Career & Education

Michigan, USA – “I hope the State Department is prepared to defend its position with hard facts.  We are tired of hallow promises.  Chaldeans have not seen any serious action from the U.S. about protecting the rights of minority in Iraq or helping the hundreds of thousands of refugees scattered across the world,” says Anthony Aboud of Sterling Heights, Michigan.  “I pray every Chaldean concerned about what is happening in Iraq and what is happening to Chaldean refugees around the world joins me on June first.”

On Tuesday, June 1, 2010, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Michael Corbin, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Special Coordinator for Iraq's Minority Communities will be speaking at the American Polish Cultural Center located on 2975 E. Maple Road (corner of 15 Mile & Dequindre), Troy, MI 48083.

عامة

 وزارة الخارجية الأمريكية

نائب مساعد وزيرة الخارجية

Michigan, USA - With the help of Chaldean leaders, a Michigan University adds a new home for the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).  “The committed support by the College and its patriotic effort to help the United States find the best and brightest is inspirational,” says Randy Zeer.  “I am glad they are here on my campus.  After talking to a professor friend of mine, I am thinking of joining ROTC myself.”

Wayne State's College of Engineering is host to the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program.  ROTC’s mission is to train students, build character and provide leadership experience, says Capt. Charles Caruana, assistant professor of military science, and recruiter and commander of the Wayne State unit.

Jonathan Yono joined the ROTC last January. He is a junior at Wayne State double-majoring in French and Arabic with a minor in Middle Eastern studies. He explains how his experience will be utilized later on. “Officers must have university education (at least a bachelor’s degree). What we study is up to us, but we bring different things to the Army. ROTC is designed to find people with different skills and train officers to use these skills to the benefit of the country.”

As the cost of a college education rises, Chaldean students are finding ways to foot the bill. Chaldean Students have won scholarships to pay their way through school. What's their secret?

They know where to find scholarships, when to look for them and how to write for them. There's no guarantee you'll win a scholarship, but there are ways to skew the odds in your favor.

Where's the Money: Anywhere and Everywhere

Michigan, USA – The Chaldean Education and Career Center (CE&CC) shares with the Chaldean community middle and high school teachers a wonderful opportunity.  Wayne State University is once again, hosting a Teachers Cultural Awareness Summer Workshop which focuses on Middle Eastern Culture, Arabic Language, and the Intelligence Community. 

Illinois, USA – The University of Chicago joins a handful of other colleges in their effort to create a cohabitation campus.  The college will now allow a male student to sleep in the same room with an unrelated female student.

Amy Batuo says the school has essentially become a whore house and is considering transferring.  “I am not going to pay them to help students hook-up. There is going to be so many reputations and lives ruined.  They have gone way into left field on this one.”

This is not the first time the school has sent shock waves for its stance on sexual promiscuity and promotion.  The campus Student Health and Wellness Fee, which all registered students pay, covers regular contraceptive items like condoms and lubricants.   All are available at its Student Care Center including what the center calls "Emergency contraception.” 

For thousands of years the language of Aramaic has existed, descended from Sumerian and Akkadian roots.  The language is still spoken by the Chaldean Assyrian Syriac people today, and is one of the four recognized languages in the Iraqi constitution under Syriac (Eastern dialect of Aramaic). 

The University of Detroit Mercy has recently established an Aramaic course teaching how to speak, read and write Aramaic, as well as studies pertaining to culture and history. The class starts January 17th and is taught by Mahir Awrahem, who is also a professor at Baker College. 
 
The 15-week is an introductory course  open to all college and high school students.  Prof. Awrahem is excited for the start of the program, “When I lived in Iraq, there was no such thing as learning Aramaic in schools; I am excited to be teaching the language of Christ especially at the University level.

Michigan, USA – St. Joseph Chaldean Catholic Church in Troy, Michigan continues to host an array of services for refugee assistance.  Along with English classes, school tutoring for children, and family support services the church campus will now feature special workshops geared to refugee families.  

“The love and help for us at St. Jospeh and all the churches, makes me thank God every second,” says Habiba Yousip through a translator.  “If it was not for our Church we would all be dead.”

The workshops provide informative sessions to help refugee arrivals transition to life in the United States.  Sessions include knowing your neighbor, taxes and financial planning, keeping your children safe, apartment living, senior housing, food safety, and disaster preparedness.

