The Office of Hawaiian Education (OHE) is pleased to share the following resources:

• A list of other community organizations across our pae ʻāina.
• HĀ virtual huakaʻi: Bring ʻāina to your students in virtual spaces through these mākaʻikaʻi videos featuring eight community-based organizations.
• E Moʻolelo Kākou (every Tuesday from 3-4 p.m. via Zoom): A weekly talk story session with educators from around our pae ʻāina to share resources and stories of resilience and innovation.

For upcoming events and opportunities for Kaiapuni education, Nā Hopena Aʻo (HĀ), and Hawaiian Studies, visit the OHE Hub.

Vision: “Ke Kula Kaiapuni 'O Pūʻōhala School is a place where students can think critically through their observations of their culture and community, show respect for past, present, and future knowledge, have respectful values, and promote positive relationships to become powerful agents of change to better our world.”
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On behalf of the Pūʻōhala School Faculty & Staff, I would like to wish everyone a “Happy Winter Break” and thank you for working with us since August to keep everyone on campus safe and we invite you to continue to work with us as we transition into the New Year.

This message’s primary purpose is to inform our students and ʻohana of a decision that I, Poʻokumu Ikaika, have made regarding school resuming in January 2021. I want to get this information out to families early so everyone can make arrangements for next year.
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Tuesday, January 5, 2021, through Friday, January 8, 2021, will be 100% Distance Learning for all students

• On-campus Blended Rotation will BEGIN the following week January 11/12, 2021
  • Hui Mauka - Monday, January 11, 2021, 7:50 am - 2:05 pm (Kula Waena ends at 2:15 pm)
  • Hui Makai - Tuesday, January 12, 2021, 7:50 am - 2:05 pm (Kula Waena ends at 2:15 pm)

Why did Poʻokumu Ikaika make this decision?

• Health and Safety
  • Travel - families traveling to off-island destinations & family members returning to the island from various destinations.
  • This time will allow for travelers to complete a 10-day quarantine
  • CAS Travel Quarantine Letter II 12.17.2020.pdf 
  • Daily Wellness Check.pdf 
  • Pūʻōhala COVID19 Response Chart pdf.pdf 
• State Furlough on Monday, January 4, 2021
  • Kumu/Teachers lose a full day to prepare for the return of students
  • We are committed to ensuring our campus is safe and ready

​I understand that this may cause some difficulty for families, do not hesitate to contact me at (808) 305-5900 or by replying to this email. If we work together, I know we can find a solution.

If you have difficulty accessing our Pūʻōhala School messages, you can visit our school Weebly site by clicking on the following link.

Aloha Pūʻōhala ʻOhana,

November 23, 2020 is approaching and we are preparing to have our students back on campus. In general, we will begin with lower grades but we have already begun to invite students to campus based on their quarter 1 progress, teacherʻs or kumuʻs classroom capacity, and most importantly, SAFETY. If you have any questions, feel free to respond to this email and I will work diligently to respond and provide clarification.  

I am intentionally releasing information slowly due to the nature of this pandemic. As we get updated information, it may change the way we bring students back to campus and determine who and how many we have capacity for.

Attached to this message is our “OPT-IN” form for 100% Distance Learning. I am also providing a link to our Google form if you want to “OPT-IN” digitally. Complete by December 4, 2020. 

Pūʻōhala School 2020.2021 100% DISTANCE LEARNING "OPT-IN" FORM

In preparation for students return to campus, I humbly ask you to practice the following habits at home NOW:

1. Hand Washing – every time you leave or enter the house, have your child wash their hands for at least 20 seconds. Use soap and water, model it for them and make it a habit.
2. Wear your MASK – show your child how to put in on and take it off themselves, find a mask that fits comfortably on their face, have multiple masks, start by wearing them 15 minutes and add five minutes every day, make it a habit.
3. Social Distancing – Talk to your child daily and remind them that they need to be six feet or more away from others, take time to practice it at home or when you go out, help them build a routine so it becomes a habit.

As we ALL prepare to return to learn, REMEMBER, if you are feeling ill or exhibiting symptoms, STAY HOME. Before November 23, 2020 assess yourself and your child, visit the Department of Health and Center for Disease Control websites to get updates on the pandemic and how we can keep everyone safe.

