ECE AND SPED TEACHERS COMPLETE ORIENTATION

Over 100 teachers from the Early Childhood Education (ECE) program and Special Education (SPED) attended orientation sessions and workshops last week at the ECE main office in Fagatogo, in preparation for the new school year.

While all local public schools are set to start instruction today for SY 2014-2015, ECE students and those in the Manu’a Islands will begin classes next Monday, Sept. 8

Orientation for those involved in the ECE program on the east side will be held today, while those from the central area will have orientation tomorrow. West side SPED and ECE teachers are scheduled for orientation on Thursday, Sept. 4.

Last week’s orientation focused on what is expected of the teachers, as far as adhering to federal regulations for the ECE and SPED programs, as well as local guidelines set by ASG and the local Dept. of Education.

Teachers were also informed about getting licensed, certified, and taking the PRAXIS test.

Altogether, as of last Friday, a total of 1,332 students were already registered for the ECE program and the number is enough to meet the requirement for funded enrollment under the program.

In Tutuila, Aunu’u and the Manu’a Islands, there are 23 ECE centers and 43 classrooms that serve the territory’s youngest students.

PROJECT LAUOLAOLA OPENS AT HOPE HOUSE

The American Samoa Community Cancer Coalition, in partnership with the Dept. of Agriculture and Hope House at Fatuoaiga, have announced the opening of their newest community outreach project: Lauolaola.

In her remarks, Rochelle Reid of the ASCCC said the primary mission of their organization is to fight cancer locally and attack the risk factors (hypertension, diabetes and obesity) that increase the likelihood of developing cancer.

The goal of the project is to expand outreach efforts to ‘community health’ and getting the kids involved, by letting them plant fruits and vegetables and educating them on the benefits of eating healthy because ‘a healthy Samoa can eliminate cancer’.

Project Lauolaola encourages kids to garden and teaches them that hard work and commitment are very important.

Mrs. Pohakalani Mauga said the project aims to get kids excited about eating what they grow.

ASBDC COMPETITION IN FULL SWING

In its third show since opening night, American Samoa’s Best Dance Crew (ASBDC) competition is getting better, with new acts signing on— and showing off their skills.

Last week, a handful of new groups took center stage at the Fale Laumei in Utulei and with their participation, things are getting pretty heated. In the words of one of the judges, “Now we have a competition”.

Things weren’t exactly popping during opening night, with the judges commenting on the poor preparation by some of the acts and the need to ‘tighten’ up some of the routines.

It was Flower Power — a new entry that night — that stole the second show a week later but the acts that followed during last week’s third show have proven that they have what it takes to walk away with the title and the grand prize of $2,000 provided by ASBDC’s major sponsor — McDonald’s American Samoa.

The ASBDC competition, which is grounded in hip hop, will be ongoing for the next five weeks and can be viewed live on KVZK-TV Channel 2 every Thursday at 7 p.m. or at the Governor H. Rex Lee Auditorium, where admission is free.

The ASBDC competition is hosted by the Dept. of Youth and Women’s Affairs.

LOCALS TAKE PART IN PESTICIDE TRAINING

Employees from the American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency (AS-EPA) were joined by representatives from the Dept. of Health, the ASCC Community and Natural Resources (CNR) Division, the Dept. of Agriculture, and the Customs Division of Treasury last week for a special training and workshop held at the DOA conference room, regarding the use of pesticides.

An official from the USEPA’s San Francisco office was present to provide technical assistance for the training program which focused on the regulations regarding pesticides  and how to use them properly.

Pesticides are toxic — some more than others — and when not used correctly, they can get into the soil, air, water, and via these sources, into our food.

The training program stressed the importance of using pesticides the right way and ensuring that only pesticides that have been approved by the USEPA can be used in the territory.