Full-day sked for MHS, Hopwood eyed by mid-Feb.

The temporary classrooms next to Koblerville Elementary School are nearly completed and will soon be utilized by students of the Hopwood Middle School. (Kimberly A. Bautista)

The Public School System is looking to revert two schools back to their full-day schedules by mid-February 2019 as the final touches for the temporary classroom structures await completion.

Education Commissioner Glenn Muña, in an interview with Saipan Tribune, noted that preparations for the relocation of the Hopwood Middle School to its temporary campus next to the Koblerville Elementary School are nearing completion and a separation between Marianas High School may soon be expected.

“We are at the final phase as of Jan. 26, 2019…All the structures should be up today [Jan. 29, 2019]. Right now, the Army Corps of Engineers is just making sure all the final touches are in place,” he said, referring to the internet connection, electrical systems, and more.

Currently, Hopwood classes are conducted in the morning at the MHS campus, forcing both schools to operate on a half-day schedule. At the Koblerville site, 42 temporary classroom structures were set up to accommodate all the students of Hopwood since Super Typhoon Yutu late October 2018 destroyed nearly the whole Hopwood campus in Chalan Piao.

“[The] Federal Emergency Management Agency was also able to work with us in getting some collateral equipment,” said Muña, adding that even the administration of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres had a helping hand in the project.

“We have already started to inform our principals and teachers that we are looking at Feb. 9, 2019,” Muña added, noting that the latest the relocation would start is mid-February 2019.

He added that once Hopwood relocates, both MHS and Hopwood would revert back to full-day schedules.

Other schools such as the William S. Reyes Elementary School, Dandan Middle School, Oleai Elementary School, and the Francisco M. Sablan Middle School are also undergoing repairs to their facilities, but damage has not been as bad as Hopwood.

PSS notes that they continue to work with FEMA and the Torres administration for additional structures to serve as temporary structures while repairs on the main facility go on.

FEMA previously told Saipan Tribune that they aim to erect typhoon-resistant structures, similar to the ones set up for Hopwood, which can withstand over 100mph winds.

“We are grateful for that support and…we are also working on the temporary structures for WSR as well as FMS,” said Muña.