Reminder on the importance of strategizing what needs to be instructed over the next 9 weeks of school as it is critical that our students are instructed to all standards/benchmarks. More importantly, we must continue to ensure that students' learning is an active process. Too often students come to school and watch their teachers do all of the work. When students use what they learn through application (quadrant B) , adaptation (quadrant D), and applying to real world predictable/unpredictable situations, they remember the information better and understand the utility of what is being taught. This is fundamental in preparing students for the 21st century.
At the last faculty meeting I shared about Department of Education having to plan for the strong possibility of reducing our operating budget due to Hawaii's financial challenges. Per Legislative House Bill 200, H.D. 1., the DOE is facing an operating budget reduction of $55 million in fiscal years 2011-12 and 2012-13. While it is still quite early in the legislative process, asking department heads to meet with their teachers to plan and submit your purchase requests for needs supplies, instructional materials, etc. for SY 2011-12. Ask that departments work on this over the next three - four weeks and administration will also be meeting with each department was well.
We will continue to be proactive as we know where our school needs to be over the next few years. Change is a constant reality of life and we are aware as to major disasters and other global upheaval creates unwanted economic impacts. We have the right focus and vision in prepare our students for 21st century citizenship....our Academic & Financial plans reflect this and we will get through no matter what challenges we are faced with! These five key points are already helping secure fiscal and personnel resource support:
1. Improving pedagogy practices, differentiating instruction based on students' needs, and using data effectively are fundamental for student achievement progress;
2. Implementation of the Smaller Learning Community 9th & 10th grade HUIs and Pathways through focused learning supports, safety nets, and personalization;
3. Implementing a bell schedule for SY 2012-13 that meets the required BOE Policy 4540 of a minimum of 25 credits affording more academic flexibility and opportunities;
4. Ensure for highly qualified and effective staff in all content areas with focused evidenced based professional development support; and
5. Implement a master schedule that reflects that first "level of differentiation" where qualified staff are assigned strategically in meeting students' needs.
I remain very confident that as we strengthen and drive toward these common purpose, our collective efforts will help our students achieve.
Reminders:
Meeting with Mathematics, English and Science Departments: Based on the current HSA testing data for the second round, would like to meet this Wednesday, March 30th with the three testing content areas and participating teachers. We will be reviewing students' progress data, identifying gap areas, and strategizing what needs to be done for the last HSA assessment in late April. Meeting will be in the library @2:00 p.m.
PEP-T: Administration will be contacting teachers who are on PEP-T to schedule visitation and meeting dates.
HSTA SWIM Meeting Schedule: SWIM meetings are scheduled for all HSTA members by complexes. The following are the dates and sites for the meetings:
Wednesday, April 6th, 2011 - West Complex @Waimea High School Cafeteria 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.;
Thursday, April 7, 2011 - Central Complex @Kauai High School Cafeteria 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.; and
Friday, April 8, 2011 - East Complex @Kapaa High School Cafeteria 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Our students will be released at 1:15 p.m. on Friday, April 8th and more information to be provided shortly.
Personal/Professional Development Leave with Pay: Sharing this reminder again that when taking personal leaves , all teachers must give at least 48 hours advance notice and for professional development leaves must submit the leave form at least one week in advance. Important that we have consistent practices and more information can be found in Article XII of the Agreement between the HSTA and the State of Hawaii Board of Education.
Title III – U. S. DOE monitoring: A team from the U. S. Department of Education will be in Hawaii monitoring schools across the state addressing working
with English language Learners students during the week of April 11th.
Have a great week!
Daniel S. Hamada
Principal
Kapaa High School
4695 Mailihuna Road
Kapaa, Kauai, Hawaii 96746
PH: (808) 821- 4401 ext. 102
FAX: (808) 821- 4420
daniel_hamada@notes.k12.hi.us
Kapaa High School cares for and supports "ALL" students to be prepared for college, career, and citizenship in the 21st century.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Kapaa High School Foundation grants available
The Kapaa High School Foundation is now accepting applications for three grants of $500.00 each to Kapaa High School Class of 2011 Seniors. Although a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 is required, academic achievement is not a major consideration for this grant. The emphasis for the getting the award will be on the students’ active participation in community and school service projects and programs.
The deadline is April 15, 2011. For more information, please visit the website at: http://kapaahighschoolfoundation.org
For more criteria on the awards, go to the Kapaa High School Counselors Office or download The Student Grant information page and application form through the above website.
The deadline is April 15, 2011. For more information, please visit the website at: http://kapaahighschoolfoundation.org
For more criteria on the awards, go to the Kapaa High School Counselors Office or download The Student Grant information page and application form through the above website.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Welcome back and hope that everyone had a restful Spring Break!
As we begin the 4th quarter, important that we take inventory of our students' progress to the standards. Knowing and strategizing what needs to be instructed over the next ten weeks of school is critical. Kapaa High School's Academic/Financial plans outlines our academic accountability and as the school year winds down, we will need to share our progress with the School Community Council, PTSA and greater community.
In the midst of disasters that continues to impact Japan, global upheaval especially within the middle east countries, worldwide economic fallout, and the current financial deficits faced by several states, puts into perspective how we are all globally impacted. Preparing our students as citizens for the 21st century global economy is a reality and whatever our roles, collectively we are entrusted with that important responsibility.