Visit our Pūʻōhala School website at https://puohala.weebly.com/.  ​

Aloha!  
Here are some important updates for the next few days!!!
1) NO SCHOOL AND NO MEAL SERVICE ON THE FOLLOWING DATES:
     OCT.29-30  THURSDAY AND FRIDAY - Parent/Teacher/Student conferences - Virtual - Please check your child's google classroom or kumu's website for schedule.
     NOV.2  MONDAY - Complex Area Waiver Day
     NOV.3 TUESDAY - Election Day
Classes and meal service will resume on Wednesday, Nov.4th.
2) OCT.30th is our Pūʻōhalaween Activity!!  See flyer below.   6pm - 7:30pm    
3) Need after school care when in-person instruction resumes?  The YMCA will be offering A+ service at our school beginning Nov.23rd. Here is a flyer showing the breakdown of the monthly cost. Please go to their website and fill out the registration form.YMCA A+ Site  You do not need to pay now, just let them know that you are interested. A+ Flyer_Blended daily puohala k-6 with fees.pdf    Also, fill out this form if you would be interested in A+ service so I can pass this information on to the YMCA. Need A+ Service Form

Happy October Pūʻōhala Families & Students,

I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the first quarter of our school year 2020-2021 and remind all of us to continue to be resilient, to adapt and strive for positive outcomes, in adverse situations. I also want to recognize your resourcefulness in finding imaginative and skillful ways to succeed in this new and challenging journey to learn through non-traditional and unfamiliar methods. Please make time to highlight your familyʻs and students' triumphs, to reflect upon the big and small accomplishments for overcoming technological complications, creative ways to provide comfortable learning environments in your homes, families coming together to provide supervision and care for our students, and for giving them the best opportunity to learn. Mahalo nui loa.
As we move forward in quarter 2, I am providing you with a little information regarding Pūʻōhalaʻs plan to transition students back onto campus for learning in a safe manner.

• November 23, 2020 – Begin to bring students back onto campus, starting with lower grades, i.e. Papa Mālaaʻo and grades K/1. Our plan is to increase weekly by grade levels for half day face-to-face learning. Students will be dismissed after lunch.
• Update Contact Information – Mass messages will most likely be delivered via email
• School Website - https://puohala.weebly.com/ More information and updates will be posted
• Friday December 18, 2020 - last day of quarter 2 and 1st Semester
• Winter Break, NO SCHOOL for STUDENTS - December 21, 2020 through January 1, 2021 
• Teacher Work Day, NO SCHOOL for STUDENTS – Monday January 4, 2021
• TUESDAY JANUARY 5, 2021 – STUDENTS RETURN, first day of quarter three and second semester

Administration, Faculty, & Staff are cognisant of the great responsibility to keep all our students and families safe and healthy as well as to prepare our students for the future with the best learning experiences. It is with great respect that we ask you to continue to support us and our students to prepare them for our return to campus by practicing the following safety guidelines at home:

• HAND WASHING (at least 20 seconds)
• Wearing a FACE COVERING (putting it on & taking it off by themselves)
• SOCIAL DISTANCING (at least 6 feet apart, “Shaka Distance”)

The above three methods will be our greatest and most effective practices to ensure that everyone is safe and healthy.
There will be more information and details released weekly as our staff continues to train and practice our Pūʻōhala safety guidelines leading up to November 23, 2020.
When we work together, I know we can accomplish great things and Pūʻōhala School values the benefits of working together to forge lasting relationships for our flourishing community.
​Aloha.

Mission: Pūʻōhala School empowers students by developing strong foundations of ʻike kupuna, positive relationships, and lifelong learning.

Aloha e Families,
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Beginning Monday October 12, 2020 Pūʻōhala School will continue exactly the same as Quarter 1, with distance learning. Pūʻōhala School will begin to TRANSITION to our "Blended Rotation" school model beginning in NOVEMBER with more information to come in the next two weeks.
Do I come to school on Monday October 12, 2020?

• If you did NOT come to campus during Quarter 1, then you do NOT come to campus on Monday October 12 for the beginning of Quarter 2. You will log online for distance learning instruction on Monday, October 12.
  • Pūʻōhala School will be sending more information regarding RETURNING to school in the following weeks.
• If you came to campus in Quarter 1, then YES you will come to campus for Quarter 2 starting on Monday October 12, 2020.

