tag:www.midpac.edu,2008:/elementary/18 2008-05-09T21:44:34Z Movable Type Publishing Platform 4.01 tag:www.midpac.edu,2008:/elementary//18.3814 2008-05-09T07:12:02Z 2008-05-09T21:44:34Z

For the past few weeks, we’ve been watching and listening to particular grade levels or groups practicing their motions and songs for the opera, Kahalaopuna. You already know that this original opera, written by Dr. Neil McKay, will be performed...

Ms. Hussey Kahalaopuna. You already know that this original opera, written by Dr. Neil McKay, will be performed May 9 and 10, 6:00pm, to celebrate MPI’s 100th year in Manoa.  It’s been somewhat a leap of faith for all the children, who’ve been practicing their numbers pretty much in isolation without fully comprehending the opera in its entirety.

Well, today the pieces all fit together to create a wondrous tapestry of song and image. What talent abounds in the school! And I was amazed by the students’ sense of space and how they were able to adjust from practicing in the dining room or on the courtyard lawn to practicing in a space three to four times the size of their practice areas. They were focused on their cues and didn’t seem to skip a beat.  This opera, from the very beginning we began on this schoolwide journey, has been integrated into classroom curriculum through the production aspects. The children read James Rumford’s book, discussed the plot and themes, researched life on the ahupua`a (food production, Hawaiian pastimes), and read the libretto.  As I compose this letter, the performance is less than 24 hours away. Based on today’s preview for the middle school and high school, I’d say you’re in for a very special treat!


]]> Please refer to your child’s teacher’s class weblog for any specific information on the performance. I do know that all students must report to their respective classrooms by 5:00pm on Friday and Saturday, dressed in board shorts and slippers. After the performance, you must check out your child with the classroom teacher from Scudder Hall (next to Bakken Auditorium). This is a special school performance for which every student has been practicing. On behalf of the faculty, I trust that you’ll honor the work of your child by supporting his/her participation in the production. Gym doors will be opened at 5:00pm. Be sure to take home a program as a memento of the opera and the celebration of MPI’s presence in Manoa for the past one hundred years.

I’m proud to announce that a poem written by KM, a third grader in Ms. Lorenzana’s multiage 3-4 class, was selected as one of the top five winners in the third-grade level of Starbuck’s Star Poets contest.  This poetry contest is well regarded among many language-arts teachers for the high-quality selections and examples of excellence in poetry. She has been invited to read her poetry at a special public reading at the Paliku Theatre at Windward Community College.  This student’s learning process included reading a wide range of poetry and learning about the importance of each word and its power in creating strong visual images, as well as the visual impact and meaning conveyed in how a poem is lined (words that are placed on a poetic line). With the student’s permission, here’s her winning poem:

My Shoe

My shoe
All shiny
And new
Oh No
My shoe WAS
Shiny and new

Just the simple inclusion and emphasis in the word “was” effectively conveys the emotion of surprise and the quick disappointment in this fourteen-word poem. Nice job, KM!

Your child should have come home with a letter from MPI student Sascha Franzel, a junior, about collecting new aloha shirts for the troops in Afghanistan. She is single-handedly organzing this community effort, and her goal is to collect 2000 shirts! I think she's received about 1500, so I hope many of our preschool and elementary families will be able to contribute to this effort. You may drop off your donation at the elementary school by May 29, the last day of school.

No school next Friday, May 16, so that teachers can focus on end-of-year student assessments and conferences, which are May 22-23. The school office will be open on May 16. I encourage you to make an appointment to meet with any of your child’s specialists (e.g., art, music, physical education, character education) if you would like some direct feedback. The specialists would like very much to meet with you.

I am amazed, yet not, that the school year is quickly coming to a close. Over the next few days, the students will be selecting pieces for their portfolios that show their learning progress over time.  They are also writing statements of reflection and constantly referring to the criteria generated by teacher and students.  All of this —  and the opera — require self-discipline and effective time management.  They’re learning!

See you at the opera.

For our children,

Edna L. Hussey
Principal


]]> tag:www.midpac.edu,2008:/elementary//18.3778 2008-05-02T05:30:05Z 2008-05-03T17:01:11Z

Let’s go fly a kite, up to the highest height,Let’s go fly a kite and send it soaring,Up through the atmosphere, up where the air is clear. . . (If you’re recalling the words and melody to this song, you’ve...

Ms. Hussey Let’s go fly a kite, up to the highest height,
Let’s go fly a kite and send it soaring,
Up through the atmosphere, up where the air is clear. . .

(If you’re recalling the words and melody to this song, you’ve watched too many re-runs of Mary Poppins.)

But fly a kite is exactly what each child did— all 251 of them from preschool through fifth grade. Every student fashioned a kite from plastic bags or paper and skewers, drew a personalized design, added lengths of tail, attached string, and presto — a kite! Pam Jenkins, our K-5 physical education teacher, provided students with some kite-flying strategies, such as running with their backs to the wind to give their kites “lift” or tugging on the line to catch the wind. At the assembly this morning, she explained the history of MPI’s Kite Day, which began in 1910 as one of the favorite pastimes of the Chinese boys who attended Mills Institute. The activity was quickly adopted as a way to build school spirit and community. Playful competition emerged — the highest-flying kite, the smallest, the largest, and the most beautiful design. And what a perfect site for kite flying where the Manoa winds frequent the campus.  For reasons unknown, Kite Day ceased around 1934 — until May 1, 2008.


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The fifth graders returned safe and sound from their Aloha Camp at Koke`e, Kaua`i (the YWCA Camp Sloggett) this past Monday through Wednesday. The students hiked, played, swam, sat around the campfire, ate, and reflected together on their passage from elementary school into middle school. Under a canopy of brilliant stars, the students gazed at constellations and shooting stars. They learned about the Koke`e ahupua`a (watershed) and the importance of caring for the land. More importantly, they acknowledged their individual talents and strengths that put together characterize this unique fifth grade class.  

The Multiage 1-2 students and their parents gathered this evening for a community potluck, followed by Family Science Night, a Bishop Museum education program, in the dining room. What a marvelous night of investigation and wonder!  Students explored twelve different areas of inquiry such as the human body (e.g., vision, the lungs, the heart), nutrition, space stations, topography, and archaeology. While the evening was a fun learning experience for the children, their parents seemed to equally enjoy the camaraderie and learning with their children.  Parents commented on wanting to return to school as a child if learning was this much fun! 

Please spend some time going to this link for a recent posting of the `Ohana meeting notes. The parent group met last Wednesday. There are nominations for new officers. Download them here.

