Testimony Request – We need your help and support for our school to expand and serve more grade levels!
Aloha e nā ʻohana Nā Wai Ola!
This communication is to ask for your help and support for our school to expand and serve more grade levels. Our demographics here in Puna has very limited educational options for our keiki. While we know and understand our biggest challenge is having appropriate facilities to accommodate our school, we continue to work diligently to secure a permanent campus.
As you know Nā Wai Ola Public Charter School provides a Hawaiian culture-based education in the rural demographics of Puna on the island of Hawaiʻi. Our keiki are fortunate to be taught through a Hawaiian-focused Project-Based Learning approach that teaches sustainability by immersing them in ʻIke Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian knowledge), Mahi ʻAi (Hawaiian agriculture), and Aloha ʻĀina (Stewardship).
Our School Governing Board unanimously approved the following motion on Monday, January 23, 2023.
- Motion to approve the proposed change to Nā Wai Ola Public Charter School’s grade levels served to Kindergarten through Grade 8 in a tiered progression over the next three (3) years.
- In the school year 2023-2024 add Grade 6.
- In the school year 2024-2025 add Grade 7.
- In the school year 2025-2026 add Grade 8.
Poʻokumu, Kapua Francisco, submitted the Grade-Level Change Amendment Form to the Hawaiʻi State Public Charter School Commission via their Frameworks Team.
On Thursday, May 11, 2023, the Hawaiʻi State Public Charter School Commission’s (HSPCSC) Performance & Accountability (P&A) Committee unanimously approved our request to amend our charter contract – grade-level change and has forwarded it to the full HSPCSC Commission Board to have it approved at the Commission’s General Meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 25, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom.
We need as much support as possible through written or verbal testimony from our school ʻohana and community.
Attached is a template letter available as a Microsoft Word and Google Docs file that can be shared and utilized for testimony in support of Nā Wai Ola Public Charter School’s Grade-Level Change.
If you want us to submit your written testimony on behalf of the school, please email a copy of your testimony to office@nawaiolapcs.org by Tuesday, May 23, 2023, by noon. You may also submit your testimony directly to the HSPCSC if you prefer.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Mahalo iā ʻoukou pākahi a pau!
Naʻu me ka haʻahaʻa,
Kapua Francisco
Poʻokumu
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