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Ma'ema'e Elementary September Parent Bulletin 2011
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Dear Parent(s) & Guardian(s),
We are into the second month of our new school year and the students are adjusting well. There have been several changes to our school schedule this year and we are trying very hard to make the transition as smooth as possible. The biggest change is our bell schedule that will be in effect Tuesday, September 6, 2011. The warning bell is at 7:55 am, with the school day starting at 8:00 and ending at 2:15 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. On Wednesdays the school day starts at the same time and ends at 12:25 pm. The schedule will be included with this newsletter on Ma`ema`e's web page or as a hard copy that will be given to students who do not have access to a computer. Breakfast will be served daily from 7:00 to 7:45 am. Remember, there is no supervision in the morning before school and after school. Your child(ren) should be enrolled in A+ if they remain on campus. September 5, Monday, is Labor Day and a holiday. There is no school for students. They will return to school on Tuesday. On September 7th Federal Survey Cards will be sent home with your child. Please fill them out and send them back as soon as possible. September 9th is Grandparents Breakfast. The first graders are in charge of this event and the big field will be open for parking. We hope to see you there at 8:30 am in the cafeteria. Membership deadline for PTSA is September 30. Please contact your PTSA representative and become a member. You can also inquire about how you can be involved as a parent in the association. On the school calendar for 2011-12, October 17 is shown as a day without students. Originally, it was suppose to be a professional development day for the teachers, but with the new teachers contract all professional development days were cancelled. October 17 is now a school day with students. Students are to report to school. I hope those of you who attended Open House and Kindergarten Orientation were able to meet your child(ren's) teacher and find out about their program. If you have any questions please feel free to call me. Remember Dream Big and Work Hard. Thank you, Pearlene Blaisdell. Principal |
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| Federal Survey Cards | |
Your child(ren) will soon be taking home the 2011 Federal Survey for your immediate completion. The survey count date is Wednesday, September 7th, 2011, and completed information must be returned the very next day. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
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Vice Principal's Corner
"Time sure flies by when you're having fun.!" Open House and picture taking is over and in no time the 1st quarter will be over. (Sept. 30) The opening of the school year appears to be going smoothly or in the right direction. Thank you to the faculty, staff, parents, students and community for a relatively smooth opening of the 2011-2012 School Year. We look forward to a great year! Our mission for this year: Dream Big . . . Work Hard! We the faculty and staff at Ma'ema'e believe that each child has the potential to do well and in order to full fill this "dream" it is dependent on "hard work" and taking personal responsibility. Everyone has something they are good at and we are hoping that each child will realize their potential. We ask that everyone, including the parents and community embrace our mission and together support the school in its effort to support and help all children. This is how you can help: - Read to your child(ren) for 15 to 30 minutes everyday.
- Check homework every night.
- Get involved in the PTSA.
- Discuss your child's progress with the classroom teacher first.
- Attendance and Promptness is Priority!
Together we will STRIVE to help each child succeed academically, emotionally and physically. Thank you! L. Kobayashi, VP |
Safe Driving Reminder
Please remember to drive slowly through the Ma'ema'e Campus and on Kawananakoa Place. Pay attention to stop signs that are placed on our campus and on Kawananakoa Place. Adhering to traffic signs posted along the driveways and streets will help to ensure the safety of our students and neighborhood residents that surround our school. Parking in Spaces Reserved for Persons with Disabilities It is illegal to park in spaces reserved for people with disabilities. If you were given a citation the penalty would be a fine of $250-$500. (Section 291-57, Hawaii Revised Statues) Practice good citizenship. Follow the rules and think of others safety. If you must stop to drop your child off, park your car or drive to the bus stop shelter. Thank you for your cooperation. Traffic Safety and Parking - Obey traffic rules.
- Parking: Parking is prohibited in front of the fire station, in their parking lot and in front of the chain to the "Big Field."
- Please refrain from parking in the stalls that are marked, "STAFF" in the morning and after school before 3:00 p.m. These stalls are reserved for our teachers and other staff personnel.
- Stop signs: Come to a complete stop at the foot of the Ma'ema'e Lane.
- Drop off your child(ren) at the Bus Shelter or the Ma'ema'e Lane Crosswalk. Escort service to the classroom can be provided by a JPO upon request.