We are just five school days away from the opera performances (Kahalaopuna, Princess of Manoa) on May 9 and 10. Many of you have already called in your request for tickets. I strongly encourage you to call the reservation line, 441-3806, to secure free tickets and seats in the gym. I’ve been watching the class practices — you are in for a spectacular treat next week.  We will be sending home a form next Monday for all children enrolled in the afterschool program who may need to stay until the performance and will need a light dinner.

The MPI School of the Arts is producing Wind of a Thousand Tales, a re-telling of legends, tales, and myths from around the world using life-size puppets. The production is appropriate for children in first grade and older.  Performances are this weekend and next weekend (but don’t forget about our opera performance next Friday and Saturday night at 6:00pm).  Call 973-5066 for ticket information (there is a ticket charge).

I was a Mary Poppins fan, so I do know several other melodies from that film…. Oh, let’s go fly a kite!

For our children,

Edna L. Hussey
Principal














]]> tag:www.midpac.edu,2008:/elementary//18.3752 2008-04-25T09:01:54Z 2008-04-25T16:52:45Z

Ms. Jacobson
The fifth graders participated in the annual “Moving Up Day” held today in the middle school.  In an effort to help our fifth graders anticipate life in the sixth grade and middle school, the sixth graders played host to our students and showed them the “ropes” on how to get from one class to the next across campus.  The fifth graders feasted on cafeteria lunch in Scudder Hall, played team-building games, and sat in various classes such as Japanese, dance, history, and math.  When asked what they liked best about Moving Up Day, several students exclaimed, “Everything!”

Nearly every month, a group of very dedicated parents representing the preschool and elementary parent group — the `Ohana — meet to plan school events and discuss any concerns.  You should be hearing within the next few weeks about voting for `Ohana officers.  They will help to plan the last schoolwide event, Field Day (May 29), on our campus.  Many thanks to parent Nathan Gudoy, who has volunteered to help P.E. teacher Pam Jenkins coordinate this fun event.  The `Ohana is planning forward — they are looking for a parent to chair or parents to co-chair the Welcome Barbecue in September 2008.  We have a binder with details on how to organize this event (and other schoolwide events) to help facilitate your work. Please consider giving the school office a call, if you’re interested in chairing this event or serving on the committee.  

Three elementary students are on the girls’ basketball team with the Christian Schools Athletic League (CSAL). 
EK and AS, both fourth graders, and fifth grader SS have been enjoying a winning season. They’ve been playing a number of Christian-based schools such as Hawaii Baptist Academy, Trinity Christian Academy, and Le Jardin, to name a few. Congratulations to our elementary students and the sixth and seventh graders for their dedication and team efforts!

Each day takes us closer to the opera performances of Kahalaopuna, Princess of Manoa, on May 9-10, at 6:00pm, in the gym. Hopefully the public will be seeing the beautiful banner display designed by four very talented kindergartners announcing the production. The performance is free and open to the public. However, please call 441-3806 for tickets. The preschool will be performing in the pre-show segment on Friday, May 9, 6:00pm. We have one more work day to complete the set design and costumes this Saturday, April 26, 2:00-6:00pm, in the dining room. Please join us if you have some time to spare.  Childcare is available.

Important reminder:  If you are dropping off your child at the lower autoline, please remember to look left as you merge back into the moving lane. We have received reports of near-accidents when parents have failed to check oncoming traffic.

The other day, I listened to Christopher Columbus, Betsy Ross, John F. Kennedy, Amelia Earhart, Thomas Jefferson, and Annie Oakley in Ms. Bailie’s multiage 1-2 classroom. One student's costume reminded me about my own Annie Oakley outfit when I was a five-year-old, from cowgirl hat and fringed leather vest to holster and boots.  They read their acrostic name poems, entries from their diaries, personal letters, and even obituaries!  It’s fascinating to learn which pieces of information make an impression on our young researchers.  

For our children,

Edna L. Hussey
Principal
]]> tag:www.midpac.edu,2008:/elementary//18.3714 2008-04-18T07:41:50Z 2008-04-18T17:13:52Z

Ms. Hussey Waves crash on the shore
Wind washes all the colors
Gently on the shore.
                  -- Trisha Hirano, 5th grade

Congratulations to Trisha for her winning haiku, which was also illustrated in stunning watercolors. From 2,004 haiku entries in the 10th World Children Haiku Contest 2008 sponsored by Japan Airlines, Trisha’s piece was selected as one of 50 outstanding finalists.  The judges were two scholars from the University of Hawaii and two executives from Japan Airlines. Trisha will receive a certificate, a book, a small gift, and the honor of being one of the outstanding finalists. Congratulations also to Mrs. Hoddick, fifth grade language arts teacher, and Tracey Stewart, UH-Manoa student art teacher, who is being mentored by Ms. Brooks, grades 1-5 art teacher.

The MPI Boys’ Varsity Volleyball Team (8-3) joined us at our assembly in the dining room this morning to introduce themselves and talk briefly about volleyball. They asked the preschool and elementary students to attend the big game versus Kamehameha on Friday, April 25, 6:00pm, in the MPI gym.  We hope that you and your family will join us at the volleyball game to cheer our team. (There is no admission fee for MPI students. Tickets are available at the box office outside the gym.)  The volleyball team will be having lunch and recess with the students on Tuesday, April 22.  When Coach Bill Villa, MPI’s athletic director, asked the children how many would like to play volleyball in middle school or high school, nearly the entire student body eagerly raised their hands.  Looks like we have a school filled with future athletes!


]]> Fifth graders on the Opera Leadership Team led the information session that followed the volleyball team.  Please note that all of the opera work is being managed by the students with teacher guidance. To summarize: a database is being updated to include all donors’ names (e.g., donations of foam core, costume yardage, lumber); the program committee will be interviewing the opera principals (lead vocalists) for information to be included in the program brochure as well as writing a synopsis of the opera and Hawaiian terms; volunteer parents will be coming in for the second work day to paint sets and sew costumes; and the props committee has begun making fish and will begin building Hawaiian sleds. The set and costume designs are based on the student sketches.

You may recall several weeks ago an art contest Ms. Koshi organized to find artistic designs for various opera components, such as a program brochure cover, banner, backdrop, tickets, and flyers. The winners, mostly from kindergarten through second grade, were announced at the assembly: BW, MH, MW, SD, KS-T, DJN, DE, and KJ.  Special honors to BK, whose decorated chocolate cake easily won as the most delicious and most unique entry (Ms. Koshi did say any medium!).

