PSS recovery updates

The Public School System continues its collaboration with the Army Corps of Engineers, the Office of the Governor, Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the American Red Cross. With the damage assessment completed, the focus shifts to restoring power and water to schools, cleaning campuses, fixing repairable classrooms, and identifying temporary facilities to ensure that all schools are operational as soon as possible for the students.

PSS maintains a conditional opening target for all Saipan and Tinian schools within seven weeks. As soon as a school is deemed safe and operational, classes will resume.

The school year will be adjusted accordingly for each school based on the school resumption date. Some schools will implement a double session schedule with four hours of instructional time allotted for each morning and afternoon session.

Furthermore, some schools may need to relocate or share campuses. Temporary structures will be added to some school sites to accommodate the student population.

Sufficient transportation resources are readily available to support these conditions. The public will be immediately notified of details as plans are solidified.

Public Schools on Rota currently continue normal operations.

Withdrawals
For parents or guardians of minors or students over the age of 18 wishing to withdraw from PSS, visit the Office of the Commissioner of Education, located on Capital Hill, Building 1211, from 9am to 3pm, beginning yesterday, Nov. 6, 2018. Withdrawals will be processed through this central location until further notice.

Transfers and new enrollment
PSS is not entertaining transfer requests or permitting new enrollments until all schools within the district have resumed.

Distance Education
All branches of Distance Education are temporarily suspended. This impacts students currently enrolled in the Student eLearning Gateway as well as staff completing coursework for students and personnel will be announced when plans are solidified.

Shelters
Shelter residents continue to receive non-potable water that is delivered on a regular basis through the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services. Shelter residents are provided with meals three times daily by the American Red Cross. Drinking water is also made available daily. PSS has coordinated activities for the children living in the shelters, offering morning and afternoon opportunities. Provisions for Shelter Residents are jointly coordinated through collaboration with the Emergency Operation Center.

In coordination with partners, long-term shelters have been identified. Three PSS campuses are identified are as follows: Kagman Elementary, Tanapag Middle School, and Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will publish more information regarding the transitional plan for the long-term shelters.

PSS staff
All 190-day certified employees are not to report to work until further notice. All non-certified staff have begun reporting to work. In collaboration with FEMA, PSS is coordinating assessment of its personnel needs. More information will be broadcasted internally.

PSS hours
Until further notice, Central Office hours are from 8am to 3pm.

Additional Information
For information, visit the Office of the Commissioner of Education on Capital Hill, Building 1211 or call 664-3845 or email info@cnmipss.org. You can also visit the CNMI PSS Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/cnmipss/.

Public advisory
The public is advised not to visit school campuses on Saipan and Tinian for safety reasons as continuing assessments, cleaning, and repairs are underway. (PR)