Around the Islands

Regional Educational Laboratory Pacific, administered by Pacific Resources for Education and Learning, is conducting the study in American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Hawaii. The professional development program focuses on literacy development for English language learners.

The professional development program includes annual institutes conducted for participating project teachers.

The purpose of the annual institutes is to introduce teachers to various research-based strategies for effectively teaching and learning reading comprehension, which teachers will use throughout the two-year research study.

The institute is designed so that topics introduced in the 1st year are revisited and extended in the 2nd year in order to consolidate learning. The CNMI is in its 2nd year of participation in the study.

On June 9-20, 2008, thirteen 4th- and 5th-grade teachers from Dandan Elementary School, Koblerville Elementary School, Kagman Elementary School, and WSR Elementary School participated in the Pacific CHILD annual institute 2.

In its 2nd year, the annual institute focused on deepening teachers’ knowledge and skills in teaching reading comprehension for all students — especially English language learners — and improving student achievement in reading.

Regional Educational Laboratory Pacific program specialists Susan Hanson, Evelyn Ooka, and Josi Jones-Lizama conducted this second Pacific CHILD annual institute in the CNMI.

The 1st week of the institute began with a brief overview of the Pacific CHILD study.

The program specialists then delved into deepening the teachers’ knowledge, which included techniques for teaching vocabulary, comprehension strategies, and pedagogy.

Participants learned about research supporting effective teaching and learning in reading comprehension, observed demonstrations, and had the opportunity to practice the techniques.

During the 2nd week, the program specialists focused on classroom lesson demonstrations with 45 fifth-grade students, 15 in each class.

According to research about how teachers learn, opportunities for teachers to discuss instructional strategies and techniques together assist their ability to plan and implement lessons more effectively.

Therefore, following the demonstrations, the specialists and teachers would debrief to share their thoughts on the lesson.

Participating teachers also taught with specific reading components and focused instructional formats each day, after lesson demonstrations by the program specialists.

These lessons were observed by the program specialists, who would then hold debriefs with the teachers.

Teachers spent the afternoons of the institute working in collaborative groups called Cooperative Lesson Planning, or CLP, groups, where program specialists provided more information, activities, and guidance for teachers as they prepared their lessons for the following day.

Each CLP group had four to five members, one or two from each of the above mentioned schools.

Additionally, the teachers were able to meet in their peer groups to share insights from their CLP group.

The intense 2-week annual institute ended with an award ceremony, honoring each 5th-grade student and teacher with a certificate of participation.

As one teacher commented, “It’s the best professional development I’ve ever attended in my years as a teacher for the Public School System.”

Asiana Airlines expands award seats

FROM Oct. 1, Asiana Airlines will expand award seats and ensure that members can redeem earned miles more effectively with flight awards, in-flight duty-free goods, cinema tickets, coupons for family restaurants, internet shopping malls, hotels, travel packages, rental cars, leisure facilities, etc., a media release from the airline stated.

When Elite members — gold or above level — board Asiana Airlines beginning Oct. 1, 2008, extra bonus miles will be given to the members.

In addition, the benefits for Elite members will be expanded including lounge access coupons for gold members and discount coupons that reduce miles required to redeem for seat upgrade.

Elite status will be granted based on flight record every 24 months beginning Oct. 1, 2008.

During this time period, a member with a frequent flight record will be able to gain Elite member status easily.

From Oct. 1, 2008, the mileage validity period will be set up depending on membership level at the point of boarding or mileage accrual; 5 years for silver/magic miles members, 7 years for elite members with gold or above level.

On-board miles validity period will be calculated from boarding date and other miles will be calculated from mileage accrual date.

However, the policy change will not affect mileage accrued until Sept. 30, 2008.

THE Senate Committee on Health and Welfare will be conducting a public hearing on July 8, Tuesday, 9 a.m. in the Senate chamber on Capital Hill on the following bills:

• House Bill 16-77

“To allow and encourage the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. to engage the private sector to partner with the commonwealth to secure reliable utility services at affordable rates; and for other purposes.”

• House Bill 16-120

“To amend Public Law 16-2 and to establish an electric fuel charge fund; and for other purposes.”

• House Bill 16-99

“To mandate the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. to establish standard meter reading procedures to unsure that consumers are billed accurately; and for other purposes.”

• Senate Bill 16-28

“To amend Section 3 of Public Law 13-40 to mandate the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. to lower water rates for commercial farmers and ranchers and for other purposes.”

The CUC executive director has been invited to attend the hearing.

Other committee matters to be discussed:

1. Saipan power plant repair project

2. Emergency power contract

3. Rota and Tinian power situation

Members from the general public are welcome to attend and comment.

Democratic Party registration

THE NMI Democratic Party will be registering members at the Kagman Community Center on July 2 at 6:30 pm.

All registered voters are encouraged to attend and see where the NMI Democratic Party stands on the current issues faced by the CNMI. The purpose of the registration is to align the NMI Democratic Party with the U.S. Democrats.

The NMI Democrats will have a delegation for the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

Only voters who register as Democrats will be able to vote in the Democratic primaries.

Monument petition

SUPPORTERS of the Marianas Marine Monument will be collecting signatures on the petition in support of the monument at Joeten in Susupe on Saturday, June 28 from 10 a.m. to noon.

For further information, or to obtain copies of the petition, contact Ken Kramer , Ruth Tighe , Chuck Sayon , Mike Tripp , or Ike Cabrera .

(KARIDAT) — The management and staff of Karidat Social Services would like to thank the following business establishments and individuals for contributing to the 2008 raffle:

Our appreciation goes out to all those who purchased the $50 dinner tickets or raffle tickets. Your support and contribution means a lot to us, especially during this time of economic hardship.

The 2008 Karidat raffle drawing winners are:

Winners have 30 days or until July 21 to claim their winnings at Karidat’s main office. Please be sure to bring your winning ticket stub.

Chacha summer school program

(COJHS) — Chacha Oceanview Jr. High School’s summer school program will begin on June 30, Monday.

Classes will start at 8 a.m. and end at 12:15 p.m., Monday to Saturday.

Should you have any questions and/or comments, call 237-3921 or 664-4100.

 Red flag raised at 5 sites on Saipan, 1 on Rota