UPDATES - WEEK OF JAN 16TH

Thank you as administration received a very good percentage teachers' reflective feedback addressing their students' progress to date. This formative information along with other data helps to provide that comprehensive picture. Spent weekend compiling the information and will combine with other data for faculty discussion.

Per classroom visits, sharing more feedback:

• Pleased to see continued focused instruction across many classrooms as a good number of lessons reflected higher level critical thinking. Saw a nice balance of lecture, student feedback/wait time, group work and projects. Strongly encouraging more student work products to be posted as it provides that nice reference support for all students. Reminder that the standards being covered needs to be visible in every classroom.
• An area where we need to strengthen is ensuring that teachers teaching similar content are on same page. Example, Social Studies teachers teaching U.S History should be meeting on a consistent basis to assure curriculum maps are being followed, common rubrics are being used, grading practices are consistent, etc. This pertains to all content areas and recommend that departments utilize Monday and Thursday's planning time to make this happen.

Reminders:
HUI planning for SY 2012-13: In preparing for next school year, will be meeting with teachers who are interested in being on the HUIs for grade 10. As this is our initial year of implementation, we continue to learn and grow.....a fundamental expectation is that commitment in working as a team. Administration will be interviewing interested teachers for grade 10 as well as reassessing current 9th grade HUI teams in terms of commitment for next school year.

Parent Registration Informational Meetings: Our first parent registration informational meeting held on January 9th was well received. Many questions addressing graduation requirements, college/career planning, etc. were asked. Very pleased with the amount of questions addressing the STEP-UP diploma as parents want their children striving for the BOE Recognition diploma. Kapaa High's Class of 2015 (current 9th graders) has nearly 40% already signed up for the BOE recognition diploma and definitely anticipate more. As you are aware, this is the last year that students have a choice in terms of the going for the regular or the BOE recognition diploma. Beginning next school year there will be only one diploma...the BOE recognition diploma. Thank goodness that the 7th period schedule passed.

• Grades 10 & 11 on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012 @Library 6:00 p.m.
• Incoming Grade 9 on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012 @Library 6:00 p.m.

Faculty Meeting: Topics to be covered are the PSAT scores, HUI & Academy updates, SY 2012-13 registration, projected student enrollment, staffing, and funding.

Weekly Calendar:
Monday, Jan. 16th: Holiday - Martin Luther King Day
Tuesday, Jan. 17th: Grade 10 & 11 Parent Registration Informational Meeting @Library 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 18th: Principal mtg with Kauai Rotarians 11:30 a.m. @Courtyard Marriott
Faculty Meeting 1:50 p.m. @Chorus Room
Thursday, Jan. 19th: HUI Collaboration 7:45 a.m. @I102
Friday, Jan. 20th: Castle and MOTT Foundation visitors on campus

Calendar Changes:

• PTSA Board rescheduled to Monday, January 23rd 6:00 p.m. @Student Center; and
• School Community Council rescheduled to Tuesday, Jan. 24th 5:30 p.m. @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