An appeal to postpone start of classes

We parents would like to extend our portion of Sept. 3, 2008, letter to the editor titled “Outages and sleepy children” written by Ms. Emmy Rios from Tanapag, Saipan. We parents were captured and glad that a concerned parent actually felt the sufferings of her children as well as families in the CNMI affected by CUC’s power outages. As many parents agree with Ms. Rios’ concerns, the Board of Education members should critically look into this matter and pursue previous discussions of opening school one week later or Sept. 18, 2008. At least, by then, as already planned, CUC’s power will be restored. The Board of Education’s decision to open the school as scheduled on Sept. 8, 2008, will face more problems even before the first session is completed. Do we need more problems? With the current CUC power outages, children will not perform well or participate in their classroom studies as expected. Children will be restless, sleepy, and lack the concentration to learn. Besides, they are prone to lapses of attention and responsiveness, lack of motivation, and behavioral problems in the classroom. Do we need teachers, counselors, and even the principal to call parents in for parent-teacher conference because of our children’s behavioral problems in the classroom?

The Board of Education members should be concerned about our students’ needs and not let them suffer more in these times of needless sufferings. Just imagine what problems will arise, affecting student performance, participation, productivity, interest, and learning. This is not what we want our children to go through, especially when it comes to our children’s’ education. Whose voices are not heard here? It’s the children. We as parents want our children to go to school to learn, not to suffer from a lack of concentration due to the lack of sleep at night. PSS Board members, as parents, we ask that you be compassionate to our children’s needs.

According to most of the children we’ve spoken to, including our own children, they are unhappy with the recurring power outages as it becomes very hot and dark in their homes. As parents, we try to accommodate our children’s needs everytime the power goes off but majority of homes in the CNMI are in the low income levels and don’t have water tanks and generators. Lucky are those who don’t have to suffer like most families do. Unfortunately, as parents, we can only do as much to take care of our children’s needs. It’s bad enough that when the power goes off, there’s no water. So, how are the children supposed to prepare themselves in the morning for school? Of course, they need water to shower, brush their teeth, and water to wash their hands after breakfast. So, what do you think is best for our children?

We need the Board of Education to reconsider opening classes on Sept. 18, 2008, as previously proposed. More importantly, CUC’s power has to be restored first before sending our children to school. As parents, we are also asking the support of the entire community of the CNMI, the Governor and Lt. Governor, and the elected officials to join with us and help our children, who are victims of needless suffering.

CUC’s power outages are also the children’s talk nowadays. It’s the children’s business, too. Just ask any child what major problems we are now suffering in the CNMI. In that, we’ll leave you to their response.

In closing, we stand by our children to voice their concerns to the whole community and the government. So, everyone, let’s come together and try the best we can to accommodate to our children’s needs.

Mae Benavente-Salas, San Antonio, Saipan
Rita Siren, Koblerville, Saipan
Juanita Izawa, Kagman, Saipan
Julita Sablan, Chalan Kanoa, Saipan
Roman Reyes, Kannat Tabla, Saipan
Bernie Pangelinan, Kagman, Saipan
Winnie Taitano, Tanapag, Saipan
Mark Flores, Gualo Rai, Saipan
Martin Igitol, Dandan, Saipan
Scott Pinaula, Talafofo, Saipan
Emmy Rios, Achugao, Saipan
Peter Camacho, Kagman, Saipan
Ben Castro, Kagman, Saipan
Tony Pangelinan, Navy Hill, Saipan
Bernard Cruz, Chalan Kanoa, Saipan
Glen Sablan, Chalan Kiya, Saipan