Education
Tiyan campus completes first phase of inspection, officials hope for return to in-person learning
"Several of us walked the campus the other day and I have to say, that I remember the first-time walking through it when it was first leased, then when it was used by JFK and then now to look at the campus today, there's a really big difference and improvement that we see in the campus today," Won Pat said.
By Jolene Toves ·
Teachers cite low pay, recruitment challenges during Bill 351-38 hearing
"They sacrifice their own money. Hours of their own time, doing things far outside the bounds of their job descriptions, because they are committed to their cause, and they are motivated by the sincere love for the people and the future of our island. Like so many of our schoolteachers, I am able to do this, to make these sacrifices, because we have second, and sometimes third jobs," Santos said.
By Jolene Toves ·
GDOE acknowledges special education staffing shortages, aide reassignments amid service concerns
"We looked at all those numbers, for example is a school had eight adult support aides and they had an additional eight teacher assistants, we looked at reallocating the resource of the one-to-one aides who were federal funded for the specific reason of adult support and reassigning them to other schools," Rosette said.
By Jolene Toves ·
GDOE report links special education staffing shortages to service gaps, low student outcomes
"Progress toward Indicator 7 (Preschool Outcomes) was negatively impacted for preschool-aged children with disabilities. These interruptions limited the consistency and intensity of instruction and related services necessary to support measurable child progress," the report states.
By Jolene Toves ·
Senators propose competing plans for unexpected Section 30 funds
The estimated cost of addressing facility needs across Guam Department of Education schools has climbed from $107.2 million in 2022 to $427 million in 2026, and with nearly $20 million in unexpected Section 30 funds anticipated, lawmakers are proposing competing plans on how the money should be spent on school facilities.
By Jolene Toves ·
UOG expects more than 4,500 international students by year's end
“Welcoming more than 4,500 international students in one year demonstrates how the University of Guam can contribute to our island in ways that extend beyond our traditional academic programs," Sharleen Santos-Bamba, Senior Vice President and Provost said.
By Jolene Toves ·
Tiyan High reinspection set for Sept. 11 as repairs continue
"Now they've asked for extension and today we confirmed that they (DPHSS) will come on the 11th for reinspection of the two schools," she said.
By Jolene Toves ·
Career Tech, 500 Sails sign covenant to preserve traditional Pacific navigation
The students will be among the first to benefit from a covenant signed between the school and 500 Sails, a maritime cultural preservation nonprofit based in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
By Jolene Toves ·
School assessments find 25 GDOE campuses in poor condition, Repair costs in millions
"FCI is the facility condition index a standard industry matrix used to measure the physical condition of the building or facility. 0 to 5 is considered good condition, 5-10 is considered fair and poor is anything greater than a 10," Ulloa-Heath explained.
By Jolene Toves ·
$353K needed to address Tiyan campus, roof repairs could extend to December
"I do, publicly, yes, apologize to all of the parents, the students, teachers, all of the stakeholders. ... But ultimately, because I am the superintendent, then I'll ultimately be here to shoulder that responsibility," Won Pat said.
By Jolene Toves ·
DevelopingEducation
GPD confirms auto-bus crash, 46 students aboard
According to police 46 students were aboard the Department of Public Work's school bus, none were injured.
By Jolene Toves ·
Students, Teachers blame Won Pat for school crisis as Tiyan closure sparks heated GEB meeting
"It's not the best decision to make because for all I know, they could charge me so much and we may not have the money for it. But I could not see our children, all of you out of school as it is already 10 days," Won Pat said.
By Jolene Toves ·
GDOE opens applications for Universal Pre-K program at four schools
“To determine student participation, a lottery may be conducted. If a lottery is required, details will be provided by the participating school,” GDOE said.
By Jolene Toves ·
‘We’re Seniors Now’: Simon Sanchez students demand permanent solution
“We’re seniors now,” Anderson told Superintendent Judith Won Pat and members of the Guam Education Board during Monday's meeting. “Instead of walking through the doors of the school we were promised, we’re stepping onto a completely different campus.”
By Jolene Toves ·
UOG launches program awarding college credit for work and life experience
"By recognizing prior learning, the program reduces barriers that often prevent working adults from returning to school, helping participants save time and tuition costs while accelerating progress toward an undergraduate degree. At the same time, students engage in a rigorous academic process that validates and strengthens their existing knowledge through faculty evaluation and reflection," UOG said.
By Jolene Toves ·
Students, parents rally to ‘Rebuild Sanchez’ as school closure renews urgency
Students, parents, teachers and elected officials gathered Sunday at the ITC intersection in Tamuning to advocate for the rebuilding of Simon Sanchez High School. With a unified message, they called for years of delays to end as the…
By Jolene Toves ·
GPS is ‘ready to build,’ criticizes Public Works' procurement decision
Although General Pacific Services alleges that the Department of Public Works intentionally delayed the Simon Sanchez High School procurement, the contractor said it "remains ready to start building" as the department prepares to issue a…
By Jolene Toves ·
UOG: Enriquez’s performance evaluation deemed ‘better than satisfactory’
"The Board’s evaluation reflects its confidence in President Enriquez’s leadership and the direction of the University,” Chair Mike Naholowaa said. “UOG has continued to strengthen its academic programs, research enterprise, and service to our island and region. We appreciate President Enriquez’s commitment to leading the University through this important period of growth.”
By Jolene Toves ·
DPW cancels Simon Sanchez High School procurement, plans new Request for Proposal
"DPW is now preparing to reissue the procurement to close the loopholes GPS used to frustrate construction of SSHS," he said. "DPW intends to issue a new procurement as quickly as legally possible."
By Jolene Toves ·
Borja, Lujan ask Navy and National Guard for help at Southern High
"This is not the time for everyone to point fingers while students are sitting at home," Borja said. "There are contracts, responsibilities, legal questions and maintenance obligations that have to be sorted out, and they will be. But while that process takes place, we need everyone focused on the same objective: getting these schools open as quickly and safely as possible."
By Jolene Toves ·
'All hands on deck': SSHS faculty race to keep students learning
"These are things that we've been carrying over from the summer. It's just all hands on deck at this point. We really appreciate all the moving parts, the support of GDOE, the support of Core Tech, getting the students back in the classroom," Canos said.
By Jolene Toves ·
GDOE launches Grab-and-go meals for Tiyan, Simon Sanchez students
The school meal distribution begins Friday, Aug. 14. For Tiyan High students, pickup has been designated at the Barrigada Mayor's Office from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Simon Sanchez students can pick up their meals at the Yigo Gymnasium from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
DevelopingEducation
Senators ask Governor to step in with Guam National Guard Support for GDOE schools
Calling it an "urgent mission," the senators pleaded for assistance from the Guam National Guard from Aug. 14 to Aug. 21. The attached Guam National Guard Support Request Form states the request is to "support Southern High with debris removal and minor infrastructure work to address health and safety of students and staff."
By Jolene Toves ·