Supporting Good Schools is Good Business: Kapaa High Smaller Learning Community A New Way to Engage

by Milt Goldberg, 
From Edutopia | What Works in Education. The George Lucas Educational Foundation.

The business community cares more than ever before about assuring that every youngster has access to a first-rate education. We must not have enormous gaps in student achievement that essentially disenfranchise large segments of our population. The surest way to create a better future for our nation, and thereby better lives for our citizens, is through improving the quality of education over one's lifetime, wherever and whenever this education takes place and whoever provides it. In all these avenues, we must exploit the wonders of new technology.

There are many levels of business involvement, starting with individual employees who commit their own volunteer time and resources to improving conditions in schools. Businesses are actively involved in their own communities in helping to set policies and practices aimed at raising student performance.

Read full article here.

For more information on how you or your business can strengthen Kapaa High and support student achievement, click here. or contact us directly. Mahalo!

Class of 2011 Project Grad Samoan Crab Tournament Fundraiser

Aloha Warrior Parents & Guardians,
Please follow this link to see the time, date, place for the crab tournament.
Please also see the attached flyer with all the details about the tournament and information on how you can help!.

Project Grad McNite fundraiser

Kapaa High PTSA Project Grad will be having a McNite Fundraiser. They are planning a monthly fun night by working and servicing the McDonald’s customers at the Kapa’a restaurant for a three hour shift. McDonald’s will donate 20 % of the total sales during this three hour period to Kapa’a High School Project Grad. 
They humbly ask for your participation in supporting the Kapa’a High School PTSA Project Graduation McNite Event. Here are all the dates:
November 10, 2010
December 14, 2010
January 11. 2011
February 8, 2011
March 2, 2011
April 12, 2011
Please visit the new web site of the PTSA Project Grad subcommittee. for all the details!

School pictures are being distributed.

All underclassmen pictures have been hand delivered or placed in your boxes (if you weren't in your class at delivery time).  Please distribute to your 1st period students .
Parents/Guardians: If there are any questions concerning school photos, contact is Ralph Nishimoto at Pono Studios at 822-4671.
Mahalo, Chanelle Quinones, Kapaa High Faculty, Yearbook.

Benefits for the Kapa’a Warriors Basketball Teams

Who: Warrior Parents & Guardians and students and Kapaa High Community!

What: Warrior Basketball Program is having it's McWarrior night

Where:Waipouli McDonalds in Kapaa. 

When: Thursday, 10/28/10 from 

Time: 5-8p.m.

Also...here is our next upcoming Fundraising event:

A Benefit for the Kapa’a Warriors Basketball Teams (Girls and Boys)
Green and White Game- JV and Varsity Teams
Saturday, November 20, 2010- Kapa’a Gym

1:00p.m.- Hanakila A vs. Hanakila B (11U)
3:30 p.m.- Hanakila vs. Kaua’i Ballers (13U)
5:00p.m.- JV Boys Green vs. JV Boys White
6:30p.m.- JV and Varsity Girls Green and White
8:00p.m.- Varsity Boys Green vs. Varsity Boys White

Adults- $5.00, Students and Children- $3.00
The concession will be OPEN for your convenience, and will be serving delicious food and drink for your enjoyment! Mahalo!

- Submitted by Mylie Aui.

Kapaa High Hosts 1st 'Friendly' for high school VEX robotics teams

Contributed by Jim Cox, Faculty, Kapaa High School Science Department-Physics, Robotics Club Advisor.
On Saturday October 23rd, Kapa`a High School Robotics Team hosted the initial VEX Friendly of the robotics competition season. We hosted teams from Island School, Kaua`i High, and Kapa`a Middle. The teams worked together in the spirit of gracious professionalism. We shared ideas, designs, strategies, even parts in what we callcooperation . Students from all the schools are working together getting ready to compete in the Pan Pacific International Tournament which will be held on Oahu in December. We treated this like a preseason event. This is Kapa`a High Robotics Team's second year participating in VEX robotics competitions. Along with Island School we helped start teams at Kaua`i High and at Kapa`a Middle this year.

