GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES PSE GRADE

The results of the annual Primary School Examination are in and, unlike some years in the past, there is reason to celebrate. Mean scores were up in all four categories, with major improvement in three. Let’s shine a spotlight on the nation’s top achievers. From out of six thousand three hundred and sixty-six students who sat the exam, Shaneice Lord of Bernice Yorke School attained the highest score: three hundred eighty-eight points out of a possible four hundred. Shaneice and her classmates received the good news this morning.

FLOOD KILLS FIVE IN BELIZE

Flash floods caused by tropical storm Arthur have killed at least five people in southeastern Belize, including a toddler, the government of the tiny Central American country said.
Arthur, the first storm of the year in the Atlantic, dumped over 28cm of rain across Belize this week as it moved inland, also drenching southern Mexican states.

The body of a 2-year-old boy was found on Tuesday evening. His father had struggled for half an hour in turbulent floodwaters before the infant was washed away.

Two people from the southeastern district of Stann Creek were still missing on Wednesday.
Belize, wedged between Mexico and Guatemala with a population of just 300,000, is best known for its laid-back atmosphere, palm-fringed islands and coral reefs.

Torrential rains from Arthur – which have also left swathes of southern Mexico waterlogged – swelled rivers in Belize and wiped away two bridges in the south, severing key transport arteries for Belize's farming and fishing industries.

"This was really a kind of freak occurrence that with the best will in the world, and all the resources in the world, we could not have anticipated," Prime Minister Dean Barrow, who became Belize's first black leader on taking office in February, said this week.

Authorities estimated that 13,000 people across the country were affected by Arthur.

SE SALVO PORQUE SABIA NADAR!

Parents should make sure children can swim like Riley!!!

This young lad of three survived the flooding because he was able to swim.

It is fortunate for three years old, Riley Rubio that his mother had taught him to swim from a very young age because when the flooding started he was being transported by dory ( a dugged out canoe) when his ability came into play.

The canoe capsized and when he was found later, Riley was on land.

Riley Rubio is from Mullins River. This commuinity suffered greatly from the flood that came when Tropical Depression Arthur caused four days of countinuous rain on Belize.

AS BELIZEAN AS RICE AND BEANS

A COUNTRY IS AS RICH AS ITS PEOPLE ALLOWS IT TO BE.
BRENDA A. YSAGUIRRE

When we think of Belize we think of the cayes, our mayan monuments and our cultural dances and youth. but there is more to Belize than meets the eyes. We are a people who are strong and proud and free. An outside to this beautiful jewel may think we are not smart enough but that it thier opinion because the educationl system in Belize is stronger and more rigid than that of the good old USA. Belizean excel in schools all over the USA but often times when students come from th USA they can't meet the requirements in our high schools.

So while we eat our plates of rice and bean, stewed chicken and potato salad let us smile with pride for WE ARE BELIZEANS AND WE ARE FREE.

ALL EYES ON THE HURRICANE SEASON

I recieved a e-mail from a friend and she was welcoming me to the hurricane season. I had to laugh because we both have to share the hardships of hurricanes. She lives in Florida and every year they too have to worry and some times more than we, Belizeans do, about hurricanes. I know I should not be laughing as it is not funny but the bottom dollar is, we get nervous when we hear the word hurricane mentioned. I don't like them at all and since the last one I have yet to finish repairing my house and now with the rising cost of things in Belize and the world at large, I doubt very much if I can afford a hurricane. I am all for packing up and giving in so this could be the beginning of a change for me. But not very one can just pack up and leave so we have to think positively and prepare for these darn storms!

So with the hurricane season officially here I guess it is time to look at what we have and reassess our priorities.

What Is A Tropical Depression, Tropical Storm Or A Hurricane:
Tropical Depression

A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained wind speed is 38 mph or less ( less than 33 kt or 17 m/s). Depressions have a closed circulation.
Tropical StormA tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained wind speed ranges from 39 mph (34 kt or 18 m/s) to 73 mph (63 kt or 33 m/s). The convection in tropical storms is usually more concentrated near the center with outer rainfall organizing into distinct bands.

Hurricane

When winds in a tropical cyclone equal or exceed 74 mph (64 kt or 34 m/s) it is called a hurricane. Hurricanes are further designated by categories on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Hurricanes in categories 3, 4, 5 are known as Major Hurricanes or Intense Hurricanes.

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale:
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is a 1-5 rating based on the hurricane's present intensity. This is used to give an estimate of the potential property damage and flooding expected along the coast from a hurricane landfall. Wind speed is the determining factor in the scale, as storm surge values are highly dependent on the slope of the continental shelf in the landfall region. Note that all winds are using the U.S. 1-minute average.

Category One Hurricane:

Winds 74-95 mph (64-82 kt or 119-153 km/hr). Barometric Pressure Above 980 mb (Above 28.94 in) Storm surge generally 4-5 ft above normal. No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Some damage to poorly constructed signs. Also, some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage.

Category Two Hurricane:

Winds 96-110 mph (83-95 kt or 154-177 km/hr). Barometric Pressure 965-980 mb (28.50-28.94 in) Storm surge generally 6-8 feet above normal. Some roofing material, door, and window damage of buildings. Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees with some trees blown down. Considerable damage to mobile homes, poorly constructed signs, and piers. Coastal and low-lying escape routes flood 2-4 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Small craft in unprotected anchorages break moorings.

