Posted on: Thursday, June 7, 2007
These students are overachievers
By Mary Vorsino
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer
|
|
|
Hokulani Elementary School Principal Al Carganilla stands in the school's Peach Garden with tiles made by the students. Carganilla says he is most proud of his students, who go the extra mile in meeting federal No Child Left Behind standards.
DEBORAH BOOKER | The Honolulu Advertiser
|
|
 |
|
|
HOKULANI ELEMENTARY
Where: 2940 Kamakini St. Phone: 733-4789 Web address: http://lilinote.k12.hi.us Principal: Al Carganilla, started at the school in December School motto: "Reach for the stars" School colors: Blue and gold Test results: Stanford Achievement Test. Listed is the combined percentage of Hokulani students scoring average and above average, compared with the national combined average of 77 percent: third-grade reading, 90 percent; math, 99 percent; fourth-grade reading, 88 percent; math, 96 percent; fifth-grade reading, 87 percent; math, 92 percent; sixth-grade reading, 96 percent; math, 100 percent. Hawaii State Assessment. Listed is the combined percentage of school students meeting or exceeding state standards. Third-grade reading, 75 percent (state average: 50.2 percent); math, 46 percent (state average: 30 percent); fourth-grade reading, 79 percent, (state average: 58.1 percent); math, 58 percent, (32.5 percent); fifth-grade reading, 63 percent, (43.5 percent); math, 48 percent, (24 percent); sixth-grade reading, 87 percent, (47.5 percent); math, 76 percent, (27.6 percent). Enrollment: 410
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
When Hokulani Elementary School kids, teachers and parents get involved in something, they don't mess around.
Take a recent fun run at the school.
Most schools would be lucky to raise anything more than $1,000 with the low-key event. But Hokulani, with an enrollment of just over 400 kids, raised more than $18,000 — all of which will be spent on new computers.
Principal Al Carganilla said he was delighted with the total from the fundraiser, but not surprised.
"The ownership of the school from the kids is just tremendous," Carganilla said. "And the support from the parents is just tremendous."
Hokulani Elementary is nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac off Dole Street in Manoa. Its open ground-level hallways are adorned with bright, colorful murals, and showcases of more recent art are posted in front of several doorways.
The cohesiveness of the school's population is fairly surprising, considering more than 60 percent of students get geographic exceptions to attend Hokulani. Some come from as far away as Wahiawa and Waialua.
"Our reputation is definitely academics," Carganilla said.
"But the culture of the school, what the kids do as far as taking care of the school, it just makes the school more inviting."
Hokulani will lose its sixth grade next year, serving only kindergarten through fifth-graders.
The lost grade level will mean Hokulani's enrollment will drop to about 363 students, which means the school's funding will also diminish.
But Carganilla said if any school can meet the challenge, while still keeping up its academic standards, Hokulani — and its students — can.
What are you most proud of? "I'm just really proud of the students," Carganilla said. "They really make the school go."
Best-kept secret: Parental support. Carganilla said he's amazed at how many parents participate in school events, from campus beautification days to field trips.
Everybody at our school knows: Marcus Pottenger, the computer teacher. He has been at the school for years and can always be found helping in afterschool events. He dresses up for every Halloween and is the first to volunteer to be dunked in the school's spring fling dunking booth.
Our biggest challenge: Carganilla said it's a constant challenge sustaining the school's level of academic achievement under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The school has always passed the federal standards but is always working to improve its scores and continue to succeed.
What we need: Computers. Carganilla said the fun run fundraiser will go far in helping equip classrooms with computers, but more needs to be done.
The school has two computer labs, with 25 computers each. Most of its classrooms, however, do not have computers.
Special events: The school last week held a luncheon for fifth-graders, which was attended by U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka. Students made presentations on Washington, D.C., architecture.
Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.
