Motheread/Fatheread holds 6 completion ceremonies

The CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Family Literacy Program San Vicente Elementary School completion ceremony for spring 2016. (Contributed Photo)

Summer is here, and CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Family Literacy Program would love to celebrate all our successes with you! May was abuzz with six CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Family Literacy Program completion ceremonies at our Saipan elementary schools. Here is a recap of the exciting events:

Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School, May 16, 2016 (Parent Trainer Maria Athens Amaro). Nine parents participated: Kalsina Eleisar, Ann Janine A. Romero, Corazon Loveras, Mary Jo Sablan, Joann Villagomez, Stephen Jessy, Carla Naog, Chris Camacho, and Lenela Repeki. Nine children participated in the Story Exploring Class (Instructors Hilma Castro and Evangeline Espanola): Danilo Bumacod, Awillisorr (Awi) Iguel, Kalei Iguel, James Loveras, Justin Loveras, Jasmine Romero, Izaih Villagomez, Uriel Repeki, and Cherish Tangay.

Oleai Elementary School, May 23, 2016 (Parent Trainer Celina Foreman & Leora Lynn Terlaje). A total of 14 parents participated: Sharon Kaipat, Peter Teigita, Bhelle Concepcion, Claire Maratita, David R. Maratita, Ann Regine Vanessa A. Valencia, Elizabeth Tomokane, David T. Chargualaf, Jack L. Ruben, Younju Kim, Hermina Mettao, Charlyn Francisco, Carla C. Naog, and Chris C. Camacho. A total of 14 children participated in the Story Exploring Class (Story Exploring Instructor Joelyn Varon): Elena Teigita, Collin Maratita, Elisha Teigita, Joaquin Ruben, Michiko Ruben, Simion Tagabuel, Kaedee Celene Valencia, Cherish Naog, Yoon Seo Ha, Devenie Denise Mettao, Syra Argana, Andresina Santos, Arsyni Tagabuel, and Bill John Tagabuel.

San Vicente Elementary School, May 26, 2016 (Parent Trainers Rita Demapan and Beth Demapan). A total of 14 parents participated: Virginia Reyes, Palik Thomson, Cecilia Repeki, Joelyn Magofna, Chris Camacho, Carla Naog, Sayuri P.Lisua, Ayessa Tereyama, Tara White, Abelardo M. Magno, Cerila McDowell, Mona V. Magno, Anne Marie D. Navarrete and Adora Samson. A total of 20 children participated in the Story Exploring Class facilitated by Story Exploring Instructor Ignacia Reyes. The children who participated are as follows: Kyrie Ann Cepeda, Adrianne Magno, Elikristiana Iglesias, Joylyn Pallikun Thomson, Abraham Sablan, Alfonso Sablan, William Lieto, Wynona L. Blas, Manuela Grace Magofna, Scott Iglecias, Malia Rayphand, Jude Rayphand, Kayu Reyes, Rio Reyes, Jacqueline Cepeda, Patricia Blas, Justin Afable, Chrish Nicole, Esabelle Mateo, and Renato Abubo.

Garapan Elementary School, May 25, 2016 (Parent Trainers Angela Wheat and Celina Foreman): A total of 14 parents participated: Geraldine S. Borja, Loly Ledesma, Ma. Isabel Dysangco, Joyce Nimwes, Meyther Cervantes, Meihua Rengiil, Arnulfo S. Puno, Su Boon Chang, Aura Aleli Simbulan, Flordeliza Moscoso, Mary Jane C. Montano, Noel Martinez, Raynna O. Mality, Ilene Muna, and Noel Simbulan. Parent Trainers Angela Wheat and Celina Foreman facilitated the Americorps class with seven Americorps students participating: Diana Lopera, Jasmine Gortayo, Eloise Lopez, Rita Lifoifoi, Rumina Litulumar, Edna Grace Nisola, and Josiah Pacala. A total of 22 children participated in the Story Exploring Class facilitated by Story Exploring Instructor Evangeline Espanola. The children who participated are as follows: Masaky Sallem, Masaioshy Sallem, Rayjay Mality, Joefina Mality, Telinamae Mality, Losau Mality, Paul Sam Paulis, Rina Rengiil, Ria Rengiil, JD Ryle Moscoso, Marlin Chang, Hong Yu Lai, Daryl Josiah Ray Songsong, Nicky Abigail Simbulan, Janvir M. Castaneda, Alexandria Ysabelle Dysangco, Sylvia Sanchez, Reyanah Castillo, James Castillo, Esther Castillo, Talyhtha Nimwes, and Christian Joy.

