Completion Ceremonies 1-5

Taotao Tano-ta:

Motheread Institute 7

Schedules 8

On March 18, 2016, CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Family Literacy Program celebrat-ed another beautiful completion ceremony at the Dan Dan Head Start Center. Five parents participated in the Adult Course facilitated by Parent Trainer Nolyn Villago-mez. The parents who participated in the class were as follows: Melva Duenas, Janelle Lizama, Melinda D. Villanueva, Emiliana Aguinaldo, and Sattonia

Takahashy. A total of sixteen children participated in the (CONT. P2)

CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Family Literacy Program is administered by the Northern Marianas Humanities Council, in partnership with the

CNMI Public School System and the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library

March 2016

Volume 9 Issue 7

Inside this issue:

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CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Dan Dan Head Start Children’s Story Exploring Class are all smiles during the Completion Ceremony on March 18, 2016. Cheers and congratulations on a job well done! Parent Trainer Nolyn VIllagomez and Story Exploring Instructor Ignacia Reyes!

On March 22, 2016, CNMI Moth-eread/Fatheread Family Literacy Program celebrated another beau-tiful completion ceremony at the San Antonio Head Start. Seven parents participated in the Adult Course facilitated by Parent Train-er Bryan Manabat. The parents who participated in the class were as follows: Angielyn A. Jacoba, Juana T. Atalig, Editha Cecilia C. Hipol, Felisa Mendiola, Connie Taitano, Matt Duenas, and Dennis Jacoba. A total of six children participated in the children’s Story Exploring Class facilitated by Ms. Ignacia Reyes. The children who participated in this fun-filled class were as follows: Patrick Jacoba, Paul Jacoba, Denilyn Jacoba, Le-on Duenas, Huang Zong Jia, and Huang Zong Sheng. Program Co-ordinator Viola Deleon Guerrero was on hand to congratulate the San Anotnio Head Start families. Cheers!

On February 11, 2016, CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Family Literacy Program con-ducted classes at the Kagman Head Start. Five parents participated in the Adult Course facilitated by Parent Trainer Elenita Arriola. The parents who participated in the class were as follows: Kaylana Mettao, Ursula Galvan, Chris Gonzales, Janel Pangelinan, and Michelle Quitugua. A total of five children participated in the children’s Story Exploring Class facilitated by Ms. Jocelyn Eusebio. The chil-dren who participated in this fun-filled class were as follows: Britney Villagomez Pangelinan, Billy Jack Quitugua, Bethany Pangelinan Iglesias, Reeana Mettao Camacho, and Joson John A. Songao. This class will be continued...

children’s Story Exploring Class facili-tated by Ms. Ignacia Reyes. The chil-dren who participated in this fun-filled class were as follows: Shanelle Yama-da, Shaenna Yamada, ShaeAna Yamada, Raechel D. Sablan, Raeisa D. Sablan, Jessica Manalo, Domingka Kosy, Meria Takahashy, Miumi Takahashy, Zoe Castro, Ashley Mae Sangcap, Victoria Villagomez, Nicole Villagomez, Shahn Tamangmad, Tom-my Tamangmad, and Tiana Villanue-va. Since February 11, 2016, a series of 8 Motheread/Fatheread classes were conducted in the Dan Dan Head Start Center. Team CNMI Moth-eread/Fatheread were on hand to at-tend the completion ceremony and assist with ceremony prep and com-pletion certificate awarding.

****Attention ****

Parent Trainers and Story Exploring Instructors. Do you have a special birthday shout-out or suc-

cess story for the upcoming month of April please email cnmimotheread@gmail.com or facebook us

@ cnmi motheread/fatheread with the exciting

news to publish in our next newsletter!

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On March 11, 2016, CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Family Literacy Program celebrated another beauti-ful completion ceremony at the Tanapag Head Start. Seven parents participated in the Adult

Course facilitated by Parent Trainer Beth Demapan. The parents who participated in the class were as follows: Chrishia P. Leon Guerrero, Eva Rose Marchadesch, Lani Iguel, Bridget T. Cabrera, Maria Birnbrich, Joseph Birnbrich, and Remedio N. Taisacan. A total of eight children participated in the children’s Story Exploring Class facilitated by Ms. Margarita Sugaste. The children who participated in this fun-filled class were as follows: Mariana Falig, Augustin Camacho, Stanley Iakopo II, Remedio I. Kuainoa, Franchesca S. Ulloa, Leland T. Yokota, Jeremiah T. Yokota, and Eliray T. Castro. Tanapag Head Start Teacher Stacy San Nicolas attended the completion ceremony. Congratulations!

