SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii (July 26, 2013) -- Back-to-school season is always a busy time for parents and students.
To help lighten the load, we've compiled the following bulletin board chockfull of important information, dates and reminders. Simply find your child's school and read on.
For extra ease, consider cutting out the appropriate listings to have at hand for the weeks leading up to the first day of classes.
Hale Kula Elementary School
Principal: Jan Iwase
Contacts: (808) 622-6380, www.halekula.k12.hi.us
Key Dates:
•July 29 -- Front office begins accepting payments for student meal accounts.
•July 31 -- New parent/student orientation in the cafeteria; sign in at 2:45 p.m., with meeting starting at 3 p.m.
•July 31 -- Class list posting for grades 1-5, outside the cafeteria, 4 p.m.
•Aug. 1 -- Meet-and-greet with homeroom teachers and supplies drop-off, 2-3 p.m.
•Aug. 5 -- First day of school for grades 1-5; kindergarten screenings begin.
The parking area directly in front of the school is for staff only, 7-8:15 a.m. and 1:30-2:30 p.m. Parking is available in the lot across the school, on Ayers Avenue.
During peak morning and afternoon hours, only one drop-off/pick-up lane will be available.
All bus riders should register at the school's front office. Reminder, a student who lives at least a mile from campus is allowed to use the bus services.
Helemano Elementary School
Principal: Ernest Muh
Contacts: (808) 622-6336, www.helemano.k12.hi.us
Key Dates:
•July 29 -- Classroom postings, grades 1-5, 7:30 a.m.
•Aug. 2 -- Open house, 3-5 p.m.
•Aug. 5 -- First day of school for grades 1-5; kindergarten orientation begins Aug. 5 and concludes Aug. 9.
•Aug. 15 -- First full day of classes for kindergarteners.
The front office is now accepting payments for student meal accounts and bus transportation.
Shafter Elementary School
Principal: Alison Higa
Contacts: (808) 832-3560, www.shafter.k12.hi.us
Key Dates:
•Aug. 2 -- Meet-and-greet with teachers in the classrooms, 8-9 a.m.
•Aug. 5 -- First day of school for grades 1-5; there will be a meeting in the cafeteria for parents of kindergarteners only (no children), 8-8:45 a.m.
The front office is now accepting deposits for student meal accounts.
Solomon Elementary School
Acting Principal: Sally Omalza
Contacts: (808) 624-9500, www.solomon.k12.hi.us
Key Dates:
•Aug 5 -- First day of school for grades 1-5.
•Aug. 9 -- Open house for grades 1-3 and 5, 5-7 p.m.
•Aug. 14 -- First full day of school for kindergarteners.
The front office is now accepting deposits for student meal accounts.
All students who have not completed their tuberculin (TB) skin tests must do so by Aug. 9.
Solomon Elementary requires all parents to provide a local telephone number.
Wahiawa Elementary School
Principal: Jamie Oshiro
Contacts: (808) 622-6393, www.wes.k12.hi.us
Key Dates:
•Aug. 5 -- First day of school for grades 1-5; separate schedule for kindergarteners.
•Aug. 15 -- Spaghetti dinner, 5-6 p.m., and open house, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Uniform shirts will be available for purchase at the front office.
Parents must have funds in the meal and bus accounts prior to the start of school for the student to ride the bus or get his/her lunch. Parents are highly encouraged to apply online for free/reduced lunches at www.ezmealapp.com.
Please call the school for any questions.
Wahiawa Middle School
Principal: Gayle Yamaguchi
Contacts: (808) 622-6500, www.wahiawamiddle.org
Key Dates:
•Aug. 5 -- First day of school for all students.
Wheeler Middle School
Principal: Brenda Vierra-Chun
Contacts: (808) 622-6525, www.wheelm.k12.hi.us
Key Dates:
•Aug. 2 -- Schedule pick-up and teacher meetings, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
•Aug. 5 -- First day of school for all students.
The front office is now accepting payments for the student meal accounts. Parents are highly encouraged to apply online for free/reduced lunches at www.ezmealapp.com.
Leilehua High School
Principal: Aloha Coleman
Contacts: (808) 622-6550, www.leilehua.k12.hi.us
Key Dates:
•Aug. 5 -- First day of school for freshmen only, 8 a.m.-noon; payments accepted for meal accounts, class dues, fees, bus transportation, etc.
•Aug. 6 -- Classes (periods 1-4) for all students begin.
Students will receive a syllabus from each class the first day to determine what school supplies will be needed.
The front office is now accepting payments for student meal accounts. Parents are highly encouraged to apply for free/reduced lunches at www.ezmealapp.com.
School Supplies
School supply lists can be picked up at school front offices and at some retail stores, including the Army and Air Force Exchange Service Main Exchange, Navy Exchange, Longs, Walmart and Kmart, or ordered online via school websites.
Public School Buses
Parents whose students are entitled to free bus passes must complete an application form at http://iportal.k12.hi.us/SBT.
Completed forms and payment should be submitted to the school.
One-way bus coupons cost $12.50 for a sheet of 10. Round-trip and one-way fares also may be purchased on an annual or quarterly basis.
Full rate schedules and eligibility requirements for school bus services are available at the website.
Also, the Hawaii State Department of Education launches the first phase of its "Get on Board" initiative to reform its public school bus transportation system, Aug. 5.
The pilot will serve as many as 1,000 students at 30 schools in the Aiea, Moanalua, Pearl City, Radford and Waipahu High complex areas, and includes route restoration to Aiea Heights, Halawa Heights and Waikele Elementary School attendance areas.
Another significant feature is the use of a technology solution that includes routing software, GPS tracking on buses, and an updated and contemporary contracting and procurement process.
The DOE plans to implement Get on Board at all Oahu schools by 2014-2015, and statewide the following school years.
For more information, contact the child's school or the DOE Student Transportation Services Branch, (808) 586-0170. Parents also can contact the Get on Board Call Center, (808) 206-7936 or getonboard@hawaiidoe.org.
Child Safety
Child safety is an Army community priority.
Children younger than 10 years of age cannot be left unsupervised at a bus stop and cannot walk to school alone. They must be escorted by a parent or sibling age 12 years or older.
Policy Memorandum USAG-HI 34, "Child Supervision Policy for Army Installations in Hawaii," states the conditions under which children must be supervised.
Remember, now is the perfect time to update phone numbers, work numbers, addresses and email addresses with your school administrator. Failure to get a hold of a parent in an emergency situation could have devastating consequences.
For the safety of your child, ensure your entire family is familiar with and adheres to these policies.
Let's do our part to keep our keiki (children) safe.
Online Tools
To download the complete 2013-14 public school calendar, or to find additional resources to help make this year your child's best one yet, visit www.hawaiipublicschools.org.
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