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Blog
24
Nov
Together Tuesdays: Share Your Photos and Stories!
Dear Alaka’i O Kaua’i community,
Once a month, we share a new Together Tuesdays video. Click here to submit your photos or short videos for the next edition! Submissions received by the Friday before each edition are eligible to be included.*
We can’t wait to see your contributions!
If you have any questions, simply reply to
st*****@il**********.org
.
Sincerely,
The iLEAD Team
*If you send us a photo or video, we will consider this approval for use on our school websites and social media accounts. Please do not include images of video conference screens showing learners.
24
Nov
Shop Amazon for FREE Fund-raising for Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi!
Did you know you can help Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi grow and provide additional resources by just doing the things you’re already doing every day?
We call this “passive fundraising.” Through Amazon Smile, you can buy items for the same exact price, and Amazon will send us a portion of their proceeds each time you shop with them. Every little bit counts! Please help us take advantage of the opportunity to earn funds! See below for details and make sure your purchases make a difference! Please help us build a better school for our keiki with the opportunity to earn funds from everyday purchases! We sincerely appreciate everything our Alakaʻi Ohana can do to help!
See below for the simple steps for using Amazon Smile and see how easy it really is!
Amazon Smile
- Shop on smile.amazon.com
- Under the search bar on Amazon Smile’s site, it will say “Supporting.” This is where you’ll choose Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi.
- Start shopping on smile.amazon.com so that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi.
- If you purchase under the regular amazon.com, those purchases will not be donated to the school. It has to be through smile.amazon.com.
24
Nov
Upcoming Events
Click here for the School Calendar
Click here for the Community Calendar
- December 18: Learner-Free Day (Staff Professional Learning)
- December 21-January 1: Winter Break
- January 4: Learner-Free Day (Staff Professional Learning)
19
Nov
Save the Date for #GivingTuesday!
#GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world on December 1, 2020, and every day. This #GivingTuesday, people around the world will be making online, year-end donations to causes and organizations they care about. We ask that you spread the word to your friends and family to think about financially supporting Alaka’i O Kaua’i in that special and simple way on December 1.
If you’d like to contribute now, please click to donate below. Your gift will directly benefit Alaka’i O Kaua’i keiki by providing hands-on curriculum, state-of-the-art technology, field trips, art materials, professional development, and the school’s day-to-day operating expenses that are not funded by the state. Mahalo for your support!
19
Nov
Join Alaka’i O Kaua’i’s Fall Family Fun Challenge!
Dear Alaka’i O Kaua’i families,
We want to invite your kids and, better yet, your whole family to participate in our Fall Family Fun Challenge!
We’re challenging your family to create a fun video (60 seconds or less)! Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Tell us what you love about Alaka’i O Kaua’i — examples might be your favorite subject, facilitator, or project.
- In the spirit of our annual Multicultural Feast, share a tradition or recipe your family enjoys during this season.
- Show us a dance you made up.
- Perform a song you wrote or love.
- Share your art project.
Put your own spin on it! Include the family or make it a solo routine.
Most importantly, have fun!
We can’t wait to see what you create!
With gratitude,
The Alaka’i O Kaua’i Team
We can accept files or links to your public social media posts. If you send us a video, we will consider this approval for use on our school websites and social media accounts. Please do not include images of video conference screens showing learners. For questions — or to email your submission instead of using the form (please include school name) — email
st*****@il**********.org
.
19
Nov
Together Tuesdays: Share Your Photos and Stories!
Dear Alaka’i O Kaua’i community,
Once a month, we share a new Together Tuesdays video. Click here to submit your photos or short videos for the next edition! Submissions received by the Friday before each edition are eligible to be included.*
We can’t wait to see your contributions!
If you have any questions, simply reply to
st*****@il**********.org
.
Sincerely,
The iLEAD Team
*If you send us a photo or video, we will consider this approval for use on our school websites and social media accounts. Please do not include images of video conference screens showing learners.
19
Nov
Shop Amazon for FREE Fund-raising for Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi!
Did you know you can help Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi grow and provide additional resources by just doing the things you’re already doing every day?
We call this “passive fundraising.” Through Amazon Smile, you can buy items for the same exact price, and Amazon will send us a portion of their proceeds each time you shop with them. Every little bit counts! Please help us take advantage of the opportunity to earn funds! See below for details and make sure your purchases make a difference! Please help us build a better school for our keiki with the opportunity to earn funds from everyday purchases! We sincerely appreciate everything our Alakaʻi Ohana can do to help!
See below for the simple steps for using Amazon Smile and see how easy it really is!
Amazon Smile
- Shop on smile.amazon.com
- Under the search bar on Amazon Smile’s site, it will say “Supporting.” This is where you’ll choose Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi.
- Start shopping on smile.amazon.com so that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi.
- If you purchase under the regular amazon.com, those purchases will not be donated to the school. It has to be through smile.amazon.com.
13
Nov
Save the Date for #GivingTuesday!
#GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world on December 1, 2020, and every day. This #GivingTuesday, people around the world will be making online, year-end donations to causes and organizations they care about. We ask that you spread the word to your friends and family to think about financially supporting Alaka’i O Kaua’i in that special and simple way on December 1.
If you’d like to contribute now, please click to donate below. Your gift will directly benefit Alaka’i O Kaua’i keiki by providing hands-on curriculum, state-of-the-art technology, field trips, art materials, professional development, and the school’s day-to-day operating expenses that are not funded by the state. Mahalo for your support!
12
Nov
Upcoming Events
Click here for the School Calendar
Click here for the Community Calendar
November 26-27: Thanksgiving Break – No School
11
Nov
Join Alaka’i O Kaua’i’s Fall Family Fun Challenge!
Dear Alaka’i O Kaua’i families,
We want to invite your kids and, better yet, your whole family to participate in our Fall Family Fun Challenge!
We’re challenging your family to create a fun video (60 seconds or less)! Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Tell us what you love about Alaka’i O Kaua’i — examples might be your favorite subject, facilitator, or project.
- In the spirit of our annual Multicultural Feast, share a tradition or recipe your family enjoys during this season.
- Show us a dance you made up.
- Perform a song you wrote or love.
- Share your art project.
Put your own spin on it! Include the family or make it a solo routine.
Most importantly, have fun!
We can’t wait to see what you create!
With gratitude,
The Alaka’i O Kaua’i Team
We can accept files or links to your public social media posts. If you send us a video, we will consider this approval for use on our school websites and social media accounts. Please do not include images of video conference screens showing learners. For questions — or to email your submission instead of using the form (please include school name) — email
st*****@il**********.org
.
10
Nov
Alaka’i O Kaua’i Kindergarten Presentations of Learning: Making Musical Instruments
Project-based learning is thriving in Miss Casey Zoppa’s kindergarten class. Their driving question was “How can we as sound engineers build instruments?” We asked Ms. Z for some highlights of this exciting project. Read her insights below, and then be sure to check out the video of the kindergarteners making some beautiful noise in their Presentations of Learning (POLs).
What inspired this project?
That’s easy! This year I have a class of sixteen boys and six girls. The only thing that most of them have in common is the fact that they all are very loud and love music. We very quickly decided making noise was one of the things that brought us together.
What was a surprising result of this project?
The surprising result was how much the kids loved learning about the science of noise. They weren’t just interested in making the instruments themselves. They loved learning about sound waves and how our brains receive them and code them into messages that we understand.
Also, it was amazing watching them collect recycled materials and turn them into a variety of beautiful instruments.