Students in all the multiage third and fourth grades participated in an inquiry related to the celebration of our 100th year in Manoa.  Their eight-week inquiry of the ahupua`a of Manoa culminated in a two-day exploration from the uka (mountains) of Manoa to the wai (ocean). With strong support from parent John Clark who helped chart the course, the students visited Manoa Chinese Cemetery, Koganji Temple, the lo'i at the UH Hawaiian Studies site (to understand the cultivation of kalo or taro), and Waikiki Beach, and took an invigorating catamaran ride.  Then all the multiage third- and fourth-grade families gathered in Scudder Hall for a Hawaiian dinner of kalua pig, lomi salmon, poi, poke, and other delicacies. The students explained some photo slides of their adventures at the assembly.

We have a faculty with many hidden talents, which we try to highlight at the assemblies.  This morning, Mrs. Roth re-lived a previous career (before teaching) as Giggles the Clown by performing a few magic tricks. Ask your child which trick was the best. I personally liked the one where she pulled paper from my ear. Hilarious.

The exit from the assembly was a show in itself. As the students left, they sang the theme song from Kahalaopuna, the opera, with bright, clear, animated voices. It’s just less than four weeks before the performances on May 9-10 in the gym. To clarify: all students are expected to perform both nights (6:00pm) since it is a regular production. However, parents are not expected to attend both performances. Please remember to call 441-3806 for free tickets. This is a special performance celebrating our 100th year in Manoa, and it is open to the general public.   

Later this morning in the dining room, students from preschool through second grade attended a puppet show of original pieces written by Ms. Coco Weil’s eighth-grade class. The vignettes’ central themes focused on friendship, sharing, honesty, and reconciliation.The eighth graders’ cleverly designed sock puppets became convincing characters. In no time at all, our preschoolers and others were interacting gleefully by calling out responses or joining in the singing. This eighth-grade theater class prepares students for more complex levels of theater production they will experience in high school.  

If you’ve been following my weekly Thursday letters on the website, you may recall reading Chapter One about the preschool petition for “0 (zero) fake grass” by the play structure.  Chapter Two entails more negotiation. I met with the 4-member committee earlier this week to discuss possible alternative sites.  After showing them the landscape architect’s designs (to which they attended with impressive focus and seriousness), we walked together to the play structure.  These four-year-olds pointed out two possible locations where they have unearthed the most bugs and “crystals.”  The areas seemed feasible, until the next day when I met with the contractor, who explained that these two areas are most prone to flooding when it rains. The primary reason for covering the open dirt areas with artificial grass is to decrease the runoff onto Maile Way during heavy rains or flooding. Left unchecked, the play area will erode and eventually leave less play area around the play structure.

So I will be meeting with the children again to negotiate yet another area, which, I’m confident, will earn their approval.  See next week’s Thursday letter for Chapter Three of “Zero Fake Grass, Please.”  Never underestimate the importance of playing in the dirt.

For our children,


Edna L. Hussey
Principal



 



  

                             
 
]]> tag:www.midpac.edu,2008:/elementary//18.3683 2008-04-11T07:55:03Z 2008-04-11T08:22:38Z

Every week as I sit down to compose my letter that appears on the MPI website, it doesn’t take me very long to think of the week’s key learning and teaching experiences, all of which seem to be epiphanies. Take...

Ms. Hussey     To. Ms. Husse Plez dont put fak gras becau we dont like the idea .We want to find crystals fire wth stiks and       bfs. 0 fake from presol.
Translated: Mrs. Hussey, Please don't put fake grass because we don't like the idea. We want to find crystals, fire with sticks, and bugs. 0 (zero) fake (grass). From, Preschool

One member of the group presented me with the signatures they had garnered from their classmates, friends in the adjacent three-year-old class, and even the preschool teachers. I learned from Ms. Leslie, one of the teachers, that the children mustered their best handwriting because they were aware that I needed to be able to read their names (and I did!).


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Today, I visited Ms. Field’s multiage 1-2 class to view their novel iMovie, the genesis of which began with their inquiry about Wailele Spring on the MPI football field (all of the multiage first and second grades are investigating various aspects of this natural spring) as part of our 100th-year-in-Manoa inquiry. The children wrote an original script, which they read and recorded, accompanied by corresponding illustrations. Parents were invited to this inquiry presentation, followed with several learning demonstrations in physical science.

This Thursday and Friday, the entire multiage third and fourth grades will embark on an intensive study of the ahupua’a of Manoa (another 100th-year-in-Manoa inquiry) by visiting historic and cultural areas of interest in Manoa (e.g., Manoa Chinese Cemetery, Koganji Temple, etc.) and down through Waikiki.  From the mountains to the ocean, students are exploring land uses one hundred years ago from Manoa to Waikiki. Part of their two-day experience includes a visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center to investigate hale and food production methods. Then on Friday evening, the students and their families will gather in Scudder Hall for dinner and displays of their research.

Meanwhile, the fourth and fifth graders are preparing to take the Stanford Achievement Test in the next two weeks.  Students will complete multiple-choice and open-ended tests in reading, writing and mathematics. Test-taking preparation includes working in practice workbooks, discussing problem-solving strategies, and continuing the daily business of learning. We do not shut down the rich learning of the classroom — literature groups, Math Investigations processes, science experiments, independent reading and writing, art, music, p.e., and character education — just to take a standardized, norm-referenced test. A balanced approach is always best.

We hope you’ll allow your children to attend the upcoming MPI boy’s varsity volleyball game versus Kamehameha on April 25, 6:00pm, in the gym. The team will be visiting the elementary school for the assembly on April 17 and on April 22 to have lunch and play some volleyball. We are not providing supervision because the game begins when the afterschool program ends at 6:00pm. However, this might be a great family activity on a Friday night.

The MPI Parent Community Association (PCA) is currently accepting nominations for officer positions (president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer) for the 2008-2009 school year. Nominations must be mailed to Noren Kawakami at noren@hawaii.rr.com no later than Monday, April 14, or may be submitted in person at the PCA meeting April 15, 2008, at the Elementary School, from 5:30 to 6:30pm.  I know there are many of you who are qualified to assume school leadership roles in the parent community. Please consider sharing your expertise in this capacity. It appears that many former elementary parents are stepping forward to assume leadership roles. What wonderful spirit!

Consider contributing to the Hawaii Foodbank Annual Food Drive on April 19, Saturday, 8:00am-4:00pm.  The most-needed items are financial contributions, canned meats or tuna, canned soups, canned vegetables and fruits. The drop-off sites are Koki Marina Center, McCully Shopping Center, Restaurant Row, Pearl City Shopping Center, Town Center of Mililani, Windward City Shopping Center, Waiokeola Congregational Church in Kahala, and various military locations. We very much appreciate your donations to our monthly food drive; your contributions go to the Palolo Food Pantry, which we have serviced for over ten years.  

