Let me take this opportunity to commend and congratulate our seniors on their senior project presentations. Feedback overall was very positive as students demonstrated those qualities of what we look for in a high school graduate. Special acknowledgements to grade 12 English teachers Ms. Boiser, Ms. Carvalho, Ms. Farina, Ms. Gowan, Mr. Mireles and Ms. Pahl....for their patience and perseverance in working with the seniors. Thanks also goes out to the many helpers in the organization of materials, snacks and coordination of the panelists. Hope everyone got to read Kara Kitamura's article about the senior projects in this past Friday's Garden Island.
I'm scheduling a special meeting on Monday, April 25th with department heads from Mathematics, Science and English to discuss the Hawaii State Assessment scheduled to be administered over the next few weeks. All computer labs are to be made available for our 10th grade students to do their assessments as this remains as one of our school's accountability priority focus. Current results reflect that there is still much work ahead and we remain confident that per the interventions, final round of testing over the next three weeks will show positive growth. As shared the current data shows that the percentage of students meeting proficiency are below our targeted benchmarks. Math @28% of students met proficiency; Reading @ 67% proficiency; and Science @34% proficiency. While we have a ways to go to meet our benchmark target of 90%, know that the content area teachers have been working diligently with our students.
Finally, want to extend special "kudos" to our clerical staff for their dedicated efforts! Administrative Professional's Week (April 24 - 30, 2011) serves to remind us about how we value their daily good work in multitasking so that our overall operations runs smoothly! Truly a wonderful team and we are so very fortunate!
Reminders:
Department Head Mtg: Department heads from Mathematics, English and Science, VPs, Core Coordinator and Tech Coordinator are to meet with Principal on Monday, April 25th to discuss the HSA and Tera Nova assessment. Teachers from these content areas are also welcome to attend. Meeting will be held in the library promptly @2:30 p.m.
Will also be meeting with each department head individually on Monday to share the SY 2011-12 teaching lines and possible room changes. For now, planning to meet during your prep time.
Principals Meeting: I will be attending a principals' mtg on Tuesday, April 26th @Complex Area Office in Lihue. Both Diane Ayre and Todd Harrison will be in charge.
School Community Council Mtg: The next monthly SCC meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 26th @5:30 p.m. in the Student Center.
Faculty Meeting: There will be faculty meeting on Wednesday, April 27th at the Chorus room at 2:00 p.m.
Vice-Principal & Athletic Director's Mtg: VPs and AD will be attending their monthly administrators' meeting on Thursday, April 28th from 8 - 3:00 p.m. @Complex Area Office.
PTSA Student Recognition: On Friday, April 29th during lunch, ice-cream treats will be given to all students who made a GPA of 3.0 or higher as well as for attendance. Ice-cream will be passed out at the Student Center.
Finals: Sharing the finals schedule for 4th quarter which was shared at the beginning of this year:
May 16th English and electives for seniors;
May 17th Math & electives for 9 - 12;
May 18th Social Studies & Science for 9 - 12; and
May 19th Math and electives for 9 - 11.
All grades verified and due by 3:00 p.m. May 27th (No Exceptions)
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, April 25, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Updates - Week of April 18th, 2011
Best way to get feedback about our work is directly from our customers. In speaking with our students, there's no lack of shyness as they are willing to share their ideas about areas where we can improve as well as our strengths. Their sense of openness and honesty can be quite interesting and rejuvenating. Over the past weeks, students have on their own accord came forward in sharing their thoughts, appreciation and concerns. Overall, a good number are pleased with their educational experiences as they feel that most adults really care in taking that time to work with them. Still, there were a number of students who felt that some adults didn't care. Several spoke of being put down, made examples of in front of their peers and receiving busy book work assignments with little explanation about their assignments. In fact, several students shared that they are not challenged and had no understanding for the purpose of their assignments and how they were being graded. Reason for sharing is to remind everyone that we must continue to be diligent and cognizant in how we work with "every" student no matter how challenging. Students needs encouragement, feedback about their progress, and focused learning activities that's differentiated, consistent and rigorous. They need to know that we care and believe in them. Let me be very clear that I do believe that we have terrific examples of teaching and mentoring across our school! We must work to ensure this consistent practice across all classrooms, support programs and administration.
Kudos to our Kapaa High School Foundation for their Walk/Run fund raiser this past Saturday at the Kapaa Beach Park pathway. Great to see former graduates, community, staff and students support our school's foundation. Special kudos to Mr. Brandon Fujita, Greg Gonsalves, Nancy Borilez, and students who came out early to help support this event. As you are aware the Foundation continues to be very generous in their financial support for our school-wide activities.
