Posted on: Sunday, October 31, 2004

AFTER DEADLINE
Let's hear from more schools sharing their good news

By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Since The Advertiser launched its revamped Schools page in August, I've been in a happy position unusual for a reporter: I get to write mostly good news.

Sometimes I even get to write great news, such as when Gail Awakuni of Campbell High School was named national principal of the year, a first for Hawai'i.

Mostly I write about less widely recognized accomplishments, however, as I dig around to find good things happening in Hawai'i's schools.

It's harder than you might think — and not because nothing positive is happening in the schools. One thing I've learned on this beat is that whatever their reputation, Hawai'i's schools have some great teachers and students.

However, the state's schools are also filled with humble folk who don't seem interested in singing their own praises or having their names appear in the newspaper.

That caught me by surprise. During our discussions about the new Schools page features, the editors and I assumed that schools and parents would flood us with nominations for outstanding students and innovative programs, but that hasn't happened.

Luckily, by contacting schools and charitable groups directly, and searching our archives and stacks of press releases, I've been able to turn up some interesting subjects.

However, I'm always looking for more. A few months ago, I used this space to ask parents to let me know what they wanted to know about education. This time I'm appealing to schools to let me know if they have candidates for these regular features:

• "All-Star Kids" recognizes students from kindergarten through high school who have demonstrated academic excellence, strong community service or both. Some of them may not be straight-A students or award winners, but they have done something that makes them stand out from the pack.

The profiles have included a 9-year-old who volunteers with Special Olympics Hawai'i; a Kahuku High School senior who has overcome obstacles to win $27,500 in scholarships and a Wai'anae teen who organized a petition drive that resulted in fans in the classrooms of several Leeward Coast schools.

• "What Works" looks at innovative school programs that produce good results, such as a program on Moloka'i in which teachers visit their students at home and make sure they have all the tools they need to do their homework, a recess program at Makaha Elementary School that has reduced discipline problems and an interdisciplinary program at Campbell High School that encourages kids to learn more about their 'Ewa community.

• "Education Snapshot" takes a look at how schools have improved academic achievement, perhaps raising standardized test scores or meeting the standards under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

• "Our Schools" asks schools what they would like readers to know about them.

Nominations for all four features, as well as any other ideas for education coverage, can be directed to: Treena Shapiro, The Honolulu Advertiser, 605 Kapiolani Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96813.

Treena Shapiro covers education for The Advertiser. Reach her at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8014.