By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Staff Writer
There’s a special feeling at Benjamin Parker Elementary School.
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| Sixth-grader Justin Amazaki performs an experiment for Benjamin Parker classmates Kaleo Pedrina, Enjy Elkadi and Ihilani Haru.
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser |
Principal Barbara Smith said it’s the "caring faculty and staff’ that make the difference.
"Everybody is called aunty or uncle," Smith said. "The school has partnerships with people in the community, including foster grandparents, Hope Chapel, tutors from the Women’s Assistant League. Volunteers come to the school, help out and teach music to second-graders.
"The school is a hub of community activities."
 What are you most proud of? "Our children and our science and Primary School Adjustment programs."
For the third year in a row, all entries to the Windward District Science Fair from the school took home awards recently, including first place for Monica Haroun Izquierdo. Science teacher Sylvia Kaizuka said her students always win something.
The other winners were Ihilani Haru, second place, Junior Research Division; and Kyle Okumura and Ryan Jandoc, honorable mentions, Junior Research Division. These students will compete at the state level.
"We have a reputation," Kaizuka said. "We’ve been pretty good. For the past three years whatever we sent to the district went on to the state."
The goal of the PSA program is early identification of children in kindergarten to third grade having problems adjusting to school.
Best-kept secret: "From the street, the school doesn’t have much curb appeal, but the grounds include a magnificent courtyard with the Ko‘olau Range for a backdrop. The classrooms are beautiful, with large lanai in a peaceful setting."
Everybody at Ben Parker knows: Sharon Chun, the parent community network coordinator, a part-time position. "She is really the glue that holds everything together," Smith said. When she’s not working she’s volunteering at the school setting up visits with Santa, parent groups, JPO, and breakfast club meetings. She’ll make certificates for students, put up the Christmas tree and buy pastries for visiting staff. "She does all the extra nice things."
Our biggest challenge: "Finding and keeping qualified special education teachers. Almost 20 percent of the school population qualifies for special education."
What we need: With the high number of special education students and high population, the school needs a vice principal, said Smith. The position was cut from the school when enrollment dropped below 550.
Projects: The state is installing cable wiring to allow the campus to network with other schools and the Department of Education offices. The school also is still working to recover from an October fire that caused extensive damage to the library.
Special events: The school hosts an annual Play Under the Stars concert to raise money. Last year, the money — $20,000 — went for playground equipment for the school’s younger students. With that installed, this year’s event will raise money for equipment for its older kids. The concert will be 3 to 9 p.m. on March 24 at the school. Tickets are $5 for adults in advance, $7 at the door. Call the school for tickets or more information.
| At a glance
 Where: 45-259 Waikalua Road, Kane‘ohe
Phone: 233-5686
Web address: www.k12.hi.us/~parker
Principal: Barbara Smith, new to the school this academic year
School nickname: Tigers
School colors: Burgundy/gold
Enrollment: 500 students, down from a peak of 780
SATs: Here’s how Benjamin Parker students fared on the most recent Stanford Achievement Test. Listed is the combined percentage of students scoring average and above average, compared with the national combined average of 77 percent. Third grade, reading: 77 percent; math: 71 percent. Fifth grade, reading: 72 percent; math: 68 percent.
HISTORY: The school sits on land gifted by the Rev. Benjamin Parker. The school dates to 1927 when it served students in grades 1 through 8. Eventually it became a kindergarten-12 school and, in 1951, reverted to an elementary school.
SPECIAL FEATURES: The school is known for a ceramic-tile mural depicting Parker as he lived and played among Hawaiian people. Today, nearly 51 percent of the school’s 500 students are part Hawaiian.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS OR CLASSES: Benjamin Parker is the Windward District pilot "Character Education" school. It has adopted the Makaha Project, which uses Hawaiian stories and words to teach such things as responsibility and respect. Students are given awards for displaying good character traits. The school also has two preschools on campus: a Headstart program and a partnership with Rainbow Schools.
COMPUTERS: The school has a computer lab with about 30 computers for students. Each classroom also has a computer. |
To get your school profiled, contact education editor Dan Woods by phone at 525-5441 or by e-mail, dwoods@honoluluadvertiser.com.
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