Truly believe that our focused actions continues to be the right course. We continue to be proactive in striving for our vision addressing:
Implementation of the Smaller Learning HUIs and Pathways in providing focused learning supports, safety nets, and personalization. Current evidence shows that we need to take action as nearly 30% of our ninth graders continue to fail/drop-out by their senior year;
Improving pedagogy practices, differentiating instruction based on students' needs, and using data effectively are fundamental for student achievement progress;
Implementing a bell schedule that meets the required BOE Policy 4540 of a minimum of 25 credits affording more academic flexibility and opportunities;
Highly qualified staff in all content areas with focused evidenced based professional development support; and
Our school's master schedule reflects that first level of differentiation where qualified staff are assigned strategically in meeting students' needs.
We will stay the course in strengthening our foundation and purpose. Collectively, our collective wisdom, talents and focused commitment will afford solid learning opportunities for "ALL" students.
Reminders:
Inventory Folders: Inventory folders will be distributed this week and are due no later than April 13th. Please do not write over the property number located to the left of each item. For those who did not turn in your inventory last year by the due date, your deleted items will still be listed on this report. There are many items that are unaccounted for and the search in the missing file will be a large task. If you have any questions contact Leila Kaneholani.
Personal/Professional Development Leave with Pay: Reminder that when taking personal leaves, all teachers must give at least 48 hours advance notice and for professional development leaves must submit the leave form at least one week in advance. Important that we have consistent practices and accountable. More information can be found in the Agreement between the HSTA and the State of Hawaii Board of Education under Article XII.
Faculty Meeting: We will be having a faculty meeting on Wednesday, March 23rd 2:00 p.m. @Library. Discussion topics will cover updates for our Smaller Learning Community progress, addressing questions per the proposed SY 2012-13 bell schedule, SY 2011-12 staffing and master schedule updates.
Summer School: Ryan Harper will be serving as this year's Summer School director and appreciate his willingness to take this on. More information will be forthcoming addressing courses, teaching staff, etc.
Extended Learning Opportunity (ELO): Not to be confused with summer school, we are continuing to implement extended learning opportunity time for those targeted students based on data. Presently, we will focus on the 9th grade students to minimize failures and/or having to retake courses next year. Intervention is part of the Smaller Learning Community (SLC) focus and the ELO coordinator will be shared shortly.
Have a great week!
In the midst of disasters that continues to impact Japan, global upheaval especially within the middle east countries, worldwide economic fallout, and the current financial deficits faced by several states, puts into perspective how we are all globally impacted. Preparing our students as citizens for the 21st century global economy is a reality and whatever our roles, collectively we are entrusted with that important responsibility.
Truly believe that our focused actions continues to be the right course. We continue to be proactive in striving for our vision addressing:
Implementation of the Smaller Learning HUIs and Pathways in providing focused learning supports, safety nets, and personalization. Current evidence shows that we need to take action as nearly 30% of our ninth graders continue to fail/drop-out by their senior year;
Improving pedagogy practices, differentiating instruction based on students' needs, and using data effectively are fundamental for student achievement progress;
Implementing a bell schedule that meets the required BOE Policy 4540 of a minimum of 25 credits affording more academic flexibility and opportunities;
Highly qualified staff in all content areas with focused evidenced based professional development support; and
Our school's master schedule reflects that first level of differentiation where qualified staff are assigned strategically in meeting students' needs.
We will stay the course in strengthening our foundation and purpose. Collectively, our collective wisdom, talents and focused commitment will afford solid learning opportunities for "ALL" students.
Reminders:
Inventory Folders: Inventory folders will be distributed this week and are due no later than April 13th. Please do not write over the property number located to the left of each item. For those who did not turn in your inventory last year by the due date, your deleted items will still be listed on this report. There are many items that are unaccounted for and the search in the missing file will be a large task. If you have any questions contact Leila Kaneholani.
Personal/Professional Development Leave with Pay: Reminder that when taking personal leaves, all teachers must give at least 48 hours advance notice and for professional development leaves must submit the leave form at least one week in advance. Important that we have consistent practices and accountable. More information can be found in the Agreement between the HSTA and the State of Hawaii Board of Education under Article XII.
Faculty Meeting: We will be having a faculty meeting on Wednesday, March 23rd 2:00 p.m. @Library. Discussion topics will cover updates for our Smaller Learning Community progress, addressing questions per the proposed SY 2012-13 bell schedule, SY 2011-12 staffing and master schedule updates.
Summer School: Ryan Harper will be serving as this year's Summer School director and appreciate his willingness to take this on. More information will be forthcoming addressing courses, teaching staff, etc.
Extended Learning Opportunity (ELO): Not to be confused with summer school, we are continuing to implement extended learning opportunity time for those targeted students based on data. Presently, we will focus on the 9th grade students to minimize failures and/or having to retake courses next year. Intervention is part of the Smaller Learning Community (SLC) focus and the ELO coordinator will be shared shortly.
Have a great week!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Back to School: 4th Quarter Begins Monday 21st, 7:45 am sharp!
Here are some clarifications regarding No School days happening in the next week.
There has been some confusion. Those darn furloughs affected dates that had already been published...so this is a correction to some of those calendars. Please help spread the word!
THIS WEEK
MON 21
7:45 am Back To School - 4th Quarter Begins – REGULAR SCHOOL DAY!
FRI 25
Prince Kuhio Day - No School
NEXT WEEK
MON 28
Furlough Day - No School
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