Posted on May 8, 2022
The only way to begin this blog is to say thank you, parents. The snack treats, flowers, notes of appreciation, gift cards, Friday lunch and so much more boosted our spirits throughout the week. And just at the right time as we prepare end-of-year assessments, conferences, and studentsʻ portfolios. We have an abundance of good will to carry us through to the last week of academic year 2021-2022. Admittedly, the impact of Covid has affected all of us, so we deeply appreciate your kindness and thoughtfulness. Thank you.
The preschool and elementary students previewed the premiere of their May Day performance, We Got the Rhythm. While most students sat attentively in their seats, like these students --
the preschoolers just couldnʻt resist the beat. As they watched themselves on video, several stood up to dance, twirl, and sing along with the video, performing live for themselves and the pure joy of the moment.
Congratulations to the Fifth Graders for their preparation and sharing of Capstone presentations, a nearly 20-year tradition that celebrates the inquiry learning practiced from preschool project work and throughout the elementary program, including some specialistsʻ classes. Students spent five months through a deeper-learning process of creating their own questions to guide their research process, revising their questions, and exploring possible solutions and applications. I joined the parent audience to hear about crypto currency, an idea about curbing air pollution in Vietnam through a free-bikes program, an idea for an app that translates human speech to "doggish" (dog language), an environmental threat due to overfishing, carbon reduction in the atmosphere, and many other intriguing topics. Students also responded competently to questions from the audience. Thanks to fifth grade teachers Pam Clifford and Jen Matsumoto and assistant teacher Rusti Cripps for guiding students in their inquiry process.
But here was the surprise that gave me pause. Parents had not been on campus for over two years because of safety protocols due to Covid, and especially for any parents who had never entered the campus because their children were admitted to Mid-Pacific as third graders, actually being ON campus was a treat! The parents lingered together, talking, smiling, laughing. I was thrilled just to see them on campus, old friends that I, too, had not seen for over two years.
So while we had been celebrating Staff Appreciation Week throughout the entire school, the deep appreciation is really about our parents who have been patient, understanding, and supportive throughout the pandemic and who continue to stand beside the faculty and staff. Thank you.
E Kūlia Kākou! Letʻs strive and aspire together!
For our children,
Edna L. Hussey, Ed.D.
Principal