March - CNMI PSS

CNMI Public School System
Students First
Founded
1947
Autonomy
Jan. 11, 1988
March 2016
The State Board of Education
has approved this month the
school district’s investment for
primary instructional materials,
tools and resources that are to
complement teaching standardsbased curriculum.
The primary instructional
materials are the main materials
used within a course. They are
comprehensive and contain an
extensive scope and sequence
of skills and concepts, utilize
a variety of instructional
strategies and identify primary
instructional tool for a grade
level.
“Our
(BOE)
has
wholeheartedly
supported
this combined effort to
increase student achievement,”
Education Commissioner Dr.
Rita A. Sablan said.
Please See BOE
P 10
We Want
To Hear
From You
We want to hear from you, our
readers.
We need to determine how our
Students First publication has
benefited our public education
stakeholders through the stories,
photos and information that have
been published here.
We are also communicating
with you to help us better the
delivery of information from the
school district, by tapping into
our newsletter. Send us your
suggestions – be it a topic to be
featured, issues to be tackled, or
photo(s) to be highlighted.
Your participation by sharing
us your insights and suggestions
is important in helping your
Public School System improve
through the educational programs for all our students and in
enhancing your participation in
your child’s education.
Please send your email to
[email protected].
PSS Receives Third
Consecutive Clean Audit
• One more year PSS will be
considered ‘low risk’ auditee
• Surpasses prior year’s clean
audit findings
Record-time
Completion on
March 31, 2016
Unmodified
(Clean)
Opinion
No Material
Weakness This means clean
FY 2015
Audit
Highlights
Zero
QuestionED
Cost For third year in a
For third year in a
row, PSS continue
to show positive
and strong
audit with no
questioned cost.
row – Audits for
FY13, FY 14, and
FY15 – shows
sustained and
consistent PSS
internal controls
in both local and
federal funding
reporting.
audit on both
local financial
statement
reporting
and federal
grant awards
compliance.
This is also
the second
consecutive year
in a row that
PSS receive such
distinction.
The audited was
done 3 months
before the June
30th deadline.
This has also
surpassed the FY
2014 previous
audit that
completed 2
months early when
it was released last
year.
T
HE Public School System has
received an unmodified audit
opinion on its Fiscal 2015
financial reporting, making
the third consecutive year for the
school district to receive “clean”
audit opinions from an independent
audit firm.
One more year of “clean audit” findings will
mean that the PSS will be considered “low risk”
auditee— the only jurisdiction in the region on
track of achieving the distinction.
Auditing firm Burger, Comer, Magliari’s
unmodified opinion reaffirms the PSS’
stewardship of taxpayers’ dollars: strong financial
management and accountability systems.
Please See AUDIT
$39.58M Public Education
Earmarking Proposed
Essential Adjustments to the Budget
BOE Approves
Instructional
Materials
A c c o u n t a b i l i t y • R e s p o n s i b i li ty • Tra nsparency
P 10
PSS launches biggest anti-meth
education campaign
Salary adjustment for certified teachers,
counselors, pupil transportation and
administrative support staff
Procurement of insurance required by
FEMA for receiving public assistance
from Typhoon Soudelor
Full Day Kindergarten
‘We Are Now
Advocates Against
Illicit Drugs’ P2
Increase operational funding for
schools from $50 per pupil to $100
per pupil
Anticipated increase in the employee’s
share of the health insurance premium
Schools and Central Office repairs
Please See PSS
P4
Equity in Funding
Learning Through
is Vital to Sustain
Cultural Exchange
Progress
P3
Commissioner of Education File
by Rita A. Sablan, Ed.D.
P5
Volunteers, Sponsors 2016 STEM Fair
Needed for Pacific features 112
Circle Consortium
projects
P6
P7
2
Local News
March 2016
PSS launches biggest anti-meth education campaign
‘We Are Now Advocates
Against Illicit Drugs’
T
INIAN - Byron Dela Cruz is one
young anti-meth advocate.
Thirteen year-old Tinian Elementary
School pupil Byron Dela Cruz use of his social media account has become an effective advocacy tool
that paved the way for the launching of the largest and
biggest education drive against all forms of addiction in
the commonwealth.
It was five months ago when the 13-year-old boy went
online and used Facebook to denounce the growing illegal drug problems.
“I came out on Facebook last year and wrote that there
is a drug problem here in Tinian,” Dela Cruz said in an
interview. “(It) is really bad that it is now the most addictive and is spreading out all over our islands.”
“I am scared that it is affecting all our families here,”
he added.
Dela Cruz acknowledged how PSS has put together an
unprecedented response/campaign.
On March 17, the Public School System has launched
the largest education campaign that will combat the
spread of illegal drugs by drawing together all of its
stakeholders. This is now touted to be the biggest drive
against all forms of addiction in the commonwealth.
Dele Cruz himself acknowledged the school district’s
tough campaign: “I am
amazed that PSS is actually
responding to my appeal.
Yes, I am ready to be an advocate and I am ready to be
in the forefront and spread
this drive with my peers.”
In partnership with the
Friends of Recovery, public elementary and secondary school students and the
school district’s personnel
and staff are now advocates of the CNMI-wide
massive anti-meth education campaign.
The Public School System has partnered with the nonprofit group Marianas Behavioral Health International
Inc., whose anti-addiction counselors and experts will
partner with Tinian, Rota and Saipan public schools for
this education campaign.
Joined by their school leadership, close to 200 seventh
through twelfth grade students of Tinian Junior/Senior
High School students participated in the campaign on
March 17.
‘Inspire to lead’
Students and school staff and personnel are united in
support of this campaign.
“This is going to be a huge project for PSS as we con-
tinue to promote
a drug-free public
education environment and at the
same time help our
community rid of
crystal
methamphetamine,” Education Commissioner
Dr. Rita A. Sablan
said in a separate
statement.
The
nonprofit
group, also called
as Friends of Recovery, sent a threeman
counselors
team here and spoke
about the challenges and impact of illegal drugs, such as
methamphetamine, marijuana and other illicit substance,
and alcoholism. They were comprised of Joey Arriola,
Crispin M. Sablan and Diego M. Sablan.
“Anybody who wants to change, we just have to be
honest; we can help other to do change,” said 5th grade
pupil.
Vice Principal Martina Diaz agrees.
“This is a great opportunity for all our students
here to gain knowledge and
hopefully (through this education campaign) our students will gain confidence
to be able to become advocates for themselves, for
their families and for our
community,” Diaz separately said.
She added, “The fact
that Tinian is the first to
start this campaign, I hope
that this will motivate and
inspire everyone from the
other islands to do the same.”
In speaking directly to TJSHS students, Associate
Commissioner for Instructional Services Jackie Quitugua
urged the need to communicate.
“It really matters to talk to your parents…and when
you do that, be open and be honest,” Quitugua said. “On
PSS part, we can do this together.”
‘I am the man’
Arriola, a former lawyer, was one of the three speakers.
He opened up at how his addiction ruined everything he
had. Today, he is a much better person and an advocate.
“When I was young I was smoking cigarette, drinking,
using marijuana. To hide it, I always had good grades,”
Arriola intimated. “I thought I had enough.”
“But I continue doing it because ‘I am the man’,” he
said. “Then I want to impress my parents without letting
them know what I was doing. I had my master’s degree,
my law degree. But I was doing drugs…because ‘I am
the man’.”
He went on to become one high-paying and soughtafter private litigator in the CNMI. “I started to feel not
just the man but invincible. My law practice was amazing;
I was making money…a lot of money.”
And one day, he revealed, “someone said to me, ‘Joey
there is really a nice drug called methamphetamine or
‘ice’ and you’ve got to try this. This will relax you’.”
It happened so fast.
He lost everything after that.
“Because I really thought I was the man,” he admitted.
His embrace of his past mistakes has won him the support of the Public School System and the community. He
is now a partner of the biggest anti-drug campaign that
the district has ever launched.
He strongly advocated that the community must support PSS fight against the spread of illegal drugs.
“I pray and hope that I made an impact to all of you.
This is not a joke. Make a choice. God bless you all,” Arriola said.
The PSS Meth Project is not only limited to the spread
of crystal methamphetamine but will also focus in curbing and preventing problem related to teenage alcohol
use and abuses, tobacco and betel nut chewing.
A recent published report revealed that just last year
alone there were more than 15,000 crimes that were reported to the Department of Public Safety. The report
describe the crimes a “staggering sad reality.”
The said report further disclosed that methamphetamine or “ice” problem in the recent past two years has
increased.
Commissioner’s File
March 2016
Equity in Funding is
Vital to Sustain Progress
unding the education of the CNMI’s
more than 10,000 public elementary, middle and high school students
is well articulated in the CNMI Constitution that, in particular, each student
receives “free, compulsory public elementary and secondary education.”
Expectations are high. As custodians of this constitutional right, we are to demonstrate accountability; we are
to ensure our direction directly equates to student success.
We believe that more needs to be done to ensure that
funding is adequate to accomplish our goals through our
Strategic Priorities PLUS and that opportunities are afforded to all of our public school students.
