Long before the bottle deposit law or curb-side recycling on O'ahu, Pearl City Highlands Elementary students were at the forefront of collecting and recycling their neighborhoods' trash.

Twice a year since 1980, Highlands students collected bottles and cans from their neighbors in an effort organized by Kokua Hui, the school's parent association.

"The school has always been about teaching the children to be environmentally responsible," Principal Leroy Ching said.

In 1986 the school's Student Council took over the program, and this year was awarded first place in the medium school category in the Department of Health's first recycling competition.

The award not only brought the school a check for $10,000, but well-deserved recognition for being pioneers in the recycling education movement, Ching said.

The Student Council decided to use the award money to help the school purchase updated reading textbooks for all grade levels, something Ching said the school needs.

"It was excellent that they wanted to help," he said.

With the help of Kokua Hui, the school has received three playgrounds, air conditioning for its library and a campus intercom system.

On the weekends, Ching said he becomes the school's self-appointed carpenter to help Kokua Hui install the improvements made possible by the fundraising.

"My part-time job you see me in shorts and T-shirt," said Ching, who helped install new windows in the library, build multiple gardens across campus for student use and, with the help of parents, set up the air conditioning system in the library.

While the school has a reputation for tremendous community support, Ching said it's the teachers who make Highlands what it is.

"We have very energetic teachers here. It's all about teachers and the time they spend every day," Ching said.

What are you most proud of?: "What we're most proud of is really student achievement," Ching said. "When you look at the area of student achievement, the proof in the pudding is the Hawai'i State Assessment. In that area we've exceeded the standards."

Ching also said the help he receives from Kokua Hui is something he is especially proud of. "We have tremendous community support," he said.

Best-kept secret: Leigh Osbourne, the school's baker. "When you come in the morning you can smell that bread baking — it is just like being in Loves Bakery. The smell is beautiful," Ching said.

Ching also said that the school has an unusually high number of Geographic Exceptions, over 50 percent of the school population. He noted that the school's family environment and high academic achievement entice parents from all over the island to send their children to Highlands.

"A part of the reputation of the school is that we have excellent teachers," he said.

Everybody at out school knows: Cherilyn Ginoza, school counselor. "She is the first to come to school and the last to leave. She is just wonderful."

Ginoza heads up testing for Highlands and also takes on projects like coordinating the school's Junior Police Officers. "She can be mother, she can be so much to the children," Ching said.

Our biggest challenge: "Probably implementing Act 51," said Ching. The new law gives principals the task of deciding how to use allocated money, he said. "It's going to be a major, major challenge."

What we need: Electrical upgrades. "Our school is close to 50 years old. If you plug in a hot plate all the circuits would just blow," he said.

Projects: This summer, with help from Kokua Hui and Navy families, Ching is having a schoolwide phone system installed that can be used as an intercom.

Special events: May Day and Speech Curricular Fair alternate every other year.

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