November is Education Month; top educators to be honored

The CNMI State Board of Education has proclaimed November as the Commonwealth’s Public School System’s Education Month and has lined up a series of educational activities that will recognize the support and achievement of stakeholders that have contributed to the success of the school system.

The proclamation was made during the board’s special meeting yesterday when it also endorsed Nov. 23 as CNMI Education Day. This year’s theme is “Education: Shaping our life, our world, and our future.”

PSS traditionally recognizes all outstanding employees at this time, including the teachers of the year, teacher aides of the year, support staffers of the year, best school administrators, counselors, and outstanding administrative staffers.

The overall winners for each category will be named on Education Day itself, with the teacher of the year awardee representing the Commonwealth for the title at the national level.

According to this year’s Education Day committee chairperson, Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School principal Charlotte Camacho, a lineup of activities for the monthlong festivities is being prepared in individual schools as they honor their education awardees.

Yesterday, 2011 CNMI Teacher of the Year Raena Bermudes helped Education Commissioner Rita A. Sablan and board members hand out certificates of recognition to the winners of this year’s Education Day theme contest: Oleai Elementary’s Jerlyn Singeo, first place; William S. Reyes Elementary’s Dayna N. Cabrera, second place; and GTC’s Autumn Camacho, third place.

Board chair Marylou Ada said the occasion will provide an opportunity for PSS to increase public awareness of the role of education on the islands, the Pacific region, and the world; and to promote closer cooperation and stronger relationship between educators and the community.

She said PSS believes that the cornerstone of intellectual and character development for children is founded on the teaching of basic academic skills and character building skills.

PSS, she added, believes in the implementation of programs that foster enthusiasm for learning and develop diverse cultural awareness, knowledge, and understanding appropriate to the Commonwealth’s heritage and traditions as well as other people and their culture.

ARRA team recognized

Sablan and the board also recognized yesterday several groups and departments that contributed to the overall success of projects funded by the 2009 State Fiscal Stabilization Fund that totaled $32.4 million.

Awarded certificates of appreciation were the Human Resource Office headed by Charlie Kenty; the Technology Department headed by Joseph Torres; Federal Programs Office led by Tim Thornburgh; Procurement and Supply Office headed by Robert Florian; Fiscal and Budget Department led by Richard Waldo; Capital Improvement Project Office led by Rachel Fusco; and individual recognitions for PSS financial consultant Ed Tenorio and federal monitoring officer George Palican.

Sablan said that PSS has been very successful in meeting all project deadlines through the collaboration of these various departments.