Michigan, USA – The Chaldean Education and Career Center urges Chaldean parents with sons to take advantage of an upcoming family workshop featuring national best selling author and internationally recognized authority on boys and men, Dr. William S. Pollack, PhD.

The event will be held on November 3, 2008 from 7 pm - 9 pm at the Oakland Schools Building, located on 2111 Pontiac Lake Road in Waterford, Michigan, 48328. 

Dr. Pollack's presentation will address the crisis of boyhood in America, specialized techniques for reconnecting with boys, new approaches to "Mothering" and "Fathering", and new models of understanding "What makes boys tick"

The event is free to those who RSVP by e-mailing info@chaldean.org. 

London, UK – Chaldean scholar, author, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Dr. Suha Rassam was named as one of the four Catholic Women of the Year at a reception in London this past week.  The founder of the charity Iraqi Christians in Need (ICIN) was honored among an assembly of some of the world’s most notable leaders and in the presence of the Papal Nuncio Archbishop Faustino Munoz.

Dr Rassam is originally from Mosul in northern Iraq. She is a medical doctor and professor of Medicine in the University of Baghdad. Arriving to England in 1990 she worked in London hospitals until her retirement when she took an MA in Eastern Christianity at the school of Oriental and African Studies in the University of London.

Dr. Rassam, author of the book 'Christianity in Iraq' set up ICIN  last year with a group of fellow Iraqis, to provide financial and spiritual support to Iraqi Christians both in Iraq and in countries such as Syria and Jordan, where many are now refugees.

Earlier this year, she visited Iraqi refugee families in Syria to assess how best ICIN could help them. In Aleppo, she met with Bishop Antoine Audo of Aleppo of the Chaldean Catholic Church and Bishop Yuhanna Ibrahim of the Syrian Orthodox Church.  Since then her impact in helping Iraqi refugee families has been remarkable. 

Chaldeans are known for their congeniality and good-nature.  What would seem on the surface to be a wonderful trait, can become a huge risk in a corporate setting.  Chaldean professionals making their way through the corporate maze are forewarned that it’s easy to let imprudent information slip out. 

There are at least nine things Chaldeans or any professional minded go-getter should always keep to themselves at work. While some of these points are obvious, anyone who’s spent any time at all in an office can vouch for the fact that this advice bears repeating, and that heeding it could avoid a whole lot of unproductive drama.

Michigan, USA - Sister Beth Murphy, the Volunteer and Community Outreach Coordinator of the Refugee Services Office in the Archdiocese of Detroit is looking for two dedicated volunteers who can assist their staff with the important task of helping Iraqi refugees adjust to life in the United States.

Chaldeans are invited to this uplifting and rewarding opportunity of sharing their gift time and talent for the benefit of the hundreds of refugees who are arriving in the Detroit Metro Area.  The Office of Refugee Services has already resettled more than 700 refugees this year, improving the quality of life for many Chaldeans.  The office anticipates another 200 refugees by the end of this year. 

The Archdiocese of Detroit is looking for fluent speakers in English and an office assistant to help with clerical work.  Both positions require less than a few hours a week. 

California, USA - Catholic Answers Live invites Chaldeans to a number of possible job opportunities with Catholic Answers, the largest Catholic apologetics and evangelization organization in North America.  Catholic Answers has reached out to www.CHALDEAN.org asking for assistance in promoting a number of fantastic positions within their organization. 

One position invites Chaldeans to consider being a radio host.  Based out of El Cajon, California Catholic Answers is seeking a radio host for their Catholic Answers Live daily radio program. 

Catholic Answers is also offering Chaldeans around the world five other job opportunities in IT and customer service. 

Parents of children who attend private schools are more satisfied with their schools than parents of children in public education settings, according to a new report from the National Center for Education Statistics, while parents whose children attend the public school of their choice are more satisfied than those whose children attend an assigned public school.

"Parent and Family Involvement in Education, 2006-2007 School Year," said that 82 percent of parents whose children attended a private, nonreligious school and 81 percent whose children attended a private religious school described themselves as "very satisfied" with their schools, compared to 55 percent of parents whose children attend an assigned public school and 63 percent of those whose children attend a public school of their choice.

Released in August, the report is based on telephone interviews with parents conducted in the first half of 2007 on a wide range of topics: school satisfaction, parental involvement in schools, school-parent communication, satisfaction with teachers, discipline and homework levels. While the specific numbers varied, more private school parents than public school parents were very satisfied with teachers, academic standards, discipline, and school/parent interaction.

