Update from the School Director  

 "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."
JFK

Dear Lanikai Families:

The month of November has been very busy as of late, and we have had everything from the Galliard String Quartet (Chamber Music Hawaii) to a motivating talk through the NED program (you know the yo-yo guy!) and of course, our 1st Quarter Awards Ceremony!  As I commented on the day of the ceremony, the highlight for me was not only the students who exhibited General Learner Outcomes for the first quarter, but the friends that genuinely cheered and encouraged their peers.  It was a very endearing and special moment for all.  Along with the staff, I celebrated students who were recognized as Self-Directed Learners, Community Contributors, Complex Thinkers, Quality Producers, Effective Communicators and Ethical Users of Technology as well as students who had Perfect Attendance.  I want to thank all the support these students receive not only on the school side, but at the home front.  Our school to home partnership is vital and an important indicator for success.  I look forward to our 1st Semester Awards Ceremony so that we can once again celebrate our students!

As November is the season of Thanksgiving, let us remember to count our blessings big AND small and to express our gratitude through our actions.

Truly,

Mr. Noh

  Donations of time, talent and dollars... 

                                                .                  ... Be the Eagle

During the last month Lanikai has received many generous gifts of time, talent and money. Nick VanDerKamp, former Lanikai student, saw some problems on our campus and addressed them for his Eagle Scout project. Nick and scouts from Troop 113, along with some of their parents, worked very hard over a few weekends in October to pull all of this together. They created a new pathway to the SPED trailers, built some new picnic tables, repaired some benches and did some general beautification around campus! Our PTSA donated the lumber to build the picnic tables and repair the benches. Mrs. Roni Willkie asked her landscaping connection, Jerry Brown of Utopia Landscape and Design to donate some time and materials to assist with this project. They came and leveled the area, put in border trim and provided the soil. They also donated concrete paving stones and the green paint for the picnic tables. Kurt Tengen of Ameron donated all of the gravel and KOSC/Marine Corps Base Hawaii paid for the delivery.

This project was a wonderful group effort, as many people and organizations worked together to make it possible. Thank you to all of you who played a part, and especially to Nick for having the vision and seeing it through!      

                                                                Let Them Eat Steak!

The students at our school also received another amazing reward to assist with their education: a $5,000 check from the owners of Buzz's Steakhouse for the purchase of a new kiln!  Buzz's is celebrating 50 years in Lanikai, and instead of having parties to celebrate, they decided to give back to the community. We were one of the lucky recipients of their generosity. Next time you are at Buzz's be sure to thank Stan and Bobby Lou Yeackel for supporting our school and our art program.

                                                                 Boo!utiful Partnership

Last but not least, many parents, teachers, military partners, staff and community members donated time, energy, food, money and creativity to run Fall Fest and Haunted House. PTSA sponsored the event and coordinated all of the work. PTSA raised a significant amount of money that is being donated back to our school. Click here to check out some great photos of the Haunted House compliments of Kristen Wong, military photo journalist. Mahala to all of you that assisted with this event !