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School Bulletin – October 2014
3700 Kehalani Mauka Parkway,
Wailuku, HI 96793
http://www.puukukui.k12.hi.us/
Main Office: (808) 727-3000
Health Room: (808) 727-3002
Vice Principal: (808)727-3021
PCNC: (808) 727-3028
Dear Pu`u Kukui Ohana,
Our first quarter of school is completed and we are moving forward
with a positive attitude. Teachers are working very hard to teach
the common core standards to our students. As we move forward in
meeting the needs of our students, I would like to ask for your
support to synergize with your child's teacher so that the message
we provide children is consistent. Research shows that parental
encouragement and expectations are a major factor in the
academic achievement of students.
Chad Okamoto, Principal
Pu`u Kukui Beautification
Upcoming Events
October 23
Vision Screening
October 24
Institute Day, No Students
October 27-31
Student Conferences, Early Release
October 31
Fun Run, Hosted by PTSA
November 4
Election Day, No Students
November 11
Veterans Day, No Students
November 25
Hearing Screening
November 27-28
Thanksgiving Holiday, No Students
A special Mahalo to Girl Scouts, Troop 1080 for their
hard work and care in giving our atrium garden a
new, signature look! These little ladies worked hard
over our Fall Break to complete this special project
before our students returned to school.
Gardeners were: Charlotte Macario, Jasmine Devery,
Lila Devery, Taylor Deocares, Samantha Abernathy,
Sofia Abernathy, Karissa Chapman, Randi Benjamin,
Hina O’Donovan, Emma Fujieda, and Hayden
Sparling.
Girl Scouts who helped make pavers but were absent
from planting were: Raejia-Li Librando, Selah-Rain
Librando, Anela Awai-Stewart, Leianna Santos, and
Emily Stafford
A big Mahalo to the Librando family for the beautiful
Hapu`u tree fern they donated for the center of the
garden. Also, thank you to Erica Franz for the beautiful
Pueo face paver. We are very grateful for our very
talented and generous `ohana!
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Proactive Ponderings with Mr. Dillon
Great work so far in following the new school rules for contraband items.
There hasn’t been one violation yet, so keep up the good work and keep
focusing on learning. Remember, Kendamas, balls from home, Pokemon
cards and all other toys are to be kept home. Families are welcome to
donate recess balls to the school for all to use.
October is Bullying Prevention Month
Some things you may not have known about bullying and how it can be
prevented through proactive measures:
1. Bullying is when one or more students repeatedly get power over
another student (the target) through hurting or humiliating that
student.
2. Bullying can be verbal (using words), physical (using force), cyber
(using technology) and relational (using social influence to
deliberately leave others out).
3. Bullying becomes harassment when it targets students because of
race, gender or disability.
4. Bullies and targets are both at higher risk for mental health issues,
truancy, substance abuse and suicide.
5. All school employees are required to intervene when they witness
bullying.
6. Bullying can be prevented by promoting a culture of acceptance
and taking action to resolve incidents. At Pu`u Kukui we promote
ohana and win-win solutions. Bullying incidents are addressed with
discipline that focuses on learning and finding solutions.
7. If you see bullying happen, don’t ignore it, interrupt it. Name the
behavior (“That’s a put-down”), speak to the intention (“That was
meant to hurt”), and explain the value that their bullying behavior
clashes with (“We all have a right to feel safe here”).
8. If you know or suspect that a student is the target of bullying,
check-in with them by asking what is happening, empathizing with
them, and planning for safety. Inform the school immediately.
PCNC Corner
We are always looking for parent volunteers to help
in various ways at school. Please reach out to your
child’s teacher or myself if you are interested in
sharing your time. Classroom helpers are always appreciated
whether it is working directly with students or supporting the class
as a whole by grading homework, making copies, or prepping art
projects. I am available for volunteer orientations Monday’s and
Friday’s; please reach out to me to schedule your spot!
Crissy Hamilton, PCNC Facilitator
808-727-3028
School Community Council
The Pu‘u Kuku‘i School
Community Council invites
parents and community
members to attend the annual
School Community Meeting #1
on October 27 at 6:00 PM in the
school cafeteria. This meeting is
mandated by the State of
Hawai‘i to “share school/student
performance data and provide
an opportunity for collaborative
public input to school
improvement priorities” (HSDOE
SCC Handbook II, 2008).
