Close to 12K students return to school today

The Public School System is expecting 11,300 students for the public elementary and high schools in the CNMI today and 600 students for the Head Start programs.

The student number is based on the 3 percent increase from last year, according to associate commissioner for administrative services David M. Borja. Despite the lack of facilities and continued budget shortfall, Borja earlier said that they are welcoming both old and new students in schools around Saipan, Rota, and Tinian beginning today.

STUDENTS ON ZONING

Students have been zoned as a solution to the overcrowding problem in schools by having students from eastern and northern schools on Saipan stay or move to other campuses.

Incoming 9th grade students at Chacha Oceanview Junior High School are expected to still go to Chacha today instead of moving to Kagman High School.

Borja said the students include those who live north of Sadog Tasi. Chacha will also receive today the 8th grade students who live on Capitol Hill, in Papago, and the Kagman area.

Chacha would also keep incoming 7th graders who reside in the Kagman area. Chacha’s junior high school would also be receiving today incoming 6th grade students from Kagman Elementary School.

Hopwood Junior High School is also expected to welcome the 8th grade students who reside north of Sadog Tasi, while KHS would keep 10th to 12th grade students only. KHS will not have 9th grade students this school year.

Gregorio T. Camacho and Tanapag Elementary Schools will also keep and welcome the 7th grade-only if they live north of Sadog Tasi.

The new set up, said Borja earlier, was prompted by the limited capacity in schools around the island, especially at KHS. He said the school was initially built to house a maximum of 600 students but the previous student population at KHS reached at least 809 students. Additional chairs and other materials were requested for the new arrangements to accommodate the transfer of the students today.

Borja said the arrangement is only for this school year, as PSS is planning to open a new junior high and high school, possibly at the La Fiesta Mall. Last Monday Borja met with all school bus drivers and reminded them of their responsibilities and duties for the new set up.

NEW BUSES AND VANS

The new vans and SPED buses were prepared up to the last minute yesterday for the start of classes today to make sure the children are brought on time to their respective schools.

Of the 22 passenger vans that were bid out last year, 21 have been delivered to Saipan and now are set to transport the children to and from their schools. Sixteen vans are assigned to schools on Saipan while three vans remain to be delivered to Rota and two vans to Tinian.

Borja said eight 66-passenger capacity regular buses are due to be delivered to Saipan in September. Six buses will go to Saipan schools, while Rota and Tinian will get one regular bus each.

He also said that letters would be given out to parents starting today, informing them of PSS’ bus rider policy and rules stating that parents, guardians, and students would be held liable to any damage to the vans and buses incurred by their children.

If children are caught damaging or vandalizing the bus’ interior seats, glass, among others, they would be banned from taking the bus until their parents have completely paid in full the amount for the damage and the repair of the buses.

Children will be assigned seats and it will be enforced, said Borja. The new arrangement would have older students sitting at the front of the buses and they must comply with the Bus Rider Policy and Rules, he said. If the children violate the policy and rules, they would be subjected to discipline under the PSS student discipline code.