Posted on: Thursday, September 8, 2005
Community ties make difference
By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser Staff Writer
|
|
|
Makaha Elementary School succeeds by involving teachers and parents and by partnering with Head Start, Keiki O Ka 'Aina and other community agencies and businesses. The school's location near the end of Farrington Highway makes family transiency a challenge.
RICHARD AMBO | The Honolulu Advertiser
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
AT A GLANCE Where: 84-200 Ala Na'auao Place
Phone: 695-7900
Web address: www.k12.hi.us/~makaha
Principal: Nelson Shigeta, for five years
School nickname: Surfers
School colors: Royal blue and white
History: The school opened in 1960 and is in the rural community of Makaha. The school is an active partner with Keiki O Ka 'Aina, a neighboring farm that provides students with an opportunity to apply concepts learned in the classroom.
Testing: Here's how Makaha 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, 77 percent; math, 92 percent. Fifth-grade reading, 65 percent; math, 75 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, 53 percent, compared with state average of 51.8 percent; math, 43 percent, compared with 28.5 percent. Fifth-grade reading, 31 percent, compared with state average of 55.6 percent; math, 14 percent, compared with 25.5 percent.
Computers: 130 computers schoolwide
Enrollment: 595 students, compared with capacity of 770
Low-income enrollment: 79.6 percent in the 2003-04 school year |
|
|
|
|
|
On the Wai'anae Coast is an elementary school that has combated transiency among its students and teachers by creating strong ties to the community.
That sense of belonging is the backbone of Makaha Elementary School, said Nelson Shigeta, principal for the past five years.
To stay ahead of the game takes serious partnerships with teachers, parents and the community, which the school has created by partnering with the local Head Start program and tapping into businesses and agencies in this rural community.
"For the time the students are here, we try to get everyone into the spirit," Shigeta said. "One of the positives of our school is they can feel that sense, that spirit, of working together. Makaha is a special place because of the people."
What are you most proud of? "Makaha Elementary School's collaborative efforts to increase student achievement," said Shigeta. "It has led to the creation of inclusion classrooms, schedule changes, before, during and after-school programs."
Best-kept secret: "The special feeling of 'ohana within the school," Shigeta said. "It has resulted in a camaraderie that makes Makaha Elementary School a very special place to work. It is not unusual to ask via e-mail for a map of the United States and get more than 10 in your box."
Everybody at our school knows: Heidi Cook, the school's head custodian. "Heidi is the mom, auntie, court jester, savior, guardian and mentor to staff and students alike."
Our biggest challenge: Transiency and the school's ability to maintain a smooth educational flow for the students. "For many of our students and their families, moving homes is a common occurrence based on economic issues and Makaha's geographical location," said Shigeta. "We're the last school along the Leeward Coast, 25 miles from Central O'ahu and 40 miles from Honolulu. The school's ongoing challenge is to address teacher retention in light of our geographical location."
What we need: Electrical upgrades and more books. The school is more than 40 years old and lacks electrical capabilities to run air conditioners or more than two computers in each classroom, Shigeta said. As for books, the school is always looking for new sources of money to increase classroom libraries.
Special events: Read a Lot Campaign and Read a Lot Celebrations highlights student reading achievements throughout the year in school assemblies and with recognition through skits and song. Makaha Student Showcase gives students the opportunity to show off their work and is held in May. The school also holds an annual 'Ohana Fair that includes the community in games, entertainment and food.
Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com.
| | |
|
|
