Governor Continues School Outreach in Two of the Largest, Oldest Schools
Middle- and high school students were able to show Governor Eddie Baza Calvo their achievements, as he continued his tour of island schools yesterday. Monday morning, Governor Calvo and members of his administration visited George Washington High School and L.P. Untalan Middle School, two of the island’s oldest campuses.
“There is a full appreciation you only get when you see something first-hand,” Governor Calvo said. “That’s what I’m here for: to really understand your challenges, and to find out about your successes.”
George Washington High School
The visit began with a roundtable discussion with school administration. Principal Begoña Flores told Governor Calvo GWHS struggles to maintain its facilities, needs more support staff, is overcrowded, and is still trying to replace computers lost during an arson of the school’s counseling office. She also highlighted two promising initiatives at the Mangilao campus: a student-run radio station and tutoring program.
A number of the school’s alumni serve as senior staff in the Calvo Tenorio administration, and were a part of the tour not only to provide support and wrap-around services, but also to demonstrate the success stories possible through public education. They include:
– Vincent Leon Guerrero, Chief Education Advisor
– Eddy Reyes, Guam Buildup Office Director
– Arthur Clark, Chief Policy Advisor
– Telo Taitague, Special Assistant for External Affairs
– Eric Palacios, Guam State Clearinghouse Administrator
– Phill Leon Guerrero, Deputy Press Secretary
Department of Youth Affairs Director Adonis Mendiola, Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities Director Ben Servino, Department of Public Health and Social Services Deputy Director Leo Casil, Director of Constituent Services Jesse Alig, and Director of Communications Troy Torres also attended the tours.
Untalan Middle School
A few hours later, the group headed to Barrigada, to begin a visit at L.P. Untalan Middle School. Currently, it is the oldest campus on the island. Issues facing this school community include safety concerns due to road construction, an old and overflowing sewage pump station, deterioration of wooden awnings, accessibility non-compliance, and its condemned gymnasium.
“I remember this gym, I used to play basketball here all the time,” Governor Calvo said. “I know how important it is to the students, and to the community as a whole. I’ll support the repairs however I can.”
Work is underway to repair the aging facility. The Department of Education expects the rehabilitation to be completed by the opening of the 2011-2012 school year.
The school’s administration also told Governor Calvo about a successful peer mediation program they use in their school. It is responsible for the dramatic reduction of school violence for the Barrigada campus.
Every week, Governor Calvo will visit an island school, to learn about the issues they face, and come up with solutions to their problems.
