August/September 2010 Volume 4 Issue 1

Keone‟ula Elementary School

Parent Newsletter

A Message from the Principal:

Aloha and welcome to a new school year, 2010-2011!

We start off this new school year with a new Vice Principal, Dr. Alexandra Obra. Dr. Obra has
experienced working at Mililani „Ike Elementary School and at Waialua Elementary School and
therefore, is not a stranger to elementary school operations and curriculum. I am pleased to have her on-
board at Keone‟ula Elementary School as we roll out this new school year. Mr. Michael Nakasato, our
previous Vice Principal, has moved on to a principalship at Pearl City Highlands Elementary School in
the Pearl City Complex. He is doing well in his new role.

We also have several other new personnel on our campus. A new Technology Coordinator has joined
us, Mr. Richard Sakamoto; Grade 1 teacher Mrs. Nicole Duldulao; and Grade 6 teacher Mr. Michael
Lee. We have a new half time custodian, Ms. Harmony Valoroso who has joined our custodial crew. We
welcome them all to the Keone'ula Elementary School „ohana!

Keone‟ula Elementary School‟s enrollment continues to grow. With new homes being built in the Gentry
properties, we will grow even more. At this writing, our enrollment is at 855; our projected enrollment for
this school year is 827. We are obviously over our projection. The Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 3
classes have the heaviest enrollment. For this reason, additional classes will be created for these three
grade levels.
 August /September 2010 Volume 4 Issue 1

The effective start date for these three additional classes is not yet determined. Additional classrooms
need to be created and set-up, assuring that all needed furniture, equipment, supplies and curricula
materials are available for each of these classrooms. Personnel also need to be hired. You will be kept
updated as we are better able to secure the classrooms and the new personnel. Mahalo for your patience
as we go through this process.

Keone‟ula Elementary School continues to work toward Authorization as an International

Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IB-PYP) school. We also continue to utilize procedures and
practices of the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program. We start our first year of
online testing for the Hawaii State Assessment (HSA) and we celebrate having met Adequate Yearly
Progress (AYP) for the spring 2010 assessment!!

There are home accessible online programs which are used at our school: Achieve 3000 and IXL-Math.
You will find your children bringing “green” homework assignments at different times of the week.

A program which is also used in school and is NOT home accessible is BrainPOP. The teachers use
BrainPOP to introduce a new lesson, to illustrate complex subject matter, review test items and in other
ways which will assist students to better understand classroom assignments. The lessons on this program
are aligned to our Hawaii Content and Performance Standards.

We are starting off the school year with a bang! Thank you ahead in advance for your support of our
school‟s continuous efforts at setting high standards for our teachers and students. We make these
efforts because we know our students CAN learn and CAN be successful at school. We look forward
to a great school year!

Principal‟s Artist In Counselors‟ School Supply VP Corner Book of the Appreciation & Calendar of
Message Public Places Corner Drive, Fall Cont‟d Month, Campbell Acknowledgements Events
Cont‟d Grant Fundraiser & VP Labels & Box
Corner Tops

Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9

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Keone‟ula Elementary School•91-970 Kailelea Drive•Ewa Beach, HI•808-689-1380
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 August /September 2010 Volume 4 Issue 1

Artist in Public Places Grant

Keone‟ula Elementary was one of approximately 12 public schools that were able to apply for the
Artist in Public Places Grant during the 2008-2009 SY. We were granted one of several
awards. During the 2009-2010 SY, professional artists were interviewed and Karen Lucas was
selected. The project included working with students‟, teachers and parents. The mosaic on the
flag pole wall is a product of student work; Teachers also created a fabulous mosaic of a tiger
which is about 10‟X10‟. The mosaic wall is only “half” of the whole project. Karen continues to
work on a larger-than-life sculpture of a kupuna. This sculpture will be situated in the grassy circle
fronting the mosaic wall, so the whole project will be seen first thing in the morning and the last thing
when people leave the campus. The project is slated for completion by May 2011, since students
who worked on the mosaic are 6th graders who will be graduating this year. A celebration will be
held at that time.