Other findings:

Surrogates from both the McCain and Obama camp have approached Chaldean community leaders hoping to gain their support.  In Michigan, issue advocates like CatholicVote.com have reached out to Chaldeans with a special issue announcement.    

The Chaldean Caucus of Michigan will be hosting the first presidential debate viewing at Mother of God Church Hall in Southfield, Michigan this Friday, September 26th beginning at 7:30 p.m.  Supporters of both candidates are invited to attend.  Refreshments will be served and lively discussion will follow immediately after the debate, moderated by Chaldean Caucus regional leaders. 

Chaldean family businesses present a unique set of conflict resolution strategies at the workplace.  Conflicts at home or at the business, whether they’re interpersonal or purely business, are an unavoidable fact of the Chaldean family business life.

 But a disagreement doesn’t have to end with hardship and hurt feelings. Employing smart psychology can help younger Chaldeans handle conflict wisely with their seniors and end up with a solution that works best for everyone.

Dr. Nabil Rafou, a Chaldean social psychologist who is an expert in conflict resolution, negotiation, mediation and leadership, shares some of the tactics that work among Chaldean family businesses.  “These ten tips work particularly well given the Chaldean cultures blended history,” Dr. Rafou says.  

Maryland, USA  - Habib Habib.  Sounds like a musical, but the story of the Neumann College freshman with the duplicative name reads more like a documentary.

Habib came to the United States in 2005 as part of a youth exchange and scholarship program, living in San Diego with his aunt while attending school.  Typically, students return home after one academic year, but in Habib's case, home meant Iraq, where his Catholic family had been living in fear of extremists since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.

That fear intensified when word began to spread in Baghdad that Habib was not, as his family claimed, studying in neighboring Jordan but rather in the U.S.  "When word got out, I was forced to stay in the U.S.," said Habib, who was granted asylum in 2006. "It was too dangerous to go home. I would be dead."

Michigan, USA - The Chaldean-American Ladies of Charity (CALC) is looking for a new Director. 

Responsibilities include program development and implementation, effecting and carrying out programs for fundraising, special events, major gifts and assist in grant writing.  Good writing and computer skills needed.  This position requires close coordination and communication with CALC’s Executive Board and is the liaison between the Board and other community organizations.  To view the entire posting visit our website www.calconline.org. 

Michgian, USA - Tough economic times in Michigan have made it difficult on many Chaldean families.  Without a doubt, a large majority of Chaldeans have their own business or employ other Chaldeans.  The combination of cultural flexibility and understanding, language, and the hard-work ethic desired has brought Chaldean employees and employers together. 

Recognizing the need, the Chaldean Education & Career Center (CE&CC) has partnered with Oakland County Workforce Development Corps to provide Chaldeans a convenient, one-stop access to job training programs and services for employers and job seekers.

We have convenient centers located in highly populated Chaldean residential areas to serve your needs. 

California, USA - Chaldean delivery driver, Salim Audesh beams with pride as nearly 3,500 California educators give his son, Fadi Shaya a standing ovation. 

The Shaya Christian home outside of Baghdad was blown up when he was 6.  When most children would be learning their multiplication tables in school, Fadi was learning to fire a rifle to deter Muslims who had beaten him unconscious several times.  When not helping his father defend the family, Fadi would be making deliveries by mule in Iraq.  Consistent and repeated threats against Christians in Iraq, the Shaya family decided to leave everything behind and flee Iraq.  

Smuggled into Greece, Fadi Shaya spent the next few years later selling tissues and lottery tickets on the streets of Greece.  Eventually the family makes it to the shores of America and Shaya’s family focus coupled with American opportunity turns to extraordinary achievement. 

California, USA - California community college system expects to receive 1.7 percent increase proposed by Gov. Schwarzenegger, said Chris Yatooma. Yatooma director of fiscal planning for the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office in Sacramento. 

Community colleges get about two-thirds of their money from the state budget, and the rest from property taxes and student fees. State lawmakers have yet to pass a new budget this summer, but the The 1.7 percent increase - about $95 million - would pay for roughly 19,000 new students statewide. However, the state's 110 community colleges are expecting about 32,000 new students during the 2008-09 school year.

