Aloha mai kakou to the good people in the learning community of Alaka’i O Kaua’i Charter School. We hope this message finds you all in good health and happiness as we approach the end of January. We understand that attending Alaka’i O Kaua’i Charter School is a choice and mahalo nui kakou for your support. This upcoming week is National School Choice Week, an annual event celebrated nationwide, including on our campus.
School Choice Week is time set aside for us all to reflect and appreciate that our school is an alternative opportunity for a high-quality free public education for the keiki of Kaua’i. Please accept our great gratitude for your support of our unique charter school that operates a touch differently than other schools. This is thanks to our commitment to follow our mission to teach the whole child by combining academics, project-based learning, socio-emotional learning, and the arts. Last week we enjoyed a site visit from the state of Hawai’i Charter Commission Frameworks Team who were immensely impressed with the congruence between our daily life on campus and our mission statement.
As part of School Choice Week, we are excited to see the creative names that our learners will submit for the “Name the Pueo” contest during School Choice Week. The beautifully wooden carved pueo that currently graces our front office is in search of a name and we are thrilled that our learners will be involved in the process. We will also enthusiastically welcome back Kid Pan Alley to our school for our students in Grades 3-5. Last year, the talented musicians from Kid Pan Alley worked diligently with our engaged learners to compose and perform a unique song per classroom. We immensely enjoyed the culminating concert where the songs were shared with the whole school.
After seven long years of continued efforts to repair the leaky gym roof, we are ecstatic to share a success story. Our talented “Dr.” Jon and Mr. Adam spent several days attempting to patch and seal the 15,000 square feet that make up the gym roof. When the rain returned to campus again after the work was complete, zero major leaks were found and the gym floor was dry. This work is transformational in our seven-year history of the school and creates much more usable space at Alaka’i O Kaua’i Charter School. Mahalo nui e “Dr.” Jon and Mr. Adam for your skillful contributions to improving the school.
Best wishes to you all for a wonderful last week of January. Malama pono.
DJ Adams
Po’okumu (Director)
Alaka’i O Kaua’i Charter School
Koloa, Hawai’i