When we submitted the Public School System’s fiscal
2017 proposed budget, the driving force behind this budget decision is about student achievement and quality education. Our proposal of $39.5 million took into account
the requirements that our public schools be adequately
staffed and equipped with the necessary instructional
materials and equipment, our facilities be maintained and
repaired regularly, essential electrical, water and sewerage
services are not disconnected for unpaid bills, and that our
bus transportation system remains safe and reliable.
Our proposal reflects a slight increase of more than $3
million over the current Fiscal 2016 budget of $36.4 million. Although the CNMI Constitution mandates that, at
a minimum, public education must receive 25 percent
in guaranteed funding based on available resources for
appropriation, this number do not equate the changing
education needs and the increased challenges of ensuring
every student achieves highest potential. Our request was
based on the $112 million resources identified as available
and for earmarking. (As of this writing, Gov. Ralph DLG.
Torres has revised the revenue projection up to $127 million for FY2017- Editor.)
We continue to espouse the belief that adequate, equitable and stable public education funding encourages
innovation that will help assure that every public school
student has access to quality education that leaves them
well prepared for success in college and career.
To assure that every penny is spent well, we continue to
reaffirm our commitment towards accountability.
Over the last eight (8) years, we have taken the route towards an accountable, responsible and transparent school
system. Our public high school graduation rate has always
been at an all-time high compared to any island entity in
the pacific region, year-after-year; our students are excelling academically and in extracurricular activities, we have
highly-trained personnel and staff, and a 21st century classroom
learning, to mention a few.
But one critical component to building blocs related to our
teaching and learning is an equitable funding.
Underfunding our services will hamper our successes and
growth.
We don’t want to shortchange this community and every
parent who seek for their child to learn and grow in a public
education environment that has continually achieved success
throughout the past 8 years.
There is no right formula to support the PSS’ success than to
provide for equitable and adequate funding. And the Board of
Education and the Public School System believes that the right
formula in promoting student achievement and improvement
is to balance it with equitable and justifiable financial support.
Front and Center: Drug Free Campaign
Our attitude towards the spread of illegal and illicit drugs in
our community has never changed. We deplore and denounce
that all of its form.
We are now taking steps to aggressively fight this societal
menace.
This month, the PSS in partnership with the Friends of Recovery- Marianas Behavioral Health International, Inc. and
the Youth Advisory Panel has launched the biggest drug free
(anti-meth) campaign in the CNMI.
We are putting forward this campaign noting that, being a
small community, school and student safety should and must
always be a shared concern.
Now more than ever, it is essential we work together to develop a disciplined environment where learning can take place.
Providing safe and drug-free public schools is a cornerstone for
achieving student success; ready for college and career.
Our anti-meth campaign or drug free campaign is born out
of a very simple idea: speak to teens in their language. We have
experts who are our front-line advocates who will carry the
message directly to them.
Linguistically, tapping and ensuring public school students
are made aware of the impact/hazards/ and effect of illegal
drugs to the community, they are a perfect fit for the campaign’s audience: the students themselves.
The campaign calls for cooperation among our public school
students, staff and personnel and parents to raise the standards
of conduct and ensure that classroom learning is uninterrupted.
Through our partnership with the Friends of Recovery, we
are letting our largest stockholder of public education – our
students – be part of the solutions to the problems within the
community.
We launched the campaign at Tinian Junior Senior High
School and soon we are expanding it throughout the other is-
lands.
This is about actively engaging our public school students in our school and community activities that creates a
level of ownership, and support their success, as well.
PSS and Foundation Carnegie
Recently, I had the opportunity to meet with The Carnegie Foundation for Advancement of Teaching President
Anthony S. Byrk to discuss our Public School System’s
strides towards networking and building capabilities as
an island community. The meeting was with the Northern
Marianas College and Mid-continent for Research, Education and Learning.
The Carnegie Foundation president admitted that for
the PSS and for any school district to address issues within,
attention must first be given towards building capacity.
His acknowledgement echoed both our sentiment and
our long-standing work and commitment towards developing a pool of qualified teachers and school leaders from
within.
For us education leaders, this is about having deeper
understanding of the need (or of a problem) and that we,
as one school district, is responsible for all outcomes. In
pursuit of solutions to common problems/issues within the
PSS, we need to embrace a “networked improvement community” or NIC.
In essence, having a networked improvement community is about creating or establishing a purposeful collective
action that is vital to the growth and success of education.
(The NIC is a well-recognized mechanism developed by
Carnegie Foundation that is characterized by its focus on
a well-defined common aim and deep understanding of a
problem and that system produces it.)
This may be a complex approach but we are not foreign
to this.
The collaboration between the PSS and the Regional
Education Laboratory exemplifies the Carnegie Foundation
mechanism. This is simply not just to get results but it is
about the focus on evidence-deepening capacity.
We are optimistic that with our effort to establish partnership with the Carnegie Foundation that we will build
capabilities that are focused on organizational needs to advance public school teaching and learning.
This partnership is both essential and critical in the education area a networked improvement community-mechanism is needed initiate, innovate and create for best ways
and practices, to complement our work towards connecting teaching and learning with college and career readiness/student success, among other goals we have.
STUDENTS FIRST
EDITORIAL BOARD
CNMI BOARD OF EDUCATION
Editorial Board Chair
RITA ALDAN SABLAN, Ed. D
Commissioner of Education
Founder & Editor-In-Chief
Is a non-profit publication established by the Commonwealth of the Mariana Island Public School System
on 2008 with the main objective of bringing the islands’ educational system – its leaders, staff and personnel, and students – closer to the community
as part of its mission to offer equal educational opportunity for all students by providing curriculum, instruction, community service, and work experience in academic and career— technical education so that they become productive and contributing members of the Commonwealth and the global
world; to provide certified, qualified, and effective personnel; to plan, building, and maintain school facilities conducive to learning, safe, orderly, and
accessible to all; to establish effective communications and collaboration of all stakeholders for meaningful and productive partnership; and to allocate
financial and technical resources to meet the educational needs for all students.
Bwoghos Street, Susupe, Saipan MP 96950
P.O. Box 501370, CK,
www.cnmipss.org
STUDENTS FIRST is published through TARO
LEAF, Inc., a CNMI- registered private entity engaged in public and private media relations/publications.
3
4
Local News
March 2016
$39.58M Public Education
Earmarking Proposed
T
HE Board of Education and
the Public School System has
proposed $39.588 million public
education funding earmarking for
fiscal 2017 and said that in every budget
decision made must be about student
achievement and quality education.
“Once again, our budget proposal for FY 2017
reflects and reaffirms our mission and commitment
to the student of the CNMI,” both BOE Chairman
Herman T. Guerrero and Education Commissioner Dr.
Rita A. Sablan said in transmitting the school district’s
earmarking request to Governor Ralph DLG. Torres.
The $39.588 million request takes into account the
requirements for all public schools to be adequately staffed
and equipped with the necessary instructional materials,
facilities to be maintained and repaired regularly, essential
electrical, water and sewerage service not disconnected,
and a safe & efficient student transportation program &
services.
The Fiscal 2017 request reflects a modest increase of
about $3 million over the Fiscal 2016 appropriation of
$36.4 million.
“We ask for the support of the administration of our
efforts to improve the educational experience of our
students,” the education leaders said.
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION TO THE BUDGET
Personnel
$31.8 M
The Public School System
spends a huge portion of its
annual local appropriation
to fund the salary and
benefits of all its employees
throughout Saipan, Tinian
and Rota.
This is for school
administrators, teachers &
staff, counselors and teacher
aides, among others.
Operations
$4.1 M
Utilities
$3.6 M
This amount represent
the funding earmarked
for the All Other aspect of
the Public School System
spending. This includes
the maintenance, repair
and renovation of all its
10 Head Start, 19 public
elementary, middle and
hugh schools on Saipan,
Tinian and Rota.
This is annually earmarked
for power, sewer and
water supply of the
school district’s facilities
including the Central
Office. This amount also
include the phase-in
payment of PSS on its
prior year utility bill that
were left unfunded by
central government
In the budget call issued by the Office of Management
and Budget, it identified $112m million available for
appropriation compared to the $146 million of FY 2016.
If PSS were to concede that its total budget, pursuant
to the 25 percent guaranteed funding under Section 19e)
of Article XV of the CNMI Constitution, it would be
$28 million.
“PSS would have to close all five high schools and
Central Office to operate within the OMB figure,” both
Chairman Guerrero and Education Commissioner Dr.
Sablan admit.
It is an “irresponsible budget” that both do not meet
the overarching constitutional mandate of providing free
compulsory education in the commonwealth.
“Because of the constitutional right of every person to
free, compulsory and public elementary and secondary
education, the Board of Education cannot fulfill its
constitutional responsibility by submitting such an
irresponsible budget,” they said.
‘How the additional $3M is to be spent’
The BOE proposes to hire 10 new positions to support
the expansion of the Kindergarten program. This will
facilitate for the continued implementation of the PSS
full-day Kindergarten Program.
