DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER

www.gdoe.net
501 Mariner Avenue
Barrigada, Guam 96913
Telephone: (671) 300-1677 Fax:
(671)472-5001 Email: matfranquez@gdoe.net
JON J. P. FERNANDEZ MICHELLE A.T. FRANQUEZ
Superintendent of Education Interim Public Information Officer

September 9, 2021

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GDOE Requests Additional Public Health Information and Guidance before Considering Return
to Face-to-Face Instruction; Remote Learning to Continue for Week of September 13th

The Guam Department of Education (GDOE) will be hosting two virtual input sessions for GDOE
educators/staff and for GDOE parents/guardians. At both sessions, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and
her medical advisors will be available to provide updates on the current COVID-19 situation and
answer questions. Members of the public are welcome to join the Zoom input session being held on
Saturday, September 11, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Up to 500 participants may join the Zoom
meeting; all others are welcome to view the Livestream on GDOE’s Facebook page
facebook.com/DOEGuam. Due to the increasing COVID-19 case count, remote online instruction will
continue throughout the week of September 13.

Saturday,
September 11, 2021
Parent/Guardian and Community Zoom Meeting Link:
Stakeholders Input Session https://zoom.us/j/91321456335
10:00 a.m. to 12:00
p.m.

“With the number of new cases hitting a high of 325 yesterday, it’s important that we seek more
information regarding the community health situation and the risks of continued spread and
transmission of the COVID-19 virus,” said Superintendent Jon Fernandez. “Reopening schools is our
ultimate goal, but we need to be sure that we can do so safely, and based on the current data, we need
the assurance of the Governor and her health care team that the community situation is under control
and that it is safe to bring our kids back. Once we get that feedback, we all will be in a better position
to determine when it is safe for GDOE schools to reopen for in-person learning.”

“Our employees and teachers have expressed numerous concerns over the past couple of weeks as
COVID-19 cases have increased, and we need to address these concerns before we reopen our doors,”
said Guam Education Board Chairman Mark Mendiola. “Our stakeholders need to hear directly from
the Governor’s advisors, so they can be fully informed and aware of the risks associated with returning
students to the classroom. GDOE has always prioritized open communication with our teachers and
parents, and we look forward to her joining us to make sure their concerns are heard and addressed.”

Laptop distributions at all GDOE schools are ongoing. The GDOE still highly encourages parents and
guardians to submit a request for a laptop if they have yet to do so. Parents and guardians may also
submit an application for a MiFi, or portable Wi-Fi device.

“The return of our students to in-person instruction is a priority, but only when it is safe to do so,” said
Fernandez. “We plan to continue working with the Governor and her team to share information and to
ensure that the interests of our children, families, and employees are prioritized when it is finally time
to reopen our schools. In the meantime, we urge everyone in the community to abide by all COVID-19
safety protocols, get vaccinated if possible, and work together to get our island’s health situation back
under control. By doing so, we can all do our part to help bring our kids back to school safely.”

For information and inquiries, you may send an email to info@gdoe.net. Family and community
stakeholders may also contact the Interim Public Information Officer, Michelle Franquez, at (671) 300-
1677 or, may send an email to matfranquez@gdoe.net.

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