Category Three Hurricane:

Winds 111-130 mph (96-113 kt or 178-209 km/hr). Barometric Pressure 945-965 mb (27.91-28.50 in) Storm surge generally 9-12 ft above normal. Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtainwall failures. Damage to shrubbery and trees with foliage blown off trees and large trees blown down. Mobile homes and poorly constructed signs are destroyed. Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by battering from floating debris. Terrain continuously lower than 5 ft above mean sea level may be flooded inland 8 miles (13 km) or more. Evacuation of low-lying residences with several blocks of the shoreline may be required.

Category Four Hurricane:

Winds 131-155 mph (114-135 kt or 210-249 km/hr). Barometric Pressure 920-945 mb (27.17-27.91 in) Storm surge generally 13-18 ft above normal. More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failures on small residences. Shrubs, trees, and all signs are blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Extensive damage to doors and windows. Low-lying escape routes may be cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane. Major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore. Terrain lower than 10 ft above sea level may be flooded requiring massive evacuation of residential areas as far inland as 6 miles (10 km).

Category Five:

Winds greater than 155 mph (greater than 135 kt or 249 km/hr). Barometric Pressure Below 920 mb (Below 27.17 in) Storm surge generally greater than 18 ft above normal. Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. All shrubs, trees, and signs blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Severe and extensive window and door damage. Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane. Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 ft above sea level and within 500 yards of the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5-10 miles (8-16 km) of the shoreline may be required.

HURRICANE STATISTICS FOR BELIZE
( H for hit, T for light touch.)
1945 - 2 un-named
1950 - 1953 None
1954 - Gilda (T)
1955 - 1959 none
1960 - Abby (TS)
1961 - Anna (H), Hattie (H)
1962 - 1968 none
1969 - Francelia (H) Barely touching the southern tip of Belize
1970 - none
1971 - Chloe (T), Edith (H), Laura (T)
1972 - 1973 None
1974 - Fifi (H), Carmen (H) Barely touching the northern Tip of Belize
1975 - 1976 None
1977 - Freida (T)
1978 - Greta (H)
1979 None
1980 - Hermine (T)
1981 - 1992 None
1993 - Gert (T)
1994 - 1999 None
2000 - Keith (H)
2001 - Iris (H), Chantal (T) Barely touching the northern tip of Belize
2005 - Emily (T), Wilma (T)

Hurricanes with direct impact since 1951

1961 = 2
1971 = 1
1974 = 1
1978 = 1
2000 = 1
2001 = 1

HON. MINISTER MICHAEL FABER VISITS CCC

The success of a people is in its YOUTH. Brenda A. Ysaguirre

After waiting for over two hours for Min. Maichael Faber to arrive at CCC last Friday, the students and teachers finally got the long awaited event and the following photos were taken to show that CCC knows how to welcome a distinguished guest. In the audience were also the Chairlady of the Board of Governors at CCC, Mrs. Elda Alonzo; Mr. Jose Mai, Dean of CJC Day Division; Mr. Miguel Montero, Assistant Dean of CJC Day Division; and Ms. Brenda A. Ysaguirre, Director of CCC Adult and Continuing Division.

Hats off to the dancers and the Marching Band for excellent performances and to Dalila's group for their poem. You all did a spendid job and Corozal is proud of you all!
WE ARE CCC AND WE STRIVE IN PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE!
Brenda A. Ysaguirre



CCC Dancers on Day of Minister Of Education, Hon. Michael Faber's Visit Vice President of Student Council, Miss Aguilar
Teacher Dalila Tillett's Group with the poem, Little Fairies


Master of Ceremony and Vice Principal Mr. Guadalupe Cima

Hon. Michael Faber, Minister of Education addressin students and teachers


CCC Dancers perform under the guidance of Mrs. Ugarte

Music Teacher Mr. Pitts and the CCC Marching Band

NO HAY ARROZ

Rice Scarce as Farmers Hold out for Higher Prices
A trip to many of Belize City’s most popular supermarkets has confirmed what shoppers have been saying for several days. No rice no deh. The problem apparently lies in that by now familiar phenomenon of skyrocketing prices for diesel fuel and other agricultural inputs. The mechanised farmers of Blue Creek say they approached government three weeks ago, saying that in addition to higher fuel prices, the cost of fertilizer has more than doubled, along with other agro-chemicals. They are seeking a new price for producers, said to be in the vicinity of one-fifteen per pound. According to Chief Agricultural Officer Eugene Waight, the problem is not production, as the ministry estimates there is enough paddy to supply the nation well into the next crop in September. It appears, however, that Blue Creek growers, who market under the Circle R label, are reluctant to sell at present prices which they say are below their costs of production. They are awaiting a decision from Belmopan … which may come as early as Tuesday’s Cabinet session. Until then Belizeans may have to get by with potatoes, ground food and tortillas. When rice does come back on the market the suggested retail price may hit a dollar thirty—still lower than the prevailing rates in Mexico and Guatemala.And if the price of rice is not enough to get you down, try the new fuel prices which will take effect at midnight tonight. Premium is up twenty-three cents to ten-eighty-two, regular has risen the same amount to ten-sixty-eight, diesel is up a whopping ninety-four cents coming in at ten-fifty-five and kerosene has come to rest seventy-eight cents higher at ten dollars and fifty cents per gallon.