2014-15 Quarter 3 Parent Letter - KS Blogs

KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS
March 27, 2015
Dear Parents & Guardians:
Well, it is hard to believe it. We are in the final quarter of the 2014-15 school year. I hope that we have met the learning
expectations for your children. By now you should have received your child’s 3rd quarter report card. If you have not received it,
contact the middle school office at 572-4200 to update your contact information and request another report card to be mailed to
you.
Let me share with you highlights of the third quarter.
We started off the quarter with our January chapel in observance of Charles Reed Bishop. During chapel the students were able
to Skype with KSM ’09 alumni Caitlyn Aiwohi. Caitlyn is currently working for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs in Washington,
D.C. She encouraged the middle school students to dream big and work hard.
For the first time ever, our video crew hosted “home base” on PBS’ Hiki No program on January 29. The crew worked tirelessly
to capture the KS Maui experience from a middle school perspective. The segments were very well received by the producers at
Hiko No. Stay tuned for another featured video in April.
Ten students – nine 8th graders and one 7th grader traveled to Molokaʻi to participate in Makahiki. Our students met with their
brothers and sisters from Kapālama and Hawaiʻi campuses while competing side by side in events at Naiwa and Kaunakakai. We
hope to continue our participation and bring strong contenders to Molokaʻi next January.
One girls’ team and two boys’ teams participated in our IMSL basketball season. Many of our students who start playing
basketball at the middle school continue to high school JV and varsity teams at KSM. We also hosted the 8th annual KSM MS
Invitational Track & Field Meet on Saturday, March 7. We had over 200 students from 8 middle schools participate in track and
field events. Tristan Catan established a new meet record for the high jump with his 18’ 1” jump. Then the following week our
middle school team participated in the 90th Annual Kiwanis’ Track & Field meet. They were equally successful in bringing in
the most medals of the day - 31 gold, 23 silver and 17 bronze medals.
Our student government officers were busy during Spirit Week – the week of the big Kiwanis track meet. Student participation
by grade level was counted for dress up days, sports rally, talent show, and penny wars. The winners will be announced when the
students return from spring break. At stake is Kona shaved ice for the winning class plus a casual dress day. This year $1,661.84
was donated to the American Cancer Society from our penny wars.
Much cultural learning took place in this quarter. Pōʻalima ʻUlaʻula was held on February 6. This was an all-day affair with
speakers from the community sharing their manaʻo on the song Kaulana nā Pua. At the end of the day, we had a mass hula in
the high school gym. Again, students showed their commitment to our cultural heritage in a sea of red shirts dancing to the
music. Then on March 17, we had our Kaʻahumanu Observance to honor our queen. Thirty members of the various royal
societies joined us on this day. Students brought hoʻokupu in the form of lei and hula. And on the last three days before spring
break our haumāna participated in ʻIke Hawaiʻi IDU (interdisciplinary unit) to learn more about what it means to be a Hawaiian
in the 21st century and the kuleana that is expected from each student. Grade 6 learned about the past through mele, ʻoli and hula.
Grade 7 experienced Lahainā past and present. And Grade 8 discovered the differing views on water in an island community.
I am grateful to our wonderful kumu who work hard to plan and implement many learning activities for their students. Our
students have also put in much effort to be ‘good and industrious’ throughout the quarter. And the support of parents and family
is the last piece of a winning combination for a successful school.
One of the last events for middle school students is the end-of-year class social. This will be on May 20 – an all-day affair. The
students will be participating in fun activities that often require payment in advance. I noticed that the last social day in
December experienced a high number of absentee students. Social day is a day for our students to learn social skills in a safe
environment, to create stronger bonds with other classmates, and to celebrate the successful completion of a semester of hard
work. I am hopeful that we will have very strong participation on May 20. If your child cannot make it for good reason, please
notify your child’s advisory teacher in a timely manner. Your support and attention to this matter is appreciated.
Kamehameha Schools Maui * Middle School
281 ‘Aÿapueo Parkway * Pukalani, Hawaiÿi 96768 * Phone (808) 572-4200 * Fax (808) 572-4250
Founded and Endowed by the Legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop
Let’s end the school year on a very positive note. And one way you can do this is to make sure that you complete and turn in all
medical forms. You can access these forms online at: http://blogs.ksbe.edu/mauihealthservices/health-forms/student-forms/.
All forms are due on May 14. Please note that yearbook distribution is based on timely submittal of the health forms. Those
whose forms are not turned in will receive their yearbook on the last day of school rather than on distribution day which is
usually five to six days prior to the last day of school. Don’t wait until the last minute to complete these health forms. Your
child will appreciate your timeliness. If you need more assistance regarding the health forms, contact Nurse Malia at 572-4221.
Student laptops will be collected before the summer break. Notifications will be sent out to students and parents regarding
collection of laptop bags and chargers. We have been very fortunate that students have taken responsibility for their schoolissued laptops with just two computers damaged beyond repair. Of course the damage to these two computers could have been
prevented had the students followed our guidelines – no food or drinks while using the computer. Even during our random
checks, we have found that the majority of our students are abiding by our appropriate use rules. I hope that the students will
continue to take care of the laptops until turned in at the end of the school year. Those students returning to the middle school
will be reissued the same laptops next year.
Our last day of school is May 21; this is a half day with school ending at 11:00 a.m. Arrangements for pick up at school and at
bus stops should be arranged. For grades 6 and 7, a special awards assembly is planned for the morning and other grade level
activities. This is a wonderful way to end a successful school year. Please encourage your child to attend the last day of school.
I am sure teachers and staff would like to wish all the haumāna a safe and enjoyable summer vacation. The 8th graders will have
their award assembly on May 19. Rite of Passage practices will be held on May 19 and 21. Rite of Passage is on the evening of
May 21. Invitations will be mailed to families a few weeks before the event. Admission is by ticket on as the seating in the Hale
is limited. Food and fellowship will follow in the high school dining hall.
You will find attached to this letter a copy of the Emerging Hawaiian Leader Skills report. We are piloting this report in the
fourth quarter to inform parents/guardians of nā kumu’s observations regarding student traits. As you review the traits you will
find that these are important skills and processes that are attributed to academic success. Studies have shown 8th grade academic
achievement had the greatest influence on 8th grade course failure. And 8th grade course failure is a strong predictor of dropping
out of high school. If your child is rated kupu or liko in any trait area, support from school and home is needed to strengthen
these traits. As we move forward in this area, tangible supports will be offered to the child and parents. We welcome feedback
on the report and this process. Please contact Jaylyn Hashimoto, MS curriculum and assessment coordinator, at 573-7461
Once again, thank you for your support of kula waena. I look forward to a “best ever” 4th quarter.
Me ke aloha pumehana,
Lois Nishikawa
Poʻo Kumu
KSM Kula Waena
Kamehameha Schools Maui * Middle School
281 ‘Aÿapueo Parkway * Pukalani, Hawaiÿi 96768 * Phone (808) 572-4200 * Fax (808) 572-4250
Founded and Endowed by the Legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop