Posted on: Thursday, September 2, 2004
OUR SCHOOLS | KA'IULANI ELEMENTARY
Ethnic diversity prevails on campus in Kalihi
By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser Staff Writer
What Ka'iulani Elementary School lacks in financial resources, it more than makes up for in ethnic diversity.
Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser Yet Ka'iulani was named a Hawai'i Blue Ribbon school in the 1998-99 school year.
"It's a real challenge," said Charlotte White, school principal. "We have wonderful things going on and it's because of my teachers and staff. It's a very special school."
Pupils receive 2.5 hours' worth of intensive reading and writing lessons daily, she said. The school offers tutoring before school and between sessions, and the head custodian doubles as an after-school sports and activities coordinator.
"I believe every child is lovable, unique and a learner," White said. "If a child internalizes that they will be a success."
• What are you most proud of? "The spirit of care, 'ohana, that prevails in our school. Teachers and staff are committed to all students," White said. • Best-kept secret: "In an area with many economic and social challenges, Ka'iulani is a safe and nurturing place where learning occurs and where children thrive," White said. • Everyone at our school knows: Auntie Bridget Kanakaole, the school's parent community networking coordinator. • Our biggest challenge: Meeting the needs of our growing immigrant Micronesian population. • What we need: Money to continue the before-school and intersession tutoring programs. • Special projects and events: For the past two summers the school has operated a transition program for incoming kindergartners from Micronesia. There is a schoolwide core reading program that offers 90 minutes of reading instruction a day and an hour of writing. A similar math program is being started. Ka'iulani Day is celebrated on the birthday of Princess Ka'iulani, Oct. 16. Fifth-graders go to the mausoleum with lei to decorate the princess's final resting place.
Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com or 395-8831.
On the school's campus in the heart of Honolulu — Tamashiro Market is across the street — 17 languages are spoken. Many of the pupils get their lunch free or at a reduced price, a common indicator of poverty.
Ka'iulani Elementary principal Charlotte White with some of the school's pupils — from left, third-graders Janet Balaoro, Michelle Ngo, Joseph Augafa and Kerysa Perez, second-grader Skyler Taumua, and third-grader Zachary Vinoya. The campus, across from Tamashiro Market, is "safe and nurturing," White says.
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| Opened in 1899
• WHERE: 783 N. King St. • PHONE: 832-3160 • PRINCIPAL: Charlotte White, 11 years. • SCHOOL COLORS: Green and yellow. • ENROLLMENT: 430, in a school built to handle more than 520. • HISTORY: The school opened in 1899 and is named after Princess Victoria Ka'iulani. • TESTING: Here's how Ka'iulani Elementary pupils fared on the most recent standardized tests. • HAWAI'I CONTENT AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS TESTS: Listed is the combined percentage of pupils meeting or exceeding state standards on the 2004 assessment, and a comparison with the state average. Third-grade reading, 53 percent, compared with the state average of 46.7 percent; math, 49 percent, compared with state average of 26.7 percent. Fifth-grade reading: 34 percent, compared with state average of 49.9 percent; math, 12 percent, compared with state average of 22.5 percent. |
