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Opening of 2020- 2021 school year held at new Tafuna Elementary gym

Dignataries and school principals at 2020-2021 school opening
Named in honor of previous principal — Laloleva F. Polu
fili@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The local Education Department officially started the new school year 2020-2021 — under the theme “Wisdom and Prudence Dwell Together” — on Monday after a brief dedication ceremony, naming the Tafuna Elementary School gym, the Laloleva F. Polu School Gymnasium — where the opening ceremony was held.

Education director Dr. Ruth Matagi-Tofiga explained that at the start of every school year “we recognize a group of individuals that have contributed to the success of the department.”

And this year ASDOE recognized all principals. Also recognized were the assistant directors from all ASDOE departments. All of them were asked to stand, and were recognized with applause in the packed gym.

Matagi-Tofiga thanked them for tireless work, “to provide our children and staff with the relationship, the programs and the environment to press forward.”

To Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga and Lt. Gov. Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga — both of whom were in attendance — “Thank you for supporting the Department of Education in terms of infrastructure. We can see it. We don’t even have to name them — all various numerous classrooms, [and] gymnasiums.”

She thanked the governor for the gym and naming it in honor of a previous principal.

She also expressed appreciation to the governor for reclassification of salaries for teachers, principals, vice principals, assistant directors, program directors, “and the just-completed reclassification salary-wise for our counselors.”

All cabinet members were required to attend the opening where Dr. Ruth thanked them as well as all departments and agencies for their support under the governor’s Adopt-A-School program. “Thank you for coming together to support our schools in making sure school facilities are conducive to learning,” she said.

She also acknowledged ASDOE support staff — such as clerks, secretaries, cooks, librarians, bus drivers, monitors, maintenance, vice principals, counselors, program directors, specialist, as well as main office, grants office, scholarship office, student service, business personnel.

Education director Dr. Ruth Matagi-Tofiga speaking on Monday at the local Education Department’s official opening of the new school year 2020-2021 at Laloleva F. Polu School Gymnasium at Tafuna Elementary School. Public school classes start on Aug. 31st. [photo: Leua Aiono Frost]

“The best instruction in the world means nothing if children can’t get to school safely, get the nutritional fuel they need to succeed, learn in safe comfortable cutting edge surroundings,” she said.  

To the men and women that are the “backbone of this department, teachers... thank you for the hard work” working late nights and the care “exhibited each day to educate our children and help them grow.”

“Together we have weathered a lot of storms and come through them still strong. It hasn’t been easy. But you have given your all and you made a difference every day, every year for the students,” she said.

She also acknowledged the support of Congresswoman Aumua Amata and US Interior Department field representative, Lydia Faleafine Nomura — both of whom were in attendance.

She gave additional appreciation to Faleafine-Nomura for the “athletic development of students through the JBS. I look forward to our partnership, developing our local athletes,” said Matagi-Tofiga.

The governor also acknowledged the support of the Congresswoman and Faleafine-Nomura in his remarks. He acknowledged and thanked ASDOE management team and principals, saying that their job is not an easy one, which connects today’s youth with their future tomorrow.

Lolo expressed appreciation for the theme, which he says, “I was hoping I would see these words before I leave office,” — referring to “Wisdom and Prudence Dwell Together”.

As for naming the gym after a principal, the governor said that it doesn’t have to be a governor, a faipule or the higher ups, to be given such an honor.