Vice Principal's Message

As the school year comes to an end, I reflect upon my experiences as a new vice principal. Understanding the school's culture through the everyday routines of an elementary school, I have learned about the rituals and practices which are a part of Ma'ema'e School. 

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all the stakeholders of the school for collaborating and working together for the success of our children.  Each of your children has brought joy and happiness to me and it has been a pleasure working and just being around them.  My personal goal was to learn all 650 student names and of course I was not able to accomplish that feat, but I do recognize most of them and I will continue to learn their names next school year.  Yes, we are finishing another year, but I feel that it is also the beginning of a new year.

Celebrate the summer vacation and return to school with enthusiasm and energy to start another year on the journey to learning.

We all look forward to a greater and better school year 2011-2012.

I thank you all for your understanding, patience and cooperation and ask for your continued support.  You are all a wonderful family.

Sincerely,

Mrs. L. Kobayashi

Student Release

If your child will not be returning to Ma`ema`e School next year, please notify the office as soon as possible, so that the office can prepare release forms and have it sent home with your child on the last day of school.

JPO Field Day  

The Ma`ema`e JPOs participated in the annual JPO Field Day at Kapiolani Park sponsored by the Honolulu Police Department on April 28, 2010. Under the leadership of Ursula Costorio-Meyer, JPO advisor, the JPOs sacrificed their recesses to practice for this event. Thank you parents for your support by bringing your child(ren) early in the morning to practice.  We all thank the JPOs for servicing our school!

23rd Annual MOA Children's Painting Contest

Health Room

Summer break is just around the corner.  If you need a copy of your child's health record for a physical exam or immunization update, please call or stop by the health room.  Forms for students who need medication in school, including Epi Pens, will not be sent home at the end of this school year.  The Department of Health/DOE are in the process of revising their policies and will be notified of any changes at the beginning of the next school year. 

There are many upcoming field trips and we ask that you remind your child(ren) to wear their school T-shirt and covered shoes and remember to bring a home lunch if indicated by teacher.

If your student is participating in end of the school year activities, please check with their teacher BEFORE bringing treats to class. We have numerous students with severe peanut allergies.

Heads Up!  We will be participating in the "Stop Flu at School" flu vaccine program.  Tentative date has been set for second week in November or the first week in December

Any questions, comments or suggestions please call the health room, school days from 7:30 AM to 2:30 AM at 595-5406.

See you at Family Night and have a wonderful, restful summer vacation.

H. Bedford, Health Aide, 595-5406

Library News

Book Fair

Come to the Book Fair May 3-6 at the Ma`ema`e Library!  The Fair will be open from 8:00a.m. - 3:00p.m. Tuesday and Thursday  (May 3^rd and May 5^th ) 8:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. Wednesday and 8:00a.m. -  4:00p.m. on Friday ( May6th ).

Thank you for your support!

End of Year in the library

All student library books are due back in the library by May 13th.  Please return any overdue books by that date.  Lost books may be paid for with cash or a check made out to: Ma`ema`e Elementary School.  Thank you for a great year in the library!

Yearbooks

 If you have not already ordered a yearbook, it is not too late.  The price is $20, payable in cash or with a check  made out to: Ma`ema`e Elementary School.  Thank you!

Lost and Found

If your child is missing jackets, water bottles, or other personal items, please come and check out our office Lost and Found boxes.  Any items not claimed by May 27, 2011 will be donated to Kaumakapili Church.  Our office is open daily from 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (except state holidays).

Cafeteria News

We have started a new system mandated from the Federal Government.  It is "offer vs. serve".  At lunch we "offer" choices for Grades 2-5 from the lunch menu. Pre-K, Kindergarten and Grade 1 will continue to be served a complete meal.