Another reminder about t-shirts: Uniform MPI green or beige shirts or 1908 commemorative t-shirts should be worn daily, except on Fridays when students may wear any other MPI-related t-shirt such as any Ho`olaule`a shirt, MPI Junior Owls baseball camp, Big Island, etc.).

The Kahalaopuna opera music that the children are rehearsing is growing on me.  It’ll be amazing to see how all the pieces will fit together in the end! Invitations are being mailed to all preschool and elementary families. The opera performance May 9-10 will be a great time to bring family members (e.g., grandparents, aunties, uncles, cousins) and family friends.

For our children,

Edna L. Hussey
Principal




]]> tag:www.midpac.edu,2008:/elementary//18.3654 2008-04-04T08:07:52Z 2008-04-04T17:31:53Z

Ms. Hussey Travel — Washington, D.C. Disneyworld. Malaekahana. Disneyland. Camping. Seattle. Japan. The beach. Mexico. Maui. The Big Island. Whistler. Kauai. San Francisco. Play dates.

Question: What did you do during spring break?

And so the children emerged from their cars Monday morning, some bright-eyed and cheery, some yawning, and some teary-eyed at having to leave parents. I know many parents have also been re-adjusting to regular work schedules! Many students swapped spring-break adventures with one another, eager to get back into the rhythms of learning. It was good to hear the voices of your children on campus again.  

During the two-week interim, we were able to do some deep cleaning in classrooms and offices. We also began an improvement project in the play structure area. The preschool sandboxes now have a concrete apron onto which the children can step without getting muddy on rainy days. We also reinforced the area behind the tire swing with a CMU wall and new fencing to prevent runoff during heavy downpours. There should be a new water fountain by the Character Education House in the next week for children coming from the play structure or ball field.  During the first week of June, we will resurface all the dirt areas around the play structure with high-quality turf. Apparently, little or no grass can grow in these patches due to the lack of sufficient sun. And we’ll be placing more benches for seating.


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At our faculty meeting this past Wednesday, we discussed the accreditation process and planned several meetings to analyze, assess, and evaluate what we teach (curriculum), how we teach (instruction), and how we determine the quality of student learning (assessment). Of the eight faculty meetings remaining, five to six will focus on our self-study process. Similar discussions are also occurring among middle school and high school faculty during the next few weeks.  In fact, every facet of the school, from school governance to finances to health/safety and school community, is being assessed based on criteria and standards established by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools.  Several of you have graciously volunteered to also serve on accreditation committees. Heads up: all of you will be asked to complete a schoolwide survey for your feedback on various aspects of the school. I will keep you informed.

Our final admission assessment sessions are this Saturday, April 5. Whew!  We have held assessment sessions for every grade level, from preschool through fifth grade. And yes, there is a wait pool at every grade level. We already have our preschool enrollment of three-year-olds confirmed for school year 2008-2009. Letters of invitation for kindergarten admission will be mailed mid-April. Please make sure that you submit your re-enrollment contracts to the Business Office by the due date.  

Another reminder about t-shirts: Students should wear the MPI uniform t-shirt or the commemorative 1908 shirt every day. On Fridays only, students may wear their MPI uniform t-shirt, the 1908 shirt, or any other MPI-related t-shirt such as a class-trip t-shirt, or Ho`olaule`a t-shirt. Every first Friday of the month is Choice Day (students may wear free dress that fit the guidelines specified in the parent/student handbook).  

I was able to take off three days during spring break to take care of some much-needed tasks, in this order:  lunch with friends, cleaning the refrigerator, cleaning house windows and screens, re-lining pantry shelves and kitchen drawers, babysitting grandchild, and reading. Travel? Does travel around the house count?

For our children,

Edna L. Hussey
Principal  
]]> tag:www.midpac.edu,2008:/elementary//18.3613 2008-03-14T08:22:18Z 2008-03-14T17:06:10Z

We gathered together at today’s monthly assembly to share for the first time the students’ work on various committees to produce the opera Kahalaopuna, Princess of Manoa, commemorating MPI’s 100th year in Manoa. Spokespersons from classes doing set design, costume/wig/makeup,...

Ms. Hussey Kahalaopuna, Princess of Manoa, commemorating MPI’s 100th year in Manoa. Spokespersons from classes doing set design, costume/wig/makeup, props, development, publicity/tickets, and program provided status reports of their progress. Two classrooms are working together on various aspects of the production. What became clearer at today’s assembly was the fact that the opera is indeed a schoolwide collaboration, which entails the thinking and creativity of many students. The “first thoughts” of our production process are posted in the dining room. The Leadership Team, organized by the fifth graders, will be composed of two representatives from each committee who’ll report on their respective committees. The meetings will be every Friday in April.  We’ll try to provide updates via the classroom weblogs on our production process. And then, to the amazement of every teacher and parent who attended the assembly, the students sang the “setting” number, which in an opera provides a summary of the plot, main characters, and problem to be resolved. We’re even more excited about the opera and can see it slowly taking shape.
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Parents were invited to the screening/meeting this morning of Kahalaopuna. Ms. Koshi, artistic director for the opera, answered their questions about parent involvement. We know there are many of you who are willing to volunteer expertise and manpower, but we ask that you allow the creative genius of our students to develop the ideas first before they come to you for assistance. We want this production to be truly student-centered and student-powered so that they can benefit fully from this learning experience. Don’t worry — they’ll contact you!

“The bus is here! The bus is here!”  After a two-month wait, our MPI school bus returned spanking new with a fresh coat of bright orange-yellow paint and shiny black trim work. ‘Twas considerably more than just a paint job requiring extensive rust work and replacement of window molding. We’re just waiting for bus signage. Honk your horn for parent James Berger who arranged for the work with W & S auto body shop. The faculty is delighted to see the bus back at home and have begun scheduling excursions again.

The buzz in school was all about the pizza lunch today and tomorrow’s Ho`olaule`a. Many thanks to the generosity of MPI Board Chair James Kometani, Pizza Hut Hawaii, and Sodexho for the lunch and Easter treat. Students and the faculty enjoyed the pizza, fruit, carrot sticks, and beverage.

