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THOUGHTS FROM THE PRINCIPAL
So many exciting things have happened in our classrooms these past two weeks! I have toured the rainforest, watched a very inspirational people talk show, enjoyed the creative Ancient Egyptian costumes and watched the younger students prepare for the Grouchy Ladybug. So much learning, creativity, laughter and love.
I read something interesting this week:
At age five we engage in creative tasks 98 times a day, laugh 113 times, and ask 65 questions. By age forty four, the numbers fade to 2 creative tasks a day, 11 laughs, and 6 questions... Ashley Montagu once wrote "we were never intended to grow up into the kind of adults most of us have become. We are designed to grow and develop in many ways that emphasize rather than minimize childlike traits."
Since I myself am turning 44 this summer, I was struck by this piece of trivia. I find myself laughing much more than 11 times and asking way more than 6 questions a day. Perhaps it's because I am surrounded by children. Perhaps it is because our teachers work hard everyday to encourage rather than suppress student questions. Perhaps it's just because we try to make learning fun!
This week our school received two major awards that reinforced what we do here at KPS and that will allow us to keep the creativity and questioning alive next year. We received a $45,000 School of the Future Digital Storytelling Grant and we were named a 2009 Arts Excellence School by the Hawaii Arts Alliance based on Oahu. (read more on these awards below!)
I urge you to get creative, to laugh and to ask questions all summer long with your children. Keep the learning fun and keep it happening. Enjoy the summer! Remember to sleep in occassionally and to let the kids be kids!
See you Monday, August 17th for our annual "Back to School Community Potluck".
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KAUA'I PACIFIC SCHOOL RECEIVES DIGITAL STORYTELLING GRANT FOR 2009-2010
We are pleased to announce that we have been awarded a $45,000 School of the Future Grant from the Hawaii Community Foundation and the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools. We will receive this same amount every year for the next five years as long as we are making adequate progress on our grant!
We will use the grant to improve our teaching and learning with a focus on storytelling using digital tools. The project outcomes will include:
· Improved teacher ability to integrate digital storytelling & other Web 2.0 tools into all units of discovery.
· Improved student writing and oral expression as evidenced by student stories published using Web 2.0 tools in formats appropriate for the grade level, project, purpose & audience.
· Improved reading and writing scores on external assessments.
· Improved technology infrastructure to support use of Web 2.0 tools.
· Improved teacher comfort level with using & integrating Web 2.0 tools as measured by the Levels of Teaching Innovation (LOTI) survey.
· Improved community outreach efforts.
The funds will be used specifically to:
· Provide professional development for our teachers to strengthen their ability to use Web 2.0 tools in their teaching.
· Upgrade our technology infrastructure and equipment.
· Fund a part-time tech coordinator who will take care of all tech related needs at the school including coordination of teachers who will teach traditional technology, graphic design and digital media. We are thrilled to receive this grant and can't wait to begin implementing it!
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 KPS NAMED 2009 ARTS EXCELLENCE SCHOOL BY HAWAII ARTS ALLIANCE ON OAHU!
We are pleased to announce that Kaua'i Pacific School has been selected to receive an Arts Excellence Award 2009, for its support of the arts and an arts-integrated education at the Elementary School Level.
An Arts Excellence Award will be presented to our school in the amount of $1,000.00, funded by the Hawai'i Arts Alliance Arts License Plate Fund. This will take place in the fall of 2009.
Congratulations to our arts-based specialty teachers, our arts based elective teachers and our lead classroom teachers for the collaborative efforts to integrate the arts as much as possible into our program!
Hats off to Denise Dion-Scoyni for writing up our application to ensure that our school was recognized for the stellar efforts of our entire staff to promote creativity!
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APPRECIATIONS
As we end another school year we would like to once again express our appreciation to all of the parents for their amazing spirit of volunteerism. Every time we ask for help, many many generous souls come forward! We feel blessed and honored to serve such amazing families. Mahalo for your ongoing love and support! Have a great summer! |
 ELECTIVE PROGRAM
One of our unique programs is our elective program. In the past we have offered courses such as Tai Chi, Choir, Pottery, Watercolor, Yoga, Garden, Cooking and Chess. If you are interested in teaching an elective, please let Lisa know as soon as possible. The fall electives will start the first week of September and run through the end of November. The classes are held every Wednesday from 12:45 - 1:45. This is a great way to earn your volunteer hours. Parents who have taught in the past have seemed to really enjoy the experience!! |
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SUMMER MAILINGS
You will be receiving three mailings over the summer. The first one will be around June 15th and include the final report cards and narratives. Final report cards will also be available on RenWeb on June 15th.
The second mailing will be around July 1st and include invoices for 2009-2010.
The third mailing will be around mid-July and include all the back to school forms including the school supply lists. We will also post all the forms and the school supply lists on our web-site by the end of June so you can download them from there if you need them before mid-July.
Please make sure we have your current mailing and e-mail address on file. You can log on to RenWeb and verify the address we have on file. If you want us to send these mailings to a different address or if you would prefer hard copies sent to you, please just let us know by giving us a call or sending us an e-mail. |
 SUMMER OFFICE HOURS
The school office will be open Monday - Thursday during the summer from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. We will also be checking e-mails and phone messages regularly. |
MADRE TIERRA SUMMER ARTS PROGRAM
Aloha KPS Ohana! Summer is almost here, and we just wanted to remind you that there is a FUN and CREATIVE opportunity available for kids 5 to 15 years old this summer. At our second annual Madre Tierra Summer Arts Program we will be offering students many diverse classes to inspire and nurture their creativity, and we plan to have just as much fun as last year! For more information, including our brochure and sign-up form, check out the "Summer Program" link on the kauaipacific.org website, and feel free to contact Ryan at 639-6269 or ryan@kauaipacific.org with any questions.
Mahalo, and we hope you all have a fantastic summer! - Ryan, Jimena, and Ria |
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THE KAUA'I PACIFIC STAFF WOULD LIKE TO WISH ALL OF OUR FAMILIES A HAPPY, SAFE AND RESTFUL SUMMER!
SEE YOU ALL ON AUGUST 17TH!
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GROW DOWN AND LIGHTEN UP
"When I grow up, I want to be a little boy." - Joseph Heller
One of the best things you can do for your kids - and for yourself - is to make a point of staying young at heart. A great way to do that is to maintain a childlike sense of humor. Don't hesitate to identify with your kids. When something goes wrong, find ways to help them laugh at the situation without embarrasing them. Thell them a funny story about a similar situation you had or a mistkae you made when you were their age, and let them really get a good laugh out of it. That gives them an emotional "out" and keeps them from feeling pointless shame. Then be sure to tell them how you resolved the situation and learnred to do better the next time. That gets them out of the problem and into the solution. Everybody wins.
This summer, devote at least one full day to growing young with your kids. Share stories about your childhood. Show them souvenirs you've kept since you were a kid. Thell them the story that was your favorite when you were their age. Take them to an amusement park or bowling alley and just hang out with them. Play hide and seek and flashlight tag. Jump in the water with them at the beach. Don't just watch. Enjoy their childhood this summer right along wtih them!! |
 IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, June 15th
Report Cards Sent Home
Madre Tierra Program Starts @ 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, July 1st
2009-2010 Invoices out
Wednesday, July 15th
Back to School Mailing Out
August 1st
2009-2010 Tuition Due
Monday, August 17th
PREK& KINDERGARTEN Orientation @ 9:30 a.m.
Meet the Teachers Community Potluck @ 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, August 18th
School Starts for 2009-2010 |
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