The hiring of additional 10 personnel will cost an
estimated $350,000 in the proposed PSS budget.
The Board of Education is planning to lift the freeze of
salaries for the district’s support staff. From bus drivers
to office clerks, salaries have remained frozen for far too
long, the BOE admitted. The board proposes to apply a
five percent increase to the salaries of all support staff.
In meeting the FEMA’s requirement for procuring
property insurance for public schools, the district
is estimating it will cost $300,000. These property
insurance are for affected PSS facilities that include
Because of the constitutional right of every person
to free, compulsory and public elementary and
secondary education, the Board of Education
cannot fulfill its constitutional responsibility by
submitting such an irresponsible budget.
San Vicente Elementary School, Garapan Elementary
School, Marianas High School, Tanapag Middle School,
and GTC Elementary School.
Schools which were extensively damaged and repaired
with funding from FEMA are required to be insured.
Another proposal in the Fiscal 2017 budget includes
an amount based on pupil/student population to cover
cost for ground maintenance and custodial work at all of
the schools.
Each year all schools receive discretionary funding
to cover additional expenses beyond their permanent
staffing needs.
The BOE proposes to increase the amount per pupil
of $50 to 100, with a fiscal impact of about $490,000.
Although the school district have not received any
information from the CNMI Department of Finance
on the government/employer’s share, PSS anticipated an
increase of about $600,000 for the employer’s share of
health insurance premium.
Facilities maintenance expenditures include the cost
for general maintenance of PSS facilities and the central
administration building. This is a request of about
$500,000.
Maintenance of Effort Matching
Requirement
As part of the federal Maintenance of Effort or MOE
requirement, PSS is also required to match the federal
funding for Special Education, Head Start and Early
Head Start State programs.
The estimated matching requirement for the new fiscal
year is slightly below $2 million.
“We ask the support of the administration of our
efforts to improve the educational experience of our
students…(and) we welcome the opportunity to discuss
and work with the administration in the upcoming budget
process,” both Chairman Guerrero and Education
Commissioner Dr. Sablan said.
LOCAL NEWS
March 2016
5
Learning Through Cultural Exchange
H
oisting over a thousand color paper cranes over
their arms, students
from the Japan
University Network for
Global Leadership Education Consortium (UNGL)
presented the symbolic décor in March to Commissioner of Education Dr. Rita
A. Sablan representing the peace
and harmony between the two countries.
The next donation stirred up emotions—a monetary
gift that the students had fundraised themselves to help
repair the damages to the schools from Super Typhoon
Soudelor in August.
“This is so unexpected,” said Commissioner Sablan,
blinking back tears. “The devastation was so difficult to
bear for so many of us—thank you all for your thoughtfulness and kindness.”
The cultural and leadership exchange with 19 universities from the Japan UNGL has over 120
students and teachers arriving in Saipan
to do hands on learning activities at
various public schools for over a week
while staying the first few days in the
homes of local families.
This program in it fourth year,
headed by administrators, from San
Vicente Elementary School Principal
Paulette Sablan, Dandan Middle School
Vice-Principal Reo Arriola, GTC Elementary Principal Raena Bermudes and San Antonio Elementary School Principal James Sablan who
gave their time to coordinate the event.
“We had two students, Masa and Hiro, stay with us
last year and it was a wonderful experience to have
a bit of cultural exchange and see how these future
teachers interacted with our children—they still speak
very highly of them to this day,” said family host volunteer Lawrence Boyer.
According to the Japan UNGL, the program was
created to be able to “develop leadership competencies through activities with people who have different
values and cultural backgrounds.” Five to ten University students are placed at each school to “observe
student activities, engage in classroom learning and
reflect on their own understanding of the process.”
“Faculty and staff members also reflect their interactions with students with the help of experienced
members. This also aims to develop the experience of
faculty and staff members,” Japan UNGL continues.
After the days of learning at the school, the Japan
university students gather for festivities and share cultural activities with the local students.
“It is a worthwhile academic and cultural exchange
program because the learning is happening on both
sides, with the Japan university students and faculty
and our teachers and students as well,” said Arriola.
“With the home stay part, families also get a chance to
share their traditions and culture and vice versa, creating an unforgettable learning experience in our community,” he said.
6
Local News
March 2016
Volunteers,
Sponsors
Needed for
Pacific Circle
Consortium
We are looking for more sponsors in this regard, we really
need to come together and show our hospitality to our
guests, create a successful forum and lasting positive
memories as our guests return home.
I
n a few months, hundreds of educators, researchers, policy makers and
leaders from all over the Pacific will be
on island for the 40th Annual Conference of the Pacific Circle Consortium,
sponsored by the CNMI Public School
System, Northern Marianas College, and
RTI International.
With the Northern Marianas as the official host for
this year’s conference, the Pacific Circle Consortium Executive Planning Committee Meeting has moved meetings to a biweekly basis to ensure smooth planning and
execution.
Over 250 attendees are expected from Philippines,
Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, Japan, South
Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam,
Canada, Latvia, Mexico, as well as from Micronesia and
the South Pacific.
Private companies have joined in, offering discounts
to the conference participants as part of a welcoming
incentive and a way to promote the islands.
“We are looking for more sponsors in this regard, we
really need to come together and show our hospitality to
our guests, create a successful forum and lasting positive memories as our guests return home,” said Commissioner of Education Dr. Rita A. Sablan.
Facilitators are arriving from all over the region to
share ideas, research, and innovative programs and
to help conference participants steer through rapidly
progressing developments in Curriculum Instruction,
Learning and Outcome, Standards Assessment, Teacher
Education Indigenous Education, Workforce Develop-
ment, and College Readiness.
Handling Registration and Programs are Paulette T.
Sablan, James DLG Sablan and Carla Sablan, Marketing,
Sponsorship and Communications as well as Proposal,
Keynote, Plenary and Awards are Frankie Eliptico, Dr.
Rita A. Sablan and Richard Seder, Logistics, Exhibits,
Website and Technical Support are Glenn Muna and
Jonathan Liwag, Transportation and Lodging are Kimo
Rosario and Jacqueline Che, Hospitality and Banquet are
Lucretia Borja and Charlotte Cepeda and Finance Committee is Derek Sasamoto.
Scheduled fpr July 4-7, 2016, the conference’s theme
is “Navigating Global Trends of Education Within the
Pacific Region.”
The Committee is also seeking for volunteers to assist
with logistics and support, please call Lucretia Borja or
email [email protected] for more information.
LOCAL NEWS
March 2016
7
2016
STEM Fair
features 112
projects
D
ealing with oil spills, building robots and generating energy
from coconut water
were some of the
winning ideas at this year’s
Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics or STEM Fair.
A total of 112 projects from
Saipan, Tinian, and Rota private
and public schools were presented to the public in early March at
Saipan Southern High School, according to Ana Tudela, Kagman Elementary School science coordinator
and Jeaniffer H. Cubangbang, cooperative
education and career technical education teacher
at Marianas High School.
Of the 112 submissions, 15 were for Cluster 1 (K-2nd
grade), 44 for Cluster 2 (3rd-5th grades), 31 for Cluster 3
(6th-8th grades), and 22 for Cluster 4 (9th-12th grades).
An open house and judging by community members
for the Viewers’ Choice Award was made available in the
afternoon.
“Marianas High School’s very own ‘Blue Marianas Productions, a Junior Achievement Company,’ hosted the
2016 STEM Fair Viewers’ Choice
Award. They provided the voting
booth, manpower and prizes. The
viewers’ choice received a certificate,
a gold medal and up to $50 worth
in prizes/gift certificates,” said Cubangbang.
The Public School System said
the goal of the annual fair was “to
provide an avenue for students to
express their scientific creativity
and problem-solving abilities while
using 21st century skills. It should
be the aim of every student to apply critical-thinking skills, to plan,
to conduct tests, to analyze and to
communicate their findings.”
PSS added, “Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics…are subjects that develop problemsolving abilities and critical-thinking skills.
The STEM Fair has always been one of
the best opportunities for students
to explore and share their ideas.
Through active inquiry students ask
questions, make predictions, test
their idea and communicate their
findings. This active exploration
helps students to come to a deeper understanding of key science
concepts. By communicating their
ideas, they develop presentation
skills and self-confidence.”
swing.
The festive atmosphere was very
much in evidence while
the STEM Fair was in full
PSS classroom teacher Francis
Mendiola of Koblerville Elementary
School said, “This school venue is
good. It’s not cramped, not hot and
we are not rushing. The students are
really enjoying the fair.”
Cubangbang set the tone for a friendly atmosphere of
camaraderie and excitement during the event as she made
regular announcements.
She also explained the judging and
scoring processes while keeping the
students and parents updated about
the programs lined up for the day.
Organizers said STEM helps develop problem solving-abilities and
critical thinking skills, and the annual fair is a great opportunity for
students to explore and share their
ideas.
In Cluster 4, (9th-12th grades), 1st
place went to 9th grader Matt Jason
Buhayo Moran of Mount Carmel
School. His entry was titled “Energy
and Gas from Garbage.”
