“It’s great to see that these firms recognize a commitment to help those in need in communities in which they do business,” said John Hirsh Red Cross executive director. “Even though they may not have an office here in the commonwealth, they’re supporting the local work and the Red Cross mission of improving lives here in our community.”
Donations ranging up to $10,000 were received from Renaissance Investment Management, Atalanta Sossnoff, Merrill Lynch, Richmond Capital Management, Nicholas Appelgate CM LLC and Franklin Templeton Institutional
BankPacific fully FDIC insured
(BankPacific) — The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has released the details of its new temporary liquidity guarantee program.
As a result, BankPacific announced that non-interest earning commercial checking accounts are now fully insured by the FDIC regardless of the balance in the account.
“This provides further peace of mind to businesses that their funds are safe. No matter what the balance, the FDIC now stands 100 percent behind them. BankPacific is implementing this policy for our customers immediately,” stated BankPacific president Philip Flores.
The full FDIC insurance applies to BankPacific customers on Guam, the CNMI and Palau.
New school year at KagHS
(KagHS) — Kagman High School has successfully welcomed a new school year of fun and learning with many academic, social and cultural activities for the students.
KagHS has zero tolerance for violence, drugs, alcohol, harassment and other vices because it is a learning institution.
The lines of communication between the parents, teachers and students have been effectively opened by the successful first Parent Teacher Student Association meeting on Sept. 24.
Meeting dates have been pre-scheduled for every third Tuesday of the month.
Detonation operation, road closure in Marpi
(DPS) — The Marpi area will be closed off today, Oct. 24, from 12 noon to 2 p.m. for the detonation operation that will be jointly conducted by the Department of Public Safety, the Emergency Management Office and the U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Detachment Marianas.
The general location of activity will be at the Laderan Laggun Cliff Line, 1 mile north of the Marpi landfill.
The grid coordinates are 15 degrees, 16.11 minutes 0.0865 seconds North and 145 degrees, 49 minutes 0.3313 seconds East and 5,000 feet above sea level.
The only area that will not be closed off will be Suicide Cliff which will be the main viewing point for the detonation.
Public access to Suicide Cliff is allowed only through the road leading up to the Far East Broadcasting antenna for viewing purposes.
DPS will set security posts to enforce and control traffic movement for safety purposes.
For more information, call DPS at 664-9001/2 or EMO at 322-8001/2.
MHS Class of ‘78
(MHS) — MHS Class of 1978 is having its 30th class reunion, potluck style, at the Susupe Beach Park on Sunday, Oct. 25, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, contact Viol Guerrero at 285-1286, Ben Sablan at 483-3277 or Liz Balajadia at 898-9535.
2 MHS students qualify for AP Scholar awards
(College Board) — Marianas High School’s Kristina Bermudes and Rachel Reyes earned the designation of AP Scholar by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Program Exams.
These two exceptional students qualified for the AP Scholar awards by earning grades of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams.
The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program provides motivated and academically prepared students with the opportunity to take rigorous college-level courses while still in high school, and to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performances on the AP exams.
About 18 percent of the 1.6 million students worldwide who took AP Exams performed at a sufficiently high level to merit the recognition of AP Scholar.
Through 37 different college-level courses and exams, AP provides motivated and academically prepared students with the opportunity to earn college credit or advanced placement and stand out in the college admissions process.
Each exam is developed by a committee of college and university faculty and AP teachers, ensuring that our exams are aligned with the same high standards expected by college faculty at some of the nation’s leading liberal arts and research institutions.
AP is accepted by more than 3,600 colleges and universities worldwide for college credit, advanced placement, or both on the basis of successful AP Exam grades.
This includes more than 90 percent of four-year institutions in the United States.
Research consistently shows that AP students who score 3 or higher on AP Exams — based on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest — typically experience greater academic success in college and higher graduation rates that students who do not participate in AP.
The College Board is a not-for-profit membership organization whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity.
Founded in 1900, the association is composed of more than 5,400 schools, colleges, universities, and other educational organizations.
Each year, the College Board serves seven million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools, and 3,500 colleges through major programs and services in college admissions, guidance, assessment, financial aid, enrollment, and teaching and learning.
Among its best-known programs are the SAT, the PSAT/NMSQT, and the Advanced Placement Program.
The College Board is committed to the principles of excellence and equity, and that commitment is embodied in all of its programs, services, activities, and concerns.
Public invited to student photo exhibit
PHOTOS could speak a thousand words, especially when describing how a culture has influenced an entire community, a media release stated.
Taro Leaf Inc. and the NMI Council on the Humanities, through a grant provided by the National Endowment on the Humanities We the People program, is showcasing over 30 photos from students all across the CNMI that reflect on what their culture has contributed to the community.
Tinian High School, Mt. Carmel High School, Chacha Ocean View Junior High School, Saipan Community School, Dandan Elementary School and Kagman Elementary School participated in the contest called “My Photo, My Culture 2008.”
The photos are on display on the first ever CNMI traveling photo exhibit, which started last weekend at Tinian Youth Center, then heading to the Rota Youth Center and finally on Saipan in the Pacific Islands Club main lobby from Oct. 24 to 30, which is also in celebration of Humanities Month.
After the traveling exhibit, the student photographs will be judged according to the following criteria:
Relevancy to Topic — Is the photo an obvious illustration of a culture in the CNMI? Does it follow the artistic interpretation of how this culture has contributed to the community?
Composition/Arrangement — Are the objects in the photo arranged in a meaningful, pleasing manner or are they “haphazard”? Did the photographer use the best angle or otherwise interesting perspective?
Focus/Sharpness — Is the object of the photo in focus? If not in sharp focus, does it appear to be an intentional effect to enhance the image in some “artistic” way?
Creativity — Does the photographer show some creative thought or original idea in the making of this image?
The first and second place winners will receive up to $500 in cash and other prizes for their schools.
Special thanks to the Tinian Mayor’s Office, the Rota Mayor’s Office and the Pacific Islands Club.
For more information, visit www.wethepeoplecnmi.com.
GCA Math Court winners
(GCA) — Grace Christian Academy congratulates the winners and commends the organizers and coaches of the recently held Math Court at Dandan and Kagman Elementary Schools.
GCA teachers and administrators thank the parents for their support and patience.
Majority of the participants received awards in different categories and we give glory to God for the successful turn out.
Winners by grade level:
First Grade
• Tae Yong Kim – 1st place Number sense
• Robert Hanrey Schorr – 1st place Number sense
• Carl Andrei Batenga – 2nd place Number Sense; 2nd place Algebra
• Clark Birmingham – 3rd place Number Sense
• Jim Michael Ham – 3rd place Number Sense
• Arvin Dayao – 2nd place Number Sense; 3rd place Algebra
Second Grade
• Alan Hinson – 1st place Algebra; 2nd place Number Sense
• Marcelo Masilungan – 2nd place Number Sense; 3rd place Algebra
• Seung Jae Kim – 3rd place Algebra; 2nd place Number Sense
• Jolina Villanueva – 2nd place Number Sense
• Jasmine Phan – 2nd place Number Sense
• Sherijean Dela Cruz – 2nd place Algebra
• Rachel Son – 2nd place Number Sense
Third Grade
• Peter Camacho – 1st place Number Sense; 1st place Algebra
• Jay Lee – 5th place Algebra
• Franchesca Dalusung – 3rd place Algebra
• Stephen Eo – 1st place Algebra; 2nd place Number Sense
Fourth Grade
• Francis Joseph Dalusung – 1st place Number Sense
• Kyle Chua – 1st place Algebra
• Joseph Seo – 4th place Number Sense
Fifth Grade
• Neil Conti – 1st place Number Sense
• Ezra Cervera – 3rd place Algebra
• Angela Cruz – 3rd place Algebra
• Samuel Seo – 3rd place Number Sense
• Yeram Na – 3rd place Number Sense; 3rd place Algebra
Sixth Grade
• Yong Koo Kim – 1st place Number Sense
• Dong Ha Lee – 3rd place Number Sense
• San Ji – 4th place Number Sense; 2nd place Algebra
• Zuriel Chua – 3rd place Algebra
Seventh Grade
• Yeong Jeong Kim – 4th place Number Sense; 2nd place Algebra
• Katrina Cruz – 3rd place Algebra
Eighth Grade
• Crystalline Cristobal – 5th place Algebra
• Janela Rivera – 3rd place Number Sense; 4th place Algebra
• Jimaela Ham – 3rd place Algebra
• Louise Liao – 4th place Algebra; 4th place Number Sense
Ninth Grade
• Jae Kwang Oh – 2nd place Algebra
• Susan Kim – 2nd place Algebra
Tenth Grade
• Maria Esmero – 1st place Geometry
• Alwyn Dimaano – 3rd place Geometry
• Ann Zhou – 3rd place Geometry
Eleventh Grade
• Jo Hannah Cabrera – 3rd place Geometry
Twelfth Grade
• Keith Sablan – 1st place Geometry; 2nd place Algebra
Training on traumatic brain injury, ADA
BECAUSE October is the National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation conducted a two-day training on traumatic brain injury and the Americans with Disabilities Act held on Rota.
The training was conducted by Thomas J. Camacho, the governor’s special assistant for disability policy and programs, and is being coordinated by the Office of Disability Policy & Programs, Office of the Governor in collaboration with the CNMI Traumatic Brain Injury Project and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.
A similar training for Tinian was scheduled to be held at the Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino in collaboration with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.