What were some of the most interesting observations learners made?
While studying and making instruments, the learners realized that the different ways instruments are made created their different noises. They also realized even though we can re-create the instruments, we couldn’t actually make them yet. They learned that professionals who make instruments take time and slowly work with tools to create the instruments.
Check out this video to see the kindergarteners making music in their Presentation of Learning:
10
Nov
Alaka’i O Kaua’i Culture: Components of Social-Emotional Learning — Gratitude
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
Did you know that consciously practicing gratitude can help improve your physical and psychological health?
Did you know gratitude can enhance empathy, reduce aggression, improve self-esteem, and increase mental health?
Practicing gratitude is another vital component of Alaka’i O Kaua’i Charter School’s approach to social-emotional learning (SEL), which is focused on whole-child development. Gratitude begins with increased awareness of our own experiences, and as we become more mindful we realize we have choices when it comes to our emotions.
And here’s the thing: Gratitude is not just about being thankful; it’s about showing appreciation and returning kindness to others. Another facet of gratitude is the expression of appreciation, when we become active by doing something to show we are thankful. A 2019 study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies found that gratitude is linked to happiness in children by age five. By instilling in learners early on the importance of gratitude, we are empowering them for a much fuller life.
There are four components to gratitude, as identified by UNC Chapel Hill’s Raising Grateful Children Project:
- Noticing: Did someone do something nice for you? Did someone give you something or take you somewhere fun?
- Thinking: What are all the reasons you’re thankful for this? Why do you think someone did something nice for you? Does this mean something to you?
- Feeling: When you think about these special things or people, how do you feel?
- Doing: What can you actively do to express your gratitude for this person, place, or thing?
Gratitude helps support social communication because it helps us understand others’ feelings, practice empathy, and learn the social power of kindness and appreciation. It also supports emotional development. Gratitude helps kids notice what makes them feel good and take time to focus on that.
True gratitude isn’t an action that needs to be taken as much as it’s an attitude to be cultivated so that gratefulness and kindness can become natural responses in our lives. Gratitude doesn’t simply happen; it must be practiced. And when it is, it has the power to change lives. Kids who know how to show appreciation, thankfulness, and kindness are kids who can — and will — change the world.
Watch: On Gratitude
10
Nov
Together Tuesdays: Share Your Photos and Stories!
Dear Alaka’i O Kaua’i community,
Once a month, we share a new Together Tuesdays video. Click here to submit your photos or short videos for the next edition! Submissions received by the Friday before each edition are eligible to be included.*
We can’t wait to see your contributions!
If you have any questions, simply reply to
st*****@il**********.org
.
Sincerely,
The iLEAD Team
*If you send us a photo or video, we will consider this approval for use on our school websites and social media accounts. Please do not include images of video conference screens showing learners.
10
Nov
Shop Amazon for FREE Fund-raising for Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi!
Did you know you can help Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi grow and provide additional resources by just doing the things you’re already doing every day?
We call this “passive fundraising.” Through Amazon Smile, you can buy items for the same exact price, and Amazon will send us a portion of their proceeds each time you shop with them. Every little bit counts! Please help us take advantage of the opportunity to earn funds! See below for details and make sure your purchases make a difference! Please help us build a better school for our keiki with the opportunity to earn funds from everyday purchases! We sincerely appreciate everything our Alakaʻi Ohana can do to help!
See below for the simple steps for using Amazon Smile and see how easy it really is!
Amazon Smile
- Shop on smile.amazon.com
- Under the search bar on Amazon Smile’s site, it will say “Supporting.” This is where you’ll choose Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi.
- Start shopping on smile.amazon.com so that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi.
- If you purchase under the regular amazon.com, those purchases will not be donated to the school. It has to be through smile.amazon.com.
03
Nov
Alaka’i O Kaua’i Culture: Components of Social-Emotional Learning — Growth Mindset
At Alaka’i O Kaua’i Charter School, we believe when kids learn how to face challenges, they grow into leaders. As part of our emphasis on social-emotional learning (SEL), we believe it’s important to develop what we call a growth mindset.
Let’s do a quick test. Do you tend to agree or disagree with the following statements?
- My intelligence is something I can’t change very much.
- I’m a certain kind of person, and there isn’t much I can do to change that.
- I often get frustrated when I get feedback on my performance.
- Trying new things is stressful, and I avoid it.
How we respond to these statements reveals whether we have a fixed mindset or a growth mindset. Many children are raised and exposed to situations that create a fixed mindset, which may seem harmless on the surface, but actually creates long-term challenges for them in school and in life, when they fear failure and tend to avoid challenges.
Conversely, children who have a growth mindset are more likely to learn from their mistakes, tackle challenges head-on, and be motivated to succeed.
Some contrasting statements may be helpful for bringing this into focus:
- A fixed mindset says: “Failure is the limit of my abilities.”
- A growth mindset says: “Failure is an opportunity to grow.”
- A fixed mindset says: “I’m either good at it or I’m not.”
- A growth mindset says: “I can learn to do anything I want.”
- A fixed mindset says: “My abilities are unchanging.”
- A growth mindset says: “Challenges help me grow.”
- A fixed mindset says: “My potential is predetermined.”
- A growth mindset says: “My effort and attitude determine my abilities.”
- A fixed mindset says: “Feedback and criticism are personal.”
- A growth mindset says: “Feedback is constructive.”
- A fixed mindset: “I stick to what I know.”
- A growth mindset says: “I like to try new things.”
The development of a healthy growth mindset is all about helping kids realize and embrace their potential and equipping them to be empowered and fueled by challenges, rather than hindered by them.
A growth mindset will intrinsically motivate children to improve, learn, and grow in school and all other areas of their lives.
Writing in Scientific American, psychologist Carol S. Dweck unpacked “The Secret to Raising Smart Kids” and the importance of fostering a growth mindset, stressing the importance of seeing success as the result of hard work instead of simply inborn talent.
“When we gave everyone hard problems anyway, those praised for being smart became discouraged, doubting their ability,” she wrote. “In contrast, students praised for their hard work did not lose confidence when faced with the harder questions, and their performance improved markedly on the easier problems that followed” (emphasis ours).
Make no mistake, it is good to praise our children for their strengths and talents, but it is crucial to encourage them to see challenges as opportunities and to value their efforts. If they can learn and embrace this at school age, there’s no telling what they may achieve.
Watch: On Growth Mindset
03
Nov
Join Us as We Spread Kindness!
Kindness Rocks!
World Kindness Day is this Friday, November 13.
Join the Alaka’i O Kaua’i community as we spread a bit of kindness through Kindness Rocks! Collect some rocks, decorate them with a kind word and inspiring art, and spread them around your community.
Please send in a picture of your rock art:
03
Nov
Upcoming Events
Click here for the School Calendar
Click here for the Community Calendar
November 11: Veterans Day – No School
November 26-27: Thanksgiving Break – No School
03
Nov
Together Tuesdays: Share Your Photos and Stories!
Dear Alaka’i O Kaua’i community,
Once a month, we share a new Together Tuesdays video. Click here to submit your photos or short videos for the next edition! Submissions received by the Friday before each edition are eligible to be included.*
We can’t wait to see your contributions!
If you have any questions, simply reply to
st*****@il**********.org
.
Sincerely,
The iLEAD Team
*If you send us a photo or video, we will consider this approval for use on our school websites and social media accounts. Please do not include images of video conference screens showing learners.
03
Nov
Shop Amazon for FREE Fund-raising for Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi!
