My 12-year-old stepson, Kai, recently moved to O'ahu and enrolled at Stevenson Middle School. As a teacher at Noelani Elementary (one of its feeder schools), I have always been impressed with Stevenson. I've seen the discipline and commitment from its band members, who've proudly performed at Noelani; I've marveled at the high level of student work shared at complex workshops; I've heard from former students and parents that Stevenson's rigorous and relevant curriculum and dedicated teachers build the students' confidence and success so crucial in the middle school years.

As a parent of a child who attends Stevenson, I am now not only impressed with the school, I am grateful. I am grateful for all of the school's efforts to keep parents involved and informed with access to online grades, updated teacher Web sites, and electronic student portfolios. I am grateful for the attentive, energetic, and inspiring teachers (and the outstanding seventh-grade counselor, Marc Nishimitsu) who have motivated Kai and made him feel safe and nurtured. 

I am grateful that Stevenson continues to grow and reach out to its families, knowing that we need to work together more than ever. On Sept. 24, Stevenson held its first family science night, where students were introduced to careers in science, shared their own science projects with parents, and we all enjoyed learning about the wonders of physics with guest speaker Roger Kwok, from Leeward Community College. The Queen's Medical Center, which gave Stevenson a grant to "increase health literacy and interest in the biomedical science professions among students," supported the evening by providing door prizes and dinner to all of the families in attendance.

In the face of "unprecedented budget cuts," I am most grateful for the well-earned faith that I have in the faculty and staff of Stevenson, and for the knowledge that they are working hard every day to make a real difference in the lives of our youth.

Kristen Brummel lives in Makiki /Manoa with her husband, and teaches fourth grade at Noelani Elementary School, where she once was a student. Read her blog at inside http://manoavalley.honadvblogs.com.