July 1, 2019 

Dear Waimea Middle School Family,

Aloha!  As Principal, I welcome you to the 2019-2020 School Year which begins Monday, August 5 at 7:55 a.m.  

I am excited to share our theme for this school year: Student Voice.  You might ask what this means?  Our goal is to help every student achieve his or her academic potential.  Student Voice is essential to fully engaging every child in their academic growth.  In the first few weeks of school and at Open House, grade level teachers will share an overview of the skills and content they will cover as well as plans for huaka’i (curriculum-related field trips) and ho’ike (demonstrations and celebrations of hard work and learning by students planned for family engagement nights).  These learning experiences will emphasize a sense of place, sense of self and sense of purpose, and incorporate student choices and interests to make school more relevant and meaningful.  Hence, Student Voice. 

To get off to a good start, please mark your calendar for our Mandatory Family Gear Up! on Monday, July 29 -     7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed Noon-1 p.m.) in K-Courtyard.  Please stop in as your schedule permits.  The school year student supply list is on the back of this letter, and at Gear Up! you can take care of the following:

·         Homeroom Teacher Assignment

·         Purchase Required School Uniforms - $45 package of 6 or $8 each - purchase only if needed.   

·         Pay Class Dues ($3) and Student Activities Fee ($7) (required)

·         Purchase Yearbook $25 (optional)

·         Apply for Busing - $25 per month per family (optional) 

·         Put money into school account to purchase second meals (breakfast and lunch are free for all daily; this is only needed if student wants a second meal)  

·         Payment only with Cash or Credit Card (Credit Card Transaction fee $3)

Also essential is Family Engagement.  We will do our very best this year to keep you informed and provide opportunities to support and celebrate your child’s progress. 

DATES TO REMEMBER:

·         First Day of School:  Mon., Aug. 5 – 7:55 a.m.

·         Open House & Title I Annual Meeting:  Wed., Aug. 28. - 5 p.m. - Meet our teachers and staff and learn about how to support  your child’s learning.  All expected.  Starts in cafeteria. 

·         Fun Run & Auction:  Fri., Sept. 6 - 4 p.m. - Benefits K(Arts). Grand Prize:An iPad Pro!  Starts in cafeteria. 

·         Family-Teacher-Student Conferences:  Mon.-Wed., Nov. 25-27.  No school but students must attend conference w/ family.  

Attendance Daily On Time is the expectation for all WMS students.  You commit to this in the Parent Compact that you will sign at the start of school.  

I look forward to seeing you in the next few weeks.  My door is always open and I welcome calls and emails when you have questions, suggestions or concerns.  Our primary focus is that every child is safe, supported and succeeds.

Mahalo,  Janice English

Principal - 808-887-6090 Ext. 225 - Email: Janice_English@wmpccs.org