Waikele Family Focus

Parent-Community Networking Center (PCNC) Waikele Elementary School Vol. 9 No. 9 94-1035 Kukula St. April 2010 Waipahu, HI 96797

Phone: 677-6100 (01, 02) Website: http://www.waikele.k12.hi.us

Principal Message

Dear Waikele Elementary Ohana,

A couple of noteworthy accolades to our students and their parents/guardians —

At the end of 3rd quarter, our students, through the encouragement of the 5th grade, 2nd grade and Student Leadership met their goal of raising more than $1,000 for the people in Haiti as a result of the catastrophic earthquake in January. This accomplishment was celebrated with a relay race of students competing with the faculty and the principal and vice-principals dressing up as bunnies. The cheering was deafening and exhilarating. We are thankful that our students are able to empathize with others who have suffered a tragic situation and take action to make a difference.

Congratulations to our fifth and sixth grade robotics teams for their enthusiastic sharing of their innovative projects to a panel of judges at the Third Annual Hawai’i Regional Robofest Tournament held this past Saturday at Pearlridge Center. Robofest is an international scholastic robotics program that motivates students in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through robotic activities. Waikele’s robotics teams coached by Mrs. Dieringer and Mrs. Shigeta demonstrated clearly the students’ innovation, problem solving, teamwork and articulate communication. In each of the projects, the teams posed a problem such as how would we design a robot to help the visually impaired from walking into objects or people; how could we design a robot that would clean a room at a push of a button; and how could we design a security robot that would protect people and property. These projects were of such significance that they won the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards. Yes, Waikele Warriors competed with other elementary and intermediate schools and swept the entire category of “Exhibition”!

Please save these dates… HSA Statewide Testing. Students will begin testing on March 30th through April 9th. We believe a good

breakfast is important for their performing well on the tests so we invite students and their parents to have breakfast at school. The cost is reasonable---95 cents for students and $1.90 for adults. And, to add to the enjoyment, there will be lucky prize drawings on each of those days!

Learning Celebrations. At the end of the year, students will share their progress folios with their parents/guardians on May 12th (Preschool, 2nd, 4th, 6th grades) and May 19th (Kindergarten,1st, 3rd, 5th grades), 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm. Please note that the meetings will be held in the evenings rather than the early dismissal schedule we have had in the past.

3rd Annual Student-Written Opera. An original Waikele opera will be presented to family, friends and the community by our 2nd graders on May 5th at 5:00 pm and 6:30 pm. Save the date!

Mahalo for your continued support of our students, staff and school! Together with your help, we will continue to achieve higher! Sincerely, Carmielita A. Minami Meryl Matsumura Cecile LaMar Principal Vice-Principal Vice-Principal

April 2010 Calendar

Thu, Apr 1 - Report Cards Go Home

Fri, Apr 2 - GOOD FRIDAY HOLIDAY– No School Fri, Apr 9 - Movie Night – “Alvin and the Chipmunks – The Squeakquel”, Fundraiser for Gr. 1, Courtyard at sundown

- Scholastic Diner Book Fair Family Night – Library, 6p – 8p

April 2010 Calendar – cont’d

Wed, Apr 14 to - Scholastic Diner Book Fair – Library (during school hours and after school till 3:30p) Mon, Apr 19

Mon, Apr 19 - Gr. 4 Parent Meeting – 5:30p – 7p Tue, Apr 20 - Spring Picture Taking

Thu, Apr 23 - FURLOUGH DAY – No School

Thu, Apr 29 - WAIVER DAY – No School for Students

Fri, Apr 30 - FURLOUGH DAY – No School

May 2010 Calendar Fri, May 7 - FURLOUGH DAY – No School __________________________________________________________________________________________ The Waikele Family Focus is a monthly publication of the Waikele Elementary School Parent-Community Networking Center (PCNC). Submit articles to Kiana Moore, PCNC Facilitator (677-6100, ext. 232), email: Kiana_Moore@notes.k12.hi.us, or leave in the PCNC mailbox in Hale Ho’oulu (Admin. Bldg.). Deadline for submitting is five (5) days before the end of the month. __________________________________________________________________________________________

