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April 9, 2005 Media Release: PR0405-05 |
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Northern Schools Coalition Host F.A.S.T. Workshop |
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(Hagåtña, Guam) Families, educators, support staff and students got together this morning with school officials from several campuses in Dededo and Yigo. Five northern schools to include Simon Sanchez High, F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle, D.L. Perez Elementary, Finegayan Elementary, and UPI Elementary hosted today’s workshop held at the Simon Sanchez (SSHS) campus. The Families And Students Together (FAST) Workshop is a continuation of a program started in 1996 when military, civic, and northern school leaders collaborated to address certain family and school issues. Sessions are designed to assist parents with ways to help their children succeed, such as developing rituals at the home. Suggestions were offered on how parents can help each other through networking, on strategies in student monitoring, and making effective decisions. Workshop Coordinator, SSHS Principal Lou San Nicolas said it important to make these workshops available to parents and the community. “This year we were very fortunate to receive a grant of about $4,000 to help pay for materials. A lot of this is volunteer work because we are committed to the mission of the department.” San Nicolas said. A total of 12 different sessions were presented with the four main modules being the focus of the work shop. D.L. Perez Elementary Thelma Maquera said these sessions give parents the opportunity to seek out what is available to them when it comes to dealing with parent-student-school issues. “Some of these parents may be embarrassed asking questions or asking for help with their students. We are here for them. We always encourage parents to participate in the education of their children.” Maquera said. Several highlights include remarks from the Chairman of the Guam Educational Policy Board, Dr. Jose Cruz, D.O.E. Superintendent Juan Flores, and the keynote address by First Lady of Guam, Mrs. Joanne Camacho. Students also provided entertainment with cultural dances and musical performances. For more information contact FAST Workshop Coordinator, Principal Lou San Nicolas at 653-2313 or the Principals of Upi, Finegayan, DL Perez, and FBLG Middle School. |