On March 30, 2016, CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Family Literacy Program celebrated another beautiful completion ceremony at the Joaquina M. Rabauliman (JMR) Head Start. This was a combined completion ceremony between Oleai Head Start fami-lies and JMR Head Start families. Both sessions were facilitated by parent trainer Celina Foreman. The seven parents who participated in the Adult Course at JMR class are as follows: Jocelyn Maturan, Raynna O. Mality, Azenith M. Avila, Marycris T.

Rebusora, Jelma M. Tagab, Donna May Antonio, and Corazon Aguinaldo. A total of eighteen children participated in the JMR children’s Story Exploring Class fa-cilitated by Ms. Evangeline Espanola. The children who participated in this fun-filled class were as follows: Rayjay O. Mality, Telinamae Mality, Marijo Welson, Susana Guatam, Sunshine Gautam, John Joseph Vergara, Aira Celia M. Avila, Marc Eliezer Flores, Adrienne Xevera M. Avila, Devin, Jessica Pura, April James Pura, Marky Fernandez, Derrick Agustin, Abby Agustin, AC Agustin, Losau Jeffina Mality, Watson Paulis, Paul Sam Paulis. The parents who participated in the Oleai Head Start Class class were as follows: Carmen Iginoef, Sharon Kaipat, Peter Teigita, Tjaden Mangarero, Sheila Pickrell, Shana Sally, Sharma I. Laniyo, and Justise Quitugua. A total of eleven children participated in the Oleai chil-dren’s Story Exploring Class facilitated by Ms. Joelyn Varona. The children who participated in this fun-filled class were as follows: Bill John Tagabuel, Andresina Santos, Elisha Teigita, Elena Teigita, Arsyni Tagabuel, Simion Tagabuel, Angela Dela Cruz, Princess Dela Cruz, Juan Laniyo, Francisco Tagabuel, and Miya Sa-

blan.Motheread National Trainers Gwen Hinton and Gloria Gonzalez, Head Start Program Manager Jolene Guerrero, Tinian Parent Trainers Rose Lazaro and Marvieluz Syed, Joeten-Kiyu Public Library Acting Executive Director Erlinda Na-puti, and Team CNMI Motheread/Fatheread were on hand who welcomed par-ents and assisted with Completion Ceremony awarding. Bravo!

Chalan Kanoa Head Start Center

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On March 22, 2016, CNMI Moth-eread/Fatheread Family Literacy Pro-gram celebrated another beauti-ful completion ceremony at the Chalan Kanoa Head Start. Eight parents partici-pated in the Adult Course facilitated by Parent Trainer Beth Demapan. The par-ents who participated in the class were as follows: Fea La Torre, Jovelyn Reyes, Carola Espiritu, Brenda Ann Muna, Jane Malabanan, Zenia Manalo, Racquel Cid, and Rita B. Demapan . A total of nine children participated in the children’s Story Exploring Class facili-tated by Ms. Margarita Sugaste. The children who participated in this fun-filled class were as follows: Izaiah Ten-orio, Paul Lizama, Kobe Reyes, Axel Reyes, Prince Jhulz F. Reyes, Brianna Joy Deleon Guerrero, Anthony Franklin, Gian Louis Nilo, and Victoria Shay Cis-car. CNMI Motheread Program Coordi-nator Viola Deleon Guerrero, Head Start Instructors Ivan Garces and Ma-randa Smith were on hand to congratu-late the Chalan Kanoa Head Start fami-lies. Cheers!

