November 20, 2020

THANKSGIVING SCHOOL MEAL DISTRIBUTION AND HARD COPY SCHEDULE 

The Guam Department of Education (GDOE) would like to remind stakeholders of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday schedule. Thursday, November 26, 2020 is the Thanksgiving holiday. Friday, November 27, 2020, is a make-up day. There will be no classes and all schools will be closed on both days. 

School Meal Distribution 

The school meal distribution schedule will change next week only due the Thanksgiving holiday. Meal distribution will not take place on Friday, and instead, school meal distribution at all schools will take place on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The regular Friday school meal distribution schedule will resume on Friday, December 4, 2020.

Hard Copy Distribution

The hard copy distribution schedules for many schools will change next week only due to the Thanksgiving Day holiday. There will be no hard copy distribution on Thursday, November 26, 2020 and Friday, November 27, 2020. The regular schedule for all schools will resume the following week. 

The following Thanksgiving hard copy packet distribution schedule is for the week of Thanksgiving only unless otherwise indicated: Thanksgiving School Meal Distribution and Hard Copy Schedule

Distribution schedules are subject to change and parents/guardians are encouraged to contact their child’s school directly for the latest distribution information. During both distribution and collection of hard copy materials, students and parents should wear a mask at all times and follow all safety guidelines and instructions from school personnel.

November 18, 2020

STAKEHOLDERS ENCOURAGED TO SHARE PERSPECTIVES THROUGH GDOE SURVEYS AND INPUT SESSIONS

The Guam Department of Education (GDOE) District School Readiness Task Force (DSRTF) continues to plan for the potential reopening of face-to-face classes in January and is conducting a series of surveys aimed at gathering stakeholder input. 

Beginning this week, the GDOE will issue a perception survey for parents. The survey aims to gather parent input regarding perceived risks of returning to face-to-face classes, familiarity with safety protocols, views on school preparedness for reopening, and views on whether parents plan to send their children to face-to-face classes should on-campus instruction resume next year. 

The brief survey is available on the GDOE website at https://forms.gle/impreJqjZgLaoykY8. The survey will also be distributed by schools directly. Hard copy versions of the survey will be provided by each school, and the survey is available in Chuukese, CHamoru and Tagalog. Parents are asked to fill out only one survey per school if they have more than one child attending GDOE.

In addition, the GDOE launched an online Student Survey for Distance Learning focused on the online instructional model earlier this month. The online survey may be found here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeo8HRgwzA75pCVB6c0ZkgtsTHHVssaIVCOKhi-RRQpOKGlzg/viewform. Results from this survey will help the GDOE to improve its online model of learning and results will be reported once the survey is completed. A second student curriculum survey focused on the hard copy instructional model will be distributed later this month. 

“We encourage all of our parents and students to share their thoughts and feedback with us as we plan for the third and fourth quarter,” GDOE Superintendent Jon Fernandez said. “This input is critical as we grapple with how best to serve our community during this pandemic.” 

Parents are also reminded that stakeholder meetings are taking place every day this week at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. These meetings are led by GDOE management and provide information on planning for the second semester. The input sessions also provide an opportunity for parents to ask questions and share comments or suggestions. Parents may tune in to these meetings via Zoom at https://gdoe.zoom.us/j/97880375471 or may watch the livestream on the GDOE Facebook page.

November 12, 2020

GDOE SCHOOL READINESS STAKEHOLDER PRESENTATIONS

The Guam Department of Education (GDOE) invites parents to participate in a series of school readiness stakeholder presentations with GDOE management via Zoom beginning next week. 

The school readiness stakeholder meetings provide an opportunity for GDOE leadership to provide more in-depth information to parents regarding the plans to potentially reopen face-to-face classes in January. The forum also provides an opportunity for parents to ask questions, seek clarification, and provide feedback regarding the planning process. 

A total of five stakeholder presentations will be held by region beginning next week. Each of the meetings will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will be held on the following dates: 

• Lagu Stakeholder Presentation: Monday, November 16, 2020
• Luchan Stakeholder Presentation: Tuesday, November 17, 2020
• Haya Stakeholder Presentation: Wednesday, November 18, 2020
• Kattan Stakeholder Presentation: Thursday, November 19, 2020
• Special Education Stakeholder Presentation: Friday, November 20, 2020

The same Zoom link will be used for each of the stakeholder presentations: https://gdoe.zoom.us/j/97880375471.

