian Jr. Sr. High School, 7:30 a.m.-3:25 p.m.
Dr. Rita H. Inos Jr. Sr. High School,7:30 a.m.-3:25 p.m.
Students attend classes on campus twice a week and work on assignments independently on days they are not on campus.
All students will attend classes virtually on Blackboard Ultra each Monday, and schools will notify parents regarding their children’s schedule before the beginning of the 2nd semester.
Meetings
Parents and students, including those who need guidance with their schoolwork, can schedule meetings with teachers on Monday after the virtual live classes.
Parents and students may reach out to teachers for inquiries throughout the week. Meetings may be arranged either virtually, in-person or through phone conference.
Student meals
Each public school student is eligible for only one meal-set per day.
Breakfast and lunch meals will be served on campus to students scheduled to be onsite.
Students who are not scheduled on campus may pick up meals from Grab-n-Go sites and must have their school IDs.
Parents are not allowed to pick up meals at Grab and Go sites on the same days their children are attending classes.
Bus schedule
Parents must be present at the bus stop for student pick-up in the event that a student’s temperature is higher than 100℉ or 38℃. Students with elevated temperature must be taken home. Parents should contact their children’s school to inform school officials that the children must remain home due to elevated temperatures.
Students must wear a mask while on the school bus.
Student attendance
Student attendance will be recorded for in-person and asynchronous (independent learning) days.
Asynchronous attendance will be recorded based on the submission of completed tasks/assignments assigned on days students are off-campus.
It is imperative that students use their off-campus days to complete their assignments as it will determine their daily attendance.
Commissioner of Education Dr. Alfred B. Ada said all schools will ensure daily sanitizing of classrooms and facilities, and enforce social distancing indoors and outdoors. Temperature checks will be conducted and documented, and students, staff and visitors will be required to wear face masks or face shiels. Moreover, classrooms will be retrofitted to meet safety measures.
More information is available on PSS’s Facebook page and website, www.cnmipss.org
On Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021 the official Students First newsletter will be published and include complete information about blended learning.
