WAHIAWA, Hawaii -- For over a decade, U.S. Army-Hawaii units have partnered with Hawaii public schools to enhance the educational experiences of Hawaii's students.
Recently, Leilehua High School hosted a Meet and Greet reception for Army and Hawaii Department of Education (DOE) partners.
Unit commanders and school principals gathered for the opportunity to meet each other and discuss potential school activities. The occasion also served as an opportunity for senior Army leadership to thank the Soldiers and school leaders for the work they have done through the years.
"On behalf of the Soldiers of U.S. Army-Hawaii and 25th Infantry Division, we thank you for what you do every day. The care and passion that you have for our youth is greatly appreciated," said Maj. Gen. Charles Flynn, senior commander, USARHAW, in his opening remarks.
More than 50 guests attended the event that included a round-robin discussion of school partnership activities and brainstorming ideas on how they could build the partnership program.
As part of the discussion, Gayle Yamaguchi, principal, Wahiawa Middle School, shared that their partner, 2nd Squadron, 14th Calvary Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th ID, attended their Career Day earlier that day, and it was a huge success.
"Our partners were extraordinary, and the information they shared with our students was invaluable," said Yamaguchi. "It gave the students a better idea of what a Soldier does. It's not just protecting our county, but it's also about being a mechanic, engineer or a medic."
-- The impact of partnership
Both Army and Hawaii DOE leaders agreed that the School Partnership Program and the relationships that have been built over the years impact education far beyond the walls of the classroom.
"With Soldiers in our schools, they experience first-hand the learning that is occurring in the classrooms, and we have an obligation to share the progress and gains that the schools are making with our colleagues, friends and leaders," Flynn said.
Currently, there are 44 Army partnerships on the island of Oahu and 8 on the island of Hawaii. Soldiers and their family members assist schools with campus beautification projects, facilitating student and parent activities, and reading to the students.
In school year 2013-2014, more than 1,000 volunteers donated more than 4,000 hours of support to the public schools.
(Note: Nakasone is the school support services director, Army School Liaison Office, at CYSS, FMWR.)
-- Contact
For more details about Hawaii's School Partnership Program, contact the Army School Liaison Office at (808) 655-8326.
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