‘Thank you, PSS’

May I take your time to let the public know that what a bargain they are getting with our local public school system? I wish to specifically express my appreciation for Marianas High School and then PSS for the tremendous effort that they give toward the students. They are able to generate successfully higher skill levels with their students annually, despite the crippling funds given to CNMI public schools (six years). We are moving forward to strengthen our weaknesses and build on our successes.

Of course, none of this would have happened unless you have the support of administrators who go beyond their 40-hour/5-day schedule at work to make the lives of the teachers smoother who are then able to concentrate on teaching their students. Our teachers, support staff and administrators regularly go beyond the boundaries of their workdays to give our students a fulfilling education and a safe, drug-free campus.

We are losing Mr. Borja, our vice principal at MHS, who has worked tirelessly to keep the campus maintained and the students learning. It will take someone with pretty big feet and a whole lot of common sense to fill his shoes. Our principal, Mrs. Borja, can always be found working at her desk or in various other places on campus, not just during the week, but also on holidays and weekends. She comes to work early and is constantly busy; however, it is never difficult to drop in and visit with her. Mrs. Borja, you have my greatest respect for always being available even though you are the busiest person on campus.

We are losing quite a few teachers who have supported the school for many years and who have taught generations of families throughout their careers. Mr. Feger, Mr. Winkfield, Mrs. Salas, Mr. Rayphand, Mrs. Pangelinan, Mrs. Besebes and Mr. Cope, to name a few. It will be difficult to replace them with their experience, enthusiasm and classroom management skills!

Although I do not know the staff at PSS Central very well, I am aware of the dedication of Dr. Inos and her staff to acquire monies for our school maintenance needs, the improvement of national standards tests to show how our students compare to mainland students and a general mission to help improve our schools. Thank you.

We have consistently improved the schools in the CNMI school system without additional funds from our government, the very people who should be making PSS and the future of our students a priority. I hope they find it in their hearts to contribute to a worthy and noble cause in the education of our next generation; and not just the appearance of increasing the funding with your right hand, while taking back the funding with your left hand (electrical costs). Some of our equipment and many buildings cannot hold back the water for much longer. Like the levees in New Orleans, eventually our luck will run out and then the big responsibility questions will be raised. Do you feel as though you have given enough? Done enough? Appreciate the people who dedicate their lives to an honorable profession. Don’t restrict them and make their work impossible.

Thank you MHS for a great five years of students, teachers and administrators.

Karen Kennedy Hocking
San Vicente