Important HSA Revised Dates

For School Year 2009-2010! Students in grades 3-6 will be taking the Hawaii State Assessment (HSA). in the spring. Below are the REVISED dates involved. Attendance on testing days is very important. Testing occurs from 7:55 am - 10:00 am each testing day. Please ensure that your child is present and on time on ALL testing dates. Grs 3,4,5,6: March 30th-April 7th. Reading and Math Assessment Grs 4 & 6: April 8th-April 9th Science Assessment

Jump Rope For Heart Event April 22

We are now accepting donations for the American Heart Association. As a reminder, this year you are also able to donate on-line! Every student who raises $50. or more in on-line donations will be entered in a statewide drawing for a Nintendo Wii and a Wii Fit OR Dance Dance Revolution. The last day we will be accepting donations will be Thursday, April 22, which is also our Jump Rope For Heart event day. Students will be participating in Jump Rope For Heart whether they collect donations or not. Please contact Arnie Kaliawa at 677-6100, ext. 227, if you have any questions.

Scholastic Diner Book Fair Family Night

And

Grade 1 Movie Night Fundraiser

The Scholastic Diner Book Fair Family Night will be coming to Waikele Elementary School on Friday, April 9, from 6:00 pm -8:00 pm. We will be having the Book Fair Family Night on the same evening as the Grade 1 Movie Night. The movie that will be premiering is, “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel”. There will be book give-aways for the families that attend and a variety of food and drinks available for purchase. Please come and support the library as well as Grade 1. It'll be a lot of fun!

Scholastic Diner Daytime Book Fair

The Scholastic Diner Book Fair will then be opening during school hours and after school starting on Wednesday, April 14 through Monday, April 19. The hours will be 8:30 am -12:00 pm and 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm. Thank you for supporting our school library, as well as our classrooms and your children.

Notice and Request for Accommodations

If you are an individual with a disability, please contact our administration, Ms. Matsumura x226 or Ms. Minami x225 at 677-6100 to make arrangements for accessibility to any school event at least 10 working days prior to the event. Reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate your request.

Please Kokua: No trips No tardies No appointments Mahalo!

PTSO Fundraiser

The Spring Fundraiser for PTSO has started on March 29 and will continue through April 15. They will be selling Portuguese Sausage, Pizza, Cinnamon Bread and Banana Bread. The price for each will be $6.00. Thank you for your support!

Grade K Garden Project

As part of our Service Learning/Enrichment Project this year, Grade K students has started a flower and vegetable garden located between the Clock Tower and E Building. We hope to have flowers and vegetables sprouting soon! The Grade K teachers would like to thank Hawaiian Earth Products for generously donating two truckloads worth of compost. We would also like to send a big THANK YOU to the following staff and family members for their time and/or donations in helping to start up our garden: Cathy Oyama, Dean Hamane, Greg DeSamito, Dustin Shimamoto, M. Rosal Family and R. Domingo Family.

IMPORTANT MEMO Please Kokua…..

Electronic Devices Education is important to us. To minimize the distraction of students, electronic devices (such as iPods, Nintendo DS, CD Players, MP3 Players), will not be allowed on campus. Cell phones will be allowed, however they must be turned OFF during the school day (7:55a – 2:00p. and 7:55a - 12:35p on Wed.). If your child’s cell phone rings or goes off in class, it will be taken away from him/her by the teacher and a parent/guardian will need to pick it up from his/her teacher.

Does your child need help with homework?

He/She is welcome to come to the…

Homework Center

for All Waikele Elementary Students (K-6)

who need to finish or need assistance with their homework

YOU CAN DO KID BIZ ARTICLES TOO!

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Time: 7:00-7:45 am

Where: Portable 3 (P3)

Tutors: Waikele Elementary Teachers

Give A Heart To Haiti Grade 5 Project

The fifth graders would like to extend a Big Mahalo to all of you who supported the Give A Heart To Haiti project. Our goal was to raise $1,000.00. The second graders volunteered to help us reach our goal by donating the money they earned from their recycling drive in February. Thank you for contributing your phone books, aluminum cans and plastic bottles. Through our combined efforts, we were able to collect a total of $1,046.63! We know the people of Haiti will greatly appreciate your generous gift to help them rebuild their lives. At Waikele Elementary, we have caring stewards of the community. Thank you for your participation and showing how we can take care of others!