"I'm praying to God that the radiology technician job is available," said Lawrence Petu.  Petu started an accelerated program at West Hills College last August to become a technician - someone who helps with medical technology after being licensed by the state.

Michigan, USA - With the help a leading Chaldean educator at Wayne State University, efforts have been made to help qualified Chaldean students receive admission, garner scholarships, and transfer to Wayne State University from Oakland Community College.  Preferring to remain anonymous the Chaldean professor and lead administrator has been aggressively pursuing new options and pathways to help high school and community college students overcome barriers. 

Chaldean American Student Association (CASA) is pleased to inform Chaldean college bound students that Wayne State University and Oakland Community College (OCC) have signed an agreement making it easier for students in business, computer science and engineering at OCC to complete a bachelor's degree at Wayne State.   Chaldean students wishing to transfer to WSU will find it convenient to attend their upper-division courses on the main campus of WSU or at Wayne State's Oakland Center in Farmington Hills.

Michigan, USA - A handful of Chaldean-American Wayne State University (WSU) students were recently able to do something that not a handful of Catholic churches could do: attain approval of 24-hour Adoration sessions, something many churches overall, have not yet had.

Rasha Kashat, 20, a pre-medical student at WSU, is one of the students that made efforts to allow one 24-hour Adoration session to be held at St. Thomas Chaldean Catholic Church per week.

Kashat said that "Adoration" is a meaningful gathering of individuals at the church to encourage religious practices, as well as have a great time while committing to such practices.

Chaldeans who are bilingual or Multilingual have an advantage over the rest of us, and not just in terms of communication skills. The multilingual brain develops more densely, giving it an advantage in various abilities and skills, according to new research.

According to the 2002 U.S. Census, more than 7.5 million children between the ages of 5 and 17 (about 14 %) speak a language other than English at home and the number of bilingual speakers is expected to increase in the coming years.

Most children have the capacity and facility to learn two or more languages. Research suggests there are advantages to being bilingual, such as, linguistic and metalinguistic abilities and cognitive flexibility, such as, concept formation, divergent thinking and general reasoning and verbal abilities.

Researchers from the Department of Imaging Neuroscience and experts from the Fondazione Santa Lucia in Rome researched brain densities of bilingual people. They recruited 25 people who speak one language, 25 who learned a second European language before age 5, and 33 who became bilingual between ages 10 and 15. 

All the participants spoke English as their primary language. Those who had learned a second language later in life had practiced it regularly for at least five years.

Michigan, USA - Developing on their growing relationship the Chaldean Education and CareerCenter and the University of Phoenix, Chaldeans are offered two local career fair opportunities in Southfield, Michigan. 

Corporate developer and diversity expert Stephanie English from University of Phoenix has been working with the Chaldean Education and Career Center to develop college education and career solutions for the Chaldean community.  The University is offering Chaldeans easy registration processes, one-on-one counseling, and now hosts two career fairs exposing job opportunities in the telecommunications and information technology industry for interested Chaldeans.     

“The Chaldean community has unique needs that the University of Phoenix perfectly fits.  We offer accredited college education and corporate training directly to hard-working Chaldeans.  Our university understands that many Chaldeans have a family to care for and may be unable or unwilling to travel to distant campuses or sit in a class for three to four hour stretches in the middle of the day.  Many Chaldeans are required to work long hours to provide for their family.  Our online courses are broadcasted directly to the homes or businesses of Chaldeans with ease and simplicity,” says English.

Michgian, USA - The Chaldean Federation of America (CFA) with supporting coordination from the Chaldean American Student Association (CASA) will be hosting the 26th Annual Chaldean Commencement and Gala Party.  The Chaldean Commencement celebrates the 2007-2008 Chaldean high school and college graduates.  The event showcases the community’s top student scholars and helps raise tens of thousands of dollars in scholarship money for Chaldean students. 

The event will be held Thursday, June 12th starting at 4:00 p.m. at the Southfield Millennium Center, located on 15600 J. L. Hudson Drive in Southfield, MI. 48075.

Michigan, USA - Ask most southeast Michigan residents about Chaldeans and you’re likely to hear that Chaldeans are well known for their creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, intelligence, hard-work ethics, competitive drive, and success.   The influential group of Iraqi immigrants seems to have a special knack of turning lemons into lemonade. 

