To be alike; to be agreed; to be of one mind; to be in union or unison
Andrews, Hawaiian Dictionary, 1865
ALOHA FOCUS FOR THE WEEK: LŌKAHI
Between the hula performances and robot demonstrations, a high school student approached our booth with a piercing question:
What is the thing your school values the most?
Hosting a table at the Hawaiʻi K-12 Parent and School Expo, we had been fielding questions throughout the day, sharing about the great things happening at our school. From STEM Hōʻike to our KES Ohana to our various community partnerships, there’s much for us to be grateful for. How might one narrow it down to a single thing?
Thoughtfully, after a brief pause, Ms. Yamada, our Academic Coach, summarized it best. We have a shared mission. Our teachers and support staff, our students and their families, all strive to fulfill our mission to inspire all to embrace learning, discover passions with Aloha at our core.
While we might possess different talents and strengths, we interdependently strive towards the same goal. Dr. Manulani Meyer puts it as, “We are all the same, differently.” The attainment of our shared purpose is elevated by our unique gifts presented in harmony.
Our mission enables us to be He Kaula Paʻa, a strong firm rope. As individual fibers, we wind around our shared mission to form a stronger whole. Whether it’s through art, dance, games, field trips, projects, or lessons held in the classroom and at the farm, combined our students gain a stronger sense of who they are, what they want to be, and why learning is essential.
Inspiring learning, discovering passions with Aloha at our core is our lōkahi.
5 PURSUITS of LŌKAHI
Inspired by Gholdy Muhammad
Please watch this: Packs – Strength in Numbers written and illustrated by Hannah Salyer. Then with you child, answer the following:
- IDENTITY: Are you a part of a team? Talk to your kupuna about the best teams they have been a part of and what made them so effective.
- SKILLS: What genre of literature does this book belong to? What is your evidence?
- INTELLECT: Create a Bridge Map that features all the different names for packs of animals featured in the book. Add to the map with the name for a pack of animals not included in the book.
- CRITICALITY: Many of the animals featured in the book are endangered in the wild. Similarly, Hawaiʻi is home to many species of plants and animals that are endangered, with 75 percent of extinctions in the United States occurring in Hawaii. Research how you can help the plants and animals native to Hawaiʻi survive.
- JOY: Learn from the author, Hannah Salyer, how to draw a zebra and then make your own drawing. (You can also hear her read the story as well as explain her process of illustrating the book.)
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
Do you or do you know someone who has a child turning 5 on or before July 31, 2024, and would like them to enroll at Kāneʻohe Elementary? We are now accepting application for kindergarten for the next school year. If your child requires a Geographic Exception (GE), please submit your application as soon as possible. The deadline for submittal is March 1, 2024. All kindergarten GEs received after the deadline will be placed on a waiting list and will be accepted as space becomes available. If you have any questions about this or any other kindergarten related business, please call me or our registration clerk, Brigette Leavy, at 305-0000.
Mental Health & the Importance of the Independent Ability to Learn
George Couros is a humble, thoughtful educator who’s writing often resonates with me. In this article, he shares how he resists the urge to solve his daughter’s problems and instead fosters her independence. This not only empowers her as a learner, but fuels her hope and optimism for the future.
“Sometimes, the hardest thing to say to our kids at the moment is “figure it out yourself,” but sometimes, that can be the best for them in the future. Of course, we do our best to ensure that we build a community that is supportive of others, but it is hard to count on others when you don’t learn to first count on yourself.”
George Couros
Social media Safety tips for kids
Last year, the US Surgeon General released a health advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health. While there are benefits to using social media, the report finds “Children and adolescents who spend more than 3 hours a day on social media face double the risk of mental health problems including experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety.”
To assist your efforts to ensure your children are safe while using Social Media, here are a few tips provided by the National Association of Elementary School Principals.
CONTINUED PRACTICES:
NOʻAHUNA OF ALOHA
See Uncle Pono Shim explain the Noʻahuna, the esoteric meaning, of Aloha as taught to him by Aunty Pilahi, the Keeper of Secrets.
WEAR PINK FOR MAUI WEDNESDAYS
Join us in letting “that light, that divine inspiration that Aunty Pilahi Paki says is given to you at your very beginning, come through and let your ALOHA join with the ALOHA of the collective to bring about healing.”
DAILY VIRTUAL PIKO
At the Daily Piko, we share thoughts on the Aloha value for the week which helps us become centered and ready to learn. We begin at 8 AM everyday except Wednesdays.
UPCOMING EVENTS
| Wed, Jan 31, 2024, 5 PM | 6th Grade Virtual Parent Mtg Join by Google Meets |
| Wed, Jan 31, 2024, 5 PM | School Community Council Meeting Join by Zoom |
| Fri, Feb 2, 2024, 6 – 7 PM | Family STEM Night in the Cafe Register here |