Hafa Adai Everyone! The Guam System for Assistive Technology is pleased to inform you that we now have available the Snap&Read text to speech software program. It really is simpler than most on the market. For someone looking for reading access this is a solution to consider. What is Snap&Read? Snap&Read is an accessible toolbar that reads any text on-screen as it floats over any application. The simple one-button interface reads both accessible and inaccessible text aloud from Flash websites, Word docs, PDFs, web-based tests, images, and even dialog boxes. Other accessible toolbar programs have become bogged down with features. Most of their features like spell checkers, thesauri, verb conjugators, and dictionaries are available free online or in word processors. Snap&Read focuses on the core— reading any text on-screen, and making it so easy that students get up and running instantly. (Don Johnston) Click here to learn more Schedule your demonstration of Snap & Read today! Contact GSAT at 735-2490/1 or email gsat@guamcedders.org.

Hafa Adai, to all our Alumni and University Citizens! Our 61st Anniversary Founders Day Gala is already next Saturday, 6/8 from 6p.m. to 10p.m., at the Hyatt Regency Guam, Grand Ballroom. The theme of this signature event is “An Evening of Excellence.” Enjoy an outstanding four-course dinner and exciting entertainment. Plus, when you a purchase a ticket, you will automatically be entered into our door prize raffle for the chance to win a roundtrip ticket for one to anywhere in Asia that United Airlines flies! Space is limited – please make arrangements to reserve your seat(s) today by calling Norm Analista at 735-2586. You don’t want to miss this event!

Congratulations Graduates!

UOG Commencement held May 26, 2013

SOE Faculty attend the UOG Commencement exercise in support of their graduates

Congratulations to all 295 UOG graduates and the countless graduates throughout the island! We are proud of you, and we wish you the best! BIBA UOG! BIBA GUAHAN!

Happy 1st Birthday EvaDior!

The Naputi, Hernandez, Rivera, and Rosario Families gather in celebration of EvaDior's first birthday held May 25, 2013 at the Westin  Hotel.

Happy 1st Birthday to our goddaughter EvaDior Naputi Hernandez! We love you, and may you have many more years to come. God Bless you always.

NEWS RELEASE: 32nd Annual International Pacific Islands Bilingual Bicultural Association (PIBBA) Conference

 

The 32nd Annual International Pacific Islands Bilingual Bicultural Association (PIBBA) Conference will be held Sunday-Wednesday, July 21-24, 2013 at John F. Kennedy High School. The theme is "Indigenous Rights: Sacred and Secret – Direchon i Taotao Siha: Sagråda yan Sikretu.” The Call for Presentations is due on May 31, 2013. and Early Bird Registration ends on June 28, 2013. Individuals and/or organizations are invited to exhibit their wares for a nominal fee or donation to the Silent Auction. You can also earn three (3) ED894 graduate credits or CEUs. You must register for the conference before you register for the graduate credits at the Professional International Programs Office, 2nd floor, MARC/Computer Center/PIP Building, Room #217, phone # 735-2601. A Photo Art Contest from May 22-June 8, 2013 is on-going to produce a 2-year calendar promiting pride in cultures and languages of the Pacific region. Interested contestants may submit up to 3 photos. All PIBBA Conference information and forms are available online at http://pibbainternational.blogspot.com. If you have any questions, email or call Peter R. Onedera at 477-4234, peteronedera@gmail.com, PIBBA International President or Rosa Salas Palomo at 735-2193/1, kailee.rosapalomo@hotmail.com or pibba.international@gmail.com, PIBBA, Guam Chapter President and Conference Chair.

Parent Cafe - June 1, 2013

Head Start is hosting a Parent Cafe on Saturday, June 1st from 8:00am - 11:00am at the Holiday Resort. The theme is "Building Strong Relationships with Your Children". Focus will be on all 5 protective factors.

PIBBA's May Photo Art Contest

The Guam Pacific Islands Bilingual Bicultural Association (PIBBA) Chapter announces the MAY PHOTO ART Contest to be held May 22-June 8, 2013, to produce a 

special 2-year calendar promoting pride in cultures and languages of the Pacific region.    

