Chapter 2
II. Significant Changes and Developments
- Include a description of any significant changes and/or development that have had a major impact on the school and/or specific curricular programs since the last self-study visit.
- Describe the impact these changes and/or developments have had on the school and/or specific curricular programs.
Since the last self-study report Maris Stella has experienced significant changes. This has impacted student learning, staff morale, and parent dissatisfaction. Admittedly, the WASC mid term report process was also affected. Below are the five significant changes:
- New WASC Leadership Team
- Governance - Inactive Boards
- Administration - Change in School Leadership
- Faculty - High faculty turnover
- Staff - High staff turnover
Change 1: New WASC Leadership Team
A new WASC Coordinator started organizing the effort in November 2023, forming a 4 member leadership team with complementary skills and knowledge of the school to undertake the revitalized improvement effort.
Change 2: Governance - Inactive Boards
Board of Members and Board of Directors were inactive during this time for the following reasons
- Change in Board of Members
- CMS Director Fr. Rich was transferred to Yap
- Fr. Wayne passed away
- Fr. Rusk was off-island for medical
- Lack of involvement and commitment
- Unfamiliarity of the Articles of Incorporation and the ByLaws
- Articles of Incorporation
- Bylaws
- Lack of understanding of the organizational structure of the Catholic Mission Schools of Palau
- Misalignment of foundational documents, eg., philosophy, ESLRs, and Mission
Change 3: Administration - Change in School Leadership
There was a change in school administration with new appointments to the following positions: Principal, Vice Principal, Finance Officer, Development Officer, and Secretary.
- The new principal was appointed in 2021
- The new vice principal was hired in 2022.
- The development officer left in 2021. The development plans will be added to the Finance Officer’s responsibilities.
- A new finance officer was hired in 2023.
- A new secretary was hired in 2023.
Change 4: Faculty - High faculty turnover
- August 2020 - Tchr Sharon D. Sato was hired to teach Religion to 1st-4th Grade, awaiting Sr. Francisca main, MMB, who stranded in Guam due to COVID and border closure.
- August 2020 - Ms. Cyrelle Montel was hired to teacher Science for 7th and 8th Grade.
- July 2021 - Former Principal Lorenza Olkeriil was hired to be a Palauan Teacher, also transitioning with Principal Ise.
- July 2021 - Mr. Edwel Ongrung volunteered to teach Math for 8th Grade.
- July 2021 - Tchr Tokie Mad was hired to be the 8th Grade homeroom teacher and Religion teacher for 5th-8th Grade.
- August - 2021 Tchr Gloria Worswik transferred temporarily from LMSS to the library.
- November - 2021 Sr. Francisca Main, MMB returned from Guam and continued to train/transition with Tchr Sharon D. Sato.
- December - 2021 Tchr Rica Mae Espaldon and Tchr Adhem Rose Secuya were hired as teachers for Math and Science.
- February - 2022 Tchr Vanesa Miguel (3rd Grade) left MSS after the completion of her work permit.
- February - 2022 Sr. Esther Nestor, MMB was hired to replace Tchr Vanesa Miguel.
- May 2022 - Tchr Rachel Dilbung Bayan, who was teaching Palauan Studies in 1st-4th Grade, transferred temporarily to Principal’s Office as the school secretary.
- June 2022 - Tchr Elizabeth Polloi retired.
- June 2022 - Both Sr. Esther Nestor and Sr. Francisca Main left Palau.
- June 2022 - Tchr Lorenza Olkeriil retired.
- June 2022 - Tchr Rosalie P. Occena left MSS to the Philippines for medical reasons.
- July 2022 - Tchr Keong Roduk was hired to replace Tchr Lorenza Olkeriil as Palauan Teacher.
- August 2022 - Sr. Gloria Billimont, MMB was hired to replace Sr. Francisca Main and Sr. Esther Nestor.
- August 2022 - Tchr Gloria Worswik transferred back to LMSS to be 3rd Grade homeroom teacher.
- August 2022 - Tchr Naomi Itabashi, JICA Volunteer, was recruited as Assistant Math Teacher for 1st-4th Grade.
- August 2022 - Tchr Karen Techur was hired as Math teacher for 6th Grade
- September 2022 - Tchr Camilla Ngiraibuuch (Kindergarten) retired.
- September 2022 - Tchr Rachel Dilbung Bayan replaced Tchr Camilla Ngiraibuuch.
- October 2022 - Tchr Kabidor Taima was hired to teach Palauan Studies for 5th-8th Grade.
- October 2022 - Tchr Keong Roduk became Social Studies teacher for 5th-8th Grade.
- December 2022 - Tchr Mary Grace Paulinus was hired to be the homeroom teacher for 3rd Grade Section B
- January 2023 - Tchr Maricon Silos left MSS after the completion of her work permit.
- June 2023 - Tchr Maricel Perolino left MSS after the completion of her work permit.
- August 2023 - Tchr Ruth B. Ulitch was hired to be 1st Grade Homeroom teacher.
- August 2023 - Tchr Sharon D. Sato moved to UMSS to replace Tchr Kabidor Taima as Palauan Teacher temporarily due to her family medical referral.
- October 2023 - Tchr Laureen Ruluked (2nd Grade) resigned due to her medical condition.
- December 2023 - Tchr Rosalie P. Occena was hired to replace Tchr Laureen as 2nd Grade homeroom teacher.
- December 2023 - Tchr Kabidor Taima was hired again to teach Palauan Studies for 5th-8th Grade.
- January 2024 - Tchr Sharon D. Sato moved back to LMSS to teach Palauan and Religion for 1st-3rd Grade.
Change 5: Staff - High staff turnover
- July 2019 Ms Limei Ruluked was hired to be the school secretary.
- July 2019 Mr. Meluus Ulechong was hired to be the Sports Coordinator
- October 2019 Mr. Meluus Ulechong became the school Vice Principal.
- June 2020 Ms. Limei Ruluked went on Maternity Leave.
- July 2020 Ms. Cecila Ngiratrang was hired to be the school secretary.
- July 2020 Librarian Ms. Shawna Ulechong left MSS.
- July 2020 Ms. Ella Martinez was hired to replace Librarian Shawna.
- July 2020 Mr. Meluus Ulechong left MSS.
- June 2021 Finance Officer, Angeles Yangilmau, retired.
- June 2021 Ms. Ella Martinez left MSS.
- July 2021 Ms. Cecila Ngiratrang resigned as the school secretary.
- July 2021 Tr. Cyrell Montel moved temporarily from teaching to replace the secretary.
- July 2021 Mr. Jose Ise was hired as the school Principal.
- July 2021 Ms. Mary Yangilmau was hired to be the finance officer, replacing Angeles Yangilmau.
- October 2021 Ms. Cyrell Montel left MSS.
- November 2021 Ms. Limei Ruluked returned back to work as the school secretary.
- November 2021 Ms. Gina Rudimch was hired to be the sports coordinator.
- May 2022 Ms. Limei Ruluked went on Maternity Leave again.
- May 2022 Tr. Rachel Dilbung Bayan moved temporarily from teaching to replace the secretary.
- July 2022 Mr. Walker Umetaro was hired as the school Vice Principal.
- September 2022 Tr. Julie Rose Juanitez served as temporary secretary while also teaching Math in the LMSS.
- November 2022 Ms. Cathrine Higa was hired to be the school librarian.
- December 2022 Ms. Limei Ruluked returned back to work as the school secretary.
- August 2023 Ms. Mary Yangilmau retired
- August 2023 Ms. Hasinta Tabelual was hired to replace Mary Yangilmau.
- September 2023 Ms. Wendy Berenges Renguul was hired as the school librarian.
- November 2023 Mr. Edwel Ongrung was hired as Technical Consultant.
- November 2023 Mr. Melengis Sandei was hired as LMSS Maintenance.
- January 2024 Ms. Nelly Kerradel was hired as LMSS Secretary.
Physical Improvements
1) New Buildings
- May 2023 - New MSS Auditorium Building-funded by Japan Embassy Grant
- February 2024 - MSS-Japan Language Classroom - Funded by $40,000 donation from RAM Corporation and $12,000 from Mr. Katsuo Fuji, Principal of the Language School
2) Renovation of classrooms and buildings
- 2019 - Statue of Mother Mary, Class of 2019 class gift
- July 2019 - Murals on LMSS Building by parents & volunteers
- 2020 - School sign monument, Class of 2020 class gift
- July 2022 - Paint jobs on school buildings
- July 2022 - School bell relocation LMSS Building
- August 2023 - Electrical wiring / Light Fixtures on school buildings, donation from a parent
3) Equipment
- July 2021 -Printers, Scanners, donations
- August 2021 - MOE gave the school Electronic Tablets for each student and laptops for each teacher.
- May 2022 - Yard equipment & tools, Class of 2022 class gift
- July 2022 - Installation of water fountains on both campuses
- July 2022 - Projector, donations
- July 2023 - copier machine, computers - donations
4) Improvement of classroom and learning environment
- October 2018 - Playground Set for UMSS Campus, donation from WCTC, constructed by Civic Action Team. It was dismantled in July 2022 and pending further negotiations with Rotary Club of Palau and Civic Action Team.
- February 2020 - “Old Japanese Room” was converted to a music room dedicated to Fr. Wayne Tkel. The Japanese Language School uses this room every Saturdays for their school.
- August 2021- renovation of 2nd Grade Classroom and Activity Room (between 1st & 2nd Grade Classroom) “Adopt a Classroom” Project by Class of 2028 Parents
- July 2022 - Extra classrooms in the LMSS and UMSS Building were converted to Activity Rooms.
- August 2022 - renovation of 3rd Grade Classroom and Activity Room (between 3rd & 4th Grade Classroom) “Adopt a Classroom” Project by Class of 2028 Parents
- July 2023 - Kindergarten classroom paint job
5) Office and staff spaces improvements
- July 2021 - office desk and chairs, donations
- July 2021 - 8th Grade Classroom converted to Palauan Studies classroom.
- July 2021 - Principal’s office moved to the former Student Counselors Office.
- July 2021 - The Finance Office moved to the former Development Office.
- July 2021 - The former Finance Office was converted to Book Storage and Technology Storage Room.
- July 2021 - 1st and 2nd Grade Classrooms switched.
- October 2021 - The former Principal’s Office was converted to Sports Office and store room for sports equipment.
- July 2022 - office desk, chairs, shelves, drawers donations
- July 2023 - office desks, chairs, donations
- January 2024 - LMSS Computer Lab was converted to additional space for LMSS Office.
6) Utilities
- July 2021 – Handwashing Station on both campuses, donation from Japan Embassy through MOE
7) Teaching and Learning Resources
- July 2023 - Library story books, donations from an alumni
- May 2023 - Religion Textbooks for 1st to 8th grades
8) Other
- January 2024 – First-Aid Kits and Supplies, donation from parents