We Need Instruments!

Alaka’i is looking for instruments! If you have any percussion instruments (drums, rattles, shakers) you would like to donate, our Kinder Music program is looking for more rhythm-makers. We are also seeking a guitar, and eventually more! Please help us find instruments for Alaka’i.

Upcoming Events

(Please see the school calendar for more information) Monday, Feb. 11: Reports of Progress sent home Wednesday, Feb. 13: NO SCHOOL (HTSA Institute Day) & Open House at 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14: Valentine’s Day Friday, Feb. 15: Reports of Progress will go home Monday, Feb. 18: NO SCHOOL (Presidents’ Day) Thursday, Feb. 21: MarkRead more

National and State Testing

In approximately two weeks, we will begin the process of testing our learners to see how they measure up with other learners in the state of Hawaii, as well as nationally. While Alaka`i O Kaua`i Charter School does not believe that standardized tests are the only way to measure the academic progress our learners areRead more

Upcoming Events

(Please see the school calendar for more information) Thursday, Feb. 7th: Ohana Network Meeting at 2:45 p.m. & Open House at 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 11: Reports of Progress sent home Wednesday, Feb. 13: NO SCHOOL (HTSA Institute Day) & Open House at 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18: NO SCHOOL (Presidents’ Day) Thursday, Feb. 21:Read more

Project Based Learning

Learning More About Project-Based Learning

Alakai’i O Kaua’i and iLEAD Schools are pleased to have Dr. Thom Markham, founder of PBL Global, visit our school this week to work with our staff on developing rigorous project-based learning (PBL) in every grade level.   Also, there are two opportunities to hear Dr. Markham’s presentation on Project-Based Learning this Tuesday, February 5thRead more

Lemonade For Sale!

Learners from Miss Ashley’s third and fourth grade class have recently partnered up with Bizgenics, a nonprofit foundation whose goal is to empower kids to discover personal skills and learn positive social values to catalyze a bright future.  From their partnership, they have begun implementing Project Lemon Tree. Project Lemon Tree is a living, outdoor classroom program whereRead more

Rotary Club of Poipu Visits Alaka’i

Last week, the Rotary Club of Poipu visited our school. Members were given a tour of classrooms and campus and met with Director Fred Birkett about joining forces with their organization. We are so thankful to Peter Baldwin (2nd grader Raegan Baldwin’s grandfather) for visiting our school and considering us for future programs that connectRead more

Alaka’i Enrollment is Open!

We have opened enrollment for school year 2019-2020! Please spread the word that anyone interested in enrolling can obtain enrollment forms by visiting our website or stopping by the school’s main office. Our enrollment process has changed slightly as we will no longer be using the SchoolMint system, so if you or someone you knowRead more

Upcoming Events

(Please see the school calendar for more information) Thursday, Jan. 31: End of First Semester Friday,Feb. 1: NO SCHOOL Thursday, Feb. 7 at 2:45 p.m.: Ohana Network Meeting Monday, Feb. 11: Reports of Progress sent home Wednesday, Feb. 13: NO SCHOOL (HTSA Institute Day)

We Are Expanding

There are lots of exciting changes underway at Alaka’i O Kaua’i, including expansion into new parts of our campus, adding: a new health room, staff lunch room, learner  work room, and meeting room. We are also in the process of renovating our enormous gym, which will hopefully be ready for use by the end ofRead more

Upcoming Events

(Please see the school calendar for more information) Monday, Jan. 21: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day observed (No School) Wednesday, Jan. 23 at 8:15 a.m.: Coffee & Conversation with Director Fred Birkett Thursday, Jan. 31: End of First Semester Friday,Feb. 1: NO SCHOOL Thursday, Feb. 7 at 2:45 p.m.: Ohana Network Meeting Monday, Feb. 11: ReportsRead more

Preventing and Treating Ukus

Last week, we sent home an informational article: Preventing and Treating Ukus. This article was sent out due to a few incidents we’ve had at school regarding ukus (head lice). We contacted the Department of Education District Office (Kaua’i), and found out that this problem is prevalent in all schools, especially elementary schools, since childrenRead more

Ohana Network has NEW Committee Leaders!

