PSS looks to add Codify.CNMI to its curriculum

The CNMI State Public School System is looking to add the program Codify.CNMI to its curriculum as an elective sometime in the future, to teach public students the basics of computer coding, according to Jackie Quitugua, the acting interim PSS commissioner.

Codify.CNMI is a five-week summer program where public and private school students from Saipan, Tinian, and Rota learn JavaScript. They presented their finished works last Thursday at the American Memorial Park indoor auditorium.

Joanie Paraiso (Mt. Carmel School), Edwin Mactal (Saipan Southern High School alumnus), Diego Cabrera Jr. (Saipan Southern High School), Edward M. Ayuyu II (SSHS), Omag C. Ali Jr. (Tinian Junior/Senior High School), Angelo S. Lucero (Dr. Rita H. Inos Jr./Sr. High School), Sion S. Calvo (Hopwood Middle School), Gabriel Retardo (Grace Christian Academy), Xue Zhen Qiu (Marianas High School), Monique Mascarinas (MHS), Nicole Mascarinas (MHS), Chenoa Bunts-Anderson (MHS alumna), Mohammad Fatin Khan (MHS), Catherine Calma (MHS alumna), Grace Choi (MHS), and Daniel Bae (Marianas Baptist Academy) were the participants of the program.

Quitugua, who is the PSS associate commissioner for instructional services, said they would look at the entire description of the program and the number of hours needed to complete it.

“We’re looking at adding it to the curriculum but we’ll have to see the number of hours invested in the program. Because you can clearly see that it is something that students had spent so much time in. It is really a learning experience and it is all about teaching kids,” Quitugua told Saipan Tribune.

She added that her office would handle the program with the help of PSS Science Program coordinator Asap Ogumoro.

“We need to let the community know that our kids, whether in public or private schools, really have the potential. All we need is to give them the opportunity and nurture and support that interest and potential. At the end, it is really about the CNMI and the world,” said Quitugua.

She added that the 17 students who completed the program are ready, with Ogumoro communicating with them more.

She also reminded the students to be proud of their work but also be humble. “You’ll be bragging about what you know and what you can do, but in our culture we need to be humble. But for something like this we need to brag but not too much but enough to let people know.”

Quitugua said that they are also looking to further promote STEP UP, Real Design World Challenge, Dream Green Home, and Mock Trail programs.

“These are five programs [where students] have put in so many instructional hours outside the school. We realize that these are learning opportunities that we need to consider,” said Quitugua.