Our Schools • Manoa Elementary School
Community's involvement enriches student projects

By James Gonser
Advertiser Staff Writer

On any given day, student projects can be seen all over on the busy Manoa Elementary School campus, hanging on doors and windows and overflowing from classrooms onto the walkways and grassy areas between buildings.

Susan Chang from Mediation Works leads a class at Manoa Elementary School in the four-step mediation process that teaches third- to sixth-graders how to resolve disputes. Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser

Principal Victoria Brannan said she is proud of the active campus, especially the community and parents' involvement.

"We try to make the school community oriented, with hands-on projects that are real to the kids," she said. "So we have over the years formed community partnerships with Malama O Manoa, Lyon Arboretum, Manoa Gardens and the Waioli Lions. This is a community where people really care, and they show it."

Manoa Elementary was one of the first English-language schools in the state, opening Oct. 11, 1854, with 18 pupils in one building. Today, there are 600 students, with 34 classrooms in five buildings connected by covered walkways needed in rainy Manoa. The buildings date to 1952, when the campus moved to its present site next to Manoa District Park.

One of the biggest challenges for the school is the construction of the city's new district park building right next to the campus, Brannan said.

"The construction is disruptive, of course, and access from one side is blocked, so we've had to make changes in the driveway to drop off children," Brannan said. "I want to make sure that everything goes OK for the children while we have the construction. Some teachers are using that as a learning opportunity. We are all trying to be patient with the noise and adjust to the traffic."

When completed next year, the $5.78 million gymnasium and multipurpose facility will provide indoor play courts for the public, and the school will have a new arts and crafts room and a performing arts area for plays and concerts.

• Best-kept secret: The school's Association of Parents and Teachers, which provides money for student activities, playground and technology equipment, and pays the part-time salaries for the physical education and music teachers.

• Everybody at our school knows: Music teacher Helen "Aunty Loke" Hew-Len, organizer of the annual May Celebration and writer of the school song.

• Our biggest challenge: "Personally, to make sure that everyone is ready for the transition when I retire next year," Brannan said.

• What we need: An electrical upgrade. "We are wired to every classroom, but it is old." Brannan said. "That, along with replacing the fire alarm system."

• Projects: The Early Intervention Reading Program for first through third grades. Students needing help spend an hour and a half each day working on reading, writing and speaking skills. "It builds self-esteem," said teacher Kathleen Nohara. "Learning can be difficult if there are problems reading. It is not a fix-all, but it is extra help. We have had many success stories, and by the fourth grade they are well on their way."

• Special events: The Tiger Trek walk-a-thon and School Spirit Day fund-raiser Oct. 26, Fall Family Fun Day Nov. 17, the winter concert Dec. 14 and the May Celebration May 18.

	At a glance
•	Where: 3155 Manoa Road, Honolulu
•	Phone: 988-1868
•	Web address: www.manoa.k12.hi.us
•	Principal: Victoria Brannan, in her ninth year
•	School nickname: Tigers
•	School colors: Yellow and green
•	Enrollment: 600 students, which is slightly below capacity for the school
•	SATs: Here's how Manoa Elementary 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: 97 percent; math: 95 percent. Fifth grade, reading: 93 percent; math: 97 percent.
•	History: Founded in 1854, the school was one of the first English-language schools on O'ahu. The campus moved to its present location in 1952.
•	Special features: A Hawaiian garden
•	Special programs or classes: Peer Mediation Program training for third- to sixth-grade students to train them to help themselves and others solve problems and resolve playground disputes
•	Computers: The school has a technology lab with about 40 computers, and computers with Internet access in every classroom

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