Group photo of summer reading program students at the San Antonio library.
Students participating in the Bookmobile Outreach Service Summer Reading Program take part in a painting activity.
(JKPL) — From June 28 to July 21, 2023, more than 100 children registered for an action-packed, activity-filled Reading and Summer Learning Adventure with the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library’s Bookmobile Outreach Summer Reading Program on Saipan.
Children ages 6 to 12 years of age, teens, and adults joined our CNMI State Library this summer as the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library presented this year’s Summer Outreach Reading Program theme, “All Together Now,” centered around Kindness, Friendship, and Unity. During the summer, children, teens, and adults who aren’t reading or participating in other learning activities can lose up to two months of academic skills achieved during the school year.
According to Assistant Commissioner for Libraries and New York’s State Librarian Bernard A. Margolis, “Studies show that students lose two months (22%) of reading during the summer. Public libraries, through their summer reading programs, put books in the hands of children. This is the best antidote for the ‘summer slide’ in children’s reading achievement. Access to books and library programs over the summer results in more reading which, in turn, results in improved reading skills.”
Younger students and low-income students are the most prone to summer learning loss. The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated the already existing problem with summer learning loss. As a result, the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library continues to provide our CNMI students with increased summer literacy opportunities.
Throughout the course of the four-week on-site program, children took part in a reading challenge by reading 30 books this summer; connecting with others through the power of stories; STEM activities utilizing paper-based gliders and structures; computer classes on coding and how to navigate the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library website www.cnmilib.org to access virtual learning resources; art and painting activities; learning about healthy eating; flower power by painting flower pots; planting sustainable crops; utilizing recyclable materials in all hands-on activities; learning about our local culture and history ; and so much more!
Participating children were also nourished by the CNMI Public School System’s Child Nutrition Program. Special thank you to Director Dale Roberts and LSG Catering, Kalayaan Catering, and Herman’s Modern Bakery.
In celebration of Ocean’s Month, Team JKPL partnered with the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality-Division of Coastal Resource Management Communications for exciting and creative in-person activities. Thank you to Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality-Division Coastal Resource Management Director Rich Salas, Coral Reef Initiative Communications Coordinator Marlyn Naputi, for sharing with our participants how to protect and preserve Our CNMI oceans especially our coral reefs and water sheds.
Special thanks to the Saipan Humane Society, which shared the importance of responsible pet ownership and how to take care of our furry friends from SHS board member Dorsha Morena and team. The children also got to name a special furry guest Marshmallow that day!
Special thanks to the CHCC Non-Communicable Disease Program and Let’s Move Marianas for promoting a healthier CNMI. By fostering environments that support healthy choices, providing opportunities, and engaging learning experiences with our participants to make the healthier choice, the easy choice. Thank you NCD Program Manager Gianna Camacho, Christine Aldan, Francisco Tuwun, Eloise Lopez, and Kurt Songsong for sharing a healthy snack demonstration and reading the Eagle book Tricky Treats by Georgia Perez about diabetes prevention and healthy eating.
Special thanks to Marianas Islands Nature Alliance and Joseph Nekaifes, its programs assistant/outreach coordinator who taught about the important of the three R’s Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, and the fourth R which is Repair, as well as trying not to use plastic bags for shopping it prevents danger to marine life and dangers to human health. He wrapped it up with fun activity for the children with rubber bands, showing how an animal would feel like when in danger.
Reading goals
The JKPL’s Summer Outreach Reading Program goals are for infants through preschoolers to read 10 books; elementary school students, 30 books; middle and high school students, 3 books; and adults, 3 books. A completion certificate was available to all who signed up and completed their goals.
The Early Literacy, Children, Teen, and Adult Program submitted their reading logs by/before July 21, 2023 in order to participate in the Reading Challenge and vie for the Most Books Read Award in their respective categories.
Participating children who completed their reading goals received their prize on Saturday, July 29, 2023.
