[Hawaii's Schools]

Emotions run high
after Sept. 11

School promotes goals of citizenship,
collaboration and critical thinking

What makes you most thankful to
be a citizen of the United States?

The essentials about Leilehua High

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By April Lyn Estabaya and Kehau Kamaka
The Sentinel

"I feel scared and worried that my mom might get drafted to war and might not come home. I love my mom," says freshman Tyrone Evbuomwan.

Like Tyrone, many Leilehua High School students -- half of whom have military parents -- have been affected by Sept. 11.

"My father is in the military, so I worry about him," junior Megan Spieles says. "Also I am now scared every time I get on a plane, and I never was before. These shouldn't be things I have to worry about."

Some students also feel that the recent acts of terrorism have made them realize the true importance of life.

"It made me realize to not take life for granted, because it can just be taken away in one second," sophomore Miles Duhaylunysod says.

Senior Shonte Wallace says, "It makes me think of how life is definitely not promised to me. I think it's pitiful that people think it's their place to take someone else's life. It always seemed that only other countries have war, and now that it hits the U.S. I realize that ANYTHING can happen to ANYONE. I know that it won't be over anytime soon, and I guess that's what bothers me the most. No matter what we do, terrorism will affect our lives, our children's and their children's."

The week of the attack, school administrators mobilized a crisis team to help counsel students and sent a memo to all parents and families regarding school safety.

During the Homecoming Assembly, students proudly wore red, white and blue ribbons and sang the song "Proud to Be an American."

On Oct. 31 the entire faculty met with Col. Michael Faran, head of adolescent and child psychiatry at Tripler Hospital, to discuss how to help students deal with the effects of the tragedy.

On Nov. 14 the U.S. Army School Outreach team from the 725th Support Battalion met with all LHS students to explain military activity in Afghanistan and to alleviate the anxiety and fear of the students.

Vice Principal Shelly Rivers says, "Overall, the faculty and staff have done an incredible job of providing a continued stable learning environment for our students.

"Leilehua has rallied together as one united school community in support of this proud nation."

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School promotes goals of
citizenship, collaboration
and critical thinking

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By Lynn Quizon and Sheri Tomita
Sentinel

In late February the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) will designate an independent commission of seven people that will visit Leilehua High School for four days to determine whether the school deserves to have its coveted six-year term of accreditation renewed by evaluating its educational quality and institutional effectiveness. The team will be studying the school's accreditation report, as well as visiting classes and speaking with administrators, focus groups, staff members, teachers and students.

Accreditation is an improvement process that provides a venue for schools to assess existing programs and services, and identify growth areas.

For teachers, accreditation has meant meeting in focus groups to participate in a self-study using four criteria-based topics: organization and student learning, curriculum and instruction, support for personal and academic growth, and resource management and development. The goal of the focus group meetings is to develop a Focus on Learning document that includes an "action plan" to address areas of weakness and future growth in order to improve student learning.

For students, accreditation has meant an increased awareness of Leilehua's Expected Schoolwide Learning Results (ESLRs), which state that students will become effective communicators, critical thinkers, quality producers, collaborative workers, independent learners and responsible citizens. The ESLRs define what each student should know, understand and be able to do upon graduation from Leilehua.

They equip students with the knowledge, competencies and orientations needed for success, as well as challenge teachers to implement programs and conditions that maximize learning for all students. Posters of the ESLRs are displayed in every classroom; the visual informs students and connects classroom lessons with learning goals.

"The ESLRs show the students what they are supposed to get out of what they learn," says senior Crystal Skerrett. "ESLRs show that schoolwork isn't just about learning the material, but about learning to interact with other people. The ESLRs give the students goals to strive for. Having the ESLRs posted in every classroom gives them constant reminders of what they are trying to accomplish."

Junior Lennie Omalza says, "I think that all students benefit from the school's implementation of the ESLRs. It helps all of us, myself included, by forcing us to practice different skills, such as effective communication, both orally and in writing."

She added, "I like the way our teachers use the ESLRs. They try to create new and interesting assignments for us to practice critical thinking, independent learning, effective communication, etc."

Some teachers and students are implementing the ESLRs by maintaining portfolios. In these portfolios, students group assignments according to the six ESLRs. For example, in foreign language classes, students would group homework in the independent-learner section, tests in the critical-thinker section and group work in the collaborative-learner section.

"The students organize their work by ESLRs; it helps the student to see where they excel and where they need improvement," says Japanese teacher Jeanette Ellis.

Principal Norman Minehira says, "We are confident that our visiting committee will validate our self-study report and, more importantly, help the school to effectively continue our improvement process."

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What makes you most thankful
to be a citizen of the United States?

