25 years of empowering students and enriching the community

Dandan Middle School, formerly known as Dandan Elementary School, was established in 1999 as a temporary measure to alleviate overcrowding at San Vicente Elementary School.

Over the years, DMS has been led by six principals: Frances Taimanao (1999-2000), Andresina Dela Cruz (2000-2001), Jonas Barcinas (2001-2009), Martha Kintol (2009-2014), Lynn Mendiola (2014-2019), and James Sablan (2019-present).

Their leadership has facilitated the school’s expansion in student population and solidified its presence as a cornerstone in the community. Along with the teachers and staff, DMS has worked hard to create an environment that fosters well-rounded individuals with strong parent and community involvement which strives to continue with what they value in their students and hopefully prepare them to be contributing members of the community.

DMS is committed to cultivating and inspiring creative, future-ready, and well-rounded lifelong learners who possess the integrity and self-direction necessary to be valuable contributors to society. Their vision is for all stakeholders to be committed to encouraging and challenging the whole child by providing a safe and respectful student-focused environment that fosters a rigorous academic and technological curriculum that will prepare students to become productive citizens and future leaders.

VALUES & PRINCIPLES

Over the past two decades, it is the value and principles of DMS that guided their approach to education. They believe in a balance of cultivating their students’ academic, social, and emotional needs. Starting with their ESLRs (Expected School-wide Learning Result) and peacebuilder program, DMS is focused on the CNMI Public School System’s five strategic priorities and the Character Strong program, which centers on social and emotional learning. DMS is also a “Future-Ready ” school that integrates technology in learning and activities and provides students with one-to-one devices to make sure they are ready for the technological age. Along with their mission and vision, they set goals for their students, staff, and parents and strive to improve every year.

MOST NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT

DMS proudly considers its enduring legacy as its most notable achievement, having surpassed 25 years since its modest beginnings as a temporary school.

According to Cathy Borja-Flores, DMS Library media specialist and Elaine Cabrera, DMS 6th grade science teacher, “We have watched families come and grow, and a strong sense of community is what we have. Some teachers are veterans, who have worked here as early as the first five years and have overlapped teaching here when we were an elementary school and transitioned to middle school.”

“We also have veteran teachers that were from other schools, and an influx of new teachers. We learn together and grow as educators, providing the best education possible based on our skills and experience. We love the opportunity to meet new parents and reconnect with those who have been part of our community in the past. Our annual events have consistently attracted families to our campus over the years, such as the Cultural Day, Bunny Bash, Trunk N’ Treat, and the Tottot Bash,” she added.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

DMS as well as CNMI PSS strive for the academic success of students, focusing on standards-based curriculum and supplemental programs that support and enhance student learning.

In their elementary years, DMS worked heavily with the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library to provide parents with the Motherread/Fatherread program and the Bookmobile. They have also hosted celebrity readers, where community members read to the students, with guest speakers from the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, Department of Public Safety, Systems of Care, Homeland Security, and Project Hope, just to name a few. DMS also collaborates with Marianas Tourism Education Council under the Marianas Visitors Authority with the MyWave club and participates in the Red Cross Walk-a-thon and other events that support the community. They aspire to maintain these collaborative efforts with the community and various organizations, expressing gratitude for the significant support extended by government leaders, including those from the House of Representatives, Senate, Saipan Mayor’s Office, and the Office of the Governor.

INITIATIVES & PROGRAMS

DMS fully supports clubs and organizations as well as encourages students to participate in community events and student competitions. The PSS Athletics program has provided many opportunities for students to participate in a multitude of sports which has been expanding every year such as cross country and track and field. There’s also MyWave and DMS’ student council and advisory panel which always participates in MVA’s Christmas in the Marianas every year. The MINA Club, SEA Club, and Gardening Club collaborate on initiatives related to green energy and agriculture. Concurrently, the school’s National Junior Honor Society engages in community service activities. These clubs frequently join forces to participate in beach clean-up efforts. The clubs in DMS promote education, leadership, service, community involvement, performing arts, athletics and so much more.

When reflecting on stories that truly embody the essence of the school’s dedication, Cabrera recalls a poignant moment: the Cultural Club’s involvement in the Marianas March Against Cancer. Amidst numerous impactful experiences, this event stands out vividly for her. With a performance and a booth, their participation throughout the night demonstrated the student’s and teacher’s unwavering commitment to important causes.

“The students were excited to participate in such a large community event. Several teachers and students had experienced the loss of a loved one to cancer and the depth of support and empathy they extended toward one another and their educators was beyond words. They were so nervous, but they worked so hard to show their community spirit, and to support each other. There were some tears during the practices, and the students all chipped in to buy luminaries for the teachers and classmates who had lost their loved ones. It was an emotional performance. The students decided to run the laps all through the night, and we stayed with them. We had families and staff come and go all through the night, and the love and connection we had as a group was something that I have never experienced again. We even had some students just reading and doing homework, all while hanging out laughing, crying, and running together. It is something that we will never forget,” she recalled.

ROLE OF PARENTAL AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

The role of parental and community involvement is truly important and according to Cabrera, “Parents and families are the backbone of student learning, and partnering with them and hearing their concerns and advice has greatly impacted the school in the direction and the decisions that we make,” she said.

“We present data and work together to tackle the issues together. Parents and guardians are welcome to contact the administration or teachers with any questions or concerns. Families support their children and the school when they come to cheer our Tottots during events and academic competitions. We have an annual parent summit where we brainstorm to continue our successes and address our weaknesses. Without the parent involvement, events such as the Tottot Bash would not be possible. Families in the community strengthen the learning environment and the achievement of their children,” Borja-Flores added.

PREPARING STUDENTS BEYOND MIDDLE SCHOOL

DMS looks at all aspects of the child, from their academics to their social and emotional growth, working on skills for students to be successful in the classroom, and helping them to become critical thinkers and decision-makers. The school provides opportunities for leadership and collaboration with clubs, pep rallies, and events, and takes Leadership Corps classes that heavily focus on virtues and practices that will be essential in middle school and throughout adulthood. Careers and technical education provide students with experiences in different fields and DMS supplies them with computer literacy classes and teachers integrate technology into their lessons to ensure that they will be ready for the technological world. They take CCLHS, Chamorro, and Carolinian language and heritage studies, so that they understand the culture and language of where they live. Physical education, MAD, and MPC teach them to become responsible for physical health. With all these classes, the core contents of English, Math, Social Studies, and Science, they are provided with a rich and rigorous curriculum. DMS also has a library that supports the students’ learning, alongside counselors who provide them with the emotional care that they need. Combined with a strong administration team and support staff, the students are surrounded by experienced adults that focus on putting “Students First.”

GOALS FOR THE NEXT 25 YEARS

When asked what are their goals are for the next 25 years, DMS wants to hold true to its mission and vision and strive to align itself with the goals of the CNMI Board of Education and the Public School System. They want to continue focusing on their students and their academic, social, and emotional growth.

“We hope to still be around for the next 25 years, making a difference to each child, whether it be a great or a small impact. We aspire to provide qualified educators to continue to teach our children and build a strong sense of community with our parents, guardians, families, and community partners. We want our community and especially our students to feel that ‘Once a Tottot, always a Tottot,’ Borja-Flores said.