Be the change you want to see in this world

"Winning starts in the mind. Whatever the mind can conceive, it will achieve."
-Joaquin Nangauta Naputi

"Be the change you want to see in the world."
-Mahatma Gandhi

Saturday, June 27, 2009

PIBBA Conference: June 22 - 25, 2009














Pictured above: Proclamation signing for the 28th Annual International PIBBA Conference at the Governor's Conference Room. L-R front row seated: Carmen Weaver, Rosa Salas Palomo, Lt. Governor Mike Cruz, Governor Felix Camacho, and Dr. Jose Q. Cruz. Back row L-R: Teresita Flores, Maria Cruz, Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, Carol Cepeda, Marife Fernandez, Mye Ganan-Flores, Risa Salas Miguel, Zander Refilong, Joseph Mafnas, and Antonia Salas.



















Pictured above L-R: Zander Refilong, PIBBA steering committee member; Lt. Governor Bill Tosie of Kosrae; PIBBA President Shelten Neth; and Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, PIBBA steering committee member.

















Pictured above L-R: Teresita Flores, PIBBA steering committee member; Joe Mafnas, PIBBA steering committee member; Frances Sablan, PIBBA Secretary; Alister Tolenoa, Pohnpei delegation; and Carmen Weaver, PIBBA steering committee member.


28th Annual PIBBA Conference a Success


The 28th Annual Pacific Islands Bilingual Bicultural Association (PIBBA) Conference was a success! The conference theme, “Invigorating Languages and Cultures of the Pacific” was highlighted in each of the conference days from June 22-25, 2009. Each day featured the gathering of everyone singing the PIBBA song, which includes all the languages of the region, such as the following chorus: “Iokwe, Raan Annim, Kaselehlia, Alii, Aloha, Olomwaay, Hafa Dei, Tuwoh, Mogethin, Talofa.”


Among the entities that attended the conference are Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, Chuuk, CNMI, Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Guam. The mission of PIBBA is to bring these entities together to promote cultural and language activities by disseminating information, involving communities, and encouraging quality education programs through the western Pacific.


The first night of the PIBBA Conference was held at the Guam Marriott Resort and included the call of the Kulu conducted by Ronald Laguana, GPSS Chamoru Studies Division Administrator; Parade of Flags by each delegation; National Anthem; Guam Hymn; Fanohge CHamoru; I Inefresi; traditional chant; Invocation & Opening Remarks by PIBBA International President Shelten Neth; presentation of Legislative Resolution; dinner; and Keynote Speech by Dr. Robert Underwood, President of the University of Guam and the first PIBBA President.


The second and third days of the PIBBA Conference were held at the University of Guam, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences buildings. The second day featured speaker/storyteller, Silvina Charfauros-Cruz Taumomoa, followed by various cultural and educational /language workshops.


The third day featured a panel discussion with the founding PIBBA Officers, namely Dr. Robert Underwood, Masa-Aki Emesiochl, and Carmen Taimanao. The Hurao Academy cultural dance group performed, which was followed by a special awards ceremony for the Indigenous Teacher of the Year and Pioneer of the Year for each of the entities. This was conducted by Dr. Jose Q. Cruz, Chairperson for the awards and PIBBA International Historian. Additional cultural and educational/language workshops were conducted, and the day ended with a silent auction of cultural arts, crafts, and more.


The final day of the conference was held at the Merlyn G. Cook School & Malesso Pier Park at the southern end of the island. It featured the traditional Chamorro cooking - Chinahan Ceremony of baking food in an earthen (underground) oven that was three-and-a-half deep, and one used by ancient Chamorros and their descendents until nearly the middle of the 20th century. Chants and prayers were sung as breadfruit, sweet potatoes, taro, bananas, mahi mahi, tuna, parrot fish, and other kinds of fish were placed on top of a thousand pounds of heated lava rocks & logs covered by coconut and banana leaves that burned to cook the food. Mark Benny Mendiola and Tony Ramirez, PIBBA steering committee members led the way for the Chinahan Ceremony. Additional cultural entertainment and activities took place, including the historic Malesso’ tour, Cocos Island boat ride, CHamoru games, dancing, weaving, and singing. A special panel of speakers from each of the entities also spoke to discuss the PIBBA goals of promoting language and culture. The PIBBA International Business Meeting was later conducted, and the new PIBBA officers were elected. Afterward, the special Chinahan dinner took place, followed by presentations and performances by each entity. The closing remarks were given by incoming PIBBA President and PIBBA Conference Co-chairperson, Rosa Salas Palomo.


Deep gratitude goes out to all PIBBA Conference steering committee members, and all the entities that joined us to make the 28th Anuual PIBBA Conference a memorable event that will always be remembered! Un Dangkulo Na Si Yu’os Ma’ase’! Kinissow! Kommol! Mesulang! Kalahngan! Kammagar!














Why Listening and Speaking?


Listening and speaking are essential to facilitate understanding of problems that we all face. They help us obtain adequate data to solve problems. They elicit higher order thinking skills, and are therefore skills that all children must possess in order for them to increase their academic performance. Essentially, thinking while listening is an effective strategy for promoting thoughtful curricula and critical thinking.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

TATA:


















Happy Father’s Day to all of you wonderful Fathers out there! Enjoy your Special Day! You deserve it! May God Bless you always, for all that you do to support your family. Enjoy the following father’s poem!


Tata


Tata*…

I love you more than words can say

For all that you are

And all that you do

To provide for us all.

And your stern, yet caring ways

Instill us with a stamina to succeed

To reach beyond the limits

And keep going for victory!

So Tata,

Just know that I care too…

I love you!


*Tata: father


Source: Our Native Daughters’ Reflection of Guam and Its People by Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera and Lois Taitano Gumataotao.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Educators are teaching more diverse populations in their classrooms. With the diversity that exists today, it is necessary for them to employ effective teaching strategies that empower students. Here's a snapshot of meeting the needs of diverse learners:

Saturday, June 06, 2009



















The family is considered to be one of the most powerful indicators of success for children. Parents’ literacy skills, along with their attitudes about learning, have an immense impact on their children’s academic achievement. The family is considered to be the venue for the transmission of knowledge, skills, and values from one generation to another.

Enjoy the following poem that further describes the importance of home-school connection:


UNITY

I dreamed I stood in a studio and watched two sculptors there.

The clay they used was a young child’s mind, and they fashioned it with care.


One was a teacher – The tools she used were books and music and art.

The other, a parent, with a guiding hand and a gentle, loving heart.


Day after day the teacher toiled with a touch that was deft and sure,

While the parent labored by her side, and polished and smoothed it o’er.


And when at last their task was done, they were proud of what they had wrought,

For the things they had molded into the child could never be sold nor bought.


And each agreed he would have failed if he had worked alone,

For behind the parent stood the school,

And behind the teacher the home.

-Author Unknown