• Our WASC Visit
  
• Halloween March
• November 2 to November 10: Parent-Teacher Conferences
• Celebrating Psychologist Week
  
• EOEL: Garden
  
• First Grade: Halloween Houses
  
• Second Grade: Chef Visit
• Sixth Grade: To Vote Or Not To Vote
  
• Arbor Day Plant Giveaway
• Literacy Corner: Everyday Activities to Support Learning at Home
• Upcoming Book Fair
• Fostering an "Attitude of Gratitude" by Mrs. Nakamura
  

Last week was our WASC visit that we had anxiously been preparing for. It was a lovely visit with three different committee members from California, Maui, and Big Island. We were able to have them on our campus to get to know our school and students better.

Our students did great during their interview section and the committee members were surprised that they even asked questions. They are impressed with what they saw and heard and were complimentary of our school.

Thank you, parents and community members for sharing your stories with our committee members. They were moved by your stories. Our staff members were all able to participate in different focus groups and answer their questions.

At the end of the visit, the visiting committee presented us with different areas of strengths and five areas of growth. One of the strengths was: The school community embodies the ESSENCE of Haleʻiwa by the loving and caring environment that they have created for students.

One of the recommendations we received from the visiting committee was to focus on our attendance to ensure all students are able to maximize their learning opportunities. Remember: Be Here Everyday. Haleʻiwa is the way!

Our Halloween March took place this Monday, October 31st. Everyone was excited to welcome our parents and younger siblings to campus. Each grade was able to walk around the mall area and participate in the march. Mr. Williams led the parade and Mr. Pai was the MC and kept the crowd fired up. All our students had a great time and received a goody bag for participating.

We are happy to celebrate Psychologist Week next week. Our school psychologist and clinical psychologist do important work to help our students thrive.

We have all faced difficulties created by the pandemic, social injustice and inequity, economic stress, and challenges to mental and physical health. For some, it has been a time of real darkness, and finding light is critical to building resilience and hope.

Working together our Psychologists shine hope and healing among our communities, schools, families, students, and colleagues. Together they shine light on setting goals for well-being, growth, and learning. Psychologists are particularly skilled at assisting students and staff in thriving and working together, whatever the circumstances.

Education: Educational Specialist Degree from The University of Toledo

Hobbies: Photography, kids, guitar, scuba diving

The book I recommend students should read is: "Giraffes Can't Dance" by Giles Andraea

Interesting fact: I've swam with 16 different species of sharks

What is your dream job: National Geographic Photographer on assignment

I became an educator because: I love the spirit of children.

Hobbies: Anything crafty...making greeting cards, painting, other crafts

Favorite book: Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss

Interesting fact: I played mellophone in my high school marching band

I became an educator because: Though I'm not a traditional teacher/educator, I got into counseling because I wanted to help others feel better and doing that in a school is perfect!

Taking the learning outside of the classroom is not only important, but it's also fun! Our Kalo and vegetable garden has been thriving thanks to the hard work and love the students have been giving it! We decided to conduct observational drawings on the progress of our plants by taking our journals outside. We set our chairs around our garden beds and focused on the details of the different plants. The students had great observation skills as they began to notice little details such as mushrooms growing, and even a dragonfly and butterfly!

Haleiwa has had an exciting last two weeks. The majority of our teachers were able to apply for a donors choose grant and they were all funded thanks to monies from the DOE. The funds were geared towards social emotional learning because of the time many students missed out on, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. My class was able to get new scooters for PE, SEL books, and a new market that we’ve already used for a fun math lesson this week.
Our Haleiwa teachers and students are very excited and thankful for all the new things they have gotten!

First graders had a blast making their own Halloween house! Click on the video below to see what they did.

Second grade had the pleasure of working with a chef last week. Through our Aina in Schools curriculum students are learning about nutrition and picking the right foods to keep their bodies healthy. The chef taught us about protective foods, like fruits and vegetables. The students learned about and participated in making a vegetable dip and mashed Okinawan sweet potatoes.

We hope you can join us for our upcoming book fair in our school Conference Room (formerly known as the Tech Center in the Library).

Email: haleiwaschool@haleiwa.k12.hi.us
Website: haleiwaelementary.com
Phone: (808)637-8237
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haleiwaelementary
Twitter: @HaleiwaElement1