July 2017 Dear Parents, I hope that you’ve had a wonderful, restful summer with your family and are excited for the new school year. Our teachers look forward to welcoming your children to the 2017-18 school year. We have worked together this summer to further develop our curriculum in our continued effort to help each student maximize his or her potential. Our personalized curriculum ensures that each child is known, understood, and challenged to be his or her personal best. The curriculum is intentionally designed to cultivate creative thinkers, confident learners, and compassionate leaders. We ground our curriculum in the universal values of kindness, love, and service for the betterment of humankind. These skills and foundational values will allow our students to be successful and thrive in our rapidly changing and complex world. To enhance our culture of thinking, learning, and doing we will focus on developing the emotional intelligence of our students. The evidence is clear, people who are emotionally intelligent build meaningful and fulfilling relationships, are less likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors, and are more successful in school and in life. Last year our school was awarded a multiyear grant from the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation to implement the RULER program developed by researchers at Yale University. This nationally acclaimed, evidence-based program provides us with tools and strategies to help people Recognize, Understand, Label, Express, and Regulate their emotions. These skills play an important role in developing happy, healthy, engaged and productive learners. You may learn more about the RULER program by reading the enclosed article by Dr. Ruth Fletcher, or by visiting http://ei.yale.edu/ruler/ and reading “Should Emotions Be Taught In Schools?” by Grace Rubinstein on the benefits of social emotional learning in schools. I am also happy to introduce to you a new faculty member, Ms. Deborah Shintaku, who will join us as our Educational Technology and Curriculum Resource Teacher. Ms. Shintaku earned her Bachelor’s in Education and Master’s in Education from University of Hawaii at Mānoa and has served as teacher and computer resource teacher for the past 13 years. She most recently served as computer resource teacher at Hawaii Baptist Academy and brings with her vast experience and knowledge in technology integration, robotics and coding. Ms. Shintaku will assist our St. Andrew’s faculty in their STEAM endeavors. Enclosed with this summer mailing, you will find a letter from your principal introducing the new teachers joining us as well as details regarding the exciting new developments taking place in our educational programs. Additionally, you will find important information to assist your family in preparing for the new school year. All the Best,
Sophie Halliday Director of Educational Programs
Aloha St. Andrew’s Priory ‘Ohana, Welcome to a new school year! I hope your summer has been restful and replenishing and has given your family a chance to spend quality time together. We are excited to welcome your daughters back to what we are sure will be a wonderful year full of valuable learning experiences. St. Andrew’s Schools is honored to have the opportunity to support your daughter’s educational journey in a setting that is firmly rooted in the values of our beloved founder, Queen Emma Kaleleonālani, and in a setting that supports each child to reach her fullest potential. New Faculty As we bid a fond farewell to all of our beloved teachers who have served our students so well, I am pleased to introduce to you our incoming teachers, who will breathe new life into our community with the talent, expertise, and enthusiasm they bring to their classrooms. Dr. Mai Luong earned her Ph.D from the University of Massachusetts and received her postdoctoral training at Massachusetts General Hospital. She served as Assistant Professor at UMass Medical School, and served as a substitute teacher at Punahou School. We are thrilled that she will be teaching Conceptual Physics, Algebra I, and Precalculus. Dr. Brian Turano earned his Ph.D in Genetics and Molecular Biology from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and has had a distinguished career in research and teaching related to environmental science in higher education. He joins us as our Physics, Geometry, Engineering, and Robotics teacher. Mr. Kurt Ginoza earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music and Post-Baccalaureate in Music Education from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and is a member of the National Association for Music Education. He is an accomplished trumpet player and served as trumpet section leader for the University of Hawaiʻi Rainbow Warrior Marching Band. He brings a wealth of teaching experience at the K-12 levels--he taught music courses ranging from beginning, intermediate, and advanced band classes, to ukulele and private trumpet lessons. He is joining us as our Upper School Band Director. Ms. Kazuyo Ogawa earned her Master of Curriculum and Instruction at Lesley University and has taught Japanese and ESL on the East Coast and Hawaiʻi. She will be teaching Japanese to our Upper School students. She is also the proud parent of a Queen Emma Preschool student. Kumu Alison Ipo Roney will serve as our Kumu Hula until Kumu Namahana returns from a visit to her home in the Canary Islands in October, and then again in early May. Kumu Ipo trained under Kumu Hula Tony Conjugacion and serves as alakaʻi. Learning and Leading in The Priory Upper School We have another year of enriching, engaging, and exciting school year ahead of us. We are looking forward to the events that make our community so vibrant and full of joy: Upper School Back to School Night, Spirit Weeks, Camp Week, and performing arts shows and concerts, just to name a few!
