COMMUNITY BRIEFS – August 18, 2011

[B]Tinian Health Center notice[/B]

This is to inform all patients of the Tinian Health Center that, due to our physician and nurse practitioner being on sick leave, we kindly ask for your patience and understanding until their return. However, we will continue to provide emergency treatment. (PR)

[B]Free business workshops set[/B]

The CNMI Small Business Development Center, in partnership with the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, will be conducting the following free workshops:

-How to start a business: Aug. 23, 9am to 11am

-How to write a business plan: Aug. 24, 9am to 11am

-How to read financial statement: Aug. 25, 9am to 11am

All workshops will be conducted at the Saipan Chamber of Commerce office (233-7150), first flloor Famila Building, Garapan. Deadline for pre-registration is 12pm, Aug. 22, 2011. Requests for reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities must be made 72 hours in advance.

For more information contact Ralph Yumul at 664-3018. (PR)

[B]CNMI Library Council meeting today[/B]

The CNMI Library Council will have a meeting today, Aug. 18, 2011, at 3pm at the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library in Susupe. The public is invited to attend the meeting in our effort to promote an organizational culture of inclusion, transparency, and accountability for and in partnership with the patrons and general public being served by our public libraries.

The agenda will include reports on various funding sources and federal grant programs; reports on library operations, activities, programs, and circulation; reports from Library Council’s Program, Finance, and Policy committees; and the FY 2012 JKPL Budget Request to restore normal library operating hours to better serve the community. For more information, contact JKPL at 235-7315 and/or 7322. (JKPL)

[B]Marine Lab presentation Friday[/B]

The Marine Lab hosts a presentation on Aug. 19 titled “Sustainability for the Mariana Islands: Creating a network to preserve limestone forests through the classroom.” The presentation will be held in the Marine Lab classroom at 4pm on Friday, Aug. 19.

The Ecology of Bird Loss Project has been conducting research in limestone forests in the Mariana Islands for 6 years studying the impact of the loss of birds on Guam. For the past two summers, the project has received an NSF grant to fund local high school teachers to experience field research and develop a plan to enhance ecology education in their classrooms. This Friday, we’ll host Sabina Perez, Mary Garvilles and Annette Pladevega as they share their research experiences from this project. (UOG)

[B]MHS Class of ’82 reunion meeting[/B]

Marianas High School Class of 1982 will be having a class reunion meeting on Saturday, Aug. 20, 6pm at the Minatchom Atdao. If you have any questions, contact your class reunion chairperson James Lizama at 287-4026. (PR)

[B]FSM to accede to UN protocol against trafficking [/B]

PALIKIR, Pohnpei—The First Special Session of the 17th Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia has adopted a resolution to accede to the United Nations Protocol against Trafficking in Persons.

Through Congressional Resolution 17-15, Congress has authorized the FSM to accede to the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children. The Protocol is a supplemental to the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime.

The resolution was among the legislations adopted before Congress adjourned sine-die on Aug. 6. Congress is expected to convene for its second regular session on Sept. 12 for a 20-day period unless extended or shortened by resolution. (PR)

[B]Navy training on FDM, Warning Area-517[/B]

The U.S. Navy will conduct training on the island of Farallon de Medinilla on Aug. 18-20, from 7am to 12am, and on Aug. 24, from 7am to 12am. The Navy will conduct training at Warning Area 517 on Aug. 22-24, from 8:30am to 4:30pm.

The public, especially fisherman, commercial pilots and marine tour operators, are advised to stay clear from the area during the times and dates indicated.

The general location of the training on the island of Farallon de Medinilla training area will be on a 10-nautical-mile radius on all quadrants.

W-517 is an irregular shaped polygon comprising of 14,000 nautical square miles of airspace that begins south of Guam and extends south-southwest in international waters. This will affect fishing in the vicinity of Santa Rosa Reef and Galvez Bank. (USN)

[B]Chacha Jr. High School 7-8 graders orientation on Sept. 2[/B]

This is to inform all parents, guardians, and the community that Chacha Ocean View Jr. High School will be having an orientation for 7th and 8th grade students on Sept. 2, 2011, from 9:30am to 10:30am in the cafeteria. Call the school at 237-3921 or 664-4100 if you have any question or concerns. (PR)

[B]Kagman High re-registration ongoing[/B]

Students planning on attending Kagman High School must re-register in order to get a schedule of classes. The purpose of this is to update our records and contact information. Incoming 9th graders from Hopwood, if you have not registered yet, do it soon! Required documents: copy of birth certificate, school entrance health certificate, copy of medical insurance card, official transcript, legal guardianship document (if needed) and registration application (which includes an E-Rate income survey). Official registration will end Aug. 19. Late registration will be accepted, but placement in choice classes depends on early registration! (KHS)

[B]Kagman High orientation schedule[/B]

Kagman High School will be holding an orientation for freshmen and sophomores on Aug. 25, 2011. The freshmen orientation will be from 9am to 10am, while the sophomore orientation will be from 10:30am to 11:30am. The orientation for juniors and seniors will be on Aug. 26, 2011. Juniors will have their orientation from 9am to 10am, while seniors will have theirs from 10:30am to 11:30am. For more information, call the KHS main office at 237-3840. (KHS)

[B]Registration info for Saipan Southern High[/B]

Saipan Southern High School students who have been elevated from Junior High are not officially enrolled if your parents/ legal guardians did not submit a registration form. Pick up forms from the counseling office and submit ASAP for your child to be enrolled in SSHS. All returning students that attended SSHS last year must return all textbooks and settle all obligations with the school, before you can pick up your class schedule.

Schedules are to be picked up at the Counseling Office as follows:

* Seniors, 12th Grade, Aug. 22, Monday, 9am-4pm

* Juniors, 11th Grade, Aug. 23 Tuesday, 9am-4pm

* Sophomores-10th Grade, Aug. 24 Wednesday, 9am-4pm

All transfer and new students enrolling at SSHS in grades 10, 11, and 12 are required to attend an orientation on Aug. 25, Thursday, 9am-4pm, with their parents or legal guardians. Freshman student orientation on Aug. 26 will be held in two different sessions–from 9am-11am and from 1pm-3pm. Attend only one session with parents or legal guardians. No students will be allowed to attend the orientation without parents or legal guardians in attendance.

For more information, call the SSHS principal directly at 237-3702 or the SSHS main office at 664-4000. (SSHS)