Posted on: Thursday, December 29, 2005
OUR SCHOOLS | CHIEFESS KAPI'OLANI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Caring faculty, convenient site
By Kevin Dayton
Advertiser Staff Writer
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Fourth-graders Ariyana Moran, 10, and Jordan Tagawa, 9, were at the head of a line to sign Principal Lucia Stewart’s Good Book, as recognition for good work at Chiefess Kapi‘olani Elementary in Hilo.
KEVIN DAYTON | The Honolulu Advertiser
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AT A GLANCE What: Chiefess Kapi‘olani Elementary School Where: 966 Kïlauea Ave., Hilo Principal: Lucia Stewart, five years School colors: Blue and gray History: In 1917, Piopio School came into existence in a Japanese language school building in the basement of a Buddhist temple. In 1921, Kapi'olani Elementary School was established at its present site on Kilauea Avenue. F.M. Wakefield, principal at the time, suggested the school be named to honor Chiefess Kapi'olani, defier of the goddess Pele, and a strong advocate of education. It was believed that Chiefess Kapi'olani was born on or near the school grounds. Testing: Here’s how Chiefess Kapi'olani Elementary pupils fared on the most recent standardized tests: • Stanford Achievement Test: Listed is the combined percentage of pupils scoring average and above average, compared with the national combined average of 77 percent. Third-grade reading, 80 percent; math, 80 percent. Fifth-grade reading, 68 percent; math, 79 percent. • Hawai‘i State Assessment: Listed is the combined percentage of pupils meeting or exceeding state standards, and a comparison with the state average. Third-grade reading, 43 percent, compared with state average of 51.8 percent; math, 20 percent, compared with 28.5 percent. Fifth-grade reading, 44 percent, compared with state average of 55.6 percent; math, 18 percent, compared with 25.5 percent. Enrollment: 399 in a school that can accommodate 550 Student characteristics: About 70 percent of the student population receives free or reduced-priced meals; 7.6 percent of students are of limited English proficiency; and 13.5 percent of our student body are in special education programs. Our part-Hawaiian population is our largest ethnic group (29.6 percent) followed by our Filipino population of 11.2 percent and Japanese at 10.8 percent. Computers: 146. At least one computer in each of 28 classrooms. |
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HILO, Hawai'i — When the state began to empty out the Lanakila Homes public housing complex to refurbish the buildings, the student population at Chiefess Kapi'olani Elementary School plummeted from more than 550 to about 400.
Now the school that primarily serves downtown and central Hilo has room to spare, and has become somewhat of a commuter school, accepting students from Kea'au and other communities around Hilo whose parents work in town.
That makes life a bit easier for working parents, who can quickly reach the school to pick up an ill child or respond to an emergency. The school also finds itself trying to accommodate special needs of some families, such as a family of four that was living in their car and recently approached the school to enroll their children.
"Of course we're going to accommodate these children because they need to be in school," said Principal Lucia Stewart.
Growing numbers of students who speak English as a second language have enrolled at Kapi'olani, and nearly three-quarters of the student population qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, a common measure of poverty.
Most of the Kapi'olani staff working with those youngsters have been at the school for more than 20 years, and the newest has been there eight years.
The 30 teachers used brainstorming sessions and close monitoring of reading comprehension and other data to improve students' test scores. Teachers report back to Stewart with weekly data reports that also are posted for parents to see.
Stewart believes the school is a success story, with students making gains.
"I believe our kids are good kids, I believe they work really, really hard to please their teachers, to please their parents," with parents turning out in force for awards ceremonies, she said.
"We have, I think like any other school, students that are going to flourish no matter what happens, but we have a lot of children here that need that extra TLC, and these teachers provide that," Stewart said. "They really do open up their hearts and give that extra support to the kids that need it."
What is Stewart most proud of?
"I am most proud of the success our children have demonstrated through the General Learner Outcomes (a section of the new standardized report card), especially in the areas denoting complex thinker, quality producer, effective communicator."
Best-kept secret: "Our faculty. They are an awesome group of teachers who collaborate and work to support each other and all are dedicated to ensuring student success. They analyze data and have grade-level and schoolwide discussions about curriculum and standards."
Everybody at our school knows: "Mr. Kelly. For over 20 years, Mr. Kelly Kurakazu, our school food services manager, has run an intramurals program called Kelly's Games. Students in grades 4-6 participate in trash can basketball, football and another running/tag game created by Mr. Kelly. He even had golf sessions for students. Students who demonstrate good sportsmanship and an understanding that it is essential for everyone to work together are recognized with a medal at our quarterly awards assemblies. Mr. Kurakazu is an outstanding role model for all our children."
Our biggest challenge: "Meeting the benchmarks set by the state in reading and math. We are moving from a school that for many years has been in corrective action. We made 'adequate yearly progress' in school year 2004-2005 and are a school 'In Good Standing, Pending' this school year. If we meet the benchmarks set by the state on this year's Hawai'i State Assessment we will no longer be considered a status school."
Reach Kevin Dayton at kdayton@honoluluadvertiser.com.
