Posted on: Thursday, September 29, 2005
Campus marks 117th anniversary
By Beverly Creamer
Advertiser Education Writer
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Kalihi-waena Elementary School second-graders Cidney Fabro, left, and Robert Cacho work in a computer class where they learn word processing. The school is building a closer bond with families.
DEBORAH BOOKER | The Honolulu Advertiser
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565 PUPILS IN ALL Where: 1240 Gulick Ave. Phone: 832-3210 Principal: Jeanette Uyeda, in her third year School nickname: Lions School colors: Purple and gold History: Built in 1888 Testing: Here’s how Kalihi-waena Elementary pupils fared on the most recent standardized tests. • Stanford Achievement Test: Listed is the combined percentage of pupils scoring average and above average, compared with the national combined average of 77 percent. Third-grade reading, 70 percent; math, 65 percent. Fifth-grade reading, 72 percent; math, 69 percent. • Hawai'i State Assessment: Listed is the combined percentage of pupils meeting or exceeding state standards, and a comparison with the state average. Third-grade reading, 30 percent, compared with state average of 51.8 percent; math, 7 percent, compared with 28.5 percent. Fifth-grade reading, 45 percent, compared with state average of 55.6 percent; math, 15 percent, compared with 25.5 percent. Computers: 80 for the school with an average of 2 per classroom and 30 in the computer lab. Enrollment: 565 now, with a capacity of 600. Low-income enrollment: 80 percent. |
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Tucked next to H-1 Freeway, Kalihi-waena Elementary School is one of the oldest on O'ahu, built in 1888 and celebrating its 117th birthday this year.
Under the tutelage of principal Jeanette Uyeda, the school is building a closer bond with its families.
Just in the past two weeks, it held a luncheon with parents and a breakfast with grandparents. More than 100 grandparents attended the breakfast together with their grandchildren.
A family day lunch is planned for tomorrow.
The playground is closed for now, awaiting inspection of a tree that may be hazardous because it has termites.
Here is a closer look at the school:
What are you most proud of? "The teachers," Uyeda said. "They've taken on a new math and a new reading program, which are taking a lot of preparation outside of their workday, and they've done it without grumbling."
The school's status is under the federal No Child Left Behind Act because it did not meet state standards or make "adequate yearly progress."
"We made the reading level but missed the math," Uyeda said. "But we're on the right track and working hard."
Best-kept secret: "Our children who are very warm and very loving. Once they come to the school, the teachers stay because they love the children."
Everybody at our school knows: "My secretary, Ruth Kaopuiki. Besides greeting everyone with a smile, she's always there whenever anyone needs help," Uyeda said. Wherever there's a need, Kaopuiki pitches in, including standing in for absent cafeteria workers who are needed to collect tickets or watch over the children during lunch.
Our biggest challenge: "Trying to meet all the federal and state mandates.
"At kindergarten, we already have gaps just in readiness for school. At least 75 percent of our kids do not have preschool experience, so we've put in Jump Start in the last two years. Two weeks prior to school, we invite the kindergarten children to attend for half a day each day to teach them basic school readiness skills and etiquette, such as how to sit still, how to listen, how to hold a pencil, hold scissors, cut, how to get along with your neighbor.
"We started it last year and found it successful, so we've repeated it this year with about 25 of the 76 kindergartners attending. As well, we try to involve the parents in that by offering parent activities, having breakfast for the children every morning and a last-day potluck with the families."
What we need: "What would really help our children is a program that begins at age 3 or 4, such as mandatory preschool for at least a year before kindergarten."
Special events:
A "students of the month" luncheon at the end of every month to celebrate a pupil from each of the 25 classrooms who best displays outstanding work. A special table is set up in the cafeteria and the honored children sit there.
A Christmas program in which the children and faculty sing. Faculty dress in costume, much to the children's delight.
A cultural day — ho'ike — at the end of the year that's much like a May Day celebration. Each class puts on a dance. Parents and the community are invited.
An assembly every quarter to honor those with perfect attendance and high academic performance.
Reach Beverly Creamer at bcreamer@honoluluadvertiser.com.
