One of the many changes at MHS under the leadership of the new principal, the school’s counseling office previously had limited space for students to access resources and their counselors. With the increase in enrollment from last year, Garrison said there was a need for expanding the counseling office into a more student centered area to accommodate the students.
The re-design has led to an increase of 600 square feet for a total of 1800 sq. ft. The design also provides for each counseling office to have large windows installed so that students can virtually see when their counselor is in.
The counselors can also observe the main lobby as students continue to use the services. The area will also have 15 new wall mounted touch screen computers and print stations which will provide for greater student access to information on college and vocational education after high school.
Garrison said MHS will continue to work with the NMTI for many of its projects. “We feel that the opportunity to provide hands on education to the students at NMTI is a worthy endeavor and an asset to the community,” he added.
Anyone interested in partnering with the NMTI for similar projects are encouraged to contact Brian Kendall at 287-2364 with questions or proposals.
NMC-CREES, Marianas Grazing Academy launch website
(NMC-CREES) — Northern Marianas College-Cooperative Research, Extension and Education Service, a partner institution with the Marianas Grazing Academy program, recently launched a website that will provide local ranchers easy access to information on tropical ruminant livestock and the MGA program.
The MGA program website, www.marianasgrazingacademy.org, was developed to provide and enhance the accessibility of tropical ruminant livestock information and resources for local ranchers with focus on MGA trainings and activities in the CNMI and Guam.
The MGA program was developed as a three-year project by University of Hawaii’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Beef Initiative Group, in collaboration with NMC-CREES, the University of the Virgin Islands, and the University of Guam.
The program aims to build local agricultural capacity by educating farmers and ranchers on various ways to increase the economic viability of their products. This is achieved through a series of workshops, as well as assistance and guidance in the planning and development of projects aimed to improve and enhance the local grazing industry.
Through the newly launched website, local ranchers can view all MGA training publications, such as the Marianas Grazing Academy Resource Manual and presentations over various grazing related topics, such as pasture management, mobile slaughterhouse facilities, animal health, and livestock production. Other resources available are photos and links to other helpful websites.
The website also provides information on the project that led to the creation of the program, which includes goals and objectives, and information on project team members, Island Advisory Council members, and other contributing institutions.
For additional information on the MGA program, contact Dr. Allan Sabaldica at 433-2576 or Lawrence Duponcheel at 433-0639 at the NMC Tinian Instructional Site.
NMI Family Court client services program wins award
(Supreme Court) — Due to its recognized success in educating people about legal and family court issues, the National Criminal Justice Association is pleased to honor the CNMI Family Court Client Services Program with its Outstanding Criminal Justice Program Award.
The award is given out annually at the National Forum on Criminal Justice and Public Safety. This year’s conference took take place Aug. 1-3 in Ft. Myers, Florida.
The program has a Pro Se Center which assists with filing legal forms for indigent litigants, a separating parents program that teaches parents about the effects of separation on children and a judges’ training program to provide judges with legal education in family issues.
“The creation, implementation and ongoing ‘evidence based’ success of the FCCS program exemplifies a good investment of BJA dollars awarded to CNMI,” said Jerome Ierome, executive director of the local Criminal Justice Planning Agency. “It is overwhelming for me to showcase on a national platform the Family Court’s vision of working with limited resources to improve services to all families who do not have the means to get their fair share of the legal system.”
The FCCS Program has had a positive effect on many cases and has improved the well-being of individuals affected by separation and divorce. The number of order to show cause cases, involving the obligation of parents to support their children have decreased from 118 in 2003 to 27 in 2009.
For more information on NCJA, visit www.ncja.org.
CCA board convenes today
(CCA) — The Commonwealth Cancer Association board of directors will be convening its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 28, at 3 p.m. in the Department of Public Health secretary’s conference room.
The meeting agenda will include discussion of CCA’s 2009 annual report publication, CCA’s banking options, the proposed Memorandum of Understanding for the Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition, reports from the board committees and program manager, the upcoming Pinktober Concert at the Hard Rock Cafe and other Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities, and a proposed motorcycle raffle fundraiser gala event. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.
For more information, contact CCA at 682-0050 or e-mail cca@ccamarianas.org.
Cancer Survivor Support meeting tomorrow
(CCA) — All cancer survivors are invited to attend the survivor support meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 29, in the Hyatt Chamolinian Room starting at 5:30 p.m.
This month’s survivor support meeting will feature a presentation by registered dietician Hee Jae Lee, titled “Nutrition and the Cancer Survivor.”
Lee will be discussing nutrition guidelines for cancer prevention and survivorship from the American Institute for Cancer Research, and ways to apply those guidelines in the islands using locally available foods. For more information or to RSVP, call the Commonwealth Cancer Association at 682-0050, e-mail cca@ccamarianas.org, or contact the Comprehensive Cancer Control Program at 236-8728.
Veterans Day
(Office of Military/Veterans Affairs) — On Nov. 11, 2010, Veterans Day, the nation will pay tribute and thank all who served and are serving the U.S. armed forces.
The Veterans Day committee will plan and execute this year’s Veterans Day ceremony.
If you are interested in being a part of the committee, it will meet every Tuesday at 0900 starting on Sept. 28, at the Office of Military/Veterans Affairs on Capital Hill, Building 1364. Everyone is encouraged and invited to attend.
For more information, call 664-2650.
Military to conduct training on FDM, south of Guam
(EMO) — The U.S. military will conduct training on Farallon De Mendenilla from Sept. 29 to 30, from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m., and on Oct.1 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and in the areas south of Guam on Sept. 29 to Oct.1, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Due to the danger imposed by these activities, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial is advising the general public, especially fishermen, commercial pilots and marine tour operators, to stay away from this area during the time and dates indicated.
For more information, call the Emergency Management Office at 322-9528, 322-9529, VHF marine channel 16 or HF single sideband radio on 5.205.0.
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