As part of our efforts to build bridges and reach out into the greater Kaua'i community, we have scheduled a series of exchanges with students from Kanuikapono, an Anahola based charter school with a great emphasize on project-based learning. Last week, I had the chance to drop in a for a bit during the exchange. It was a delight to see all of the children so engaged and making new friends. They ate together, danced together and learned many new things together. Thank you to Carla, Ryan and Kumu Mauli Ola for organizing this event. A special thanks to our Kanuikapono hosts for making us feel so welcome.!

 

 

Thanks to the Garden Isle Arts Council, KPS students were treated to an extremely talented and entertaining storyteller last week.  Jeff Gere had amazing energy. He had the children riveted during the entire presentation.  Jeff is a nationally recognized storyteller who regularly makes presentations to school. We feel very lucky to have had him come and work with our students.

 

However, we have learned that one or two children found his final story to be a bit scary. We apologize if there were any aftereffects of the final story with your child.  Some of the teachers in the room did feel that he might have gone a little too far with the last story at the very end for some of the younger children.  We have since had some excellent discussions amongst ourselves after about fairly tales, scary stories and moral development.  Kumu Mauli Ola shared that there is an ongoing debate amongst professional storytellers. One group feels that we must expose children to scary storiess. They argue that "scary" stories such as fairy tales, myths and fables have been shared with children for centuries and that they provide an appopriate mechanism for children to feel and express fear.  Others feel that life is scary enough for kids and there is no reason to expose children to stories for which they are not ready. Interesting stuff and I personaly plan to do some more research in this area especially since we are planning on integrating more storytelling into our Language Arts program next year.

 

If you can donate anything to the silent auction, please bring the item into the office by Friday, May 1st. 

Dress Rehearsal-Thursday, May 14th

 

We are also looking for a few brief testimonials from parents to put on the web-site and in our new promotional material. If you are so inspired, please e-mail Lisa a short testimonial when you get a chance. Thanks so much!