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

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Flame Tree Festival a Success!

It was an honor to be a member of the Guam Ginen i Hila i Magataotao Siha Delegation at the 33rd Flame Tree Festival held April 25-27, 2014 at the Civic Center Park in Susupe, Saipan.  This annual event is one of the largest arts and cultural event in the Micronesian region.  The stories we shared with the audience were unforgettable.  They included our Delegate Chair Louie Gombar's Homabe No Uta, Antonia Salas' Nana memories, my Manga/Familia story, Paul Tuncap's Peskadot/Flame Tree story, Selina Onedera Salas' Neni story, and Rosario Perez's Incredible experience.  There's no doubt that storytelling captivates the audience.  Let us continue to pass on a part of Guam's history and rich stories that provide an insight into our culture and build a pathway of connections for generations to come!  Enjoy the following snapshots taken during this special cultural event!


  










Saturday, April 26, 2014

27th Annual Guam Micronesia Island Fair

April 25, 2014 - April 27, 2014

Location: Governor Joseph Flores Memorial Park (Ypao)
Address: 401 Pale San Vitores Road, Tumon, Guam 96913
Times: From: 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Admission: Free
Phone: 671-646-5278
                                              Email: 
info@visitguam.org                         

The Guam Micronesia Island Fair is the annual signature cultural event of the Guam Visitors Bureau, showcasing the vibrant cultures of Micronesia. 
 
Experience the culture and arts of Micronesia in one exciting weekend this April 25, 26 and 27. Known for the best diving in the world and just a few short hours from Asia are thousands of islands that span the west Pacific, known as Micronesia.

For over a quarter century, delegations from the Federated States of Micronesia, Rota, Saipan and Tinian and the republics of Kiribati, Nauru, the Marshall Islands and Palau, have gathered on Guam to commemorate the region's largest cultural event. Meet Micronesia's master carvers, blacksmiths, traditional fishing experts, jewelers, weavers, dancers, musicians and chefs and see first hand customs that have been in place and perpetuated for the millennia.

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Parent Training - Basic Sign Language - April 24


Date: April 24,2014 (Thursday)
Time: 5:30 p.m. — 7:00 p.m.
Location: Chief Brodie Elem. School, Rm. 2
For special accommodations or to register by phone, call the DOE SPED Parent Service Office at 300-1322, or e-mail the Division of Special Education at sped@gdoe.net.
GAS CARDS WILL BE PROVIDED!

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Easter Greetings


Have a blessed Easter with family and friends!

Friday, April 18, 2014

Reminder: TEAM 2014 Conference

TEAM Conference Logo


THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TECHNOLOGY, EDUCATION, ASSESSMENT and MANAGEMENT (TEAM)  


The 2014 International Conference on TEAM is an interdisciplinary forum that invites scholarly interactions among academics, researchers, practitioners, administrators and students.  This conference that is organized by UOG Research, Graduate Studies and Sponsored Programs in collaboration with partner institutions in the Philippines is scheduled for October 24, 25 and 26.  Deadline for submission of abstracts in the following sub-themes is on May 15, 2014.  The abstract of not more than 250 words will be peer reviewed and results will be emailed to senders after two weeks.  Email your abstracts to the contact persons below.

Contact Persons:
 
Main Theme: 

New Directions in Technology, Education, Assessment andManagement 


Sub-Themes: 
Technology
Assessment
Innovative uses of technology
Outcomes-based assessment
Computer mediated instruction
Multiple assessment strategies
Distance and blended learning
Cognitive and Affective assessments
Assistive technology
Assessment of critical and creative thinking
Social media platforms
Project assessment and evaluation
Technological advancement and challenges
Program reviews and evaluation


Education
Management
Best practices in teaching and learning
Management in higher education
Values education in school
School management
At-risk learners
Shared governance
Competency-based programs
Accreditation and Accountability
Language and culture studies
Leadership and management strategies
Environmental education
Project management



Important Information:
  • Early bird registration (on or before Aug. 15, 2014) is $200
  • After Aug. 15 registration is $250
  • Onsite registration is $300
  • Registration fee includes:
    • Conference reception on the first day
    • 2 lunches at the Hyatt
    • Morning and afternoon teas 
    • Conference bag 
    • Program booklet
    • Invitation letter for visa application will be provided after payment of registration fee

Reminder: Call for Submissions

Håfa Iyo-ta, Håfa Guinahå-ta
What We Own, What We Have

The Festival of the Pacific Arts (FESTPAC), Guam 2016 Literary Arts committee is currently accepting unpublished work from the original writer or artist for its inaugural publication, Håfa Iyo-ta, Håfa Guinahå-ta until April 30, 2014. The publication will be the first in a trio of volumes whose purpose is to promote literary and artistic expression throughout the Pacific region. Volume one focuses on publishes and unpublished writers and artists who are currently residing in Guam. We are seeking quality poetry, fiction, and non-fiction written in English or any other Pacific language (with translations into English), as well as visual art that work within the theme, Håfa Iyo-ta, Håfa Guinahå-ta, or, in English, What We Own, What We Have.

