Second Week and Sandboxes

Even if it’s only the second week of school, most of our students have jumped into daily routines with ease. Even our newest students are gradually becoming familiar with our environment and routines. It takes time to become acculturated into any new community, so it’s reassuring to see the children making new friends and participating in their learning.

We celebrated the Grand Uncovering of the Sandboxes yesterday morning and invited Mr. Ross (“Uncle Ross” to the children), MPI’s master carpenter who built the sandbox, to the historic occasion. President Rice greeted the children, and then we introduced Mr. Ross. The children presented him with a special keepsake container with sand from the sandbox, shells, and other natural materials. Our great joy was to see the preschoolers and kindergartners finally step into the sandboxes, delighted to wade through the Maili sand and build their sand structures.

Students in Kindergarten through second grade attended their first chapel this morning. Chaplain Bob Brown, who also prepares chapel services for the middle school and high school, conducts our weekly chapel service, held in the dining room. The Kindergarten through second grade chapel will be every Thursday, 8:20-8:30am, and on Fridays, 8:10-8:30am, for grades three through five. Chapel begins and ends with singing, led by music teacher Diane Koshi. Chaplain Brown addresses a wide range of topics, such as prayer, respect for others, the importance of listening, etc. You are welcome to attend your child’s chapel service.

Thanks to parents who attended our first `Ohana meeting yesterday afternoon. The `Ohana is the preschool/elementary parent group, though we are part of the larger Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO). All parents are invited to attend the PTO meetings, which are usually every third Tuesday of the month, at 5:30pm in the Weinberg Seminar Room. We’ve found it effective to also meet as a preschool/elementary group because many of our activities and concerns are expressly related to our young children. Last night’s meeting notes will be posted on the website under `Ohana. We acknowledge that parent participation (and enthusiasm!) is essential in creating a supportive learning environment for all children, so I’m especially thankful for the 23 parents, from preschool through fifth grade, who joined us for the first `Ohana meeting. Our next meeting is September 13, 5:30-6:30pm, in Wilcox Dining Room. Bring your child, if you can’t find childcare. There are always great refreshments at the meetings.

When you visit the elementary website, please look for your child’s teacher’s or specialists’ weblogs. Teachers will write a few notes about what students have been learning and post announcements and homework. You may enter your email address on the teacher’s weblog so that you can automatically receive notification about any updates. Beginning September 15, we will no longer send home these Thursday packets. Instead, all of our primary communication with you will be via the elementary school website. If you enter your email address on the elementary website homepage. You’ll also receive notifications for any information updates.

Some of you have expressed interest in hula classes after school. Auntie Hao, who used to teach hula in the elementary school for many years when we were Epiphany School, has been recovering from an illness. We are looking for someone to continue the hula program and will let you know as soon as we’ve found a qualified teacher.

Hope you have a sunny weekend, and enjoy the last few days of summer.

For our children,

Edna L. Hussey
Principal

Posted on August 24, 2006 7:45 PM | Permalink