“We learned from our parents and grandparents to rely on ourselves and to reject being dependant.  Our community struggle taught us not to rely on the government.  Doing so will enslave you and make you weak.  We were taught to work together as a family, help one another, and that each and every Chaldean, no matter where they work or how old they are, must make a difference,” says Renee Hindo of the Chaldean Education and Career Center in Southfield, Michigan.   

Can such a spirit survive in corporations where thinking outside-the-box is reserved only for executives?  Can the Chaldean entrepreneurship gene survive in professional and corporate environment?

Theresa Sitto, an English Language Learners and Reading Recovery teacher at Pleasant Lake Elementary in Walled Lake, Michigan seems to think so.  The 20 year teaching veteran shows that no matter what type of work or profession you do, you can make a difference.

Michigan, USA – Chaldean Education and Career Center (CECC) and the Southfield Public Library hosts a Chaldean community workshop series on computers.  The five week session invites Chaldean adults every Saturday morning from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., beginning March 29 to learn computer fundamentals. 

The five week course is free of charge to all registered guests, thanks to the donation of a Chaldean philanthropist and the Southfield public Library.  The course will cover computer basics, introduction to office applications, internet surfing, internet applications, and internet safety. 

The course will be taught in English, Aramaic/Syriac (Sourath), and Arabic.  Guests are required to register by calling (248) 356-0565.  The event is available to the first 30 respondents.  

Michigan, USA - The Chaldean Education and Career Center, Chaldean American Student Association of Michigan, and Chaldean American Professionals share with the community four very important instructional family based seminars on children with special needs.  The events are free and will be held throughout Oakland and Wayne County.

Chaldean parents and health professionals which include teachers, counselors, social workers, nurses, psychologist, ministers, and community family aid providers as well as Chaldean college students studying in these fields are strongly encouraged to register and attend.  The events offers state accredited certificates and an opportunity to network with other professionals in your field. 

The seminars will be held in English by industry experts.  The dates for the events are February 16, March 5, and March 18. The seminar will cover state aid and educational services for families with children of special needs. 

Afterwards CE&CC, CASA-MI, and CAP will be organizing special culturally focused sessions for families with children of special needs.  A brief summary including the seminar syllabus, location, and registration requirements follows.

Michigan, USA - Many Chaldeans are often forced to work in dangerous neighborhoods and high crime areas.  Some feel the local city police apathetic concern for Chaldean businesses bolsters the criminal to act.    Although Chaldeans have taken wise precautions to reduce the threat of attack and robbery, Chaldeans remain victims.  With bullet proof glass, immediate armed robbery alarm systems, video surveillance systems, and armed security guards or employees Chaldeans remain at risk. 

Working to address these challenges the Chaldean Education and Career Center is working with other Chaldean organizations to help address these growing concerns.  Groups like the Chaldean Justice League, Chaldean American Bar Association, Chaldean Caucus, and the Chaldean Federation of America are consistently looking for ways to help reduce attacks against Chaldeans and their property. 

In that spirit, the Chaldean Education and Career Center is organizing a series of Advanced Small Arms Self-Defense Training near Camp Chaldean.  The CE&CC along with the Livingston Gun Club and Live Safe Academy will be holding a three Self-Defense training session. 

Michigan, USA - Chaldeans who are looking for the inside advantage on their college applications should look no further.  The Chaldean Education and Career Services and the Chaldean American Student Association (CASA) of Michigan shares the Bloomfield Hills, Michigan public library special admission preparation sessions for college bound students called "Apps of Steel".  Afterward, a Chaldean application workshop will be held specifically for U of M, WSU, U of D Mercy, Michigan State, and Oakland University. 

The "Apps of Steel" event is a special seminar held by the Bloomfield Township Public Library.  The event will help Chaldean college bound students gain the upper hand when submitting college admissions.  The wokhop afterward hosted by the Chaldean Educaiton and Career Center and Chaldean American Students Assocation will cover admission requirements for Michigan universities. 

The "Apps of Steel" college application seminar will be held Friday, December 28, at 10 a.m., and a second identical session, at 11 a.m. at the Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI. 

Michigan, USA - The increasing disgust and hyper-sexualization in the media has one Chaldean scholar seeking answers.  Phyllis Easter Jeden is a first-generation Chaldean-American born and raised in metro-Detroit.  The pre-law student at Central Michigan University is perusing studies in International, Minority, and Human Rights Law.   

