GDOE: double session first day arrival, departures run ‘smoothly’

Four school populations began double sessions Wednesday, and according to the Guam Department of Education, all buses arrived and departed on time.

The night before the first day of double sessions, the Department of Public Works released the double-session bus schedule. Though revised, the schedule contained discrepancies in student arrival and departure times. At the time, DPW acting Director Linda Ibanez clarified that the bus schedule was aligned with GDOE's bell schedule.

"As of this morning, the department reports the following: George Washington High School: All buses arrived before 6:20 a.m. During the transition period at the end of the morning session, all GW buses departed by 11:53 a.m.," GDOE said. "Tiyan High School: During the transition period, all buses arrived no later than 12:05 p.m."

For the Techaira family, the first day of double sessions meant modifying established routines around the new schedule for George Washington High School.

"As a two-parent working household with four children, ages 2 to 17, all attending different schools or childcare programs, this schedule change affects our entire family. It means earlier wake-up times, multiple drop-offs and pick-ups, rearranging both parents’ work schedules, and coordinating childcare for our younger children. Our established routine includes work, school, childcare, extracurricular activities, homework, meals, and bedtime, so changing one child’s schedule creates a domino effect for everyone," Suzanne Techaira told Guam News Network.

The Techaira family is making it work, telling Guam News Network, "We support the changes and understand that, at this point, we must work with the situation we have."

Though Suzanne Techaira shared concerns, she also hopes education officials use the experience as a learning opportunity.

"We just hope our employers will be understanding and allow us to adjust our work schedules accordingly. Moving forward, I hope the lessons learned from this experience will help guide better planning for the 2027 school year and future school schedules, especially by considering the real impact these decisions have on working families," Suzanne Techaira said.

Her husband, James Techaira, was on duty for the after-school pickup and documented his experience with traffic flow for Guam News Network. The video he provided to GNN has been muted at his request.

"It's Wednesday, Sept. 23, the time is exactly, 11:26 a.m. and it is the first day of the double session between Tiyan High and GW. I'm en route to pick up my daughter who attends George Washington High," he said in the video.

The video shows entry into GWHS as a single lane. Once through the gate, GDOE personnel directed traffic to keep vehicles in lanes designated for their child's respective school.

At the drop-off and pickup point, GDOE personnel were also present serving as crossing guards for students who rode the Tiyan bus.

The video shows the Tiyan bus on the outer road, while two lanes within the parking lot by the gym were used for Tiyan drop-off and GWHS pickup.

"Tiyan bus has arrived on campus, and it appears that Tiyan drop off is there and the line I'm in is the George Washington pick up, and it looks like it's running smoothly," James Techaira said in the video.

James Techaira said traffic at the main intersection also flowed smoothly.

Meanwhile, GDOE also reported smooth busing operations for Okkodo High School and Simon Sanchez High School.

"Okkodo High School: All buses arrived by 6:34 a.m. During the transition period at the end of the morning session, all OHS buses departed by 12:01 p.m.," GDOE said. "Simon Sanchez High School: All SSHS buses arrived no later than 12:20 p.m."

GDOE expressed gratitude to DPW for providing on-time busing services for students and ensuring their safe arrival.

"GDOE will continue to monitor bus operations at all double session schools and will provide further updates as needed to keep parents, students, and the community informed," GDOE said.

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