Previous Story
Parents, teachers save SAEF school from closing down
|
Posted on Jun 22 2011
Parents and teachers of the Saipan American Education Foundation students saved the institution from closing down its grade school beginning this school year after convincing other parents to enroll their children at the school.
SAEF president and owner Dr. Johnny Fong, through administrator Rick Brien, confirmed yesterday with the Saipan Tribune that the school has decided to continue offering classes for kindergarten through eighth grade beginning Aug. 22 after receiving a significant number of enrollees last week.
Fong had informed SAEF teachers and employees last week that the institution will stop offering second grade to eighth grade levels due to low enrollment. This caused the termination of several teachers.
Brien disclosed yesterday that parents and teachers appealed to Fong, citing the closure’s effect on their children, many of whom have been studying at SAEF for many years now—even before the school was acquired by Fong.
Fong, who is also the owner of University of Loyola and Kids Cove Learning Center, acquired SAEF in 2008.
Brien said the “eagerness and willingness” demonstrated by parents and teachers persuaded the management to change its mind and cancel the planned downsizing.
He disclosed that a day after the decision was announced, parents and teachers started to “recruit and market” the institution to get the needed enrollees for the new school year.
As of yesterday, the school has recorded over 100 enrollees: first grade, 12; second grade, 10; third grade, seven; fourth grade, seven; fifth grade, 10; sixth grade, nine; seventh grade, nine; and eighth grade, four.
Brien disclosed that enrollees in kindergarten-3 through K-5 amounted to about 35 as of yesterday. Registration for all levels is ongoing until classes open on Aug. 22.
Brien said SAEF has retained all 11 teachers for the next school year and may add more to accommodate its growing student population. Fong, he said, is thankful for the parents’ commitment and dedication to the education of their children.
Fong earlier disclosed that since acquiring the institution in 2008, yearly operational losses were at over $50,000.
