MCS ready to start face-to-face classes

All desks are separated 6 feet to promote social distancing and a UVC lighting fixture in each classroom to sanitize the circulated air. Where possible, student desks will have a plexiglass shield to minimize airflow between students. (MCS)

Mount Carmel School is ready to start face-to-face classes should Gov. Ralph DLG Torres lift the implemented restrictions on schools come Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020. If current restrictions are adjusted to allow schools to resume face-to-face classes, MCS will open its doors starting Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, after Labor Day.

“Our target date for face-to-face instruction was scheduled for Aug. 31, 2020, but we understand that safety must always come first,” said Mount Carmel School president Dr. Galvin Deleon Guerrero. “Since the directive, we’ve simply taken advantage of this opportunity to ensure all safety measures are ready for face-to-face learning. We’ve continued to work closely with the governor’s COVID-19 Task Force, the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., and the Department of Public Works to review and improve all our safety measures.”

Mount Carmel School has adopted the CNMI Policies and Procedures for COVID-19 Prevention and Control in Educational Institutions to guide its own safety measures in its school handbook.

Over the past few months, Mount Carmel School has invested considerable time, money, and effort into retrofitting its campus to meet and exceed guidelines set forth by the COVID-19 Task Force. 

Dividers are installed in all offices and restrooms to provide an additional layer of protection. (MCS)

Floor markers are set all over campus to guide and ensure physical distancing of 6 feet. Where possible, student desks will have plexiglass shields to minimize airflow among students. Dividers have been installed in all offices and restrooms to provide an additional layer of protection. New washbasins have been added around the campus to promote handwashing for all students, teachers, and parents. To sanitize the circulated air, Mount Carmel School contracted Ampac, Ltd., to install a UVC lighting fixture in each classroom. These fixtures are safely positioned to avoid any contact with students, teachers, and parents. 

Mount Carmel School has contracted Sablan Topline Corp. as their commercial cleaning provider, which is the same provider for the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. and the Commonwealth Ports Authority. Classrooms will be cleaned and disinfected twice a day—once in the morning before students and teachers arrive and once after students and teachers leave. Common areas, like restrooms, the cafeteria, and offices, will be cleaned more frequently throughout the day. 

Campus areas that could attract assemblies and congregations are closed off. These areas include the playgrounds, the gym, and the canteen.

To ensure students are safe during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up, Mount Carmel School has also implemented new student drop-off and pick-up procedures. The detailed procedures are available on the MCS website, www.mountcarmelsaipan.com, where you can learn more about other measures that school is taking to keep students and employees safe. (PR)

Mount Carmel School contracted Ampac, Ltd. to install UVC lighting fixtures in each classroom to sanitize the circulated air. (MCS)