Mealtime Reminders

Our office will be issuing Mealtime cash refunds to parents of students not returning next school year.  Starting May 27^th from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Mon.-Fri. (except holidays) parents may pick up these refunds. A form of valid identification will need to be shown at the time of the issuance of the refund.  Only children in the 4^th or 5^th grade who will not be returning  next year may pick up their refund if authorized by their parents to do so.  No refunds will be mailed.

If your child is  returning to Ma`ema`e next year, his/her current Mealtime balance will be carried forward to the next school year.  If non-returning students have siblings at the school, the office will make every effort to transfer the non-returning  student Mealtime account to his/her siblings account, unless the office is notified otherwise by the parent.

The office will begin accepting Mealtime deposits ( cash only ) for next school year at the  office drop box beginning Monday, July 25, 2011.

School Meal Prices Effective 3/1/11

This is just a reminder regarding changes in school meal prices for students.

Breakfast:

Lunch:

 Breakfast With Your Child

Parents/adults are welcome to eat breakfast with their child but due to Federal Rules and Regulations, parents/adults are not allowed to eat from the student's plate.   Adults may purchase their own breakfast at $2.00.   Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Negative Balance Notices

Just a reminder that our staff will continue to send home negative balance notices through your child.   As of March 1, 2011, if your child's balance reaches a $11.75 negative balance or $2.00 negative balance for a child under the reduced lunch program, he/she will not be able to purchase a lunch (in accordance with Hawai`i State Department of Education School Food Service Policy).   We strongly encourage parents to make regular deposits into their child's Mealtime account(s).  

Cash Deposits

As of March 1, 2011, the cost of eating both a breakfast and a lunch daily in an average month (20 school days) is approximately $67.00.  The cost of eating lunch only in an average month (20 days) is $47.00. We strongly encourage parents to make regular cash deposits into their child's Mealtime account.

Adult Breakfast

For parents or other adults accompanying their child for breakfast, please bring exact change with you to pay for your meal ($2.00 for adults) as we have a very limited change fund.

Recess Juice/Milk Purchases

Also of note, if your child is under the Federal Lunch program (free or reduced meals) and he/she purchases juice or milk during morning recess, please make sure you have sufficient funds in your child's account to cover these ala carte items.

Gifted and Talented Program

G.T. Students "ONSTAGE"

During the past months, Grade 4 G.T. students, as well as the students from the entire 4^th Grade, participated in writing Renshi poetry.  Renshi is a form of poetry where the poet begins his/her poem from an idea or word from another poet's poem.  Students were introduced to Renshi thanks to a locally published poet, Ann Inoshita.  Ms. Inoshita was so impressed with our interest and successes in becoming poets that she has invited several of our students to participate in the upcoming Hawaii Book and Music Festival.  Our G.T. students who will be attending are scheduled to read their Renshi poetry on the Keiki Stage at the Honolulu Hale Frank F. Fasi Grounds.  On Sunday, May 15, 2011 from 4:30 - 5:00 p.m., the young poets will share creations that have been published on the G.T. webpage ( http://web.me.com/dianekoushki/GT_2010_2011/WELCOME.html - click on Renshi link at the top of the homepage.)

Parents and students are highly encouraged to attend on both or either of the days (May 14 & 15, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m.)  Admission and parking are free.  We hope to see you there.

Finally, our Grade 1 G.T. kiddies are involved in a mini-care project in which we are collecting "GENTLY USED OR NEW" child-size shoes as they participate in SOLES4SOULS.  This organization is helping to send our donations to our neighbors in Japan who are in desperate need of shoes, as well as so many other items.  If you wish to make a donation, you may send wearable shoes to Room 42 and the shoes will be delivered to the foundation before May 1, 2011.  Thank you.

