KES `Ohana

Aloha e nä Mäkua a me nä Haumana! October is here and all is maika`i at KES.  Parent conferences have recently been completed, and teachers and students are settling in for an enriching season of learning.  For the past three years, teachers have been working with Dr. Katherine Au to develop standards-based curriculum with the Standard-Based Change Process.  Classroom teachers have been working on standards-based benchmarks and rubrics for writing.  Specialist teachers are working to develop standards based curriculum for each of their specials subject areas as well.  The standards-based process is helping KES faculty to better define curricular standards and benchmarks to ensure that students receive a well articulated educational program.  Some KES teachers have also participated in a two-day
Singapore Math workshop to learn new strategies from presenters of this internationally renowned math program. KES will be hosting an after school orchestra program for students in fourth through the sixth grades.  High school orchestra maestro, Dr. Bob Hamilton will be our KES orchestra teacher.  The program will create more orchestra aficionados at KES and in years to come our young students will be able to blend their talents with other orchestra students in the middle and high schools.  Please read the other messages in this newsletter regarding child safety as we begin the
Holiday Season.  Have a safe and Happy Halloween! Mahalo nui loa a me ke Akua pu, 

Mr. Holoua Stender, Principal

Keiki Pick-up and Drop-off Safety  KES staff is concerned for the welfare of keiki when they are picked-up or dropped off in the parking lot and must walk alone, or with siblings from within the parking lot to school.  This is a dangerous situation since drivers traveling in the parking lot may not see keiki and they may be injured by passing cars.   Parents are asked to please use the pick-up and drop off lanes next to both the upper Nähi`ena`ena and lower Kamämalu buildings so that children can walk to school in safe zones.

KES Parking  Parents are asked to please park in designated visitor stalls only.  Please do not park in reserved handicapped stalls, without displaying a handicapped placard, marked staff parking stalls, or in other areas not designated for visitor parking.  Ample parking is available in the lower Kekelaokalani parking lots for parents who would like to walk with their children to school.   Please allow enough time during the early morning and afternoon rush hour periods so that children reach school in a safe and joyful manner.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS! Mahalo to the many students who are complying daily with the outlined dress codes for the elementary school.  We have had several incidents of boys with unnatural hair color recently and we’d like to ask that you please review the dress code policy in the student parent handbook for details regarding hair color. Hair should be the child’s natural color. No highlighting or dyeing of hair is allowed. 

AWESOME BUS RIDERS! Congratulations to the following bus routes with no student notices of concern for behavior: Enchanted Lakes (A.M. run)
Hawaii Kai
Kailua A & B
Kaneohe A & BPearl City A & B (A.M. run)Waianae B
Waipahu  Many routes have only one or two incidents so far which is still great! Please remember to review bus rules for behavior with your child regularly. Let’s try for a perfect record for all buses between now and Dec. 19^th!  I MUA! 

AFTER SCHOOL STUDY HELP/EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES CAR PICK UP Students in after school study help in classrooms with teachers are to be picked up at the classroom.   Parents and guardians, please do not contact your student by phone to ask them to come to a particular area once you have arrived on campus or if you are on your way up the hill to our campus.  Teachers will not release students to walk to pick up areas without an adult, and they cannot leave the classroom to walk your child to the pick up area as they have other students working with them.   We appreciate your kökua in following procedures for pick up and in supporting a safe environment for our keiki.  

Reminder on Pagers and Cellular Phones  Pagers and cellular phones have become prevalent as safety/security measures for families.  These may not be turned on or used during the school day.   Phones must be securely stored, and used only outside of the regular school day.  The school will not be held responsible for loss or theft of kapu items, pagers, or cell phones.  If a cell phone is found with the student or is being used during school hours (7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) the teacher/adult will remove the phone.  The phone will be returned to the student at the end of the day.  Unauthorized use of cell phones will cause phones to be held at the office, and they will be available for pick up by the parent. (Excerpt from the 2008-2009 Parent/Student Handbook - pages 21-22

Halloween Safety!!Please click here for information on Halloween Safety!!