Submission Guidelines

Poetry: Submit up to 5 poems, a maximum of 10 pages.

Prose: Submit up to 3 prose entries with a maximum of 2,500 words each, double-spaced. Longer works may be considered; please query first.

Artwork: Submit up to 5 pieces of visual art.

Include your name, address, phone number, email address, and the title of the work on a cover sheet rather than on the work itself.

Please advise us if you are submitting the same work(s) to other publications, and let us know if the work is accepted by another publication. The editors will publish only previously unpublished work submitted by the original author or artist.

Submissions via email
• Send electronic submissions to this email address: pacificfestival2016@gmail.com
• Submit poetry and prose as Microsoft Word documents.
• Submit artwork in .jpg format (minimum 72 dpi). Artwork accepted for publication will need to be resubmitted in a larger format (minimum 300 dpi).

Works accepted for publication will appear in a print edition of Håfa Iyo-ta, Håfa Guinahå-ta and may reappear in print and/or be archived online as part of the library exhibition during FESTPAC 2016.

Håfa Iyo-ta, Håfa Guinahå-ta is published by the Guam FESTPAC 2016 Literary Arts Committee through a grant from Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL). The purpose of Håfa Iyo-ta, Håfa Guinahå-ta, and subsequent volumes, is to promote literary and artistic expression throughout the Pacific region.

Golden Key Honour Society Certificate


Achieving membership in the Golden Key Honour Society is truly an honor.  Golden Key is the world’s largest honor society with a foundation based on Academics, Leadership and Service. It was founded November 29, 1977, at Georgia State University in Atlanta. For more information, visit https://www.goldenkey.org.

Guam Council IRA Certificate


Serving as a Guam Council International Reading Association Board Member is meaningful. Being able to inform our members and archive various activities are among the duties I have as the organization’s Webmaster. The Guam Council IRA helps educators and parents alike discover the wonder and worlds to be found in books. Guam IRA is a professional organization for individuals who are genuinely concerned with the development of reading programs for children and adults. For more information, visit http://iraguam.blogspot.com.

Delta Epsilon Tau International Honor Society Certificate


Achieving membership in the Delta Epsilon Tau International Honor Society is a great honor. Delta Epsilon Tau (DET) was established in 1997 to recognize the academic achievements of outstanding graduates. For more information, visit http://www.calcoast.edu/det-honor-society.html

Equity Training Certificate


Participating in the Equity Training conducted by the Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL) was meaningful. It was especially wonderful to be able to join the Chamorro Language Teachers during the training.  For more information, visit http://prel.org

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

MACHOSFLAKOS MADNESS FEATURES STORYTELLING SLAM

Contact:  Peter R. Onedera, peteronedera@gmail.com;  477-4234; 486-3210

Guam’s storytelling group, Ginen I Hila’ I Maga’taotao Siha Association invites the general public to a MACHOSFLAKOS MADNESS, a night of storytelling slam on any subject matter to be held at the Mangilao Senior Citizens Center on Monday, May 5, 2014 at 7pm.

The group welcomes new members as it is preparing for its major role as the Literary Arts Committee of the 2016 hosting of the Festival of the Pacific Arts on Guam.  The group also plans a 70th Anniversary of Liberation event entitled a Night of Tears In Their Own Words with reflections of the dark days of World War II and a Halloween Puengen Na’ma’å’ñao at Camp Te’a in Ipan, Talofofo.

The MACHOSFLAKOS MADNESS will feature first time storytellers who will be chosen at random or by volunteering at the gathering on May 5.  For additional information, current president Peter R. Onedera may be contacted at peteronedera@gmail.com, 477-4234, 486-3210;  vice-president Antonia Masga Salas at kalachucha57@yahoo.com, 727-2232;  or treasurer Patricia Ann Quichocho at pcquichocho@gmail.com, 988-5900.


The event is free and open to the public.  Refreshments will be served. 

