Page 4 - MidWeek Central - June 30, 2021

4 JUNE 30, 2021
School In Wahiawā Focuses On Its Mission Of Helping Children To Flourish
FROM PAGE 1
and academic environment has transformed our son into an eager and successful student. The school has ex- ceeded our expectations in his development as a learner. Ho‘ala has boosted our son’s self-confidence from his first day in kindergarten,” ex- plain parents Ken and Gail Quilantang.
“From the moment he walked onto the campus, our son has been welcomed with open arms in a comfort- able place that encourages him to be himself. There are lots of opportunities for so- cial growth that our son has participated in through after- school enrichment classes, community service, school gatherings and fundraisers that make it a true school family experience,” the par- ents add. “Ho‘ala school tru- ly embraces the entire child socially and academically. Thank you for providing a strong foundation for his ed- ucation for years to come.”
“This is an example of what we hear time and time again. When parents and students embrace the phi- losophy, when they ʻget it,’ it stays in their heart. It’s embraced and celebrated. The effects of successful completion at Hoʻala School shows up in the adults who are now respected leaders
in their chosen fields with- in their communities,” Dela Cruz emphasizes.
“We are looking at a 12- to-1 ratio, which is small enough to individualize learning to keep each child safe, while being challenged, engaged and focused,” says Dela Cruz. “Students are never compared to one an- other and they are celebrat- ed on who they are and their own personal accomplish- ments. Praises, compliments and encouraging statements are many. Discouraging, finger pointing, blaming are nil as children are taught our core values, the four R’s.”
get his temperature checked before happily jumping out and waving goodbye to his dad. Meanwhile, immediate- ly after leaving their parents’ vehicles, other keiki of all grade levels excitedly hur- ried over to their teachers waiting to begin the day.
Ho‘ala requires new par- ents and teachers to attend a series of five workshops, which explore the context practiced in the Ho‘ala mod- el of education. Participants consider ways of structuring their homes and classrooms to support mutual respect, cooperation and effective action.
Dela Cruz says, “Admin- istrators are equally happy to see the children’s smiling eyes as more students show up to school.”
“Ho‘ala School teaches a child that they are part of a group, that everyone work- ing together in a respectful and responsible manner equals more efficient, intel- ligent and patient children,” states business entrepreneur, April Woolley, a member of the class of 2003. Woolley owns Tini Manini, a chil- dren’s clothing store at the North Shore Marketplace in Hale‘iwa.
Following the philosophy of Alfred Adler, Sister Joan Madden established Ho‘ala School in 1986, as a nonsec- tarian school. She started it with like-minded teachers to create an environment in which children experience a sense of belonging and sig- nificance every day.
These include taking re- sponsibility for your own actions, being respectful, re- sponsive and resourceful.
Ho‘āla means to “awak- en” or “rise up” in Hawaiian. “Students are listened to, taken seriously and feel needed. Likewise, teachers and administra- tors also connect with each other using the same techniques,”explainsDela Cruz of the school, which has as its motto “Where
Visit hoalaschool.org or call 808-621-1898 for info.
A Ho‘ala student holds up a celebratory shaka at the Wahiawā school.
PHOTO COURTESY HO’ALA SCHOOL
“Successful Ho‘ala stu- dents flourish in high school, college and beyond,” Dela Cruz concludes.
“I am grateful to my parents for sending me to Ho‘ala and I continue to car- ry the values of Ho‘ala with me into adulthood,” Woolley adds.
children flourish.”
“Ho‘ala School provides
Dela Cruz notes that the campus has a 10-to-1 stu- dent-to-teacher ratio, and next year it expects to ex- pand the classroom size with the Centers for Disease Con- trol guidelines loosening re- strictions on spacing.
an environment that allows for amazing kindness and humility to grow in its stu- dents. The warm, nurturing,
HAWAII FENCE SUPPLY
HAWAIIFENCESUPPLY.COM