Schools pledge support during troop deployments
| • | Schofield soldiers departing for Iraq |
By Derrick DePledge
Advertiser Education Writer
Students at schools near Schofield Barracks are getting yellow ribbons this week to display at home in a show of solidarity with the families of soldiers leaving for Iraq.
"We'll be asking our school community to tie the yellow ribbons around their mailboxes, fence posts or on their doors," said Denise Arai, the principal at Wahiawa Elementary School.
The Rotary Club of Wahiawa-Waialua is behind the yellow-ribbon campaign, along with getting businesses to display stickers to indicate that soldiers and their families can receive discounts.
"We want to let the troops know that the community supports them and that we wish them a safe return," said Geoffrey Horvath, the Rotary Club's president.
Educators are watching students closely this week as the first wave of Schofield soldiers leaves for Iraq; a second group will go to Afghanistan in a few months.
Yesterday, a girl at Schofield's Solomon Elementary School showed up in a counselor's office, sad that her father was leaving. The counselor helped the girl write a letter about her feelings that her father can take with him.
"Sometimes, they just don't know how to deal with it," said Linda Yoshikami, Solomon's principal. "We're ... letting our parents and students know we're very supportive."
The school has invited parents to join student projects and, at Christmas, parents helped their children build gingerbread houses, which involved lessons about shapes and sizes and design.
Solomon will also expand its parent volunteer program so parents who normally stay at home can get involved in the school.
"If they want to come in, we can sure use their help," Yoshikami said.
Joe Lee, the principal at Wheeler Elementary School in Wahiawa, said the school plans to hold evening gatherings starting in February for military families.
The events will likely involve dinner, discussions for parents centered around Hawaiian themes, and childcare and counseling for children.
Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8084.