Our Upper School Program will continue to challenge your daughters to strive for the highest through a highly personalized learning environment in which each child can explore her interests, augment her knowledge and skills, and do meaningful, relevant work that serves her community. Our students will: • • • • •
Ask questions, investigate, problem-solve, create, and reflect through our STEAM:Ed UP! Program, Learn about the world around them and take action as compassionate leaders through our Stevens Global Leadership Program, Learn the success skills necessary to successfully complete an internship at a local business, non-profit, healthcare, or business sector through our Career Explorations Program, Hone their skills and exhibit their work through our award winning visual and performing arts programs and, Soar as scholar athletes in our Athletic Program.
All of our academic programs rest on a firm foundation of our Episcopal heritage and school values of Aloha, Mālama, Pono, ʻImi Nauʻauao, Hoʻomanawanui, and Lokomaikaʻi. Our students will encounter and practice these values through our advisory program and by attending weekly chapels, all intentionally designed to build character, resilience, and social emotional wellness. We will further enhance our focus on social emotional wellness in the community by building up our students’ emotional intelligence through the RULER program, and we invite you to be partners in that endeavor. Our rich array of co-curricular and extracurricular activities gives our students opportunities to get involved, lead, and grow. Our Middle School Student Council and High School Student Council students have a planned an excellent year of events to serve our community, and our clubs will continue to serve as one more space in which our students may pursue their interests and serve the wider community. We hope to see you at ʻOhana Barbecue, our first big community gathering! During the barbecue, your daughters are welcome to drop off their supplies and books in their lockers. The student council and grade-level leaders will lead the Big Sister/Little Sister program, which is designed to make the transition into the Upper School less daunting for our new students - which includes all incoming sixth graders. Your daughter may check PowerSchool for her course schedule and locker assignment (powerschool.standrewsschools.org) on July 25. Please refer to the letter from the Technology Department for login information. Please login to the Parent Portal for resources and information for students and parents including our After School Care program. Finally, please visit www.standrewsschools.org/17-18 for back to school information and forms. We have enclosed a handy checklist for you so that your daughter will be ready for our new school year. In these last weeks of summer, please encourage your daughters to rest, play, and enjoy their time with friends and family. Should you have questions before the beginning of school, please feel free to contact the Upper School Office at 536-6104. Thank you for your continued commitment to your daughter’s educational experience with St. Andrew’s Schools.
With warmest regards! Nichole Field,
Interim Upper School Principal
The Priory LS Back-to-School Checklist For your convenience, please use this Back-to-School Checklist to prepare for the 17-18 school year. To access forms, flyers and instructions, please refer to the 17-18 School Year Info page on our website (standrewsschools.org/17-18). Health Information and Student Health Form (Form 14) Please submit your child’s annually updated Student Health form to the Lower School Office (K105). You may contact our school nurse, Mrs. Deborah Sherman (dsherman@standrewsschools.org) with any questions. PowerSchool Update your Annual Student Registration in PowerSchool. Please refer to the Annual Student Registration Instructions posted. Canvas Log in and update your notification preferences in Canvas, our Learning Management System. Please refer to the Parent Canvas Instructions. ‘Ohana BBQ (Gr. K-12, Thursday, August 17, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM) RSVP for our ‘Ohana Barbecue (http://tinyurl.com/ohanabbq). Students are encouraged to bring their school supplies to their classrooms this evening.
After School Program (Gr. K-5) Register your child for our After School Care Program and Enrichment courses (standrewsschools.org/register). Please refer to ASAP Online Registration Instructions. Computer Registration (Gr. 5) Bring your computer for annual registration on August 7 or 8, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to Queen Emma Library, Kennedy Hall 210. Please refer to 17-18 Computer Information for computer specifications. Questions? Please contact the Technology Department (technology@standrewsschools.org). Responsible Technology Use Policy (Gr. 4 and 5) Please read the Responsible Technology Use Policy and review it with your child. Supply List Please purchase your child’s school supplies for the school year. Please refer to the Supply List. Uniforms Please peruse our Uniform Information and Uniform Guidelines to purchase your child’s uniform. Questions? Please contact the Lower School Office (532-2444) and we will be happy to assist you.
