Frustrations aired over double session at JFK high school

How much longer will students at John F. Kennedy High have to share their campus with Simon Sanchez High?

The issue was discussed for about three hours during a town hall meeting held in Yigo Tuesday night. 

Teachers, parents, and students hoped senators can help them to get answers fast. Each fed up with the current double session. 

JFK High teacher Angelo Andres said, “I would hope the superintendent and his team gets together with the schools directly affected by this double session and share with families some kind of plan. By not speaking and not sharing what the plan is, it seems like we are forgotten.”

Parents also expressed their concern over the double sessions.

Simon Sanchez High parent Maria Martinez commented, “They want to be near home. They don’t want to go further and further away because we do have children that are driving. For a parent, I am afraid everyday.”

Even the students weighed in on the current situation. 

“We want to try and educate ourselves and learn more but we don’t even have a library to stay back for a bit and study for things that are important. We need somewhere to settle down,” said Sanchez High freshman Summer Wusstig. 

JFK Guam Youth Congress representative Rachel Cho added, “I feel that the time and classes being cut shorter really takes away from my college application and also with my clubs.”

“This generation of students, the incoming freshmen and sophomores lost a lot of years in middle school because of COVID and then they are going to lose their high school years because of double sessions. I am kind of scared for the future of this island,” expressed JFK’s Class of 2025 President Deena Soriano. 

The discussion comes as the Department of Public Works extended the deadline for bidders to respond to the construction project for a new Simon Sanchez High. 

The new deadline is Feb. 19.