At this point, your child’s classroom teacher would have already informed you of any logistics about Ho`olaule`a, e.g., pickup, supervision, scrip, etc. Your child should have taken his/her backpack and any other belongings home. Please make sure your child wears the uniform MPI t-shirt or a Ho`olaule`a t-shirt and appropriate footwear (we suggest athletic shoes).  If your child is leaving school earlier than the usual dismissal time, make sure you have contacted your child’s teacher directly or the school office.

Bring your entire family to this community event, which closes at 7:00pm. Note: The gym will have games and activities appropriate for preschool through middle-school-aged children. We are looking forward to sunny weather and a safe, fun time for all at the 2008 MPI Ho`olaule`a.

When I met with the `Ohana on Wednesday night, several parents requested that I reconsider the uniform policy explained in last week’s Thursday letter.  Here it is: Students should wear the uniform MPI t-shirt daily. However, during this school year only until the end of May, students may wear on any day of the week the 1908 t-shirt commemorating our 100th year in Manoa.  On Fridays only, students may wear an MPI-related t-shirt such as any Ho’olaule`a t-shirt or Big Island t-shirt.

It has been an exciting week of learning. I attended the space inquiry presentations by the kindergartners, a delightful performance in the form of a play. The fifth graders presented their Ancestor projects (an investigation of immigration to the U.S), which included a poster display of generations, and in particular, one student’s family dating back to the 1600s in colonial America. The fifth graders are also nearing completion of their totem structure project, an extension of their study of Native Americans.

During the two-week spring break, the elementary office will be open daily, 7:00am-3:30pm, except Good Friday. Students return to school on March 31.

I hope you enjoy some family time with your children, whether on trips off-island or right here at home. Just ahead is St. Patrick’s Day, and of course, Easter Sunday next week. I have meetings, reports, and some books lined up to read (fiction). Looking forward to a few days off as well. And when we all return on March 31, it’ll be a roller coaster ride to the end of this wonderful school year!

Alleluia!

For our children,

Edna L. Hussey
Principal
]]> tag:www.midpac.edu,2008:/elementary//18.3576 2008-03-07T07:55:20Z 2008-03-08T02:31:46Z

We are honored to have Dr. George Forman — well-known author and specialist on Jean Piaget’s theories of early childhood education, former research psychologist at Project Zero at Harvard University, and consultant to Reggio Emilia (the model of learning that...

Ms. Hussey We are honored to have Dr. George Forman — well-known author and specialist on Jean Piaget’s theories of early childhood education, former research psychologist at Project Zero at Harvard University, and consultant to Reggio Emilia (the model of learning that has inspired our MPI preschool)  — working with our preschool team this week Thursday and Friday. He will be observing the work of the preschool team with the children and discussing how children learn and think as they work with many different materials. Today he met with the K-5 faculty, and together they discussed the inquiry-based approaches in the elementary school. Dr. Forman is impressed with the faculty’s efforts in using constructivist approaches of instruction.  “Constructivism,” a view of learning based on the theories of Piaget, means that learners construct understanding through an active, mental process that allows them to wonder, ask questions, hypothesize, predict, investigate, imagine, and invent. Constructivist approaches foster critical thinking and creates active, motivated learners.  ]]> Saturday, March 8, 8:30-11:30am, in the dining room.  The session is already at full capacity!  Check out www.ParentPartners.com, a website that offers workshops for parents and teachers. You can also look into www.videatives.com, which offers professional development services to early childhood educators.  Dr. Forman has authored several books and articles, among them The Child’s Construction of Knowledge, Constructive Play, and Action and Thought.  

Ho`olaule`a Updates:  This annual event — a celebration of our MPI community — is next Friday, March 14, 11:30am – 7:00pm, by Bakken Auditorium and the middle school.  You should have received the order forms for scrip (each scrip is 50 cents) and the special Ho`olaule`a t-shirt.  We have been receiving order forms and checks in our office. The entire preschool and K-5 classes will be going to the Ho`olaule`a at 11:30am, accompanied by their teachers and parent volunteers.  Food items include pizza, burgers, bentos, shaved ice, Jamba Juice, baked goods, malasadas, and lots more.  There will be many age-appropriate games and activities, such as an inflatable obstacle course, giant slide, dunking booth, and face painting.  The gym will house the games and activities appropriate for preschool through second grade.  

The children are excited! What a great way to begin Spring Break!

Please review the wish list. We still need many items.  We are also looking for volunteers to work any of these shifts: (1) 11:20am-2:00pm, (2) 2:00-4:00pm, and (3) 4:30-7:00pm.  We could also use donations of baked goods, small prizes (the type a child could win at a carnival game), or door prizes for students (e.g., Jamba Juice cards, movie tickets, etc.) If you can donate items and/or volunteer for a work shift, please contact Bill Wheeler, student activities coordinator, at bwheeler@midpac.edu, or call him at 973-5083.

Each teacher will be providing information about how he/she will be handling supervision and any early dismissal on March 14.  You may attend the Ho`olaule`a with your child, if you wish.  If you plan to take your child home earlier on March 14, you must contact your child’s teacher and provide specific information.  The teacher will only release your child to a person you have authorized, either on the authorization form you signed at the beginning of the year, or via a handwritten note or phone call to our office. In other words, please do not make arrangements with another parent and then expect your child to convey a message about his/her pickup without directly informing the teacher or school office.

There will be limited parking on campus, so you may need to park off campus.  

A reminder about t-shirts:  After Spring Break, students will be allowed to wear the specialty MPI-related t-shirts (e.g., Ho`olaule`a shirt, 1908 commemorative shirt, Big Island class shirt, etc.) only on Fridays.

Opera production committees are underway. We will be using some of our assembly time on March 13 for classes to share what they have been doing to date. I can hear the students practicing their parts in the music room!

For our children,

Edna L. Hussey
Principal




]]> tag:www.midpac.edu,2008:/elementary//18.3538 2008-02-29T04:29:58Z 2008-02-29T18:08:30Z

Ms. Hussey

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Wonderful, exciting learning going on in the classrooms.  Just today, I visited Ms. LeBlanc’s multiage 1-2 classroom, where students had completed multi-genre biographical inquiries on historical figures, from Wilbur Wright to Paul Revere to Thomas Edison and many more, and were sharing their visual displays and information. In another classroom, a group of fifth graders met with their Kindergarten buddies to help them with their inquiry on the solar system by reading books and guiding them on their note-taking. All first and second graders trekked to the football field to meet with Hank Howlett, director of facilities. These multiage classes have been working hard on their inquiry about Wailele Spring in conjunction with our 100-years-in-Manoa celebration, and they generated many fascinating questions and assumptions about this water source. They met with Mr. Howlett so that he could address their questions.  And this is just a snapshot of so many learning experiences in one day!