Aloha e Nä `Ohana, 

Our next Early Release day is scheduled for Wednesday, October 22^nd . Dismissal is as follows:12:20 p.m.: K-2 car pick up students and their siblings in grades 3-6 12:30 p.m.: All other students in grades K-6.Please note that all students will be served lunch prior to dismissal.  The following is a schedule for pick up and shuttles to the terminal and rural areas: 

CAR PICK UPK-2 Car Pick Up Dismissed at 12:20 p.m.(If you have students in K-2 and siblings in upper grades, upper grade students will be picked up with K-2 at the Nahi`ena`ena Island Car Pick up) 12:20-12:35 p.m.: Grades K-2: Nahi`ena`ena Island Car Pick up (siblings in grades 3-6 should go to the Nahi`ena`ena Island Car Pick up at 12:20 p.m.)ALL CARS EXITING FROM THIS CAR PICK UP AREA WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO EXIT DOWN BISHOP DRIVE THROUGH MAKANANI GATE. CARS MUST EXIT THROUGH THE MAIN GATE OR PUNA GATES ONLY. OFFICERS WILL HAVE THE TRAFFIC FLOW OUTLINED FOR YOU AND BE AVAILABLE TO ASSIST. PLEASE ABIDE BY THEIR INSTRUCTIONS. 

12:35-12:55 p.m.: Grades 3-6: Kamämalu Lower Car Pick upALL CARS UTILIZING THIS PICK UP AREA ARE TO ENTER FROM THE MAKANANI GATE, AND FORM THE WAITING LINE BACK DOWN BISHOP DRIVE TO THE MAKANANI GATE ENTRANCE. OFFICERS WILL HAVE THE TRAFFIC FLOW OUTLINED FOR YOU AND BE AVAILABLE TO ASSIST. PLEASE ABIDE BY THEIR INSTRUCTIONS. PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THE CAR PICK UP AREAS EARLY. THIS CREATES A TRAFFIC JAM AND IF OTHER CARS BEHIND YOU HAVE BEEN LOADED, YOU WILL BE ASKED TO MOVE TO THE BACK OF THE LINE TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESS. ALL ARE ASKED TO RESPECT THE INSTRUCTIONS OF KES STAFF WHEN ASKED TO DO SO. TERMINAL SHUTTLE

12:35 p.m.: Terminal Shuttle (Students not picked up by 1:00 p.m. will be brought back to the KES office. You will be contacted upon their return.) UPPER GRADES ARE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SCHOOL ST. BUS TERMINAL PICK UP TO ALLEVIATE TRAFFIC PROBLEMS ON CAMPUS.  KS BUS SERVICE

12:45 p.m.    Early Bus Shuttles: (Kailua,Kaneohe, Enchanted Lakes, Waimanalo, Maunawili & Pearl City/Aiea)

12:55 p.m.    Late Bus Shuttles: (all other rural service areas) Swim Shuttle: NO SWIM SHUTTLE  Swim Club will begin at 3:00 p.m. but students are NOT ALLOWED to stay on campus between dismissal and swim club practice. You will need to make arrangements for their transportation home and then return to campus for Swim Club or enroll in Kama`äina Kids (limited space available). Early bus shuttles will leave directly from elementary. Please be at your child’s bus pick up location no later than 30 minutes after the KES departure time. Late buses will proceed to middle school and high school for student pick up before leaving campus. Please be at your child’s bus pick up location no later than 60 minutes after the KES departure time. Please keep in mind that traffic at this time of day is different and these are approximations of travel times.  
 

