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GDOE reports no major problems

DESPITE rain and traffic in some areas, the island’s 40 public schools opened their gates to at least 30,000 new and returning students to officially start the new school year yesterday.

Guam Department of Education Superintendent Jon Fernandez, along with the department’s deputy superintendents, started their morning outside the four walls of the GDOE central office and ventured out into the various public schools to monitor the first day of classes.

At least 40 GDOE staffers were also deployed by Fernandez to the different schools to not only monitor the opening of classes, but also to address any issues that may arise during the course of the day.

“It was exciting to be out with the kids and parents on the first day of school. There was a lot of energy and I think we are off to a great start,” Fernandez stated. “My deputies and staff are still reporting back on what they observed out at the schools this morning. For the most part, things have gone very smoothly.

“All of the preparation paid off, and we are very thankful for the work that our government agency partners and our community volunteers did to help get the schools ready for the start of the school year.

“There was a very noticeable difference in terms of the facilities and a very positive feeling in the air. I know that our children appreciate the support that has been shown throughout the summer. I hope this continues throughout the year.”

Acting GDOE Deputy Superintendent Robert Malay said classes opened smoothly in Machananao Elementary School, Finegayan Elementary School, Astumbo Middle School, Astumbo Elementary School, and Okkodo High School.

As part of the GDOE management team assigned by Fernandez, Malay visited five schools, including George Washington High School, and talked to principals, teachers and students.

As of late afternoon yesterday, Malay said there were no major issues with the first day of classes as GDOE received positive reports from the schools.

GW double session

When the Variety observed the GWHS campus, it was a flurry of activity at around noon. With only 15 minutes to transition, the school buses headed into designated areas to drop off the freshmen while the rest of the students waited for their turn to board the buses. Despite the short transition time, the buses were able to drop off and pick up their students smoothly.

Fernandez said he was able to watch the noon transition of the GWHS double session with Guam Education Board chairman Francis Santos. He noted everything went as planned.

More than 600 students from the freshmen academy attended their first afternoon double session at GWHS yesterday. In the morning, around 1,900 students from the rest of the high school levels started their homeroom period earlier at 7 a.m.

Traffic was slowed down by the rain and the private vehicles lining up to get into the campus to drop off or pick up students. Despite these occurrences, the transition went smoothly, according to GWHS Principal Begonia Flores.

GWHS Assistant Principal Gaylene Cruz said: “Everything went smoothly today. The only problem that we had was the traffic. The traffic congestion was caused by parents not knowing what to do.”

Cruz advised GWHS parents to let their children utilize the bus services until after the double session is over. She encouraged parents to look at the bus schedules posted for GWHS and to drop by the school office to get information.

“It wasn’t so much getting the buses out – that went smoothly. It’s the car riders. They just need to come and get the information from the office. We are passing out the flyers every day. There is no excuse why children should be picked up late. My advice to the parents is to come to the office and get the information that they need,” Cruz stated.

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