News from Kaua'i Pacific School

Kaua'i Pacific School Newsletter

Issue: # 3

April 2009

THOUGHTS FROM THE PRINCIPAL

As I was updating my calendar for May, I realized we only have 18 days of school left! It has been a tremendous year filled with much change and learning. As I walk around the school, I see countless examples showing the growth the children have made under the careful tuttelage of their teachers. Kindergarten and First graders are examining bugs, Second graders are building a rainforest, Third and Fourth graders are rehearsing for their puppet show and the Fifth and Sixth graders are playing with hieroglyphics as part of their study of Ancient Egypt. Students are becoming better readers, better writers and deeper thinkers. They can do math problems they didn't even imagine they could do just a few months ago. Despite the occasional dramas and discord, overall they play beautifully together on the playground. They have grown in ther artistic, musical, physical education and technological skills. Finally, they have become more aware of their relationships with each other and with the environment.

All of this is possible because our school is truly a community school. Our children are supported by each other, their teachers and their parents. We are blessed to be able to learn, work and play together. As we barrel toward the end of the school year, don't forget to take a pause and think back for a second to August. Think about how much your child has matured and grown and take a moment to tell them how proud you are of all they have done in school this year! Then take a second to pat yourself on the back for a job well done getting them to school on time, packing daily lunches, helping with homework, and coaching them through the social challenges inevitable in any school setting.

We appreciate and salute you for everything you have done to support our efforts this year. Our children certainly benefit from all of us working together!

News

MAHALO MOVIE NIGHT

Common Ground, Friday, May 8th

As a token of gratitude to our families for all of their volunteer time and for their support this year, the school will be hosting a "MAHALO MOVIE" night for all KPS families on Friday, May 8th at 6:00 p.m. at Common Ground here in Kilauea. Some light pupus will be served including beans, rice, tofu and chips. Feel free to bring your own picnic if you would like heavier fare. The movie will be WALLI. Bring your beach chairs, blankets and flashlights. This is a FREE event! Hope to see you there! Special thanks to the Jaebs for sponsoring the event!

REENROLLMENT/TUITION ASSISTANCE

Reenrollment forms were due on April 30th. Thank you to everyone who has reenrolled so far. If the $300 is an issue at this time, please bring in your signed contract and we will work with you to figure out a payment plan. Please also remember that you must be reenrolled in order to be considered for tuition assistance. New students must be accepted and enrolled in order to qualify for tuition assistance. The priority tuition assistance deadline is May 15th. Please visit our school web-site to download the tuition assistance application and information form. Thank you all for your support.

APPRECIATIONS

Thank you to all the students and parents for helping to make the teachers feel so special during Teacher Appreciation Week.

Mahalo is also extended to Dali Descoins, Kai Maroney and Ana Bella Ell for going to the Hi-5 redemption center last week.

I'd also like to thank our sixth graders Ashley, Marina, Rye and Tali for helping out with Talent Show Auditions. Special thanks also to Sam Goldberg for helping out with the lunch auditions and to Sam, Kai Maroney and Eli Leech-Kritchman for jumping in at the last minute to help Bianca with her audition. Finally thanks to Tora and Kirk Smart for their help with the Talent Show.

Special thanks to Son Geiger, Lyle Robinson and Lisa Mindel for sharing fresh greens and bananas! Yummy!

The Kindergarten and Grade 1 parents have been so helpful this year. Gratitude is extended to all who drove to Glass Beach on Tuesday. From all accounts, the kids had a blast!

END OF YEAR ASSESSMENTS

As part of our overall assessment efforts, we will be administering two end of year assessments.

Monday, May 11th

Kaua'i Writing Project

Monday, May 18th DIBELS Reading Assessment

Both assessments provide us with valuable information about how our students our doing both individually and collectively in the areas of literacy.

Please make sure your child is well rested , on-time and well fed on the assessment days. Due to time constraints, we will not be able to do make-up assessments. The assessments will start at 8:30 a.m. sharp on both May 11th and May 18th. If you have any questions, please check in with your class teacher.