When teachers return for Quarter 2, I will be making decisions to invite more students onto campus who have been struggling with 100% Distance Learning during quarter 1. There is still so much change and I thank you for your flexibility in these difficult times. It may be prudent to make plans now for your ʻohana in our endeavor to begin bringing more students onto campus. Most likely, we will begin inviting students who have been struggling with distance learning in quarter 1 first, then we will begin bringing students onto campus by one or two grade levels at a time in small groups, possibly half days and working toward full day instruction and learning in NOVEMBER.
We are all working diligently to provide face-to-face instruction in a safe way to provide all our students with the best learning experience. If you have any concerns, do not hesitate to respond to this email and/or call me at 305-5900. If you plan on continuing 100% Distance Learning for you child and family, I will be sending out a Google form to all families so you may indicate your intentions for Quarters 3 & 4 beginning in January 2021. 
REMINDER: Meal Service

• NO "Grab and Go" breakfast meals will be provided on Monday October 12, 2020
• YES, Pūʻōhala will have "Grab and Go" lunch meals, starting on Monday October 12, 2020 between 11am - 12pm
  • When you come to pick up a "Grab and Go" lunch meal, you will ALSO get a breakfast meal for the following day
  • When you come to pick up a "Grab and Go" lunch meal, you will get TWO MEALS; a lunch meal to eat that day and a breakfast meal for the following day. There will no longer be any "Grab and Go" breakfast.
• STUDENTS ON CAMPUS
  • Will be served BOTH meals, breakfast and lunch ON CAMPUS.

Lastly, I wanted to take a moment and THANK YOU for all the time and work you have put into Quarter 1 with our keiki. I have four children of my own and I know how challenging it is to get them to persevere through virtual learning and all the difficulties that come with this different learning modality. I am encouraged by our resilience and encourage everyone to celebrate and focus on the SUCCESSES and STRENGTHS that have been revealed and not be overwhelmed by all the obstacles. Let us find comfort in the RELATIONSHIPS we have forged in these adverse and unfamiliar times, let us work together to make a better future for our students, families, school, and community.

“ At Pūʻōhala School, we want to empower students with ʻike kupuna, positive relationships, and lifelong learning.”

Aloha Pūʻōhala ʻOhana,

We have some important information and updates to school and meal service plans. Most important is a survey we need you to complete as soon as possible.

Access the survey here Quarter 2 DL Survey  or on our website at puohala.weebly.com.
Other important information:

• Hawaii Department of Education gets approval to run the summer feeding program at select schools beginning quarter 2!  That means free meals to all 18 and under and we are a school providing that service. You can use the school ID cards that were given at the beginning of the school year if your children are not in the car with you. BIG CHANGE - no breakfast grab and go as this will be served with lunch. See the flier here with more information. 2020-HIDOE-Fall-Grab-and-Go-Flyer.pdf   If you need other documentation to show you have children from our school, email dsherry@pueo.k12.hi.us.  Again, no grab and go breakfast will be served curbside at schools in the mornings starting Monday, Oct.12.
• We need you to complete the beginning of the year packets. We only received about 50 completed sets. Go to our website or click here to begin filling out the forms. It will take you about 10 minutes to complete. Beginning Packet
• The HIDOE is asking all families to fill out a survey about your first quarter experiences with distance learning. Head to their website or open attachment for more information. Return to Learn Survey Flyer Oct2020.pdf 

AS WE PREPARE FOR YOUR KEIKI AND RETURN TO LEARN ON CAMPUS, WE NEED YOUR KOKUA!!!

• Teach them how to put on and take off their mask; practice
• Have them wear their mask for 15-20 minutes at home, gradually increasing time to help with their stamina. This will help them adjust greatly.
• Teach them to spend the 20 seconds washing their hands. We've found that songs such as "You are my sunshine"  and "This Little Light of Mine," fit the time. I have included the words in both Hawaiian and English. 20 second hand washing songs.pdf 
• Have them learn good spacing for social distancing. Help them understand what 6ft might look like. Two arms stretched out is just about there - your arm and my arm.  We call it 'shaka distancing.' Let them see you parents and guardians do it with others at the store or while out exercising.

Mahalo for all your help and support during these times. We hope all of you are staying healthy and that our haumana enjoy the fall break! 
​
Pūʻōhala Administration

The Grab-and-Go school meals program will be returning this fall at 203 public schools. 

The program will run from Monday, Oct. 12, through Friday, Dec. 18, and provide free meals to children ages 18 and younger. The meals are available to children regardless of whether or not they are enrolled at the distribution site, are public school students, or are eligible for the free or reduced-price lunch program.

Visit https://sites.google.com/thepaf.org/poko/  for more information on the virtual after school program.