Jeden, like most Chaldeans and Americans has grown increasingly concerned over television advertising portraying women as nothing more than sex objects. “I am appalled by some of the things that the media culture tries to mainstream and celebrate.  This has hurt America and has undermined our ability to speak to the world about values.  Just look at the amount of cleavage you see worn by younger and younger women (and girls) in the supermarket, on the bus, in church?” 

Rather than sit idly by and adopt a hopeless attitude Jeden decide to act.  In her recently published study Jeden tackles the impact of sexualization of women in media and how such efforts harm women.  The study Rape, Women and International Law began as a response to such everyday irritants.  However, the study quickly began revealing much more about the insidious sexualization of women in media and other mainstream venues in societies across the world.

California, USA - www.CHALDEAN.org  Invites You to Share Your Expertise with Our Readers & Viewers...

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Join the fastest growing Chaldean information center of our generation.  Help spotlight issues that are important and relevant to the Chaldean community.  Share your knowledge and expertise with the community.  Support the efforts of bringing Chaldean people, families, groups, businesses, and organizations the attention they deserve.   Your contributions strengthen the growth within our society and community. 

Start the process and e-mail info@chaldean.org today.  Need more information, simply click the READ MORE button below.   

Michigan, USA - Joe Bidawid, professional board rider, uses his paddle in the fight to finding a cure for cancer.  The middle child from a family of five children has his eyes set on breaking a world record as he trains to stand-up paddle surf across Lake Michigan from St. Joseph, Michigan to Chicago, Illinois. 

The Farmington Hills, Michigan Chaldean native is perhaps one of the more versatile athletes in professional boarding.  Skiing, snowboarding, windsurfing, kiteboarding, and surfing, Joe Bidawid has mastered them all at a world class level.  Capturing the imagination of world boarders the Chaldean Aquaman has been featured in top sports boarding magazines and local Michigan papers.

Michigan, USA – Chaldean Federation of America and Chaldean American Student Association sponsor the 25th annual 2007 Chaldean commencement celebration.    Chaldean graduates are able to apply for the commencement and scholarships now. 

Michigan, USA - With a desire to leave a world with constant haste and alacrity and unite to a life of passive ways and tranquility, one of our very own members of the Chaldean community is answering the call of the Lord to be at His side throughout the years to come.
 
A new chapter is to begin in the life of teenage Michigan resident, Candice Kassab, who will not turn 18 until the 25th of February.  “She’s been having a calling for the past three years and one day she just felt it so deeply and said that it was eating away at her conscious, and just told us that she was going to give in and become a nun. We couldn’t believe it”, commented 21-year-old sister, Jennifer Kassab. However, despite the age, Candice is determined that as she walks this new path, her passionate and dedicated spirit will be accompanied by the strength of the Heavenly Father, His Son and the Holy Mother as well.

Michigan, USA - Dalia Issa has been counseling others since she was a teenager.  “Growing up with five sisters made me a natural for this career,” says Dr. Issa.  “I was the oldest and since my parents had a hard time understanding the American culture and the language I often took charge.  When my younger sisters had questions I had to balance the social issues, our Chaldean customs and culture, and the peer pressure they were feeling.”

Dr. Issa is partner in a family coaching center in Bloomfield Hills.  The firm has over six partners, twenty associates, and a staff of nearly forty.  With revenues toppling ten million the group is considered one of the more influential experts in parental training.

“There is no other occupation that impacts society more than parenting.  The role of a parent and family is the nucleus of a community, a culture, a nation.  When I worked as a family psychologist it surprised me that there really were no formal courses or instruction for parents to deal with contemporary issues.  I started the firm with a handful of friends and colleagues and we have been growing ever since,” says Issa.  

Michigan, USA – The Chaldean Education and Career Center was notified today that the Michigan Department of Education will administer next spring the new Michigan Merit Exam (MME), which will include a free ACT test for high school juniors.

This new state assessment was signed into law by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm last year to replace the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) assessments at the high school level.

The state has been awaiting official word from the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) about whether the MME will be approved to use for school accountability purposes as part of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

Michigan, USA - College-aged Chaldeans are often faced with a difficult dilemma – go on to college or find work to help their parents.  As immigrants many Chaldean parents struggle to find jobs, or are increasingly forced to create a business so that they may have a job.   As such, the children are called into the business to help interpret, keep payroll costs down, and serve as a trusted resource to give the parents a break from the grueling 90 hour work-week.

