Parent InformationSY 2014-2015

Hale Kula Elementary empowers learners to explore, discover, create, and share.

Our MissionAt Hale Kula Elementary, learners explore through hands-on experiences and inquiry-based learning to discover new ideas. We expect students to collaborate and communicate with each other and to rely on critical and creative thinking skills to gain new insight into their learning.

http://www.halekula.k12.hi.us

Check out our website for information about our school: School calendar Monthly menu for breakfast and lunch Updated information on school activities

and events Grade level information Photo gallery Principal blog

The first bell rings at 7:45 a.m. It is strongly suggested that students be in their classrooms by 7:50 a.m. to ensure that they are on-time and ready to start the school day with their classmates.

If your child will be absent, we appreciate a phone call to the office (808) 3400 or the teacher to let us know.

School ends at 2:10 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. On Wednesday, students are dismissed at 1:10 p.m. Please do not go to the classroom until 5 minutes before the bell rings to minimize classroom disruptions

We do not accept cash from students in the breakfast or lunch line except for milk only purchases. Parents must deposit sufficient funds into an account for each child. Please make payments in the school office, cash or check only.

Breakfast begins at 7:15 and ends at 7:40. Cost is $1.00

Students pay $2.25 for lunch. Extra milk is $0.60. You can pay cash for milk or take the cost out of your child’s meal account. Parents may block purchase of a second milk.

This year, we will not be providing a substitute drink for students with milk allergies.

Parents and non-Hale Kula siblings pay full price for meals. Cost for breakfast is $2.00 and cost for lunch is $5.00. Please let your child’s teacher know the day before that you will be joining your child for lunch so we can put in an order for you.

Menu will be posted on the school website or a paper copy is available in the school office.

It is important for all parents to fill out an application for free or reduced meals even if your child will not be purchasing breakfast or lunch at school.

Parents have the option of applying on-line at http://ezmealapp.com.

If you qualify, cost for a reduced breakfast is $0.30 and $0.40 for a reduced lunch. Please make payment into your child’s account in the school office.

Please be sure your emergency information is updated. We need current telephone numbers for yourself and for anyone you designate as a contact person in case of emergencies.

Let us know if your child has a medical condition that we need to be aware of. If necessary, an Emergency Action Plan will be developed.

Your child may qualify to ride the school bus if you live more than 1 mile away from Hale Kula.

You must complete a bus application and prepay for a bus pass. If you have not done so, please go to the office and get an application. Cost for one way is $1.25. NO REFUNDS will be given for bus pass payments.

The bus driver will NOT accept bus fare. You must sign up for a payment plan and pay when you complete your bus application. Payment is accepted for the quarter or the year. Coupons can be issued on a limited basis.

We expect all students to dress appropriately for school. Please read the guidelines in the Parent-Student Handbook.

On the days your child has physical education, it is suggested that your child wear clothes that will enable him/her to gain the most from their PE experience. Shorts/t-shirt and athletic shoes are recommended.

High-heeled shoes and large hoop or dangling earrings are inappropriate for school as they can be unsafe and students can be hurt.

Please make prior arrangements with the teacher (24 hours in advance) if you would like to visit or volunteer in the classroom.

All visitors must sign in at the office and get a visitor’s badge before proceeding to the classroom.

Our goal is bell-to-bell teaching. As such, we hope that students will remain in school for the full day.

However, if you need to pick your child up early, we ask that you let your child’s teacher know that day so the office can be notified.

The child needs to be signed out at the office. Adults who will be picking up the child need

to be on the emergency pick-up list and the office staff will ask for a picture ID prior to releasing the student.

If you will be late to pick up your child, please let the office know.

Your child will be waiting in the office. You will be required to sign out that you

picked up your child. If someone else will be picking your child

up, he/she must be on the emergency pick-up list and show a picture ID.

Hale Kula is a TRIBES school and we follow the 4 TRIBES agreements:

Mutual respect Attentive listening Right to pass/right to participate Appreciations; no put-downsWe expect all students, staff, parents, and

school visitors to follow these agreements. As adults, we should model appropriate behaviors if we want our students to do the same.

Students have the opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities including service to the school and community. Activities include Student Council, Junior Police Officers (JPOs), Greeters Club, Robotics, Media Club, and complex-wide athletic events. Additionally, we have school-wide activities such as a Turkey Trot canned foods drive, Jingle Bell Run, Jump Rope for Heart, and Pennies for Patients.

Due to the increased student enrollment and the need for safety, we will be implementing STAFF ONLY parking in the school lot from 7:00-8:15 a.m. and from 1:30-2:30 p.m.

We will have one lane of traffic; staff will be assisting to ensure efficient drop-off and pick-up of students. Exit will be RIGHT-TURN ONLY in the morning.

The parking lot will be closed to cars in the afternoon until after the buses leave. Students should wait for parents in the waiting area.

If your child is having problems in school, please speak with your child’s teacher. This includes academics, behavior, emotional, or social problems.

The SSC, Teri Taguba, has responsibility for coordinating all referrals if the implemented interventions or support plan are not working. She is located in Room A4.

We encourage parents to volunteer at Hale Kula. The PCNC, Ellen Petry, coordinates volunteer training and activities. Please visit her in room P14 if you would like to meet other parents and volunteer at Hale Kula.

Volunteers are welcome for morning and afternoon traffic duty. Please see Vice Principal Leinau if you would like to volunteer.

We encourage you to join the PTO by paying membership dues.

The PTO sponsors activities throughout the school year for Hale Kula students and families.

Fundraising activities help to support our school activities.

The PTO president is Jeri Duncan.

Ten members make up the SCC:3 parents, 3 teachers, 1 classified staff, 1 community representative, 1 student, and the principal

The SCC monitors our Academic and Financial Plan and develops an annual plan based on a weighted student formula.

The SCC also addresses any other issues which impact student achievement at school, including distribution of a parent and student survey at the end of the year to gather data for school improvement.

The YMCA provides after school care through the A+ program. All students whose parents work or go to school qualify to attend the program for a nominal fee. Services are provided until 5:30 p.m. on school days. Applications are available in the school office.

The Transition Center is located in Room P14 with the PCNC and the PTO. Our Transition Coordinator, Sheila Ward, assists and supports new students and families by providing tours of our school and answering questions you may have.

We received a 6-year term with a mid-term accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Our term expires in 2015 so we will be having a Visiting Committee in March. Parents will be invited to participate in our WASC Focus on Learning process.

We will address the recommendations of the WASC Visiting Committee to continuously improve student achievement for ALL students at Hale Kula.

We communicate with our parents in a number of different ways:Our website – halekula.k12.hi.usA Wednesday folder is sent home weeklyA monthly parent bulletin (available on-line or paper copy by request)A weekly push notification of upcoming activities - hkeshighlights.blogspot.comFacebook and Twitter – click on the link on our school webpage

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

Helen Keller

We hope you will be able to assist and support us at Hale Kula!