(JKPL) — From June 6, 2022 to June 16, 2023, more than a hundred children registered for an action packed, activity filled two-week Reading and Summer Learning Adventure at the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library on Saipan.
Children ages 6 years to 12 years of age explored our CNMI State Library this summer as the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library presented this year’s summer reading program theme of “All Together Now” centered around Kindness, Friendship, and Unity.
During the summer, children and teens 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, “Study shows that students lose 2 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 two-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; touring the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library (learning about the library’s history and departments); learning about our local culture and history and how to conduct research about the Marianas and Micronesia utilizing JKPL’s Pacific Room; 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.
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 of Coastal Resource Management Director Rich Salas, Coral Reef Initiative Communications Coordinator Marlyn Naputi, and team for sharing with our participants how to protect and preserve our CNMI oceans especially our coral reefs and watersheds.
Special thanks to the Saipan Humane Society, who shared the importance of responsible pet ownership and about how to take care of our furry friends from SHS Board member Dorsha Morena. The children also got to name a special furry guest Lexi that day!
Children toured the DCCA’s Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture Guma Higai’ and learned about the importance of preserving and promoting our traditional cultural knowledge to pass onto our future generations. Special thanks to the Seafaring Traditions Program under DCCA’s Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture, Program Coordinator John Castro, Tyler Warwick, and Team for sharing your passion for our indigenous culture.
Special thanks to the CNMI Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, acting Commissioner Juan A. Pua, Firefighter Robert Mojica, and Team DFEMS for sharing the important services our frontline workers contribute to our community. Children toured the Susupe Fire Station, toured a fire truck and ambulance, learned important life skills, emergency tools used by fire fighters, and emergency medical services provided by DFEMS.
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 CNMI Department of Lands and Natural Resources-Division of Agriculture, DLNR-Division of Agriculture Director Joaquin T. Ogumoro, DLNR-Division of Agriculture Co-operative Forest Health Program Federal Program Coordinator Michelle Sablan Togawa. Ms. Togawa shared about invasive plant and animal with hands-on activities and how to protect our natural resources and promote forest health.
Program goals
The JKPL’s Summer Reading Program goals are for infants through preschoolers to read 10 books; elementary school students, 30 books; middle and high school students, 3books; and adults, 3 books. A completion certificate will be available to all who sign up and complete their goals. The Early Literacy, Children, Teen, and Adult Program must submit 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 complete their reading goals will receive their prize on Saturday, July 29, 2023. Moreover, JKPL will award 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 complete their reading goals that same day. Our newest award — the Family of Readers Award — will be continuing for a 2nd time this year. Top readers will receive library swag and gift certificates from our sponsors.
What children and families have said about the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library’s 2023 Summer Reading Program
• “Thank you JKPL for being the most awesome library ever! I enjoyed painting flower pots and learning how to grow plants [for today’s activity]. I also enjoyed the visit to the fire station today. Thank you JKPL for making my summer so much better!” — Andrew Jian Xin Yang
• “We thank you! Both of my children enjoyed the summer program! Can’t wait for next year! Thank you!” — Brianne Tudela
• “We like this program so much! It helped my son’s reading skills a lot. He met a lot of new friends at class especially on Friday, he learned about local history. I hope we have more programs like this! And the teachers are very nice!” — He Jianbing/ He Junyi Johnson
• “Longer Reading Camp. I really enjoyed your camp. Thank you.” — Vince Anthony Jr.