Island school had one robot that went undefeated, and Kapa'a High Robotics Team had the only robot that was able to successfully climb the ladder. We are looking forward to a 2nd VEX Friendly competition in two weeks. The real winners in this type of competition are the students who are learning problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, building self confidence and attitude. These high school students are already practicing and doing engineering. They are the future and the future is in good hands.

Do the math, save the world.

Jim,
P.S. If you want to know more about the game, the rules, and the scoring come by any Tuesday after school and ask the team.

Weekly Principal's Address 10-28-10

As we enter into the last week of October,  want to share my appreciation as most of the classrooms visited students were focused and on task .  In fact, a good number of them were able to share what they were learning, why they were learning, whether they were doing good work and how they could valid this.  The word walls and student products displayed helped provide relevance and understanding in validating student learning.   One reminder is that we need to tighten our focus on bell-to-bell instruction....students need to be focused from the beginning until the end of the period.  Administration will be continuing classroom observations during the course of this week as well.  Overall, very pleased and kudos for your good work!  

Hawaii State Assessment:  Reminder that our grade 10 students begin their first round of HSA testing this week.  Asking that Dept Heads work with their teachers and with other Dept. heads to strategize how to target students need areas per the data.  Will ask the VPs and Beth to also join me in speaking to this when we sit in with the various Dept. mtgs on Monday.   Dept. Heads may also use this Wednesday's time as I am not planning to call mtgs this week.

Vice Principal/Athletic Directors' mtg:   The next Kauai Complex Area VP and AD  mtg is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 26th @Koloa Elementary School.  Principal Debbie Lindsey has graciously opened her school so that the administrators can do walk-throughs to observe various grade-levels standards-based instruction.

Principals mtg:   Kauai Complex Area principals mtg will be held on Thursday, Oct. 28th at the Kauai Complex Area Office from 8:00 a.m.   I will be leaving for Oahu later that morning to testify to the Federal Office of Special Education monitoring team from around mid-day until 5:00 p.m. addressing the state-wide status of SPED.  This is one of my IOUs that I assured the Superintendent that I would assist per the Feds monitoring of programs, co-teaching, fiscal, etc.

State Board of Education Mtg:    Kapaa High School will be hosting the next State Board of Education mtg Thursday, Nov. 4th, 2010 in the cafeteria from 3:00 p.m.  Please note that teachers should expect BOE members to be visiting our campus and classrooms that day.  Please share with our students as the Board members may be speaking with them both within and outside the classrooms.

That's it and have a great week!

Daniel S. Hamada
Principal
Kapaa High School
daniel_hamada@notes.k12.hi.us

"Wisdom is knowing what to do next, skill is knowing how to do it, and virtue is doing it."   David Starr Jordan

Tues. Nov 16 is SY2011-12 Course Registration Information Night

Mark Your Calendars! Kapaa High’s annual course registration night where Kapaa High Counselors will share information on course options, graduation requirements, honors and advanced placement courses and the registration process for the 2011-12 school year. Parents and guardians of current Kapaa High students should plan to attend.

Who: Parents & Guardians of Current Kapaa HS Students
What: Annual Course Registration Information Night
When: Tuesday November 16th, 2010, 6PM
Where: Kapaa High School Library

Kapaa High Academic Counselors will present information on course options, graduation requirements, honors and advanced placement courses and the registration process for the 2011-12 school year. This meeting offers parents the opportunity to have question answered or get personal assistance from the academic counselors
According to Mrs. Robyn Keawe, Kapaa High Counselor, Kapaa High School and the DOE are constantly evolving and improving. There are changes, new opportunities and developments each year. We hope Kapaa High parents and guardians attend this registration night to benefit from all the most recent information and take advantage of assistance we are offering for successful course registration for the 2011-12 school year.
Kapaa High students will have already received their registration forms through their first period teacher on November 12th, 2010. Due date for registration forms will be specified on the registration form.
There will be a separate meeting for incoming freshmen for SY 2011-12 dates TBA. Letters regarding freshman year course registration will be distributed to all incoming freshmen currently enrolled in middle schools in the East Kauai school complex.

