Parents at the Home of the Islanders are raising their voices, challenging the status quo of the double-session schedule between John F. Kennedy and Simon Sanchez high schools. Many are left asking: what does the future hold for students?

It's clear: the double-session arrangement between JFK and Sanchez is far from ideal, even the superintendent of education admits he isn't happy with it. But JFK parents are now breaking down just how much this setup is taking a toll on their children's education and overall high school experience, all while expressing empathy for the Sharks, who are facing the same struggles.

Barbara Jansen, a freshman Islander parent and former long-time teacher at JFK, sums up the issue bluntly, saying, "This is not just for a week. It’s for the majority of the months of the year, for now, two years–and ending when?”

Jansen says her concerns boil down to three main points, including reduced class times. “The class periods, the actual contact minutes, are so little compared to what they used to be that you can’t possibly cover the amount of material as thoroughly as we used to be able to do," she said.

It’s an issue another JFK parent shares. They also raise concern over access to the school, telling KUAM News, in part, “Without the double-session, at least they can enjoy the facilities after school in the afternoon." Both parents doubling down that their concern extends to the Sharks, too, who are holding out hope that they’ll finally get the home they deserve. 

And while DOE superintendent Dr. Kenneth Swanson says they will in two years conservatively, the interim is murky. One idea floating around is a possible double session at F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School after its refurbishment, but that option comes with reservations.

Jansen continued, “I taught at FB for a couple of years, and I know that the school is not big enough to handle all the Sanchez people. I just don’t feel like that’s going to work. So, I think JFK is big–it’s got a lot more classrooms than FB—So I probably feel like it is going to continue–no matter what anybody says or wants. I think it might be inevitable.”

In the meantime, KUAM reached out to GDOE for an update on the status of FBLG’s refurbishment.