Aloha to Mrs. Fukumoto and Mr. Louie!

41 + 21 = a lifetime of commitment and dedication to serving young children. Mrs. Gail Fukumoto and Mr. Louis Rivera served most of their years at Epiphany School, continued their work at Mid-Pacific Institute, and will be retiring at the end of this school year.

Gail began as a substitute teacher in 1966, was hired as a third grade teacher the following year, and continued in that grade level (with a few years as fourth grade teacher) until we began multiage instruction in 1990. At Epiphany School, she served as director of summer school, vice-principal, dean of faculty, interim principal, and director of the afterschool program (which she has also continued to oversee at MPI). She is a strong proponent of reading and writing.  She will be best remembered as the no-nonsense teacher with the big heart, who helped give birth to our children-first philosophy, and who has been a supportive, trusted colleague.


Mr. Louie began at Epiphany School in 1987 as the all-around handyman, custodian, bus driver, and facilities security person.  He single-handedly maintained the entire campus and church grounds, in addition to helping the faculty with moving furniture, and large boxes, mopping up spills in the students’ lunchroom, and taking the children on excursions. At Mid-Pacific, he has maintained the preschool and elementary facilities and has transported the children in our beloved bright yellow school bus.  He will be warmly remembered for his easygoing nature (he constantly whistles and hums while at work) and his caring attitude towards the children.  Although Louie officially retires from MPI, he has agreed to drive the school bus as needed. Hurray!

The entire preschool and elementary honored the retirement of Mrs. Gail Fukumoto (41 years) and Mr. Louis Rivera (21 years) in the dining room with a touching tribute to them.  Students from each classroom presented lei, which quickly reached the top of their heads.  Then came the heartwarming speeches from students and faculty, bittersweet and humorous.  Mrs. Fukumoto was given a handmade quilt with photo impressions of the school community, and Mr. Louie was presented handmade pillows and shirts with photos of the students and faculty. The children bid aloha in song to one of the melodies in Kahalaopuna. The honorees’ families attended the assembly, as did parents of former students.  Both Gail and Louie have provided a strong model of service, commitment, and dedication to this community and its values of quality education.

A week ago today, your children dazzled us with two incredible, professional opera performances of Kahalaopuna, Princess of Manoa.  Now and then, we continue to hear the children humming or singing the songs (you might be hearing the same at home!). I’ve even heard the teachers launch into a song or two in the faculty workroom. A year ago, the thought of producing an opera was daunting, but with Diane Koshi’s guidance and the cooperation of the entire faculty, the experience was a positive, enriching learning process.  Our deepest appreciation to Diane Koshi for her musical and artistic vision, parent coordinator Paul Czubryt and the many, many parents who prepared sets and costumes, the faculty for their enduring positive spirit, and our talented 251 children who never cease to amaze us.

If you would still like to order a DVD of the opera performance or Kahalaopuna t-shirts (all colors and all sizes except Youth XS), please turn in your order and a check payable to Mid-Pacific Institute by 3:30pm on Friday, May 23.

Youth sizes: $7.00
Adult S-XL:  $8.00
Adult XXL-XXXL: $10.00
DVD:  $10.00

Call 441-3800 if you have any questions.

As the faculty prepare the performance continua, written comments, and students’ progress portfolios for next week’s conferences on Thursday and Friday, May 22-23, please remember that kindergartners through fifth graders must accompany their parents to the conference because the students are active participants in this meeting.  Children who have signed up for childcare must bring their own snacks, lunch, and beverages.  Items tend to get misplaced, so please make sure all of your child’s belongings are labeled with his/her name.  

Over the next few weeks, you might be noticing some heavy equipment on our campus.  Contractors will continue work at the play structure to place some high-quality turf to curb the constant soil run-off.  In addition, there will be extensive work to replace some of the concrete sidewalk slabs.  Most of this work will begin after the last day of school and cease during summer school.

Just a reminder about calendar events for the remainder of the school year:
•  No school on May 26, Memorial Day observed
•  May 28, Fifth-Grade Leavetaking.  ALL students, preschool through fourth grade, must wear the green MPI collared shirt.
•  May 29, Field Day and last day of school. Since this is the last day of school, we will offer the afterschool program with regular hours.  

Hope this vog blows away soon. Makes me appreciate the blue, sunny clear skies we often take for granted.

For our children,

Edna L. Hussey
Principal



 



 

Posted on May 16, 2008 9:57 AM | Permalink