WIN! Warriors In the News: Raquelle Matayoshi

Good Morning,
We made the news! Kapaa High Student Raquelle Matayoshi's winning video on traffic safety aired on KHON 2 Morning Show a few days ago.  She worked very hard on her project
Congratulations Raquelle!
Submitted by Michelle Rundbaken, Kapaa High Faculty

WIN! Warriors In the News: Crystal Rowe

Kapaa High Special Ed Transition Teacher Crystal Rowe featured in article on the Kauai Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa inThe Garden Island News

Alpha Delta Kappa is an organization dedicated to women who continuously strive to promote high standards of education and assist in strengthening the advancement of the teaching profession.
Hawai‘i’s Alpha Delta Kappa was chartered in 1959, the year Hawaii became a state, and the Kaua‘i chapter was chartered in 1981.

Interact Club: Kauai United Way Walkathon

Interact Club          Oct. 22 - Oct 29         
Interact Club members must sign up for refreshments at the counseling office  for the Kauai United Way Walkathon.  This is a mandatory event.  If you are unable to attend please see Aunty Joan ASAP.   Our Picnic is on the same day.  If you weren't able to come to the last meeting,  please see Aunty Joan.

First Quarter Status Reports Distributed

1st period teachers distributed first quarter status reports to students today. First period classes that had a substitute teacher may be affected in the form of a delayed distribution.

Mailihuna Rd. lane closure, Oct. 20- Nov. 12, 2010.

Effective Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010 thru Nov. 12, 2010, Jennings Pacific Construction will be doing water line projects to existing residential homes across our school. This will result in Mailihuna Road becoming a one-lane only from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. daily. Students and staff who use the lower parking lot may be faced with traffic congestion when leaving the school grounds.

Student mediators to share positive communication skills with freshman Warriors

The next thing coming up for Peer Mediation is mediators will be going into Mrs. Sanchez and Ms. Linnemann's classrooms to conduct presentations for the freshmen on Fri. October 29.  We will be talking about conflict resolution and positive communication skills.
Contributed by Mr. Keith Kitamura, Kapaa High Math Department Faculty, Peer Mediation Coordinator.

Weekly Principal's Address 10-18-2010

Please extend my kudos to the students for their overall positive spirit, participation, and hard work during homecoming week.  Want to also thank the many staff individuals that came together in making this past week a very successful one....certainly shows the strength and power when we all come together for that common purpose...our students!

Donation:   Kapaa High is again fortunate to receive it's second donation within a few days.  State Farm Insurance has donated $750 to help support the school.   Funds will support the Science Dept for as you are aware, the new proposed Board of Education policy 4540 will call for specific science courses that students will need for their graduation (starting with Class of 2018  -  25 credits) requirements.  

Hawaii State On-line Assessment  (HSA):   Reminder that the HSA will be from October 18, 2010 - May 20,  2011.  Plans are to administer the Mathematics assessment over the next two weeks this month followed by English in later November and early December.    Reminder that this new process allows teachers to get immediate feedback as to their students' progress and allows for re-teaching.   I will be discussing the format of the HSA at Wednesday's faculty mtg as it involves other content areas..... so it is critical that each Dept is ensuring that are addressing the HCPS III.  

Classroom visitations:  Administration will be doing classroom visitations/observations throughout this week.

East & Central Administrators' mtg:   I will be attending the East & Central Complex mtg on Monday Oct.18th from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m.  

PTSA Board mtg:   Monday Oct. 18th  6:30 p.m.  @Student Center

School Community Council mtg:   Tuesday, Oct. 19th  1:30 p.m.  @Student Center

Faculty  mtg:   Wednesday, Oct. 20th  1:50 p.m.   @Chorus Room

That's it and have a great week!

Daniel S. Hamada
Principal
Kapaa High School

Weekly Principal's Address 10-14-2010

Note: Mr. Hamada drafts a weekly message. The first message was posted Oct. 17, 2010. FYI, here is his first weekly message dated Oct. 14, 2010.
Classroom observations:   Over the next few weeks, administration will be doing classroom observations.   To ensure clarity and minimize disruption, appreciate if those standards/benchmarks being covered can be listed on your boards.  Looking forward to also having follow-up discussions as well.

