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Hopwood temporarily moves to Koblerville
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Posted on Feb 20 2019
The Admiral Herbert G. Hopwood Middle School started their first day of classes yesterday at their own temporary campus next to the Koblerville Elementary School.
Besides moving out of Marianas High School, where they’ve been holding classes in the morning, the middle school also reverted to a whole day schedule. That averts any delays in graduations and promotions.
“The students are happy to get their full day [classes] back and the teachers here are happy to get their own campus,” said Hopwood principal Dr. Rizalina Liwag yesterday.
The move affects 900 students and 68 Hopwood staff.
The temporary Hopwood campus has 42 structures, 36 of which are classroom that are equipped with air-conditioning, new tables, and even internet connectivity. There are also Americans with Disabilities, or ADA, compliant units with makeshift ramps.
“The Federal Emergency Management Agency had delivered 180 tables to us for use [at Hopwood],” said Education Commissioner Glenn Muña, including several tables and chairs that were salvaged from the almost completely destroyed Hopwood campus in Chalan Piao.
CNMI 2019 Instructor of the Year Michael Berbes, in a chance interview with Saipan Tribune, said he is neutral about moving to a new temporary campus because of his military training. “I just go with the flow—whatever they give us. I just adapt to it,” he said when asked about his opinion about the move.
Berbes is an instructor at Hopwood for the Middle School Leadership Board, along with after-school programs for 6th to 8th graders.
He did note that having a dedicated campus for Hopwood students addresses some safety concerns. “It’s sufficient,” he said. “It is our own space so we don’t have to worry about the students’ [classes].”
With the move, Hopwood Middle School joins the majority of Public School System schools that are operating on a regular full-day basis.
