Kualapu`u School eNews
Summer 2014
Congratulations to our
6th Grade Graduates!
Most of our graduates will go on to Moloka‘i Middle School. Four of the seven 6th graders accepted into Kamehameha from Moloka‘i are from Kualapu‘u School. One of our young 6th graders, Aukai O’Sullivan, was accepted to Kamehameha, ‘Iolani and Punahou. Aukai chose ‘Iolani School.
We are so proud of all our graduates!
Be part of our 10th Anniversary
Charter Celebrations!
For more information call (808) 567-6900 or Like Us on Facebook!
Two Kualapu‘u Alumni recognized for Top Honors in Moloka‘i High School Class of 2014
Kiloaulani Ka‘awa-Gonzales was one of two Valedictorians in this year’s MHS graduation. Kiloaulani was in the Kualapu‘u Hawaiian Immersion program, Kula Kaiapuni O Kualapu‘u. Kilo states that, “The support of my kumu, the entire school of Kualapu‘u, and Hawaiian language preparation has helped me to be successful.”
He will attend Colorado State University in Fort Collins and plans to earn a Bachelor of Science in Ecosystem Science and Sustainability. Taylor Tamanaha was the Salutatorian and plans to attend Grand Canyon University to major in pediatric nursing. She writes, “Kualapu‘u school had a tremendous impact on me….The teachers take their lessons with students beyond the classroom and make it a priority to have no student left behind. Our class was like a little family…. For me, this is a very critical part of education.”
We wish all of the Molokai High Graduates best wishes for the future!
Photos courtesy of the Ka‘awa-Gonzales and Tamahana ‘ohana.
What are you doing now?
Kualapu‘u Alumni and former staff of Kualapu‘u School, we would like to keep in touch with you! What are you doing now? Where do you live? We would love to hear from you, and hear your stories of Kualapu‘u School. “Like” our Facebook page (Kualapu‘u Public Conversion Charter School) or send us a message here.
E x p a n d e d
Learning Time
Kualapu‘u School is the only elementary school on the island with an extended school day: one hour longer, from 7:45am until 2:45pm. The longer day allows us to have daily PE and weekly classes like Pu‘olo and Visual Arts. The Pu‘olo Program combines Physical Education and ‘Ike Hawai‘i (Hawaiian culture and values). In Visual Arts, children learn art foundational skills and art history. Art class projects also integrate with math, writing, science, and geography.
This is an example of x-ray fish drawings by 3rd, 4th, & 5th graders after studying the Aboriginal people of Australia. The Aboriginal people often include the internal organs in their paintings of an animal to show their reverence for life.
E Ho‘oulu Kakou
Let’s Grow Together!
Kualapu‘u has a quiet secret. For many years, the school has on staff a Homestead Farmer, Kalani Han. Uncle Kalani has provided the
children with an opportunity to grow their own vegetables during our after school classes.
The program has been so successful that our garden is a supplier of fresh veggies to the staff, and the local markets. This past year, we served our fresh broccoli as part of our school lunch program. Plans are being made to use the garden as an outdoor “learning lab” for science instruction. Come check out our Garden
Thank You to Our Supporters and Partners
Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Grant Awarded to Kula Kaiapuni o Kualapu‘u
Kualapu‘u School received a $40,000 grant from the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority this last January. Kumu Kamalu Poepoe and Kumu Opu‘ulani Albino will create new books full of modern-day, placebased stories and lessons for our keiki in Grades 1, 2, and 3. Local artists will illustrate the books, which will be completed this fall. The books will be written to introduce grade-level appropriate vocabulary, sentence structure and grammar. This project helps fulfill a great need to have grade level Hawaiian language readers to help our keiki become fluent Hawaiian language speakers and readers.
Look for our book party next fall!
Kualapu‘u School has been very
fortunate to have the generous
support from many organizations,
especially since our conversion to
a charter school. Key supporters
are Kamehameha Schools (KS)
and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs
(OHA). KS support helped our school start
many of the initiatives related to our expanded
learning time. KS was
also instrumental in
supporting our PreK
program for its first 4
years. OHA has been instrumental in supporting
bus service from East Moloka‘i and for students
within district.
Verizon Foundation has awarded a $3,900 grant to Kualapu‘u to launch Project Kuka‘Ike STEM Education Program, a school-wide initiative to expand STEM education for students in Kindergarten through sixth grades. Verizon’s Bill Hozey, Associate Director of Business Sales, presented the grant check to the school in front of parents, grandparents, teachers and students at the school’s Open House. “I am struck by the passion for the school,” Hozey says. “This is a pretty cool thing to be able to do and the first of several things we will do together.”
Kualapu‘u 2015
Annual Fund Drive
Your tax deductible gift helps our students receive innovative programs and opportunities:
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Core Instruction in reading, math, science, writing in BOTH English and Hawaiian languages
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A longer school day for Visual Arts, PE, and ‘Ike Hawaii instruction
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Free Bus Transportation from East Molokai, and Field Trip to Wahi Pani (Cultural Places)
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After School Enrichment – Snacks, Tutoring, Gardening, Violin, Year Book, for example
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Expanding Science instruction and professional development aligned to the Common Core Standards
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Breakfast, Lunch, and Snack Program (in addition to the
Federal food service support)