Welcome back and Happy New Year! I would like to let you know about some exciting academic happenings at the school.

First, we are beginning our second round of HSA Testing. Did you know the students receive their results at the end of the test? That might be a good conversation starter to talk about what areas they thought they did well on and what areas they felt were more challenging. Second, we now have two part time teachers working with a wide range of students in grades 3 through 6 in small group support settings. I am pleased that 'Aikahi is able to offer this extra support to our students.

Lastly, I wanted to update you on our transition into the National Common Core Standards. This year grades Kindergarten, First and Second have integrated the rigorous standards into their current curriculum. All of our teachers are preparing and planning for the phased in transition in the immediate years to come. I encourage you to visit their website to find out more: www.corestandards.org.

We have many good things happening at school:

Welcome back and Happy New Year! I trust everyone found peace and aloha and made some memo- ries with your ohanas. We are jumping right into the New Year with our second round of HSA Testing. Remember to encourage your children to get a good night’s rest and a full breakfast on their days of testing. I would like to remind you that our cafeteria serves $1 breakfasts every morning from 7:15am - 7:45am for students.

I would like to extend a HUGE mahalo to each and every family for their support and contributions to help the families in need from Helping Hands Hawaii. The five families we adopted received such an outpouring of clothes, toys and money it was an amazing sight. The cash breakdown was as follows: Kindergarten and 1st Grade: $460; 2nd and 3rd Grades: $505; 4th and 5th Grades: $340; 6th Grade: $150 and the Staff : $205. We had many parent volunteers that come in to sort through the items and wrap each and every present. I would like to say thank you so much... you made a positive difference in the life of another.

Spring Family Science Night: Thursday April 5th 5-8pm.This will be another fun, enriching and educational evening for all Aikahi families. We are again partnering with Bishop Museum's Holoholo Science Program to bring you this event free of charge in large part due to a generous grant from the IECA Foundation (Independent Educational Consultants Association Foundation).

Yellow Ribbon Day: Friday April 27th This is a moving and memorable day for our ‘Aikahi Ohana given that approximately 30% of our students are from military families. This special day is dedicated to honoring those students from military families for the many sacrifices they make on behalf of their active-duty parent(s) in service to our great country. Please join us!

This year’s Kokua Hawai’i Foundation calendar contest theme is How do you Kokua Hawai’i? The contest asks student artists to depict ways that they Kokua our island environment. Kokua is the Ha- waiian word for help - How do you help Hawai’i's environment and your community?

Students should reflect on the ways they kokua the environment and use paint, crayons, pastels, fab- ric, collage, or mixed media from reused materials (even plastic) to put your vision on paper or can- vas. The possibilities are endless! Deadline is February 11, 2012. Winning entries will be included in the 2012-13 school year Kokua Calendar.

Who can participate? Hawai’i school-aged children grades K-12. (May be submitted by a Teacher, Parent, or Organization). Visit http://kokuahawaiifoundation.org/ for more information and complete guidelines.