COMINGS AND GOINGS

As many of you have heard, Suzanne Messinger will be leaving KPS to pursue further education and to search for growth in her career. We wish Suzanne the best of luck. Suzanne joined us in Fall 2006 and has done an amazing job as a teacher. We have all been inspired by her dedication, her love for children, her creativity and her professionalism. We will miss her unique expertise and most of all her friendship with the children and adults in our community. She has promised me that one day she will come back as our Educational Psychologist when our school is big enough to have one! We look forward to that day! We will all be supporting you Suzanne!

We are pleased to announce that Christine Bandsma will be joining our faculty in the Grade 5/6 position next year. Christine worked at Kula as the Grade 5 teacher in 2003-2004 before taking some time off to have her son Bodhi. Prior to that, Christine taught Grades 2-5 at KASA - the Kaua'i Academy of Science & Arts and 4th grade at South Fork Elementary School in California which boasts a school wide garden curriculum. Christine has extensive experience as an outdoor/environmental educator including stints at Crossroads School, Chadwick School and on Catalina Island. She has literally organized hundreds of outdoor multiday field trips for students in Grades 5-12. Christine holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a California Multiple Subject Credential. Both her degree and credential are from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Perhaps Christine herself says it best, "My desire is to work in an effective, forward thinking and exceptional situation. I flourish in an environment of support and open communication. I believe this to be true for students as well. I want to facilitate students' discovery of their talents and abilities as life-long learners and to provide the safety and resources necessary to foster a positive learning environment. To see a spark about learning is what drives me to teach."

We are very excited to have Christine back as part of our Ohana.

She will join Carla, Ryan, Robin, Michele and Chris to round out our already stellar core faculty!

MAUI ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS BRINGS THE FISHERMAN'S WIFE TO KPS

Thanks to the Mau'i Academy of Performing Arts, KPS students were treated to an extremely talented and entertaining trio of actors last week. The set and props were terrific but the best part of the show was the audience interaction. It was fun to see and hear the joy the children felt as they participated in this wonderful 45 minute show.

YES MEN FUNDRAISER PLANNING MEETING

MONDAY, MAY 11TH @ 3:00 P.M.

Please join us for the final planning meeting for our upcoming fundraiser. We will meet briefly just to make sure all the logistics are covered. If you have yet to sign up to volunteer, please drop by the office. We have plenty of positions open especially for set up, selling food and silent auction.

MADRE TIERRA SUMMER ARTS PROGRAM

June 15 to July 10, 2009

The second annual Madre Tierra Summer Arts Program is on it's way! You can find loads of information, including the registration materials on the KPS Web-Site We had so much fun last year that the creative and fun summer program with Ryan, Ria, and Jimena will once again be hosting 2 distinct two-week sessions of artistic exploration and amusement for young people. Offerings this year will include: theater, dance, music, beading, drawing, sculpting, paper planes, watercolor, tie-die, mobiles, games, and more! Session I will run June 15th to June 26th, followed immediately by Session II running June 29th to July 10th. Feel free to contact Ryan if you have any questions: (808) 639-6269 or ryan@kauaipacific.org.

Events

SPRING FUNDRAISER

A Night of Music, Tapas & Dancing

featuring

THE YES MEN

Saturday, May 16th

Church of the Pacific

7:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
$30

Tickets are now on sale in the office, at Papaya's in Kapa'a, at Healthy Hut in Kilauea, at Magic Dragon in Princeville and at Hanalei Strings & Things. Please help us spread the word!

Please let Lisa or Laura know if you can help on the day of the event. We need a set-up crew, a clean-up crew, bouncers, ticket takers and people to work the silent auction and food tables. This is a great way to complete your volunteer hours and it should be a really fun event for everyone. Volunteers get a reduced price ticket for $15!!!

Thank you to everyone who has donated to the silent auction. We have some terrific items so far!

TALENT SHOW