Principals from the Public School System say they are ready to start school on Sept. 8, despite the constant power outages across the island. <\/p>\n
Christine Tudela Masga, acting Hopwood Jr. High School principal, said the power outages will be a challenge to deal with, but thinks it is time for the students to return to school. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s go for it,\u201d she said. \u201cWhether we face it or not, we can\u2019t wait on the government.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Thursday, the Board of Education voted to keep the start of classes on Sept. 8. <\/p>\n
Gov. Benigno Fitial had expressed concern about starting school without reliable power, and had asked board chair Lucy Blanco-Maratita to consider pushing back the start of school for two weeks, or until there was reliable power. <\/p>\n
Tudela Masga admits it will be hot, but said the administrators are planning outdoor activities that tie in academics for the kids when there are extended outages. <\/p>\n
PSS Commissioner Rita Sablan said the district is procuring generators for every school so that water can run to the bathrooms and the cafeterias. <\/p>\n
San Antonio Elementary Principal Katrina S. Lizama said the students are used to surviving the heat because the school saved money on utilities last year by turning off the air conditioner in the mornings. The school has a generator to pump water to the bathrooms. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re already adjusted,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
The students would rather start school on time without power than extend the school year, she added. <\/p>\n
Although some schools release the students during extended outages, Lynette Villagomez, principal at William S. Reyes Elementary, said that is not an option at WSR. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we let them out they will be unsupervised,\u201d she said. \u201cWe keep them here so they aren\u2019t out on the streets.\u201d<\/p>\n
Teachers often take the kids out to sit under the trees to continue classroom instruction, Villagomez said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really making sure we know when the power goes out so the teachers can plan accordingly,\u201d she added. <\/p>\n
Scott Norman, principal at Calvary Christian Academy, which started three weeks ago, said he allows his students to carry handheld fans during school in order to try to keep cool. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not allowing [the lack of power] to hinder expectations,\u201d Norman said. \u201cIt\u2019s not comfortable, but they\u2019re learning and we\u2019re making sure they\u2019re learning.\u201d<\/p>\n
In order for students to arrive at school with a positive attitude, \u201cevery faculty member needs to walk in their with a positive attitude despite CUC,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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