He said he was “inspired to see
how I could change the world with a single step that
would become something big.” He thanked his parents,
his science teacher Luz Baldazo, his school and all his
classmates for their support and encouragement.
Tina Choi of Marianas Baptist Academy won second
prize for her “Mathematical Models for Predicting Primary Numbers” while Robert Malarte of Marianas High
School was third for his “Production of Bio-diesel from
Waste Vegetable Oil.”
Adela Kapileo, KoES science coordinator, praised this
year’s STEM Fair committee.
“This year everyone was encouraged to vote for the
Viewers’ Choice Award and the candidates vying for it
were allowed to ‘campaign’ for themselves. The committee did a good job.”
This year’s committee members
were James Sablan, Tony Flores,
Annette Pladevega, Lizabeth Hofschneider and Jeaniffer Cubangbang.
The Viewers’ Choice Award, 1st
place, went to Alexander Deleon
Guerrero of Gregorio T. Camacho
Elementary School for his “Static
Electricity.”
Narhya Mersai from William S.
Reyes Elementary School was 2nd for “Salt in My Snack”
while Raven Andebor of San Antonio Middle School
was third for “How Fast Can You Clock Your CPU.”
The project titled “Tolerance of Cauliflower Coral and
Staghorn Coral to Temperature Stress” by Diana Lopera
of Marianas High School was 4th.
Tinian couple Ryan and Tess Diaz accompanied their
daughter Stephanie to the fair. “This is our first time, and
it’s good,” Mr. Diaz said. “The projects were unique and
students did the work on their own.”
Cluster 3 (6th-8th grades) 1st place went to Eskuelan
San Francisco De Borja-Rota’s Angelo Lucero’s “How to
Purify Water.”
Second was Hopwood student Victoria Dela Cruz’s
“Salt Water Circuit” while 3rd was “Cleaning Oil Spills”
by Jed Sta. Theresa from Grace Christian Academy, Rota.
Please See stem fair
P10
8
Local News
March 2016
Mhs Counselors, Interns
Team Up To Empower Students
B
rimming with smiles, Marianas
High School counselors Robert Coldeen and James Deleon
Guerrero watched one their students perform a theater exercise on stage.
“We can’t believe she is up there, performing. She is
normally so shy and hard to come out of her shell. It is
great to see her doing this,” said Coldeen.
Thirty students from Marianas High School, Saipan
Southern High School and Rota High School came together last Friday for Miss Marianas Jian Joyner’s community project, Turn to You, a mini workshop at Pacific
Islands Club’s Charley’s Cabaret sponsored by CNMI
Public School System and Stellar Marianas.
From hands on activities with the MHS Counselor
team to small group discussions with community mentors, the young women learned about self-reliance, explored their potential and completed it with planning a
community event.
Planning to pursue psychology degree in Japan this
Fall, Joyner, wanted to her community project to be
about sharing with her female peers the power of a positive mindset in achieving their goals and dreams.
“Confidence begins with you believing in yourself and
your capabilities—only you can do that for you. That’s
The interaction we shared as
a counselor team with ourselves
and our students are why we
do what we do—to help our
students reach their greatest
potential,” she smiled.
where self-reliance comes in and the greater understanding that you determine your greatest potential. We wanted it to be a fun discovery and that’s how we came with
up with Turn to You,” she said.
Five mentor volunteers facilitated small group discussions and rotated to keep it lively and engaging. Judge
Teresa Kim Tenorio spoke about The Road Ahead:
Overcoming Obstacles to Achieve Your Goals, Emma
Perez, Hyatt Regency Saipan Club Elan Manager, talked
about Team Confidence: How Sports Spark Self Reliance through Health and Good Nutrition, Jill Arenovski, Saipan Chamber of Commerce Executive Director,
shared how to Dress for Success: Nailing Interviews and
Self Introductions, Shirley Sablan, Pacifica Insurance
General Manager discussed on Achieving Financial Independence and Dr. John Joyner talked about Exploring
your Own Potential.
Stellar Marianas volunteers Laila Boyer and Joyner
lead a series of theater exercises for the young women to
practice their team building, projection, stage confidence
and creativity.
MHS Counselors and Interns Melanie Sablan, Robert
Coldeen, James Dela Cruz, Jessilyn Dris, Marseli Frank
and Mindy Castro hosted an activity called “What Fish
Are You?” that explored personality traits and better understanding social interactions.
Joyner also shared a video presentation created by local choreographer Ray S. Lizama of Studio 2911 of her
“personal experience with confidence from being insecure, not liking what I see to just changing my mindset
and becoming confident, especially after the pageant.”
After a round of activities, the young women brainstormed on various community project ideas before
choosing one as a team, which they will organize in June.
“We are continuing to work with our students and see
if the skills they picked up in this activity will translate
in implementing a successful community project while
building up their self esteem and confidence,” said Sablan.
“The interaction we shared as a counselor team with
ourselves and our students are why we do what we do—
to help our students reach their greatest potential,” she
smiled.
LOCAL NEWS
March 2016
9
Students Plant Rain
T
Garden To Save Lagoon
he sound of scraping soil filled
the air as several Tanapag Middle School (TMS) Micronesia
Challenge Club students joined
staff from the Bureau of Environmental
and Coastal Quality (BECQ), the Micronesia Islands Nature Alliance (MINA)
and NMC ENRO club students digging
holes as they recently planted the first
rain garden on school grounds.
Taro, Lemon Grass, Elephant Ear and local shrubs
were handled gently and planted as part of an environmental adaption strategy to filter out storm water and
pollutants before it heads into the Tanapag lagoon.
“A rain garden is planted in a depression or a dip
and works to collect rainwater draining of roads and
walkways. As rainwater flows downhill, the rain garden
catches pollutants and sediment that might otherwise
end up in our oceans,” said BECQ Coral Reef Initiative
Education and Outreach Coordinator Jihan Buniag.
“This is a multi-partnership project, that we are excited to share with TMS students so they can learn how
watersheds work, how the land and sea are connected,
the importance of coral reefs, and how they as students
can help filter out pollution even in a small way,” she
said.
MINA project Manager and TMS Parent Teacher Student Association President, Kodep Ogumoro
Uludong, says it is exciting to add the rain garden as
part of the learning process he started two years ago in
the community, through the Managaha Sanctuary Pride
Campaign.
“Students founded the Micronesia Challenge Club at
TMS and they have been doing beach clean ups, turtle
tagging, outreach and awareness throughout the village,
listening to guest speakers and attending workshops.
Micronesia Challenge club students speak about the
Managaha Sanctuary and the importance of keeping
our environment clean and healthy,” he said.
TMS Principal Erica Thornburg agrees, saying that
the community does have a strong ownership of their
village and share concerns on how to protect their lagoon.
“The students were super excited to help and they all
wanted to plant. We had to select a small group to help,
but the whole school will help in maintaining the garden. This rain garden will serve as a great reminder to
our students of how we must work together to protect
our environment and how we can play a role in keeping
our oceans healthy,” she said.
Among those assisting with the installation of the
rain garden were Saipan Mayor’s Office field operations
staff, MINA’s TASI Watch Rangers, and Northern Marianas College ENRO Club volunteers.
“The rain garden is also part of a bigger project that
involves a climate change video that will be distributed
to all the schools next year as part of teaching about
community adaptation strategies. While we cannot stop
climate change, we can work to make our island healthier and more resilient, which means our environment
will be better able to adapt to changes in the future,”
says Avra Heller, BECQ Coral Reef Initiative Project
Coordinator.
The TMS rain garden is BECQ’s third rain garden
installation on island. The other rain gardens can be
found at San Vicente Elementary School and at Kagman Elementary School.
Buniag says anyone can help our oceans by building a rain garden on their property and BECQ has rain
garden manuals and technical assistance for those who
would like to start one.
For more information on how to plan and plant your
very own rain garden please call BECQ at 664-8500.
10
Local News
March 2016
From stem fair P 7
Cluster 2 (3rd-5th grade) 1st place was “Coconut Water Energy” by John Anthony Tobongbanan, Eskuelan San Francisco De Borja, Rota.
2nd place was GTC student Hellen Carhill’s
“The Effect of Beverages on Bones”, while 3rd
was Tinian Elementary School student Mefi Norech’s “Homemade Incubator.”
Cluster 1 (K-2nd grade) 1st place was TES student Juris Gian Cabarles’ ‘May the Force be With
You”, 2nd was Garapan Elementary School’s
Drianna Jucutan’s “Don’t Cry Over Spilt Oil”
and third was Northern Mariana International
School’s Eamon Tang’s “Artist Robot.”
James Sablan, 2016 STEM Committee chair,
thanked and acknowledged the participants, parents, teachers, sponsors and everyone who made
the event successful. He also thanked AmeriCorps, Junior Achievers, MMAC/NHS, and
Southern High School for hosting this year’s fair.
