Principal’s Message

Aloha e nä `ohana

Our middle school is continuing the process of preparing to make changes for the 08-09 school year that we feel will enhance the overall experience for our haumana.  Listed below is a bullet-point listing of what will be in place in August.

•    6th grade will grow to 108 students.
•    Class size will be reduced at all grade levels.
•    Hawaiian Language will be added as a required class in 7th and 8th grade.
•    The majority of the daily classes will be extended from 75 to 90 minutes.
•    A study or homework time will be added at the end of each 90 minute block.
•    A Reading Specialist will be added to serve the needs of our middle school haumana.
•    Students will select only one (1) elective course per year.
•    The number of laptop computers will increase as more teachers are utilizing the power of technology in the classroom.
•    Students will be required to pass all seven subjects annually.  Failure to do so, will lead to required summer work to earn the right to continue at KSH.

The key fact to remember is that we are reducing class size, increasing the amount of time teachers spend with students and continuing to provide services to assist students as they build their educational foundation for future success.

Other projects currently being worked on including the hiring process for my replacement as MS Principal, as well as, the positions of Hawaiian Studies teacher, Physical Education teacher and the new Reading Specialist.  More news will be forth coming after the Spring Break.

The past few weeks have been very active as the 7th grade experienced a special Nohona Hawai`i day and our 8th graders recently returned from their Moloaka`i huaka`i, the culminating event of our 8th grade school year.  Sixth grade is preparing for more activity in the near future.

Finally, please begin to adjust your schedules as we prepare for Student-Led Conferences right before Spring Break.  Your participation in these conferences is of the utmost importance to your child and his/her growth and development.

As always, mahalo for giving us the opportunity to educate your child.  Your confidence in KSH is valued and appreciated.

I mua,

John R. Colson
Principal, Kula Waena

December 26, 2007

Aloha e nä `ohana

We hope this letter finds you enjoying your holiday season with the `ohana.

While students are vacationing, we have been planning and preparing for the second semester.  Our focus, as always, will be to encourage students to take better care of each other and to be responsible for their actions.  For clarification purposes, the majority of the discipline referrals from August to December were related to these two issues.  Any help on your end would be appreciated as we need to send our haumana a consistent message showing them that we are all in this together.

A particular concern that needs your attention is the behavior of our students after school at Prince Kuhio Mall.  We have a growing number of reports of inappropriate behavior including shop lifting, vandalism and behavior that has caused merchants to ban certain students from their stores and restaurants.  This behavior reflects very poorly on the school, our families and the students.  Because our students are in uniform, the behavior of a few reflects poorly on the entire school.

As reported by the Headmaster, our security department did an audit of students at the mall after school, as well as, identifying student behavioral issues and the time that they are picked up by parents or guardians.  Our findings continue to cause concern and we need your help.

All middle school students and `ohana need to remember that any action that reflects poorly on Kamehameha Schools may be cause for school discipline.  Please make the time to discuss this issue with your child as we will be proactively working to improve student behavior and our relationship with the mall merchants.  Further, we need your commitment to pick up your child after school without leaving them unsupervised to cruise the mall for hours.

The faculty and I have been working on a restructuring plan, I Liko Ka Liko (To ensure the liko buds or blossoms) for the Middle School to begin in Fall of 2008.  This 3 year plan will increase middle school enrollment offering more students the opportunity to build a solid foundation for high school and beyond.  Changes that will take place, in 2008 – 2009 are as follows:

•    Hawaiian Language will become a required class for all 7th and 8th graders.

•    Student Load – All students will be required to take, and pass, seven classes per year.  Any failure must be corrected in the summer for the student to continue the next school year.  Multiple failures will, most likely, lead to separation from Kamehameha Schools.

•    Study Hall – Study Hall will no longer be a class; however, study time will be provided in each core class if homework is assigned.  Core is defined as English or Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Hawaiian Studies/Language.  This study time will be supervised by the Core Teacher providing a stronger learning environment for students.

•    Electives – Students will have the choice of one elective class each year, rather than the current two choices.  One of the elective choices was replaced by the Hawaiian Language requirement.

Much more information will follow as we move closer to August 2008.  However, your child (current 6th and 7th graders) must begin to think about their elective choice, so that we may plan appropriately.

Enjoy your last few days of vacation and know that we look forward to working with all of our students as we help them grow and maximize their individual potential.

As always, mahalo for allowing us to educate your child.  We appreciate your confidence in KS and take our responsibility very seriously.

Should you have questions or concerns, please contact us at your convenience.

I mua,

John R. Colson
Po`okumu, Kula Waena

P.S.    Congratulations to our Middle School Band members who are participating in the Tournament of Roses parade on January 1, 2008.  Members are:

Jackson Aiona
Dylan Alip
Kapena Aveiro
Emma Ayau
Erin Carvalho
Nainoa Hart
Stetson Lindsey
Alex Ikeuchi
CJ Matsuyama
Kalauao Naipo-Arsiga
Joseph Nakoa
Akoakoa Paleka-Kennedy
Pomai Racpan
Eloy Roldan
Warner Shaw