Message to parents of MHS students

First and foremost, I hope that you are all keeping safe during this challenging and trying time. The COVID 19 pandemic has brought about challenges and uncertainties. Above all, ensuring your child’s safety is always our priority. It is for this reason that the Board of Education and the Commissioner of Education, Dr. Alfred Ada, has decided to end school year 2019-2020. 

We understand that aside from school closure, the changes that COVID-19 has brought into your homes have compromised your comfort and normal ways of life. Adapting to all changes may be stressful in itself. Everyone in your household has probably felt and experienced the effects. The emotions and experience can be very enduring. With that said, we look out for the overall being of our students. Our school website will offer resources that your family can avail of in dealing with these difficult times. Please know that our counselors are also listed in our school website if your child needs to reach out and talk. We are here for you! 

Although our physical campus has been shut down, it is still our goal to educate your child through different means and forms. We want to ensure that your child continues to engage in enrichment activities that will enhance and expand their academic skills. Despite the administrative leave, our teachers, counselors and staff have been working endlessly in planning the forward movement. As approved by the Board of Education, your child’s third quarter grade will be used as the second semester grade. If your child is an underclassman (9th, 10th, or 11th grade) and has passed the third quarter, then your child has successfully passed the second semester. If your child did not pass third quarter, he or she will be given an “Incomplete” and will be afforded the opportunity to make up for the class during school year 2020-2021. All underclassmen will be able to access enrichment activities for their grade level on our school website (www.marianashighschool.com) or our school Facebook page (Marianas High School). Enrichment activities will not be graded.

As approved by BOE, if your child is a senior and has successfully passed third quarter, then he/she would have completed the graduation requirements and will be certified a graduate. If your child is a senior and did not pass the third quarter, then he or she will be receiving a learning packet via online or paper based, in order to earn a pass for his/her respective class. Our counselors have been contacting our seniors to determine whether they opt to receive learning packets via online or paper based. So far they have reached out to the majority of our seniors. There are currently 96 seniors that have not been reached yet due to inactive phone numbers. Beginning April 9, your child will be contacted by his/her counselor to inform them of their graduation status. As you may already know, BOE and COE have issued a directive cancelling all graduation and promotion ceremonies for this school year. It is truly heart-wrenching as we know that our students have been looking forward to this prestigious event in their lives. Please do know that this was a difficult decision to make, but safety is our utmost priority. Graduates will still receive their diploma.

Below is a timeline of the activities that will take place: 

We will be arranging days and time for the following:

1. Report Card Distribution for 2nd semester.
2. Distribution of Diplomas
3. Return of school learning materials (calculator, textbooks, PE equipment)
4. Reimbursement for graduation cap and gowns. 

If you should have any question(s) or may require additional information or assistance, feel free to email me at melanie.sablan@cnmipss.org or call me at 285-0809. Additionally, you can email vice principal Christine Tudela at christine.tudela@cnmipss.org.

We truly miss seeing our students on campus. At this time, although we feel divided by this situation, know that by heart, we are forever united. As dolphins, we will rise above these adversities and continue to be resilient and strong. Please continue to take all precautionary measures to keep safe from the threats of COVID-19. We can’t wait for our students to return back to their second home. Stay safe, stay blessed and we love you all.

Melanie S. Rdiall
Acting principal, MHS