Literacy for Learning/Data for School Improvement:   Kelly Bailey, Janis Gowen, Catherine Paleka, Beth Pemberton and myself will be attending the Kauai Complex Area training on Thursday, Oct. 14th addressing using data aligned with Literacy for Learning strategies.  Session will be from 8:30  - 2:30 p.m. @Kauai District Office.

Donation:   Kapaa High received a $2,000 donation from Kukui'ula Development Company to support our students per their  "Senior Projects".   Want to acknowledge both Brent E. Harrington, Kukui'ula President and Gini Kapali (former Kapaa High graduate), Community Relations Manager for their support.  Special kudos to Doris Morioka - Fulks for her perseverance in putting together the proposal.

Faculty/Staff:  In preparing for Wednesday, Oct. 20th meeting, will e-mail copies of what I'll be covering.  To honor time, please review as attachments contain items such as the power point, 2011-18 Strategic plans, Race to the Top information, etc.

Thanks and please contact me should you have questions.

Daniel S. Hamada
Principal
Kapaa High School

Aloha Address from Mr. Hamada

Aloha Parents and Guardians of Kapaa High School,

It is with deep appreciation, excitement and humility that I take on the responsibility as Kapaa High School's principal.  It's truly special to return home and work with terrific students, staff, and community.  As a proud 1970 graduate of Kapaa High and a member of this community, I feel a great sense of responsibility to ensure that our students receive a quality education that prepares them for college and/or careers.

Kudos to Gilmore Youn for his 40 years of dedicated service to Kapaa High School, and the Department of Education.  As a teacher and administrator, Mr. Youn efforts have had true impact on our island community and beyond.  He will be missed and we wish Mr. Youn the very best in his retirement!

The adage that it takes a village to raise a child holds even more true today. The education of our students will require the partnership efforts of our island community.

Be assured that the leadership and staff of Kapaa High School is committed to this vision and will lead that charge in making this happen. Feel free to contact me as collectively we can accomplish more and greater things for our students when we work together.  

Finally, the measure of success in any organization begins with leadership and its people. I believe that the faculty at Kapaa High is comprised of individuals who believe we will make that positive difference for our students!  As a leader, I hold myself accountable and assure you that as an organization we are accountable.

Daniel S. Hamada

Principal

Kapaa High School

Yearbook Order Form and Senior Pages Available

ATTENTION ALL STUDENTS, FACULTY & STAFF:
Current yearbook price is $50.  On Nov. 1, price will raise to $55.  If you wait until May to try to purchase one, it will cost you $60.  Purchase your book today! View or download the order form.

Yearbook add-ons for sale:  Please see Mrs. Quinones in D-103 for more.
 - personalized name stamp
 - plastic cover
 - additional autograph pages


ATTENTION ALL SENIORS: Personal pages now available!
Full page = $175; half and quarter pages also available.  You can share a page with other seniors and split the cost.  See Mrs. Quinones by Fri. Nov. 19 to reserve a page.

Follow this link to the related calendar entry where you can view or download the order form.

Chanelle Quinones
Yearbook Adviser / ACCP Core / Graphic Communications
Kapaa High School
808.821.4401 ext. 19

Last Call for Parent Project Fall Session

Parent Project - the fall session of Parent Project at Kapaa High is still accepting adult and teen participants.
There is no tuition cost for this valuable training. A nominal material fee applies.
Any newcomers please:
1- Please contact Bridget Arume to let her know you are joining. She can be reached at 821-6972 x116.
2- Please arrive a half an hour early to get the rapid review session covering content of the first two weeks of material.


Here are some words from a fellow Warrior Parent about her experience so far:
"I highly recommend the Parent Project   workshop for parents and teens.  I’ve only attended two classes but I can already tell that the information is very helpful in improving relations with my teenage daughter. 
The facilitator Bridget, a mom of two grown daughters is energetic, knows the material well and has "been there”.  She does a great job of delivering the curriculum in an interesting and engaging way and facilitates the sharing between parents, which is also very valuable.  
The information presented thus far helps to remind me of how I can best respond to my teenager to improve our relationship and help her make healthy choices.
Whether you have troubled teens, strong-willed teens and/or easy going teens, the investment of a few hours a week is well worth it to ensure that you are doing everything you can to support them through the teen years.
The parent project has information we all need to be better parents.  Plus the teens attend their own empowerment workshop at the same time to help them be more responsible, accountable, and fulfilled in their life.  I hope more parents will see the benefit of learning this information and join the program."