Art THEME:  FOOD, Flora, Fauna & FUN in the Pacific!

Photo images can depict any of the above sub-themes.  Please include name of photoartist, role (i.e. student, teacher), village/ island and a brief description (2-3 sentences) of the image.

Entries must  be sent electronically to Dr. Arn Diaz, acsdiaz@yahoo.com .  Winning images will be placed into calendar, for sale at the 2013 Pacific Islands Bilingual Bicultural Association (PIBBA) Conference (Guam) and in 2014 (Palau).  PIBBA Guam Chapter reserves the rights to use entries in future fundraising  projects, with notification and kudos to photoartists.

The contest is open to students, parents, teachers, and educators who support the PIBBA International Chapters; up to 3 photos per individual can be submitted to the Calendar Committee. 

Winners will receive a complimentary copy of the calendar, one PIBBA t-shirt, and will be given special recognition at the annual conference.   

Please direct your inquiries to acsdiaz@yahoo.com or call (671) 735-3501, the Comprehensive Center for Student Success (CCSS), DOE, for more information.  Good Luck!

Micronesia Island Fair: May 17-19, 2013

Hafa Adai!  The Guam Micronesia Island Fair is scheduled for May 17-19, 2013.   It is the annual signature cultural event of the Guam Visitors Bureau with presentations of the vibrant cultures of Micronesia. 

Participants were able to experience the culture and arts of Micronesia.  A special fireworks display was also a highlight of the event.  Delegations from the Federated States of Micronesia, Rota, Saipan and Tinian and the republics of Kiribati, Nauru, the Marshall Islands and Palau, gathered on Guam to commemorate the region’s largest cultural event. They had the opportunity to meet Micronesia’s master carvers, blacksmiths, traditional fishing experts, jewelers, weavers, dancers, musicians and chefs. 

G-Factor UOG Alumni Mixer and 61st Anniversary Founders Day Gala

“THE G-FACTOR” UOG ALUMNI MIXER, TOMORROW NIGHT, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 6P-10P, WESTIN RESORT This is the second annual talent showcase we have hosted featuring alumni, current and former students, faculty and staff! Tickets to the event will be sold for $30 each, $25 each for a pair. Our co-chairpersons for this event are Star Mercado (UOG Alumni Association VP/President-Elect) and Irish Olivares, UOG alumna. ------------------- 61st ANNIVERSARY FOUNDERS DAY GALA - SATURDAY, JUNE 8th! Please help us celebrate the University’s rich past and promising future at this year’s Founders Day Gala. It will be held on Saturday, June 8, 6p.m. to 10p.m., at the Hyatt Regency Guam, Grand Ballroom. The theme of this signature event is “An Evening of Excellence.” Enjoy an outstanding four-course dinner and exciting entertainment. Plus, when you a purchase a ticket, you will automatically be entered into our door prize raffle for the chance to win a roundtrip ticket for one to anywhere in Asia that United Airlines flies! Space will be limited – please make arrangements to reserve your seating today!

Family Literacy Celebration a Success!

After a year-long experience of assessing and tutoring children in the University of Guam's SOE Literacy Center, the ED644 Reading Cohort candidates culminated with a well-deserved Family Literacy Celebration on May 15, 2013, inclusive of a conference with the children's parents to discuss the reading improvements detailed in the addendum, an awards ceremony, picture taking, and more! Congratulations Reading Cohort 2013!

Guam Council IRA May 2013 Newsletter

Click on the newsletter above to view this month's issue.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you wonderful Mothers out there! Enjoy your Special Day! You deserve it! May God Bless you always, for all that you do, from being a nurse, doctor, taxi driver, photographer, etc. The list goes on! Enjoy the following mother’s poem!

Nana

Nana*….

If I haven’t told you already

“I love you so”

And always will

You have sacrificed

You have brought so much nurturing into my life

That I can’t imagine my life without you.

Even if my actions tell a different story.

So though I don’t say it all the time

Just know that I do appreciate you

For all that you have done for me

That I love you too

And I always will…

I love you mom!

