Aloha Parents/Guardians,
In all likelihood this will be my last letter to all of you as the principal of Nu‘uanu Elementary School. I feel some sadness, some happiness, and a lot of satisfaction in having been the principal here. I have met and spoken to so many nice, kind, and wonderful individuals here that after all these many years I can still say I appreciate all of you. I am 100% certain that I could not have asked to be at a better school! I’m not sure if any of you have ever come up to walk on campus and looked around before (sorry, but you can’t do this now). This is the one activity that I’ve done for 14 years and am never tired of doing it. There is something very special about the beauty and serenity that Nu‘uanu offers. When it rains you can hear the droplets hitting the ground and it is so soothing, just like listening to a waterfall, and often the rain creates a rainbow making this experience even more special. Then, add how quiet it is and the cool temperatures we usually have, and I know I will always miss these special experiences. Oh well, life goes on… I know I wrote about it last week but just a reminder that if you’re traveling out of state be sure to heed the Department of Health and Hawai‘i State mandates when you return in regards to what you need to do before your child is allowed back in school. Be sure to check online for the latest information for the current protocol as that seems to change weekly. These changes are necessary as the number of COVID-19 cases continue to go up and down, so it behooves everybody to do their part to insure that these numbers stay low. I cannot say exactly when grade 3 will be allowed to return to school as that will be directly related to the number of COVID-19 cases that occur after the winter break. If state is still in Tier 2 or Tier 3 then grade 3 can be expected back on Tuesday, January 19, 2021. If all goes well and the COVID-19 numbers flattens or goes lower we can then expect grade 4 to come back three weeks later or on February 8, 2021. Grade 5 will follow so they should be returning around March 1, 2021. Our school will inform you on these returning dates as the time gets closer. Please keep in mind that when the students do come back that we all follow the drop off and pickup schedule that are already established. For grade 3 the start of their day is 8:00 a.m., the same as grade 1, so it’s best to come to school between 7:40 – 7:55 a.m. When they arrive at school they will sit in the gym (an adult will be there to watch and excuse them) and they go to class when it’s near 8:00 a.m. Grades K, 1, and 2 students will continue to wait in front of the cafe before being allowed to go to their respective classrooms at their scheduled times. On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, grade 3, like grade 1, will be released after school at 2:15 p.m. (1:30 p.m. on Wednesday). For parents picking up their 1st or 3rd graders, please do not come too early or park in the circle driveway. The driveway area is being used to help students into their cars which are already there. So if you are parked and waiting for your child who is still in class you will be blocking the pickup area. For grades 1 and 3 it’s best to come between 2:15 – 2:25 p.m. as no other grades should be down there. All students will be sitting in front of the cafe. When you drive up, the adults helping there will call your child’s name and the student will come to the curb to be picked up. Be sure you have the strip of paper that we passed out with your child’s name and grade written in large bold black ink and put on the dashboard of your car. This way we will know sooner who you are coming to pick up so that we can call that student down to the curbside. Merely pointing at a child does not help as we have no idea who you are pointing at when the students are all together. If you do not have this strip of paper please ask the adults that are helping for one. One last word on this, as much as possible when you drive up, please stay behind the car in front of you in the driveway. I have seen too many times a car trying to pass and cut in front of the car ahead of them. This usually causes backups as the passing car cannot fit completely in the space near the curb, so the rear of the car is sticking out blocking part of the driveway and no one can pass by. Being patient can also avoid accidents and, please show some courtesy to your fellow parents/drivers. For families who want and are looking for Geographical Exemption (GE) next year, please be aware that the first day you can file for this is after January 6, 2021. Unlike in previous years where you filled out the GE form and left it at the school your child is currently enrolled in with a self-addressed stamped envelope, in all likelihood this process will change. There is no official word on how this will be handled right now, but rest assured that information will be coming out soon and the schools will inform all families. There is no selection criteria based on when you submit your GE request so you can relax and know that as long as you submit forms by March 1, 2021 your child will have an equal chance in being selected. Mahalo Nui Loa to all the Nu‘uanu ‘ohana for your continued support for your child and school. Nu‘uanu School, ‘Aikane o Nu‘uanu and ‘ohana no ka oi! Aloha, James A. Toyooka Aloha Nu'uanu Families,
I have gathered a number of items (see attachments and below) that might be of interest to you and your family. Please look them over, some are time sensitive, you may find something fun and educational to do. List: Nu'uanu School Breakfast and Lunch Menus Moolelo and a Lullaby - Story Reading - December 7 Anxiety in Children - Symptom Chart Parent Support Group Resource 2 Kokua Hawaii Foundation flyers Mahalo, Lori Yamada Nu'uanu PCNC |
AuthorJames Toyooka, Principal Archives
December 2020
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