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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, May 23, 2002

OUR SCHOOLS • SUNSET BEACH ELEMENTARY
Small school big on 'learning is fun' ethos

By Will Hoover
Advertiser Staff Writer

Sixth-grade teacher Gail Pule has taught at Sunset Beach Elementary since the school opened in 1973. The former city slicker remembers she was caught off guard by the school's humble rural beginnings.

Three-year-old Darci Burke, left, and 5-year-old Gabrielle Viernes peruse the books at the Sunset Beach Elementary School library book fair.

Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser

"This school opened up as an annex of Kahuku High and Elementary School," she said. "We didn't have a principal, we didn't have any electricity. We couldn't go outside for recess until I chased a cow away with a broom. Being from Rochester, N.Y., I never knew how big cows were before."

Pule no longer chases cows, although an occasional chicken or pig strays onto the property. And while the school setting is still very much rural, its six buildings have expanded to a well-manicured corridor of 18 freshly painted "portables," eight permanent classrooms, a recently built cafeteria and a modern air-conditioned library — all serving 333 kindergarten through sixth-grade students.

Along the way, the school — flanked by greenery on one side and 'Ehukai Beach Park and the Pacific Ocean on the other — has developed a reputation as a place with remarkably close student, teacher, family and community ties.

Principal Ruth Holmberg sees those ties as a special strength at Sunset. She and others refer to the school as a "hidden jewel."

"People don't want to leave once they've taught here," Holmberg said. "We have very little turnover in staff."

And since it started out as a teacher-operated school, Sunset Beach Elementary has a heritage of independence.

"We're not afraid to take a chance and try new things," said Pule. "And, if something doesn't work, we don't beat it into the ground. We try something else."

This year, for example, the school has instituted a positive-reinforcement program in which students are given Right-On Rewards for showing respect for themselves, others and their property. The rewards come in the form of slips of pink paper that students can cash in for longer recess time, class supplies and even ice cream.

What are you most proud of? Holmberg said it's the "caring, committed learning community," and virtually everyone associated with Sunset seems to agree.

"What we teach students is that learning is fun," said Johnette Wicker, communications coordinator.

"There are almost no physical altercations," said counselor James Frisbie, who points out that students know that fighting automatically leads to a one-day suspension. "It's a very friendly, happy campus."

Frisbie illustrated the point with a story about two boys who got into an argument at the beginning of the year.

"Part of the consequences was that they had to sit together at lunch for the next two weeks," he said. "And they became the best of friends."

• Best-kept secret: More than 95 percent of the students who begin the year at Sunset also end the year there as well, Holmberg said.

"There is a common misconception that this is a transient community," she said. "Underneath the beach vacation, surf circuit exterior, Sunset Beach is a strong, family-oriented community ... of farmers, local business people, entrepreneurs, attorneys, pilots, carpenters and professional surfers. The diversity of the families is reflected in the children."

• Biggest challenge: Because Sunset does not qualify for Title 1 support, Holmberg said the school constantly faces "finding a way to maintain reasonable numbers in grade levels and support staff to make sure students succeed even without the extra money that Title 1 provides."

How is that done? "We have teachers who work hard and late and who are dedicated," said Frisbie.

• What we need: Because the school's music teacher is moving to the Mainland, Sunset is looking for a part-time music instructor for next year. The school could also use reading tutors and other volunteers to help out in the classrooms.

"In an ideal world we would have a full-time music, art and physical education teacher," said Holmberg. "We have none."

In the past, the music teacher has been financed by a grant from the Weinberg Foundation and through PTCA fund-raising, she said.

• Projects: The school is building a state-financed and PTCA-supported playground with equipment. In the meantime, the school has an agreement with the City and County of Honolulu to use the soccer field next to the school.

• Special features/programs: "Sunset Beach Elementary loves the arts," said Holmberg. "We have teachers who continually stretch themselves to provide opportunities and venues for students to communicate and express themselves."

Throughout the year the school has numerous special and holiday programs that are supported by the community. An example, said Wicker, is the annual SurfNite fund-raising program.

"It started out as a fun night," said Wicker. "Now, the pro surfers and stars come and sign autographs and give away posters."

Local businesses support what has grown into a large community function at which the school generates money by selling crafts, baked goods and T-shirts.

• • •

At a glance

• Where: 59-360 Kamehameha Highway

• Phone: 638-8777

• Web address: www.k12.hi.us/~selement/sbes.hmpg.html

• Principal: Ruth Holmberg

• School colors: Blue and green

• Enrollment: 333

• SATS: Here's how Sunset Beach 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, 88 percent; math, 84 percent. Fifth grade: reading, 77 percent; math, 84 percent.

• History: Opened in 1973 with 73 students.

• Computers: Fully networked, with connected classroom e-mail system. Students Internet-certified to use system.