Ready or not, a new school year has arrived
Guam’s public education facilities have already opened their doors to a brand new school year.
On Wednesday, Guam Community College and University of Guam welcomed thousands of new and returning students. Guam’s elementary, middle school and high schools resume classes Thursday.
“We are all set to welcome approximately 2,416 students to campus on Wednesday," Guam Community College President Dr. Mary Okada told Pacific Daily News on Tuesday.
Okada added that GCC employees are “focused on 100-percent, student-centered success, whether that success for the student means completing a course, an associate degree or certificate program, or acquiring professional development or a new skill.”
School bus schedule for 2016-2017
Enrollment at GCC has remained fairly steady over the past two years, said GCC assistant director for communications and promotions Jayne Flores. GCC continues to offer 21 associate degree and 18 certificate programs.
The 2,416 fall enrollment figure as of Wednesday is expected to increase a bit during schedule adjustment period from Wednesday through Aug. 22, Flores said. The fall 2015 enrollment was 2,410.
The University of Guam also begins its fall 2016 semester Wednesday with about 4,000 students. The final numbers will not be known until a few days later.
The 40 elementary, middle and high schools under the Guam Department of Education will be also open their doors to some 31,000 students on Thursday.
“We are ready,” acting Education Superintendent Joe Sanchez said. “Right now, I do not have any indication of any issue that will prevent any school from opening.”
Public schools under the department anticipate spending $290,000 to prepare their facilities for the new school year, Guam DOE Deputy Superintendent for Finance and Administrative Services Taling Taitano said Tuesday. The department initially budgeted some $200,000.
Department of Military Affairs, Guam Guard prep Merizo Elementary
As of last week, some schools still were reporting leaking roofs in rooms that were not used for student classes, damaged walkway canopies, damaged floor tiles, and some 60 teacher vacancies. But the department said they could overcome these challenges.
Sanchez also said the department expects to maintain a student population of some 31,000, although the final enrollment figures won’t be known until a few days later.