Did you know you can help Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi grow and provide additional resources by just doing the things you’re already doing every day?
We call this “passive fundraising.” Through Amazon Smile, you can buy items for the same exact price, and Amazon will send us a portion of their proceeds each time you shop with them. Every little bit counts! Please help us take advantage of the opportunity to earn funds! See below for details and make sure your purchases make a difference! Please help us build a better school for our keiki with the opportunity to earn funds from everyday purchases! We sincerely appreciate everything our Alakaʻi Ohana can do to help!
See below for the simple steps for using Amazon Smile and see how easy it really is!
Amazon Smile
- Shop on smile.amazon.com
- Under the search bar on Amazon Smile’s site, it will say “Supporting.” This is where you’ll choose Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi.
- Start shopping on smile.amazon.com so that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi.
- If you purchase under the regular amazon.com, those purchases will not be donated to the school. It has to be through smile.amazon.com.
27
Oct
Alaka’i O Kaua’i Culture: Components of Social-Emotional Learning — Purpose
“The greatest thing in this world is not so much where we stand as in what direction we are moving.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
“Living with purpose.” The phrase evokes a range of thoughts and emotions, doesn’t it? When we choose to live with purpose, we choose to live proactively and decisively, rather than reactively.
As part of the Alaka’i O Kaua’i approach to project-based learning with a social-emotional focus, one vital component is purpose. Within the social-emotional learning (SEL) framework, we recognize purpose as follows: You are oriented toward a future goal, and you can explain the reason for your goal.
To understand the importance of purpose, it’s helpful to examine another key element of Alaka’i O Kaua’i’s approach to education: the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Successfully living with purpose encapsulates several of the 7 Habits: Being Proactive, Beginning With the End in Mind, and Putting First Things First. Understanding and incorporating those steps into your life connects directly to having a clear sense of purpose.
Let’s dive a little deeper into those Habits.
- Habit 1: Be Proactive — With this habit, a learner can say, “I am a responsible person. I take initiative, and I choose my actions and attitudes.” Through developing this habit, kids are able to learn responsibility, initiative, self-control and self-management.
- Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind — With this, a learner can say, “I plan ahead and set goals. I do things that have meaning and make a difference. I look for ways to be a good citizen.” In turn, they are learning to have purpose and vision, and developing skills of planning, self-management and reflection.
- Habit 3: Put First Things First — By practicing this habit, a learner is saying, “I spend my time on things that are most important. I set priorities, make a schedule, and follow a plan.” This habit develops skills of prioritization, planning and time management, and follow-through.
These habits influence a child’s sense of purpose and attitude. When learners embrace the value of thinking and doing with purpose, they can develop stronger self-esteem, improve social skills and empathy, and are empowered to enrich the world around them.
When learners understand the importance of approaching things — from school projects to life goals — with proactivity and the end in mind, they begin to grasp the value of living with purpose.
Watch: On Purpose
27
Oct
Upcoming Events
Click here for the School Calendar
Click here for the Community Calendar
Tuesday, November 3: Election Day – No School
Wednesday, November 11: Veterans Day – No School
27
Oct
Together Tuesdays: Share Your Photos and Stories!
Dear Alaka’i O Kaua’i community,
Once a month, we share a new Together Tuesdays video. Click here to submit your photos or short videos for the next edition! Submissions received by the Friday before each edition are eligible to be included.*
We can’t wait to see your contributions!
If you have any questions, simply reply to
st*****@il**********.org
.
Sincerely,
The iLEAD Team
*If you send us a photo or video, we will consider this approval for use on our school websites and social media accounts. Please do not include images of video conference screens showing learners.
27
Oct
Shop Amazon for FREE Fund-raising for Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi!
Did you know you can help Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi grow and provide additional resources by just doing the things you’re already doing every day?
We call this “passive fundraising.” Through Amazon Smile, you can buy items for the same exact price, and Amazon will send us a portion of their proceeds each time you shop with them. Every little bit counts! Please help us take advantage of the opportunity to earn funds! See below for details and make sure your purchases make a difference! Please help us build a better school for our keiki with the opportunity to earn funds from everyday purchases! We sincerely appreciate everything our Alakaʻi Ohana can do to help!
See below for the simple steps for using Amazon Smile and see how easy it really is!
Amazon Smile
- Shop on smile.amazon.com
- Under the search bar on Amazon Smile’s site, it will say “Supporting.” This is where you’ll choose Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi.
- Start shopping on smile.amazon.com so that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi.
- If you purchase under the regular amazon.com, those purchases will not be donated to the school. It has to be through smile.amazon.com.
21
Oct
Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi Charter School Celebrates Growth and Potential
By Michael Niehoff
Education Content Coordinator at iLEAD Schools
Now in its third year, Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi Charter School — which translates to iLEAD Kauai — is still experiencing lots of new. The school, located at the beautiful Kahili Mountain Park and serving kindergarten through 6th grade, has a new director, new learners, new projects and renewed enthusiasm.
New Director
About his role at Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi Charter School, Director DJ Adams said, “It is refreshing to join a team of people with a shared vision of a high-quality, free public education infused with project-based learning. Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi Charter School has tremendous potential for continued positive growth, so it is exciting to be part of our journey ahead.”
Adams is impressed with so many things about Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi, whose staff have worked hard to safely accommodate face-to-face learning during the pandemic this school year. He said that Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi team members and families are grateful to live and work on a beautiful island that is almost COVID-free. But above all, Adams is inspired by the enthusiasm, engagement and attitudes of the learners.
“Our learners have been fantastic,” Adams said. “They have embraced the challenges and uniqueness to be on campus, and we are extremely proud of their efforts to keep everyone safe here at school and on our island.”
Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi kindergarten facilitator Casey Zoppa said that, within a few weeks of Adams’ arrival as director, he’d learned the names of all the facilitators and learners and made his positive presence known.
“Talk about dedication to that job,” Zoppa said. “The man is always in sneakers because he is always on the run! And I love it!”
Outdoor Classrooms
Also new to Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi are outdoor classrooms, which have added to the instructional environment and culture of the school.
Adams said that the outdoor classrooms create great opportunities, including safe social distancing, physical education and lots of play-based learning.
“The outdoor classrooms here in beautiful Kahili Valley are somewhat surreal, as the learners are surrounded by green, lush plants framed by the mountains,” Adams said.
The outdoor classrooms have also enhanced the school’s creative projects and learner inquiry. For example, Zoppa and the kindergarten learners are currently focusing on sound design and the driving question “How do we make sound?”
“We’ll be making instruments, learning about Hawaiian culture and seeing how native Hawaiians made instruments,” Zoppa said. “Music connects us around the globe, and this is a perfect time for connecting.”
Play-Based Learning
In addition to project-based learning, the idea of intentional and learner-led play has become a foundational instructional element of Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi.
Zoppa said that his kindergartners are learning school is not about sitting at desks but rather about being active and engaged in their environment.
“We have tremendous freedom here as facilitators, and we try to model that freedom for our learners,” Zoppa said. “We allow them to take chances, make mistakes and ultimately get messy. Authentic and deeper learning are messy.”
Adams said, “It’s so exciting to be part of new opportunities for our learners as they continue to be challenged in new ways by their amazing facilitators.”
Looking Ahead
Having achieved so much in only three years, Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi is just getting started. The team and families are making plans to continue to engage the learners and the entire community.
According to Zoppa, Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi is a special place with a strong foundation and exciting potential.
“We have come so far in just three years. I can’t imagine all the amazing things ahead for our learners, facilitators and community.”
