Immaculee Ilibagiza Shares Her Story

The Chaminade University Community is cordially invited to attend the January 14, 2007 presentation by: IMMACULEE ILIBAGIZA … COME AND HEAR HER SHARE HER REMARKABLE STORY

Immaculée Ilibagiza was born in Rwanda and studied Electronic and Mechanical Engineering at the National University of Rwanda. Her life transformed dramatically in 1994 during the Rwanda genocide when she and seven other women huddled silently together in a cramped bathroom of a local pastor's house for 91 days! During this horrific ordeal, Immaculée lost most of her family, but she survived to share the story and her miraculous transition into forgiveness and a profound relationship with God. She shares her inspirational life story in a new book "Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust" (Hay House, 2006), with all proceeds benefiting her Left to Tell Charitable Fund which helps not only orphaned children in Rwanda, but all children of Africa to build better lives.

January 13, 2008 (Sunday) at Saint Anthony Church (Maui) from 7:00—8:30 p.m.

January 14, 2008 (Monday) and January 15, 2008 (Tuesday) at the Blaisdell Concert Hall from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

January 17, 2008 (Thursday) at the Red Mass at Our Lady of Peace Cathedral 9:00—10:30 a.m.

This presentation will also feature special guests, Na Leo Pilimihana! On the 15th (Tuesday) a sign interpreter will be provided. General seating, but come early to get a good spot. All events are free of charge and open to the public but a free will offering will be taken. Seating is limited so plan to arrive early. Call (808) 203-6733 for more information or log onto http://www.catholichawaii.com or http://www.hawaiifamilyforum.org

There will be a reserved section for Chaminade University at the January 14th event. Please RSVP to the Humanities Office (x827) so we can plan the seating.

L. Robert Allen Montessori Center Earns National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Accreditation

L. Robert Allen Montessori Center is one of the first early childhood programs to earn accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) – the nation’s leading organization of early childhood professionals.

“L. Robert Allen Montessori Center is committed to providing our children and community with quality education for the whole child in a Montessori setting,” said Francesca DeMattos, Director of the L. Robert Allen Montessori Center. “As a laboratory school of Chaminade University, we continue to strive in educational excellence. NAEYC Accreditation lets families in our community know that children in our program are getting the best care and early learning experiences possible.”

The NAEYC Accreditation system was created in 1986 to set professional standards for early childhood education, and to help families identify high-quality preschools, child care centers and other early education programs. As of September 2006, the Association’s revised program standards and criteria have introduced a new level of quality, accountability, and service for parents and children in child care programs, reflecting the latest research and best practices in early childhood education and development.

To earn NAEYC Accreditation in the new system, L. Robert Allen Montessori Center went through an extensive self-study process, measuring the program and its services against the ten new NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards and more than 400 related Accreditation Criteria. The program received NAEYC Accreditation after an on-site visit by NAEYC Assessors to ensure that the program meets each of the ten NAEYC program standards. NAEYC-accredited programs are also subject to unannounced visits during their accreditation, which lasts for five years. “The new NAEYC Accreditation system raises the bar for preschools, child care centers and other early childhood programs,” said Mark Ginsberg, Ph.D., executive director of NAEYC. “L. Robert Allen Montessori Center’s NAEYC Accreditation is a sign that they are a leader in a national effort to invest in high-quality early childhood education, and to help give all children a better start.”

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Funds Chaminade University's Pproject to Help Native Hawaiian Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) announced that its Board of Trustees has approved an award of $98,810 to Chaminade University to support the identification and treatment of Native Hawaiian children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). “Chaminade University is grateful for the opportunity to be involved with this exceptional community project,” said Dr. Thomas Wesselkamper, Chaminade Director of Sponsored Research. “This project is in alignment with the University’s drive to be a contributing partner in the improvement of pre-baccalaureate education in Hawai’i and with its commitment as a Native-Hawaiian serving institution.”

The project, spearheaded by Chaminade professor of psychology Dr. Tracy Trevorrow, will reach Native Hawaiian children, their families and teachers on Moloka’i and O’ahu. In-services presenting the latest findings regarding ADHD will be provided and surveys and screenings for the disorder will be conducted. In addition, students identified as having ADHD may participate in an alternative (non-drug) treatment to improve ADHD symptoms.

The alternative treatment involves electroencephalographic (EEG) biofeedback training. Taught to influence their own brain wave activity, students can increase their ability to attend and concentrate. “EEG biofeedback training has been found to be as effective as stimulant medication, and appears to result in permanent gains” said Dr. Trevorrow.

According to 2001 findings by Hawai’i’s Department of Education and Department of Health, more than 10,000 children are classified as having ADHD each year, and one out of every four of these children is of Hawaiian or Part-Hawaiian ancestry. Secondary symptoms to ADHD are often debilitating and include learning disorders, anxiety, depression and other mood and conduct disorders, which can contribute to academic performance difficulties.

Federally recognized as a Title III, Native Hawaiian-serving institution, Chaminade has designated the distinguished John K. Lake as its Kumu-in-Residence, has a Native Hawaiian Advisory Board and programs such as Na Ala Hele for students. Fifteen percent of Chaminade’s day undergraduate students are of Native Hawaiian decent.