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| NUUANU
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 3055 Puiwa Lane HONOLULU, HAWAII 96817 |
About
Nuuanu Elementary School Nu`uanu School was founded in September, 1960. The school is unique in design with multi-unit one-story redwood buildings. Nu`uanu School is nestled in Nu`uanu Valley amid the rising cliffs of the Koolau Mountains and commands a view of Honolulu Harbor to the south and the summit of the Pali to the north. It commands a sweeping view of the Honolulu shoreline to the south and the mist shrouded summit of the Pali to the north. As it lies peacefully beneath brilliant rainbows and soft drifts of the rain, few would guess its turbulent history. Nu`uanu School was once destined to be built on a two-acre parcel of land adjacent to Queen Emma's Summer Palace, which was the site of the "Battle of Nu`uanu." There, in 1795, Kamehameha I marched his army of 16,000 men and defeated Kalanikupule, Chief of Oahu. This historic battle united all the islands under one ruler in domestic and foreign affairs. The physical setting makes the school appealing, safe and wholesome - the perfect environment for learning. The 360 students from grades kindergarten through six reflect the remarkable ethnic diversity of the socially stable yet dynamic community in upper Nu`uanu Valley. In general, the community is comprised of middle income families with both parents working. Families in the community reside in single dwelling homes, extended family residences, rentals or townhouses with more than fifty percent of our children residing outside of our district. Some of the factors which make Nu`uanu a popular choice include: a strong and established academic core program; convenient location for parents working in the metropolitan Honolulu area; grandparents of our children who reside in the district and provide before and after school care; the availability of a before school and after school care program at the school site; and language schools and YMCA programs at nearby locations. For the past six years through School Community-Based Management, Nu`uanu has focused on the development of curriculum instruction and assessment strategies which empower children to become self-directed, independent learners who are capable of effectively addressing real-life issues and concerns. The support of school administration, faculty, parents, community and state agencies for this type of teaching and learning is systemic and based on a clearly articulated vision for our children. The school's leadership and organizational structure provides teachers, parents and community members with a variety of opportunities to learn. School traditions include a strong and established partnership with the parent organization, Aikane 0 Nu`uanu, Welcome Back to School first day activities; Grandparent's Day; Campus Beautification; Family Night festivities: May Day and our graduation ceremony. We have been supported by a non-profit organization, Aikane 0 Nu`uanu, Inc., founded in 1975 and made up of parents, community and faculty members. Aikane O Nu`uanu, provides financial support and also sponsors the Early Arrival program, the Afterschool enrichment program and the summer school program. The goal of our parent organization is to offer support to the school by providing funds and volunteer assistance to enhance the quality of education at Nu`uanu School. Moreover, since 1975, this organization has sponsored the before school care program, the after school care program and the summer school program. The State Department of Education initiated the Afterschool Plus (A+) program in February, 1990, and Aikane 0 Nu`uanu has continued to supplement and enhance the A+ care program. The support given by Aikane 0 Nu`uanu and the positive working relationship fostered by the principal, teaching and school staff makes Nu`uanu School a successful year-round school model. Nu`uanu School is a high achieving school with strong parental involvement. The high expectations that the school places in the area of basic skills have been recognized in many ways. In 1985, the National Award for Excellence in Education was granted to the school followed with honors in 1991 in the state of Hawaii Elementary School Recognition Program. As a recipient of a Goals 2000 grant in 1995, Nu`uanu School with nine schools in the Roosevelt Complex pursued a collaborative inquiry-based learning study of our Honolulu Harbor. An Apple Computer, Inc. Partners In Education (PIE) grant followed in 1996 in partnership with our University of Hawaii that enabled our students to pursue an interdisciplinary study, "Malama I Ka Wai", on the importance of water as a valuable natural resource. In 1999-2002, Technology & Learning Magazine, Newsweek Magazine, USA Today/Advertiser and the Disney Learning Program recognized the school's exemplary educational technology program. Kelvin Chun was honored with the Disney American Teacher Award (1999), Honolulu District Teacher of the year/ USA Today All Teacher Team (2000), and the National Ed Tech Leaders of the Year (2002). In 2001, Mrs. Gerry Kajitani (6th grade teacher) was recognized for the "Presidential Awards for Excellence in Elementary Science Teaching." Linda Kato unites keiki and Kuakini kupuna thru the Kuakini inter-generational program and is recognized with the "Everyday Hero" award in 2003. In 2004, the school's curriculum program was recognized by the George Lucas Educational Foundation (GLEF) which diseminates models of the most innovative practices in our nation's K-12 schools. Mrs. Cindy Guzzardo (2nd grade teacher) class won a contest sponsored by American Savings Bank in May, 2005. The 2nd graders participated in this contest that asked students how they would spend one million dollars to help their community. The Hawaii Distinguished Schools Program honored Nu`uanu School in 2006 for making significant progress in closing the achievement gap or whose students achieve at the highest levels. Nu`uanu School was one of three selected schools from Hawaii nominated to the "No Child Left Behind" Blue Ribbon Schools Program, and its students consistently perform in the top 10 percent on state test in their grade level category (grade 5) in reading and mathematics. Recently, the School/Community Based Management (SCBM) Council transformed into the School Community Council. The School Community Council is an elected advisory board that plays a vital role in involving the community in their local schools' decision-making process. The council and principal work directly with parents, students, teachers, school personnel, and community representatives to develop annual academic and financial plan which focuses on student achievement. The school has a clearly articulated vision and mission to prepare its students for the 21st century. |