Included in today’s packet is information about the annual Ho`olaule’a, a celebration of the MPI community, on March 14, beginning at 11:30am. Each year, the lower campus is transformed into a mini-carnival with games, slides, entertainment, and lots of foods. Check out the menu in today’s packet. All monies raised at the Ho`olaule`a are used to support the middle school and high school clubs’ and organizations’ activities. We will be taking all students, preschool through fifth grade, to the Ho`olaule`a to have lunch and to participate in the many activities.We would like to suggest that you purchase $5 - $7 of scrip, which will be more than enough for food and games. Parents, please do not indulge your child by purchasing more than the recommended amount of scrip, unless, of course, you plan to join your child. The faculty and parent chaperones (you are more than welcome to come with your child) will take students to the Ho`olaule`a and help the children manage their scrip. A few days prior to the event, the teachers will talk with students about pre-planning how they will spend their scrip.  As much as possible, we want the children in K-5 to practice making independent choices and to handle all their own transactions. A good learning experience in applied mathematics! We hope that you’ll also review the list of donations and be able to contribute something.

Your child’s classroom teacher(s) will be providing specific information on the class weblog about chaperones and other details such as pick-up arrangements after the Ho`olaule`a. We will offer the regular afterschool program on March 14, which is also the day before Spring break. I hope you and your entire family will celebrate our MPI community by attending the Ho`olaule`a.

Many parents purchase the Ho`olaule`a t-shirt, which can be worn to school. However,I have observed that several students are no longer wearing the uniform MPI green or beige t-shirt and are only wearing special-event shirts such as the Big Island trip, or past Ho`olaule`a shirts, or the special 1908 commemorative shirt. After the spring break, beginning the first week of April, students may wear these special MPI-event shirts on Fridays only. We do have a uniform shirt.

Reminders about morning drop-off and parking:
•  Students in Kindergarten through grade 5 are dropped off between 7:00am and 7:40am each morning. K-5 students who arrive after 7:40am report to the office for a “pass” slip, then proceed to their respective classrooms.
•  Preschool parents may park after 7:40am in the turnaround to walk their children to the classroom.  
•  Preschool parents who’d like to come to school earlier should park in an available parking space (not the turnaround) near the elementary school or by the gym.
•  Preschool parents are more than welcome to wait in the dining room, especially on rainy days.
•  Please, no double-parking.

Thanks to the 87 of you who read my past Thursday letters posted on the school website and responded with a simple email message to me, as I had requested. I applaud you because you take the time to keep informed about your child’s school, which enables you to also take a more active part in your child’s learning here at MPI. Yes!

For our children,

Edna L. Hussey
Principal
 
 
]]> tag:www.midpac.edu,2008:/elementary//18.3515 2008-02-22T09:50:36Z 2008-02-22T17:24:49Z

Ms. Hussey
At the assembly, a group of sixth graders and multiage 1-2 graders took center stage to share an oli (Hawaiian chant) about the waters of Wailele that run through our campus and the aumakua, the pueo, sacred guardian of Manoa Valley and MPI. The sixth-grade students of Riane Graves, who teaches Hawaiian language and history, had been teaching this oli to their multiage 1-2 friends in Donna Revard’s class because the students had begun an inquiry about Wailele.  Every classroom adopted an `olelo noeau (a Hawaiian proverb or wise saying) when we first moved into our new facilities on this campus (these sayings are posted in each classroom).  The sixth graders worked with 
]]> `olelo noeau.  Together they presented a short skit representing two fishermen — one standing in shallow water close to shore and the other standing in deep ocean.  As the saying goes, the one fishing in shallow water is like one who has little patience (a short fishing line).  This fisherman catches few fish, meaning that little or no patience does not yield many rewards. The long-line fisherman in deep water catches many fish. If one has patience (symbolized by the long fishing line), one stands a better chance of reaping greater rewards or achieving more.  It was heartwarming to hear the blending of voices of the younger and older students, most certainly one of the many rewards of having patiently endured the two-year process of transitioning from Epiphany to Mid-Pacific Institute and the construction of our beautiful gem of a campus.  It certainly was a treat to see several sixth graders who were once in our multiage 1-2 classes.

Since we’re celebrating our 100th year as MPI in Manoa, there seems to be a natural curiosity about the history of MPI, the founders of the school, use of the land prior to MPI, the natural features of our present location, the communities of Manoa, etc.  From preschool through fifth grade, every student is involved in an inquiry process related to our 100th year in Manoa.  Inquiry is all about collaboratively constructing understanding about ideas.  Read your child’s class weblog for updates about these inquiry projects.  We are planning on a day of sharing across grade levels and with parents to learn about these inquiries.

Thank you for remembering to open your pantry shelves to your children, who brought in canned foods for our monthly Project Sharing. We filled several boxes of items for the Palolo Food Pantry.  We will continue to collect foods each month until the end of the school year.

Due to very low response to Spring Camp (fewer than ten students), we will not be offering Spring Camp this year.  Looks like many of you may have travel plans during spring break!

In my letter last week, I asked you to send me an email indicating that you had read my Thursday letter.  I received 64 responses from a school population of approximately 230 families.  If you are reading this week’s letter and already responded, many thanks for your participation in my poll. You’re off the hook!

But if you’re reading today’s letter and did not yet respond, could you please take a minute to send me an email (ednah@midpac.edu) and write in the subject line, “Read it!”  

Finally, the amazing numbers of citizens who voted in the presidential caucus on Tuesday evening were inspiring to me.  I would never have imagined voting lines snaking around buildings or writing a candidate’s name on slips of paper! I can only hope for the same enthusiasm and zeal at the next election. I hope you pointed out this phenomenon to your child!

For our children,

Edna L. Hussey
Principal





 

  
 
]]> tag:www.midpac.edu,2008:/elementary//18.3481 2008-02-15T08:38:34Z 2008-02-15T18:25:14Z

Ms. Hussey Ahhh. Sweet sentiments and chocolates in the air. Students exchanged valentines and indulged just this one day in sugary treats. I did see in some classrooms healthier choices such as melon and strawberries, but overall it was a surge of sugar. While it’s often difficult to swim against this tide, moderation helps. So now that Valentine's Day has come and gone, it’s time for the sweet treats to remain at home! Many thanks to the children whose handcrafted valentines decorate my office window.

