How can you help public school students return to in-person instruction? It’s a question that was posed by Guam Education Board chair Dr. Mary Okada during a recent Rotary Club of Guam’s member meeting. 

She shared the challenges the Guam Department of Education is facing ahead of GDOE announcing its delayed start of this school year. She also noted the efforts the department has underway to get the campuses ready. 

One big issue is finding the staff to handle their facilities and maintenance needs. 

Okada shared how Rotarians can help out, saying, “Refer individuals from your communities to apply for facilities and maintenance jobs. Right now, we’re recruiting–we’re trying to recruit individuals for F&M. Assist a school that supports maybe some of your employees' children. Assist a school near your business location–there are schools all over the island. And our role as the board, and the biggest thing that we can do is, and the only opportunity that I have is to have.. support the superintendent’s plan for reopening of schools.”

As we reported, the start date for public schools is now August 23.