COMMUNITY BRIEFS

HJHS to hold PTA meeting today

Hopwood Junior High School will be having its first Parents-Teachers-Students Association meeting for the 2004-05 school year today, Aug. 12, 6-7pm in the school’s cafeteria.

NMPASI public forum today, tomorrow

The Northern Mariana Islands Protection & Advocacy Systems Inc. wishes to invite all CNMI residents to a public forum for comments on its fiscal year 2005 Statement of Objectives and Priorities.

The public hearings are scheduled for the following dates:

Rota—Aug. 12, Roundhouse Songsong Village, 6pm

Saipan—Aug. 13, NMPASI Conference Room, 6pm,

NMPASI administers the Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness, Protection & Advocacy for Developmental Disabilities, Protection & Advocacy for Assistive Technology, Protection & Advocacy for Traumatic Brain Injury, Protection & Advocacy for Individual Rights, Client Assistance Program, and Protection & Advocacy for Beneficiaries for Social Security.

Head Start orientation today, tomorrow

The Head Start Program is scheduled to open for orientation today and tomorrow, Aug. 12 and 13, 2004. Teachers are currently contacting parents/guardians about their child’s scheduled orientation dates and times. Should parents/guardians not have a contact number, visit or call your child’s center or the main office on Capitol Hill to obtain your schedule. During the orientation, allow for at least two to three hours of your time to be spent with your child and teacher. For more information, call your center or the main office at 664-3751 or 664-3768.

Attention to all veterans on Tinian

A representative from the CNMI Office of Military and Veterans Affairs is now on Tinian until Aug. 13. All veterans and family of veterans who are interested in applying for Veterans Administration benefits are encouraged to meet with Ruth Coleman, veteran representative from Saipan at the Retirement Office on Tinian from 9am to 4pm. Coleman will also give an overview of Veterans Administration programs and services, as well as conduct/assist disabled veterans open or follow up on their VA cases.

For more information, contact the Office of the Military and Veterans Affairs on Saipan at 664-2650 or Annie at the Tinian Retirement Office, 433-3863.

LIHEAP raffle drawing today

There will be a raffle drawing today, Aug. 12, to give away three gas stoves/ovens to needy families served by the DCCA Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

The raffle drawing will be held at 2pm, at the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program/Residential Energy Assistance Challenge Office, 1344 Ascencion Drive, Capitol Hill.

This giveaway is an activity of the Residential Energy Assistance Challenge, a federally funded project helping low-income families reduce their energy burden and meet their utility costs.

AmeriCorps recruiting 34 members

The Public School System’s AmeriCorps program—a federally funded program—is currently recruiting 34 members to participate in the community service and educational program.

AmeriCorps members will provide tutoring and mentoring services to CNMI youths between the ages of 6-17 at various youth centers. Members will assist students during structured youth center activities that may include homework assistance, arts/crafts, sports activities/events, computer trainings, etc.

Members will be awarded a living stipend for 900 hours served; and educational award of $2,362 after successful completion of program; developmental trainings and workshops; and satisfaction of serving the youth and community in the CNMI.

Those who want to participate in the program should be U.S. citizens, at least 17 years old, a high school graduate, and is drug free and possesses a clean police clearance.

Application and proof of eligibility requirements must be submitted by Aug. 18, 2004.

For applications, contact AmeriCorps Program, CNMI Public School System Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Office, Retirement Fund Building, 2nd Floor, Capitol Hill, Saipan; or call 664-3716/32; or email tenoriod@pss.cnmi.mp.

Renewal, issuance of military ID cards

The Family Readiness Group of the Echo Company 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry would like to inform all Reservists and families of the following about the issuance and/or renewal of military ID cards on Aug. 17-20 at the Reserve Center in Puerto Rico .

Families of active, Reserve or veteran soldier(s) should get a new or renew their military ID cards at the Reserve Center.

For more information, call Cil Blas/FRG Leader at 323-4675 (evenings).