The same training will also be conducted on Oct. 30-31 on Saipan. The venue will be announced at a later date.
An upcoming training to be conducted soon is on the hospitality industry.
Developed by the Pacific ADA Center, the training topic is “Serving Customers with Disabilities: Train Hospitality Industry Workers.”
This event, if funded, will be brought to you in part by the Pacific ADA Center — commonly known as DBTAC — located in Oakland, California.
If additional funding is not approved, the Office of Disability Policy & Programs will ensure the training takes place at least on Saipan.
The training includes the following presentations:
1) Traumatic Brain Injury 101
2) TBI & Children’s Playground Safety Surface Relative to Falls
3) TBI: Children & Youth
4) ADA Restoration Act of 2008
5) ADA Reasonable Accommodations Process in the Workplace
6) Assistive Technology in the Workplace
7) Title II and III of the ADA
8) Parking Access Act of 1993: Who’s Eligible and Who’s Covered
9) Evaluation Results: Special Report on the Impact & Effectiveness of P/L. 8-35, the Persons with Disabilities Parking Access Act of 1993
10) What’s the Respite Care System in the CNMI?
11) DVD presentations on “Brain Injury and School Success” and “Using the Job Accommodation Network”
Sister Remedios holds first memorial walkathon
(Sister Remedios) — The First Annual Sister Remedios Early Childhood Development Center Memorial Walkathon was held on Saturday, Oct. 18, starting at Kilili Beach Park and ending at the traffic light intersection in San Jose.
Over a hundred walkers, comprising of Sister Remedios young students, their parents and friends of the school, participated in the walkathon.
The event raised over $5,000 and its main corporate sponsor was the Joeten Charitable Foundation.
The foundation, through the Joeten companies, collected over $1,000 of pledges from its employees to support the school.
Other donors provided prizes for the raffle ticket drawing held after the walkathon.
Docomo Pacific donated a cellular phone and a beach chair; PIC donated water passes for 4; Fiesta Resort & Spa donated Sunday brunches for two; Subway donated Subway coupons worth $140; and the governor’s office donated 10 cases of water for the walkers.
A big Thank You to all our donors!
The Sister Remedios PTA Council hopes to make the walkathon an annual event to be held every year during mid-October to coincide with, and to commemorate the birthday, of the school’s namesake, the late Sister Remedios P. Castro.
The council extends its appreciation to all the parents and friends sponsors and most especially to the Joeten Charitable Foundation for the strong support given to the school.
(United Workers Movement, NMI) — U.S. P.L. 110-229, or what is known as the “federalization law,” does not have any provision for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens.
Families who are in this situation are urged to apply for the conversion of their status immediately to avoid status problem when the law takes effect on June 1, 2009.
The United Workers Movement, NMI is assessing how it can assist these families.
The group has been working with an immigration law office for possible assistance.
An informal survey by the group indicated that the hindrances for application are (a) not meeting the sufficiency of income and/or financial resources and (b) the application and lawyer’s fee.
The United Workers Movement, NMI is conducting another survey to find out how many families are affected and are interested to process their conversion of status.
If you want to join the survey and avail of staggered payment plan for the lawyer’s fee, e-mail [email protected] or call 322 8897 and leave a message.
The group is also facilitating a free online consultation with immigration lawyers so people can get useful information as they prepare for the application.
The United Workers Movement, NMI is not collecting any fee.
Diabetes Prevention & Awareness Month
NOVEMBER is Diabetes Prevention & Awareness Month and Home Care Month.
Members of the community are invited to participate in the family fun walk and proclamation signing on Monday, Nov. 3, at the Garapan fishing base.
Registration and proclamation begins at 4 p.m. and the walk begins at 5 p.m.
The first 100 participants who complete the walk will get a free gift.
For more information call the Community Guidance Center Prevention office at 323-7848 or fax 323-6587.
Casting call
This play is the Broadway version of the movie “Miracle on 34th. Street”
Auditions will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 29; Thursday, Oct. 30,from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 2 to 4 p.m. in room D-101 at MHS for this year’s Christmas musical production.
Parts are available for children and adult.
For more information, call MariLou at 256-9540.
The Commonwealth Election Commission will only send ballots to those who apply to vote by absentee voting.
Individuals who registered to vote from outside the CNMI and who will be away from the islands on Election Day must still need to apply to vote by absentee voting in order to be provided a ballot that they could cast and return by mail to the commission mailing address.
All requests to vote by absentee voting must be completed and submitted to the commission by 4:30 p.m., Chamorro standard time, Oct. 25.
Applications to vote by absentee voting may be downloaded and printed at ballot.pdf” http://www.votecnmi.gov.mp/downloads/absentee ballot.pdf and the application may be sent to the Commission by mail, facsimile, or scanned then e-mailed to our office.
For more information, call 664-VOTE (8683) or e-mail [email protected] or [email protected].
