Newsletter: October 2008
Wednesday, October 1st, 2008
‘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 4th 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 6th and Tuesday, October 7th. 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 17th. 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 22nd, 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 29th thru Wednesday, October 8th (closed on Parent Conference Days) from 8:00-3:00. Book Fair closes at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 9th 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.