20
Oct
Alaka’i O Kaua’i Charter School Culture: Components of Social-Emotional Learning — Optimism
Social-emotional learning (SEL) is one of the core elements of the Alaka’i O Kaua’i Charter School approach to education. Through social-emotional learning, learners understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
Academic achievement is only one aspect of a learner’s education at Alaka’i O Kaua’i Charter School. We also deeply value learners’ development of emotional intelligence, life skills, and community engagement, and we support these through the development of character strengths, as defined by Character Lab. Social-emotional learning develops strengths of heart, mind, and will.
Today, we want to discuss a character strength of will: optimism. Optimism is being hopeful about future outcomes combined with the agency to shape that future.
When we embody the character strength of optimism, the following things are true about us:
- We attribute problems to temporary, changeable causes rather than explaining them in terms that author Martin Seligman calls “the three Ps” – permanent, personal, and pervasive.
- We expect good things from others, the world, and the future.
- We can overcome obstacles to reach goals.
We can help learners build healthy optimism in the following ways:
- Create a positive, stable, caring environment. We can create positive, stable environments where kids feel known and cared for.
- Help learners develop more positive thinking patterns. For example, if a learner gets stuck and says, “I’m not good at this,” we encourage them to reposition the statement like this: “I need more practice or a new perspective to master this concept.” This takes consistent practice.
- Give learners opportunities to learn from their mistakes. If learners experience failure and learn from that failure, they will develop resiliency when obstacles occur.
Character Lab CEO Angela Duckworth has said, “It stands to reason that even in our darkest moments, there will always be hope for humankind.”
That thought likely rings true for many of us as we survey a world gripped by multiple ongoing crises. We all need optimism, and we have a responsibility to help kids develop a healthy strength of optimism that will help them face the world.
15
Oct
Together Tuesdays: Share Your Photos and Stories!
Dear Alaka’i O Kaua’i community,
Once a month, we share a new Together Tuesdays video. Click here to submit your photos or short videos for the next edition! Submissions received by the Friday before each edition are eligible to be included.*
We can’t wait to see your contributions!
If you have any questions, simply reply to
st*****@il**********.org
.
Sincerely,
The iLEAD Team
*If you send us a photo or video, we will consider this approval for use on our school websites and social media accounts. Please do not include images of video conference screens showing learners.
15
Oct
Shop Amazon for FREE Fund-raising for Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi!
Did you know you can help Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi grow and provide additional resources by just doing the things you’re already doing every day?
We call this “passive fundraising.” Through Amazon Smile, you can buy items for the same exact price, and Amazon will send us a portion of their proceeds each time you shop with them. Every little bit counts! Please help us take advantage of the opportunity to earn funds! See below for details and make sure your purchases make a difference! Please help us build a better school for our keiki with the opportunity to earn funds from everyday purchases! We sincerely appreciate everything our Alakaʻi Ohana can do to help!
See below for the simple steps for using Amazon Smile and see how easy it really is!
Amazon Smile
- Shop on smile.amazon.com
- Under the search bar on Amazon Smile’s site, it will say “Supporting.” This is where you’ll choose Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi.
- Start shopping on smile.amazon.com so that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi.
- If you purchase under the regular amazon.com, those purchases will not be donated to the school. It has to be through smile.amazon.com.
09
Oct
Upcoming Events
Click here for the School Calendar
Click here for the Community Calendar
Wednesday, November 11: Veterans Day – No School
07
Oct
Alaka’i O Kaua’i Charter School Culture: Social Intelligence
In the Alaka’i O Kaua’i approach to project-based learning, which produces well-rounded kids, social intelligence is a key component of whole-child development.
What do we mean by social intelligence? It’s a person’s ability to interact well with others. It’s often simply called people skills, or tact. It isn’t necessarily a natural-born characteristic, but it can be learned. It involves situational awareness, understanding of social dynamics, and self-awareness.
In a nutshell, it’s the ability to recognize our emotions, exert control over them, show empathy for others, handle conflict well, and make good choices. By helping kids develop social intelligence, we empower them to build stronger relationships and lay the groundwork for bright futures.
Social intelligence isn’t static; it continually develops throughout one’s life. It’s never too late to sharpen it, and children are especially ready to learn. Educating children on healthy communication helps them to be a friend who is empathetic, generous, kind, and a good listener. There are four main characteristics of social intelligence:
Empathy: Empathy determines how well one relates to other people’s thoughts and emotions. Empathetic people consider and understand diverse perspectives, even if they don’t share the same ideas. They can pick up on a person’s mood and adjust their reactions accordingly.
Respect: Mutual understanding calls for a degree of respect. Respecting others can mean adapting communication styles to fit their needs, or finding a healthy compromise.
Behavior: This component concerns how people carry themselves in social situations. Are their actions appropriate for the setting? Do they make others feel relaxed or uncomfortable? A person must be able to adapt when necessary while maintaining their core values.
Self-efficacy: This characteristic refers to how a person judges themselves on their capacity to perform particular tasks. If someone has a stable sense of self-efficacy concerning social intelligence, they’re confident in their social abilities.
These skills are reinforced in school, but the foundations are set at home, which is one reason why Alaka’i O Kaua’i believes in strong parent/guardian involvement in the educational process.
We can do the following to develop our social intelligence:
- Pay close attention to what and who are around us
- Work on increasing our emotional intelligence
- Respect cultural differences
- Practice active listening
- Appreciate the important people in our lives
Much like the other components of the Alaka’i O Kaua’i approach to education, the development of social intelligence builds strengths in kids, as well as sharpening all the other pillars of social-emotional and project-based learning — resulting in well-rounded kids who are ready for whatever challenges life may bring.
07
Oct
Together Tuesdays: Share Your Photos and Stories!
Dear Alaka’i O Kaua’i community,
Once a month, we share a new Together Tuesdays video. Click here to submit your photos or short videos for the next edition! Submissions received by the Friday before each edition are eligible to be included.*
We can’t wait to see your contributions!
If you have any questions, simply reply to
st*****@il**********.org
.
Sincerely,
The iLEAD Team
*If you send us a photo or video, we will consider this approval for use on our school websites and social media accounts. Please do not include images of video conference screens showing learners.
07
Oct
Shop Amazon for FREE Fund-raising for Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi!
Did you know you can help Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi grow and provide additional resources by just doing the things you’re already doing every day?
We call this “passive fundraising.” Through Amazon Smile, you can buy items for the same exact price, and Amazon will send us a portion of their proceeds each time you shop with them. Every little bit counts! Please help us take advantage of the opportunity to earn funds! See below for details and make sure your purchases make a difference! Please help us build a better school for our keiki with the opportunity to earn funds from everyday purchases! We sincerely appreciate everything our Alakaʻi Ohana can do to help!
See below for the simple steps for using Amazon Smile and see how easy it really is!
Amazon Smile
- Shop on smile.amazon.com
- Under the search bar on Amazon Smile’s site, it will say “Supporting.” This is where you’ll choose Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi.
- Start shopping on smile.amazon.com so that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi.
- If you purchase under the regular amazon.com, those purchases will not be donated to the school. It has to be through smile.amazon.com.
01
Oct
Remembering with Tutu B: How Alaka`i O Kaua`i Became a School
Aloha, Alaka`i O Kaua`i `Ohana,
Time for a little mathematics! How long ago was the year 2013? How old were you? Do you remember where you were or what you were doing? Let’s find out why the year 2013 is important to the `Ohana of Alaka`i O Kaua`i Charter School!
