The Heart of Haleʻiwa

• Happy New School Year by Mrs. Wetzel
• PAEMST Nominee - Mr. Haiola
• Picture Day: Thursday, August 12th
• Literacy Corner: Level Up Summer Challenge Winners

• Hawaii Keiki : “Healthy and Ready to Learn” by Nurse Connie
  

• Haleʻiwa Elementary School 150th Year Anniversary by Kumu Kuʻuipo
  

• Help Your Children Prepare Emotionally to Return to School This Fall by Mrs. Sumbad
• Keep in touch- Follow us on Social Media

Aloha Hale`iwa Families!

Welcome back to a brand new school year. This year is an important year for Hale`iwa as we celebrate our 150th anniversary! We are so proud to have been a part of the Hale`iwa community for a century and a half. We are planning some exciting activities to mark this very special occasion. As soon as we have details worked out, we will be sharing them with everyone.

This school year is also the year that we will welcome the WASC Accreditation committee back to our campus. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) is the accrediting body that will visit our campus from February 28 to March 3, 2022. The purpose of their visit is to validate our accreditation report and to ensure that we are on the "right track" to providing our students with a well rounded education. In 2016, Hale`iwa had its first full accreditation visit. The committee at that time awarded the school a 6 year term of accreditation -- which is the maximum number of years that can be awarded.

One of the most important aspects of an accreditation visit is that it involves ALL stakeholders in the process. This means that we will need parent and community volunteers to serve on our WASC focus group. If you are interested in participating, please email us at haleiwaschool@haleiwa.k12.hi.us.

Don't forget -- next week Thursday, August 12 is picture taking day! Please ensure that you have completed the order form if you would like to purchase school pictures. If you did not receive the picture taking form, please contact the school office.

Finally, we acknowledge that COVID 19 will continue to impact the way that we do business at school. It is also highly likely that a positive case will find its way into our school during the year. Luckily, we have learned a lot from last year. There will be challenges, but we know that we can overcome these obstacles as long as we work together and take care of each other.

Our Hale`iwa staff is thrilled to start a new school year. We are looking forward to a FRESH START. Most of all, we are filled with enthusiasm and optimism as we welcome everyone back to campus. Happy New School Year!

Sincerely,

Malaea Wetzel

Principal

Congratulations to Mr. Haiola! He was nominated for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), which are the nation's highest honors for mathematics and science teachers. The PAEMST program recognizes teachers for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession.

Our students read and logged in over 12,300 minutes (or 205 hours) over the summer! These avid readers also earned 105 digital badges by reaching a reading milestone or by completing various activities.

Congratulations to the winners of our Level Up Summer Challenge:

• Jeremiah C. (Gr. 6) - top reader with 3845 minutes
• Liam E. (Gr. 5) - Summer Badge Book winner
• Justina A. (Gr. 2) - random drawing winner

Our next challenge is Hawaii Reads Quarter 1 (Aug. 3 - Oct. 8, 2021). Please continue to read daily and log your reading on Beanstack (via your Clever account).

Welcome back students and families! It is so good to see kids back on campus. The goal of the Hawaii Keiki program is to improve the health of Hawaii’s public school students for academic and life success. I am glad to return to campus this year and I look forward to serving our school community. Hawaii Keiki is a joint venture between the University of Hawaii (Manoa) School of Nursing and the Department of Education.

Beyond the current focus on preventing secondary COVID infections on school campuses, and supporting our schools’ COVID-19 responses – the Hawaii Keiki program looks to expand services to all aspects of disease/injury prevention and wellness promotion. The nursing services are available at NO out of pocket cost to our students. We have the ability to make referrals to our roster of state certified and highly qualified nurse practitioners when needed and requested.

The consent packets that were sent home will allow first aid and emergency care, and student evaluation upon referral. Participation in other screening events i.e. vision screening, dental sealant, etc. will require additional and more specific consents to be reviewed and signed at home. If you have any additional questions regarding Hawaii Keiki services and consents, please feel free to contact me at: ccarreras@haleiwa.k12.hi.us.