Moreover, JKPL awarded a Top Reader’s Prize to Early Literacy, Children, Teen, and Adult, as well as, distributing the Certificates of Completion for Early Literacy, Teen, and Adult Program prizes for participants who completed their reading goals that same day.
Our newest award — the Family of Readers Award — continued for a 2nd time this year. Top readers received library swag and gift certificates from our sponsors.
Sponsors
Library Director Erlinda C. Naputi said, “Thank you to our hardworking library team, and volunteers who made it all possible. We would like to thank the following sponsors for making our summer reading program an astounding success:
“(Platinum Sponsors) Joeten family, Joeten Enterprises, Inc. , All Star Sporting Goods, Athlete’s Foot of Saipan, Kiyu family, Ramona V. Manglona, MS Villagomez, Marianas Acquisition, dba IP&E, Oriental Corporation, Hong Ye Trading Co., Friends of the JKPL, Chong’s Corporation, Leslie Bradley, McRel International, Northern Marianas Library Association, Marianas Global Ventures dba Priority Care Services, Pacific Islands Club Saipan, Institute of Museum and Library Services, and Bridge Capital LLC. and Group of Companies (Anaks Holding, Seven Leaves, FT Condo, MP Investments, Coconut Capital, Westview Property, Proa, Latte Investments, Achugao Services, Excelsior Marianas, Mariana Holdings, Fox Financial)
“(Gold Sponsors) Joeten Development, Inc., Joeten Superstore, Coca Cola Beverage Co., Lollipops, Pacific Trading Company, Elizabeth D. Rechebei, Joe’s Store, Speaker of the House Edmund Villagomez, SNILD Chairman Rep. John Paul Sablan, Rep. Manny Gregory Castro, Rep. Vincent Aldan, Rep. Diego Vincent Camacho, Insurance and Business Management Corp., Roselle Calvo DBA: Pacific Advisory Services, Alexandra Ana-Marie Demapan Birnbrich
“(Silver Sponsors) Gold’s Gym, Rep. Denita Yangetmai, Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero, Senator Paul Manglona, Avalyn Mae Naputi Lizama
“(Bronze Sponsor) J’s Restaurant/J.E.T. Holding Co. Inc., National Office Supply, Rep. Blas Jonathan “BJ” Attao, Rep. Julie Marie Ogo, Rep. Ralph Yumul, Senator Dennis Mendiola, Rep. Vicente Camacho, Herman’s Modern Bakery, Gio Joe Naputi Bell, John Hirsh, Esther Ada, Emily Van Weerdhuizen, Marcia Schultz, Maggie Naputi, Annie T. Pickelsimer
“Community Partners: AmeriCorps Program, Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality-Division of Coastal Resource Management Communications, Commonwealth Library Council, CHCC’s Let’s Move Marianas Non-Communicable Disease Program, CNMI Department of Corrections, CNMI Public School System, CNMI Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, CNMI Department of Public Safety, CNMI Department of Lands and Natural Resources-Division of Parks and Recreation, CNMI DLNR-Division of Agriculture, Motheread/Fatheread CNMI, Commonwealth Library Council, Dept. of Community and Cultural Affairs, DCCA Division of Youth Services, DCCA’s Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture- Seafaring Traditions Program, Dr. Ron Snyder, Saipan International School, Lt. Col. Gregorio M. Sablan Jr., M2 Fitness and zin Mary Gracy Bautista, Mariana Islands Nature Alliance, Office of the Mayor of Tinian and Aguiguan, Rota Mayor’s Office, Marianas High School JROTC Dolphin Battalion, Marianas Visitors Authority, Northern Marianas Athletics, Pacific Islands Club-Saipan, Run Saipan, Run Saipan President Edward Dela Cruz, Saipan Mayor’s Office, Saipan Humane Society, United States Department of Agriculture-Rural Development, Young Adult Library Services Association and the Office of the Governor.”
JKPL looks forward to offering another great program next summer!
Students pose for a photo during a completion ceremony of the Bookmobile Outreach Summer Reading Program at the San Antonio library.
Summer Reading Program students read books from the Bookmobile.
