Posted on: Thursday, February 22, 2007
Liholiho Elementary School is their home away from home
By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer
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Kindergarten teacher Cindy Wong and her husband, Sean, a fourth-grade teacher, work on a Chinese New Year project with students at Liholiho Elementary School.
DEBORAH BOOKER | The Honolulu Advertiser
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AT A GLANCE
Name: Liholiho Elementary School Where: 3430 Maunaloa Ave. Phone: 733-4850 Web address: http://liholiho.k12.hi.us Principal: Christina Small, going into her 13th year School colors: Blue and yellow Mascot: Warriors School song: "Liholiho No Ka 'Oi," composed by Jan Pappas, mother of former students Jon and Troy Yasuda History: Built in 1926 Testing: Here's how Liholiho Elementary students fared on the most recent standardized tests: Stanford Achievement Test. Listed is the combined percentage of pupils scoring average and above average, compared with the national combined average of 77 percent: Third-grade reading, 92 percent; math, 98 percent. Fourth-grade reading, 81 percent; math, 86 percent. Fifth-grade reading, 70 percent; math, 86 percent. Sixth-grade reading, 100 percent; math, 96 percent. Hawai'i State Assessment. Listed is the combined percentage of pupils meeting or exceeding state standards, and a comparison with the state average in parentheses: Third-grade reading, 68 percent, (state average: 50.2 percent); math, 41 percent, (30 percent). Fourth-grade reading, 62 percent, (58.1 percent); math, 49 percent, (32.5 percent). Fifth-grade reading, 51 percent, (43.5 percent); math, 33 percent, (24 percent). Sixth-grade reading, 58 percent, (47.5 percent); math, 19 percent, (27.6 percent).Enrollment: 347 Number of faculty: 60 Computers: 47 for staff, 49 more for students
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Christina Small
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Principal Christina Small loves working at Liholiho Elementary School in Kaimuki so much, she doesn't mind the two-hour commute to work from her home in Mililani.
"I really don't mind because it's home," said Small, smiling.
Everyone on staff seems to feel the same way. They call the school an 'ohana and love to share all its charms, from the 81-year-old cafeteria to its manicured Hawaiian garden.
"People refuse to leave here," said Sheri Murakami, a clerk-typist who graduated from the school in 1980 and has worked here for 17 years. "It's a close-knit community, real 'ohana-style. Even for a higher-paying job, I wouldn't leave."
In 2004, the school was awarded the National No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon. The following year, it was granted national certification for its primary school adjustment project.
Despite the accolades, though, the school does have its challenges. The school is scheduled to lose about $251,000 in funding under the state's weighted student formula.
Because only 34 percent of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, it can't receive Title 1 money intended to help high-poverty schools, either. (To qualify, schools must have 35 percent of more students below the poverty line.)
It also doesn't qualify for many grants because it's not considered a low-performing school, Small said.
On top of that, an increase in the number of special-needs students and English language learners has required additional staff.
Ten years ago, there were just 10 students in the special-needs program. Now there are 35, and an additional 40 English-language learners.
The influx of immigrants to the area, particularly from China and Korea, has contributed to the increase.
"People don't realize our changing demographic," Small said. "The lack of funding to address our needs will really impact our school."
What are you most proud of? Small is most proud of the school being named a Hawai'i Distinguished School in 2003 and representing the state in Washington, D.C., as a 2004 National NCLB Blue Ribbon School.
Best-kept secret: Faculty and staff say the school itself is a well-kept secret. "I call it a 'hidden treasure,' " said kindergarten teacher Cindy Wong, who's been teaching at the school for 20 years. "I only have things to brag about the school. We just don't want to leave."
Our biggest challenge: Finding additional funding. The school could lose about $251,000 in funding due to the state's weighted student formula.
What we need: More money to hire part-time teachers to help classroom teachers address the NCLB criteria of having all students proficient in reading and math by 2014.
Special event: Liholiho Elementary had its annual Family Fun Fair on Feb. 10. The school raised about $15,000.
Reach Catherine E. Toth at ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.
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