*Nana: mother

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

Congratulations to those admitted to SOE!

We would like to congratulate the new students who have been officially admitted into the University of Guam's School of Education!  They were recognized during a special SOE Admission Ceremony today, May 1, 2013.

ASL Training - Basic Sign Language Class

Thursday,April 25, 2013 5:30pm ~ 6:30pm Special Education Offices Chief Brodie Elementary School, Rm. 2 For more information please contact Parent Services at 300-1321 or lktaisipic@gdoe.net

Saina Destilådu Snapshots

Congratulations to the cast and crew of Saina Destilådu! The following are some of the memorable snapshots taken during the play.

Guam Council IRA April 2013 Newsletter

Click on the newsletter above to view this month's issue.

32nd Annual International PIBBA Conference Form Links

Hafa Adai! PIBBA International proudly announces that the 32nd Annual International PIBBA Conference will be held July 21-24, 2013 in the beautiful island of Guam. The theme is "Indigenous Rights - Sacred and Secret ~ Direchon i Taotao Siha - Sagrada yan Sikretu." We hope to see you there, and please stay tuned for more information.

Download Call for Proposals Form
 

Download Registration Form
 

Download Exhibit Form
  Download 2012 Indigenous Teacher of the Year Packet* *2012 TOY recipients will also be recognized during the ceremony.  

Download 2013 Indigenous Teacher of the Year Packet
 

Download 2012 Pioneer of the Year Packet* *2012 POY recipients will also be recognized during the ceremony.  

Download 2013 Pioneer of the Year Packet

 

 

Assistive Technology Training

Hafa Adai! Please mark your calendars for the following important dates.

April 9, 5:30pm -7:30pm
April 16, 5:30pm -7:30pm
April 30, 5:30pm -7:30pm

****GSAT Office, UOG Dean Circle**** **Solo Programs and iPad Apps**

Special Education Assistive Technology Program will be conducting a series of trainings on how to access your child's education.

***Please Bring Your Own Technology***

If you have any questions please contact Laura at 300-1322 or lktaisipic@gdoe.net.

My Parents Have Relocated to San Diego to Seek Cancer Treatment for Mom

We are grateful that my Mom was able to spend another Easter with us. It should be noted that in December 2012, an MRI was done on Guam on my Mom to determine the cause of her recurring head pain. Unfortunately, nothing was found and a referral to San Diego, California was made. Upon arrival in San Diego and a review of the MRI CD, doctors in California informed my parents that an operation on my Mom's nasal area had to be done. An operation was made and she is now recuperating. However, because of the lack of nasopharengeal cancer specialists on Guam, my parents have relocated to California, so that my Mom could get the best health care possible. It is now imperative more than ever that we spend as much time as we can with her. We thank the Lord and the ongoing prayers from family and friends for giving us the strength to keep up the faith in our grave situation. God Bless.

Be Strong Families Training

The Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework training held March 25-26, 2013 at the Sheraton Resort was meaningful, and will certainly impact the lives of the participants who were fortunate to attend the sessions.  Our trainers, Kathryn "Kathy" Goetz Wolf and Dara, focused on Living the Protective Factors and Wake Up to Your Potential.  The protective factors are inclusive of the following:  parent resilience, knowledge of parenting and child development, social and emotional competence of children, social connections, and concrete support in times of need.  The trainers emphasized positive "anabolic" energy versus the negative "catabolic" energy.  It is important that we shift to the anabolic energy and surround ourselves with an "A Team", which is essentially an anabolic team, so that we can capitalize on positive energy to help ourselves and others.  Moreover, we must strengthen ourselves with vitality, including a healthy diet, exercise, adequate sleep, and mindfulness.  Not to mention, Don Miguel Ruiz's Four Agreements were shared, which include the following:  (1) Be impeccable with your word, (2) Don't take anything personally, (3) Don't make assumptions, and (4) Always do your best.  These four agreements are inspirational, and I aim to do my best to follow them.  May all of us be empowered to do the same.  God Bless.