The Zoom meetings have the capacity to accommodate up to 300 participants. Those who wish to observe the Zoom meetings may also watch the livestream on the GDOE Facebook page. Those participating via videoconferencing are asked to mute their microphones when not speaking so that all participants are able to hear the presentation.

October 16, 2020

GDOE POSTPONES FACE-TO-FACE INSTRUCTION UNTIL JANUARY; DISTANCE LEARNING TO CONTINUE THROUGH SECOND QUARTER

The Superintendent of Education has directed all Guam Department of Education (GDOE) schools to continue distance learning and has postponed face-to-face instruction until at least January 2021. 

In a letter to the Guam Education Board (GEB) Friday morning, the superintendent indicated he has directed all GDOE schools to continue distance learning through hard copy and online instructional models for the second quarter. The second quarter begins Friday, October 16, 2020. He also directed that face-to-face classroom instruction will not be offered during the second quarter based on risks associated with the island’s current public health situation, which is unlikely to be conducive to in-classroom learning by December 2020. This assessment is based on data the department has been tracking using a framework provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which assesses the risk of introduction and transmission of the COVID-19 virus in schools. 

“Based on the CDC framework, we are in the highest risk category based on new cases and positivity rates. For this reason, it is my assessment that any decision to reopen schools in the near future is premature, and even if authorized by the Governor, it is my judgment that reopening GDOE schools during second quarter will pose untenable risks to our employees and students,” GDOE Superintendent Jon Fernandez said. “It is important that our stakeholders understand that we will be working to offer and strengthen distance learning options for the second quarter and that they do not need to worry about a sudden, ill-planned return to school in the middle of the quarter and in the midst of our continued public health emergency.”

This decision was based on key observations from current public health data: 

• Guam is currently reporting a 14-day 12.6% test positivity rate, which is over four times the level needed to be in the lowest risk category, set by the CDC at less than 3%.

• Guam is currently reporting 514.6 new cases per 100,000 people over a 14-day period, more than 100 times the level needed to be in the lowest risk category, set by the CDC at less than 5 new cases per 100,000 people.

• Young people aged zero to 19 years of age have more than doubled their share of Guam’s total number of positive cases, accounting for 7.2% of total cases back on July 1, compared to 16% of total cases on October 15. There are now 547 positive cases among this age group.

•  Young people aged zero to 19 years of age make up an increasing percentage of new cases over a rolling 7-day window, averaging 12.5% of new cases in August, 15% of new cases in September, and 19.1% of new cases in October to date, reflecting the community spread of COVID-19 at the household level, despite PCOR1 restrictions in place and despite the prohibition on face-to-face classroom instruction since August 17.

Fernandez indicated that reopening of school facilities for face-to-face classroom instruction is unlikely to take place until January 2021 at the earliest, depending on the island’s health situation. In preparation for potential on-campus operations later this school year, the superintendent has reactivated the District School Readiness Task Force (Task Force) to update the reopening plans in light of the latest health data and experiences of school districts across the nation. The Task Force will be focused on ensuring that schools have the necessary protective equipment and supplies, a robust training plan to reinforce the safety and disinfection protocols, support for the socioemotional well being of students and employees, input from stakeholders through rapid response surveys, as well as options for phasing in students back to school facilities based on different grade levels, school levels or groups who may benefit most from returning to school. 

Fernandez is seeking the GEB’s support of this directive and will be updating the GEB every Friday at 11 a.m. beginning on Friday, October 23, 2020. In addition, the GDOE will provide regular briefings for the GDOE community and members of the media throughout the planning period.

October 8, 2020

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBER MARIA GUTIERREZ RECEIVES NATIONAL PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD

The Guam Department of Education (GDOE) and National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) are pleased to announce that state education leaders from Maine, Mississippi, and the U.S. Territory of Guam are recipients of NASBE’s 2020 Distinguished Service Award. This national award honors current and former state board members who have made exceptional contributions to education. It is given to three outstanding leaders each year and is the highest award NASBE can bestow on a state board of education member.

Maria Gutierrez is the longest-serving member of the Guam Education Board. In her 23 years of service, Gutierrez has been a strong advocate for students and families, always ensuring their voices are heard by the board.  She was instrumental in creating a seat for a parent and student on the Guam board and, for the last six years, has served as the board’s advisor to student board members. 

Gutierrez has been both chair and vice chair of the Guam Education Board. Under her leadership, the board developed several policies to prevent student and educator harassment, intimidation, bullying, and cyberbullying and to ensure student safety and data privacy on the internet. She testifies regularly on the department of education’s annual fiscal budgets and led the approval of Guam’s school reopening plans this summer. Gutierrez has been actively involved in NASBE study groups and is a member of the Public Education Positions Committee. 

