Before every new school year, my vice principal and I decide on a theme for the year that’s rooted in Hawaiian wisdom. Our theme for this year is alu i ka hana me ke kuanaike like which means to join together in the work with a unified mindset or perspective.
We share each years theme with our teachers, in our student handbook, and at our Welcome Back assembly with parents, because they are an essential part of the team that is educating and supporting the child. I also create an art piece that explains the theme.
I share a copy with our school community, and teachers display it in their classrooms. This years image shows a lei woven from the leaves of kukui trees, whose seeds have a high oil content and so traditionally have been used as sources of light.
Having a visual representation of our theme helps us build a community-wide mission to function harmoniously and collaboratively. Here are some of the ways were facing the challenges of the new year together.
Engaging and connecting families
Our students first day in the classroom this year was Aug. 4. On July 31, we had a Welcome Back to School orientation for parents where we shared some of the resources that are available to them, such as , which we use as our primary mass messaging system.
We also introduced parents to their teachers, our staff and our extracurricular providers and our parent booster organization. Later in the year, well have a language arts night and a math night, and we host grade-level potlucks to help parents build connections with each other.
Before each school year begins, our staff works hard to make sure that the campus is looking great, that the classrooms are ready to receive students and that weve created a welcoming atmosphere so that kids feel excited to be back on campus. An essential part of that preparation is making sure that our tech systems are in place.
Having edtech tools ready
Our school uses a number of resources to help jumpstart learning at the beginning of each year. A tool that we started using last year with all of our K-6 students is , which provides every student an AI-powered tutor.
Students used it for both reading and math, and we saw some impressive improvements, including an 18-percentile gain in math and a 10-percentile gain in reading. This year, we encouraged students to use Super Teacher on their own during the summer so that they would be up to speed when they returned in August.
We also use , a math resource that comes from Jo Boaler at Stanford. It helps students with problem-solving in fun, gamified ways.
Another tech resource we use, , is a space camp challenge where kids have to work in teams to solve STEM problems. It focuses on building collaboration and critical thinking skills.
It’s a big motivator for our students because we can see our scores relative to other schools in our area. Last year, we were proud to be near the top portion of achievement.
For our teachers, especially in the lower grades, these tools are part of their school day every day, so they need to be comfortable using them when students have independent time, if they’re working in small groups or as part of a station. To help them reach that comfort level, we make sure that our new teachers are onboarded properly so that they feel confident as they open up their classrooms.
Onboarding and supporting teachers
The day before teachers report back, we have an onboarding day where we introduce them to our theme, our plans for the new year and the structures in place to support them as they teach. I try not to overload them, because I understand that for a new teacher, or even a teacher that’s new to our school, it can be overwhelming if I load them up with a lot of initiatives and expectations.
Instead, at the beginning of the year, I focus on strengthening the trust and relationships with my staff, along with our students and their families. I listen and get to know the people who make up the school community, honoring what they have done so far so I can add to it and enhance it.
Just as kukui seeds have long been a source of light for Hawaiians, as a principal at the dawn of a new school year, my role is to illuminate the path to collaborative learning for students, teachers, and the whole community.
Leaders in Action: This small district is only as strong as its community
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