Received most of the department's teaching line recommendations and Mr. Barcial and I are close to finalizing for SY 2011-12. Truly appreciate everyone's input as it really helps provide guidance and as shared earlier, my final decision will be based on what strengths each teacher brings. Please also note, that there will be several room changes in supporting our 9th grade HUI and also planning for the 10th grade HUI for SY 2012-13.
Learned of final voting results for the proposed bell schedule while doing Castle High School's accreditation. Results clearly show that half of our staff may not be ready for this change and it validates that there is still much work to do in helping to bring clear understanding as to purpose. Let me be very clear, that we will provide equal educational opportunities for our students and we will do this through a collaborative process. With the recent (April 7th) Board of Education's approved revisions to BOE Policy 4540 that states there will be a minimum of 25 credits for both the College and Career Diploma and for the BOE College and Career Recognition Diploma, their directives are clear. There is still ample time to address this change and per ACT 51, we have that autonomy to determine how we will do this. Will have further discussions beginning the week of April 25th.
Finally, want to wish our seniors the very best in their presentations this week. Per my classroom visits, appreciate the amount of good work that students had to put into this culminating project as well as their teachers who had to provide that focused support. Looking forward to the Class of 2011 presentations as the senior projects were designed to demonstrate the vision of a high school graduate......in possessing the attitudes, knowledge and skills necessary to contribute positively and compete in a global society.
Reminders:
Senior Project Presentations: Reminder we'll be on a Wednesday schedule due to Senior Project presentations this week. Students' release time will be at 1:35 p.m. Please check and remove any old calendars that states April 20th as a "collaboration " day. Revised calendar were shared at the beginning of the school year.
PTSA Meeting: Monthly PTSA meeting will be held on Monday, April 18, 2011 6:30 p.m. at the Student Center
Kapaa High Foundation Meeting: Monthly KHS Foundation meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 6:00 p.m. at the Student Center.
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.
Kudos to our Kapaa High School Foundation for their Walk/Run fund raiser this past Saturday at the Kapaa Beach Park pathway. Great to see former graduates, community, staff and students support our school's foundation. Special kudos to Mr. Brandon Fujita, Greg Gonsalves, Nancy Borilez, and students who came out early to help support this event. As you are aware the Foundation continues to be very generous in their financial support for our school-wide activities.
Received most of the department's teaching line recommendations and Mr. Barcial and I are close to finalizing for SY 2011-12. Truly appreciate everyone's input as it really helps provide guidance and as shared earlier, my final decision will be based on what strengths each teacher brings. Please also note, that there will be several room changes in supporting our 9th grade HUI and also planning for the 10th grade HUI for SY 2012-13.
Learned of final voting results for the proposed bell schedule while doing Castle High School's accreditation. Results clearly show that half of our staff may not be ready for this change and it validates that there is still much work to do in helping to bring clear understanding as to purpose. Let me be very clear, that we will provide equal educational opportunities for our students and we will do this through a collaborative process. With the recent (April 7th) Board of Education's approved revisions to BOE Policy 4540 that states there will be a minimum of 25 credits for both the College and Career Diploma and for the BOE College and Career Recognition Diploma, their directives are clear. There is still ample time to address this change and per ACT 51, we have that autonomy to determine how we will do this. Will have further discussions beginning the week of April 25th.
Finally, want to wish our seniors the very best in their presentations this week. Per my classroom visits, appreciate the amount of good work that students had to put into this culminating project as well as their teachers who had to provide that focused support. Looking forward to the Class of 2011 presentations as the senior projects were designed to demonstrate the vision of a high school graduate......in possessing the attitudes, knowledge and skills necessary to contribute positively and compete in a global society.
Reminders:
Senior Project Presentations: Reminder we'll be on a Wednesday schedule due to Senior Project presentations this week. Students' release time will be at 1:35 p.m. Please check and remove any old calendars that states April 20th as a "collaboration " day. Revised calendar were shared at the beginning of the school year.
PTSA Meeting: Monthly PTSA meeting will be held on Monday, April 18, 2011 6:30 p.m. at the Student Center
Kapaa High Foundation Meeting: Monthly KHS Foundation meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 6:00 p.m. at the Student Center.
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, April 11, 2011
Updates - Week of April 11th
As we begin this new week, instructional calendar shows approximately seven weeks or 30 instructional days left in the school year. Clearly we are all aware of the work yet to be done....the content standards that still needs to be covered, ensuring that our grade 10 students are able to demonstrate positive levels of proficiency per the Hawaii State Assessment (HSA), senior projects/presentations, PTP work yet to be finalized, etc. The true testament of our efforts will be seen per the results of our collective efforts at the end of the school year.
