18 Jan

Alaka’i O Kaua’i Charter School Culture: Components of Social-Emotional Learning — Grit

What does it take to really succeed? Some might call it drive or determination. At Alaka’i O Kaua’i Charter School, we like to call it grit, and it is a crucial component of social-emotional learning. We define grit as “having courage and resolve, and strength of character.” Someone with grit works hard and passionately, sets… Read more

16 Jan

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

On January 17th we celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. Observed on the third Monday in January each year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the only national holiday dedicated as a day of service. On this day, we are encouraged to volunteer and help make our communities a better place. This is… Read more

Alaka'i O Kaua'i Social Emotional Learning
11 Jan

Alaka’i O Kaua’i Culture: Components of Social-Emotional Learning — Zest

“Enthusiasm is the electricity of life.” —Gordon Parks Central to the Alaka’i O Kaua’i approach to project-based learning is a belief that education works best when it’s energetic. Rather than being stale and rote, it’s filled with excitement. That excitement, which we call zest, is a core element of social-emotional learning. Individuals who approach life… Read more

Social Emotional Learning Alakai O Kauai
04 Jan

Alaka’i O Kaua’i Culture: Components of Social-Emotional Learning — Curiosity

“Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.” — Golda Meir Within the Alaka’i O Kaua’i education model, we believe kids are more empowered to learn and retain knowledge when learning means asking questions. That’s why we reinforce curiosity as a component of social-emotional learning (SEL).… Read more

Alaka'i O Kaua'i
28 Dec

Alaka’i O Kaua’i Culture: Components of Social-Emotional Learning — Self-Control

By definition, social-emotional learning (SEL) helps kids tap into their emotions and how they affect what they do. So it should follow that an essential component of SEL is an understanding of self-control, or self-management. As defined by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) — which has informed the Alaka’i O Kaua’i… Read more

Monday Message
19 Dec

Upcoming Events

December 20-January 3 – Winter Break January 4 – Start of spring semester Click here for the School Calendar Click here for the Community Calendar See what our families are saying about Alaka’i O Kaua’i!

Alaka'i O Kaua'i learners chalkboard welcome
24 Nov

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… Read more

Monday Message
19 Nov

Upcoming Events

November 24th – Multicultural Day – CANCELLED November 25th – Thanksgiving Day – School Holiday November 26th – School Holiday December 1st – No Hoa O’ Alaka’i, Friends of Alaka’i PTN Meeting 5:00 – 6:00 pm December 3rd – Wala’au Meeting 10:00 am – 11:00 am December 13th – Board Meeting at 5:00 pm Click… Read more

Monday Message
13 Nov

Upcoming Events

November 15th – Board Meeting at 5:00 pm November 19th – Turkey Trot November 24th – Multicultural Day November 25th – Thanksgiving Day – School Holiday November 26th – School Holiday December 1st – No Hoa O’ Alaka’i, Friends of Alaka’i PTN Meeting 5:00 – 6:00 pm December 3rd – Wala’au Meeting 10:00 am –… Read more

21st Century Skills Alakai O Kauai
13 Nov

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 mindset 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… Read more

Alakai O Kauai Upcoming Events
05 Nov

Upcoming Events

November 11th – Veterans’ Day – School Holiday November 12th – Announcement Of DreamUp To Space Finalist November 15th – Board Meeting at 5:00 pm November 19th – Turkey Trot November 24th – Multicultural Day November 25th – Thanksgiving Day – School Holiday November 26th – School Holiday December 1st – No Hoa O’ Alaka’i,… Read more

Alakai O Kauai Social Emotional Learning
04 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… Read more

Veterans' Day
04 Nov

Honoring Our Veterans

Veterans’ Day is a public holiday held on the anniversary of the end of World War I (November 11) to honor US veterans and victims of all wars. Veterans’ Day differs from Memorial Day in that is honors and celebrates living service members as well as the fallen. Below are some ways that you can… Read more

Alakai O Kauai Upcoming Events
28 Oct

Upcoming Events

November 3rd – No Hoa O’ Alaka’i, Friends of Alaka’i PTN Meeting November 4th – Dress Rehearsal for Presentation Of Learning – DreamUp To Space November 5th – Wala’au Meeting from 10:00 am – 11:00 am November 5th – Presentation Of Learning – DreamUp To Space November 12th – Announcement Of DreamUp To Space Finalist… Read more

Alakai O Kauai
28 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… Read more

Podcasts
28 Oct

Podcasts Are Effective Learning Tool In Class, At Home

Podcasts have become extremely popular. But they are not only popular with adults. They can be very popular with young learners as well. Podcasts can provide new subject matter that not only keeps learners more engaged, but also allows them to experience exemplary communication outside traditional texts. Podcast topics are endless: fictional stories, educational and… Read more

Alakai O Kauai Upcoming Events
21 Oct

Upcoming Events

October 29th – Trunk or Treat November 3rd – No Hoa O’ Alaka’i, Friends of Alaka’i PTN Meeting November 5th – Wala’au Meeting from 10:00 am – 11:00 am Click here for the School Calendar Click here for the Community Calendar See what our families are saying about Alaka’i O Kaua’i!