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From the Cafeteria
"Revised" Menu There have been a few changes to the lunch menu. Please see the Revised Menu: 8/20/11. (Attached) Please replace your current 1st semester menu with this new one. Note: October 17 is a school day. Breakfast with Your Child Parents/adults are welcome to eat breakfast with their child, but due to Federal Rules and Regulations, parents/adults and non-Ma`ema`e students are not allowed to eat from the student's plate. Adults may purchase their own breakfast at $2.20 (effective 09/01/11) . Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. School Prepared Meals - HELP! Encourage your child to eat school prepared meals during the month of September. We need to maintain meal counts for cafeteria staffing. Thank you for your understanding! MEALTIME REMINDERS We would like to extend our gratitude to parents/guardians who have been keeping track of their child's Mealtime account diligently. We appreciate your support and cooperation! Negative Balance Notices Just a reminder that our staff will continue to send home negative balance notices through your child. If your child's balance reaches a $11.25 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 Hawaii 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
The cost of eating lunch only for a month (20 days) is $45.00. Both a breakfast and a lunch daily in an average month (20 school days) is approximately $65.00. We strongly encourage parents to make regular cash deposits into their child's Mealtime account. Thank you>
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.
New Student Mealtime Prices
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Library
Volunteers Needed
The library needs adult volunteers to help check-in and check out books Thursday morning and Friday morning and afternoon. If you are available, please come! Call Mrs. Domion at 595-5400 ext. 233 email sandy_domion@notes.k12.hi.us.
Book Fair
Thank you to all, who participated and helped at the book fair. The monies raised help buy new books and equipment for the library. We will be having one more book fair in May!
Library Over dues/Fines
Students with overdue materials may not borrow additional materials until the book is returned or paid for. Books that are water damaged will be assessed the amount of the book since the book can no longer be circulated. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.
Library Hours
Mon. Tues. Thurs. Fri. - 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Wed 7:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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Health Room
The Flu Vaccine Clinic will be on November 10, 2011 from 8:00 a.m. -11:30 a. m. Please sign your child up for the vaccine.
Our school absences have dropped and I see fewer children with high fevers and flu symptoms since the vaccination program has been offered at school.
Consent forms are due back by Sept.09, 2011. Please get them in on time, if received late your child will be placed on a wait list and if there is available vaccine will be able to complete the immunization. If you decide to remove your child from the vac-program, you must come to the HR in person to confirm cancelation of their form.
We do apologize for the conflict with the fifth grade Camp Timberline trip. But strongly encourage parents to take their children to their pediatrician for the flu shot/mist to help reduce their chance of getting the flu this year.
Please remember we are a 'peanut-free facility', do not bring any treats or snacks into your child's class without talking to their teacher.
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please call the Health Room, school days/hours 595-5406. Thank you, H.Bedford, Maemae Heath Aide
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Gifted and Talented Program
G.T. Welcomes a New Year
This new school year brings us a new theme in our G.T. classroom as we approach a unique opportunity to investigate FOOD! We are excited to introduce you to our newest theme for First Lego League for 2011, FOOD FACTOR! We will be accepting the challenge to keep food safe and join many other students from around the world as we see if we can improve the quality of food by finding ways to prevent food contamination. In the 2011 Food Factor Challenge, over 200,000 9-14 year olds from over 55 countries will explore the topic of food safety and examine the possible points of contamination our food encounters - from exposure to insects and creatures, to unsterile processing and transportation, to unsanitary preparation and storage - then find ways to prevent or combat these contaminates. In the Food Factor Challenge, teams will build, test, and program an autonomous robot using LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT to solve a set of Food Safety missions as well as research, develop, and share their innovative food safety solutions. Throughout their experience, teams will operate under FLL's signature set of Core Values. Each of our G.T. grade levels two through five will center their learning on this theme as we investigate ways to keep ourselves healthy through the choices of the foods we decide to eat. This year we have a total of 65 students currently identified and participating in the program. We welcome our six new students, as well as our previously identified members. Feel free to stop in and take a look at the newest Lego missions which we are constructing, as well as the NXT Lego Robots that the students have created. Finally, we welcomed parents, both of new and old members, as they joined together for a G.T. Open House held in the Ma`ema`e Library on Thursday, August 25, 2011. During the gathering, parents learned about the current G.T. program, as well as purpose, followed by a question & answer session. Following the general meeting, families of the grade 5 G.T. students concluded the night with an informational meeting related to First Lego League and our participation as FLL competitors. Mark your calendar for the annual State of Hawaii`i event to be held at the NBC arena on Saturday, December 3, 2011, which is a FREE, open to the public championship. |
Technology
Technology Fundraiser
- 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
- Walkathon - Oct. 21, Friday to start a pod of mobile units for the schoo
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 (Includes K-1)
5. Study Island (Includes K-1)
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.
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Student Council
Student Council News
On behalf of this year's Student Council, we would like to welcome everyone back to school! We promise an exciting year full of memorable activities.