In the year 2013, plans for iLEAD Kauai first began and our first application was submitted to the charter commission. Deena Fontana Moraes wrote the first series of applications with iLEAD cofounders, Amber Raskin and Dawn Evenson. Ms. Moraes now works as an administrator in the DOE as an educational consultant.
For the 2014-2015 application, Dr. B Blackwell (Tutu B — that’s me!) was added. A lot of volunteers supported this application and went out into the community to gather over 800 signatures in support of the school.
Three people who worked hard to gather signatures were Nicola Sherrill, Tutu B, and Minna Freeman Prichard, who also served as board members. Nicola had been part of the school effort since 2013 and still serves today as vice chairperson of the Alaka`i O Kaua`i Governing Board.
We held many community meetings, the first in May of 2014. The largest meeting was held January 8, 2015, at the All Saints’ gym in Kapa`a. Over 100 people attended, including the Mayor of Kauai, Bernard Carvalho Jr. and Superintendent of Kauai Schools Bill Arakaki!
cofounders of iLEAD Schools Development (now Maker Learning Network), our service provider.
In spite of the overwhelming community support, the charter commission denied iLEAD Kauai’s applications for both 2013-2014 and 2014-2015.
So how did the community triumph with their third and final effort, when we submitted the application (now as Alaka`i O Kaua`i Charter School) for the 2015-2016 year?
New rules stated that no director or group of people could submit an application. Only a governing board with officers could submit an application and a director had to be selected through an advertised and vetting process. Many times there were challenges that I thought we couldn’t overcome.
I spent many hours looking at my computer screen, answering the Charter Commission’s questions.
What got me through the process?
On my computer screen were the photos of the governing board members’ children, our school’s keiki (see our featured photo above). I wanted them to benefit from the alternative educational program offered by iLEAD Schools Development (now Maker Learning Network).
On August 11, 2016, Alaka`i O Kaua`i Charter School was finally approved!
And did you know that the Hawaiian translation for Alaka`i O Kaua`i means iLEAD Kauai?
Soon after we received the approval, we shared the news with Kauai through the Kauai County Fair. Our booth was designed by Indulekha Reeves, who was vice chairperson of our board at the time and is now the chairperson.
But wait! If our school was planned to be in Kapaa, then how did Alaka`i O Kaua`i Charter School end up in our beautiful Mount Kahili home? That story will be told in the next chapter of Remembering with Tutu B!
30
Sep
Together Tuesdays: Share Your Photos and Stories!
Dear Alaka’i O Kaua’i community,
Once a month, we share a new Together Tuesdays video. Click here to submit your photos or short videos for the next edition! Submissions received by the Friday before each edition are eligible to be included.*
We can’t wait to see your contributions!
If you have any questions, simply reply to
st*****@il**********.org
.
Sincerely,
The iLEAD Team
*If you send us a photo or video, we will consider this approval for use on our school websites and social media accounts. Please do not include images of video conference screens showing learners.
29
Sep
Alaka’i O Kaua’i Charter School Culture: Whole-Child Development
Last week we introduced the importance of social-emotional learning at Alaka’i O Kaua’i Charter School. Social-emotional learning is integral to our whole-child educational approach.
A whole-child mind-set means that we are focused on far more than teaching to tests or holding up state standards as the be-all, end-all of education. We believe in focusing on the whole child and promoting social-emotional learning, because education is about more than test scores.
Whole-child development empowers kids to be creative, engaged citizens. With that in mind, we believe it’s our responsibility to nurture learners’ creative abilities to express themselves, understand others, and navigate complex information so they can confidently solve the problems of an ever-changing world.
So when we say we focus on “whole child” development, what do we mean? We’re talking about an approach to project-based learning that emphasizes the following deeper-learning approaches:
Mastery of Core Academic Content: Learners lay their academic foundation in subjects such as reading, writing, arts, math, and science, understanding essential principles and procedures, recalling facts, and drawing on their knowledge to complete tasks.
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Our learners understand how to construct effective arguments using their critical, analytical, and creative skills. They develop the know-how to come up with solutions to complex problems.
Collaboration: Learners embrace teamwork and consider multiple viewpoints to cooperate and achieve shared goals.
Effective Communication: Learners communicate effectively in writing and oral presentations. They structure information in meaningful ways, listen to and give feedback, and construct messages for particular audiences.
Self-Directed Learning: Learners develop the ability to set goals, monitor their own progress, and reflect on their strengths and areas for improvement. They learn to see setbacks as opportunities to grow and be more adaptive.
Growth Mind-set: Learners with a growth mind-set believe in themselves. They trust their abilities and believe their hard work will pay off; they persist to overcome obstacles. In the process, they also learn from and support each other and see the relevance of their schoolwork to the real world and their own future success.
Coupled with vibrant project-based education and social-emotional learning, all these elements work together to empower kids to overcome any challenge that comes their way academically; but more than that, they build the character to succeed in the 21st century.
29
Sep
Shop Amazon for FREE Fund-raising for Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi!
Did you know you can help Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi grow and provide additional resources by just doing the things you’re already doing every day?
We call this “passive fundraising.” Through Amazon Smile, you can buy items for the same exact price, and Amazon will send us a portion of their proceeds each time you shop with them. Every little bit counts! Please help us take advantage of the opportunity to earn funds! See below for details and make sure your purchases make a difference! Please help us build a better school for our keiki with the opportunity to earn funds from everyday purchases! We sincerely appreciate everything our Alakaʻi Ohana can do to help!
See below for the simple steps for using Amazon Smile and see how easy it really is!
Amazon Smile
- Shop on smile.amazon.com
- Under the search bar on Amazon Smile’s site, it will say “Supporting.” This is where you’ll choose Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi.
- Start shopping on smile.amazon.com so that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi.
- If you purchase under the regular amazon.com, those purchases will not be donated to the school. It has to be through smile.amazon.com.
22
Sep
Alaka’i O Kaua’i Charter School Culture: Social-Emotional Learning
In our approach to education at Alaka’i O Kaua’i Charter School, we emphasize methods that foster learners’ social-emotional learning. Social-emotional learning is the process through which learners understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, and establish and maintain positive relationships to make responsible decisions.
We believe it’s vital to help learners develop skills such as social awareness, self-management, regulation of emotions, and self-awareness so they can weave these abilities through every facet of their lives. When emotional intelligence is nurtured and developed, it can inspire creativity and increased engagement.
Over the coming weeks, we will explore nine pillars of social-emotional learning (SEL) at Alaka’i O Kaua’i:
- Social intelligence
- Optimism
- Gratitude
- Purpose
- Growth mind-set
- Self-control
- Curiosity
- Zest
- Grit
But why is SEL so important?
To adapt to an increasingly globalized economy, education must emphasize more than rote knowledge. We believe learners should be empathetic, critical thinkers who thoughtfully engage with the world around them. Modern employers prize these skills in the workplace, and research suggests employees with more highly developed social-emotional strengths earn more and are more productive.
Additionally, focusing on non-cognitive skills may further improve reading, writing, and mathematics performance in kids, according to the nonpartisan think tank Economic Policy Institute.
We measure and report SEL progress as part of every project, individualized learning plan goal, and Report of Progress. We have also developed SEL and academic rigor rubrics that add a well-balanced approach to academics and reflective practice for facilitators, learners, families, and administrators. Other elements of our SEL implementation, practice, and assessment include our Learner-Led Conferences (LLCs), Presentations of Learning (POLs), Passion Projects, Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs), Advisory Program, Morning Meetings, learner-led ambassador groups, and restorative approaches to discipline.
