SSHS to offer full summer program

The Saipan Southern High School will be offering CNMI students a full summer program entitled “Endless Summer.”

SSHS vice principal Craig H. Garrison said this year the school will be offering double sessions now that summer is longer.

The first session will begin in mid-June to mid -July, and again in mid-July to mid-August. Each course is four weeks in duration with subjects in Mathematics, English, Social Studies, and Science. The summer program will also offer special elective sessions in post production film and video, “so students will have an opportunity to manage the school-wide video broadcast systems in addition to creating and editing a major film production,” Garrison said.

Students will be have the opportunity to avail of the computer networking course this “Endless Summer” giving them the chance to create and design the new computer labs and reading labs on campus using windows active directory.

“At Saipan Southern, we believe that the long summer presents more opportunities than not. We take great pride in our ability to offer programs and activities to our students at any time of the year,” Garrison said.

A handful of teachers and students in the community were afraid that the students may become “less constructive” or become delinquent minors in the community as a result from the delayed school opening.

However, Garrison begged to differ saying that “before we start airing misguided concerns that somehow our children in the CNMI are going to turn into delinquent minors over the summer… let’s have a little faith, not only in the Public School System, but in our children.”

“They know right from wrong, they are young adults capable of making good decisions. Those who will get into trouble over the summer will most likely be the same ones who have been in trouble all along and that is a law enforcement issue not a Public School issue,” said Garrison.

He added that with the help of the Department of Public Safety, parents, and “our unconditional love for our students, this will be a ‘golden summer,’ one which will provide opportunities, education and much deserved fun for the students,” Garrison said.

Garrison said SSHS takes great pride in its ability to offer programs and activities to its students at any time of the year.

The SSHS campus is open every weekend throughout the school year as well as after school and most nights up to 8pm.

This, he says, allows the students access to learning and that students are right now requesting consideration for ideas of their own over the summer using the school facilities and campus.

Garrison said that the SSHS summer activities have been designed with careful consideration of saving on utilities cost.

“While the PSS is setting the goal to see a considerable savings due to the reduction in power consumption at all schools over the extended summer, we believe that most if not all these activities, including the learning of the students, does not have to mean they need to be in air conditioned room with lights on etc.,” Garrison said.

During the summer, SSHS plans on shutting down all large power consuming units and lighting, however there will be a few rooms such as the computer rooms that would the school would need to keep leave the air-condition on to protect the equipment.

Garrison said that thermostat will be adjusted to save on additional power. Teachers will also be encouraged to turn off the lights and use the windows in every classroom to provide daylight for instruction.