On March 30, 2016, CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Family Literacy Program celebrated another beautiful completion ceremony at the Koblerville Mihaville Estates. Eight parents participated in the Adult Course facilitated by Parent Trainer Lilia King. The parents who participated in the class were as follows: Melinda M. Robert, Hijasmin F. Villagomez, Elewel Erlynda, Mina Asep, Geraldine Imperial, Rianna Ilo, Petrus Siech, and Ertilian Ringang. Thank you to volunteers Jose-phine F. Villagomez, Memama P. Asep, and Maria Sablan. Team CNMI Moth-eread/Fatheread were on hand

to assist in the completion ceremony. A beautiful role play read-aloud was performed by the parents from the book I Went Walking by Sue Williams; while the children performed a dance number choreographed by volunteers. Thank you Parent Trainer Lilia King for coordinating this beautiful home-based adult session. Congratulations Mihaville families on a great job well done!

Book reflection (Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney): Assorted family artwork from Koblerville Mihaville families capturing who they love.

Book reflection (In My Family by Carmen Lomas Garza): Give 2 examples of cultural practices you have in your family or island? The first tradition of culture in our island of Chuuk is the clan tradition. The second is us in Chuuk, we spank our children so they would know what is right or wrong.—Melinda Robert, Mihaville Koblerville The culture of my country is food and religion. I’m Hijasmin F. Villagomez. I am Fiipina and I got 8 kids in Sai-pan. My husband is Chamorro, and his name is Edward Villagomez. We have been married for 22 years, and he really likes to eat Filipino food— called adobo and pancit bihon. Even my kids love the chicken and pork adobo. — Hijasmin Villagomez, Mihaville Koblerville

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On March 9, 2016, CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Family Literacy Program celebrated another beautiful completion cere-mony at the Kagman Elementary School. Eight parents participated in the Adult Course facilitated by Parent Trainer Celine Romolor-Route. The parents who participated in the class were as follows: Joshue Camacho, April Crisostomo, Ciana Faisao, Brenda Aguon, Ana Sinforosa Seman-Hapdei, Zenaida Santos, Somjai Ada, and Candido Ada. A total of ten children participated in the children’s Story Exploring Class facilitated by Ms. Jocelyn Eusebio. The children who participated in this fun-filled class were as follows: Jordan Deleon Guerrero, Jayvin Reyes, Wynesia C. Quinata, Wei-halani C. Quinata, Rhynee Hapdei, Yuna Aguon, Ke’lei Nani Aguon, Caroline R. Route, Martel S. Ada, and Telesphoro S. Ada. CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Program Coordinator Viola Deleon Guerrero and Kagman Principal Dr. Ignacia Demapan were on hand to congratulate and assist with the completion ceremony.

What did you like about your CNMI Motheread/Fatheread class? I like everything in the class; listening to Ms. Beth Demapan on how she reads the story; interaction with other parents by sharing experiences and sto-ries related to the topic or books being read. I especially liked the class because it motivates me to enhance

my reading abilities, so I can teach and guide my son in the proper way of reading. —Jovelyn Reyes, CK Head Start

What is your child/ren’s favorite book and why? My son Izaiah’s favorite book is Freight Train. He loves cars and trucks, and he even builds it with his lego. PJ, my boy, likes Where the Wild Things Are, because he (loves to ) imagine and dream. —Jane Malabanan, CK Head Start

