Pua Kaai

Torres Strait Islanders Come to Kapälama

pukaai — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:43:53 +0000

Mahalo to all the parents and friends, bus drivers and security officers, staff and teachers who helped to make our Torres Strait Islands visitors welcomed at our KMS assembly. We appreciate your patience as you waited in traffic, and hope your child took some time to share with you what they learned from the performance. Our Hawaiian values were definitely exemplified as we exchanged chant and dance, and learned from our sister culture across the Pacific. There were many things they shared I found linked with us: the generational deterioration of their native language (native to pidgin to creole evolution was not unlike our own in the plantation); the canoe building tradition; the use of sky-land-sea in their metaphor; the impact of global warming on island cultures; the symbol of the mat; and the mana’o shared about having our people, like them, navigate both the ways of the western world and that of their native culture. I am in awe at the range of thought shared–some related to 21st century issues, while others are deeply embedded in cultural values and issues we are familiar with.
If nothing else, have a short conversation about where in the world Torres Strait Islands are as a celebration of Geography Awareness Week.
Have a wonderful week!

Mr. Atabay and I receiving a makana from our visitors.

Mahalo for all the fun at MOYA!

pukaai — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:56:05 +0000

Mahalo to all the parents and students who participated in the MOYA activities last week! Beginning with the Fun Run and then ending with our MOYA celebration, a wonderful and wholesome time was had by all.

A goal for next year is 100% participation in the FUn Run by all faculty and students, and 100% participation by all students in the MOYA celebration on Friday.

Mahalo, especially, to our operations and support staff who built an awesome haunted neighborhood maze….The are the best!

: Check out this awesome costume!

Middle School IDs

pukaai — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:50:28 +0000

Dear Parents/Guardians:

This email is to clarify questions regarding the recent distribution of the middle school student ID cards. Page 37 of our current handbook gives a general description of the IDs. The information in the handbook was printed before we launched the IDs which is why the following details needed to be clarified to students and their families at this time.

1. IDs shall be clipped to the right collar so that it does not obscure the school emblem (lanyards are not allowed).

2. IDs shall be worn from the time the step on to the Middle School campus to the time they get in their vehicles and leave Middle School campus at the end of the day.

3. When KSKMS student athletes leave the Middle School campus for athletics, they are to take care of their ID to insure it is not lost. KSKMS official day ends at 3:17 p.m.

4. No defacing of IDs in any manner, including but not limited to covering with a removable object like a post it.

5. We will allow all of next week (10/26-30) to work through any expectations that may need clarification. After next week, all expectations regarding IDs will be in effect. Detention will be issued if expectations are not followed beginning on November 2nd.

In case of loss or theft of an ID card, students may obtain a new one at the office before school, during recess or during lunch periods. A fee of $10.00 will be charged for replacement. See page 37 of the Student/Parent Handbook for more details.

Mahalo for your cooperation. If you have questions or concerns, please contact our main office at 842-8365.

Mahalo,
Pua Ka‘ai, Principal
KS Kapālama Middle School

Message from Pua Ka’ai

pukaai — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:46:35 +0000

Aloha to all Our Middle School ‘Ohana,
As I look forward to the end of this week, I wanted to take this opportunity to express that I appreciate all the support your are giving your children at home, and to reinforce that we are supporting them through counseling, class discussions with administrators, and being available for kids as they need us. Special thanks to our KMS counselors! I want to assure you that the safety and well-being of our haumana continue to be our highest priorities.
Please never hesitate to call me.
Ke Akua Pü,
Pua

It was a Wonderful Start of the School Year!

pukaai — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 04:45:09 +0000

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

Mahalo to Our 7th Grade Families!

pukaai — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 00:17:33 +0000

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

Welcome Back to School

pukaai — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:23:14 +0000

...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

Have a wonderful summer!

pukaai — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:23:30 +0000

Aloha from our Middle School office!

Hope this post finds you well and enjoying the fun of summer. Hold family close, enjoy the rest, and we will see you very soon.

Ke Akua Pu,

Pua

pukaai — Sat, 02 May 2009 18:03:04 +0000

Mahalo for a wonderful May Day! Special Mahalo go to Gail Vannatta, our SAC, who tirelessly puts together all our student events! Also to Kyle Atabay, lead counselor, who supported Gail through the May Day festivities with his cultural expertise and muscle! As well, I would like to thank the two class advisors, Grace Omura and Ron Snow for their work with all the students to prepare them for this event. Each staff member and teacher in his/her own way gave to the success of this program–mahalo! A big Mahalo to Chef Frady for the ono lunch! We are so blessed here for all that we have. Have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Holidays!

pukaai — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 23:46:35 +0000

Aloha Kakou!
I write to you with wishes for a very safe and warm holiday season. While the students are home all snug with their families, I wish them happiness and good times that make good memories. For the teachers and staff, I wish that the break brings them some time to be with their loved ones, time to decompress, and time to rest in preparation for the second half of the school year. I am indebted each and every day to the teachers and staff who work tirelessly to insure a quality education for the middle school students. I am blessed each day with the privilege of working with our Hawaiian children. We are all thankful for Ke Ali’i Pauahi’s generosity and vision.
God Bless each and every one and I send prayers for your safety during this and every season.
Merry Christmas and Happy 2009!
Pua Ka’ai