Involved parents and teachers make education lively and fun

By Alice Keesing
Advertiser Education Writer

Nu'uanu Elementary's campus is a happening place from early in the morning until late in the evening.With a large number of working parents, the school provides a slew of enriching activities that help achieve its goal of encouraging lifelong learners.In return, parents donate their time and energy to school projects, said principal Eleanor Fujioka."We have so many 'little heroes' working behind the scenes," she said. "What I feel we have at Nu'uanu is the spirit of working together."

Linda Mitchell leads Nu'uanu Elementary School students as they drop off pizza promotion leaflets along the Pali Highway. The school receives a portion of the proceeds from each pizza sale. Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser

• What are you most proud of? "Naturally we're really proud of our multimedia literacy program that has been nationally acclaimed, but all of those things are not possible without parental assistance and the grants that the teachers and myself pursue."

• Best-kept secret: "I think many people don't know exactly where we are located. When they discover our school, they're very impressed with our natural environment; the greenery and the mountains and the gentle rain mist that we have practically every day and the rainbows. It's very gentle and peaceful. People say it looks like a rural campsite."

• Everybody at our school knows: Teachers Kelvin Chun and Linda Mitchell and parent Peggy Chock. "They do all the student support activities at the school. They help the total school."

• Our biggest challenge: "Because of the wet climate, we're in dire need of reroofing." Fujioka said there's a constant need to let legislators know what's needed."

• What we need: "If I had a wish list, I would have more people to help with our special-needs children." Because the school is successful, it does not receive federal aid money that other schools use for additional staff, but Fujioka said help is always needed to give special-needs students the extra support they require.

• Projects: The school lost many of its books to mold and mildew while its library was being renovated and is now raising $5,000 through a Papa John's Pizza Night. One Wednesday each month, people who buy a Papa John's pizza can fill in a coupon so that 20 percent of the sale goes to the school. The project is headed up by students, in particular the student council leadership, whom Fujioka calls the "dynamic four": Kimberly Takata, Jordan Hirashima, Skye Young and Erica Wong.

• Special events: Nu'uanu will hold its Family Fun Night on April 27. This annual event features parent-made games, food, an auction and talent show. The overall goal is to have fun and bring alumni and community into the school, but it also aims to raise $10,000 for student clubs and to help teachers buy supplies.

To get your school profiled, contact education editor Dan Woods by phone at 525-5441 or by e-mail, dwoods@honoluluadvertiser.com.