MOTHEREAD national trainers Gwen Hinton and Gloria Gonzales trained 20 new Motheread/Fatheread parent trainers hailing from the CNMI. The 20 participants who successfully completed the training were as follows: Maria Athens Amaro, Gloria S. Kaipat, Isabel Davis, Rita Demapan, Vernon Lee Inos Manglona, Jennifer McQuay, Velma Mafnas, Augustina Jaimatoon, Lianna P. Quitugua, Francisca Kaipat, Sr. Stella Mangona, Marja Lee Taitano, Leoralynn Terlaje, Arlene Sandra Satur, Angela Wheat, Bergitt Maratita, Maria Ana Apa-tang, Ana Maria Mendiola, Marvieluz Syed, and Rose Lazaro. From March 28, 29, to 29, 2016, participants learned about the Motheread philosophy and teaching approaches, lesson planning and lesson presentation. “We are training them on learner-centered approaches and their roles as facilitators,” Gonzales said. “As Motheread facilitators we are both learners and teachers.” Gonzales said the lesson themes correspond well with all the developmental stages of children and empha-size how they develop values.“In order for parents to work with their own children,” she added, “we walk them through the process of looking at how they were parented. Parents then look at their own way of parenting their children. This is a key component aside from literacy.” According to Hinton, “One of things that we find out about the parents that we work with is that they have never been read to before; therefore, they don’t read to their children. So we worked on reading skills — how to bring stories to life, and how a book can connect to your own personal life. It is amazing to see the transformation that happens after the class is over. The parents will usually say, ‘I never knew that we can use children’s books to talk about adult issues and adult concerns.’ ” Gonzales added, “We are not just reading books; we are also emphasizing the importance of oral storytelling traditions.” Hinton said Motheread “is such a powerful program as we just saw here during a training session. There were tears because parents thought about things that they haven’t thought about before, and it’s also an opportunity for participants to talk about things that they haven’t talked about, to connect things that they haven’t connected to, to talk about losses, to talk about gains but, more importantly, to talk about their children.” Gonzales said the program “creates a safe environment for families to come together and to be heard — this program transforms lives, and it has transformed our lives, too, as trainers.” Hinton added, “You cannot be a part of this program unless you believe in it! This is not like any other program. If you don’t believe in the power of it, you don’t need to be part of it.” “You’re taking people in,” Gonzales said, “you’re starting at wherever they are, whatever level they’re at, you’re respecting whatever they

have to offer without judgment and you begin addressing the issues they come with. This is not the trainer’s program, this is the participants’ program. They decide what the issues are, what they want to talk about, what is impacting their home environment, what hopes and wishes they have. It is a program whose philosophy is crucial to parents and children succeeding. That is how this program works where ever you take it.” The three-day Motheread Institute, the fourth to be held in the CNMI, was held at the Pacific Islands Club and was made possible in part by a grant from the Bank of Hawaii Foundation, the Humanities Council and other spon-soring agencies. Bank of Hawaii Saipan Branch Manager and VP Rose Sumor was on hand to congratulate graduating Parent Trainers. Bravo, CNMI Moth-

eread/Fatheread!

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National Trainers Gwen Hinton & Gloria Gonzales

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Taotao tano’-ta: People of the Island encompass a collection of local leaders, individuals, and groups from the CNMI

whose vision, wisdom and skill have made an enormous impact in the lives of the people of the Commonwealth in many

ways. These are progressive local leaders that showcased exemplary leadership roles in public service, community build-

ing, and undertakings that benefited the CNMI as a whole. Taotao tano’-ta are Individuals & Artisans that promoted and

represented the CNMI local culture and traditions through the arts of healing, music, crafts, dances, culinary, and language

enhancement in the Commonwealth and beyond the Pacific. These are also groups and innovative individuals that contrib-

uted generously in the development of agriculture, fishing, education, health, law, religion, public safety, and good govern-

ance in the Northern Marianas Island. Their untiring efforts to lift the Commonwealth to prosperity leaves no question of

their true leanings; that is for the betterment of the CNMI.

Maria Athens Amaro Parent Volunteer Gloria Kaipat

KYLC

Isabel Davis CHCC-H.O.M.E.

Rose Lazaro NMC(Tinian)EFNEP

Marvieluz Syed Tinian Public Library

Bergitt Maratita Rota Public Library

Maria Ana Apatang Rota Mayor’s Office

Ana Maria Mendiola Sinapalo Elem. School

Vernon Lee I. Manglona KYLC– Youth Affairs

Rita Demapan Parent Volunteer

Francisca Kaipat DYS

Jennifer McQuay DOC

Lianna Quitugua DOC

Augustina Jaimatoon DYS

Velma Mafnas NMC-ABE

SR. Stella Mangona Parents Anonymous

Marja Lee Taitano Retired Educator

Leoralynn Terlaje Joeten-Kiyu Public

Library

Sandra Satur Parent Volunteer

Angela Wheat Retired Educator

Congratulations to the 2016 Nationally Certified CNMI Motheread/Fatheread parent trainers! This amazing cadre of volunteers successfully completed the 3-day Moth-eread Institute held at the Pacific Islands Club in March. Participants included: (SAIPAN) Maria Athens Ama-ro, Gloria S. Kaipat, Isabel Davis, Rita Demapan, Vernon Lee Inos Inos Manglona, Jen-nifer McQuay, Velma Mafnas, Augustina Jaimatoon, Lianna P. Quitugua, Francisca Kaipat, Sr. Stella Mangona, Marja Lee Taitano, Leoralynn Terlaje, Arlene Sandra Satur, Angela Wheat; (ROTA)Bergitt Marati-ta, Maria Ana Apatang, Ana Maria Mendiola; (TINIAN) Marvieluz Syed, and Rose Lazaro.

