Mt. Carmel School gets another enrollment boost

Marking a fifth year in a row of enrollment increases, Mount Carmel School opened doors for the new 2016-2017 school year with an enrollment of over 500 students, up from a historic low of 260 five years ago. In addition to the enrollment increase, the school launched the new year with many enhancements, including new kindergarten students from the Sister Remedios Early Childhood Development Center, a new ballet studio from Glushko’s Academy of Performing Arts, an expanded playground, a new uniform code, much needed building and classroom repairs, and a new paint job on the middle school and elementary school buildings.

A ‘new’ campus
“It’s almost as if students are walking on to a brand new campus,” said school president, Galvin Deleon Guerrero. Deleon Guerrero took the helm of his alma mater five years ago when he returned as its president. “We owe a debt of gratitude to our hardworking administrators, our insurance company, our bank, and our insurance adjuster, all of whom worked tirelessly to prepare the campus for the new year.”

Deleon Guerrero was referring to an insurance claim that was filed a year ago in the wake of Typhoon Soudelor. The school worked with Pacifica Insurance, Bank of Guam, and Smith Orloff and Associates to process a claim that was adequate to cover all needed repairs. The claim took a year to finalize, but it was just in time for all the repairs to be completed while students were away during the summer break. The claim covered repair of the middle school building roof, replacement of many air conditioners damaged in Soudelor, and a new paint job for two thirds of the campus facilities.

Deleon Guerrero lauded those who contributed to the effort. “We could not have done it without the help of Pacifica, Bank of Guam, Smith Orloff, and our school leaders, specifically principal Frances Taimanao, acting business Manager Bobby Baldazo, and director of Institutional Development John Blanco, who sacrificed their vacation time to ensure the campus was ready for the new year.”

Good teaching = enrollment increase
Regarding the enrollment increase, Taimanao attributed it to the concerted efforts of faculty to improve instructional quality. She said, “Our accreditation evaluation and several surveys suggested that we take steps to improve how we teach, which is exactly what we did.” She added, “As a result, we saw both an increase in student and parent satisfaction on recent surveys and an increase in student performance on standardized tests.”

For Student Council president, Zeno Deleon Guerrero, the enrollment increase and all the new developments at the school are contributing to a high level of school spirit among the student body. As he put it, “Everyone still has their jitters, but they’re really excited about meeting their old friends and making new ones. They’re looking forward to everything that this new year has to offer.”

Students’ main duty: Study
The first day of school started with the annual opening day mass, the Mass of the Holy Spirit, which was celebrated by Father Ryan Jimenez, Bishop Elect for the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa. Despite his busy schedule preparing for his upcoming Episcopal Ordination on August 14th, Bishop Jimenez felt it was important to make time to help launch the school year.

After proclaiming the Gospel, Bishop-elect Jimenez led school employees in the Commissioning Ceremony of Catholic Educators, which is held every start of the school year during the Mass of the Holy Spirit. The ceremony highlighted the commitment of faculty, staff, and administrators to the school’s mission and philosophy.

Soon after the Commission Ceremony, Bishop-elect Jimenez delivered his homily, in which he commended the school for its enrollment increase, observing, “It’s been a while that we’ve seen the Cathedral almost this full.” He also reminded students about their primary duty as students. “In all that you do, remember that as students, your focus is to study. So study hard and do your best.”

While there has been a substantial enrollment increase, the school still has limited slots available in a few grade levels. For more information, call 234-6184 or visit mountcarmelsaipan.com. (PR)