“Her exemplary leadership, unselfish service, commitment, and passion for providing students with opportunities to explore and learn has been the catalyst for improving public education on Guam,” says board vice chair Mark Mendiola. “She is devoted to ensuring Guam students receive the skills they need to succeed and believes it is critical that every student has the opportunity to get a good education on Guam without having to endure extreme hardships and hurdles, most especially now during the global pandemic.”

“Her passion and dedication to the students of Guam is apparent in her unyielding and tireless drive, as well as her willingness to go the extra mile to work with elected leaders and community organizations to ensure that our schools get the support they need,” GDOE Superintendent Jon Fernandez said. “She is most deserving of this award and I look forward to continuing to work alongside her as we address important educational issues that impact Guam’s nearly 30,000 school children and their families.”

“The 2020 Distinguished Service Award winners represent the very best in citizen leadership in America,” says NASBE President and CEO Robert Hull. “State boards of education remain a steadfast bastion of non-partisan discourse and policy making at it’s very best; and this year’s distinguished service awardees represent all that is good about that process. Strong proponents of stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and a firm focus on equity are but a few of their stellar traits. Hats off to our 2020 Distinguished Service Awardees!”

The 2020 Distinguished Service Awards will be presented October 21 at NASBE’s virtual annual conference. 

NASBE serves as the only membership organization for state boards of education. A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, NASBE elevates state board members’ voices in national and state policymaking, facilitates the exchange of informed ideas, and supports members in advancing equity and excellence in public education for students of all races, genders, and circumstances.

October 7, 2020

ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING AND DESIGN WORK BEGINS FOR SIMON SANCHEZ HIGH SCHOOL

The Guam Department of Education (GDOE) has awarded the second phase of procurement in the project to rebuild Simon Sanchez High School (SSHS). The newly awarded architectural, engineering and design for the Yigo campus was awarded to Taniguchi Ruth Makio Architects (TRMA) and was announced to GDOE stakeholders on Wednesday.

The Guam Department of Education received authority to take the lead in handling the procurement for the reconstruction of the new Yigo campus in 2018 after several protests contributed to the project’s delay. The first phase of the procurement, land surveying services, was awarded and completed in 2019. The $5.7 million architectural and design services contract was awarded to TRMA this week. The next and final phase of the procurement will involve both finance and construction services.

"I want to thank the faculty, staff, students and parents of SSHS for their patience and for their leadership in fighting for a new school,” Guam Education Board Chairwoman Maria Gutierrez said. “It has been a long journey, but now that GDOE has been put in charge of this project it is finally moving forward. Despite the budget cuts our department has seen, we will continue prioritizing SSHS.”

"We are excited to begin this next step to rebuild the Home of the Sharks and to give our students and faculty a new campus that is safe and conducive to learning,” GDOE Superintendent Jon Fernandez said. “We look forward to the ideas and insights of our students, faculty and staff to help ensure that the new school meets their needs now and in the future.”

September 18, 2020

LAPTOP DISTRIBUTION APPLICATIONS EXPECTED TO LAUNCH AT THE END OF NEXT WEEK

The application process for the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) laptop distribution for secondary students is expected to launch at the end of next week. 

The GDOE will be distributing roughly 8,000 laptops to middle and high school students in need. Schools are in the process of identifying available computer inventory and finalizing the process for distribution. Applications are expected to be made available by schools at the end of next week. Laptop applications may be downloaded at each school's website, or parents may contact their child's school over the phone or via email to receive the application.

The laptop distribution aims to provide computer equipment to students based on need. Students/families interested in applying to receive a laptop to facilitate distance learning will need to complete and submit a laptop distribution application form. Some of the factors schools will look at when selecting students to receive laptops will include whether or not the student currently has access to a computer at home, access to the internet, and whether a student is currently engaged with their classes. Once selected, students will need to comply with school requirements and fill out all necessary forms.

Roughly 8,000 laptops will be distributed once the program launches. An additional 10,000 computers are being purchased and are expected to arrive this December. The procurement for these additional laptops is being administered by the GDOE Federal Programs Division State Educational Agency and funded by the Education Stabilization Fund - Site Educational Agency under the CARES Act.

At this time, the current GDOE models of learning will remain in place and shifting to the hard copy model of learning is no longer permitted. Any requests to shift models of learning will now be made on a case by case basis. 