The committee also acknowledged this year’s
STEM fair sponsors: IT&E, Fiesta Resort, Jasmine Thad and Justine Mallari, Transamerica,
IP&E/Shell, Green Meadow School, Saipan
World Resort, Best Sunshine International,
MARPAC, Herman’s Bakery, MV Reyes, Fishing
Tackle, HBR International, Marianas High School,
Blue Marianas Produxition, IBSS, Sweet Escape,
Arianne Fish Market, KFC
& Taco Bell, Top Notch,
National Office, JP Center,
Tan Siu Lin Foundation,
Mango Six, Subway, and
Coca Cola.
“Science Fair projects
today could become the
products and businesses of
tomorrow,” –Barak Obama
From AUDIT
P1
Board of Education Chairman Herman T. Guerrero
admitted that with the release of the independent
auditor’s findings, it goes to show that the school district
has a “strong financial management system”.
of strength.
Students First has learned that the Office of the Public
Auditor has acknowledged that PSS’ “is doing great”
with its financial management.
The first audit opinion was the “record-time”
completion on March 31, 2016.
“What this findings mean is that for three straight years,
we continue to maintain our strong financial reporting,
we have strengthened policies and regulations, and me
statutes that are required of us,” Chairman Guerrero said
in an interview.
This is a major milestone for the school district which
continue to develop a stringent financial management
policies and regulations to meet both local and federal
regulations and laws.
“We are very proud that we have achieve a clean audit
for third year in arrow. This is a reflection of our strong
commitment to excellence in financial management and
to effective stewardship of taxpayer dollars,” Education
Commissioner Dr. Rita A. Sablan said upon hearing of
the independent auditor’s findings.
Surpasses Prior Year’s Strength
The BOE internal auditor George Palican said the
auditor’s clean opinion can be captured in several areas
From BOE
P1
The investment in new instructional materials will
support the current direction of the Public School
System in aligning and implementing of the Council
of Chief State School Officers, Next Generation
And most importantly, the findings surpassed last
year’s significant audit findings which was also conducted
by Burger, Comer, Magliari.
This was done three (3) months before the June 30
deadline. This was a very significant improvement last
year’s audit findings for Fiscal 2014 financial report
which was done two (2) months early.
The Board of Education has approved the findings on
March 29, a day after an audit exit conference was held
and attended by Chairman Guerrero, Vice-chairperson
D. Tanya King and the BOE Federal, Personnel and
Administration Committee chairperson and BOE
Internal Auditor Palican.
For the PSS leadership, Education Commissioner Dr.
Sablan, director of finance Derek Sasamoto, human
resources officer Cindy Deleon Guerrero and federal
programs officer Tim Thornburgh received the audit
report.
Auditor Burger Comer, Magliari did the presentation.
As required, the PSS was able to file the findings with
the Federal Audit Clearinghouse on March 31.
Science Standards and the CNMI Content Standards
and 21st skills.
This is also about emphasizing on developing
students who are critical thinkers, creative and
collaborative problem solvers, fluent readers, skillful
writers across content, use technology and develop
Another finding was the auditor’s “Unmodified (Clean)
Opinion for both local financial statement reporting and
for federal awards compliance.
PSS receives local funding through general
appropriations. From expenditure/earmarking to
reporting, the district had a “clean” funding utilization.
The other unmodified opinion was for federal grant
awards compliance. The audit revealed a clean finding.
Burger, Comer, Magliari revealed that this is the second
year in a row that PSS has achieved progressive improved
audit with its local audit in both areas – local and federal
financial statement reporting – for fiscal 2014 and 2015.
For third year in a row, PSS had “no material weakness”.
An indication that internal controls in financial reporting
for local financial funds and internal controls in federal
grant awards are strictly adhered to.
The PSS aaccomplished this milestone during the audit
of fiscal 2013 and continued to improve internal controls
on the latest audit report, for fiscal 2015 which was just
released this month.
And for similar feat—for third year in a row, yet again
there was “no new questioned cost” for PSS. A questioned
cost, according to audit practices, if not addressed would
represent potential return of funds.
skills to be ethical digital citizens.
The instructional materials to be acquired would
be for English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social
Studies and Chamorro and Carolinian Language and
Heritage Studies.
PAC Attends 2016 MYSN Conference,
Held This Year on Tinian
O
n March 15, 2016, Micronesian Youth Services Network
(MYSN) kicked off its annual
youth conference at Tinian
Dynasty Hotel in San Jose, Tinian.
Parent Advisory Council (PAC) Vice President Glenna
Sakisat-Palacios Reyes, Secretary Arley Gutierrez Long,
Treasurer Audrie Lynn Manglona, Member Kodep
Ogumoro-Uludong, and PSS Family Engagement and
Community Involvement Coordinator Ray Muna joined
over 50 school counselors and youth advocates in a
two-day pre-conference training conducted by Dr. Patty
O’Sullivan, an award-winning national presenter & trainer for Positive Youth Development (PYD). Dr. Patty, as
she is fondly known, trained CNMI participants to facilitate Envision Your Future (EYF), a positive youth development program.
The EYF mission is to help youth 1) clarify their
dreams, 2) develop a personal blueprint for success, and
3) identify the people who will support them in accomplishing their dreams.
“When they create a positive future story, youth have
a reason to make healthy choices in friends, behavior,
and education because they use their story to pursue
their dreams. The EYF methodology enables youth to
recognize that their choices and education are key components in the fulfillment of their dreams: the stronger
the dream, the deeper their commitment to do whatever
it takes to achieve it.”
Participants engaged in dynamic sessions and activities
– master classes – to prepare them with EYF skills to
implement at their respective schools. Deep discussion
and sharing sessions allowed for all attendees to utilize
strength-based and non-clinical methodology, and equip
them to guide our students in the CNMI in “creating and
actualizing successful, healthy and productive lives.”
March 17-18 MYSN Youth Conference
Following the EYF Facilitator Training, PAC President
John Oliver Gonzales joined the PAC team as Tinian Dynasty opened its doors to hundreds youth from Tinian,
Saipan and Guam from grades 5-12. Keynote speakers
included Dr. Patty O’ Sullivan and Walt Keale, a native
Hawaiian and Cherokee musician and storyteller. Targeted break-out sessions were held on topics including sexual assault and domestic/teen-dating violence, impacts of
underage drinking, mental health first aid, safe sex talk,
myths and realities of alcohol, human trafficking, stress
management, and time management.
On the first conference night, students were hosted
for dinner by Tinian youth and the Tinian Mayor’s Office, followed by a live community concert featuring performances by Walt Keale & team, Tinian High School’s
“Natural High” band and Guam Southern High School’s
“Rising Tide” band. On the second night, the Tinian Municipal Council hosted dinner at Taga Beach, followed
by activities with THS music teacher Bruce Blanton and
Gineftao students and a bonfire at Tachogna Beach.
The Parent Advisory Council would like to acknowledge the hard work of the Tinian MYSN Planning Committee: CNMI State BOE & MYSN Board member Florine Hofschneider, THC-CHCC CGC System of Care
Coordinator Marjorie Caria, THC-CHCC Partnerships
for Success Tinian Prevention Coordinator Keith Nabors, Sr., Tinian Mayor’s Office Chief of Administration
Jovita Paulino, Grace Christian Academy Principal Connie Chandler, VOICE of the CNMI Vice Chair Monika
Diaz, Tinian Municipal Council Clerk Zania Fleming, Tinian Municipal Council Vice Chairwoman Diana Borja,
DCCA Admin. Officer Arsene Borja, Tinian Mayor’s Of-
fice PIO Natasha Pascua, and DYS CPU Social Worker
Augusta Famaw-King. Finally, special thanks to Tinian
Mayor Joey P. San Nicolas and all the major sponsors.
Thank you MYSN and Tinian and Dr. Patty!
12
Local News
W
March 2016
Fuestan Famalao’an Engages
Female Students and Mentors
earing heels and a hard
hat, she stood among
men and helped build
one of the largest solar farms in
the nation.
When local civil engineer Sonya P. Dancoe, P.E. President of SP Dancoe & Associates recited her story, some of the
dozens of young female students leaned
in, listening intently during the first
Fuestan Famalao’an Women’s Month
Convening sponsored by the CNMI
Public School System Students Support Services at the World Resort Saipan’s Taga Hall.
“After failing one of my first tests, I was told by my
counselor in college that I should not become an Engineer because I was a woman. It only hardened my resolve, studied once again and two weeks later, I aced the
test,” said Pangelinan to applause.
The Commissioner of Education Dr. Rita A.
Sablan and Associate Commissioner of Student
and Support Services Yvonne R. Pangelinan
organized the first “Fuestan Famalao’an”, to
bring young female students together.
In the planning process emerged female
and professional mentors from the public
and private sector.
As the world celebrated Women’s History Month, Associate Commissioner
Pangelinan saw an opportunity to
bring five young female students from
each public and private middle and
high schools to a forum where they
could learn from the journeys of female mentors, discuss
relevant topics and understand the vital role of women in
today’s global stage.
“One of the things that stood
out to me as we were preparing
for the forum, was an observation in a study from Girls Who
Code, a program designed to
encourage more women to enter the fields of science, math
and technology,” noted Pangelinan.
