OUR SCHOOLS • ST. ANTHONY PARISH SCHOOL
Planned tech boost creates buzz on Kailua campus

By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer

KAILUA — Every one of the 345 students at St. Anthony Parish School in Kailua learns to speak Spanish and operate a computer, even the 3-year olds in the early-learning program.

Marianne McGhee, a teacher at St. Anthony's School, shares a story with her pre-kindergarten class of 4-year-olds. As the school celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, a planned upgrade of its electrical system to accommodate increased technology is also in the works. Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

But as St. Anthony marks its 50th anniversary this year, the big news on campus is a planned $500,000 upgrade of its electrical system to increase technology capabilities and a drive to make the school better known.

"We no longer want it to be the best-kept secret in Kailua," said Principal Lovey De Rego. "We want the word to get out."

The campus takes up half a block on Makawao Street and is part of a parish church, sharing a parking lot that doubles as a playground when there are no services. Three buildings surround the playground, blocking any view of the children from passers-by.

"Our parents say that the way we are situated makes them feel secure that their children are safe," said Andrea Van Gieson, school secretary.

Fifty years ago Father Michael Henry opened the school, and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet taught. Some 13,000 children have passed through, but today mostly lay teachers teach students.

Religion instruction underlies the value-based education, De Rego said.

The preschool facility is separate from the rest of the campus, giving younger children their own classrooms, grassy playground and after-school program.

The main campus includes a computer lab, a classroom for Spanish instruction, a library with a separate reading room for the youngest, a separate playground for kindergartners and a converted church that is used for physical-education activities. The school is just one block from the beach, and students train for track by running in the sand.

• What are you most proud of? The community spirit or family spirit within the school, where all the children know one other and older students mentor younger ones, becoming buddies in education.

• Best-kept secret: The school. Very often parents are surprised when they discover the campus in their back yards, De Rego said.

• Everybody at our school knows: Van Gieson, school secretary and all-around person in charge of the health room, welcoming kids at 6 a.m. every day and talking to parents on the phone. Van Gieson, or Mrs. V as she is known, has been at the school for 26 years and initiated the after-school program 20 years ago.

• Our biggest challenge: To raise $500,000 to upgrade the school's electrical system so that it can provide the technology students need to move into the 21st century, including Internet access in every classroom.

• What we need: Having raised $175,000 for the upgrade, the school needs to continue fund raising to meet its objective.

• Projects: Getting in contact with graduates to begin an alumni list and invite them to the school's 50th anniversary lu'au.

• Special events: In celebration of its 50th anniversary, the school will hold a lu'au at 6:30 p.m. June 7 on campus. A 5 p.m. Mass will precede the festivities.

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