• “I love the Information Technology Center! The Joeten-Kiyu Public Library’s Summer Camp is super fun! Yes!” —Alexandra Birnbrich
• “I like the comfortable environment.” — Milo Guo
• “Learning and seeing friends and cousins.” — Hailey Jade Sablan
• “[I enjoyed] the place. I love the place, and they have all my favorite things I like so much! “The program is really good for all children.” — Chinmoy Mallick
• “Family friendly, safe environment, and fun! Great program!” — Makai Cutting
• “My kids really enjoyed the summer reading program. They loved the arts and crafts and guest speakers.” — Marilyn Webber
• “JKPL staff always makes it a wonderful visit! Well done decreasing the size of participants enrolled for a better controlled environment, more focus/engagement, and always safety first! Fun suggestion maybe next year’s summer camp can include a daily dress theme of spirit week? Thank you for all the “Heart” work you do in our community!” — Abraham-Santos family
• “Longer summer program, please!” — Sumai B. Castro
• “Meeting new friends!” — Hina Augunbaugh
• “Learning about different things about Saipan. (Guest speakers and field trips).” — Emma Maras
• “I definitely want to participate next summer. Thank you so much!” — Ai Nonogaki
• “Thank you very much to all of you for your hard work and patience to the children, and [they] learned a lot — specifically, my daughter. She’s so happy and told us about what she learned in the library. Thank you!” — Erica May Dizon
• “Thank you, JKPL!” — Reesa Marie Borja
• “Thank you for teaching us! And the fun activities!” — Sera Guerrero
• “Thank you, JKPL team, for this program!” — Jeremy Terlaje
• “Our children loved the arts and crafts and reading and all the activities.” — Andrew Roberto
• “[We enjoyed the] cleanliness and updates to fit the changes of social distancing, online books and awesome staff — [especially the] virtual navigation from staff on how to go on the library website.” — Glenda Aldan
• “Fun and educational!” — Ryder Sablan
• “Thank you for taking care of our kids. They have a relaxing summer and learned a lot. My kids enjoyed the library programs. They learned how to paint [for today’s activity], and they have a formed a good habit of reading.” — Elita Enhui, Li
• “Thank you for the summer extracurricular activities, which were carefully prepared for the children. The children learned how to read and also thank you for the food prepared for the children.” Stephen Li
Sponsors
Thank you to JKPL’s Summer Reading Program sponsors: Esther Ada, Gio Joe Naputi Bell, Alexandra Ana Marie Demapan Birnbrich, Bridge Capital, LLC, Chong’s Corporation, Coca Cola Beverage Co., Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, Gold’s Gym, Herman’s Modern Bakery, Institute of Museum and Library Services, Joeten Development/Joeten Superstore, Joeten family, J’s Restaurant/J.E.T. Holding, Co. Inc., Kiyu family, Avalyn Mae Naputi Lizama, Lollipops, Inc., Marcia Schultz, McREL International, National Office Supply, Northern Marianas Library Association, Northern Marianas Athletics, Pacific Islands Club-Saipan, Annie T. Pickelsimer, Roselle Calvo dba Pacific Advisory Services, Run Saipan, Run Saipan President Edward Dela Cruz, Marcia Schultz, Emily Van Weerdhuizen, Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, Rep. Vincent Aldan, Rep. Blas Jonathan “BJ” Attao, Rep. Diego Vincent Camacho, Rep. Vicente Camacho, Rep. Denita Yangetmai, Rep. Ralph Yumul, Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero, and Sen. Dennis Mendiola.
Partners
AmeriCorps Program, CHCC’s Let’s Move Marianas Non-Communicable Disease Program, CNMI Public School System-Child Nutrition Program, CNMI Department of Corrections, CNMI Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, CNMI Department of Public Safety, CNMI Division of Lands and Natural Resources-Division of Agriculture, CNMI Department of Lands and Natural Resources-Division of Parks and Recreation, CNMI Department of Lands and Natural Resources-Division of Agriculture, CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Family Literacy Program, Commonwealth Library Council, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs-Division of Youth Services, DCCA’s Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture-Seafaring Traditions Program, Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality-Division of Coastal Resource Management Communications, Dr. Ron Snyder, Saipan International School, Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, Lt. Col. Gregorio M. Sablan Jr., M2 Fitness and zin Mary Grace Bautista, MINA-Mariana Islands Nature Alliance, Marianas High School JROTC Dolphin Battalion, Marianas Visitors Authority, Office of the Mayor of Rota, Office of the Mayor of Tinian and Aguigan, Saipan Mayor’s Office, Saipan Humane Society, United States Department of Agriculture-Rural Development, and Young Adult Library Services Association.
For more information, contact JKPL at (670) 235-7322/7318.
Joeten-Kiyu Public Library’s summer reading program theme was “All Together Now,” centered around kindness, friendship, and unity.
