Principal Edna Hussey's Thursday Message: May 12, 2005

Dear Parents of Mid-Pacific Institute,

I just returned from having seen the 5th graders and faculty chaperones check in for their flight to Molokai (they were at the airport at 4:45 a.m.!). The students AND teachers looked bright-eyed and excited about their Aloha Camp adventures. They will be celebrating their time together, enjoying the natural beauty of Molokai, and reflecting on their continuing journey of learning into middle school. Everyone returns Saturday. We wish them a safe and fun trip.

After morning autoline, I walked to the Little Red Schoolhouse to join parents as they listened to the Kindergartners share their image-making stories. �Image-making� is a creative process that begins with making watercolor designs or textured papers through various techniques. Students invent stories � using characters, plot, and setting � from images they find in the designs. This literacy exploration includes dramatic play, puppetry, and writing in small and large groups. Our Kindergartners are excellent readers and writers, evidenced by their enthusiastic reading this morning. Congratulations to teachers Katie Mitchell and Gretchen Leitel for supporting and guiding their students� explorations.

Thank you to the supporting cast of our fabulous May Day celebration last Friday: the stage decoration committee (our Kindergarten parents, chaired by Teri Nugent), Mr. Louie, Newton Koshi, faculty and staff, and our music specialist, Diane Koshi. Kudos to our talented children! They are always full of surprises.

With just three weeks of school ahead, I want to review some upcoming important dates.

May 14: Last Hard Hat tour at 5:30 p.m. on the Manoa campus for all current elementary school families. We will schedule a separate tour for new families (about 80!). Make sure you�ve called in your reservation to June Yahiku, 973-5052. Wear closed-toe shoes. Let June know if childcare is needed.

May 17: Our children�s choir and ukulele band perform at 5:30 p.m. in the church. All families are invited to attend the performance.

May 19: Schoolwide assembly and Teacher/Staff Recognition, 8:00 a.m.

May 20: This is a half-day of school (no afterschool program) with dismissal at 11:30 a.m. Teachers will be preparing for conferences. Kindergartners will be ready to be picked up at 11:20 a.m., followed by the rest of the school at 11:30 a.m. Please pick up your child by 12:00 noon. Notify the office if someone other than individuals authorized to make pick-ups will pick up your child.

May 26-27: You should have already received your conference schedule. You and your child are required to attend the conference. The purpose of this final conference is to highlight your child�s strengths and areas of growth. Fun Day is only for students whose parents turned in a reservation request.

May 31: The students are excited about the talent show performances at 8:00 a.m. in the church. Auditions are next week, with everything from joke-telling and singing to instrument-playing and dance.

June 1: The last school assembly is to recognize students who have actively served the school community.

June 2: We bid aloha to our Fifth Graders in the Leavetaking Ceremony at 10:00 a.m. The entire student body attends the program as well as Fifth Grade parents.

June 3: We�re off to Bellows for our annual schoolwide picnic. We�ll send information about the specific location if you want to drive to Bellows and join your child. We are taking all students and faculty on two buses to and from Bellows. The `Ohana will provide lunch and beverages. We will provide afterschool care on the last day of school.

At yesterday�s faculty meeting, the teachers and I discussed plans for moving to the Manoa campus. The teachers must sort through all classroom materials, then pack boxes. Some classroom teachers may ask their students to help with packing books, in an effort to include them in the moving process. In June, a professional moving company will load boxes, transport them to Manoa, and place the boxes directly in teachers� classrooms and offices. If we need parent help, we�ll holler!

For our children,

Edna L. Hussey
Principal

Posted on May 12, 2005 10:30 AM | Permalink