MCS is all set to open on Monday

Mount Carmel School is all set to start the 2015-2016 school year on Monday, Aug. 31. With the procurement of industrial strength generators and the resumption of CUC’s rationed water services, classes will run with limited air-conditioning and fully operational restrooms.

For the past four weeks since Typhoon Soudelor hit Saipan, the school has been working around the clock to repair damage, clean up debris, and prepare classrooms for the start of the school year. 

“It’s been challenging, but our school family has really come together to make sure we are ready for the start of the school year,” said school president Galvin Deleon Guerrero. “While air-conditioning will be used on a staggered schedule to conserve fuel usage, we want to assure parents and families that students will have a comfortable environment conducive to learning.”

The school will hold its annual Parent Orientation and Open House on Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 5pm to 7pm.

New ‘Knight Care’ program
Aware of the power and water situation that many families are struggling with, the school announced a new extended care program that will provide a comfortable environment for students to study and do homework. Since the program would run on weeknights from school dismissal until 8pm, it is being dubbed “Knight Care” after the school’s mascot. Knight Care will be housed in the Blessed Mother Margarita Maria Maturana building and will give participating students teacher-supervised access to an air-conditioned room, working restrooms, Internet access, and teacher guidance and tutoring as needed. The school’s nighttime security services will also help ensure the safety of all participating students.

Registration for Knight Care will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 1, and will run from Monday, Sept. 7, until power and water are fully restored on island. Knight Care rates are $75 per week or $20 per night per student.

Campus cleanup
As the school readies for the start of the school year, it is inviting Knights, AlumKnights, parents, and school supporters to its campus cleanup tomorrow, Saturday, Aug. 29, from 8am to 12pm. In particular, the school is in need of trucks to help haul away typhoon debris.

Uniform update
The school reminds students and parents that, as this is a transition year for school uniforms, both the old and the new uniforms will be allowed. Thus, if parents already have the old uniforms, students will still be permitted to wear those uniforms. 

Parents should be advised that the school will not maintain an inventory of the khaki pants, shorts, and skorts. The transition to the new uniforms, particularly the khaki pants, shorts, and/or skorts, is partly intended to make it easier for parents to acquire such items on their own through retail outlets of their choice, and not to be limited to the uniform inventory of the school. This will also help keep the school’s operating expenses low by preventing the school from stocking up on uniform inventory that often goes unsold.

Lastly, the school reminds all parents that due to Soudelor’s impact on power and water, especially on laundry services, the school will excuse students from wearing full uniform until power and water are fully restored. In particular, students are encouraged to wear PE uniform instead of the full uniform.

For any more questions about uniform or any other matters, contact the school at 234-6184 or visit the school’s website at mountcarmelsaipan.com. (MCS)