PBL expert and iLEAD partner Thom Markham summed up why social-emotional learning is so vital. “Navigating a changing world demands a communicative, creative, and collaborative person with a flexible, empathetic, resilient, and persistent temperament,” he said. “It’s time to make a change to our mind-set and be far more intentional about teaching the dispositions and personality attributes that lead to better work ethic, more engagement, improved relationships, a greater sense of well-being — and better projects.”
At Alaka’i O Kaua’i, our goal is nothing less.
Pictured: Alaka’i O Kaua’i, 2019-20 school year.
22
Sep
Shop Amazon for FREE Fund-raising for Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi!
Did you know you can help Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi grow and provide additional resources by just doing the things you’re already doing every day?
We call this “passive fundraising.” Through Amazon Smile, you can buy items for the same exact price, and Amazon will send us a portion of their proceeds each time you shop with them. Every little bit counts! Please help us take advantage of the opportunity to earn funds! See below for details and make sure your purchases make a difference! Please help us build a better school for our keiki with the opportunity to earn funds from everyday purchases! We sincerely appreciate everything our Alakaʻi Ohana can do to help!
See below for the simple steps for using Amazon Smile and see how easy it really is!
Amazon Smile
- Shop on smile.amazon.com
- Under the search bar on Amazon Smile’s site, it will say “Supporting.” This is where you’ll choose Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi.
- Start shopping on smile.amazon.com so that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi.
- If you purchase under the regular amazon.com, those purchases will not be donated to the school. It has to be through smile.amazon.com.
20
Sep
COVID-19 Updates
We will update this page as new information becomes available.
Our school is fortunate to have a remote location with expansive outdoor areas plus large classrooms to allow for proper physical distancing. Please email
in**@al**********.org
or call 808.635.5110 with any questions.
Drop-Off Procedure
Health Check Procedure
Updates
- 8/11/20: Update from Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi Director DJ Adams
- 8/11/20: Neighbor Island schools announce distance learning models to start 2020-21 school year
- 7/31/20: Message from the School Director: Updated Fall 2020 Reopening Plans
- 7/20/20: Message from the School Director: Fall 2020 Reopening Plans
- 4/17/20: HIDOE enrichment and distance learning to continue for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year
- 4/2/20: HIDOE: News Release: Board approves request to modify graduation and standardized testing requirements
- 3/30/20: HIDOE: Flyer: Child Internet Safety Resources
- 3/24/20: HIDOE extends school facility closure through April 30, plans online resources and instructional packets
- 3/19/20: Update from Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi
- 3/19/20: HIDOE extends school closures, implements remote work to maintain essential functions
- 3/15/20: Hawaiʻi Department of Education extends spring break through March 27 for all public schools
- 3/15/20: Hawai‘i Department of Health: Additional test results received from private laboratories
- 3/13/20: Hawai‘i Department of Health Issues Spring Break Guidelines for Families to Take Action Against COVID-19
Online Enrichment Tools
- Alaka’i O Kaua’i Online Enrichment Blog
- Alaka’i O Kaua’i Learner Technology Support
- Alaka’i O Kaua’i PowerSchool
- iLEAD Remote Learning Parent Webinar
- iLEAD PowerSchool Parent Training
- iLEAD Distance Learning Webinars
COVID Resources
- Hawaiʻi State Department of Health
- Explaining Coronavirus and Prevention to Kids
- Resources for Families During the Coronavirus Pandemic
- #COVIBOOK Supporting and reassuring children around the world
- Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease: Messages for parents, school staff, and others working with children
- What you should know about the coronavirus
- What to do if you are sick with the coronavirus
- Stop the spread of germs
18
Sep
Remembering with Tutu B: Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi’s Beginnings
Aloha, Alaka`i O Kaua`i `Ohana,
The pandemic has given us lots of time to clean our rooms (as you might have been told by your families). I was given some more time when, after 17 years as a professor at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UHM), I retired on July 7, 2020. When I had a chance to clean out my office, I discovered many pictures and documents that had gotten buried under lots of other papers!
The photos reminded me to share the story of Alaka`i O Kaua`i with you.
Above is a picture of me during the very first day of school, August 29, 2018. I was outside the office to greet each and every learner (with their parents) to our new school. What an exciting day that was! Well, we were supposed to open on August 28, but Hurricane Lane made a river across the road to our school and we had to cancel the first day of school. Thankfully, we postponed our opening only by one day.
Before that day, many more people worked very hard to help bring you your school.
A few people, working in what was called the Advisory Group, helped our Alaka`i O Kaua`i Charter School Governing Board in several ways but especially with writing the application for charter school approval.
Paul Zina, who was principal of Ele`ele School and is now Kaua’i Complex Area Superintendent, served as the educational liaison. He showed great support for our school to the Charter Commission and gave valuable input for writing the application.
Felicia Cowden, who had operated her own homeschool and written a book about homeschooling, served as community liaison for the Governing Board and actively served on the Advisory Board. Felicia is now a Kauai County Council Member.
Steve Martin-Oldfield, owner of Kauai Pacific Real Estate, served as our business liaison. He helped look for locations for the school and met with all prospective candidates to share about the housing opportunities on Kauai.
Minna Freeman Prichard was previously a teacher at Koloa School but had taken some time off to have a baby. Minna opened a homeschool not only for her own children but for other children to join as well. She had a lot of experience with environmental education and envisioned what Alaka`i would be. After she had her baby, Minna joined the Advisory Board to continue helping when she could.
As chairperson of Alaka`i O Kaua`i Charter School Governing Board, I made certificates of appreciation for each of the people named here, but I found the certificates only while going through my office files! “Better late than never” is a good motto. So this past Wednesday, September 16, 2020, three out of the four Advisory Group members finally received their certificates of appreciation. Steve could not be seen, for he is dutifully serving quarantine time after visiting the mainland and will be given his certificate later.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this edition of Remembering with Tutu B. I look forward to sharing more of the story of your school, Alaka`i O Kaua`i Charter School, very soon!
15
Sep
Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi Charter School Culture: Real-World Experiences
Alaka’i O Kaua’i Charter School emphasizes 21st-century skills and preparing learners for the work world, and tangible experiences help elevate the learning process.
Examples include our third graders’ podcast; our DreamUp to Space challenges, where teams of learners come up with scientific research projects that launch to the International Space Station for testing; or our living history programs, where learners re-create scenes from history.
Real-world experience is at the heart of what can make project-based learning (PBL) truly exciting, challenging, and rewarding for learners. When PBL is infused with real-world experiences, learners develop crucial skills while they’re still in school. Additionally, these experiences can provide learners with deeper insights into career areas they may want to pursue. Furthermore, kids find that their success isn’t defined merely by a grade but by the experience they gain through the process.
Finally, learning that incorporates real-world experience helps learners become familiar with professional environments. Besides learning the subject content, learners develop skills crucial in the work world, including clear and timely communication, thinking critically, problem-solving, and time management.
As part of a well-rounded PBL curriculum, real-world experiences are essential to Alaka’i O Kaua’i Charter School’s mission.
15
Sep
Apply to Join a DreamUp to Space Launch Team!
Alaka’i O Kaua’i learners in grades 5 and up are invited to apply to join one of two DreamUp to Space Launch Teams, featuring experiments designed by learners in our network! Deadline to apply: September 25, 2020.
Selected team members will run experiments in preparation for the actual experiments that will launch to space to be run by astronauts on the International Space Station with a target date of March 2021.