Technology News 

Technology Fundraisers 

• General Mills - Labels will be sent in November.  Continue to send in the labels.
• Recycling Ink Cartridges and Toners - Intrade (847-5300) will pick them up at your office and if you tell them, they'll credit to Ma`ema`e or send to the office or lab. 
• Office Depot - 5% back to the school (designate Ma`ema`e) on qualifying purchases (ask Office Depot for a list of qualifying purchases)  School ID Number: 70027176

The Ma'ema'e web pages can be found at

http://web.me.com/maemae3/Maemae_Elementary/Welcome.html

Ma`ema`e students, grades 2-5, now have:

1.     Kid Biz - online reading program (format is exactly like HSA Reading Test)

2.     Timez Attack - online multiplication program (five levels)  Division will be available in a month or so - hopefully in time for summer.

3.     Type to Learn 4 - online keyboarding program

4.     Discovery Ed

For instructions on downloading software, check our web page under "For Parents". If it's a link to a site, go to our web page under "Other Links".

Parents signing up for digital versions of the Parent Bulletin need to sign up for our mailing list at

 http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs046/1102482324905/archive/1103610283020.html

You will receive an e-mail where you can confirm your e-mail address.

Student Council News

See Quick Links to connect to the Student Council News.

PTSA News

School Year 2011-2012 PTSA Board

President - Elaine Low

1st Vice President (Family Night Chair) - Melanie Kawai

2nd Vice President (Programs) - Darren Cantrill

3rd Vice President (Membership) - Lori Katahira

4th Vice President (Ways and Means) - Michelle Hashimoto

Treasurer - Wendy Yoshioka-Moore

Assistant Treasurer - Ursula Costorio-Meyer

Recording Secretary - Nicole Nagamine

Corresponding Secretary - Kristen Lipman

Teacher Reps - 5th Grade Teachers

We welcome all parents to get involved next school year! More information about joining the PTSA and about our programs and events to come at the beginning of the school year! Please contact Elaine Low (227-5867) if you have questions, or would like more information about volunteer opportunities!

See quick links above for latest Family Night Information.  There are three files on the homepage for the school:   

1. 2011 Ma`ema`e Family Night Flyer and Map - FINAL 2
2. Product Needs Flyer 2011 - 3rd Distribution w May Parent Newsletter w Donation Tags
3. Bake Shop Flyer 2011 - 2 - Reminder

Mahalo!

School Community Council Update

SCC Elections:

Dayleen Kai -Alternate Community Representative (1 year)

 Wayne Taketa - Parent Representative (3 years) (Wayne is also a member of the neighborhood board.)

Donna Yamamoto -Alternate Parent Representative (1 year)

School Calendar & Community Events

5/6/11

·       Gr. 2 (rms.12, 15) CPK Field Trip, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

5/3/11 - 5/6/11

·       Spring Book Fair

(Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m ., Wednesday from 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

5/4/11

·       Teacher Appreciation Day

5/6/11

• Family Night - 2:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

5/7/11

·       Gr. 5 Chevron Speech Festival, 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. @ McKinley High School

5/11/11

·       "Sort It Out" Recycling Play, 8:15 am in cafeteria

5/12/11

·       Hi-5 Recycling Day

5/13/10

·       All library books due!

·       Gr. 4 and 5:  Track Meet at Roosevelt, 8:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

·       Gr. 2 (Rooms13,14,15) CPK Field Trip, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

5/16/11

·       Basketball Exhibition Game, 12:30 p.m.

5/16/11 to 5/20/11

·       Grade 4, Bike Education, 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

5/17/11

·       Gr. 5:  DARE Day @ Stan Sheriff Center, 8:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

5/20/11

·       Gr. 2 (Rooms 11, 13) CPK Field Trip, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

·       Jump Rope for Heart , 1:00 pm -2:00 pm

5/23/11

·       Gr. 2 - 5:  Student Council General Election Rally, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

·       JPO Appreciation Celebration, 1:00 -2:00 p.m.

5/25/11

·       End of Year Recognition Assembly, 8:15 - 9:30 a.m.

5/26/10

·       Last day of school/End of 4^th Quarter

·       Gr. 5:  Graduation, Fairy Ring, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

·       Students will be dismissed at 2:10 p.m.