Pua Kaai

Mahalo to all the families for preparing your children for the start of the school year!  Today was a very egg-citing day!  Please have a chat with your child this evening about the start to their day.  We had many laughs, lots of positive messages, and fun was had by all at our assembly.  I know we have gotten off to a wonderful start!  This morning it was truly joyful to hear their voices and see their smiling faces.  Mahalo for the opportunity to work with your child and with you.  Take good care always.

I want to re-cap some information about students who may travel during the school year:

I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our procedure when requesting for your child to miss school due to travel.

 1.  Travel during the school year is not advisable, but we do understand sometimes there are circumstances that will take your child out of school.

 2.  In the event that your child must travel, please send a HARD COPY of your request to the office with attention to Doll Saiki.

 3.  Please always follow with an email to me at  pukaai at ksbe.edu in addition to sending the hard copy to the office so that I can approve the travel.

 4.  These requests should be submitted no later than 2 weeks in advance unless there are extenuating circumstances.  If there are extenuating circumstances, please call me directly at 843-3473.

 5.  Upon approval, your child will meet with their teachers to find out what assignments need to be completed.  All tests, quizzes, projects and presentations are due on the day they return to school from their travel.    Please understand that teachers may/may not be able to meet the child’s needs at that immediate moment.  The teacher will decide when it is best to conference with your child about their absence.

 We look forward to a very successful school year.

Ke Akua Pü,

Pua Ka’ai

I want to express a special mahalo to all who attended the orientation today.  Our intent was to welcome you and your families, and to provide information we felt may be helpful to you as you begin a new school year as a middle school student at Kamehameha Kapälama.  Please know we are all here to make your transition as smooth as possible.  Never hesitate to contact me directly at 843-3473, or at pukaai@ksbe.edu.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Special hugs to our neighbor island families who endured long days and the emotion of bringing your child (”children” for our twins!) to school.  We respect you and value deeply that you have entrusted your children to us.  Please travel safe as you return to your home island.

Ke Akua Pü,     Pua Ka’ai

…after a 15 minute cabriolet ride into the mountains

In just a few short days we will all join again for school!  I hope you have all had a most wonderful summer to rest, recouperate, be with friends, and hold family close.  I look forward to a wonderful school year.  The teachers are busily preparing the classrooms for all the students, we are all holding our various preparation meetings, and we will begin 7th grade orientation this Saturday.  August 11th, Tuesday, is the first day for 7th grade.  August 12th is the first day for 7th and 8th grade together.  We have set aside a special day for 7th grade only so that they can assimilate into middle school smoothly, learn routines and expectations, and meet all faculty and staff who serve them throughout the school year.  This is something new this year.  Our hope is to make the transition from the elementary venue to the middle school a very positive experience.

My summer was spent learning more about curriculum mapping at the Curriculum Mapping Institute in Park City, Utah.  I share some photos here with you.

patches of wild daisies cover the ground in Park City mountains

an historic barn along the highway in Park City