Saint Paul Christian School IRA Participants Receive Awards

Congratulations to the Saint Paul Christian School North Participants!















Pictured above from left to right: Lelean Sigrah, Buffi Burk, Gloriosa Feleciano, Alice Abueg, Janet Armour-Robinson, Julie Wilter, Lalanea Taitano and Connie Tilden. Not pictured is Pat Flores.

IRA Read-A-Thon 2009 A Success!

By: Grace Griffin

First of all, I’d like to thank all of you who made this year’s Read-A-Thon successful. We indeed fed the need to read! Here below is a breakdown of how much money we were able to raise this year. Given the uncertain economic times and all other competing fundraisers, we have done well.

As for the winners, I am proud to officially announce who they are. Our Top Teacher Island-wide (Elementary Division) is Frank Pangelinan from Saint Francis Catholic School with a per capita of $15.26; (Secondary Division) goes to Nekola Fitzgerald from Notre Dame with a per capita of $11.02; our Overall goes to Rosemarie Quitugua of Agana Heights who brought in $5,563.52 in on-time money, and our Top Day Care Island-wide goes to Chona Domingo from Montessori with a per capita of $61.25.

Honorable mention goes to Anita Quitugua from B.P. Carbullido with the highest per capita of $11.25 (including late money) and the highest reading hours recorded this year (1,245). Carmen Bermudes from Oceanview has the highest per capita for the public middle schools with $ 4.88. Christine Borja, a first-year representative from JFK, has the highest per capita for public high school with $3.99. Finally, Annie Perez from San Vicente, garnered the highest per capita (on-time and overall) reaching an astounding $30.57!

The following members will head to Minneapolis for this year’s 54^th IRA Annual Convention. They are: Frank Pangelinan from Saint Francis Catholic School (Top Representative –Elementary PER CAPITA); Nekola Fitzgerald from Notre Dame (Top Representative-Secondary PER CAPITA); Rosemarie Quitugua from Agana Heights Elementary (Top Representative Overall); and Margaret Asuncion from Price Elementary School (Random Drawing Winner).

Don’t forget these important dates: April 18^th, Saturday, from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. TEACHERS & Representatives come and SPEND IT ALL! SPEND IT NOW! at the GWHS Cafeteria and April 25^th, Saturday, our representatives’ luncheon at the World Café from 11:30 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Confirmation by April 20^th is required. I can be reached at 686-8666.

Best,

Grace

IRA Brings Children's Authors/Illustrators to Guam!

Shoo Rayner Comes to Guam!

Guam IRA also brought children's author and illustrator, Shoo Rayner, to Guam. He presented at various Guam schools, and made a special literacy presentation on March 28, 2009 at the Agana Public Library's Story Hour.

For more information on Shoo Rayner, visit his website at http://www.shoorayner.com/







Todd Strasser Comes to Guam!

Guam IRA was fortunate to bring Todd Strasser to Guam for the January 2009 meeting. Strasser is the author of Help! I'm Trapped in My Teacher's Body. He also visited 14 middle and high schools.














Pictured above: Strasser conducts the YA Cafe Writers' Workshop Show, Don't Tell held at Price Elementary School's Cafeteria.



Dianne de las Casas Comes to Guam!














Pictured above: Dianne de las Casas, storyteller extraordinaire and artist of the Jump, Jiggle & Jam CD, is greeted at the WonPat International Airport on arrival by Tina Buendicho, Cyndy Pruski, and Evelyn Topasna in March 2008. For more information, visit her website at www.storyconnection.net



Robert Pottle Comes to Guam!














Pictured above: Robert Pottle, poet of I'm Allergic to School gives his reminders to writers -- Beware of Gulls, in January 2008. In other words, don't let others poop on your ideas. For more information, you can visit his website at www.robertpottle.com




Ralph Masiello Comes to Guam!














Pictured above: Ralph Masiello, the illustrator of Jerry Pallotta Alphabet & Stephanie Faucher books, and creator of his own "How to Draw" series, shared his drawing skills with Guam IRA members and school students in January 2007. He brought Stephanie with him to Guam. They had a little honeymoon after he finished with the school visits. Amy R. Lizama was the IRA President.

IRA Presents Certificates of Appreciation during Kick-off for Read-A-Thon

Pictured above: The International Reading Association, Guam Council awarded its sponsors with certificates of appreciation during the February Kick-off for Read-A-Thon 2009. From left, Elizabeth Hamilton, president of the Guam IRA, and Grace Griffin, president-elect, who presented certificates to Tom Maxedon, MCV; Jackie Marati, Bank of Guam; and Grace Garces, Continental Airlines.