“It said that when instructors
would come around to check on
the students’ progress on their
coding assignments, the male
students would ask for help to
complete it, but when they would go the female students
who seem to be struggling, there will be blank screens.
After checking, they would find that the female students
did do their work, but when they ran into trouble, they
would just delete it, rather than ask for help,” she said.
“So, in other words, they rather be perfect or not do it
at all. It seems the expectations that even young women place on themselves,
whether it is driven by fear
or lack of confidence is
creating such disparities in
these fields and we need to
address that,” she added.
Commissioner of Education Dr. Rita A. Sablan kick
started the program with
opening remarks, followed
by Dr. Dora B. Muira, 2016
CNMI State Teacher of the
Year who delivered the Keynote Address.
In the segment “Journeys: Stories from Women
Around Us,” the first female Chamorro comedian Mona
Concepcion, talked about “Don’t
let Anyone Tell You That You’re
Too Loud or Too Mampos.”
Maritime Captain Keli Tenorio discussed about how “It’s Never Too Late
To Do What You Want,” while Associate Commissioner of Curriculum and
Instruction Jackie Quitigua shared about
“My Cancer Journey.”
Americorps Program Coordinator rounded out the segment with a piece on “My Relationship Journey.”
The next section was called “What She Said”
and it began with Angelyn Nimwes from the
Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence talking about “Healthy Sexuality.”
Nola Hix, president of the Marianas Young Professionals discussed about “Social, Political & Economic
Parity” and Dancoe spoke about “Women in Engineering.”
Commissioner Sablan continued with
“College and Career Planning” and Koblerville Elementary School Principal
Rizalina Liwag talked about “The Role of
Women in Promoting Social Change.”
Counselor Daisy Villagomez-Bier shared
about the “Female Firsts in the CNMI”, before the students sat for “Think, Pair, Share:
One to One Dialogue with Mentors.”
2015 Miss Marianas Jian Joyner wrapped up the
conference with closing remarks, reminding the
young women that they are perfectly unique.
The CNMI PSS Student Support Services plans to
organize more of these student and community engaged
activities.
LOCAL NEWS
March 2016
PSS Hosted STEP-UP
National Selection Process
* Program that provides student exposure in cutting-edge research
T
he STEP-UP Program – or the
Short-Term Education Program
for Underrepresented Persons –
has become a vehicle for public
school students in the CNMI to avail of
cutting-edge research.
With the establishing of the STEP-UP facility (at the
Northern Marianas College), the CNMI is one of the
only four laboratories in the Pacific that directly assist
students the opportunity to conduct research aimed towards improving health outcomes.
The STEP-UP Program provides hands-on summer
research experience for high school and undergraduate
students interested in exploring research careers. The
overall goal of the program is to build and sustain a biomedical, behavioral, clinical and social science research
pipeline focused on the National Institute of Diabetes
and Digestive and Kidney Diseases or NIDDK.
In early March, the Public School System hosted the
National STEP-UP review panel composed of professors and researchers from various universities, and during which school district officials were able to observe
and understand the program’s selection process.
The National Application Review was held on March 7
and 8 in the CNMI.
“Every year, STEP-UP Program Coordinators meet to
discuss the rating and ranking of high school student applicants from the STEP-UP programs across the Pacific
region and the U.S. mainland including Hawaii. This year,
the Pacific region was selected as the area for reviewing
the applications, and the CNMI Public School System
(PSS) was asked to be its host. PSS was also invited to
observe during the meeting to better understand the selection process,” the school district said in a statement.
This is the first time that the national STEP-UP review
was hosted outside of the U.S. mainland.
PSS was not selected but it was an opportunity to
bring the professors and researchers to visit some public
schools on Saipan, and at the same time set up the STEPUP laboratory at Saipan Southern High School and Kagman High School.
In 2010, the program was introduced into the CNMI
along with other territories as an opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in a state-of-the-art
research laboratory at the University of Hawaii and or at
the territories’ higher learning institution.
The NIH-STEP UP Program in PSS is just one of
several summer programs for public school students of
Saipan, Tinian and Rota to challenge themselves academically.
“This kind of program help students develop their interests, cultivate their passions, and prepare them for the
transition to college and or career,” Education Commissioner Dr. Rita A. Sablan separately said.
Also, one of the purpose for the program’s implementation in the CNMI, is to expose student participants in
the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and
Kidney Diseases or NIDDK. (STEP-UP is a component
of NIDDK).
And as part of NIDDK’s strategic goal is “to reduce
and eliminate health disparities, expand research education and training opportunities for underrepresented minority scientists, and provide information to racial and
ethnic minority groups about treatment, prevention and
self-management disease.”
This can be achieved, among others, by providing for
opportunities to high school students with keen interest
in the field of science/medical research.
“(What makes this program different from other programs) is this is the only program for high school students that pairs students with college faculty researchers
to do hands on research project,” Dr. George Hui said in
an earlier interview with Students First.
Dr. Hui is the principal investigator of the Hawaii
STEP-UP Program which oversees the STEP-UP Program in the region.
13
14
Local News
March 2016
Connecting businesses to schools
to develop career pathways
T
he numbers are clear.
Job and career opportunities are growing
on the islands, but the demand is greater than
the available local talent, driving companies to
fill more positions with workers from abroad.
CNMI Public School System’s Career Technical Education Program and the Cooperative Education Program
are continually pushing for a larger business support network to begin training at the school level and show students the career opportunities available on island.
The first Trade Fair, called “Career Exploration: Opportunities in the Trades Industry,” organized by the
Public School System in March did just that at the MultiPurpose Center and expanded the career choices for
many students.
Close to 100 students attended the event, along with a
dozen companies specializing in trade or manufacturing.
“We just want to show them that there are more career opportunities in other lucrative fields out there aside
from working in hotels and restaurants. We want to create a link to expose them to create and take their own
paths,” said Chris Tenorio, PSS Cooperative Education
program manager.
Tenorio said that even the U.S. is also changing its educational system and has been starting to pump more
money into the trade industry.
“Not everyone is meant for college but everyone deserves an education and to learn things. The learning
process never ends. It does not stop when we get that
diploma,” added Tenorio.
PSS Commissioner Dr. Rita A. Sablan said they are
hopeful that students who attended the Trade Fair would
go back to school and home to reflect on what they saw
today and build upon their interests to pursue a career
pathway to contribute back to our island communities.
“We plan to make this an annual event and expand it.
It’s geared to help, specially the juniors and seniors, to
choose their careers. We decided to invite and focus on
companies that are in the trade industry since this is the
job pool market that is currently needed in the CNMI,”
said Sablan.
She added the CNMI would be needing more plumbers, master masons, construction managers, electricians,
and air-condition technicians in the future with all the
development that is happening right now.
“If we don’t expose them to the trades they won’t
know anything about it. It is good for them to learn and
get the training that is needed then get a job in one of the
companies that we invited here,” Sablan said.
GHD Engineering employees Ted Babauta and Rufin
Inos Jr. said it “was nice to talk to students about what
we do”. GHD is one of the world’s leading professional
services companies operating in the global markets of
water, energy and resources, environment, property and
buildings, and transportation.
“We are always active in school events like this and tell
them what we do and about the engineering practice,”
said Babauta.
“We are an architectural and engineering design firm.
We wanted to expose these kids to our chosen field so
they would keep their options open,” added Inos.
“They are all here, industry professionals, under one
roof, providing career information to students,” Tenorio
said.
Northern Marianas Trade Institute was represented by
Ross Manglona and Vic Cepeda.
“We offer six-month to one-year certification courses
in different trade
occupations,” Manglona said. “Our
courses are National Center for
Construction Educational Research
or NCCER accredited. Once students
complete a course
at NMTI they will
receive NCCER card credentials that are accepted by the
Guam construction industry, and even in some states.”
Two female students expressed an interest in the construction industry after Hawaiian Rock Products general
manager David Bush said they can start in an entry level
position such as that of a flag man. They can then move
to equipment handling once they undergo training, he
added.
G4S, Hawaiian Rock, CTSI, Hyatt Regency Saipan, the
Commonwealth Utilities Corp., NMTI, Saipan Shipping,
Gree, GHD Engineering, PSS Digital Team, and Joeten
are some of the companies and organizations which had
representatives meeting and talking to students at the
PSS Trade Fair.
For more information on how to help with the Cooperative Education Program, please call 237-3061.
LOCAL NEWS
March 2016
15
PSS Launches Teacher Academy
75 students from
all High Schools
Building local capacity and ensuring that all
PSS students are college and career ready and
successful in life is the vision of the program.
T
he PSS Teacher Academy Program was launched on March
29 with program orientations
conducted across all public high
schools of the school district to the first
cohort of 75 students.
The students submitted applications and were accepted into the program. The pioneering cohort is made up
of 21 students from Kagman High School, 12 students
from Saipan Southern High School, 27 students from
Marianas High School, 11 students from Dr. Rita H. Inos
Junior Senior High school, and 4 students from Tinian
High School.
Prior to the student application process, the Teacher
Academy Program Ambassadors made up of former
PSS summer interns and current PSS teacher aides, held
recruitment presentations at all the CNMI high schools.
