Our Schools • Leihoku Elementary
Wai'anae youngsters hooked on books
By Adrienne Ancheta
Advertiser Staff Writer
Finding students during recess at Leihoku Elementary in Wai'anae is not as easy as checking the playground.
Lyle Sackowski • The Honolulu Advertiser
Since the school initiated its pleasure reading program this year, more and more students head for the library instead of outside. They don't go there because they have to, but for the pure love of reading, and that's the way Leihoku teachers and principal Randall Miura intended it.
Leihoku Elementary summer school student Yalasia Burke, 9, and teacher Lori Simbahon go through a sequence of fractions for a math test.
"The only objective was to develop a love for reading," Miura said. "If they love reading, then they would be more willing to read a social science textbook and things like that."
When the school decided to invest a large portion of its budget in high-interest books for the children last year, teachers began to spend their time away from class determining what books the students would enjoy reading. Leihoku then built its collection of recreational reading materials based on recommendations from teachers, students and parents. After just one year, Miura has noticed a difference in the students' interest in reading.
"We have kids who rather go to the library and read their books than go out to recess," Miura said. "I've even had comments by parents that TV time has been reduced."
• What are you most proud of? "I'm most proud of the fact that we have really good students," Miura said. "They're excited about learning and they have the biggest hearts and are very appreciative of everything they have." Misconduct at the school is minimal and students consistently are complimented on their behavior while on field trips.
Another point of pride is the support staff. Custodians maintain the learning environment. The retention rate is high among teachers, who always willing to go the extra mile, writing grants and taking extra time to coordinate programs.
"Coming to Leihoku every day is not a job for everybody but a personal commitment to the community," Miura said.
• Best-kept secret: Community members around Leihoku and parents are some of the school's biggest assets.
• Everybody at our school knows: Brenda Rabellizsa, a parent, part-time teacher of English for second-language learners, classroom cleaner and adviser to Junior Police Officers. Rabellizsa has been with Leihoku for about six years in different capacities. "She epitomizes the spirit of the community and how they're so giving in terms of time and efforts," Miura said.
• Our biggest challenge: "One is having our students meet and exceed the standards (set out in the Hawai'i Content and Performance Standards)," Miura said. "Second is finding time for professional development for our teachers."
• What we need: Money, staff and time.
• Projects: In an effort to help students meet and exceed standards, Leihoku is implementing the America's Choice standards-based reform program for the upcoming school year.
The $65,000-per-year program also will begin at other Leeward district schools, Miura said. America's Choice was designed by the National Center on Education and Economy, a Washington-based, nonprofit organization dedicated to standards-based education. Among changes the program will implement is a two-hour language arts block that Leihoku has already begun.
Leihoku is also restructuring its safety net for students by examining a tutorial program for before and after school. The program would essentially expand the school day for some students.
• Special events: Leihoku organizes year-round, extracurricular activities such as camps or a trip to the Big Island for students in fourth through sixth grades in an effort to expand students' experiences.
"We feel it's important for our kids to have worldly knowledge and apply them to the world," Miura said. "We make a special attempt to expose them to as many different experiences beyond the school as possible."
| At a glance | |
| • | Where: 86-285 Leihoku St., Wai'anae. |
| • | Phone: 697-7100. |
| • | Principal: Randall Miura, seven years. |
| • | School nickname: Na Pueo. |
| • | School colors: Blue and white. |
| • | Enrollment: 825-850. |
| • | SATs: Here's how Leihoku Elementary students fared on the most recent Stanford Achievement Test. Listed are the combined percentages of students scoring average and above average, compared with the national combined average of 77 percent. Third-grade reading, 81 percent; math,74 percent. Fifth-grade reading,75 percent; math. 82 percent. |
| • | History: Leihoku was established in 1980 to serve families in the local WaiÎanae Valley area. Within the past five years, it has grown more than 25 percent, from 652 students to 825. |
| • | Special features: Leihoku's best-kept secret is also its special feature. "I cannot overemphasize that it's the people that make Leihoku what it is," Miura said. "It's a place where people care about each other." |
| • | Special programs or classes: In addition to its pleasure reading program, Leihoku advocates well-developed reading skills through its reading initiatives. The initiatives ensure that students have the ability to read by the time they are in third grade and encourages the love of reading for all students. Kindergarten through second-grade students are part of the direct instruction program, emphasizing phonemic awareness, and first- through third- grade students are part of a reading recovery program. |
| • | Computers: The school has a computer lab and audio visual lab, and at least one computer in each classroom. |
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To get your school profiled, contact education editor Dan Woods by phone at 525-5441 or by e-mail, dwoods@honoluluadvertiser.com.