A group of twenty student teachers from Shukutoku Vocational College in Tokyo, Japan, visited us this morning and were particularly taken by the preschool, kindergarten, and first-second multiage classes. The student teachers are in their first year of a two-year program specializing in early childhood education.  After a full morning of classroom observations, they shared a storyboard of square-faced zoo animals, which the children had to guess the names of. The student teachers sang riddles and rhymes in Japanese.  On the playcourt, another group of student teachers engaged first and second graders in a game of hand motions. You’d never guess that there was a language barrier because our children played and sang along, quite enamored with their new friends.  In the Q & A session after their classroom observations, the student teachers commented on their amazement in seeing first and second graders doing research from websites and on the low teacher-student ratio here at MPI.  It seems that in preschools in Japan, the student-teacher ratio can be thirty children to one teacher!  We were happy to host the student teachers, who are thinking of returning next year.


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Jill Brooks, visual arts teacher for grades 1-5, her student teacher Tracey Stewart, and preschool and kindergarten atelierista (art studio specialist) Jordan Guillory, are preparing students’ work for the art display on February 18 through February 23 at Kahala Mall. The display will feature the theme of community and identity through self-portraiture. It is an amazing collection of pieces from every student preschool-Grade 5. Please take some time to enjoy this unique display during the upcoming three-day weekend.

Thanks to several parents who responded to our invitation to participate on an accreditation committee.

I’m taking an informal poll to determine readership of my Thursday letter, posted weekly.  If you get to the end of my letter, kindly send me a quick email (ednah@ midpac.edu) with this subject title only — Thursday letter.  No other message necessary.

A reprieve this weekend from admissions assessments! Time to enjoy family and a good book.

For our children,

Edna L. Hussey
Principal



]]> tag:www.midpac.edu,2008:/elementary//18.3445 2008-02-08T03:53:31Z 2008-02-11T20:27:06Z

Ms. Hussey Gongs! Cymbals! Drums! Together, the clash, boom, and clang of these instruments created boisterous music for the trio of lions that danced onto our campus!  Gung Hee Fat Choy!

There should be animated discussion at the dinner table tonight as your children share the highlight of the day— the traditional lion dance to bring good luck during Chinese New Year.  This tradition goes back over a thousand years in China, and the lions’ dance expresses joy and happiness. Performers from Gung Yee International delighted the children as they maneuvered about the campus with graceful, animal-like movements synchronized to the rhythmic beats of the instruments.  Imagine the children surrounding each lion, bravely offering a red envelope or attempting to touch the lion’s head. Several preschoolers were able to get fairly close to the “baby” lion because it mostly lay prone so that the children were gently encouraged to approach it. A few children and I coaxed the lions to “eat” a head of lettuce and red envelope (lay see) attached to a long bamboo branch.

A few classes continued their cultural learning in the classroom, where volunteer parents organized activities such as calligraphy, making a dragon’s head, or sampling Chinese delicacies like gau, sweet pretzels, and coconut candy. Many thanks to parent Dr. Theresa Kuo for helping to organize the school event. This was certainly a high-energy day!

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The primary purpose of the visiting team is to determine how well MPI has been implementing its mission and following through on the school’s improvement plan and recommendations made by the last visiting team in 2003. If you have the time and interest, consider signing up for a committee, which will include representation from other constituent groups (e.g., faculty, alumni, Board) making up our school community. The letter from MPI’s accreditation coordinator Bob McIntosh provides detailed information.  Depending on the group’s area of responsibility, committee participation will include some reading, data analysis, at least three meetings, some writing, and lots of critical thinking.  We will be asking all parents to complete surveys to gather your feedback on various aspects of the school. 

Information about Spring Camp was sent in last week's packet. Please note this correction: March 17-20 and March 24-28. 

Reminder:  A video of the opera production Kahalaopuna will be shown on Monday, February 11, 6:00-7:30pm, in the music room (Wilcox Building) so that you can better understand the expectations for the production.  

Reserve a family day or evening sometime the week of February 18-23 to enjoy our visual arts display at Kahala Mall featuring our students’ self-portraits.  

You are welcome to attend our annual Jump Rope for Heart event for the American Heart Association on Friday, February 15.  The preschool event is 8:30-9:30am on the playcourt, and the kindergarten through grade 5 event is 12:30-2:00pm in the gym. We would like to see 100% student participation.  The children have learned about the heart and how to keep it healthy through exercise and a nutritious diet.  You’ll be amazed by the creative routines and jump rope tricks they’ve learned in p.e. And don’t forget to don your athletic shoes. You’ll experience an irresistible urge to jump rope with the children! Remember, just ten minutes of rope jumping is equivalent to burning calories in a half hour of running! Many thanks to all who have made donations to the American Heart Association and/or have provided healthy snacks for the event.  

I will not be in school on Monday and Tuesday because I will be chairing an accreditation team visit to Kamehameha Elementary School.

Three last reminders: 1) If your child has a temperature, your child should only return to school if fever-free 24 hours without medication. 2) Please do not send your child to school with flu-like symptoms. 3) Please drive slowly and with caution when entering the elementary campus.  I’m alarmed by the driving speed, especially in the morning when parents and children are walking from their cars to the building.

Gung Hee Fat Choy again! Abundant best wishes for a healthy year in mind, body, and spirit!


For our children,

Edna L. Hussey
Principal
 




  ]]> tag:www.midpac.edu,2008:/elementary//18.3407 2008-02-01T01:40:05Z 2008-02-01T04:26:00Z

Ms. Hussey

]]> Kahalaopuna. What’s especially exciting about our opera inquiry is the cross grade-level collaboration process, which will further strengthen the sense of community in our school. Check your child’s backpack for the Thursday packet in which you’ll find a letter from our parent coordinator for the opera, Paul Czubryt.  The opera is intended to be a school community effort, so we’ll need some assistance from you to support the work of the children.

I’m on an educators’ listserve, ExchangeEveryDay, which sends noteworthy ideas and topics relevant to early childhood learning, preschool through second grade.  Here’s a recent missive supporting the notion that emotional and cognitive development are integrally linked:

Emotional well-being and social competence provide a strong foundation for emerging cognitive abilities. Together they are the ‘bricks and mortar’ of the foundation of human development. So concerns about behavior should be viewed as one part in the larger story of how children develop. The brain is a highly integrated organ. Social development and regulation of behavior are as much a part of development as cognitive learning. (see www.exchangeeveryday@ccie.com)

Enclosed in the Thursday packet is information about Spring Day Camp, March 17-28 (except March 21, Good Friday) for those families unable to find childcare during spring break. Please note that a minimum of ten children per grade level (e.g. 10 children in preschool, 10 in kindergarten, 10 in multiage 1-2, etc.)  is required in order for the morning sessions (see various sessions) to be offered.  However, a minimum of 50 students, regardless of grade level, is required for the afternoon sessions to run because of the faculty rotations.  Deadline to register is February 15.  

