As schools across the island are serving as emergency shelters, we check in with the Guam Department of Education, reflecting on the impact that Typhoon Mawar had on campuses, as we brace for tropical storm conditions and remain under a Typhoon Watch.

School is out for public school students this Monday as the island hunkers down for tropical storm conditions, as Supertyphoon Sinlaku continues toward the Marianas. Governor Lou Leon Guerrero placed Guam in Condition of Readiness 2 at 5pm Sunday, meaning Government of Guam operations, except for essential services, remain closed.

Today, GDOE schools across the island are serving as emergency shelters. Damen Borja, public information officer for GDOE said, “We do have seven schools that have been activated to be shelters. There are three in the north: we have Machanaonao Elementary School, Maria Ulloa Elementary School,and Astumbo Elementary School. We also have one in the central, which is George Washington High School, and three down south: Talo’fo’fo Elementary School, Merizo Martyrs Memorial School, and Inalahan Middle School.”

According to recent figures, these seven sites are providing refuge to over 700 residents, reaching 28% of the overall capacity. Borja assures families that the facilities offer essential support, saying, “The seven shelters I mentioned earlier — this is a way for students and their families to have that safe and comforting facility, while also receiving basic hygiene equipment, you are also provided food, water, and blankets. So if any of our families out there are really in need of help, you can visit one of the shelters, and of course, be registered to go in.”

In the meantime, Sinlaku poses a fresh threat to school conditions, which are still recovering from substantial damage left by Typhoon Mawar in 2023.

As KUAM previously reported, Mawar caused water damage, debris, and widespread mold growth across GDOE campuses — damage that required years of recovery work. So, how does GDOE plan to address potential new damages or costly setbacks to these already vulnerable facilities now?

“We first have to go into COR4. Once COR4 is released and announced to the governor, then our leadership team and facilities and maintenance teams will go out and do their inspections and do all the rounds that are needed," said Borja. “Once we do the inspections, we’ll be able to take the time to figure out what is needed to get our schools back up and running.”

As for returning to normal operations, Borja says students are expected back in the classroom once the all clear is given. However, whether or not students will need to have makeup days is still being assessed.