KES `Ohana

I Mua Race - Headmasterʻs Convocation 2007; Kapālama Campus

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Aloha e nā Mākua a me nā Haumana!

October is here and all is maika`i at KES. Parent conferences have just been completed this week, and teachers and students are settling in for an enriching season of learning. For the past two years, teachers have been working with Dr. Katherine Au to develop standards-based curriculum with the Standards-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.

This month KES will be hosting two Native American groups, who are visiting as part of the National Indian Education Association conference, which will be held in Honolulu later this month. The Woosh.jin.een indigenous Alaskan dance group and members of the board of trustees and administrators of the Indian Community School will be at KES to share aspects of their school programs and cultural heritage with out students. KES students will greet each group with Hawaiian hospitality in the form of Ho`okipa Mai, Hawaiian welcome ceremony.

KES will be hosting an after school orchestra program for students in third through the sixth grades. Please click on the Orchestra flier which is included on this website, or refer to the hard copy flier that was sent home on October 4, 2007.

Orchestra Flier_Pg 1
Orchestra Flier_Pg 2

We would also like to welcome the newest member of the KES staff, Dr. Joy Shimamoto. Dr. Shimamoto is an educational evaluator and outreach counselor. She will be joining KES to conduct educational evaluations for students in kindergarten through 8th grade. She will also provide outreach counselor services for some children at KES.

This KES `Ohana newsletter will be posted on the internet beginning on October 8, 2007. If you would like to continue receiving a hard copy of the newsletter please complete the attachment on the last page of the hardcopy newsletter and return to the KES Office c/o Rachel Lee. Otherwise, in the future, families can visit the website at http://blogs.ksbe.edu/kes/ each month to find out the latest news of the elementary school.

Mahalo nui loa a me ke Akua pū,

Mr. Holoua Stender, Principal

2007-2008 MASTER CALENDAR UPDATES

Please note the following important updates to the current school year’s calendar for 2007-2008:

Friday, December 14th: Christmas Program - Changed from a 1/2 day for students to a full day

Friday, January 18th: In Service Professional Development - No School for Students

Friday, April 25th: Ho`olokahi Program and 2nd grade Multicultural Festival (moved from May 2nd)

Friday, May 2nd: 5th Grade Play (Performance for 5th Grade Parents only: moved from May 7th)

If you have any questions, please contact us at 842-8383.

CLICK HERE to view the latest calendar.

2007 OPEN HOUSE

Mahalo to the many members of our students’ `ohana that gathered to learn more about your child’s educational plan for the upcoming year. We thoroughly enjoyed getting to know you a little better and appreciate your efforts to partner with us to support your child throughout their journey here at Kamehameha. We’d like to gather some feedback from you regarding the Open House schedule for this year. Please complete the survey at the link posted below so that we may continue to improve upon our planning for Open Houses for 2008-2009.

CLICK HERE to take survey.

This survey will remain posted through Monday, October 22nd.

Mahalo in advance for helping us to continue to improve.

2007 GMADE and GRADE Standardized Assessment

Earlier this school year, your child completed the GMADE and GRADE standardized assessment. The GMADE (Group Mathematics Assessment and Diagnostic Evaluation) and the GRADE (Group Reading Assessment and Diagnostic Evaluation) are designed to provide instructionally useful information about your child’s performance in Reading Comprehension and Mathematics. The information gathered from these assessments is used to monitor curricular program effectiveness, support improved instruction, monitor each student’s academic growth and progress, and communicate with key stakeholders (teachers, parents, students, and the larger school community).

The Parent Report, which will be mailed to you shortly, provides national standards-based information on content, concepts, and skills so that you can generally see where your child excels or may need continued instructional guidance. A national panel of experienced educators of children helped to develop these assessments. These assessments are in no way intended to label or categorize your child. They are nationally norm-referenced in that an individuals performance is referenced to a grade interval and a time during the school year (ex. fourth grade fall and fourth grade spring).

These individualized scores are not indicative of your child’s performance as compared to his or her fellow classmates. These scores are a reflection of your child’s individual achievement on a single assessment. Please keep in mind that this is only one assessment and results should be viewed alongside other pieces of student learning, such as class work, homework, classroom assessments, report cards, portfolios, and performances. The GMADE and GRADE assessment results, along with other measures of student achievement, will be analyzed and utilized in shaping an enriching and engaging learning environment for your child.

The GMADE and GRADE standardized assessments are tools that are used throughout our institution’s elementary schools as an opportunity to check on growth in achievement, measuring both student learning and instructional success. It also provides us another opportunity to communicate your child’s academic abilities in school and to promote continuous learning at home. Mahalo for your continued support of ongoing student learning and achievement.

If you have further questions or concerns, please contact Brandy Ann Sato, Curriculum Coordinator at Kamehameha Elementary Kapalama Campus, at (808) 843-3400.

DRESS CODE REMINDERS

We’d like to share some reminders regarding dress and appearance for our KES students. Please be sure students are in KS sanctioned uniform garments that can be purchased either from our uniform vendor, Mills, or gently used from the KS thrift store. In addition, please review the sections on outerwear items such as jackets and sweatshirt hoodies. Belts are required for grades 3-6. Hair color should be the child’s natural hair color, no highlights or dyed hair please for both boys and girls, and please be sure to regularly check boy’s hair lengths. We appreciate your support and kokua in ensuring our students meet the grooming standards outlined in the handbook.

THE WHEELS ON THE BUS

Mahalo to the many students who have been doing a great job of following all bus rules and regulations. We encourage families to regularly review expectations for bus behavior with the students. Seating assignments for busses serving outlying areas are now completed. Please remember that seating assignments may need to be altered by the driver and/or school staff. On some occasions a temporary seat change may be assigned to accommodate transportation needs such as in the event of a bus breakdown. Our educational assistants work closely with the drivers and administration to plan for the best arrangement possible. It is one way in which we are attempting to maintain a positive environment for all on our KS busses. If an incident occurs, students and/or parents should report it to the transportation department or to a staff member, who in turn will report the incident to administration. We will investigate the incident to assess the situation and will follow through with standard disciplinary procedures outlined in the handbook. If you receive a student notice of referral from transportation and would like more information regarding the report, please contact the transportation department or the vice principal’s office for assistance. Please do not approach the driver regarding the referral. As always, our goal is to promote a safe and comfortable ride for all students.

WHERE DO I PARK?

With the many wonderful activities occurring on our campus, parking is always at a premium. We’d like to ask for your kokua when parking for daily drop off, special events, and volunteer opportunities. Please be sure to park in the Kekelaokalani lot stalls in the lower lot and/or in stalls closer to Bishop Drive (the road leading to Makanani Gate). This will allow for staff to have adequate parking and quick and easy access to offices at the beginning of the day.

PEANUT FREE CAMPUS

This is a friendly reminder that we are a peanut free campus. Please ensure that snack items do not contain peanuts or peanut by-products. Your kokua is greatly appreciated

KINDERGARTEN ARTWORK