It’s the first day back to school next week for young students at a new campus.

Several elementary schools in the Guam Department of Education will play host to students who still can’t return to their home school on an alternating schedule. 

Meanwhile, middle and high school students awaiting public health inspections will return to online classes starting Aug. 22, like Jose Rios Middle School.

It's a less-than-ideal outcome for parents/leaders Maya Perez and Georgina Cruz. 

They are the Parent-Administrator-Student-Teacher-Association Vice-President  and President, respectively.

“Personally, as a parent, online learning is not my first choice. But, it’s what we can do for now,” said Perez. 

“We’ll get through it, we usually always do–we are voyagers, and failure is not an option,” added Cruz. 

It’s that positive mindset guiding the Voyager’s ship over rocky waters as the association helps to ready the school and hopefully pass sanitary inspections but they’re not charting this quest alone. Fifteen employees at Payless Supermarkets set their sails for the piti school, donating their time to spruce up the campus.

“I know there are some challenges as it relates to students going back to school, and I know it impacts families, it directly impacts our employees, and as an employer as well. But it’s giving back from our hearts and assisting where needed,” said Payless Chief People Officer Franklin Sablan. 

Payless even sending a volunteer facilities and maintenance crew to assist with the re-tiling of a classroom floor. 

“It comes from our heart and the ina’fa’maolek spirit,” Sablan added. 

For ways to give back to the home of the Voyagers, visit jrmspasta@gdoe.net.