HAWAII'S SCHOOLS

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ALISA FUROYAMA / ST. ANDREW'S PRIORY Among other things, students at the Priory have wireless access to the Internet, homework assignments and class pages through their laptops. And they have some time for a little fun as well.

Wireless and
on the go

Priory students plug into their
studies through the Learning
with Laptops program

Activities unite, help build lifelong friendships
ABOUT THIS PAGE
YOU ASKED

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By Katie Omura
St. Andrew's Priory

One of the fascinating new happenings at St. Andrew's Priory is its Learning with Laptops program. This computer program places laptops in the hands of every student in grades 6-12. In conjunction with Apple Computer, St. Andrew's Priory has developed a leasing program providing students and faculty with top-of-the-line iBooks. Head of School Caroline Ward Oda explains that "familiarity with computers widens students' horizons and prepares Priory students for the work world ahead."

The goals of the Learning with Laptops Program are extending learning, developing a higher-order thinking ability and keeping students current with technological advances.

Tedd Landgraf, technology coordinator, states, "There are many other schools in Hawaii that share Priory's vision of giving students in Hawaii a first-class technological education, but ours is specifically for girls only."

Currently, all faculty, administrators and students in grades 6-8 have acquired personal laptops. During the next two years, laptops will be leased to the upper grades in high school and later to elementary students.

As a result of Priory's technological advancement, girls are opening new doors and expanding their learning horizons.

Laptops are now integrated into the middle school curriculum. The use of laptops enriches the curriculum by providing easy access to resources available on the Internet. Middle school Japanese language teacher Aiko Okamura taught her class how to install a Japanese language kit onto their laptops, permitting them to type documents in Japanese. She also took her class on a "virtual field trip" of Japanese culture. Okamura selected sites for her students to look up, which allowed them to explore Japanese family structure, school life and holiday celebrations.

In celebration of the New Year, her Japanese class created "nengajyoo," New Year's cards. They searched the Internet for graphics, inserted text, then sized the card.

In addition to classroom instruction, students are learning life skills. Eighth-grader Chelsea Llanes has noticed that her organizational skills have greatly improved as a result of keeping everything in designated folders.

Meanwhile, other students are learning about responsibility. Kristin Lau, a Priory sixth-grader, comments: "My laptop has taught me personal responsibility. I cannot leave it carelessly around; I must take care of it. It's my baby."

The iBooks have wireless Internet access anywhere on campus. Before school, during lunch and after school, middle school students can be found lounging in the halls with their laptops open, either completing homework or using them for entertainment purposes.

"I never get bored with it. There's always something for me to do," says seventh-grader Greer Harper.

Another positive aspect of laptops in the classroom noticed by teachers is the quality of work turned in by their students. The type of artwork that accompanies their reports is also an improvement over last year's work.

Eighth-grader Kristen Cheong is not artistically inclined but uses her laptop to "make my projects better and more interesting. Powerpoint allows me to add in pictures and bring my words to life."

Peter Togawa, assistant technology coordinator, has noticed that "many girls who would not have developed an interest in computers because of lack of exposure have discovered an affinity for them."

Eighth-grader Kristin Honda enthusiastically adds: "I'm excited now to do advanced things that I wouldn't be able to do without technology. My laptop has become a part of me. I love this program."

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PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ALISA FUROYAMA / ST. ANDREW'S PRIORY The unique atmosphere at St. Andrew's Priory allows students of all grades to interact with each other on a daily basis and for longtime friendships to form.

Activities unite,
help build
lifelong friendships

A small student body allows
for close-knit relationships

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By Alisa Furoyama and Yeree Woo
St. Andrew's Priory

"I'll be there for you ...
When the rain starts to pour
I'll be there for you ...
Like I've been there before
I'll be there for you ...
'Cause you're there for me too ..."

-- As performed by the Rembrandts

Here at St. Andrew's Priory, an environment is created where students form a tight-knit ohana.