Dear St. Andrew’s Schools ʻOhana, I hope you are enjoying your summer vacation. I am looking forward to beginning my second year serving as chaplain to this amazing community. It is truly a privilege to serve the students, families, and faculty of St. Andrew’s Schools in this capacity. Our beloved founder, Queen Emma, invited the church to be involved with our school from the very beginning. As the only diocesan school in Hawaiʻi, we continue to enjoy a special relationship with the Episcopal Church. At St. Andrew’s Schools, we both embrace our heritage as an Episcopal school and strive to create an environment that welcomes people of all faith traditions. One of the hallmarks of the Episcopal church is inclusivity and the commitment “to respect the dignity of every human being.” I see this lived out daily in our common life at school, from the playground games to chapel services. I am excited to announce a change to the chapel program for the upcoming school year. There will be three separate chapels beginning this fall. The Priory Lower School, The Priory Upper School, and The Prep will each have their own weekly chapel service on Tuesdays. This separation allows for more developmentally appropriate activities, opportunities for leadership, and the space to explore themes relevant to each specific group. We will gather for all-school chapel approximately once a month to celebrate holidays and special occasions. As we look to the new school year, please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns, or pastoral needs. I am available by phone and email. I am always happy to meet in person, as well. My prayers are with all of you as we move into the upcoming school year! Blessings,
The Rev. Annalise Pasalo Chaplain apasalo@standrewsschools.org (808) 532-2460
The RULER Approach to Social Emotional Learning (SEL) By Dr. Ruth Fletcher, Head of School St. Andrew’s Schools
The RULER Approach to Social Emotional Learning (SEL) http://ei.yale.edu/ By Dr. Ruth Fletcher Let’s face it, emotions matter. The Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence understands this and has been eagerly teaching people how to develop their emotional intelligence, or EQ, for over 15 years. Using pioneering research and partnering with field experts to build effective approaches for teaching emotional intelligence the Yale Center documented measurable improvements in emotional skills for those using the holistic and integrated RULER approach to Social Emotional Learning (SEL). RULER stands for: Recognizing emotions in self and others Understanding the causes and consequences of emotions Labeling emotions accurately Expressing emotions appropriately, and Regulating emotions effectively. Because emotions drive learning it is critical to teach children and adults how to understand and manage emotions. The RULER program provides an in-depth school curriculum on emotional literacy for children, teachers, staff and families. It focuses on the acquisition and practice of essential emotional skills: • Building community through group agreements, • Identifying and naming feelings, • Engaging in a process to improve reflective practices and self-regulation, and • Practicing problem solving for complex situations. To this end, faculty, staff and families learn about the Anchors of Emotional Intelligence, four tools that teach emotional intelligence skills to students and adults. These tools help to foster a warm, positive school community and a strong schoolfamily partnership, the four anchor tools are: The Meta-Moment (a six step process that helps manage intense emotions “in the moment” in order to have more satisfying outcomes), The Blueprint (a tool for helping family members develop empathy and perspective taking), The Family Charter (a tool that encourages personal and social responsibility, harmony and trusting relationship at home), and The Mood Meter (a tool that helps to develop emotional awareness and allows people to share their emotions in a safe way). Once the Anchor tools are embedded in the culture of the school, faculty and staff are trained on the Feeling Words Curriculum, which enable teachers and students to recognize and express a full range of emotions. Lessons are interwoven into the daily academic curriculum – students practice their emotional intelligence skills by thinking, speaking, and writing critically about their emotions and hone these skills by recognizing, respecting and responding to multiple perspectives.
Through the RULER curriculum students learn to identify and express their emotions in a positive way, helping them to understand themselves and others, which ultimately builds supportive relationships and strong decision making skills. The evidence of this program’s effectiveness is clear. Schools, public and independent, nationally and internationally, have used the RULER program to great success. Studies show that classrooms that use RULER exhibit greater emotional support, better classroom organization, and more instructional support at the end of the second year of implementation. In addition, students in classrooms using RULER showed higher yearend grades and higher teacher ratings of social and emotional competence compared to the control group. Compared to other schools, classrooms in RULER schools were rated as having higher degrees of warmth and connectedness between teachers and students, more autonomy and leadership among students, and teachers who focused more on students’ interests and motivations. Students using RULER are less likely to bully other students and have better leadership skills and attention. Teacher who use RULER have better relationships with students, less burnout, and better relationships with administration. St. Andrew’s Schools has adopted the Yale’s RULER Approach to Social Emotional Learning (SEL) to serve as our foundation and springboard for developing emotional intelligence. When social emotional skills are strong students are more inclined to cooperate and collaborate with each other, and more apt to become confident learners, creative thinkers and compassionate leaders. For more information about the RULER programs please go to http://ei.yale.edu/ruler/. For more information on learning and parenting please explore the links below: • A Plan for Raising Brilliant Kids, According to Science by Anya Kamenetz • Should Emotions Be Taught In Schools? By Grade Rubinstein • The End of Average: Todd Rose’s ʻ8 for 8’ (8 minute YouTube video) • Alison Gopnik: The Gardener and the Carpenter – Talks at Google (50 minutes) • Emotions, Learning, and the Brain: Exploring the Educational Implications of Affective Neuroscience by Mary Helen Immordino-Yang, a summary by Rebecca Gotlieb