We continue to also plan for the SY 2011-12 teaching lines as Mr. Barcial has shared both the student count projections and a sample template for each department to provide their teaching line recommendations. Appreciate the discussions with various departments in providing me guidance as to how they believe the master schedule should look like. Each department's feedback is an important process for solid input. At the end of the day, my final decision will continue to be based on what strengths each teacher brings as the education of our students can never be left to chance. The importance of knowing how every content area teacher and support staff can support every student remains critical.
Please remind your students on the importance that they remain focused and responsible in their school work and attendance. This holds especially true for the seniors as administration has taken time to personally speak with a few of them as their attendance (especially tardiness) and grades are on the edge. Parents of seniors who have not adhered their senior agreements have already been informed that their child will not be participating in the graduation ceremony. Very difficult to see some of our seniors lose that opportunity to walk with their peers after 13 years of schooling. At the end of the day we must remember that participation in the graduation ceremony is a privilege and not a right....the diploma that's earned is a right! Bottom-line, we expect all students and especially our seniors to model the GLOs.
Reminders:
Principal Out-of-Office: I will be serving on an accreditation work group for James B. Castle High School April 11 - 14th and returning to the office on Friday, April 15th. Both Diane Ayre and Todd Harrison will be in charge.
Faculty Meeting: Faculty meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 13th 2:00 p.m. @Library to discuss for the upcoming Senior Projects as well as an update status of Hawaii State Assessment interventions and SY 2011-12 master schedule. Both Diane Ayre & Todd Harrison will be in charge of the meeting.
Senior Project Presentations: Senior Project presentations are scheduled during the week of April 18 - 21, 2011. School will be on a Wednesday schedule for that week and students' release time will be at 1:35 p.m. Ask that everyone be aware of the expectations that is shared @wEdnesday's faculty meeting.
Teacher Line Template: Registrar Todd Barcial e-mailed a copy of the teacher line templates to all Department Heads. DHs are to work with their teachers and submit recommendations for SY 2011-12 to the principal by 12:00 p.m. Friday, April 15th.
Kapaa High School Foundation Fun Run/Walk Fund-raiser: The Kapaa High School Foundation will be having its first annual Fun/Walk event @Kapaa Walking Path on Saturday, April 16th, beginning at 7:00 a.m. Encourage all staff and students to support our school's Foundation as monies received will ultimately go to support our students. Registration forms can be found on our school's website under the Kapaa High Foundation.
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.
We continue to also plan for the SY 2011-12 teaching lines as Mr. Barcial has shared both the student count projections and a sample template for each department to provide their teaching line recommendations. Appreciate the discussions with various departments in providing me guidance as to how they believe the master schedule should look like. Each department's feedback is an important process for solid input. At the end of the day, my final decision will continue to be based on what strengths each teacher brings as the education of our students can never be left to chance. The importance of knowing how every content area teacher and support staff can support every student remains critical.
Please remind your students on the importance that they remain focused and responsible in their school work and attendance. This holds especially true for the seniors as administration has taken time to personally speak with a few of them as their attendance (especially tardiness) and grades are on the edge. Parents of seniors who have not adhered their senior agreements have already been informed that their child will not be participating in the graduation ceremony. Very difficult to see some of our seniors lose that opportunity to walk with their peers after 13 years of schooling. At the end of the day we must remember that participation in the graduation ceremony is a privilege and not a right....the diploma that's earned is a right! Bottom-line, we expect all students and especially our seniors to model the GLOs.
Reminders:
Principal Out-of-Office: I will be serving on an accreditation work group for James B. Castle High School April 11 - 14th and returning to the office on Friday, April 15th. Both Diane Ayre and Todd Harrison will be in charge.
Faculty Meeting: Faculty meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 13th 2:00 p.m. @Library to discuss for the upcoming Senior Projects as well as an update status of Hawaii State Assessment interventions and SY 2011-12 master schedule. Both Diane Ayre & Todd Harrison will be in charge of the meeting.
Senior Project Presentations: Senior Project presentations are scheduled during the week of April 18 - 21, 2011. School will be on a Wednesday schedule for that week and students' release time will be at 1:35 p.m. Ask that everyone be aware of the expectations that is shared @wEdnesday's faculty meeting.
Teacher Line Template: Registrar Todd Barcial e-mailed a copy of the teacher line templates to all Department Heads. DHs are to work with their teachers and submit recommendations for SY 2011-12 to the principal by 12:00 p.m. Friday, April 15th.
Kapaa High School Foundation Fun Run/Walk Fund-raiser: The Kapaa High School Foundation will be having its first annual Fun/Walk event @Kapaa Walking Path on Saturday, April 16th, beginning at 7:00 a.m. Encourage all staff and students to support our school's Foundation as monies received will ultimately go to support our students. Registration forms can be found on our school's website under the Kapaa High Foundation.
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.
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