Che pushes PSS return to five-day school week

Interim Education commissioner Jacqueline Che plans to bring Public School System students back to school five days a week beginning in early October, turning what are now austerity Mondays into federally funded tutoring, counseling, meals, and other student support programs.

Che outlined what she called PSS’ “five-day promise” during the Rotary Club of Saipan’s regular meeting last Sept. 22 at Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan.

“I'm incredibly proud to report to you that by the first week of October, I plan for PSS to return to a full five-day instructional week,” Che said. “It's not about changing dates on the calendar. It's about restoring equity and opportunity for our kids.”

Under the proposal, Mondays would look different from a regular school day. Rather than students taking their usual slate of classes, Che said the day would include high-dosage tutoring for students struggling in reading and math, counseling, meals, and other activities. She said the tutoring would be paid for with federal funds.

Che said bringing back Mondays is particularly important after students endured repeated disruptions to their education, including typhoons, the COVID-19 pandemic, austerity measures, and this year's storm-related school closures.

“The emotional and academic toll is real,” she said. “And that's why I want to push forward this five-day promise so that we can restore stability in the public school system and we can offer a safe space for our kids to return to.”

The proposed return comes despite what Che described as one of PSS’ most difficult fiscal periods in decades.

Che said PSS is dealing with budget deficits following the expiration of American Rescue Plan Act funding. She said the school system has also lost 10% of its workforce since January, with about one-third of those losses coming from classroom teachers.

PSS responded by auditing personnel at the central office and schools and moving qualified employees into classrooms where needed. Che said employees with teaching backgrounds, including those qualified in mathematics, were reassigned to help fill the gaps.

The school system also considered consolidating schools over the summer but decided against it because some campuses could not accommodate the additional students.

PSS nevertheless opened all 20 public schools on Aug. 18 despite widespread storm damage. Che said Kagman Elementary School and Chacha Ocean View Middle School have since returned to full-day sessions after operating under a dual-session arrangement.

Che said having students back on campus Mondays would also ensure access to breakfast and lunch. She noted that while PSS offers grab-and-go meals when school is out, some families may not have the means to drive to a school to pick them up.

Rotary Club of Saipan president Irene Nepomuceno-Hol welcomed the proposal, saying she sees firsthand as a parent why having students back in school on Mondays is important.

“My kid is in Marianas High School, and Monday she's at home, and she's just at home,” Hol said. “So, yeah, so I really hope that we can go back to the five days a week. That's a good proposal.”

“We'll be behind you for that,” she added.

Che also appealed to Rotarians and the business community for help repairing damaged school bus stops, saying some are no longer safe for students.

She said she would provide Rotary with an inventory of bus stops on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, including those most in need of assistance.

Che closed by reiterating PSS’ commitment to restoring the fifth school day.

“We are keeping our promise in October,” she said. “And I ask you all to join us in keeping that promise every day.”