The Motheread/Fatheread® Family Literacy Program serves the whole CNMI as the Northern Marianas Humanities Council’s signature literacy outreach program. Serving over 800 families, providing 6,400 hours of literacy, and promoting to over 3,500 out-reach participants every year in the CNMI! There are 53 total volunteer Parent Trainers and Story Exploring Instruc-tors, who are teachers, day care providers, private busi-ness owners, college instruc-tors, health care service pro-viders, faith-based organizers, retired educators, and public administrators in their full-time jobs. Cheers, Team CNMI Motheread/Fatheread!!

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 them-selves 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”, clas-ses encourage parents to be reading role models for their chil-dren. For children, Story Exploring provides a structured envi-ronment for learning reading, critical-thinking, and problem

CYCLE DAY TIME START DATE VENUE PARENT TRAINER/SEI

1 Mondays 5:30 pm April 4 2016 Oleai Elementary School Celina Foreman & Leora Terlaje/ Joelyn Varona

2 Tuesdays 5:30 pm April 12, 2016 William S. Reyes Elementary School

Bryan Manabat & SR Stella Mangona/ Margarita Sugaste

3 Tuesdays 5:30 pm April 12, 2016 Koblerville Elementary School Viola Deleon Guerrero, Gloria Kaipat& Sandra Satur/ Ignacia Reyes

4 Wednesdays 5:30 pm April 13, 2016 Garapan Elementary School Celina Foreman & Angela Wheat/ Evangelina Espanola

5 Thursdays 5:30 pm April 14, 2016 San Vicente Elementary School Beth Demapan & Rita Demapan Ignacia Reyes

6 Thursdays & Mondays

5:30 pm April 21, 2016 Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School

Maria Athens Amaro/ Evangeline Espanola

7 TBA TBA April Youth Centers (GCDC & Tanapag)

Velma Mafnas

8 Saturdays 1:00pm April 23, 2016 Joeten-Kiyu Public Library (Americorps)

Angela Wheat

9 Saturdays 3:30 pm March 5, 2016 Department of Corrections Viola Deleon Guerrero & Angelina Yobech

Schedules for interested Private Schools and Organizations/Agencies could be arranged by contacting Viola Deleon Guerrero, Beth Demapan, or Bryan Manabat at Tel:235-7319/989-8542/783-7678 or E-mail:

cnmimotheread@gmail.com or visit our website at https://sites.google.com/site/cnmimothereadfatheread/

THE CHILDREN OF OUR HOMELAND CULTURAL CENTER/LIBRARY

Library Hours

Tuesdays-Fridays (10:00 am-6:00 pm) Saturday

(9:00 am-4:00 pm) Closed on Mondays, Sundays, and

Holidays If you are interested in becoming a Friend/Supporter of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, please stop by the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread office in the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library and fill out a registration form. There will be a $5.00 membership fee assessed. Cash Only. Call 235-7319, text 783-7678, or email marianaslibraryfriends@gmail.com for more information. Thank you!

(L-R) On March 3, 2016, Motheread assistant coordinator Beth Demapan assists Northern Marianas Humanities Council during Dr. Mike Carson’s lecture of the Ritidian archeological site. More than 100 people attend this event (in picture: Genevieve Cabrera, Dr. Mike Carson, Northern Marianas Humanities Council Executive Di-rector Scott Russell, and Beth Demapan); On March 19, 2016, LMM Chair Amber Mendiola and Alexandra Birnbrich are all smiles after Motheread takes part in the DPH 5K Diabetes Health Walk/Run at Garapan Fishing Base. More than 100 people attended this event.

CNMI Motheread/Fatheread®

Current & Upcoming Session

Xerxes Mangarero JKPL ITC Specialist

Celina Foreman Parent Trainer