The recruitment efforts were led by Samuel Santos, a
teacher aide at Marianas High School, and Isaac Teno-
rio, a teacher aide at Dandan Middle
School. The ambassadors visited every
10th grade class at each high school
and shared basic information and experiences about the program and answered student questions.
Application forms were also distributed and made available to students
through their counselors.
“Honestly, this program is the best
thing to ever happen in the CNMI
Public School System,” exclaims Tenorio. “It grants students the chance to
study ahead and to get a greater chance
of success in the future.”
He added, “(The program) also helps
students see if the education field is
their forte or not. If I had this in my
day, I would have enrolled the second I
caught wind of it.”
The first Teacher Academy course
“College and Career Success 101”
is a hybrid (online and face-to-face)
course. It began on April 3rd and will
end on July 9th.
Other courses that will follow are:
1) Human Growth and Development
Through Adolescence; 2) Teaching as
a Profession; 3) Foundations of Curriculum and Instruction; and 4) Internship/Field Experience (Learning
Theory).
The goal of the program is to
provide academic and hands-on experiences for high school students
interested in exploring careers in Education. Upon completion of the program the PSS will be able to capture
them as qualified teacher assistants and
Please See PSS
P16
16
Local News
March 2016
Class of 2016
2016 Graduation
& Promotion Events
From PSS
School
Time
Venue
Chacha Oceanview Middle School May 25
9:00 a.m.
School Cafetorium
San Antonio Middle School
May 25
11:00 a.m. Charley’s Cabaret (PIC)
Tanapag Middle School
May 26
9:00 a.m.
Aqua Resort
RHI Jr. High School
May 27
9:00 a.m.
RHI Cafetorium
RHI High School
May 27
5:00 p.m.
RHI Stage
Kagman High School
May 31
4:00 p.m.
American Memorial Park
Hopwood Jr. High School
June 1
9:00 a.m.
HJHS Stage
Saipan Southern High School
June 1
4:30 p.m.
SSHS courtyard
Dandan Middle School
June 2
9:00 a.m.
World Resort
Marianas High School
June 2
5:00 p.m.
MHS School Campus
Tinian Jr. High School
June 3
10:00 a.m. TJSH Cafetorium
Tinian High School
June 3
4:00 p.m.
P 15
will be certified to work.
The purpose of the program is to build and sustain a
pipeline of educators in the CNMI.
Courses are designed to help students understand and
develop the skills and attitudes they need to be successful
as an educator in a variety of settings.
“Building local capacity and ensuring that all PSS students are college and career ready and successful in life
is the vision of the program,” explains Dr. Jessica Barcinas-Taylor, program director for the district’s College
and Technical Education Program.
This is an innovative intiative that the Board of Education and Education Commissioner Dr. Rita A. Sablan
have initiated together as part of the school district’s
Strategic Priority PLUS on building capacity.
Date
Kammer Beach
LOCAL NEWS
March 2016
17
Tumon Bay Music Festival
MHS
Glee Club
Rhythm N’
Harmony
5th Win in
A Row
T
hey are the now the undisputed
best musical talents in the region.
The Marianas High School Rhythm N’
Harmony won this year’s Tumon Bay Music
Festival Sweepstake Trophy on Guam has validated that
they are the best among the best.
This is the 5th time for MHS glee club to win the top
award, and the second in two years.
“(O)ur MHS Chorale and Glee Club nearly did a clean
sweep, again, of awards at the Tumon Bay Music Festival, which featured the best musical talents in the Region.,” says Vice-Principal Bobby Cruz.
Marianas High School has experienced a multitude of
successes of the years that exemplify the fact its students
can achieve anything with a bit grit, determination, and
self-belief.
Cruz said the success of MHS students “is a matter of
effort as students err and learn and err and learn some
more.”
He added, “This mantra has driven the work of some
of Marianas High Schools most success student groups.”
“Our MHS Glee Club also placed second in an international event several year ago,” he cited
This year’s festival was held from March 3 to 12 and
showcased high school musical talents from the islands
in the following categories: choral recital, solo and small
performances, band and orchestra concerts (pop and
jazz).
The MHS Glee Club Rhythm N’ Harmony members
are Miguel Aninon, Roland Balajadia, Mikee Campo,
Riczi John Cano, Grace Catalma, Eden Conner, Zowie
Cruz, Neil Fama, Gios Gozon, Paula Regine Gozon, Diane Hermogenes, John Huevos, Leonard Manuel, Annabel Manzo, Joselle Reyes, Charley Sablan, Clarisse Noelle
Torio, and Erica Faye Tubera.
According to their musical director Paul Dujua, they
received a Gold rating for their performance and were
named the Judges Choice in the high school choir category.
For garnering the highest score among all choir and
orchestra ensembles, they won the Sweepstakes Award,
Dujua added.
Rhythm N’ Harmony was also one of the three musical groups chosen by the Tumon Bay Music Festival musical faculty to do a command performance. The three
were chosen because of their exceptional performances.
During the competition, Rhythm N’ Harmony per-
formed “Circle of Life” from “The Lion King”; “The
Prayer” as arranged for a choir by Robert Delgado; and
the “Star Wars medley” that Dujua arranged.
“Two judges gave us the perfect score of 100 points,”
he said. “They were very impressed by our students’ performances. Our soloists, duets and small groups also got
recognition.”
The MHS chorale directed by Ruthi Fruit competed
in the solo and small ensemble categories and won Gold
and Silver ratings.
“These students have grown in many ways throughout
the years,” Fruit said. “Their commitment to the chorale
is really amazing. They care deeply for each other. Being
their director is a privilege I am very thankful to have
them.”
“Winning is just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak,”
Dujua said. “A great deal of dedication, discipline, perseverance, some talent, and lots of sacrifice help an artist
succeed. One’s greatest competition is oneself. Trying to
be a better you, as a performer, is the challenge.
18
Local News
March 2016
AmeriCorps Week:
A Salute to AmeriCorps Members and Alum
T
he CNMI-PSS AmeriCorps Program held its week-long salute to
its members and alumni during
its nationally celebrated AmeriCorps Week, spanning the week of March
7 to 12.
It was a week of recognition, appreciation and celebration.
Garapan Elementary School leadership, staff and students surprised and showed their appreciation to its eight
AmeriCorps tutors with hugs on Monday, a fruit for
Tuesday, flowers all day Wednesday, cards on Thursday,
and topping the week with a gift on Friday.
The two AmeriCanaries of San Vicente Elementary
School shared their passion for their AmeriCorps service with school presentations, interviews, an AmeriCorps photo booth, “I am thankful for AmeriCorps because…” note board. The celebration then culminated
with the “Be Great with GREY!” Friday was when the
school community wore a grey T-Shirt to capture the
AmeriCorps spirit.
Other AmeriCorps service campus members did similar initiatives while also developing totally original AmeriCorps Week flyers, banners and posters that represented
their respective school site flavors of service.
On March 9, three outstanding AmeriCorps student
members, Thomas Lee Manglona III of Hopwood Junior High School, Gabriella Race of Oleai Elementary School and Diana Lopera of Garapan Elementary
School shared program information, their enthusiasm,
and the transformative experience they each underwent
as AmeriCorps Student Member Tutors, tutoring the
bottom quadrant of readers at their respective school
sites, as guest speakers of the Early Morning Show with
Gary Sword at KKMP.
Sword told Vicky Nicholas, the program coordinator
after the interview how impressed he was with the members and the level of maturity and professionalism they
exhibited during the show.
It was a proud moment for these three members
and their entire AmeriCorps family in the CNMI and
throughout the nation.
The CNMI Public School System’s website also highlighted AmeriCorps Week with its Calendar of Events
and Banner showcased throughout the week.
AmeriCorps Week culminated with two exceptional
events: the AmeriCorps Family Road Waving that was
held at the Oleai-San Jose intersection on Beach Road on
Friday, March 11.
And showcasing of the AmeriCorps Recruitment
Video that was developed and coordinated by Thomas
Lee Manglona, III, who is in his second term of volunteer service with the program. Members from all the
PSS AmeriCorps schools filmed their own version for
the video at their respective campuses and Mr. Manglona
combined, edited and put it all to music.
The CNMI-PSS AmeriCorps Program has harnessed
and showcased the amazing talents and service of its current serving members and their excellence in service and
talent resonated with a thunderclap of success across our
schools and community.
AmeriCorps Program is home to several members and
volunteers from all of Saipan, Tinian and Rota public
elementary, middle and high schools.
It is federal grant program funded under the Corporation for National Communitty Services and embedded
within the PSS.
AmeriCorps provides peer-to-peer tutoring services,
during and after school hours, for students performing
at the bottom quadrant of their level in reading.
The program design provides for the recruitment, enrollment and deployment of 60 high school studnets as
tutors who are 17 years old or older.
LOCAL NEWS
March 2016
Coming Together
for A Model Bus
Shelter Program
T
he “Adopt-a-Bus Stop” Project of the Public School System has turned into something
memorable for Saipan’s private businesses on
Saipan: creating value for the local neighborhood community.
