Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — “We cannot extend the school year beyond June because we have students who are planning to go off island to attend colleges and universities, others plan to go join the military,” declared Education director Talauega Dr. Samasoni Asaeli during Monday’s COVID-19 Task Force virtual news conference.

“So we don’t want to hold back their plans but we want to make sure we provide all the necessary support to support that, before they move on,” he said, responding to a news media question as to whether the local Education Department (ASDOE) plans to extend the current academic school year, due to COVID-19 restrictions since Feb. 22 this year that prompted the closure of all schools with students participating in virtual learning.

ASDOE revealed during the news conference that its staggered Hybrid/Blended Learning Plan for re-opening of public schools from May 2 to June 10. (See yesterday’s Samoa News edition for details.)

According to the Education director, it’s hard to extend the school year but the good thing is that when the Code Red declaration was made, ASDOE shifted from in-person to virtual learning.

“So learning was still going on. Of course there was some learning loss with students and teachers working from home,” he pointed out and noted that ASDOE is planning summer school programs, “like summer school for credit program for seniors who are at risk right now to help them meet the requirements in order to move on.”

Even before ASDOE reopening plan was officially made public, many teachers, staff and parents were aware of it and voiced concerns with the safety of teachers and staff on campus.

Asked by the media for comments and reassurance of a safe environment for teachers when schools re-open, Talauega responded that procedures and protocols not only protect students but all teachers and staff personnel on campus.

Under the staggered schedule for re-opening of schools — for example, Mondays which is for in-person classroom instructions for 9th Grade students as well as teachers and they will be on campus. And the rest of the teachers will continue on with virtual teaching from home as they’ve been doing for the past couple of weeks.

“But we will finalize the procedures in protecting everyone, with guidance from the Health Department, in ensuring that everyone is protected. And if something happens, like people developing symptoms, then we will also have procedures in place to ensure that they are taken care of accordingly and tests are done,” he said.

Talauega acknowledged that “people, teachers, parents, students are on edge with having students and staff return to in-person, but with the staggered schedule, we’re not allowing everyone to come back all at the same time, but only certain staff and teachers.”

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Regarding reopening of private schools, Talauega said a few private school principals had contacted him about the ASDOE plan to reopen, and what they need to do. He pointed to local law which designates ASDOE as the agency to certify private schools in terms of curriculum ensuring that the curriculum taught is aligned to the standards of the ASDOE.

And when it comes to reopening of schools, he said some private schools have said that they will follow the ASDOE plan, other schools have decided to develop their own plan, and other schools have decided to continue on with virtual learning.

“What ever they decide, we support that,” he said and stressed that plans by private schools to reopen need to be presented to the Governor’s Authorized Representative — who is Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo Ale — and the COVID-19 Task Force for review and approval before moving forward. “But we stand ready to support private schools.”

And with the school lunch program meals going out to the villages, when public school reopen, Talauega said all private schools will be included in that as well. “So we’re working with private schools to coordinate so that we can get meals to students,” he added.

TEACHERS APPRECIATION

Just in time for public schools to re-open, ASDOE announced on its Facebook page that Teachers Appreciation Week is May 2 to May 6.

“Let us Celebrate, Honor and Thank ALL our TEACHERS for their Commitment and Hard Work,” it says and asked the community to wear the following colors to show your appreciation: Monday: Blue; Tuesday: Pink; Wednesday: Yellow; Thursday: Green; and Friday: Purple.