Grade 4 would like to send out a HUGE MAHALO to everyone who helped support our Movie Night fundraiser. It was a very successful evening, thanks to those who kindly donated items, helped in the preparation stage, and to those who came out that evening. A special MAHALO to the following Staff and Families: Waikele PTSO Holzem Ohana

Waikele Cafeteria Staff Inouye Ohana

Mr. Gerard Aki Iyomasa Ohana

Mrs. Carm Minami Ka’ahanui Ohana

Mrs. Meryl Matsumura Kajihiro Ohana

Mrs. Cecile LaMar Kato Ohana

Mr. Gordon Wong Kawabata Ohana

Mr. Greg DeSamito Kuroiwa Ohana

Mrs. Marlene Blackwell Mai Ohana

Mrs. Eva Chan Naong Ohana

Aquino Ohana Rabago Ohana

Balisacan Ohana Reed Ohana

Beleno Ohana Stephen Ohana

Benetiz-Warren Ohana Sumida Ohana

Brown Ohana Sy Ohana

Canon Ohana Tandoc Ohana

Durant Ohana Truong Ohana

Enriquez Ohana Varelas Ohana

Fuller Ohana Wong Ohana

Hammer Ohana Yamada Ohana

Grade 4 would also like to thank everyone who supported our McTeacher’s Night fundraiser. It was a great success. Thanks to all who ate at McDonalds, and to those of you who donated money. A special mahalo goes out to the following teachers and families who volunteered their time: Mrs. Meryl Matsumura Mrs. Cecile LaMar Ms. Erin Sayegusa Ms. Joyce Aono Ms. Jennifer Fixman Mr. Gerard Aki Mrs. Liz Shigeta Kajihiro Ohana Iyomasa Ohana Balisacan Ohana Kuroiwa Ohana Keaunui Ohana Kawabata Ohana Reyes Ohana Niro Ohana Nakandakare Ohana Enriquez Ohana Lamug Ohana Fuller Ohana Whitmore Ohana Hoshino Ohana Mai-Nguyen Ohana Also, a big mahalo to all the wonderful children who helped collect donations, and to all the families who purchased food.

Donation Mahalos to:

Kwok Ohana – Decks of Cards Anonymous Ohanas – Decks of Cards Anonymous Ohanas - Used Printer Cartridges

STUDENTS EXITING WAIKELE

AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR If your child will not be returning to Waikele Elementary School next school year, please let the office know as soon as possible, if you have not done so already. Students leaving Waikele will need to pick up release papers, clear all lunch loans, and library/book fines. Release papers will be ready for pick up from May 24, 2010. Please give the release papers to your new school. The new school will then request records from Waikele Elementary. Any questions, please call 677-6100 ext. 223. If assistance is needed in understanding this document by having it read/translated in another language, please call the school office, 677-6100."

Ilokano No kasapulan yo iti tulong nga mangbasa/mangipataros ti daytoy a

dokomento iti pagsasao nga Ilokano, pangnga-asi yo ta awaganyo iti opisina ti eskuwela, 677-6100.

Tagalog Kung kailangan ninyo ng tulong na basahin/intindihin ang

dokomentong ito sa Tagalog, ipinakikiusap na tawagan ang opisina ng eskuwelahan, 677-6100.

Marshallese Elane kwoj aikujin mele kin nan kein ilo pepa in ilo kajin eo am, call

e tok office es ilo, 677-6100.

Samoan Afai e mana'omia se fesoasoani mo se fa'apupulaga o lenei

fa'asilasilaga pe a faitauina, fa'a molemole valaau le aoga, 677-6100

Student participants in the Robofest Competition

Navi-Tek’s 5th grade inventors: Kuuipolani Banao, Keilani Mackey, and Serena Rice

Robo-Maid’s 6th grade inventors: Tyler Iyomasa, Daniel Maximo, Sydney Millerd, Switcelle Rubonal, and Kanoelani Uehara

W.S.B. or Waikele Security Bot’s 6th grade inventors: Aaron Agcamaran, Austyn Aglanao, Cheyson Antolin, Matthew Campos and Raistlin Ramos