In a significant achievement for Guam education, Vicente S.A. Benavente Middle School and Finegayan Elementary School have successfully passed their public health inspections, signaling their readiness to welcome students for the upcoming academic year. This positive outcome highlights the dedicated efforts of school staff, government agencies, and crucial community support in ensuring a safe and conducive learning environment.
Vicente S.A. Benavente Middle School demonstrated remarkable progress, significantly improving its inspection score from 38 demerits last year to 32 demerits this year, earning a commendable C grade. This improvement underscores the school’s commitment to enhancing its facilities and adhering to stringent health standards, contributing directly to school readiness.
Finegayan Elementary School also successfully navigated its inspection, a testament to comprehensive preparatory work and collaborative initiatives. The collective endeavor at Finegayan showcases how integrated efforts can lead to favorable outcomes in maintaining educational infrastructure and student well-being, emphasizing the importance of robust public health inspections.
A notable aspect of Finegayan’s preparation involved the invaluable military assistance from the U.S. Marine Corps. Lance Cpl. Zachary Taylor, an operations specialist from Headquarters Company, Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, was observed pressure washing the exterior of Finegayan Elementary School, a vital step in campus sanitation.
Beyond specific tasks like pressure washing, Marines and sailors provided extensive support to both schools. Their contributions included painting classrooms, assisting with the rearrangement of learning spaces, and various general maintenance tasks, all designed to ensure optimal conditions for the 2024-2025 Guam education school year.
Further reinforcing the commitment to school readiness, members of the governor’s School Opening Readiness Team actively supported Vicente S.A. Benavente Middle School. Their assistance was instrumental in preparing the facility for its sanitation inspection, showcasing a coordinated governmental approach to educational welfare.
Finegayan Elementary School Principal Marites D.C. Garcia, along with Acting Principal Melvin Finona and Assistant Principal Gerardo P. Galang, extended heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved. Their expressions of thanks underscored the profound impact of collective action in achieving the successful inspection results for the elementary school.
The successful outcomes at Finegayan Elementary were a result of a broad coalition of helpers, including Simon Sanchez High School Principal Carla Masnayon and staff, the GDOE Facility and Maintenance Crew led by Dominic Orbe, the FES Family and Teachers Empowerment Parent Teacher Organization (FATE PTO), and dedicated volunteers like Ronevin Chaco. Also contributing were Guam Summer Youth Employment Program interns, Guam Cleaning Masters, the GDOE Food and Nutrition Services Division, and Sodexo, all embodying strong community support.
The successful inspections of both Vicente S.A. Benavente Middle School and Finegayan Elementary School serve as a powerful example of how sustained efforts and collaborative partnerships between educational institutions, government bodies, local communities, and the military can collectively elevate standards and ensure schools are not only operational but thrive as safe, clean, and ready environments for learning.
