INFO FLO
Oct. 24, 2006 Vol. 4 #12
 
 
Dates to Remember
 
Fri. Oct. 27 and Mon. Oct. 30 ……Swimming……..4th  grade
Tues. Nov. 7 and Fri. Nov. 10……NO SCHOOL DAYS.
Wed., Thru Fri. Nov. 1=3……Book Fair……..See Below


Trunk-or-Treat: Tuesday, October 31, 6-9pm at Cooper Center parking lot. See iNSERT or October’s Volcano Community Newsletter for more information. Cheryl could use some volunteers.  (Annual CC Halloween Party is the 28th.)

Annual Book Fair: Mark your calendars for the annual Book Fair, Nov. 1-3!!! Scholastic’s theme this year is Reading Rainforest: Wild About Books!
The Fair will be open from 2:30-6:00pm each day in the Movement Room. We need volunteers for set-up, staffing/sales, and packing afterwards.  We need people with all kinds of skills, so let us know if you have a creative idea or if you can help unpack books.  Any help is appreciated.  Lisa: 985-8537
 
The Afterschool Enrichment course schedule was incorrect on one part of the Registration Form.  To clarify, the correct schedule is:
Fabric Arts            M. Hiestand  
Mon   2:30 - 4:00   $35
Ukulele I - Beg       K. Quincey   
Tue   2:15 - 2:45   $42
Ukulele II - Int        K. Quincey   
Tue   2:45 - 3:30   $42
Hip Hop Rhythms   K. Hunter      
Wed 1:30 - 2:30   $35
Golf *                    S. Pruitt        
Wed 1:00 - 2:40   $50; $10
Ballet                    K. Hunter       
Thu  2:30 - 3:30   $35
* Transportation will be provided for this off-campus activity.

All classes begin this week, Oct 23rd, and end the week before Winter Break, Dec 14th.  Note - Some classes are at risk of cancellation due to low enrollment. We do still have scholarships available. Contact Kalima, 985-8727 or kalimacay@yahoo.com, for more info.
 
Second Notice!! The procedure about InfoFlo envelopes is: Only one envelope will go to a family.
 
Counseling Corner – HSA Testing
Hawaii State Assessments are being given this year in: Parents and teachers who would like to view sample test questions may go to the HSA website:  www.hsaitems.org  The website provides sample questions, answers, and explanations of how the testing is graded.
 
Parents of 4th and 6th Grade Students:
The HSA Writing Test is coming up this month and will be given over two days.  Grade 4 students will take the test Thur. 11/2 and Fri. 11/3.  Grade 6 students will take the test on Mon. 10/30 and Thur. 11/2.  Student writing will be graded on five components that are weighted equally:
Meaning – does the writing makes sense and have supporting details?
Voice – does the writing reflect the unique voice of the writer?   
Clarity – does the writing use specific words, interesting language, and clear sentences?
Design – how well is the writing organized?
Conventions – does the writing utilize proper grammar and spelling?
Please help your child be best prepared with a good night’s sleep, breakfast, and encouragement to do their best.  
                                      Submitted by:  Kim Miller, Counselor
 
Multiple Intelligences, Part 4,  Logical-Mathematical Intelligence:  What does it mean to be Number/Logic Smart?
 
            Logical-Mathematical (Number/Logic Smart) learners like to find patterns or sequences, consider cause and effect relationships, enjoy experimenting and using the scientific method, and generally think in terms of concepts and questions, forming and testing hypotheses, and emphasizing rationality.  They are generally good at using numbers to solve problems or make calculations.  This kind of thinking has been heavily emphasized in traditional schooling, second only to Verbal/Linguistic Intelligence (Word Smart). 
            Some ways we can all become more Number/Logic Smart are:
·        Play games that use strategy and logic, like chess, checkers, or do “brainteaser” kinds of puzzles (with words and/or numbers)
·        Watch TV programs about science or math, as many PBS shows, read magazines on these topics, or visit science museums
·        Do more math problems in our heads, and find how many ways we can solve them; practice estimating objects around us for number or measurement
·        Write down questions we have about our world, and then research to find some answers
·        Do experiments or science projects (many ideas can be found online)
·        Work with someone who is a strong logical-mathematical learner
·        Teach someone else something we know from math or science
·        Think about numbers we see around us, in the news, etc., and ask questions about them
·        Learn about the history of mathematical thinking
·        Build a website or use a computer for other work
·        Think about how we solve problems, and how we can use all of our smarts to solve problems more easily
Submitted by:  Lora Bristow, SSC
 
Counseling Corner:  What’s New?
Random Acts of Kindness is a school-wide program to recognize good deeds.  Acts of kindness are written down along with the names of the doers and posted in our multi-purpose room.  We are working as a school to achieve 500 Random Acts of Kindness that we will celebrate school-wide.
Aloha Ambassadors will welcome new students and staff members to school and introduce them to our school rules and routines.  Aloha Ambassadors will also help with special events and programs.
Peer Mediators are being trained in the 4th and 5th grades to help peers solve problems and make friends on the playground and at lunch.  Our 5th grade students will be ready soon to take on this important job.
Peace Education is scheduled to begin in our K-3 classes.  Weekly classroom lessons will teach students how to calm themselves when upset, make good choices, recognize their feelings and the feelings of others, be good friends to one another, and manage anger.
 
8th Grade Students – Choosing a High School
Now is the time for our 8th grade students to be exploring high school options. Here is some information that may be helpful as parents and students begin this process.
  1. Public High Schools:  Keaau HS, Kau HS, Waiakea HS, and Hilo HS each offer some programming that is unique to that school.  To apply for a public high school that is not your zone school, parents need to fill out and submit a Geographic Exception Form.   On the form parents are asked to provide specific reasons why you would like your child to attend a particular school. 
·        In November, the new catalogues of courses and programs for each high school will be coming out.  This is a good way to learn about which programs are available in which schools.  We will have copies of all the catalogues available here in the VSAS counseling center.
·        Geographic Exception Forms need to be filed between Jan. 1 and Feb. 28.  You can pick up GE Forms from any high school office or from the VSAS counseling center.
  1. Public Charter Schools: 
Connections Public Charter School (961-3664) – is accepting applications for their waiting list.  Applications are available from Connections and from the VSAS Counseling Center. 
Hawaii Academy of Arts and Sciences (965-3730) – call for information and an application.
  1. Private Schools:
Kamehameha School – application for Fall 2007 was due 9/30
St. Joseph’s High School (935-4936; www.sjhshilo.org)
If anyone would like some help to set up a school visit to learn more about a particular school, please contact me through the main office: 985-9800.
                                                                        Submitted by:  Kim Miller, Counselor