GPLS Presents Certificate of Appreciation to PIBBA Volunteers


PIBBA Volunteerism at Hagatna Public Library: Pacific Islands Bilingual Bicultural Association (PIBBA) Guam members were awarded with a Certificate of Appreciation on April 15, 2014 by the Guam Public Library System (GPLS) for sharing cultural stories and poems in celebration of Chamorro Month. Pictured L-R: Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, PIBBA Webmaster and UOG Professor, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences; Terry Leon Guerrero Kennimer, GPLS Library Technician Supervisor; Frank Aflague, GPLS Program Coordinator; Antonia Salas, PIBBA Guam Vice President and UOG TESOL student; and Lois Taitano Gumataotao, PIBBA member and LBJ Elementary School ESL Teacher/Coordinator. Not pictured are Benita Lizama; Dr. Arlene Diaz, PIBBA Guam President; and UOG TESOL students Beauty Letewasiyal and Jenny Castro.

Certificate of Appreciation - Hagatna Public Library Saturday Story Hour


Monday, April 14, 2014

Parent Cafe - April 25

The Head Start Parent Cafe team will be hosting a Parent Cafe on April 25 from 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at the Pacific Star (formerly Marriott) Hotel. The theme will be on "Building Strong Relationships with Your Children."  It will also cover all 5 Protective Factors. If you are interested, call 735-2438.

Friday, April 04, 2014

Week of the Young Child Activities


A Special Message from the Academy of American Poets


Dear Friend,

Happy National Poetry Month!  We never imagined when we launched NPM 18 years ago that it would become the largest literary celebration in the world!

The Academy of American Poets has a great deal planned for this year’s commemoration. As you can see, we’ve introduced our new look, and later this month will launch the new Poets.org. We’ve distributed thousands of free posters to classrooms around the country and produced a new special project for students: Poet-to-Poet.

This April, our goal is to remind tens of millions of individuals of the important place poets have in our culture, inspiring many to continue reading poems year-round. But we need your support to make that possible.
illustration

As poetry is taught less and less in schools, we need to do more to help passionate teachers bring poetry into their classrooms. Poet-to-Poet is a multimedia educational project that invites students to watch our Chancellors read a poem, and then write one of their own in response. For teachers, we developed a Common Core-aligned lesson plan to accompany the project.

We will be working to raise $25,000 this month to support education projects like Poet-to-Poet. Please donate to help us meet our goal. Every dollar counts – Abrams Books has generously agreed to match every dollar we raise, up to $10,000. That means your donation will have twice the impact. We rely on your donations to produce the high quality materials and resources we make available to students and teachers for free on Poets.org.

Over the next 30 days, thousands of poets will give public readings, some will be challenging themselves to write a new poem every day, hundreds of publishers will be releasing new collections of poetry, and thousands of librarians and teachers will be organizing Poem in Your Pocket Day events.

You can be a part of National Poetry Month, too, with a gift to support our programs. Donate today. With your help, we will nurture a next generation of poetry readers.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Benka
Executive Director
Academy of American Poets

Week of the Young Child

We will be celebrating the Week of the Young Child from April 7 - 11, 2014.  Everyday the different early childhood programs will be facilitating a Parent Training at Astumbo Gym, Sinajana Mayor's Office, and the Agat Mayor's Office in the morning from 9:00am - 10:30am and in the evening from 5:30pm - 7:00pm. 
As part of the parent trainings we will also be facilitating a Parent Cafe on April 9, from 5:30pm - 7:00pm at the Sinajana Mayor's Office and also on Friday, from 9:00am - 10:30am at the Agat Mayor's Office. 

You are invited to attend the Week of the Young Child, Proclamation Signing on Friday, April 4, at 10:30 a.m. in the Governor's Cabinet Conference Room at Adelup.

Thursday, April 03, 2014

Parent Training - Use Stories To Build Oral Communication Skills

We all tell stories about everyday events. Find out how you can use stories to build oral communication skills by joining us for an evening session with Verna Chinen, M.S. CCC-SLP on Thursday, April 10, 2014, 5-8pm, at UOG School of Business Building, Room 131. Ms. Chinen is the Hawaii Department of Education State Coordinator responsible for the management of speech-language pathology, occupational therapy and physical therapy program statewide. During this session, Ms. Chinen will share ideas on how to increase language literacy through storytelling and storybooks. Please confirm you participation by responding to this e-mail or call Parent Services at 300-1322 no later than Wednesday, 4/9/14.

ND Alumni Gala - April 5

Join us for our 5th Annual Alumni Gala! Notre Dame High School has been instrumental in 45 years of Shaping Lives Spiritually, Academically, Globally! For more information on the gala, contact the Sponsorship Committee members: Jessica Drilon at 888-9817 (jessicadrilon@yahoo.com), Greta Duenas at 727-8318 (si.duenas@gmail.com), Donna Herrero at 687-0263 (donnaherrero@yahoo.com) or Cathy Ramirez at 482-1627 (car1961@gmail.com).