KAMA`ÄINA KIDS
Kama`äina Kids will again provide services to those students who are currently enrolled on a regular basis. They will also offer up to 25 spaces for those students who are not enrolled in their program on a first come, first serve basis. Applications are available through our office and should be submitted to the office as soon as possible. The cost for students registering for Kama`äina Kids service, on Early Release days only, will be $10.00, due and payable prior to October 22^nd.   Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 842-8383. Mahalo, Mrs. Ronnie KoppVice PrincipalKamehameha Elementary School-Kapälama 

‘Ohana 9/11/08 - Recipe for a Full Life
E aloha! E ola pono!

He Aha ka Nūhou ma ke Kula Ha`aha`a `o Kamehameha ma Kapālama

Aloha mai e Nā Mākua – Dear Parents and Guardians:

`Ano `ai mai!  Welcome to the KES `Ohana.  The new 2008-2009 school year has gotten off to a great start.  Kamehameha Elementary School (KES) has welcomed 80 new kindergarteners and 64 new 4<sup>th</sup> graders, 1 new first, third and fifth grade student respectively.  This is in addition to our regular returning students, a total of 752 in all.  Students and teachers are very busy.  We are looking forward to another great new school year.  It was very nice to meet many new and returning parents at our recent open houses held in August and September.  We look forward to the parent/teacher conferences and KES book fair coming up in October.   It is wonderful to know that parents, guardians and families are planning activities to socialize and get to know each other this year.  It is important to build strong supportive relationship to support our keiki and their `ohana.  Mahalo for all that you do to provide this firm foundation for your children.  Please know that we are your partners in your child’s education. Please contact us should you have questions about school. Have a great year and Ke Akua pū. 

Mr. Holoua Stender,
Principal

Parent Teacher Conference Days

Our teachers are looking forward to meeting with all of you at the upcoming parent teacher conferences scheduled for Monday, October 6^th and Tuesday, October 7^th.  While there is no school for students on these days, students in grades 1-6 are asked to attend their scheduled conference to foster self reflection and to collaborate in goal setting with the teacher and the parent/guardian. The focus of the conference is to build student goals that can be supported by the student, parent/guardian, and teacher.  Together, we will highlight strengths of your child and review areas that may be challenging for them at this time but offers opportunities for continued growth and development throughout the year. Teachers will be completing a conference summary form to capture the discussions and goals set. We ask for your signature on the form to acknowledge that you are supporting the goals and action plans agreed upon at the conference. Forms will be sent home after the conference for your review and signature or if already signed when you receive them, to keep as your copy.  Mahalo, in advance, for keeping communications with staff cordial, shared at an appropriate volume to encourage dialogue, and conducted with respect for KES faculty and staff.

Early Release Day Mahalo!!

Mahalo for your patience with the traffic problems on the first Early Release Day, September 17^th. We realize that the car pick up was a challenge.  Please keep in mind that if you enter the drive through pick up line and other cars behind you are loaded, you will be asked to return to the end of the pick up line to ensure efficiency in the process. We are looking at some possible alternatives for pick up on Early Release days and will let you know of the specific plans for the next Early Release Day on Wednesday, October 22^nd, as soon as possible.

Snack Update!!

Aloha Parents,

We need your help! Your child is hungry at the end of the day. At Kamehameha, we want your child to be healthy and fit throughout the whole day. Snacks can be healthy. Here are some good choices for your child and your family health and fitness:

Fresh fruit (bananas, apples, pears, grapes, oranges)

Dried fruits (raisins, cran-raisins)

Veggies (carrot and celery sticks)

Cereal (plain Cheerios, Chex)

Whole Grain Crackers (graham, soda)

Other: popcorn without butter, bagels, fig bars, pretzels, Nutri Grain bars

Beware of high-fat and high sugar snacks. You and your child can read labels together and find some healthy treats.

TWO REMINDERS:

1) We are a peanut-free campus. We have several children who have a life-threatening allergic reaction to peanuts and peanut products. Please do not send any treats or snacks to our school containing peanuts.

2) Candy is not a good choice for school snacks or treats. The high sugar content has a negative effect upon your child’s health and learning. Many candies also contain peanuts and peanut residue. We want all our keiki to be healthy and happy learners at Kamehameha Elementary School. Please let us know some of your own healthy favorites, we would be glad to add them to our list.