Team members will collaborate with facilitators and mentors at each stage. They’ll also be involved in promoting their mission, including creating videos and writing blogs. They’ll fund-raise for experiment-related expenses as well as the chance to travel with their families to Kennedy Space Center, where they could present their experiment and watch it blast to space!
Watch our DreamUp to Space Launch Teams’ videos to understand more about the experiments:
- What is the Effect of Microgravity on Vigna angularis (Adzuki Beans)?
- What is the Effect of Microgravity on Daucus carota (Carrot Seeds)?
If you would like to apply to join a DreamUp to Space Launch Team, please click below:
Or feel free to apply for both!
For more information, please contact the Director of STEAM Initiatives Kathleen Fredette at
ka***************@il**********.org
.
To learn more about iLEAD Student Aerospace Projects, please visit ileadaerospace.org.
15
Sep
Upcoming Events
Click here for the School Calendar
Click here for the Community Calendar
October 5-9: Fall Break – No School
15
Sep
Shop Amazon for FREE Fund-raising for Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi!
Did you know you can help Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi grow and provide additional resources by just doing the things you’re already doing every day?
We call this “passive fundraising.” Through Amazon Smile, you can buy items for the same exact price, and Amazon will send us a portion of their proceeds each time you shop with them. Every little bit counts! Please help us take advantage of the opportunity to earn funds! See below for details and make sure your purchases make a difference! Please help us build a better school for our keiki with the opportunity to earn funds from everyday purchases! We sincerely appreciate everything our Alakaʻi Ohana can do to help!
See below for the simple steps for using Amazon Smile and see how easy it really is!
Amazon Smile
- Shop on smile.amazon.com
- Under the search bar on Amazon Smile’s site, it will say “Supporting.” This is where you’ll choose Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi.
- Start shopping on smile.amazon.com so that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi.
- If you purchase under the regular amazon.com, those purchases will not be donated to the school. It has to be through smile.amazon.com.
15
Sep
Together Tuesdays: Share Your Photos and Stories!
Greetings, Alaka’i O Kaua’i community,
Last spring, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced our learning communities to physically distance, we launched a weekly campaign with the goal to reunite our facilitators and families and lift their spirits. Every week, a new Together Tuesday video featured photos of families, learners, and staff throughout the iLEAD nation — a reminder that we’re all in this together.
This year, Together Tuesdays will be making a comeback, now as a monthly feature. Whether your kids are learning on campus, from home, or a combination of the two, we’d love to see your contributions.
The first video of the 2020-21 school year will go live on September 29. To ensure your submissions are included, please click here to submit. Photos received by the Friday before each Together Tuesday are eligible to be included.*
We’re all in this together, and we can’t wait to see your photos!
If you have any questions, simply reply to
st*****@il**********.org
.
Sincerely,
The iLEAD Team
*If you send us a photo or video, we will consider this approval for use on our school websites and social media accounts. Please do not include images of video conference screens showing learners.
09
Sep
Apply to Join a DreamUp to Space Launch Team!
Alaka’i O Kaua’i learners in grades 5 and up are invited to apply to join one of two DreamUp to Space Launch Teams, featuring experiments designed by learners in our network!
Selected team members will run experiments in preparation for the actual experiments that will launch to space to be run by astronauts on the International Space Station with a target date of March 2021.
Team members will collaborate with facilitators and mentors at each stage. They’ll also be involved in promoting their mission, including creating videos and writing blogs. They’ll fund-raise for experiment-related expenses as well as the chance to travel with their families to Kennedy Space Center, where they could present their experiment and watch it blast to space!
Watch our DreamUp to Space Launch Teams’ videos to understand more about the experiments:
- What is the Effect of Microgravity on Vigna angularis (Adzuki Beans)?
- What is the Effect of Microgravity on Daucus carota (Carrot Seeds)?
If you would like to apply to join a DreamUp to Space Launch Team, please click below:
Or feel free to apply for both!
Deadline to apply: September 25, 2020.
For more information, please contact the Director of STEAM Initiatives Kathleen Fredette at
ka***************@il**********.org
.
To learn more about iLEAD Student Aerospace Projects, please visit ileadaerospace.org.
08
Sep
Alaka’i O Kaua’i Charter School Culture: Building 21st-Century Skills
At Alaka’i O Kaua’i Charter School, what’s important is not only ensuring learners are receiving an academically well-rounded education but also that they have the tools they need to succeed in an ever-changing world. That’s why we place a high priority on 21st-century skills.
These skills are essential in a worldwide market that’s moving faster by the day, and they funnel to a key focus: a person’s ability to enact and/or adapt to change.
Why? Because we live in a world where long-established industries are now regularly disrupted with new ideas and methodologies. Kids are preparing for work in an era when nothing is guaranteed, and it’s important to be adaptable.
When we speak about 21st-century skills, we’re talking about those things that help learners adapt and thrive in a world that is increasingly more dependent on technology as well as a global economy and workplace. The 12 essential 21st-century skills include the following:
- Critical thinking
- Creativity
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Information literacy
- Media literacy
- Technology literacy
- Flexibility
- Leadership
- Initiative
- Productivity
- Social skills
Through individualized instruction and project-based learning, we celebrate and foster each child’s individuality and support them in discovering their highest potential. We believe each child will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to achieve their fullest potential in preparation for college and the demands of the 21st-century workplace.
Succeeding in the 21st century calls for skill sets that go beyond the basics mandated by densely packed education standards and what’s evaluated on standardized tests. Learners also need to build skills sets that will last a lifetime. To solve problems in our complex, fast-changing world, learners must become nimble, creative thinkers who can work well with others.
In line with the 12 skills identified above, there are four Cs Alaka’i O Kaua’i focuses on instilling in learners, as identified by the Partnership for 21st-Century Skills:
- Collaboration: Learners are able to work effectively with diverse groups and exercise flexibility in making compromises to achieve common goals.
- Creativity: Learners are able to generate and improve on original ideas and also work creatively with others.
- Communication: Learners are able to communicate effectively across multiple media and for various purposes.
- Critical thinking: Learners are able to analyze, evaluate, and understand complex systems and apply strategies to solve problems.
It is critical to keep in mind that those 4Cs don’t replace academic learning goals; rather, they complement and enhance them.
Since Alaka’i O Kaua’i ’s inception, we have been committed to helping develop well-rounded kids, those who are lifelong learners empowered to lead and succeed in a changing world. By incorporating 21st-century skills, we’re making sure they’re ready for anything they face in their journey.
Pictured: Alaka’i O Kaua’i classroom, February 2020.
08
Sep
Upcoming Events
Click here for the School Calendar
Click here for the Community Calendar
October 5-9: Fall Break – No School
08
Sep
Shop Amazon for FREE Fund-raising for Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi!
Did you know you can help Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi grow and provide additional resources by just doing the things you’re already doing every day?
We call this “passive fundraising.” Through Amazon Smile, you can buy items for the same exact price, and Amazon will send us a portion of their proceeds each time you shop with them. Every little bit counts! Please help us take advantage of the opportunity to earn funds! See below for details and make sure your purchases make a difference! Please help us build a better school for our keiki with the opportunity to earn funds from everyday purchases! We sincerely appreciate everything our Alakaʻi Ohana can do to help!
See below for the simple steps for using Amazon Smile and see how easy it really is!
Amazon Smile
- Shop on smile.amazon.com
- Under the search bar on Amazon Smile’s site, it will say “Supporting.” This is where you’ll choose Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi.
