Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from around the Pacific! May the year 2018 bring you many blessings filled with much love, joy, peace, and happiness!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! - English
Biba Añu Nuebu! – Chamorro
Feliz Año Nuevo! – Spanish
Peren En Parakapw! – Pohnpeian
Engan ke ya sasu! - Kosraean
Jeramman ilo iio in ekaal! – Marshallese
Pwapwan Ei Ier Mi Fo – Chuukese
Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu – Japanese
Ungil Beches Er Rak! – Palauan
Selsalan Ebéach e duw! – Yapese
Maligayang Bagong Taon – Tagalog
Hauoli Makahiki Hou – Hawaiian
Sehe Bokmanee Bateuseyo! – Korean
Gung Hay Fat Choy – Chinese
Cung-Chuc Tan-Xuan! – Vietnamese
Ameseighil ubwutiiwel Layúi Luugh me raagh féé! – Carolinian

Congratulations PIBBA Guam Officers!

PIBBA Guam held its election on December 30, 2017.  Congratulations to our newly-elected and re-elected PIBBA Guam Officers!

Pictured L-R:  Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, Webmaster; Lois Taitano Gumataotao, Secretary; Joey Franquez, Historian; Mye Ganan-Flores, Treasurer; and Joey Leon Guerrero, Vice-President.  Not pictured is Rosa Salas Palomo, President.

Apply to become a PIBBA Guam member!

Click on the form above to download the PIBBA Guam membership form. Please note that you will have to fill out both forms. The second form is for you to keep as a receipt. Membership will become official once payment is received in full.

Merry Christmas from around the Pacific!

Merry Christmas from around the Pacific!

~Minagof Nochebuena ~Felis Pasgua (Chamorro)
~Maligayan Pasko (Tagalog)
~Peren en Krismas (Pohnpeian)
~Monono ilo raaneoan Nejin (Marshallese)
~Falang e Baynag (Yapese)
~Tok Tapeng (Kosraean)
~Ungil Kurismas (Palauan)
~Pwapwan Kirisimas (Chuukese)
~Mele Kalikimaka (Hawaiian)
~Ameseighil ubwutiiwel Layi Luugh me raagh fee (Carolinian)

IslanderView is Back!

Join Vera Dela Cruz in her meaningful postings with the reactivation of the IslanderView online publication!  You can view her entries at https://islanderviewbyveradc.blogspot.com.  Si Yu'os Ma'ase'!

NABE Acceptance

It is always an honor when my conference proposals are accepted.  It would be an even greater honor for me to represent GDOE's ESL Program at the 47th Annual NABE Conference. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving 2017 with the Familia!

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all! Enjoy this special holiday with your loved ones, and be sure to thank those who have touched your life and made a difference. May God bestow upon you abundant blessings on this day and always.  Si Yu'os Ma'ase'!

Annual Community Book Fair - Nov. 18

Join us for IRA's Annual Community Book Fair on Saturday, November 18, 2017!

Time: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

Venue: Agana Shopping Center

November 2017 Guam Council IRA Newsletter

Click here to view the November 2017 Guam Council IRA newsletter.

Happy Veterans Day!

To all of those who have served and continue to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces, so that we may have the freedom that we enjoy, we salute you! *HAND SALUTE* God Bless you all, and God Bless the USA! HAPPY VETERANS DAY!

Image source:  Jerry Trimble Helicopters

Biba Kumpleanos Faust!

Biba Kumpleanos to our first prince in the familia!  God bless you always, Fausto!  Hu guaiya hao! 🎂 😘 😇🎈

Biba Kumpleanos Kinny!

Biba Kumpleanos to our youngest prince in the familia!  He officially becomes a teen today!  God bless you always, Kinny.  Hu guaiya hao!

Biba Kumpleanos Julia!

Biba Kumpleanos to our princessa of the familia!  God bless you always, and keep striving for the best!  Hu guiaya hao!  

September 2017 Guam Council ILA Newsletter

Click here to view the September 2017 Guam Council ILA newsletter.                

Biba Kumpleanos Mom and Dad!

Biba Kumpleanos to the most amazing parents in the whole world!  I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for both of you.  Thank you for your unconditional love and support.  God bless you always, not only on your birthday, but every day.  Hu guaiya hao! ❤️🎂🌺

Lantern Ceremony Snapshots - Sept. 16

Coastal Cleanup Snapshots

Thank you to all of you who took the time to help us in our annual coastal cleanup on Sept. 16.  Enjoy the following snapshots.

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Certificate received for the 46th NABE Conference

Pictured above is the appreciation certificate I received in February 2017 for presenting at the 46th Annual National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) Conference in Dallas, Texas. My presentation was titled, Exploring Storytelling in the Pacific.

It is important that we, as educators, continue to share the resources and knowledge that we have, so that we may empower our colleagues and ultimately our students!

ILA Certificates

Attending the ILA 2017 Conference in Orlando, Florida was a meaningful one filled with memories to last a lifetime.  Prior to the main conference, the Guam Council of the International Reading Association received the Honor Council Award.  Thereafter, we had the opportunity to attend the various sessions.  I look forward to sharing the literacy ideas I've learned at our next Guam ILA general membership meeting.