IRA Co-Sponsors Annual Regional Language Arts Conference

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Pictured L-R: International Reading Association officers Elizabeth Hamilton, Sandy Liberty and Tina Buendicho; Dr. Catherine Stoicovy and Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, Language Arts Conference (LAC) Chairs. Not pictured is Dr. Clarisa Quan, LAC Chair.


The 20th Annual Regional Language Arts Conference was held last November 16 and 17, 2007 at the University of Guam and the Guam Marriott Resort and Spa. Its theme was “Enhancing Teacher Quality and Literacy in Multiple Ways.” The keynote speaker was Dr. Robert Underwood. The plenary speakers were Dr. John Sanchez and Dr. Chris Schreiner. The LAC was co-sponsored by the International Reading Association, Guam Council.

IRA Project: Advocacy of Literacy Issues

The Guam Council sponsors authors, illustrators, and renowned speakers to the island. These individuals are keynote speakers at our monthly meetings, schools, and public library. They also make a public service announcement at our local television station, KGTF – Channel 12. the entire island was privileged to have David Biedrzycki and Neal Shusterman make important educational announcements. Their announcements focused on the importance of reading as well as illustrating and are broadcasted perpetually on the local television station. The authors were also guests on the radio show K-57 “Chalk Talk,” which had a segment on education. Mr. Biedrzycki and Mr. Shusterman shared their passion of writing and the importance of imagination. Additionally, Mr. Shusterman was a special guest on the local news- KUAM. This is another avenue the Guam Council uses to advocate the importance of reading (videotape and cassette tape enclosed).

The broadcasting of the public service announcement perpetually, the community (especially students) is reminded of the authors, illustrators, or guest speakers’ message of the importance of reading. These individuals are envisioned by our students as celebrities, thus reading role models are created and literacy is promoted.





Author- Neal Shusterman live on K-57
in January 2006














Author/Illustrator- David Biedrzycki
Live on K-57 in October 2005











Filming a Public Service Announcement with Author Neal Shusterman on KGTF- Guam’s Local Public Television.












Filming a Public Service Announcement with David Biedrzycki
on KGTF- Guam’s Local Public Television.

Y.A. Café Literacy Project Promotes Young Adult Literature

In the Y.A. Café, parents and teens are highly motivated in blending food, discussions, and literature. The dedication of IRA's Board Members allow the Y.A. Café to continue to be unique and ideal way to share young adult literature.

The Y.A. Café is similar to a three-course meal and the Guam Council board members are the wait staff ready to serve the meals and facilitate the book discussion. The courses are closely related to the book and theme. The first course is usually an appetizer, fresh fruit, bread, or soup. These are served along with the quote of the day, riddle, or rhyme. The main course, tuna sandwich, chicken, or beef, is served with a discussion on the selected young adult literature. Once the entrée is consumed, it’s onto the best course, the dessert which was a coconut pie, cake, or tart. It is during this course that the group decides on the next book to read and suggestions are written down by participants.

The increase in participants and book sales is evident that the Y.A. Café continues to be a very successful reading project in the community. Sam Choy’s Restaurant has decided to continue to assist by providing the facility and the three-course meals. Students have discussed pictures of Hollis Woods, So Far from the Bamboo Grove, Downsiders, Loser, and Everest. It is very exciting to be a part of this event, as it encourages young adults to be comfortable and enthusiastic in discussing the book’s theme, issues, and relevance to life. It is in the best interest of the Guam Council to continue to promote young adults to enjoy reading.

IRA Project: Newspaper in Education

The Guam Council purchased newspapers, which was delivered for sixteen weeks, went to two public schools. Juan M. Guerrero Elementary School and Simon Sanchez High School were awarded the newspapers because of their reading efforts in the council’s Read-A-Thon 2005: “Paws for Reading” literacy project. Both schools had the highest read-hours in their division.

Along with the newspapers, the curricula booklets assist and guide teachers in using the newspapers as an educational tool. The newspaper becomes a current resource and enhances learning.






Presenting Juan M. Elementary School teachers
with newspapers for their school.









Presenting Juan M. Elementary School teachers
with newspapers for their school.

The Guam Council – IRA Sponsors an Island-wide Read-A-Thon

Thousands of children from pre-school through high school are invited to participate in this week long event. Students who participate pledge to read and/or be read to for three hours (2nd grade and younger) and six hours (3rd to 12th grade) during this week. Parents, teachers, and other adults initial the number of hours read by each child on the pledge card provided by the local council.

Guam IRA Author Visit