OUR SCHOOLS • 'ILIMA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL
Principal sees 7th, 8th grades as time to mold kids

By Will Hoover
Advertiser Leeward O'ahu Writer

Among the most recent arrivals at 'Ilima Intermediate School in 'Ewa Beach is Jon Kitabayashi — the new principal.

Jon Kitabayashi is the new principal at 'Ilima Intermediate School. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

"You know, I've only been here for one month. But I've been here before," he said. "Ten years ago I did my administrative training at 'Ilima Intermediate."

Kitabayashi wanted to return because he's convinced that seventh- and eighth-graders are at an age where educators can make a difference in their lives.

"Seeing what's happening at the high school level, I think we still have a chance to effectively and positively change students before they get to high school. Because once they get to high school, all their habits and attitudes are established."

Kitabayashi arrives with a goal of adding emphasis on the School Community Based Management as well as 'Ilima's Parent Teacher Student Association and its Parent-Community Networking Center.

Increased community involvement is a top priority for him.

'Ilima Intermediate Leadership Student members Ellisa Reyes front row, left, Crystal Ranchez, Bridget Dickens, Shayna Ramos, Lisa Agni, back row, left, Kimberly Pascua, Lehua Oyadamori and Jahlei Daclison made hearts to promote Valentine's Day activities at the school. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

The school may hold the record for having had the most name changes in the shortest time. 'Ilima Intermediate was originally known as Wailani Intermediate. When residents complained that Wailani was actually a land area in Waipahu, the name was changed in 1962 to James Campbell Intermediate.

By the mid-1960s folks were calling it 'Ewa Beach Intermediate. Then, in July 1969, the name was officially changed to 'Ilima Intermediate.

Today, the school's curriculum makes use of flexible scheduling and interdisciplinary studies through a variety of course offerings and instructional methods. Kitabayashi believes 'Ilima has what it takes to become a Blue Ribbon school within three to five years.

"I think that's possible," he said. "All the components necessary are here. It just needs to be developed."

One source of pride is the schoolwide reading program, Accelerated Reader from Renaissance Learning Inc.

The popular program is used in middle and intermediate schools across the nation. Although other schools in Hawai'i use it, 'Ilima does so to a greater extent and has had success, according to Joline Wilson, school curriculum coordinator.

"The program offers recognition for classrooms that have a high level of success," said Wilson. "'Ilima has the only four Model Classrooms in the entire state of Hawai'i."

• What are you most proud of? "The warm welcome I received from the students and the dedicated staff in returning to 'Ilima Intermediate," said Kitabayashi. "It was sort of like coming home."

• Best-kept secret: "That 'Ilima Intermediate is such a good school with an outstanding staff and students."

• Everybody at our school knows: Charles Ragaza, student activities coordinator, and Barbara Nosaka, peer education coordinator.

"They are both an established part of the campus," said Wilson. "Both of these two people are totally involved with the kids."

• Biggest challenge: "Keeping up with the Adequate Yearly Progress benchmarks — No Child Left Behind," said Kitabayashi. "From what I've heard from my staff, the students here did pass the reading benchmark — which was 30 percent, and right now I think we have 33 percent. We may have to work a little harder with the math."

• What we need: Parent involvement. "That's my main focus for as long as I'm here," said Kitabayashi. "Parents are not too involved with the schools right now."

Kitabayashi hopes to work with parents to help them realize the importance of being part of their children's education.

• Projects: 'Ilima is actively involved with Gear Up — Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs — a federal program designed to better prepare students for college through academic, awareness and monitoring concepts as well as scholarship opportunities.

• Special events: A community family event in the spring. "We had one last year that was initiated by 'Ilima Intermediate," said Wilson. "This year's will be similar — ongoing entertainment, booths from various organizations in the community, and each school has something that it's able to showcase or represent."

Reach Will Hoover at 525-8038 or whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com.