Certificate of Appreciation - PCLES

Service and dedication to make a difference is undoubtedly important.  Si Yu'os Ma'ase' to all those who continue to go beyond the call of duty!

REALIZING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WORLD WAR II UNDERWATER CULTURAL HERITAGE IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION MARITIME ARCHAEOLOGY SYMPOSIUM

The Guam Museum, Guam Preservation Trust, UOG Anthropology, and UOG Sea Grant programs invite you to

REALIZING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WORLD WAR II UNDERWATER CULTURAL HERITAGE IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION MARITIME ARCHAEOLOGY SYMPOSIUM.

Date: Saturday, July 22
Time: 10 am - 4 pm
Location: Guam Museum, Hagåtna
Fee: Free!

The Pacific Ocean contains a wealth of unique heritage. Beneath the depths of these waters are traces of human existence that span thousands of years and testify to the special human interaction with the coast and sea. This heritage includes ancient sunken villages, fish traps, sacred cultural sites, historical shipwrecks and aircraft, and "intangible" heritage related to voyaging, navigation, and utilization of the marine environment.

World War underwater cultural heritage in Asia-Pacific includes 3,800+ shipwrecks and aircraft, many of which tourists dive. These sites can also be "sacred" given that they can include human remains. They can also contain oil and munitions that may cause concern, particularly if sites are deteriorating.

This seminar includes a panel and specialized talks about the wonderful world of diving World War shipwrecks in the Asia-Pacific region and issues related to research and management.

For more information contact Marie Auyong (UOG Sea Grant) at auyongm@triton.uog.edu.

SCHEDULE DETAILS

10:00-11:00am: Introduction to Maritime Archaeology Panel. Nine presenters (eight listed below and a field school student) will provide a 5-min summary of his/her topic and answer questions .

11-11:30 am: Refreshments

11:30 am: "Underwater cultural heritage in the Philippines, including World War II shipwrecks." Bobby Orillaneda (Maritime Archaeologist, National Museum of the Philippines)

11:55 am: "Managing World War II underwater cultural heritage in Indonesia: Progress, challenges and opportunities." Zainab Tahir (Maritime Archaeologist, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Republic of Indonesia)

12:20 pm: "Underwater cultural heritage management in the Republic of Palau." Sunny Ngirmang (State Historic Preservation Officer, Republic of Palau)

12:45-1:45 pm: Lunch

1:45 pm: "Three-dimensional interpretation of World War II sites in Saipan."
Dr. Kotaro Yamafune (Maritime Archaeologist, President of APPARATUS, Japan)

2:10 pm: "Management strategies for underwater cultural heritage sites." Vicki Richards (Manager for Materials Conservation, Western Australian Museum)

2:35 pm: "Cast iron shipwreck cannon: Recovery and conservation." Jon Carpenter (Conservator, Western Australian Museum)

3:00 pm: Refreshments

3:20 pm: "Assessing artificial reefs and the natural environment." Kalle Applegate Palmer (High Tech High, California)

3:45 pm: "World War underwater cultural heritage in Chuuk and Guam." Dr. Bill Jeffery (Assistant Professor, UOG)

Happy 73rd Liberation Day, Guam!

Tomorrow marks Guam's 73rd Liberation Day! The island's annual liberation parade on July 21 is traditionally packed with crowds to celebrate Guam's freedom from Japan's cruel occupation. As part of our patriotism, we continue to celebrate and thank those who have served or are currently serving in the Armed Forces to fight for the freedom that we enjoy today!

Happy 73rd Liberation Day, Guahan! Biba Guahan!

Guam ILA Receives ILA Honor Council Award for 2016-2017 at the ILA Conference in Orlando, Florida

The Guam Council ILA has been instrumental in promoting literacy on Guam since 1968 and was recognized as an HONOR COUNCIL of the International Literacy Association for its achievements in programs, membership, promotion, and community service.  Pictured L-R:  Manda Tenorio, Guam ILA Recording Secretary; Annette Leon Guerrero, Guam ILA Board Member; Tiffany Sears, ILA Florida; Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, 2016-2017 Guam ILA President; Rose Cruz Castro, 2017-2018 Guam ILA President; Martha Sudo, Guam ILA Board; Lori DiGisi, ILA Board; and Elvina Johnson, Guam ILA Board Member.

Julia Naputi Rivera Wins Miss Fire Guam Title!

Congratulations, Julia Naputi Rivera, for winning the Miss Fire Guam title, Environmental Warrior Award, and 2nd Runner Up in the Native Costume! Si Yu'os Ma'ase' to all family and friends for all your love and support during her journey.

Julia Naputi Rivera, Miss Fire Guam, is all smiles with her family and friends during the 2017 Miss Earth Guam Pageant on June 21, 2017 at the Sheraton Hotel.

Julia Naputi Rivera, Miss Fire Guam, is surrounded by family and friends during the 2017 Miss Earth Guam Pageant.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day, and God Bless all fathers who make a difference in the lives of their children.

The following is a poem I wrote in dedication to my father.

My Tata

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…
Hu guaiya hao!
© mnrivera

Let us remember...

On this Memorial Day, let us remember all those soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines, who sacrificed their lives, so that we may be safe from harm. They will always be remembered!

Biba Ha'ånen Nåna Siha!

GPLS Summer Reading Program