During our last Ohana Network meeting we met in our three committees — Fundraising, Outreach, and School Enrichment. Everyone had the chance to connect, get to know each other, and communicate some of their ideas. We were able to choose leaders for each committee, so that committees can begin meeting independently and go into action.Read more

Seeking Office Helpers

We are looking for several individuals interested in helping in the main office on a weekly basis. Tasks for office volunteers include assisting students, answering phones, cleaning and organizing, and generally supporting our office staff. Right now, we have a small crew of wonderful volunteers which we’d love to expand! Please email Claire at claire.woolger@alakaiokauai.org orRead more

Friends of Alaka’i O Kaua’i Library

A HUGE THANK YOU to our group of parent volunteers helping organize our library! We are very thankful for all your hard work and dedication: Chad Long, Summer Dillberg, Amber Martinez, Taitai Ka’uhini, Leia Makanole, and Bonita Garma. NOTE: We are not accepting more library book donations at this time. Please hold tight if youRead more

Enrollment for School Year 2019-2020

This Friday, January 25th, all of our families will receive Intent to Re-Enroll forms as well as copies of our new school application. Please return these forms to us no later than Monday, February 4th, if you want to secure your child(ren’s) seat(s) for the coming school year.  **All of our current students and their siblingsRead more

Upcoming Events

(Please see the school calendar for more information) Tuesday, Jan. 15: Love and Logic Parenting Workshop, 2:45-4 p.m. Jan. 21: No School – Martin Luther King Day observed Friday, Feb. 1: No School –Professional Learning Day for Facilitators Friday, Feb. 15: No School – HTSA Institute Day

Love & Logic Parenting Workshop

Linda Krystek (former interim school director) will be offering a workshop called, “Parenting with Love and Logic,” Part 1, on Tuesday, Jan. 15, from 2:45-4 p.m. in the Alaka’i Library. Please join us to learn how to show love and empathy while setting limits and holding children accountable with logical consequences. We will be divingRead more

Attendance

We recently sent letters to every family regarding learner attendance. Please do not be alarmed if you received a letter concerning your child’s attendance. The purpose of the attendance letter is to bring awareness to the issue and remind parents/guardians that learners need to be at school every day, on time! Feel free to stopRead more

School Quality Survey

On Friday, the “School Quality Survey” form from the Department of Education was sent home with each child. The purpose of this survey is to provide the State Charter School Commission with one indicator of parent satisfaction with Alaka`i O Kaua’i Charter School. Please do your best to complete and return these surveys with yourRead more

Upcoming Events

(Please see the school calendar for more information) Jan. 7: No School Jan. 8: Classes resume Jan. 10, 2:45 p.m.: Ohana Network Meeting in the Library Jan. 17: Photo Retake Day Jan. 21: No School – Martin Luther King Day Jan. 31: End of First Semester Feb. 11: Reports cards sent home

A Few Reminders

When driving on our school road, PLEASE DRIVE 15 MPH! Although we are aware that everyone wants to make it to school on time, it is very important that we SLOW DOWN. We share our road with the Mount Kahili community as well as the animals, keiki, and staff who live there. It is understood that 15 mph isRead more

Volunteers

We greatly appreciate our volunteers! A HUGE MAHALO to all of you who have been helping our little school thrive. Your presence makes a big impact for our teachers, staff, and keiki! In this new year, we ask that all volunteers submit a volunteer application, along with background check and fingerprinting documentation to Claire or JoannRead more

Ohana Network

We are gearing up for some exciting new projects this new year, and would love your participation! Ohana Network participation forms will be sent home this week. If you are interested in getting involved in creating enrichment programs for our school, helping with fundraising or community outreach, we are forming committees in each area. If you areRead more

Upcoming Events

(Please see the school calendar for more information) Dec. 24-Jan. 8: Winter Break (no school) Jan. 10, 2:45 p.m.: Ohana Network Meeting in the Library Jan. 21: No School – Martin Luther King Day Jan. 31: End of First Semester Feb. 11: Reports cards sent home

Presentation of Learning

Thank you to all of the families who came out to celebrate our first Presentation of Learning on Friday, Dec. 14. Our facilitators and learners were so excited to show off all the hard work that has gone into our school-wide unit of study focused on the garden and sustainability here on Kaua’i. The learningRead more

Love and Logic

Discipline with Love and Logic

At Alaka’i O Kaua’i, our school-wide discipline policy is based on the foundational skills of Love and Logic. Love and Logic is a philosophy founded in 1977 by Jim Fay and Foster W. Cline, M.D. It is the approach of choice among leading educators, parents, and other professionals worldwide, as it is dedicated to makingRead more

Ohana Network Membership

We sent home Ohana Network Membership forms on Friday. If you would like to join our school’s first parent/family organization, please return this form to the front office. Meetings will be held regularly to support efforts in the areas of outreach, fundraising, and creating enrichment programs for our students. Our next meeting will be heldRead more

Alaka’i O Kaua’i Facebook Page

Did you know that Alaka’i O Kaua’i has its own Facebook page? We invite you to “Follow” or “Like” our page to get the latest pictures, videos, and information about what is happening on campus.  This is also a great way for everyone to share news about our wonderful school with their friends and community.