Jonah Dela Cruz, sophomore: "Our freedom. The freedom of religion, speech, press, etc. Our nation is proud and strong because of freedom. We are free to be who we are, and that's what makes America the best and unique. That's what makes me a thankful citizen of the U.S.A."

Shenna Lorenzo, Senior: "The simple fact that we are a free, independent, and powerful nation. We are able to exercise the right of free will and have liberty and justice for all!"

U'ilani Estavillo, sophomore: "The one thing that makes me most thankful to be a citizen of the U.S. is that we live in a world of peace and happiness and freedom. I am thankful for all that is done for as well as given to me as a U.S. citizen. I am also glad to be a citizen of the U.S. and to honor the people who have put their lives on the line for us."

Kelcee Yoshida, Junior: "The freedom of self-expression and the unity of a country made up of multiple ethnic backgrounds."

Chelsea Buchholz, Senior: "Our freedom. We could never make the decisions we can make now if it weren't for the courageous men and women who have fought for every one of us. Thanks for protecting and giving me my freedom, guys!"

Jazz Hernandez, Freshman: "The rights that are mine. The Constitution, the Bill of Rights and every other important document in the U.S. is a promise of life. I'm proud to be an American, and let freedom ring and live on forever."

Cedric Thomas, Freshman: "What makes me most thankful about being a citizen is knowing that I live in the best country on the earth and knowing that I represent the red, white and blue, and also knowing I stand for my country and it stands for me, too."

Annie Chung, Freshman: "The freedom to believe your beliefs, live your life and do what you want to do is what I am most thankful for. I am lucky to live in such a place where all you need is determination and action to fulfill your dreams and who you are, and what you do won't block you from being the best."

Andrew Hernandez, Sophomore: "I am proud to be a citizen of the United States because of the way different cultures can come together and enjoy freedom. People from different beliefs can move to America and live a prosperous life."

Nicolette Harp, Junior: "The thing that makes me most thankful is knowing that I can go to sleep every night in peace and wake up every morning to see another terrific day."

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Compiled and photographed by Annalee Alonzo at Leilehua High

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The essentials about
Leilehua High

ABOUT THIS PAGE

Each week, Hawaii's teenage reporters and photographers will tell us about their high school. This week's school is Leilehua High.

Newspaper: The Sentinel
Editor-in-Chief: Lynn Quizon
Assistant Editor-in-Chief: April Lyn Estabaya
Faculty adviser: Geneva Todikozi
Next week: Kaimuki High
Address: 1515 California Ave.,
Wahiawa, HI 96786
Phone: 622-6550
Principal: Norman Minehira
Vice principals: Clayton Chun and Shelly Rivers
Student activity coordinator: Natalie Borrello
Athletic director: Richard Townsend
School colors: Green and gold, the green from the pineapple fields and the gold of its fruit, which abounded in the area
Mascot: Mighty Mules, the symbol of the U.S. Army and the mascot of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point
Yearbook: Ka Leilehua
Mission: Leilehua High School provides students with quality educational services in a secure and nurturing environment. Fulfilling our mission will enable our students to be informed and responsible citizens, capable of participating in a global society.

History

1924: Schofield High and Grammar School was built on the site of King Kalakaua's hunting ground, where lehua trees flourished. The high school was a branch of McKinley High.

>> 1926: Leilehua's first graduating class.
>> 1929: Leilehua's first newspaper rolled off the press.
>> 1949: The Schofield and Leilehua High Schools were combined and built on its present 32-acre site.
>> 1993: Named a Nationally Recognized School of Excellence
>> 1996: Leilehua earned a maximum six-year accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Class Colors

>> 2002: Red and black
>> 2003: Teal and black
>> 2004: Silver and black
>> 2005: Blue and silver

Clubs/Organizations

Black Essence
Close-Up
Credit Union
Drama Club
FFA (Future Farmers of America)
Hiking Club
Interact Club
JROTC
Kaisahan (Filipino club)
Key Club
Lady Divaz (step group)
Leo Club
Letterman's Club
LHS Band
LHS Chorus
Los Amigos (Spanish club)
Math League
Nakayoshi Kai (Japanese club)
National Honor Society
Peer Mediation
Vocational Technology Academies
Tech Images (computer graphics)
Tech Threads (embroidery)
Cinema Tech (multimedia)
Ala Serenity (culinary arts)

Upcoming Events

Winterball: Dec. 27
Spirit Week: Feb. 11-15
Senior Luau: Feb. 23
Junior Prom: March 16
Campus Beautification: Feb. 23
May Day: May 8
Awards Convocation: May 8
Senior Prom: May 11
Commencement: May 31

Click for online
calendars and events.