Due to increased interest and economic stresses in our community, the tuition for this session is on a sliding scale and can be waived. There is a nominal fee for the course handbook that can be paid in installments. For more info please contact the Kapaa High PCNC, M. Goode @ 639-3453 or just show up on Wednesday evening.

Kapaa HS Boys Soccer 2010-11 General Meeting

Who: Young men of Kapaa High interested in playing soccer this year.
What: General Meeting
When: Wednesday, 1:45
Where: Outside the locker rooms.
This information provided by Coach Cram, Kapaa Warrior Varsity Boys Soccer Coach

SAT Test Taking Strategies

Fall SAT Testing is upon us. Here are some SAT test taking strategies from College Connections:

• Work at an even, steady pace, but keep moving.
• Most of the questions in each section range from easy to hard.
• Keep track of time during the test.
• Know which questions are best for you.
• Skip questions that you can't answer without spending a long time figuring it out.
• Answer the easy questions first.
• Remember that all questions are worth the same point value.
• Eliminate your choices.
• Make an educated guess.
• Watch the time you spend on any one question.
• Use your test booklet as scratch paper, and mark questions to back to.
• Check your answer sheet regularly to make sure you're answering the right question.
• Keep you answer sheet neat.
• Think positively.
• Stay focused.
• Concentrate on your own progress.
• Keep the test in perspective.
• Remember...you're in control.

Click Here for more about College Connections.

Kapa’a High Announces Principal Youn’s Retirement; Welcomes Mr. Hamada

by Tylor Schwarze, for The Tradewind, Kapaa High School.

At the recent parent information fair and Warrior barbeque, Vice Principal Todd Harrison announced the retirement of esteemed Principal Youn, effective September 30, 2010.  He then introduced Daniel Hamada as Youn’s successor.

Mr. Youn began his career in the DOE as a teacher in January 1971; he served in that capacity for 16 years before ascending to the rank of Vice Principal.  After 11 years of service as a V.P., he continued in his leadership role as Kapaa High’s principal for 13 years.

When asked if he had any parting thoughts or words of wisdom to impart of the students and faculty of Kapaa High, Mr Youn replied, “I think Kapaa High has risen to be the number one school on Kauai. We need to be the number one school in the state. We have an opportunity to do that by welcoming our new principal Daniel Hamada. He has the expertise to take us to the next level. Everyone needs to work harder in order to reach this next benchmark. Instruction in the classroom is one of the most crucial factors in reaching that goal. Another factor is, students need to be focused on their education starting from freshman year.”

During his retirement, Mr Youn plans to spend more time in the ocean and enjoying the things he put aside while working. To sum things up, he said that he really just wants to “kick back and cruise” when he retires.
Reprinted from The Tradewind, Vol 66, No.1.

Kapaa High Wins Share in 10M Smaller Learning Communities Grant

Kapaa High School and the other four consortium schools (Castle HS, Maui HS, McKinley HS, and Roosevelt HS) won the award for the 2010 Smaller Learning Community Grant. This means the consortium has 10 million dollars to implement the strategies and professional development to prepare your students for college and careers in the 21st Century.
Look for more on this important development and what's ahead for Kapaa High in upcoming posts.

e-Waste Recycling Opportunity

From The Garden Island

"LIHU‘E — There is still time for schools, nonprofits, government agencies and small businesses to register for free electronics recycling through the University of Hawai‘i’s Education and Government eWaste Disposal Days program, a press release states.

The event is at Kaua‘i Community College in Puhi Oct. 27 to 29. A public drop-off is Oct. 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with no pre-registration requirement.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Electronic waste contributes 70 percent of the toxins found in U.S. landfills (lead, mercury, cadmium, etc.), while only contributing 2 percent of the volume of materials in landfills.”"

Read the Whole Story Here