With a student body of about 500 girls, each class has a mere 10 to 15 students. There is a small student-to-teacher ratio and many school bonding activities, such as spirit weeks, weekly chapel services and school picnics, that help unite the entire school.

Priory bridges the gap between kindergarten and senior year, enabling students to build lifelong relationships that teach more than words in textbooks.

"Because of the small campus and number of students, everyone seems to know everyone, and this is only my first year here," says junior Christine Vuong.

The downtown campus consists of two high school buildings, a new gymnasium, an elementary building and two courtyards.

Add 500 students to this condensed area, and socializing is bound to happen.

St. Andrew's believes in girls who "go the extra distance," aren't afraid to try new things and are compassionate and understanding.

In every activity, lesson and lecture, students learn how to become this better person.

Nurturing these qualities directly affects each of our lives and the relationships we make.

"It's sad to think that I'm graduating this year," says senior Tatiana Tauotaha. "It's been a long journey, and I'm going to miss all of the great friendships that I've had."

The friendships built with each other, the close relationships with the faculty and the lessons they teach help individuals mature.

St. Andrew's has an ideal setting and offers the right classes to teach lessons that become essential in life, such as how to build better relationships with those around us.

Priory is more than just another all-girls religious school. It's more than hard classes, lectures and examinations.

Priory teaches us the values that will help us through life: honesty, integrity, compassion, sincerity and the ability to make friends through one's own character.

Students go to college with not only a great education, but also a sense of belonging and priceless friendships that last forever.

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ABOUT THIS PAGE

Each week, Hawaii's teenage reporters and photographers tell us about their high school. This week's school is St. Andrew's Priory. Next Monday's scheduled school is Radford High School.

St. Andrew's Priory

Founder: Queen Emma
Date Founded: 1867
Head of school: Caroline Ward Oda
High school principal: Kathleen Carstensen
Campuses: St. Andrew's Priory School (downtown) and Queen Emma Preschool (Pali)
Address: 224 Queen Emma Square, Honolulu, HI 96813
Yearbook: Ka Alele
Newspaper: Ke Kukui
Motto: Kulia i ka Nu'u (Strive for the Highest)
Mascot: Priory Pride (lioness)
Colors: Red and white

Factoids

>> Average class size: 12
>> 90 percent of intermediate and high school classes incorporate technology into the curriculum
>> 100 percent of seniors are accepted into college
>> 30 percent of graduating students from 2000 and 2001 received college scholarships
>> 38 percent of seniors taking college credit classes at Hawaii Pacific University; 13 percent of juniors taking college credit classes at HPU
>> Only all-girl orchestra in the state
>> 7 percent of students are international students
>> 65 percent of students in athletics (grades 7-12)
>> Notable alumnae: Irmgard Farden Aluli, '29; Iolani Luahine, '35; Betty Fujii Hirozawa, '47; state Sen. Colleen Hanabusa, '69

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YOU ASKED

What are your wishes for the new year?

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

"I want my family and me to be happy. I also want a cotton candy maker."
Sophie Shook
Kindergarten

"I want to play with my friends and have fun."
Sarah Kashiwabara
First grade

"No more war! I want peace on earth and for my friends not to be sad."
Amy Higham
Fourth grade

MIDDLE SCHOOL

"I want to use my computer more often in class and utilize the Internet more. I also hope and wish that pollution will go down."
Brittany Ahn
Sixth grade

"I want to speak English better and understand my classes more."
Ji-yeon Lee
Eighth grade

HIGH SCHOOL

"I want my dad to come home and for the terrorist war to end."
Ashton Van Lancker
Freshman

"I wish the war would end, and that I pass my sophomore year and do well in paddling and basketball season. I want to apply myself more in school."
Keana Kaikaina
Sophomore

"I want to stay focused in school and learn how to cook so that when I go to college, I will eat healthy and well."
Val Ito
Junior

"I wish for the safety of my family and friends, and our nation."
Kanako Kawanami
Senior

"I wish for the World Cup between Korea and Japan to go well."
Suh-hee Yang
Senior

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