Welcome Assembly
Student Council leaders, led by President Brooke Suzuki, put on a Welcome Back Assembly on August 18. Besides welcoming new students and staff back to school, the SC officers and SCC reps helped present an energetic version of the theme: "Dream Big, Work Hard", with the "Firework" song playing in the background. Students also heard a safety message from the JPO's, as well as welcome messages from Principal Mrs. Blaisdell and VP Lynn Kobayashi. Two special guests also made appearances. First, fifth grader Allan Chen talked about his experience last year with the World Math Day competition. Through his hard work and dedication Allan ended up being the fourth highest US finisher (and 28th in the world!). Over 1.2 million students from over 220 countries participated in this event last year. The audience was also thrilled by the presence of Kalani Ahmad, who demonstrated the basketball freestyle talent that landed him on the YouTube episode of "America's Got Talent"! Kalani also works part-time at our school as a Para-professional and in our A+ Program.
Student Council Leadership Team
Here are the Student Council officers and SCC student members for this school year. The first official Student Council meeting will take place on Sept. 12.
Student Council Officers
President: BS (5-37)
First Vice-President: CJ (5-39)
Second Vice-President: WY (4-27)
Recording Secretary: KY (5-38)
Corresponding Secretary: AN (4-28)
Treasurer: CN (5-40)
School Community Council (SCC)
Representatives: NP (5-39), KY (5-38)
Alternates (non-voting): KO (4-30), MP(4-27)
Hi5 Recycling
This project started up again in August. Regular monthly pick-ups of our Hi5 beverage containers will continue on the FIRST THURSDAY of the month (Sept. 1 is the next one).
If you have some time in the morning (8:00 to 9:00 am) and don't mind getting your hands a little sticky, we'd love to have you come and help sort and bag Hi5 containers. Meet us right in front of the mural (by Room 6). Please clip and post the one-page schedule included with this bulletin. Revenue from this recycling project helps fund all of the Student Council activities for the year. Mahalo!
WANTED: 'Ohana Chip Donations
The school's 'Ohana Chip Redemption Store has begun and we would like to thank the following for their generous donations of new and gently used items such as toys, pencils, knick-knacks, as well as gift cards, watches, costume jewelry, movie passes and healthy snacks (prepackaged only and peanut-free, please). The redemption "store" happens every Wednesday at first recess in the cafeteria and we depend largely on donations to keep the store well-stocked. Students receive 'ohana chips for displaying our 'ohana values through their words and actions (kuleana, aloha, laulima and onipa'a). We would also like to thank the PTSA for their support of this program this year.
Mahalo to our most recent donors: Stanton Ching (5-39), Aaron Ing (K-22), Zachary Ing (2-11), Samantha Hart (K-25), Sage Katahira (K-25), Erin Katahira (3-18), Connor Seto (4-30), Ella Mei (K-25), Corrado Altomare (K-24).
Jordan Ho (4-27), Susan Takumi (volunteer), Angelina Gonzalez (3-20),
GAR Keiki Run and Honolulu 5K
Mark your calendars! Both of last year's fun runs (benefiting the schools) will be back this year! The Great Aloha Run Keiki Run will be held on Saturday, Feb. 18 at the NBC on Ward Ave. Then on Sunday, April 29, the second annual Honolulu 5K will be back in the Downtown/State Capitol district.
Both of these fun runs will benefit Hawaii's schools by returning a large portion of the entry fees to the schools. There will be more information to follow.
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PTSA News
Treasurer's Corner
By Wendy Yoshioka-Moore
Over the summer, your teachers were busy as bees attending workshops and preparing for the new school year. Your PTSA supports their professional development workshops, and has paid $521.80.
Stocking up and preparing for class, your PTSA has given teachers and faculty $8,550 in classroom support to purchase much needed classroom supplies.
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School Calendar & Community Events
9/1/11 to 9/2/11 9/1/11 - Gr. 4: Hawaiian Geology Presentation, 8:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
9/5/11 9/7/11 - Federal Survey Card Distribution
9/9/11 - Gr. 1: Grandparents' Breakfast, 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
9/15/11 - Gr. 4 (Rms. 27, 28): Geology Bus Tour, 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
9/16/11 - Gr. 4 (Rms. 29, 30): Geology Bus Tour, 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
09/26/11 - PTSA: Liliha Bakery Ticket Monies are due!
09/30/11 10/03/11 to 10/07/11 10/10/11 - Directed Leave for Teachers- NO SCHOOL
10/17/11 - SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS (RHS Complex Day CANCELLED!
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