- Start shopping on smile.amazon.com so that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi.
- If you purchase under the regular amazon.com, those purchases will not be donated to the school. It has to be through smile.amazon.com.
08
Sep
Together Tuesdays: Share Your Photos and Stories!
Greetings, Alaka’i O Kaua’i community,
Last spring, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced our learning communities to physically distance, we launched a weekly campaign with the goal to reunite our facilitators and families and lift their spirits. Every week, a new Together Tuesday video featured photos of families, learners, and staff throughout the iLEAD nation — a reminder that we’re all in this together.
This year, Together Tuesdays will be making a comeback, now as a monthly feature. Whether your kids are learning on campus, from home, or a combination of the two, we’d love to see your contributions.
The first video of the 2020-21 school year will go live on September 29. To ensure your submissions are included, please click here to submit. Photos received by the Friday before each Together Tuesday are eligible to be included.*
We’re all in this together, and we can’t wait to see your photos!
If you have any questions, simply reply to
st*****@il**********.org
.
Sincerely,
The iLEAD Team
*If you send us a photo or video, we will consider this approval for use on our school websites and social media accounts. Please do not include images of video conference screens showing learners.
02
Sep
Alaka’i O Kaua’i Charter School Culture: Partnering with Home and Community
At Alaka’i O Kaua’i Charter School, we don’t believe that education happens solely within the four walls of a school. On the contrary, we believe education that produces well-rounded children is a result of synergy and collaboration between the school, the home, and the community.
That is why it is so important to us to build strong partnerships between families and communities. Parents and community partners are key resources to supporting learners’ success, which is why Alaka’i O Kaua’i actively and consistently involves parents, finding ways to support them and extend learners’ education at home.
Through our relationships with various community partners, we are able to provide learning experiences that broaden kids’ perspectives, not to mention often give back to the community. Strong community partnerships are a win-win.
There are several ways we promote parent involvement. We strongly encourage parents to volunteer at their learners’ school during the year, with opportunities including classroom volunteering, tutoring, attending board of directors meetings, participating in events, and more. We also encourage parents to take an active role in their children’s learning.
Other community-related partnerships we encourage and facilitate include partnering with industry professionals, business leaders, government and civic leaders, community leaders, nonprofit leaders, higher-education partners, entrepreneurs, and more. Fostering these relationships provides learners with a wealth of knowledge, advice, and insight, in addition to access to real-world learning opportunities and experiences.
Collaboration is at the heart of Alaka’i O Kaua’i’s project-based learning model. When synergy is found between learners, families, and communities, something really special happens — the foundation is set for authentic learning that produces inspired leaders with promising futures.
01
Sep
Upcoming Events
Click here for the School Calendar
Click here for the Community Calendar
Monday, September 7: Labor Day – No School
01
Sep
Shop Amazon for FREE Fund-raising for Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi!
Did you know you can help Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi grow and provide additional resources by just doing the things you’re already doing every day?
We call this “passive fundraising.” Through Amazon Smile, you can buy items for the same exact price, and Amazon will send us a portion of their proceeds each time you shop with them. Every little bit counts! Please help us take advantage of the opportunity to earn funds! See below for details and make sure your purchases make a difference! Please help us build a better school for our keiki with the opportunity to earn funds from everyday purchases! We sincerely appreciate everything our Alakaʻi Ohana can do to help!
See below for the simple steps for using Amazon Smile and see how easy it really is!
Amazon Smile
- Shop on smile.amazon.com
- Under the search bar on Amazon Smile’s site, it will say “Supporting.” This is where you’ll choose Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi.
- Start shopping on smile.amazon.com so that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi.
- If you purchase under the regular amazon.com, those purchases will not be donated to the school. It has to be through smile.amazon.com.
26
Aug
Upcoming Events
Click here for the School Calendar
Click here for the Community Calendar
Monday, September 7: Labor Day – No School
25
Aug
Shop Amazon for FREE Fund-raising for Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi!
Did you know you can help Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi grow and provide additional resources by just doing the things you’re already doing every day?
We call this “passive fundraising.” Through Amazon Smile, you can buy items for the same exact price, and Amazon will send us a portion of their proceeds each time you shop with them. Every little bit counts! Please help us take advantage of the opportunity to earn funds! See below for details and make sure your purchases make a difference! Please help us build a better school for our keiki with the opportunity to earn funds from everyday purchases! We sincerely appreciate everything our Alakaʻi Ohana can do to help!
See below for the simple steps for using Amazon Smile and see how easy it really is!
Amazon Smile
- Shop on smile.amazon.com
- Under the search bar on Amazon Smile’s site, it will say “Supporting.” This is where you’ll choose Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi.
- Start shopping on smile.amazon.com so that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi.
- If you purchase under the regular amazon.com, those purchases will not be donated to the school. It has to be through smile.amazon.com.
25
Aug
Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi Culture: Project-Based Learning
Spend even just a few moments inquiring about the Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi approach to education, and one of the first things you’ll hear about is project-based learning, or PBL. It’s at the core of our approach to school and a proven asset to education.
So what is project-based learning? In PBL, learners actively explore real-world challenges to acquire deeper knowledge of the subject at hand. Research shows that learners increasingly retain and enjoy what they’re learning when PBL is done well.
This educational model helps students learn the valuable collaboration, academic, and problem-solving skills our global economy will demand from them. Through the PBL method, learners tackle engaging projects about real-world issues that require critical thought, inquiry, and synthesis, and culminate in regular Presentations of Learning (or POLs) to their peers, facilitators, community members, and parents.
The PBL model requires learners to research, collaborate, and carefully weigh information and evidence in a nuanced problem-solving environment. It teaches learners to accept feedback, create solutions, and present their findings in a high-performance context — preparing them for the rigors of the 21st-century economy and the challenges of a global world.
PBL provides the following benefits:
- PBL makes school more engaging: In PBL, students are active, not passive. Projects engage their hearts and minds and provide real-world relevance for learning.
- PBL improves learning: At the completion of a project, learners understand content more deeply, remember what they learn, and retain it longer than is often the case with traditional instruction. Because of this, students who gain content knowledge with PBL are better able to apply to new situations what they know and can do.
- PBL builds skills for college, career, and life: Learners are preparing for life in a world where success requires more than basic knowledge and skills. In a project, students learn how to take initiative and responsibility, build confidence, solve problems, work in teams, communicate ideas, and manage themselves more effectively.
- PBL helps address standards: Common Core and other current education standards emphasize real-world application of knowledge and skills, as well as the development of success skills like critical thinking/problem-solving, collaboration, communication in a variety of media, and speaking and presentation skills. PBL helps learners effectively meet these goals.
- PBL embraces technology: Kids enjoy using a variety of tech tools that are a perfect fit for PBL. With technology, facilitators and learners not only find resources and information they need; they also collaborate more effectively and connect with experts, partners, and audiences.
- PBL makes teaching more enjoyable and rewarding: Projects allow facilitators to work closely with active, engaged learners doing high-quality, meaningful work. In many cases, facilitators rediscover the joy of learning alongside kids.
- PBL connects kids and schools with communities and the real world: Through PBL, learners have opportunities to solve real problems and address actual issues, and as such they learn more about interacting with adults and organizations, are exposed to workplaces, and can identify and develop career interests.
In short, project-based learning is at the core of the Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi model because we believe it is at the heart of how kids learn best. Time and again, we’ve seen how PBL helps learners develop academic skills, build leadership skills and character, and lay the foundation for promising careers.
