pilotsean

08-12-2007, 12:46 AM

I myself have a son in the Hawaii school system. I thus far have nothing bad to say about the schools here. They have done more for him in a matter of months than did his previous schools in a matter of years. I think the pressing issue is not with the schools, but with the parents of school children. I have several associates who have been educated entirely in Hawaii, to include a microbiologist, a psychologist, a pilot and several engineers. So how did they succeed in the public schools? I am willing to bet that education was valued by them and their family. All to often I see educators blamed for the short comings of the schools, yet no parental aid is available. An effective education is a partnership between educators and parents. If education is not made to be important in a families set of values, no amount of magic can improve the schools. Take a proactive role in your childs life and education and I bet you will be pleased with the results.

kivismom

03-28-2007, 6:29 AM

Schools are razzed down in Hawaii. But you know what that does not mean students are stupid. The curriculum just needs to be more rigorous and upped a bit. I was in advanceed placement in High school, which are college classes. It was very stressful, but I did it. The kids are capable of that, what they really need is encouragement and for teachers to really believe in them. They'll go far if they believe they will. What they believe is what they are taught. That's the truth.

AWESOMERON

08-08-2006, 7:39 PM

Hawaii's Schools need to have A/C. See my post in Open Forum.

Po'ohala "To carry on Ohana, Virtues and Skills" "Its not about how often you fall down. Its about how often you get back up." 2006 "Application of your faith will change your life"

AWESOMERON

03-25-2005, 6:13 PM

bgjudson: I agree with you mostly. Except in this case. One Of The Coaches went and admitted everything to the AD. That is called an confession and that makes it fact not fiction. The sex misbehavior and other things are being investagated and the truth will come out. I contend that the whole thing could have been avoided had female staff or a parent or two been along. That goes to adult supervison and that stops at the AD who's job it is to ensure that his teams are taken care of. I understand that this works on a shoe string for the most part the games make no money and draw flys, however to the players it is an event and a chance to play, display, and experience. Also for many a memory. I have a friend who is Section 8 dirt poor. Who is going to school to be a medical assistant and then a Nurse. She will have to pay back $1000's of dollars in student loans, in order to get out of proverty. In her 20 years her only experience of being off island is going to Maui for a sports event. I don't want to see anything stopped or anything for that matter changed. Just punishment for the wrong doers who were entrusted with the keiki. Plus protection to keep things like that from happening again.

Po'ohala "To carry on Ohana, Virtues and Skills" "Its not about how often you fall down. Its about how often you get back up." 2005

bgjudson

03-24-2005, 3:19 PM

Awesomeron (and others) - with regard to the alleged incident involving coaches and girls basketball players from Lana'i HS - what is the WHOLE story. I see many "shoot from the waist" reactions, in posts and in the media, to unsubstantiated allegations and half stories.

In this instance I have heard/read items that stem from the complaints/allegations by three young members of the team. How factual are they? Where is the "other side of the story?" Why rant and rave and climb on the backs of DOE, and the administration and staff of the subject HS before all facts are known. The story we have may well be true, but let's not jump to conclusions and condemn before all facts are known.

If we reacted in the same manner to "street crimes" we would no longer need courts, and we, the every-day citizen would no longer have constitutional protection. It would be a matter of "accuse and then directly to jail."

Lets try to remember that allegations of any type must be substantiated before they become fact. And remember too, that there are professionals whose business is just that. When possible fiction becomes fact, then, and only then, does it become time for us to raise our voices of concern and disapproval.

AWESOMERON

03-21-2005, 2:06 PM

I honestly believe that had female staff or a female parent perhaps a couple had been along that this would not have happened. Some things happen because the opperanty and conditions allow them to happen. Which does not excuse the College Educated Male Adults entrusted with the lives and safety of the youth to include moral safety. I have not listened to local Talk Radio this morning but I would love to be a bug in the room at DOE or at the High School as everyone runs to cover their extremely exposed butts. It was AD Mc Hugh who was responsibe for letting the girls go with out female supervison and as a result he failed in his job of protecting the keiki and Mr. McHugh needs to leave also. The parents of the Girls and mostly the Parents of the Girls that did not take part need to sue. If the season is lost they need to sue. The settlement of the Law Suit should be enough to pay for the Girls College Education. I am speaking of the three girls that did not take part in the incident not the others. Except perhaps you would think of it as the incident should not have happened in the first place. Good lessons can be learned from this, lessons that should already have been learned in common sence 101. Send female staff along o parents along in situations like this. In my and many other faith groups we call this to "prevent the apperance of evil" In short you do not have an incident because you do not allow a chance for the incifent to happen.