The Giving Tree

The Giving Tree in our front office is to show our appreciation for all the hard work and time our facilitators at Alaka’i O Kaua’i invest with our keiki. In the main office, you will find a Giving Tree with paper ornaments that include teacher’s name and what they may be needing or hoping forRead more

School Photos

Our Photo Retake Day has been rescheduled to Thursday, January 17th. If your child was absent on the previous photo day, or you would like a picture retake, please put this date on your calendar. Order forms will be available at the front desk once we return from Winter Break.

Volunteer Requirements

At Alaka’i O Kaua’i, we love and appreciate all of our volunteers!  If you haven’t already done so, please get a volunteer application and fingerprinting/background check packet if you intend to continue (or begin) volunteering with us in the school. We ask that everyone please complete these packets as soon as possible! We will alsoRead more

Upcoming Events

(Please see the school calendar for more information) Friday, Dec. 14, 12:30-1:40 p.m.: PBL Presentation of Learning (POL) – All Grades Dec. 24-Jan. 8: Winter Break (no school) Jan. 10, 2:45 p.m.: Ohana Network Meeting in the Library Jan. 21: No School – Martin Luther King Day Jan. 31: End of First Semester Feb. 11: Reports cardsRead more

Lights on Rice Parade

Alaka’i O Kaua’i participated in the Lights on Rice Parade on Friday, Dec. 7. We had a great turnout of families and staff draped in lights and wearing holiday apparel, with decorated scooters, strollers, and wagons, and the peace bus made an appearance, too, adorned with lights! It was great to see our school representedRead more

Project Based Learning

School Garden

Our K-7th learners have been hard at work in the school garden this week in preparation for the Presentation of Learning on Dec. 14. Mr. Jon, our wonderful facilities manager, rototilled the soil, added amendments, and created rows so the ground was ready for our learners to plant seeds and plants. In the months toRead more

Library Book Drive

We are actively working to expand our school and classroom libraries. We welcome new or gently used children’s books, ranging in level from kindergarten to middle school, of varying topics and genres. We are especially in need of chapter books. Just drop them in the designated box in the library!

The Giving Tree

The Giving Tree in our front office is to show our appreciation for all the hard work and time our facilitators at Alaka’i O Kaua’i invest with our keiki. In the main office, you will find a Giving Tree with paper ornaments that include teacher’s name and what they may be needing or hoping forRead more

School Photos

School photos went home yesterday with our learners. If you ordered photos and did not receive your child’s packet, please let us know. Our Photo Retake Day has been rescheduled to January 17th (It is no longer on 12/12). If your child was absent on the previous photo day, or you would like a pictureRead more

Writers’ Workshop

Writer’s Workshop is the framework for writing instruction and practice that is used in our Alaka’i O Kaua’i K-7th classrooms. The curriculum that will be utilized is the Units of Study in Opinion, Information, and Narrative Writing, where learners write frequently, for extended periods of time, and on topics of their own choosing. Using aRead more

Volunteer Requirements

At Alaka’i O Kaua’i, we love and appreciate all of our volunteers!  If you haven’t already done so, please get a volunteer application and fingerprinting/background check packet if you intend to continue (or begin) volunteering with us in the school. We ask that everyone please complete these packets as soon as possible! We will alsoRead more

Upcoming Events

(Please see the school calendar for more information) Dec. 4: Coffee and Conversation, 8:15 a.m. in the library Dec. 5:  Alaka’i Ohana Network, 2:45 p.m. in the library Dec. 7: Lights on Rice Parade, 5:30 p.m. at Kukui Grove Friday, Dec. 14, 12:30-1:40 p.m.: PBL Presentation of Learning (POL) – All Grades Dec. 24-Jan. 8: Winter Break (no school) Jan.Read more

Take a Seat at the Buddy Bench

Our learners love hanging out together at our school’s buddy bench. A buddy bench is a simple idea to eliminate loneliness and foster friendship on the playground. Alaka’i O Kaua’i wants to spread the message of inclusion and kindness! Girl Scout Troop 823 helped make this possible, and we thank them for this generous gift!Read more

Walmart Foundation Grant

Alaka’i recently got a shipment of new iPads and Chromebooks for our keiki, thanks to a Walmart Foundation Grant of $32,500. We are so thankful for this generous gift, which has allowed us to purchase some much-needed technology for our school.

Top Ten Benefits of a Flexible Seating Classroom

Walk into any classroom at Alaka’i O Kaua’i, and you notice something is different. You won’t find learners seated in traditional rows of desks during instruction. Flexible seating helps create a more active, engaged, enthusiastic, and relaxed room of students! This article lists the top ten benefits for incorporating flexible seating into our classrooms.