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Keone‟ula Elementary School•91-970 Kailelea Drive•Ewa Beach, HI•808-689-1380
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 August /September 2010 Volume 4 Issue 1

Counselor’s Assignments:

Mr. Aaron Chung – PreK, K (E105-E108),

2, 4, & 6

Ms. Heather Iguchi – PreK, K (E109-110)

Positive Behavior Support Program

Keone-Cash is back! Your child may come

Attendance home one day and exclaim, “I got caught
being good!!!” or “I got Keone-Cash
Attendance is a critical factor in academic today!!!”
success. Research shows that students who
attend school on a regular basis perform better All adults at school can award students for
in school. displaying positive behaviors with Keone-
Cash. Keone-Cash can be redeemed during
Being late for school hurts a child’s learning, recess for various school supplies and other
too. A student who is 10 minutes late everyday items. Also, at Awards Assemblies, all
will miss 30 hours of instruction during the year. redeemed Keone-Cash are used as raffle
Please remember that school starts at 7:45 a.m. tickets for even larger prizes. It really does
every morning. pay to be good at Keoneula Elementary!

If your child will be absent, please remember to The reasoning behind our Keone-Cash is our
give the school a call at 689-1380. Also, Positive Behavior Support Program (PBS).
students who are absent 3 or more consecutive Keoneula Elementary School’s Positive
days are required to bring in a doctor’s note. Behavior Support Program was established
Family vacations and/or trips are considered last year to help students develop and
unexcused absences. If you are planning on maintain proactive and positive behaviors.
going on a trip, please contact the principal or The goal of the PBS program is for students
vice-principal immediately. to demonstrate the following expectations:
being respectful, being responsible, and
being safe. Eventually, we want our
students to show integrity at all times.

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Keone‟ula Elementary School•91-970 Kailelea Drive•Ewa Beach, HI•808-689-1380
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 August /September 2010 Volume 4 Issue 1

School Supply Drive Fall Fundraiser

Our Fall Fundraiser runs from August
Although the school year has started, there are
many students who were not able to purchase 16th-September 7th. We are selling
all of their much needed supplies. It doesn’t Cinnamon Bread, Portuguese Sausage,
take much to make a big difference in the lives and Banana Mac Nut Loaf Cake. Tickets
of these children. Here is a list of some of the are $6.00 each. Fundraiser pick up will
most needed supplies: binders, erasers, folders,
be on Saturday, September 25th from 9
rulers, pencil boxes, markers, scissors, colored
pencils, and protractors. You can also donate a.m.-1 p.m. in the cafeteria.
$5.00 for the purchase of a student planner.
There are prizes for top-selling student
Donations will be accepted from now until and top selling classrooms. The student
September 10th. Donations can be dropped off
who sells the most tickets will win their
at the office. If you are able to, please donate
school supplies to help students kick off the choice of a Wii, Xbox or $200.
school year. Thank you! Students will also get one entry in the
raffle drawing for every 10 tickets sold!
The winner of the raffle will also get
their choice of a Wii, Xbox or $200.
The two classes in grades K-2 and
grades 3-6 who sell the most tickets will
receive a pizza party.

Please return all unsold tickets.

Proceeds from this fundraiser will go
towards school field trips, student
activities and professional
development.
Welcome back to a brand new school year! My name is Alexandra Obra and I would like to take
If you need more tickets, please ask
this time to introduce myself. I am the new vice principalyour
at Keone‟ula
child's Elementary
teacher. School. I am
very excited to be here at Keone‟ula! Previously, I worked at Waialua Elementary School and
Mililani „Ike Elementary School. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and
friends. I also enjoy running and hope to complete my first marathon in December!

I look forward to meeting all the students and their families. Each month
I hope to share and update you with important school information. Please
be sure to stop by our school blog for up-to-date information.

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Keone‟ula Elementary School•91-970 Kailelea Drive•Ewa Beach, HI•808-689-1380
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 August /September 2010 Volume 4 Issue 1

School Blog Chapter 19

We are in the process of developing a new During the month of August, I will
school website. In the transition period, be going into the 4th, 5th, and 6th
please check out our school blog for up-to- grade classes to review Chapter 19
date information. You can reach our school with the students. Please review
blog at http://keoneula.blogspot.com/
Chapter 19 with your child.