The SCC exists at every Hawai‘i
public school “to improve
student achievement and
enhance the accountability of
the education system to the
public.” Practically speaking, we
review performance data and
approve the Principal’s budget
recommendations for the next
year (The SCC receives no
funding, and only advises on
school budget expenditure
priorities). The SCC is also the
medium for requesting changes
to HSDOE policy for the school,
such as the school uniform
request that was approved in the
spring (implementation takes
time).
The first year for Pu‘u Kukui
Elementary had some
predictable challenges, given
that Mr. Okamoto and staff were
starting with a blank slate. They
have done a great job meeting
those challenges, and we look
forward to an even better year in
2014-15. The SCC also hopes to
establish better avenues and
procedures for communication
this year. Please join us to help
plan for an ever better school.
Dr. Stephen Fox, SCC Chair
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Pu`u Kukui Elementary Lego Team Places 3rd!
Our Lego Team, led by Mrs. Eliza Yoshida, is
made up of 5th graders: Aya Buttaro, Tyler
Taguchi, Kanoe Mitnick, and Aaron Hue
Sing (alternate). Students tried out for the
team and practiced after school under the
direction of Mrs. Yoshida.
Their first event was held on Saturday, Oct.
4th at the Baldwin High School gym and
lasted 40 minutes. Students worked under
a number of constraints and were required
to use all of their pieces. They were scored
on various areas focusing on design
(esthetics, use of color, space) and
teamwork. They did an incredible job and
were awarded 3rd place for their efforts!
Awesome job team Pueo!!
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent Teacher Conferences will be held October
27-31. Students will be released early from school
at 1 PM every day except Wednesday, in which
school will end at 1:15 PM. Please make plans for
your child’s early release that week. Mahalo!
The Kona Ice Truck is on campus behind
the cafeteria every Thursday from 2:00-3:00.
30% of all sales come back to the school!
Cost is $3 for a small, $4 for a medium, $5 for
a large cup. All sizes include ice cream at no
additional charge.
Staying cool helps our school!
Congratulations Pu`u Kukui `Ohana! We had record earning numbers for our
Box Top drive in September.
Our students turned in 11,381 Box Tops over a two week period. This will earn our school a little
more than $1,100 which will benefit our Annual Ho`ike Program as well as provide incentives for
future student activities.
A special thank you goes out to our amazing parents and teachers that were a huge motivating
force behind our keiki! We are looking forward to another fun drive in the Spring; keep on clipping!
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SCHOOL HIGHLIGHT – PSAP
Primary School
Adjustment Project
(PSAP) is a program that
provides
encouragement and
support services to
young children with mild
social, emotional, or
behavioral difficulties to
help each child function
more effectively to learn
in the classroom, school,
and community. Our
staff spend quality time
with students to build
positive relationships.
We develop a close
bond with each child in
our program through: individual sessions, friendship groups, recess
or after-school activities, and child-led play.
Our PSAP team is made up of our School Counselor, Ms. Trudi Ah
Sam and Mr. Jason Hubbard. Please feel free to reach out to our
PSAP Staff if you would like more information or if you have questions
about this wonderful program.
PSAP Office: (808) 727-3017
From the Health Room
Aloha Ohana,
We have several clinics scheduled over the next few months;
Vision Screening, Hearing Screening, and Stop Flu at School Clinic.
We are in need of volunteers for each of these clinic’s to act as
classroom runners, escorting children to and from class. If you are
available to assist us in this way, please reach out to myself or our
PCNC, Mrs. Hamilton. We appreciate your support!
Vision Screening: October 23
Hearing Screening: November
Stop Flu in School Clinic: December 3
Mahalo, Ms. Mary Ann Chaves, Health Aide
Employment
Opportunities
Attention all caring and
patient individuals! We are
currently offering
employment opportunities
for Educational Assistant
substitutes. Educational
Assistants or EA's typically
work one on one or with
small groups of students who
receive Special Education
services. Their job is to help
students successfully
participate in the classroom,
recess and lunch settings. If
you feel you have what it
takes to work with these
special students please
contact our front office.
We are also seeking Adult
Supervisors. This is a paid
position which also provides
the opportunity to support
the school and serve our
students.
We have several other
positions available including
Meal Clerks, Custodians,
Cleaners, and Office
Assistants. If you are
interested or would like more
information, please contact
the Main Office.
Looking to Volunteer? We
are always seeking the help
of family volunteers in
supervising our drop-off and
pick-up areas. Even if it’s just
a couple days a week, we
would really appreciate
parent support in these
areas. MAHALO for CARING!
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