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Update from the School Director
December 2011
Dear Lanikai Families and Friends,
We need your support.
Public school funding is tight, especially in the state of Hawaii, as the Hawaii Department of Education
tackles a $32M budget reduction over the next two years. A majority of this funding shortfall will be cut
in the per-pupil funding model.
As a public charter school, we already receive nearly $250 less per pupil than DOE schools. Lanikai
School is currently estimating a budget shortfall roughly equivalent to this amount. That is nearly
$86,000 less that Lanikai School students receive per year! To put that in perspective, it is an average of
two teacher positions.
To address this inequity without affecting our current programs and offerings such as Art, Music, PE,
Technology and Library or classroom support, we need your help.
As many of you make annual contributions to worthwhile causes and charities, I ask that you please
consider giving to Lanikai School this year as part of your giving plan for 2011. Whether you give $5 or
$50 or $500, know that each dollar goes directly to the enrichment and enhancement for Lanikai School
students.
Fortunately, with the direction and leadership of our School Board, we have safely sheltered our programs
and classroom support positions through the years. For example, when Hawaii received nation wide
criticism for "Furlough Fridays," our students did not miss one instructional day. This is true today as our
staff are not affected by the 5% pay reduction or other furlough days. Our students thrive in a well-
rounded education model that includes art, music, and PE balanced with strong academics.
And what are the results? Lanikai School has ranked in the top 10% of all public schools in both reading
and math for the past several years. Last year, our 3rd - 6th grade students were tied in second for
Reading (94% proficiency) and sixth for math (84% proficiency) as measured on the Hawaii State
Assessment. We have been nominated for Blue Ribbon status, received art awards and excelled in Lego
Robotics just to name a few.
With your charitable donation to our 501[c][3], you can help make a difference in the life of your child
and the lives of all our children. Can you imagine a school without the Arts or PE or reduced class size?
These features make Lanikai the school that it is and contributes to our continued success.
Join me and many others who want to continue our commitment to the arts and extra classroom support,
while building towards the future. Let us join together to make a strong statement to our community that
we value our children, our school and our community. So whether you can give $5, $50, $500 or even
more, remember that every penny counts!
Respectfully,
Ed H. Noh
School Director
Lanikai Elementary PCS- 140 Alala Road, Kailua, HI 96734
P.S. All donations can be made to "Lanikai School" and will be deposited into our 501[c][3] for the sole purpose of student enrichment, engagement and enhancement. And for every donation of $500 or more, you and your family will be our honored guests at Lanikai School's "Concert Under the Stars"! It's a win-win for everyone!
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