Pacific Islands Bilingual Bicultural Association (PIBBA) Guam Members Continue Planning for the 32 Annual International PIBBA Conference

Pictured L-R (sitting):  Rosa Salas Palomo, PIBBA Guam Chapter President; Dr. Gregorio Tainatongo; and Carmen Weaver.  Back row L-R:  Dawn Maka, PIBBA Guam Treasurer; Rufina Mendiola; Mye Ganan-Flores; Bobbie Manibusan; Liz Langas; Lois Taitano Gumataotao; Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, PIBBA Webmaster; and Dr. Ye-Young Kim-Palomo.

Early Childhood Parent Conference a Success!

I want to extend a BIG thank you to all parents and guardians of children ages birth to five, as well as every conference participant, along with representatives from the Department of Education (Guam Early Intervention Services-GEIS, Special Education Preschool Program, Head Start), Department of Public Health and Social Services (Project Karinu, Project Bisita), CEDDERS (Guam Early Hearing Detection Intervention-GEHDI), DPW, Synergy Studios, Erica's House, VARO, GPPT, my fellow Interagency Coordinating Council members, and everyone who made our conference a success!  We were instrumental in empowering our families with the wealth of knowledge that was shared.

As the Chairperson and parent representative of the Guam Interagency Coordinating Council (GICC), let me take a moment to share with you who we are and what we do.  We are advocates for the rights of children with disabilities and the parents who care for them.  GICC is a federally mandated statewide interagency group that advises and assists agencies providing early intervention services to young children birth to 5 years old, with or at risk for disabilities and their families. GICC further advises and assists the lead agency in the development and implementation of policies constituting the island-wide system of coordinated services, participating public and private agencies who are involved with early intervention services for children, birth through five years old and their families.

In any event, we were pleased to help sponsor this valuable early childhood conference.  Our participants had the opportunity to learn of the various services they can avail of, early childhood education, tips on raising happy kids, promoting language, use of assistive technology, nutrition and physical activity, parent-centered planning, social emotional development, dealing with challenging behavior, and more.  There were also exhibits and resources available.

The committee worked very hard to put together an amazing early childhood parent conference, so that our parents can get the support that they need in parenting their ways through the early years.  

Above all, let us remember that TOGETHER, we must build STRONG ROOTS TODAY, so that we can have HEALTHY BRANCHES TOMORROW!

THANK YOU!  SI YU’OS MA’ASE’! 

PIBBA DRAG Fundraiser - June 22

The PIBBA, Guam Chapter is sponsoring a fundraiser at the Guam Raceway Park in Yigo on Saturday, June 22, 2013. The proceeds of the DRAG 4 Cultures and Languages fundraiser will go towards the expenses of the 32^nd Annual Pacific Islands Bilingual Bicultural Association International Conference to be held on July 21-24, 2013 on Guam for educators, particularly indigenous and heritage language educators in the region. The entrance fee is $5 per car and $2 for each spectator. Walkers are $2. Racers pay $2 per race or $10 for unlimited number of races. Gates open 7 p.m., and racing starts at 8:30 p.m. Refreshments will also be sold. Please come and help us raise funds and have a lot of fun! Si Yu’os Ma’åse’!

Parent Cafe - June 25, 2013

Learn ideas that can help you take care of yourself and your family, so that you can raise strong, happy children.  Join us 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25, 2013 at the Sheraton Laguna Resort.  We hope to see you there!

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…
I love you!
© mnrivera

Early Childhood Parent Conference - June 22

Guam ICC Meeting - June 17

The Guam Interagency Coordinating Council (GICC) quarterly meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. June 17 at the Guam Marriott Resort & Spa. For more information or special accommodations, call Kat at 300-5776/5816.

TESOL Teacher of the Year

TESOL Teacher of the Year Award TESOL recognizes the unique challenges faced by English language teachers and the hard work and dedication it takes to overcome those challenges. The TESOL Teacher of the Year Award, presented by National Geographic Learning, was created by TESOL and National Geographic Learning to recognize and honor exceptional English language teachers at the elementary/secondary and postsecondary/adult education levels. Is there an outstanding teacher in your life? TESOL is now accepting nominations and applications for the Teacher of the Year Award. 15 June: Nomination Deadline 30 June: Application Deadline     Source:  TESOL.org

Duncan touts advantages of bilingualism Education Week His comments aren't likely to ignite a new battle in the bilingual education wars, but U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan over breakfast gave perhaps his clearest statements to date on the benefits of dual-language development and instruction, especially for students who are English-language learners. English learners, he said in a meeting with reporters, come to school with a major asset — their home languages — that educators should capitalize on, especially in the early grades. Source: NABE.org

Always remember...

GPLS 2013 Summer Reading Program

What?  GPLS 2013 Summer Reading Program; Theme:  Dig Into Reading

When?  Kick-Off:  Saturday, June 8, 2013, 10:00 a.m.;  Reading Club Duration:  June 10, 2013-July 18, 2013; Wrap-Up Party:  July 27, 2013, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

Where?  GPLS Branches

For details on the Guam Public Library System summer reading program, visit the following link: http://gpls.guam.gov/Portals/50/GPLS_ANN/2013%20SRP%20Information%20Brochure.pdf

Tango Theatres - UOG Triton Business Partner

Tango Theatres is the UOG Triton Business Partner for the month of June. For every purchase of the “Ultimate G” Combo, Tango Theatres will donate $2.50 to the UOG Capital Campaign, which supports the construction of a 21st century University Campus.

The “Ultimate G” Combo is a great value at $12.75 and consists of a hotdog, medium drink, four (4) pieces of Miniature Snickers plus the choice of either a medium popcorn or nachos with cheese.

Tango Theatres operates two locations, the Micronesia Mall Stadium Theatres, which is located on the second floor in the Micronesia Mall Cinema Wing and the Agana Stadium Theatres, which is located on the second floor of the Agana Shopping Center.

Study Guides and Strategies

Author:  Joe F. Landsberger

Website address:  http://www.studygs.net/preread.htm

5 attributes for building literacy of English Learners:

* Culturally relevant -- Culture(s):  All

* Effective strategy for English Learners -- Strategy name:  Pre Questions

* Authority -- Well known source

* Age Appropriate -- Grade Level: 6^th-8^th

* Navigation with ease -- Links, design, feedback buttons:  Accessible

• PROS:
• Pre-Reading strategy that guides the ELs in the comprehension process.
• Enables teachers to prepare questions in advance of reading.
• Guides students as they complete their reading assignment.
• Teacher can help students develop their own questions, which will help them establish purpose and focus.
• Great strategy in activating prior knowledge.
• Students get an idea of what they are going to be exposed to from the reading.

2013 DAV Certificate of Appreciation

2013 IRA Certificate of Appreciation

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.