“We are excited to launch our plans to distribute technology to our students and families in need,” GDOE Superintendent Jon Fernandez said. “While we had originally planned to roll out technology to students over the course of several months, we accelerated that timeline based on our shift to full home learning and the needs of our students and families.”

“Our schools have been working tirelessly to inventory available resources so that we can get this equipment to our students as quickly as possible,” Deputy Superintendent Joe Sanchez said. “We hope that providing these additional resources will help our students and families to better adjust to the new models of learning.”

September 16, 2020

EXPANDED GDOE SCHOOL MEAL DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM

The Guam Department of Education (GDOE) is expanding its school year (SY) 2020-2021 School Meal Distribution Program eligibility. GDOE launched the School Meal Distribution Program on September 4, 2020. Beginning Friday, September 18, 2020, the program will expand to include all children 18 years of age and below from GDOE, private and DODEA schools. Meals are limited in availability and should be picked up at a school within a child’s attendance area.

Who is eligible?

All children 18 years and below, to include GDOE, DODEA, charter school and private school children.

What?

The school meals program will provide one bundle of five days worth of nonperishable breakfast food items per child, and will be distributed at no cost utilizing a drive-through operation, on a first come, first served basis. The school meal program is limited to one meal per child and offers breakfast only at this time. Vehicles are limited to a maximum of 5 food bundles, and walkers are limited to a maximum of 5 food bundles.

When?

The school meal distribution program is operational every Friday only, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., except holidays. Walkers are also accepted.

Where?

The school meal distribution program is available at all GDOE schools.

The GDOE is working to offer this school meal program to ensure students continue to receive nutritious meals throughout the ongoing school closure due to COVID-19. The school meal distribution program is made possible through a waiver received by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Participants are asked to wear a mask when picking up meals through a drive-through system. GDOE and Sodexo staff will be on hand to facilitate the school meal distribution. Drivers should remain in their vehicles and follow instructions to facilitate a smooth and safe distribution process. Walkers must also wear masks. 

The distribution will provide each school site with the average daily meals that would be distributed to students based on data from last school year. Numbers for the following weeks will be adjusted up or down based on the demand at each school site.

September 14, 2020

FOOD COMMODITIES DISTRIBUTION THROUGH VILLAGE MAYORS CONTINUES

The Guam Department of Education (GDOE), State Agency for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Nutrition Service (FNS) is continuing the distribution of food commodities for the month of September in partnership with the local mayors.

Commodities are being distributed through each mayor at the village level. This distribution method will be a drive-through or door-to-door delivery to provide easier access to food commodities for residents while also minimizing traffic-related issues.

Recipients will receive one bag of TEFAP food commodities per household to include egg noodles, elbow macaroni, cereal, instant milk, canned pears, peaches, beef stew, and lentils to include additional commodities as they arrive. Commodities will be distributed on a first come, first served basis, while supplies last. Commodity distribution in each village will be available to village constituents only and residents should call each mayor’s office for more information. The distribution schedule for the next week is as follows:

A total of 2,900 bags of food commodities will be distributed this coming week. Participants are reminded to wear a mask, maintain physical distancing, and follow all traffic directions and signage.

September 11, 2020

GDOE LAUNCHES VIRTUAL LEARNER POSTERS

The Guam Department of Education (GDOE) Division of Curriculum & Instruction is launching its Virtual Learner Posters to educators, students, and families on being safe and proactive participants in the virtual world.

As the island enters the new norm of online learning, the GDOE Virtual Learner Posters will provide information that addresses being Respectful, Responsible, and Safe digital citizens in an online educational community. Additional tips on academic routines, digital citizenship, privacy policies, self-care activities, online teaching strategies, and other at-home virtual tips are included to help teachers, students and families transition smoothly onto digital platforms. In addition, a poster on “Laptop Tips for Teachers” was developed to support information on technical inquiries for GDOE teachers.

The virtual learner posters provide information to the following audiences: elementary students, secondary students, families, and educators. Family posters are currently available in English, CHamoru, and Chuukese.

“With all of our students learning at home this quarter, we are excited to offer these virtual learner resources with tips on how to be successful in the ongoing shift to distance learning that we are all experiencing,” GDOE Superintendent Jon Fernandez said. 

“With the sudden shift to distance learning, we curated infographics with the intent of helping our community employ safe and appropriate digital citizenship practices while learning to become successful learners in the digital world,” Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum & Instructional Improvement Joe Sanchez said. “We will continue to work to ensure that every student is online, connected, and engaged.” 

The posters are also available online on the GDOE website at www.gdoe.net.