OUR SCHOOLS | MILILANI WAENA ELEMENTARY
Passion provides groundwork for campus

By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser Staff Writer

From the minute an incoming kindergartener comes on to Mililani Waena's cozy campus, the new students and their parents are treated to a campus tour and lunch in the cafeteria.

Third-grader Amber Castro, left, and fourth-grader Rachel Dobbs are all smiles during a luau at Mililani-Waena Elementary School, which credits its success to an enthusiastic school community. Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

"It's a meet and greet," Jenkins said. "The initial meeting needs to be positive and we want the parents involved with the education of their child and with the school."

It is necessary, as the school is finding that more of its incoming students are not ready for kindergarten and need extra help. Knowing what to expect helps, Jenkins said.

The "Kindergarten — Here We Come" program was a teacher's suggestion and is just one example of how staff are encouraged to follow their inclinations if it will help students, Jenkins said.

"Recently a teacher told me she was unable to sleep because she couldn't figure out how to improve the education of one of her students," Jenkins said. "I know I do that too; I think about the kids and the teachers."

And that teacher is not unique at this school, said Jenkins.

"Our teachers spend an enormous amount of time and caring in putting forth an appropriate ... and adaptive lesson to meet the needs of every child," she said.

• What are you most proud of? "Our school community," Jenkins said. "Our students who are enthusiastic about learning, our supportive parents and community members and our hard-working faculty and staff."

• Best-kept secret: "The concern, thought and hard work our teachers and staff put into providing a standards-based education for every child," Jenkins said. "Their efforts go beyond the workday and workweek."

• Everybody at our school knows: Gracie Aoki, the school's Parent Community Networking Coordinator and A-plus site coordinator. "She's been here for 18 years and everyone knows her," Jenkins said.

• Our biggest challenge: "Providing the support for every child to fulfill his or her potential," Jenkins said.

• What we need: "We need to build upon and nurture the positive partnerships we have with our families and the community to enhance our efforts to provide a quality standards-based education for every child."

• Special events: Kindergarten — Here We Come, Na Leo O Menehune Winter Concert, Health Week, May Day, Technology Fair, Menehune of the Month assemblies, canned food drive and year-round recycling.

Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com or 395-8831.