HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0376.003 2002-2004
OCT-21-2003 TUE 04;27 PM P. 001/002
'VV'a% Ola `Waters of Life'
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New C.enttnv Pub}~c Clractier Sd~ool
~ 4 Box aza9 Pahoa, HI 96779 p
phone: ($08)969-127s P+aY;($p~ g(g.gpt~ w
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Diroetor: Dr. Llhby Oahlyama C O
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focal School Board OitScers
Ma. Lauris Saarinsn, Chairwoman Dr. Tfiae Buchanan, Vico-Cheirwoman
Ma. Patricia Faaandea, Secrotary Mr. Michael Baroea, lYeseurer
Comm. No.
Ref. To:~ ~ ~
Ref. Date
CGT-21-2003 TUE 04:27 PM P. 002/002
Aloha County Council Members,
My name Is Cathy Breth, I have been working at Wal Ola'Watero of Lke' Public Charter Sohool since July
2002, and find k to be a v®ry worthwhile offort. The antiro faculty, board, and support staff le overflowing wkh
dedication, Integrky, profesalonallem and compaaslonl Th18 Is the hardest working group of people that I have
ever had the privlloge to work with. When I get the chance to walk around our cluaaa I ass and 1 hear aotlve
learning taking place, The students are asking questions and answering queotona In an excked way. They
are truly Involved in the education procesell
Since the class sizes aro measurably smaller than In the regular public schools, them la ample time for each
student to be heard. The class size also allows everyone to know each other in a way that can't happen in a
bigger school. You rosily do get a sense of'ohana In ks best sense hen. I aaa the students making friends
that will last a lifetime.
Of course ell aehoola take in some students that aro having a variety of difflwlties, whether physical or
emotional. I see a great deal of these students ehanging in positive wsys already, when we aro only one
quarter through the school year. Having taught In the pest I know that this is a commendable accomplishment,
as It oftentimes tskea ali year to make a dlfferonce. It Is especially eommendabk given the school's present
dlfrcukies. It takes extromely dedicated teachero to pack up all class supplies every day, day agar day.. Rut
barely ¦ day goes by when I haven't spoken with a parent who Is very happy about their child's or childron'a
teaming experiences here at Wai Ola. This includes parents of childron with special needs.
I also see our Charter Sohool and hear of others struggling financlelly, and in getting facilftiea that equal or
excxed other state publio sohoois. It seems as if tfils county roaolutlon will make k difficult for all Charter
Schools to progress In this way. It would be vary sad indeed to see the Charter School movement In Hawaii
die. All Charter Sohool children are also Hawali'a children. You can help keep Charter School's alive in
Hawaii. I urge you to make a resolution that supports Charter School land use in Hawaii.
In particular, I urge you to assist Wai Ola 'Watero of Life' Public Charter School In Its present endeavor to
occupy Sunshine Farina on Ala Loop. The entire school family has embraced our environmental/agrtcukurol
studies integrated curriculum in a very poskive way. The students, teachero, and families are all very
anthuslaauc about the program. They are very happy that we oan glue Hawaii's chlldron Ilfe skills that will
unable them to stay home to make their living after they graduate from high school. I cannot think of a more
deserving project than thisl
Approximately 25°~ of our student population gate on and off of the bus In KurUstown (Our bus drivers take
attendance every day). This says to me that this neighborhood does Indeed Woad our praaencel We also
have bus-stops in Paradise Park, Ainaloa, and Keaau where another large percentage of our student
population rosides (approximately 40%). Tha balance of our student body Is bussed from Hllo and Pahoa. We
currently have at leact six requests to put abus-atop in Mt. dew. These numbers are growing ovary day, ae
we continue to accept enrollment.
Our student body Is also very culturally divensa. Cunantly, our Hawaiian/Part Hawaiian population b 38:0.
Many of these families have expressed partleular interest in having their childron loam about the'aina and how
we can bs good carotakero of It, and how k can support ua in return. 30% of our student body Is White; 8% is
Black; 4°h each is American Indian, Japanese, and. Portuguese; the remainder is Chinaae, Eskimo, Filipino,
Spanish, end Other. Over 80% of our students qualify for the National Fns ar+d Reduced Lunch program. We
aro filling a need In the community. Please support our efforts.
There are a lot of teachers, support staff, student teachers, volunteers, and paronta, as well as students,
working very hard in this school. Please find it in your hearts and in the taxpayer's pockets to support Hawaii's
Public Charter Schools. They really arc a worthwhile investment. I would like to see my tax dollars spent in
this way, I will vote for cendidatea who support Charter Schools end I will encourage my friends and family to
do the same.
Mahalo for your time and attention to this matter.
Cathy Broth, Wei Ole'Wetero of Life' Public Charter School