Tomorrow is the first day of February’s lunch program. Parents who want their children on the school lunch program should have already submitted the form and payment; submit it tomorrow morning.

We know that the Punahou Carnival is this weekend, and we hope that you’ll take advantage of this fun event for your entire family. However, unless there is some urgent or pressing need, please refrain from removing your child from school earlier than 2:00pm, when regular instruction and classes with specialists end for the day. And if you are planning pick-up arrangementsfor your child other than what’s noted on the “Authorization for Pick-Up Form” on file, please call our school office or send a written note with specific information.  

A busy weekend ahead with Kindergarten and Preschool assessments for admission … the Carnival…opening celebrations for Chinese New Year!

For our children,

Edna L. Hussey
Principal



    

 



 
     
]]> tag:www.midpac.edu,2008:/elementary//18.3377 2008-01-25T06:31:11Z 2008-01-25T16:50:45Z

Ms. Hussey School spirit is alive and well! Many of our students attended the boys’ varsity basketball game this past Tuesday, January 22, at 5:00pm, and were thrilled by the nail-biting excitement.  In the game against Maryknoll, both teams played point-for-point in an evenly matched game.  Although MPI lost by 3 points in overtime, the team displayed winning stamina and sportsmanship.  The preschool and elementary students, parents, and staff made thunderous noise, truly a strong demonstration of their school spirit. Many thanks to the MPI athletic department for the pizza snack and to Wilfred Tochiki (MPI alumnus and middle school parent), who got the noisemakers and pompoms for every student.  

We kicked off our 2008 100th-year-in-Manoa celebration with a special morning assembly in the dining room. Children’s author and illustrator James Rumford visited us and read his re-telling of the Hawaiian legend Kahalaopuna, which explains how beautiful Manoa Valley and its breathtaking rainbows came to be.  He brought his original watercolor paintings, which were reproduced in the book published by Houghton Mifflin Company, and read his words.  The preschool and elementary school will be producing the original opera Kahalaopuna in May to commemorate this centennial year in Manoa. We hope to invite Mr. Rumford back to MPI so that he can share more of his other published work with us (Seeker of Knowledge, Calabash Cat and His Amazing Journey, Beowulf — A Hero’s Tale Retold, Nine Animals and the Well, The Cloudmakers, and many more).  


]]> Happy Birthday to Mr. Haga.  His granddaughter, Kimberly Koike Schatz, and great-grandson, Justin, shared some photos of Mr. Haga when he was a child, an MPI high school student, and a member of the track team.  Then, to help students visualize the quantity 106, the students counted aloud from 1 to 106 while a student stood up to represent each of his 106 years.  That’s nearly half the number of children in the school! Mr. Haga was presented a birthday cake, lei, posters, and cards written by the children.  The faculty and I are grateful that our students have met Mr. Haga, who helps us understand the rich history and legacy of Mid-Pacific Institute. We intend to celebrate his 107th birthday with him next year!

We are just at the beginning of our admission season at MPI, holding our first session of kindergarten applicants on campus this past Saturday with over thirty more assessment sessions for students applying into preschool, kindergarten, first, and fourth grades still ahead of us.  We appreciate the strong interest in our program.

FYI:  The lunch orders for the month of February are due to the school office by January 30.  The new lunch menu begins February 1. To ensure that your child receives a school lunch on February 1, please submit the lunch order and payment.

We have been receiving a few phone calls about the first day of the 2008-2009 academic year.  We will begin school on August 11, 2008, and finish on May 29, 2009. The 2008 6-week summer school is scheduled for June 16 through July 25.  MPI families will be receiving registration information in February, and registration will be open to the general public March 1.  

Ask your children to show you some of the rope jumping skills they are learning in preparation for Jump Rope for Heart.

For our children,


Edna L. Hussey
Principal

            
 

  

 
 
]]> tag:www.midpac.edu,2008:/elementary//18.3349 2008-01-18T07:54:26Z 2008-01-18T08:48:02Z

Ms. Hussey

]]> MPI varsity boys’ basketball game on Tuesday, January 22, 5:00pm, at the MPI gym.  MPI plays Maryknoll. Please read, complete, and return the form no later than Tuesday, 8:00am.  We’re encouraging all of our preschool and elementary students and their families to show their school spirit by attending the game.  All afterschool-program students who are not picked up by 4:30pm from the usual checkout locations will be taken with the rest of the group to the gym.  We will lock the classrooms once we head for the gym.  If your child is not in the afterschool program but would like to go to the game, your child may stay in school until 4:30pm at no charge for supervision on Tuesday only.  Only the children going to the game will be fed pizza before going to the game, courtesy of the MPI athletic department.  If you are not going to the game with your child, please pick up your child at the gym around 6:00pm.  The adult supervisors must check out all children.  Free admission for all MPI students and $5 for all others.  Come cheer on the team!

Our Multiage Third and Fourth Graders returned from a very successful overnighter at Camp Erdman this past Tuesday a bit tired, yet excitedly happy on Wednesday afternoon.  The  students participated in team-building activities and learned about topics related to their Hawaiian Studies curriculum. This was the first camping experience for most students, and they fared rather well on their novice adventure without their parents.  Their teachers are planning several more excursions so that students get hands-on learning about various topics in this social studies/science/curriculum focused on Hawaii. 

Beginning this Saturday and nearly every Saturday thereafter until early April, we will be assessing applicants for admission to MPI.  Interest in both the preschool and elementary has not waned.  While we are quite pleased with the strong growing interest in the program we have to offer the community, decision-making will be challenging.  Thank you, parents, for talking about our program with your friends, co-workers, and other family members.  

I hope that many of you are reading not just your child’s classroom teacher’s web log, but other faculty members’ web logs.  You can learn quite a lot from each teacher’s blog and a very good overview of the preschool and elementary. An effective way of getting a pulse on the school.  

Friday, January 18, is the last day to sign up for the MPI baseball camp.

If you’re enjoying Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday with your family, how about celebrating together with an action that promotes peace?  Brainstorm with your children some ideas (they’ll come up with several, I’m sure), settle on at least one action, and resolve to act!

Before closing this week's letter, I know that many of us are in shock about the tragedy of the two-year old who died today. Even though the news reports will uncover more details, there is no acceptable answer for this senseless act. I grieve for this child and am painfully reminded that every child is a precious gift and sacred responsibility.

 
For our children,

Edna L. Hussey
Principal 
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