Mount Carmel School opened its doors for the new 2019-2020 school year with about 600 students, a substantial increase. In addition to the school’s high enrollment, the school launched the year with some new additions, including new teachers, new courses, and new renovations from the destructive impact of Super Typhoon Yutu.
Regarding the enrollment increase, school president Galvin Deleon Guerrero credited this school year’s high enrollment to “the accomplishments of AlumKnights and veteran teachers, as well as the energy that new members of our Knight family bring to the school.” He added, “Together, they are leading us forward to a bright future while staying rooted in our school’s rich, 67-year legacy.”
One student who has shined is Student Council president Kalea Borja who is enthusiastic about the new school year. “ I’m very excited to kick off the new school year with new students.” When asked about what she and the student council want to accomplish this year, Borja shared, “STUCO’s biggest goal this year is to introduce more policies or procedures that promote MCS’ mission ‘ to educate the whole person to see with Christ’s eyes.”
MCS Senior Juan Blanco also shared that the first day of school was, “exciting and daunting because I got to see my classmates after a long break, but also I knew this would be my last first day of high school.” Juan Blanco is one of Mount Carmel School’s “loyalty students” who has attended MCS from first grade to twelfth grade.
Although the enrollment numbers are high, the school is still committed to keeping class sizes small in order to have an optimal learning environment. This is why the school hired several new teachers. In the elementary level, Ms. Joyce Dimaun will teach third grade, Ms. Claire Cabrera will teach fourth grade, and Ms. Alicia Oliva will teach middle school and high school math courses and an art class. In the upper grades, Mr. Jonathan Sanchez will teach science and history, Mr. Jay Pineda will teach high school math, and Ms. Randee-Jo Barcinas Manglona will teach high school English.
In addition to new teachers, the school is introducing Mandarin as a new foreign language course and expanding on a number of programs launched from the previous school year.
The first day of school started with the annual opening day mass, the Mass of the Holy Spirit, which was celebrated by Father Albert, OAR. After proclaiming the Gospel, Father Albert led school employees in the Commissioning Ceremony of Catholic Educators, which is held every school year during the Mass of the Holy Spirit. The ceremony highlighted the commitment of faculty, staff, and administrators to the school’s mission and philosophy.
While there has been a substantial enrollment increase, the school still has limited slots available in a few grade levels. For more information, call 234-6184 or visit mountcarmelsaipan.com