Mahalo for your help with these important issues.
Jay Tschillard and Lynn Tagami,
KES Health and PE Educators

After School Supervision and Car Pick Up – Safety First!!

We are asking for your kōkua with a safety issue that has come to our attention. Several students have been found waiting unsupervised at the lower Kamāmalu car pick up area after 3:00 p.m. Even if your child is with older siblings, we do not allow students to remain in this area without an adult. At all times, students will not be allowed to walk unaccompanied to a vehicle that is parked in either the Kekelaokalani Lots or the Nahi`ena`ena lot. All students not picked up by car, during the after school car pick up periods, must be in an assigned and supervised area.

The following are approved locations and/or activities for students between 2:30-3:15 p.m.:

* In class study help
* Late bus care (supervised by KES Educational Assistants)
* Kama`āina Kids
* Extracurricular Activities 

Pick up for after school activities are as follows:

*  In Class Study Help:  Student is to be picked up in class. NOTE: Parents must come to the classroom; students will not be released to the pick up area, even if you are calling from your cell phone at the pick up site.

*  Extracurricular Activities: Student is to be picked up at the location of the activity. (Choir students are to be picked up at the lower Kamämalu drive through pick up area fronting the choir room by 3:30 p.m. Mrs. Bright will supervise the group until 3:30 p.m.) 

*  Kama`āina Kids: Parents must sign students out from Kama`āina Kids staff and they are available until 6:00 p.m. Again, students are not allowed to wait, unsupervised, in the lower Kamāmalu pick up area at any time. This is for their safety and well-being.

Don’t forget to visit our book fair in the Kekū`iapoiwa Dining Hall.

It is open Monday, September 29^th thru Wednesday, October 8^th  (closed on Parent Conference Days) from 8:00-3:00.  Book Fair closes at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 9^th so stop by and check us out. 

2009-2010 Master Calendar

The master calendar for the 2009-2010 school year is currently being developed. Please note that each year there may be changes in the timing of standard school breaks. Our first priority is to plan a calendar that meets the instructional needs of our campus. While we reference other local school calendars, such as the DOE and other private schools, we are not always able to align with their schedules. We ask that you please plan accordingly and keep in mind that we do not as yet have any specific dates for breaks. We will keep you updated.

e-Books, Another Media Source for Reading

Can’t get to the library to borrow books? Well, no worry…e-books to the rescue! KES offers students with over 150 electronic books! More students are reading for pleasure using e-books from Tumblebooks (http://www.tumblebooks.com) and Bookflix ( http://bkflix.grolier.com). All you need is access to the internet, type-in our username and password. If you don’t know it, please let your child’s teacher know or email our K-3 Librarian Ruby Redona at ruredona@ksbe.edu. She can provide you with directions, username and password. e-books cheat sheet

Keep on READING!

Brain Gym® Parent Workshop:
How to use Brain Gym® at Home with Your Child

Back by popular demand is a 2 1/2 hour parent workshop on Brain Gym® being offered by Nalani Naluai who is a licensed instructor of Brain Gym®. The workshop will introduce parents to the philosophy of Brain Gym® and the movements that help children to integrate the left and right brain hemispheres to achieve greater focus, concentration, and organization. Brain Gym® movements also help to improve penmanship and eye-hand coordination. Participants will learn how and why Brain Gym® works and be able to gain practical experience with each movement. Children are asked not to attend so parents are able to participate fully in the workshop without distraction. The course fee of $100 includes a Brain Gym® manual. A second adult family member may attend for a discounted fee of $80 which does not include a manual. The workshop will be held on Thursday evening, October 23, 2008, in the Hi`ilei Media Center. Please refer to the attached flier. If you have any questions please call Mrs. Naluai at 843-3445 or email her at nanaluai@ksbe.edu.

Brain Gym Workshop Registration Form