William S. Reyes Elementary School, May 25, 2016 (Parent Trainers SR. Stella Mangona and Bryan Manabat). A total of 14 parents participated: Antonina Datios, Freddy Peter, Teddy Andulan, Yan Long Yu, Charlyn M, Francisco, Zhou Yuling, Edilwisa S. Viana, Elden H. Buhay, Eden M. Aguon, Edna P. Aureo, Maria Teresa Mercader, Enhua Palacios, He Mei Feng, and Naomi Cayetano. A total of 16 children participated in the Story Exploring Class facilitated by Story Exploring Instructor Margarita Sugaste The children who participated are as follows: Devin Palacios, Francis Phillip Andulan, Oriah Valentine, Wei Sheng Yu, Xiang Quan Yu, Neil Aureo, Edgardo Severin S. Palma Jr., Syra Argana, Edison Jay Viana, Kemuel V. Cayetano, Winnie Wu, Andy Wu, Andfrena Fred, Uzziel Cayetano, James Mercader, and Annie Hu.

Koblerville Elementary School, May 31, 2016 (Parent trainer Sandra Satur, Gloria Kaipat, and Viola Deleon Guerrero). Eight parents participated: Mary Rabauliman, Amaleene Ramos, Shawn Fleming, Asuncion S. Ludwig, Concesa Angeles, Gita Kundu, Priscila Dulay, and Aktar Lateur. A total of 14 children participated in the Story Exploring Class facilitated by Story Exploring Instructor Ignacia Reyes. The children who participated are as follows: Ocean Kundu, Tenrina Aiten, Brytenia Aiten, Jezziebelle Rabauliman, Hilary Christopher, Raison Christopher, Eka Rabauliman, Susona Shakh, Suborna Shakh, Honofre Tangi, Therence Jay Tangi, Alfeo Ramos, Mark Phillip Angeles, and Issa Marie Angeles

Six elementary schools participated this springtime: Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School, Oleai Elementary School, San Vicente Elementary School, Garapan Elementary School, William S. Reyes Elementary School, and Koblerville Elementary School. A grand total of 66 parents and 81 children were given the gift of family literacy! Hip, hip, hooray, CNMI! A great big thank you and un dangkulu na si Yu’us må’åse to all our Saipan sponsors for their generous contributions and to the Northern Marianas Humanities Council for making all these pre-springtime events possible. Thank you to the following individuals/schools who assisted with certificates and awarding: Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School, GTC administration, vice principal Melisa Mendez, Northern Marianas Humanities Council Program manager Eulalia V. Arriola, parent trainer Rita Demapan; Oleai Elementary School, OES administration, vice principal Shawn San Nicolas, and Americorps volunteers; San Vicente Elementary School, Garapan Elementary School, SVES administration, SVES principal Paulette Sablan, SVES counselor Tara White; William S. Reyes Elementary School, WSRES administration, and WSRES vice principal Marji Pangelinan; Garapan Elementary School; GES administration; and Koblerville Elementary School, KOES principal Rizalina Liwag, and KOES librarian Shawn Fleming. Thank you all! It truly takes a village to make our CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Family Literacy Program a success!

This summer a financial literacy class is scheduled to be held at the Joeten-Kyu Public Library either June or July. Stay tuned! If you were not able to attend our previous classes, then it is not too late! We are offering the following class schedule for the CNMI Youth Centers and the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library this summer. Families are welcome to join and children ages 4 years old to 11 years old may participate in the Story Exploring Class. (Note: Motheread/Fatheread Joeten-Kiyu Public Library classes are ADULTS ONLY sessions):

Koblerville Youth Learning Center (June 7, 2016 through July 26, 2016): Tuesdays, 10am to 11:30am.

Gualo Rai Youth Center (June 7, 2016 through July 26, 2016): Tuesdays, 10am to 11:30am.

Garapan Community Development Center (June 8, 2016 through July 27, 2016): Tuesdays, 10:30am to noon.

Tanapag Youth Center (June 9, 2016 through July 28, 2016): Thursdays, noon to 1:30pm.

Kagman Community Center (June 9, 2016 through July 28, 2016): Thursdays, noon to 1:30pm.

Joeten-Kiyu Public Library (June 14, 2016 through July 7, 2016): Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30am to 10:30am.

Joeten-Kiyu Public Library Basic Chamorro Class (July 5, 2016 through July 28, 2016): Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:30pm to 5:30pm.

Motheread Inc. is a nationally acclaimed private, non-profit organization that combines the teaching of literacy skills with child development and family empowerment issues. Parents and children learn to use the power of language to discover more about themselves their families, and their communities.

Motheread offers classes for both the adults and children. In adult classes, participants learn to be story readers, writers, and tellers in a group structure that supports their own sense of worth and ability. These classes are appropriate for all adults, regardless of reading ability or prior educational experience. By teaching the “why” of reading rather than just emphasizing the “how,” classes encourage parents to be reading role models for their children. For children, Story Exploring provides a structured environment for learning reading, critical-thinking, and problem solving skills. CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Family Literacy Program is administered by the Northern Marianas Humanities Council and is conveniently located in the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library.

Schedules for interested private schools and organizations/agencies could be arranged by contacting Viola Deleon Guerrero, Beth Demapan, or Bryan Manabat at 235-7319/989-8542/783-7678 or e-mail: cnmimotheread@gmail.com or visit our website athttps://sites.google.com/site/cnmimothereadfatheread/.