Drop Off & Pick Up

Entering the Buildings
We are asking for your assistance with
drop off and pick up procedures. The We are asking parents not to
right hand lane is for drop offs. Students enter the buildings at the end of
need to exit the car on the right side. The the day. Please wait until the bell
middle lane and far left lane is for passing. rings to enter the building. This
As you come into the parking lot please provides students time to
make sure you move all the way down and maximize their learning.
pay attention to the JPOs and staff
directing traffic. We greatly appreciate
your assistance in this matter.
Visitors
All visitors should report to the front
office to sign in.

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New School Logo

We are now the Keone’ula Cubs! You
may have noticed students sporting
their new t-shirts. Students may still wear
their school t-shirt with the pencil logo.

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Keone‟ula Elementary School•91-970 Kailelea Drive•Ewa Beach, HI•808-689-1380
Visit our School Blog at http://keoneula.blogspot.com/
August /September 2010 Volume 4 Issue 1

Book of the Month

Each month we will be featuring the Principal’s Book
of the Month. Empty Pot is the August Book of the
Month. In Empty Pot, Ping, the main character is a
Chinese Boy with an “emerald” thumb; he can make
anything grow “as if by magic.” The emperor is
looking for a successor for his throne. See what he
does to find his successor. How is INTEGRITY
reflected in Ping’s attitude? Students in Grade 3 will
be participating in the Book of the Month.

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Campbell‘s Labels for Education Box Tops for Education

Help us earn money for the school. We Here’s another opportunity to help us earn
are still collecting Campbell labels. Visit money for the school. Simply clip the Box Top
Campbell’s website at logo stamp from quality products from brand
families like these: General Mills Cereals and
www.labelsforeducation.com for a list of
Fruit Flavored Snacks, Ziploc, Juicy Juice, Old El
products that qualify for the program.
Paso, Huggies, Kleenex, Hefty, Pillsbury and
Students should submit labels to the front Betty Crocker. For more information visit
office. http://www.boxtops4education.com. A
collection bin is available in the front office.

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Keone‟ula Elementary School•91-970 Kailelea Drive•Ewa Beach, HI•808-689-1380
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August /September 2010 Volume 4 Issue 1

*Thank you to the following families for their

generous donation of school supplies! We greatly
appreciate your generosity!:

 Mr. & Mrs. Paul Alcos

 Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Batalon
 Mr. & Mrs. Juanito Bato
 Mr. & Mrs. Caesar Bergonia
 Ms. Miranda Caban
 Mr. & Mrs. Maximo Efhan
 Ms. Ann Hamidou
 Mr. & Mrs. Nomer Javier
 Mr. Ronnie Johnson
 Mr. & Mrs. Joel Pieper
 Mr. Paul Sialana & Mrs. Cynthia Low
 Ms. Melissa Silva
 Mr. & Mrs. Michael Stiavetti-Gaudio
 Mr. Kevin Nagatoshi & Mrs. Reinette Wallace

*Thank you to Karen Lucas for creating a beautiful

mosaic wall! We look forward to seeing our bronze
sculpture!

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Keone‟ula Elementary School•91-970 Kailelea Drive•Ewa Beach, HI•808-689-1380
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 August /September 2010 Volume 4 Issue 1

August
August 16: Fundraiser Begins
August 20: Holiday – Statehood
August 24: Principal‟s Coffee Hour
8:30-9:30 a.m. (Café)
August 30: Frank DeLima
August 31: Fall Picture Taking

September
Sept 1, 2, & 3: Quarter 1 - Parent
Teacher Conferences
Sept. 1: Wednesday Schedule for
Students
Sept. 2 & 3: No School for Students
Sept. 6: Holiday - Labor Day
Sept. 7 : Fundraiser Ends
Sept. 7 : Grade 4 Field Trip – HNC
Sept. 8-Sept. 10 Student Council Leadership
Camp at Camp Erdman
Sept. 9: Grade 4 Field Trip - HNC
Sept. 16-23: Fall Book Fair
Sept. 23: Grade 1 Field Trip - HTY
Sept. 25: Fundraiser Pick Up 9:00 a.m.-
1:00 p.m. (Café)

October
Oct. 4-8: Fall Break
Oct. 11: Furlough Day
Oct. 14/15: Grade 3 Field Trip -
Waimea Valley
Oct. 26: Flu Clinic
Oct. 28: Parent Workshop

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Keone‟ula Elementary School•91-970 Kailelea Drive•Ewa Beach, HI•808-689-1380
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