Queen Ka’ahumanu Elementary School

Queen Ka’ahumanu Elementary School
If a school is known for doing something well, do you think it is a special program that magically helps so many children or is it really a teacher or a few teachers that are working their butts off going full blast to help as many student as possible? You guessed it– it is usually a great teacher or two that makes all the difference.
Here is an example of that… The DOE talks about how they are working on improving ESL as much as they can. How are they doing this? Well– they talk about Queen Ka’ahumanu Elementary School, not a specific program but how a teacher is doing her thing and it is noticeable to the entire school community across Hawaii. So basically– the focus of the new superintendent is how to help ESL students to up their test scores. What are they doing about it? Not much in programs but much in teaching like what ESL teachers are doing.
There are a few other good teachers but ESL gets the glory at different conferences and workshops when highlighted from top or upper DOE Admin.
Not that there is something wrong with that– just know that it is always going to be people and those people are so important to good education.
If communities knew what kind of buildings to build– they would not do the same thing again for Queen Ka’ahumanu Elementary School. Why? All 4 streets surrounding the school are super busy. Too much traffic which makes a safety issue daily for students. Things like liability are super important. Watching the keiki is so important.
Also, the buildings are mostly 2 stories. If you know keiki in wheel chairs or have children that have longer legs than bodies — tall stairs are hazardous.
Again, if communities knew how to build schools the best way possible, all the buildings would only be 1 story tall– so that K or first graders could go anywhere in the school safely alone.
The school was important during the war due to it’s help in logistics. The school has a history.
The school has many programs and tries to engage parents as much as possible.
No Child Left Behind
Race to the Top
Heart (hear on time and ready for school)
And all the other state required programs– schools have their flaws but still have a community to support what is best for our keiki.