(This page is updated frequently. Last updated 10/8/12 at 12:30 pm).
What is the purpose of Senior Service Day (SSD)?
The purpose of Senior Service Day is to give back to our communities, &, ultimately, to our Founder, Ke Ali‘i Pauahi. As stated in our “Philosophy of Education,” we “encourage learners to use their learning in service to their ‘ohana, the community, and the world.” Additionally in our WEO (Working Exit Outcomes), we challenge our students, faculty, & staff to “promote and utilize Hawaiian perspectives and practices to enhance [our] well-being and the well-being of [our] ‘ohana, kaiāulu, lāhui, and world.” Senior Service Day is a pono opportunity for our 12th graders to uphold the value of kahiau–giving without expecting anything in return–just as our kūpuna did.
Where & what time do I report on Senior Service Day?
Report to the Auditorium dressed in your appropriate service attire by 7:30 am on Wednesday, October 17. Sit in your assigned Ka Na‘i Pono homeroom section. Attendance will be taken multiple times throughout the day for accountability purposes.
How can I see the charts better on the different Senior Service Day tabs?
Simply click on the image once, and the chart should magnify itself for better viewing.
FAQs from Students
Is SSD mandatory?
“The Senior Community Service Project is a non-credit requirement for graduation in which participation is mandatory.” (2012-13 High School Catalog of Courses)
What happens if I do not attend SSD?
Unless there is an emergency, your attendance at SSD is mandatory as outlined in the High School Student Handbook & Catalog of Courses. In the event that you are absent, you will need to complete an alternative 2-hour service project that must be approved by the Office of Character Education; write a reflective 1-page essay highlighting the importance of service; & get appropriate signatures from the service organization verifying your service hours. After receiving & evaluating the merit of these documents, the Office of Character Education will determine if your make-up service project fulfills your non-credit graduation requirement.
What are homerooms specifically doing for their service?
For a general list of service projects for the Senior Class, please click here.
If you’re wondering about the specifics of your service project, please read the following:
In a memo to all homeroom teachers & representatives on September 25, clear & detailed guidelines were given regarding the 5 areas that homerooms can focus on before Oct. 17. Homerooms were invited to arrange a time for service agencies to visit them on campus to give presentations. If there are any questions as to the specifics of what homerooms will be doing or even what they will be wearing, it is the homeroom teachers’ & homeroom representatives’ kuleana (not Kumu Kale’s) to make sure that clear & regular communication occurs between homerooms & service organizations. A simple phone call or email to fine tune location-specific details will go a long way to ensuring a productive & enjoyable service project for all. Contact information for all 14 service sites was shared with reps & teachers. As a guideline, when in doubt, do not assume. Email or call Kumu Kale with questions or concerns immediately to avoid potential issues.
FAQs from Homeroom/Supervision Kumu
Will I be receiving supervision hours for SSD?
Supervision hours will not be credited since October 17th is a regular workday.
May I drive to the service site & meet the students there? I live close by.
Teachers may not use personal vehicles to meet students at service sites. To ensure the safety & well-being of our haumāna, all teachers (homeroom & supervision) need to be with their students on the bus going to & from service sites.
What is the kuleana of homeroom & supervision kumu?
- Homeroom teachers are the lead kumu for the day, meaning they are responsible to facilitate under the direction of their service organization’s staff/volunteers. Homeroom representatives are also expected to kōkua their kumu when appropriate.
- Supervision teachers are the kumu kōkua for the day, meaning they are the extra set of “maka” (eyes) for the homeroom kumu to ensure that haumāna are actively engaged in service.
- All kumu are expected to work alongside our haumāna in rendering service. ‘A‘ohe hana nui ke alu ‘ia–no task is too big when shared by all, students & teachers alike.
What is the dress code?
Dress code for all kumu will be comfortable service clothes: modest shorts or long pants,
t-shirt, covered shoes, and a hat if you wish. For those working at fish ponds, streams or in the lo‘i, feel free to bring tabis/shoes that you would not mind getting dirty.
At the end of SSD, what do we do with left-over snacks from ‘Akahi?
Please do not drop-off left-over snacks and/or lunches to Smith Office. Feel free to give the remainder of your mea ‘ai (snacks & lunches) to your service agency before leaving the site or to mālama those items in your respective homerooms.