Kohala Middle School
February 2016 Parent Newsletter
“Strive For the Highest”
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
Do you know what your child is doing on the phone after dark?
The other day on National Public Radio I heard a discussion concerning parents and children and electronic devices. The discussion included information from the author of a book, “The Collapse of Parenting: How We Hurt Our Kids When We Treat Them Like Grown Ups.” He reminds us that our first job as parents is to keep our kids safe, not be their friend. We should be focusing on having the kids get a good night’s sleep and give them the skills to be confident of who they are as human beings.
Dr. Leonard Sax says that in his research from over 400 studies there are some situations in which you may have to stand up and be the adult. For example, we all know what a great tool a cell phone can be and how it can help parents feel connected to their children. However, Dr. Sax has some strong opinions on whether or not children should take their phone to bed with them. Remember, Middle School students need to know what their peers are thinking. And it can make them very anxious. They are likely to be checking their phones throughout the night and throwing in a few video games for good measure. Sleep is probably the last thing they are interested in and they are exhausted and unable to pay attention by the time they wake up and head to Kohala Middle.
Parents of Kohala, stand up for what is right. Does your child really need to have that phone with them 24/7? I don’t think so. Have them hand in their phones for the night (if you haven’t already). I hope they will thank you for it and we may be pleasantly surprised by rested and confident children, ready to be successful students and great human beings.
E kulia i ka nu'u - Strive for the highest
Principal Alan Brown
Important Upcoming Events February – March 2016
Presidents Day Feb 15
School Dance Feb 18
8th Grade Bonding Feb 18
Planning and Collaboration Day – no school for students Feb 19
Red Grammer concert at KMS Feb 23
8th Grade Field Trip to Kahilu Theatre Mar 9
Spring Break Mar 16 – 24
UPLINK AND HAWAIIAN STUDIES SPRING PROGRAM Mar 16-18, 21-22
Good Friday and Kuhio Day Mar 25
Kuhio Day observed, no school Mar 28
SAFETY REMINDER
When dropping off and/or picking up your child, please do so at the front of the school. The back entrance and Hawi side grassy parking area is for school personnel only. For safety reasons, please, no u-turns in front of the school. Please turn at the bus parking area on the Pololu side of the campus. Mahalo!
ART SUPPLIES FROM THE MASONS
Kohala Middle School was the fortunate recipient of art supplies from the Masons organization. Art teacher Kelson Obina was very grateful and happy to receive their generous donation. Mahalo to the Kona Masons!
KMS Art Teacher Kelson Obina receiving art supplies from Kona Masonic Lodge members Troy Gibson and Bob Brogan
CONGRATULATIONS JEFFREY FRANCISCO ! ! !
Congratulation to 7th Grader Jeffrey Francisco – he was awarded a Literacy All Star Award at the Achieve3000 Student Celebration on February 3 at the Hilton Waikoloa Village. Jeffrey received this award because of his exemplary TeenBiz reading scores and achievement in Ms. Janet Weiss’s Study Skills class. Congratulations also to Ms. Weiss, student teacher Ms. Brooke Kise, and the 3rd period Study Skills class for winning an Achieve3000 Read to Succceed competition in Quarter 2! Ms. Weiss, Jeffrey and his family members were treated to a delicious luncheon at the Student Celebration, and Jeffrey was invited on stage along with other West Hawaii student winners.
Jeffrey Francisco and Ms. Janet Weiss
SPRING BREAK PROGRAMS WILL BE OFFERED MARCH 16-18 AND 21-22 !!!! PLEASE BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR REGISTRATION FORMS SOON!!!
FROM MS KAREN KELLY’S ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS CLASS
Setting a Goal To Get a 4.0
By: Darian Nishida
It was a nice, sunny day, at the beginning of the school years. There were people on task and new sixth graders. I felt like the tallest person in school. The school looked like little animals running around in a zoo. I could hear the sixth graders screaming their heads off and teachers yelling the instructions. I was with my friends playing basketball at the basketball cart. “This year I can do it,” I thought to myself. Today was the day I would set a goal to have a 4.0 and to be pono in school. I felt good, like I already had a 4.0, because I knew that I could do it.
During the first week of school, I set my goal to have a 4.0 for the first quarter. I achieved my goal by working hard in class. Another thing how I achieve my goal was I had a good teacher, Ms.Kelly. One of my favorite classes is ELA because I can learn a lot and improve in my reading and writing. Another thing I like about ELA is Ms.Kelly because she teaches me a lot this year. I like school because I get to learn about a lot of things. For example, I can learn about my history, my culture and other important things. I know that I could have a 4.0 if I never give up.
My goal is to get a 4.0 because I want to be a smart kid when I get to high school. That way I can get ready to go to college. I got a 4.0 by turning in my work and never giving up. I will be an active listener to all my teachers and finish all my work. For example, I won’t interrupt my teacher when she is talking. Getting a 4.0 is hard because you have to work very hard. But I accomplished my goal and I feel so proud because I got a 4.0. My goal is to continue getting a 4.0. I can do this by never giving up, being an active listener, and by working hard. I hope to continue to be a good student in school.
From this experience I learned that I can always accomplish my goal. Before this happened, I was in ELA class setting this goal. But now I am always accomplishing this goal in other classes too. For example, I never give up on my grades because I want to have a good scholarship when I go to college. In the future, I will continue to be a good person. My mom always says “always pay attention” because she wants me to be a good student in school.
Counselor’s Corner
January 2016
Lauren Canton, School Counselor
Kohala Middle School
Aloha Kohala Middle School Ohana,
Please congratulate the following students for winning the Hawk/Hawkette of the Month Award for the month of January in the following areas:
· Pono Award: For being a role model, doing the right thing, and encouraging a respectful and safe school environment
· Grit Award: To an exceptional student who displays resiliency, perseverance, dedication and determination in the face of challenges
6th Grade:
Pono Award: McCartney Michaelis
Grit Award: Gissel Ruiz, Legend Libron-Kauanoe
7th Grade:
Pono Award: Princess Reynolds, Keoni Barco
Grit Award: Christian Jay Guerpo
8th Grade:
Pono Award: Jovylyn Campollo, Laakea Mamala
Grit Award: Javan Perez, Destiny Souze, Zakary Javillonar, Rayden Baldos
Congratulations to these students for being pono and showing grit! You are a great example to your peers. J
Mahalo for your support of the KMS School Counseling programs.