Po'ohala "To carry on Ohana, Virtues and Skills" "Its not about how often you fall down. Its about how often you get back up." 2005

AWESOMERON

03-19-2005, 4:25 PM

Again I want to commend the 3 girls that did not take part in the incident of the Drinking and Sexual Misconduct by the Coaches from Lana'i High. After the investigation is over if these people can be charged with anything they need to be and they need to do all the time that they are allowed by law to do. No deals No Breaks. Why? Because the Public Trust was broken and I am sorry does not cut it. Also the parents should sue. When we intrust our keiki to School Officals the standard is just higher. I am sure some of the girls wanted to drink, and some of the girls did so under peer pressure and fear of being away from home. If that had been my keiki and she had called me on her cell phone and reported to me or her mom what was going own. I would have called the police at the very least or had a friend come and get her. Paid for her trip home my self and been waiting for the Coach when the plane landed. Had my keiki taken part then the same thing because she was to young to say yes and under peer pressure however if she lost her season in sports because she broke the rules then so be it. My keiki do not take part in High School Sports but beling to a first rate drama/dance club and they do travel now and then. From here on end I will be more likely to go along. The AD McHugh should have had female staff on this trip then we might not have had the incident. We should use common sense. However adults are responsible for their conduct and for School Staff the standards are highter, and I am sorry does not cut it.

Po'ohala "To carry on Ohana, Virtues and Skills" "Its not about how often you fall down. Its about how often you get back up." 2005

AWESOMERON

03-19-2005, 4:05 PM

I read in the H/A this morning front page above the fold. "Coaches fired over drinking" Reading the article we read that our fine Coaches from Lana'i High Maui. Brought their Girls Basketball Team over to O'hau to play ball. That the Coaches (Males) Supplyied the Team (Minor Females with Alcohol) Also and worst of all that their was Sexual Misconduct. (Not Exponded upon). 8 of the 11 girls on the team took part at some leval, either willingly or through peer pressure. 3 did not and we commend them for doing the right thing under what must have been trying conditions. According to the Schools AD Mr. McHugh the keiki sign a contract that they will follow certain rules and one of the rules is No Alcohol 24/7. The fact that consumption of Alcohol by persons under 21 is against the law not withstanding.That sports is a previlege and the standards are higher. Well is also against the Law. Also against the Law to supply minors with Alcohol. Rules apply to all enforcement is lacking to most. Whne we entrust orur Keiki's safety and honor to Coaches and School Officals we expect the very best. Not drinking and sexual misconduct. In this case the staff dringing in front of the Keiki and just outside the Gym where they were camping out. I feel that female staff should have been along and perhaps a parent or two. I don't know which of me is more up set the Parent or the Zelot. Regardless I will rethink sending my Keiki anywhere on School Sponsored Trips. I wil either take them myself or go along or know the parents that are going along. I know longer trust the DOE or the Staff.

Po'ohala "To carry on Ohana, Virtues and Skills" "Its not about how often you fall down. Its about how often you get back up." 2005

eftienne

03-15-2005, 4:11 AM

It bothers me when I see news reports on how badly our public school students' test scores rank. What bothers me most about these reports is that the teachers take the brunt of the blame. I think we are missing probably one of the most obvious reasons for lower test scores. Hawaii has a lot of ESL students that attend public schools. That coupled with the fact that 'pidgeon english' is so ubiquitous in our culture, we're on an uphill battle from the word go. I'm not downing on the ESL students because a lot of them try really hard to succeed, but english is their second language and that is a huge handicap when taking a test. I know that the mainland has its share of ESL students as well, but here we have so many students coming from all parts of the world ending up in one classroom. The mainland usually has districts where different nationalities congregate and their still very much out numbered by english speaking peers.

I don't really want to get into the politics of this subject, but think about it. . . it's not in the governments' best intrest to make sure everyone gets a good education.

take responsibility for your life

JJJ26

03-01-2005, 6:18 PM

Wow I didn't know you had to be ready for kindergarten? Like what, potty trained and takes instructions well; good thing I went long time ago.

Kindest regards