Alakai O Kauai Social Emotional Learning
20 Oct

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… Read more

Podcasts
20 Oct

Podcasts Are Effective Learning Tool In Class, At Home

Podcasts have become extremely popular. But they are not only popular with adults. They can be very popular with young learners as well. Podcasts can provide new subject matter that not only keeps learners more engaged, but also allows them to experience exemplary communication outside traditional texts. Podcast topics are endless: fictional stories, educational and… Read more

TED Talks For Parents
20 Oct

TED Talks For Parents

TED Talks are a terrific resource for learning. They are often entertaining, but they also open our minds to new ideas and life experiences. We have compiled a short list of some of our favorite talks for parents.  Take a listen to these when you can: Sir Ken Robinson,”Do Schools Kill Creativity?” Rita Pierson, “Every… Read more

Alakai O Kauai Upcoming Events
14 Oct

Upcoming Events

October 18th – Board Meeting at 5:00 pm October 29th – Trunk or Treat November 3rd – No Hoa O’ Alaka’i, Friends of Alaka’i PTN Meeting November 5th – Wala’au Meeting from 10:00 am – 11:00 am Click here for the School Calendar Click here for the Community Calendar See what our families are saying… Read more

Honoring Director DJ Adams Alakai O Kauai
14 Oct

Honoring Our Director DJ Adams

On Friday, October 8th, Alaka’i O Kaua’i Charter School honored our Director DJ Adams for his tireless dedication to helping make our school a special place where learners can thrive. October is National Principals Month. The staff served a lovely homemade breakfast and presented Mr. Adams with a plaque and a gift card to a… Read more

Alaka'i O Kaua'i Charter School
14 Oct

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… Read more

TED Talks For Parents
14 Oct

TED Talks For Parents

TED Talks are a terrific resource for learning. They are often entertaining, but they also open our minds to new ideas and life experiences. We have compiled a short list of some of our favorite talks for parents.  Take a listen to these when you can: Sir Ken Robinson,”Do Schools Kill Creativity?” Rita Pierson, “Every… Read more

21st Century Skills Alakai O Kauai
07 Oct

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… Read more

Project Based Learning Alakai O Kauai
07 Oct

5 Ways PBL Facilitates Lifelong Learning

We are hearing more and more each day about the changing world of work and what type of skills will define the success of today’s students and future professionals. Outside of education, it’s often called upskilling. In education, we often refer to lifelong learning. Either way, experts agree that an individual’s ability to learn, continuously… Read more

Alakai O Kauai Upcoming Events
30 Sep

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, October 6 School Photos – Photo Spectrum from 9am – 12pm Wednesday, October 6 No Hoa O’ Alaka’i, Friends of Alaka’i PTN Meeting from 5pm – 6pm Click here for the School Calendar Click here for the Community Calendar See what our families are saying about Alaka’i O Kaua’i!

Project Based Learning Alakai O Kauai
29 Sep

5 Ways PBL Facilitates Lifelong Learning

We are hearing more and more each day about the changing world of work and what type of skills will define the success of today’s students and future professionals. Outside of education, it’s often called upskilling. In education, we often refer to lifelong learning. Either way, experts agree that an individual’s ability to learn, continuously… Read more

Learning Styles Alakai O Kauai
29 Sep

What is Your Learning Style?

How do you learn best? Learners are often identified as a certain type: visual, auditory, or kinesthetic, and each type has some common traits.  Visual learners – Learn by seeing and reading information  Often like using paper/pencil vs. computer Pay attention to detail Sometimes struggle with oral directions                                                                                                                                              Kinesthetic/Tactile Learners – Respond best by doing… Read more

Alakai O Kauai Upcoming Events
23 Sep

Upcoming Events

Friday, October 1 Wala’au Meeting from 10am – 11am Wednesday, October 6 School Photos – Photo Spectrum from 9am – 12pm Wednesday, October 6 No Hoa O’ Alaka’i, Friends of Alaka’i PTN Meeting from 5pm – 6pm Click here for the School Calendar Click here for the Community Calendar See what our families are saying… Read more