DoDDS Pacific Advisory Council meeting planned. From March 25-26, 2004, the DoDDS Pacific Area Advisory Council is scheduled to meet in Tokyo, Japan. Topics to be addressed include the Department of Defense Education Activity's (DoDEA) High School, Special Education, and Voter Assistance Initiatives; the DoDDS Pacific Literacy Project; staffing; substitute usage; and school accreditation visitations. The Council is comprised of Pacific military command representatives, parents, students, civic organization leaders, educators, administrators, and members of the Pacific Director's Office.

Symposium to showcase original research in science, math and engineering. The Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) took place March 21-25 in Tsukuba City, Japan. Approximately 135 DoDDS students, grades 8 through 12, participated in the event this year. The JSHS consists of four components including student research presentations, scientists' presentations, study trips to research facilities, and cultural exchanges with students from the local area. The first place finalist will receive a $4000 undergraduate tuition scholarship and an expense-paid trip to the United States to participate in activities at the national level. The JSHS has been in existence in the Pacific for 23 years. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

New technology challenges and engages teachers and students. On March 22-26 and March 29-April 2, DoDDS Pacific is hosting two Elementary School Far East Technology Conferences (FETC). Entitled "Infusing Technology in a Standards-based Curriculum," skill building is the focus of the conference. Through the use of new software programs that are cross curricular, participants will create multi-disciplinary projects that include standards from science and mathematics. The new software tools are part of a DoDDS Pacific package that is currently available to teachers and students grades K-12. These conferences conclude this year's technology training, which has also been conducted for educational technologists and secondary educators.

Sasebo administrator selected as Principal of the Year. Ms. Linda Connelly, Principal, E. J. King High School, U.S. Fleet Activities, Sasebo, Japan, was recently notified of her state-level selection as the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Principal of the Year for DoDEA. The award program annually recognizes outstanding secondary school leaders who have succeeded in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students. They are acknowledged by their peers for their exemplary contributions to the profession in such areas as leadership, community service, the ability to resolve complex problems, and to develop self and others. Sponsored by NASSP and MetLife, all state Principals of the Year will be honored at a three-day Principals' Institute in Washington, D. C.

Student and staff creative works selected for annual publication. During the week of March 15-19, the DoDDS Pacific Art and Literary Editorial Panels reviewed 2,349 submissions of creative works by students and staff in DoD Pacific schools. Categories judged included art, photography, music, and literature. Selected works will be published in SUN30, an annual journal of self-expression, and recognition will be given during the spring school awards assemblies.

Annual systemwide, standardized tests administered to students grades 3-11.   During March 15-19, 2004, DoDDS Pacific students took the CTB TerraNova . The Pacific is in the forefront of school systems giving national and standardized systemwide assessments. The TerraNova tests Reading, Language, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Last year's test results showed that in some grades and subject areas DoDDS Pacific students had already met the high student achievement goals established by DoDEA's Community Strategic Plan.

Schools celebrate excellence in science, mathematics, and technology.   In March, schools across the Pacific participated in the celebration of Excellence in Science, Technology, and Math Education (ESTME) Week. The goal of the celebration is to engage the public in recognizing the need for better mathematics and science education for every child; initiate a campaign to recruit, prepare, train, and retain teachers with strong backgrounds in mathematics and science; and to develop a research base to improve understanding of concepts and activities that boost student learning in mathematics and science. At Lester Middle School, Camp Lester, Okinawa, Japan, Lester Naval Hospital laboratory staff conducted a blood typing activity with science students. Mathematics was employed to graph and analyze the data.