Literacy program completes 1st session since Yutu

CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Family Literacy Program completion ceremony at the William S. Reyes Elementary School. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS)

The CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Family Literacy Program recently celebrated the successful spring completion of six elementary schools on Saipan throughout March despite the devastation of Super Typhoon Yutu.

Forty-seven parents and 78 children participated in eight Motheread/Fatheread adult courses and story exploring classes for children held from January to March.

The parents participated in classes that aided them in exploring the world of literacy in their homes while their children read stories of their own with lots of fun arts and crafts, listening to music and other activities.

Through the Northern Marianas Humanities Council, the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Family Literacy Program would like to thank the following for participating in these courses:

Kagman Elementary School: March 5, 2019
-Eleven parents participated: Benita Seman, Lisa Emwalu, Abrahama M. Amirez, Juvy M. Taitano, Mary Reyes, Geoanne S. Nuique, Laurie Ketebengang, Ina Limes, Kristy Sablan, Jerrena Romolor, and Ellen Piteg.
Parent trainer, Rita B. Demapan.
-Eighteen children participated: Amber Than, Ashton Than, Alexandra Birnbrich, Cindylynn Mettao, Franklin Mettao, Jollyann Mettao, Jacob Camacho, Mariyah Camacho, Aurora Teregeyo, Kikuo Teregeyo, Zoe Teregeyo, Tori Teregeyo, Lina Ikea, Napu Reyes, Maya Camacho, MJ Limes, Ariani Camacho, Marleni Camacho.
Story exploring instructor, Beth Demapan.

Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School: March 13, 2019
-Thirteen parents participated: Sashana Atalig, Joanne Santos, Hannahleiy Ogarto, Marycris Rebusora, Laura L. Camacho, Lee Roy M. Camacho, Chassie Castro, Heather Otiwi, Inok Lee, Marlene Cruz, George Cruz, Eleanor Aguon, Yonghee Jin
Parent trainer, Maria Athens Amaro.
-16 children participated: Davileen Camacho, Alexandra Birnbrich, Kalea Agulto, Brayden Otiwi, Animu Otiwi, Camille Fernandez, Marky Fernandez, Siwoo Lee, Seung Woo Lee, Isabella Camacho, Tyrone Tarkong, Avah Tarkong, Eleanor Babauta, Deon Sablan, Risa Sablan, Deina Sablan.
Story exploring instructor, Pualani Palacios).

Koblerville Elementary School: March 12, 2019
-Eight parents participated: Mina Asep, Charmy C. Sundiam, Geraldine Imperial, Trinidad Pangilinan, Ana Rita Joseph, Erlynda Elewel K, Mailin D. Mality, Blanco Reyanne.
Parent trainer, Mercedes Deleon Guerrero
-Twenty-one children participated: Alice Chen, Ichiama Asep, Memam Asep, Obama Siech, Kisama Siech, Heaven Love Siech, Cee Jay C. Sundiam, Nicole C. Sundiam, Kobe Imperial, Johanan Imperial, Laraya Imperial, Michael Joe Pangilinan, Olivia Ruth Pangilinan, Arturo Manuel Pangilinan, Darlinicia Masga, Mayanna Nego, Michael Nego, Marcus Nego, Jayden Risana, Jasmine Risana, Elewel Montrea.
Story exploring class , Nolyn Villagomez

William S. Reyes: March 20, 2019
-Five parents participated: Brenda Lynn C. Lucido, Anita Cornista, Joey Camacho, Hazel Dela Santa, Enhua Palacios.
Parent trainer, Angelina Yobech
-Nine children participated: Princess Gabriel Gariguez, Alejandra R. Camacho, Jed Cornista, Farrell Dela Santa, Heleyna Dela Santos, Giovannielyn Camacho, David Camacho, Devin Palacios, Zhiyan Palacios.
Story exploring instructor, Nakita Braganza.

Garapan Elementary School: March 18, 2019
-Eight parents participated: Roxanie Lynn Kaipat, Brenda Lynn Lucido, Jemal Mohamed Indiyas, Langxue Fen, Gita Malik, Leona Peter, Joyce Clave, Connie Alexander.
Parent trainer, Celina Foreman
-Twelve children participated: Delfina Dowai, Jackileigh Dowai, Albrent Lucido, Lexy Lang Jamal, Dominic Dowai, Menmoy Malik, Tyleray Borja, Jacob Borja, Winona Janine, Walter Josh Clave, Mark Aldan, Mariano Alexander.
Story exploring instructor, Lyzandra Barcinas.

San Vicente Elementary School: March 8, 2019
-Two parents participated: Valerie F. Santos, Jennifer C. Camacho.
Parent trainer, Debbie Canete.
-Two children participated: Aubrielle Santos, Hayden Camacho.
Story exploring class, Leoralynn S. Terlaje).

The CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Program would like to extend their appreciation to the following individuals/schools who assisted with all logistics and accommodations: Kagman Elementary School administration and their principal, Dr. Ignacia T. Demapan; Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School administration, principal Raena Camacho and vice principal Melisa Mendez; Koblerville Elementary School administration, Koblerville Elementary School principal Jeremiah Benavente and vice principal Mercedes Deleon Guerrero who was also the parent trainer for Koblerville Elementary School; William S. Reyes Elementary School principal Naomi Nishimura, vice principal Jocelyn Manibusan and the William S. Reyes administration; Garapan Elementary School administration, principal Leila Yumul, Garapan Elementary School teacher Lyzandra Barcinas who was also story exploring instructor; San Vicente Elementary School administrators, principal Paulette Sablan, Viola Deleon Guerrero, teacher Debbie Canete, parent trainer for San Vicente Elementary School.

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 Joeten-Kiyu Public Library.

Schedules for interested private schools and organizations/agencies could be arranged by contacting Beth Demapan or Cassandra Deleon Guerrero at 235-7319/783-7678/285-2279 or email: cnmimotheread@gmail.com.