This model bus shelter program has become a focal
point for major private businesses and organization, fostering stronger partnership with the school district.
“This program was created to encourage businesses/
non-profit organizations to assist in bus shelter rehabilitation and clean-up activities. The positive reception
from our community comes at a really good time as many
of these student bus stations were severely damaged by
Typhoon Soudelor,” Dr. Rita A. Sablan, education commissioner, said.
Bus shelters and bus stops are considered extension
of school.
They are chosen to provide both safety and convenience for students.
“On behalf of the Public School System, I would
like to extend our sincerest appreciation to our private
companies and organizations who have voluntarily came
forward to provide this conducive environment which is
an extension to our public school students’ readiness for
school,” Dr. Sablan pointed out.
In addition, the education commissioner also thanked
the CNMI Department of Public Works in assisting PSS
with the Bus Shelter Project.
Shortly after PSS’ Pupil Transportation’s (presentation
at the Saipan Rotary Club’s meeting, the PSS “Adopt-aBus-Stop” program has really caught the private organizations and businesses’ attention in adopting not just one
but multiple bus shelters throughout Saipan.
Very soon there will no more shelters to adopt, notes
Kimo Rosario, PSS-OPT director.
A designated bus stop is an area or site where PSS
buses are required stop to pick up and drop off public
school students. Not all bus stops have shelters,” according Rosario.
Saipan has 124 scattered bus stops and of this number,
84 are with shelters. As of date, more than 40 bus shelters
have been adopted by several businesses and non-profit
organizations, which include: McDonalds, IT&E, Saipan
Fil-Am Lions Club, Precision Medical Imaging, Fiesta
Resort, Coral Ocean Point, Marianas Resort, Saipan Rotary Club, and Best Sunshine International.
Bus stops are established based on several factors,
which include walking conditions, walking distance to
the bus stop and road accessibility. Given acceptable walking
conditions, bus stops are, at a
minimum, ¼ mile apart, without jeopardizing student safety.
Schools are required to timely
notify parents and students about
additional stops before PSS-OPT
implements any revised route.
The PSS ‘Adopt-a-Bus-Stop’
program is administered on a first
come, first served basis as seek out
to repair these aging and deteriorating facilities for student safety.
As a token of appreciation of
the work, private company/organizations are allowed to use the
logos of their business.
“Only a company’s logo is
permitted on the bus shelter as
having multiple images on these
structures may be not be age appropriate or may lead to auto accidents,” Rosario clarified.
Rosario is hoping to see the remaining structures rehabilitated
and maintained at the earliest possible time.
Interested individuals, groups,
organizations, or businesses interested in adopting a bus shelter are
encouraged to contact Mr. Kimo
Rosario or Greg Perez at the Office of Pupil Transportation to
complete the program’s simple,
two-step process:
Step 1: Contact OPT at Tel Nos.
322-9457/788-1200 or
via email at [email protected] or
greg.perez@cnmipss.
org; and
Step 2: Obtain a PSS Authorization Letter.
19
Monday, May 2
Tuesday, May 3
Wed., May 4
Thursday, May 5
Friday, May 6
Breakfast
Fruit Muffin
Fruit
Breakfast
Scrambled Egg with Bacon
Steamed Rice, Fruit
Lunch
Sloppy Joes on Bun
Sweet Potato Fries
Texas BBQ Beans, Fruit
Breakfast
Breakfast Bread Pudding
Fruit
Breakfast
Fried Rice with Breakfast
Sausage, Fruit
Breakfast
Ham and Cheese Sandwich
Fruit
Lunch
Chicken Pasta Bake
With Broccoli
Mixed Vegetables
Fruit
Lunch
Specialty Pizza
Coleslaw Salad
Bean Salad
Fruit
Lunch
Chicken Curry with Carrots
Local Greens
Steamed Rice, Fruit
Secondary Second Choice
Southwest Salad
Garlic Bread
Fruit
Secondary Second Choice
Enchiladas—Lasagna Style
Steamed Corn
Fruit
Lunch
Bisteak with Green Peas
Cabbage Coco
Red Rice, Fruit
Secondary Second Choice
BLT Sandwich
With the WORKS
Fruit
Secondary Second Choice
Turkey and Cheese Sub
Sandwich
With Garden Salad
Fruit
Monday, May 9
Tuesday, May 10
Wed., May 11
Thursday, May 12
Friday, May 13
Breakfast
Corn and Egg Soup
Breadsticks or Crackers
Fruit
Breakfast
Ham and Cheese Scramble
Steamed Rice, Fruit
Breakfast
French Toast
With Syrup, Fruit
Breakfast
Fried Rice with
Chicken Nuggets, Fruit
Breakfast
Peanut Butter and Jam
Sandwich, Fruit
Lunch
Beef Macaroni Bake
Tossed Salad, Fruit
Lunch
Korean Beef Bulgogi
Local Greens
Cucumber Kimchee
Steamed Rice, Fruit
Lunch
Cheese Pizza
Carrots with Ranch
Bean Pasta Salad, Fruit
Lunch
Chicken Pancit with
Baja Vegetables, Fruits
Lunch
Chicken Adobo with
Potatoes & Carrots
Steamed Rice, Fruit
Secondary Second Choice
BBQ Pork Sandwich
Steamed Broccoli
Potato Wedges, Fruit
Secondary Second Choice
Turkey and Cheese Wrap
Tossed Salad
Fruit
Secondary Second Choice
Asian Salad
Garlic Bread
Fruit
Monday, May 16
Breakfast
Arrozcaldo Soup
Breadsticks or Crackers
Fruit
Lunch
Pork Loin Chop
Japanese Salad
Steamed Rice, Fruit
Secondary Second Choice
Club Sub Sandwich
Carrots with Ranch
Bean Pasta Salad
Fruit
Tuesday, May 17
Secondary Second Choice
Tuna Kelaguin
with THE WORKS
Fruit
Secondary Second Choice
Savory Fish with
Baja Vegetables
Steamed Rice
Fruit
Wed., May 18
Thursday, May 19
Friday, May 20
Breakfast
Meat Lovers Scramble
Steamed Rice, Fruit
Breakfast
Pancakes with Syrup
Sausage, Fruit
Breakfast
Fried Rice with Grilled Ham
Fruit, Milk
Breakfast
Egg & Cheese
Sandwich, Fruit
Lunch
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
Broccoli
Sweet Potato Stir Fry, Fruit
Lunch
Turkey and Gravy
Mashed Potatoes
Steamed Carrots
Whole Wheat Roll, Fruit
Lunch
Cheese Burger
Texas BBQ Beans
Fruit
Lunch
Oven Fried Chicken & Red Rice
Local Greens
Steamed Corn, Fruit
Secondary Second Choice
Chicken Pizza
Japanese Salad
Fruit
Secondary Second Choice
Teriyaki Chicken Sandwich
Broccoli
Sweet Potato Stir Fry
Fruit
Secondary Second Choice
Chicken Caesar
Garlic Bread
Fruit
Secondary Second Choice
Turkey and Spicy Mayo Sub
Sandwich
Texas BBQ Beans
Fruit
Secondary Second Choice
Tuna Salad Sub
with the WORKS
Corn Salad
Fruit
Monday, May 23
Tuesday, May 24
Wed., May 25
Thursday, May 26
Friday, May 27
Breakfast
Potato and Ham Chowder
Breadsticks or Crackers
Fruit
Breakfast
Scrambled Egg
Grilled Ham
Steamed Rice, Fruit
Breakfast
French Toast
With Syrup, Fruit
Breakfast
Fried Rice with
Scrambled Eggs, Fruit
Breakfast
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Fruit
Lunch
BBQ Chicken w/ Potato Wedges
Texas BBQ Beans
Steamed Rice, Fruit
Lunch
Italian Lasagna
Wheat Dinner Roll
Garden Salad, Fruit
Lunch
Beef Broccoli
Local Vegetable
Steamed Rice, Fruit
Lunch
Pepperoni Pizza
Carrots with Hummus
Fruit
Lunch
Seasoned Fish
Steamed Rice
Oriental Vegetables, Fruits
Secondary Second Choice
Steak & Cheese Sub Sandwich
Texas BBQ Beans
Potato Wedges, Fruit
Secondary Second Choice
Turkey and Cheese Sub
Garden Salad, Fruit
Secondary Second Choice
Chef Salad
Garlic Bread
Fruit
Secondary Second Choice
Build Your Own Burrito
Seasoned Carrots
Fruit
Secondary Second Choice
Chicken Yakisoba with
Oriental Vegetables
Fruit
Monday, May 30
Tuesday, May 31
Memorial Day
No School
Breakfast
Fruit Muffin, Fruit
Lunch
Bisteak with Green Peas
Cabbage Coco, Red Rice
Fruit
Breakfast
Scrambled Egg with Bacon
Steamed Rice, Fruit
Lunch
Sloppy Joes on Bun
Sweet Potato Fries
Texas BBQ Beans, Fruit
Secondary Second Choice
Turkey and Cheese Sub
Sandwich
With Garden Salad
Fruit