This year marks Haleʻiwa Elementary Schoolʻs 150th year anniversary. Originally called the Waialua English School, it was known as a female seminary with all itʻs lessons taught in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language). This school was known for the many beautiful Hawaiian maidens giving it itʻs nickname Haleʻiwa, which refers to the House of the handsome, which is how Paʻalaʻa Kai became known. Itʻs first location was in Waialua, and in 1911 was relocated to itʻs present location on Haleʻiwa Road. Historically, the present location was a fishermanʻs (lawaiʻa) hub.

Some interesting facts about the year it was built in 1871:

• King Kamehameha V was the reigning King. He was a traditional and compassionate ruler who was the grandson of King Kamehameha I.

• The 1st Roller Rink opened in Honolulu on Hotel Street.

• The Postmaster issued stamps honoring the Monarchʻs of the Hawaiian Kingdom:

• Princess Victoria Kamamalu 1¢ stamp

• King Lot Kamehameha V. 6¢ stamp

• Mataio Kekuanaoa (The father of Victoria and Lot) 18¢ stamp

• The ʻIolani Barracks (Halekoa - Warrior House) was built on the palace grounds for $25,103. It was made out of cut coral blocks that were built by prison labor.

• The main export was sugar cane, 21,760,773 pounds was exported.

• The population was approximately 56,800

So many changes have occurred around the school and in Hawaiʻi, but one thing remains the same. The kūleana (responsibility and privilege) and purpose we have to our nā keiki o ka ʻāina (children of this land) is one that is steadfast in the staff that our school is fortunate to have. With immense aloha and under the amazing leadership of our Poʻo Kumu (Principle) Malaea Wetzel and our wonderful staff, we continue the legacy that had been set forth 150 years ago.

Excerpts from an article by Lloyd Fisher, MD. For the full article go to: https://reliantmedicalgroup.org/blog/2020/08/12/preparing-your-children-emotionally-for-returning-to-school/

• Talk to your children about their feelings about school. Are they excited or fearful? If you show signs of stress they will pick up on that as well. Let them know you're concerned but confident it will work out.
• Go over the safety measures in place that your child has not dealt with before like having to sit alone on the school bus or wearing a mask all day. (Note: Please refer to the recent Parent Letter dated August 2, 2021 from Mrs. Wetzel, Principal, for more information.) Let them know you share their frustration. Encourage them not to look too far ahead and to take the changes one day at a time.
• Practice wearing masks. Most children have done an excellent job of wearing masks; however, kids will need to keep their masks on for most of the day. Bring your child to a store so they can see that mask wearing is universal... find masks in colors, patterns, or designs that your child enjoys.
• Be encouraging. Let your children know that the problems that are affecting them will not last forever. Encourage them to stay positive. If possible, help them replicate some of the activities they miss. You could suggest organizing games in the backyard with neighborhood kids, for example.
• Be the example. Practice wearing masks, social distancing, frequent hand washing, etc.
• Watch for changes in behavior. Not every child will adjust easily to the school changes caused by Covid-19. Talk to your child about how school is going and look for changes like excessive crying or irritation, sadness or worry, changes in eating or sleeping habits, or difficulty concentrating – which could be signs that your child is struggling with stress or anxiety. Call the school and or your doctor if you notice any signs.

NOTE: In addition to all of the above, remember that a healthy sleep routine and a well-balanced meal will go a long way to help your child do well in school. Concerns? Please do not hesitate to call our school at (808) 637-8237 if you have any questions.

Reading books aloud is one of the best ways to help children learn how to read. But did you know that it can even reduce hyperactivity and attention problems in children? Check out these tips from librarians who work in the children's section of the Hawaii State Library.

From https://islandscene.com/3-tips-for-reading-with-your-keiki

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