The dilemma is unfair for a majority of the young Chaldean adults hungry for a college education that leads to a reliable and highly regarded professional life.

Michigan, USA - Chaldean Alumni of Troy Athens public high school in Michigan, USA is at risk of identity theft due to a stolen computer hard drive.  The computer hard drive was taken from the district and contained all the necessary information needed to compromise a student’s identity.  Through an investigation, the school learned that students’ transcripts, test scores, addresses, family names,  and Social Security numbers were saved on the stolen drive.

The Troy School District and Superintendent mailed out a letter to former students of the high school who graduated from 1994 to present indicating that former students will be given 14 months of free credit monitoring services. 

Pressure from the grass roots student alumni movement formerly known as the Unhappy Student Organization, renamed to Troy Athens Voice is working to have the 14 month credit monitoring service extended. 

Chaldean students who graduated from the Troy public school system must apply for the free services before December 31, 2006 year.  Chaldean students of Troy can apply online.   

Michigan, USA - Students, family members, teachers, employees, and alumni of Marian high school are outraged.  The all-girl private Catholic high school has come under attack by homosexual activists.  “The gay people, TV, and newspapers want us to do something wrong and we will not.  They talk too much about sex these people.  This is sick of them.  That is why I don’t want any of my children, nephews, nieces, or anyone I know to go to public school.  They want you to believe that the way you behave is okay if you can make others say it is okay,” says  Enam Bahoura, a Chaldean parent. 

The nationally-acclaimed Catholic high school with a large enrollment of Chaldeans finds themselves under target of the local papers for teaching their religious convictions.  Both the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press, owned by Gannett News ran what many in southeast Michigan feel are biased articles to promote the homosexual agenda.

Chaldean college graduates are invited to participate in the Michigan Collegiate Job Fair (MCJF) scheduled for November 17, 2006 at Burton Manor in Livonia, Michigan. 

The state-wide job fair offers Chaldean job seekers a wonderful opportunity to broaden their job search and network with hiring employers.  Throughout Michigan, no other job fair has attracted as many schools, graduates and companies at one time, in one day as demonstrated in MCJF's history.

The Chaldean Education and Career Center is offering all registered www.CHALDEAN.org members a free resume make-over for the job fair.  To take advantage of this offer you must e-mail ChaldeanEducationAndCareerCenter@yahoo.com your confirmation number for the MCJF, your www.CHALDEAN.org username, and a digital copy of your resume. 

The Chaldean Education and Career Center will redesign your entire resume and offer a number of alternative formats with the aim of increasing your chances of securing an interview.  The retail value of such service is over $65 and is only available to registered www.CHALDEAN.org members. 

California, USA – Chaldean Bushra Butres challenges the old guard of the Cajon Valley school board, which oversees a district of 28 elementary and middle schools in the inner city and more rural neighborhoods. 

Incumbents Marsha L. Saben, Jill D. Barto and Jane Cruz Alfano are being challenged by  Bushra “Nissou” Butres in the Nov. 7 election.

The Cajon Valley districty has a large population of Chaldeans and Assyrians but is poorly represented in school policy or understanding.  Many in the community have long sought a qualified candidate to bring a unique perspective of the challenges new citizens in the Cajon Valley schools face.  Many in the Chaldean community feel Butres is the right person for the job. 

California, USA - Chaldeans in the Detroit public school system endured the take-over now Chaldeans in Los Angles get their turn of a Mayoral take-over. 

Los Angeles Mayor Antonia Villaraigosa soon will exercise more control over Los Angeles' deeply troubled school system as result of legislation that California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to sign.

More calls for competition in education and for school choice are being heard as public school scorecards report more and more failing schools. 

Chaldeans who can afford to send their kids to private school have done so in large numbers.  Others unable to afford both the school tax and tuition cost remain trapped. 

Michigan, USA - Chaldeans in Troy's Morse Elementary and Baker Middle schools are eager and excited about the districts recent announcement of an international baccalaureate program, part of a 6-year initiative to establish a complete district-wide program.

Chaldean parents are overjoyed that the program will encourage international-mindedness and global understanding in IB students.  To do this, students will first develop an understanding of their own cultural and national identity. All IB students are required to learn a second language and the skills to live and work with others internationally—essential for life in the 21st century.  The program is being administered by the nonprofit group, the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO).