Dear Incoming Teachers,
Welcome to the US Territory of Guam and to CDR William C. McCool Elementary Middle School! McCool School is a pre-K through eighth grade school of about 900 students. There are about 100 teachers and 30 other staff members who make up our educational team. We serve mostly the children of Navy personnel assigned to Naval Base Guam. The main base is commonly called Big Navy. We follow a standards-based curriculum, which can be accessed at the DoDEA website (www.dodea.edu).
The mission of our school, as determined through our school improvement process, is to prepare all students to excel as citizens in a diverse and technological society. Our two main goals are to promote highest student achievement in the writing process and in math computation through conceptual understanding.
Guam is a relatively small island about 35 miles long and 4-10 miles wide. We will be moving into a brand new facility in June of 2008. The Pacific Ocean will be right outside our window. The weather is tropical with a consistent 78-88 degrees, 78 being the low at night. We have a dry season and a rainy season, but even when it rains, it is still warm! Guam is sometimes subjected to the wrath of typhoons Scuba diving and snorkeling are popular sports here; two dive shops are located less than 15 minutes from our school. Hiking, which is called "boonie-stomping," is another of the many popular outdoor activities here. Hikes meander between waterfalls and rugged hills that drop to the sea in this southern part of the island.
The population consists of Chamorros, who are the native people, Stateside Americans, Filipinos, Japanese, Korean, Chinese and a mix of other cultures from the Pacific Rim. The local culture is rich in dance, song, festivals, and customs of Chamorro heritage as well as Spanish heritage, because of the 300 year Spanish occupation. You will find WW II history abounds here, as the Japanese occupied Guam during the war, and the invasion beach by which the Americans retook Guam is located just 10 minutes from our school.
We are aware that you have many hectic days ahead of you as you await your orders, prepare to pack-out, arrange flights, and say good-bye to family and friends. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns. Our school number is (671) 339-8676. Of course, once you have flight arrangements, let us know, so we will can meet you at the airport and have accommodations arranged for you.
Buen Bienido!
Sincerely,
Don J. Christensen
Principal, MEMS
Please check the websites for more information about Guam and the Navy and Air Force Bases we serve.