university laboratory school
 

Principal's Letter

 

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students:

August 2009

 

On behalf of our teachers and staff, allow me to welcome everyone to the 2009–2010 school year. We hope you had a pleasant summer and are ready for the coming school year.

 

The University Laboratory School is a very special place to me as I have had the privilege and experience of being a student, coach, and vice principal over the course of the past twenty-four years. All of these opportunities have provided me with many very rewarding experiences and I will do my best to continue these opportunities for all of the current and future University Laboratory School students.

 

It is difficult to express the excitement I am feeling in being the new principal of the University Laboratory School. It is an honor and privilege to be at the service of an outstanding faculty and the wonderful parents and students that make up our school community. With the arrival of new students, teachers, as well as a new school secretary and vice-principal, I think you will feel and experience a sense of newness and excitement as you walk through our school. I hope that you will feel welcome as you become involved with your child’s experiences at the University Laboratory School. I am looking forward to working with you and every member of our school community and sharing in the many possibilities to be experienced.

 

Although there have been many changes and challenges faced since last school year ended, we will work together as we continue to provide the best possible education for our students and continue our partnership with the College of Education (COE) and Curriculum Research & Development Group (CRDG). As you may well know there was a change on June 30, 2009, where 32 of our teachers were transferred to the Local School Board as the employer and we have since hired all the additional teaching and support staff positions for the coming school year. The fundamental partnership between COE/CRDG and the Laboratory School remains unchanged. The University Laboratory School and CRDG continue with our common mission and will continue to collaborate on projects/programs of joint interest.

 

As described in the Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP), on the basis of which the Board of Education granted a charter for the school to the Local School Board in 2001, ULS exists in partnership with College of Education’s CRDG as a laboratory for curriculum innovation, demonstration, and dissemination. The partnership serves to provide an exploration and inventing ground to improve learning, teaching, and assessment across subject areas and grade levels. The school continues to serve as an experiment in public education in which a heterogeneous population of students have
opportunities to learn a comprehensive, liberal arts curriculum accessible to all regardless of gender, income, ethnicity, or perceived ability.

 

So, despite recent events, more remains unchanged than has changed.

  • ULS remains a site for research and development as a partner with COE-CRDG.
  • CRDG research and development agenda continues its long-term documentation of student learning in an inquiry, performance-based curriculum.
  • The current research agenda as described on the 2009–2010 University Laboratory School Agreement to Participate remains unchanged.
  • Classes remain open to visitors as a demonstration site of exemplary CRDG-ULS produced curriculum such as DASH, FAST, Algebra, Performance English, Art, highschool social studies, and more.
  • CRDG researchers continue to work closely with ULS teachers to develop new ideas, demonstrate proven ones, and provide direct services to students in exploring new approaches to teaching, learning, and assessment.
  • We will continue to collect data on the school as a research project, inquiring into what makes the school work and the importance of teachers, curriculum, and student supports in successful outcomes for students.
  • CRDG will continue to support ULS in providing the best possible education for our students.

 

I would like to extend a special aloha to our new students and their families. I hope you will take an active role in our school activities. It is through the participation and support of our parents that we are able to offer our students the wide range of opportunities and experiences to meet their growing needs. I would also like to add a very special mahalo to last year’s parents who demonstrated the true meaning of parent-school participation. We always appreciate any support received such as the first Saturday of each month (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) HI-5 recycling fundraisers and school community clean up/projects work days, or other support through the University Laboratory School Booster Club, University of Hawaii Foundation – Friends of the Lab School Account, and University Laboratory School Alumni Association.

 

I wanted to highlight a few items that are included in this 2nd mailout. A detailed listing is on the next page.

 

  • The 2009–2010 Student/Parent Handbook and Athletic Handbook is included in this packet. All students and parents should review the contents of the Student/Parent Handbook and Athletic Handbook. The handbook agreement form, signed by parent(s)/guardian(s) and student will be due to the school office or his/her period 1 teacher by Friday, August 28, 2009.
  • Please find enclosed a report of your child’s scores on the Hawai‘i State Assessment, Individual Score Reports for the Hawai‘i State Assessment for students in grades 4–9 and 11 administered Spring 2009. (Please note that the grade level indicated corresponds to the student’s grade at the time the test was given.) You may keep all the enclosed materials for your records. If you have questions about testing or score reports, please feel free to call the Laboratory School Test Coordinator, Ms. Ivee Cruz, at 956-7805.
  • The Kraft Shop and Score program allows parents, students, alumni and other community members to accumulate points for the participating school of their choice by purchasing Kraft Foods and other designated products at Times Super Markets on Oahu. Each school will receive a share of a $100,000 credit, based on the percentage of total points, to buy adidas uniforms and equipment. All participating high schools are guaranteed a minimum $500 credit. The Shop and Score program runs from August 26 through October 6, 2009.
  • Niketown Fun Run, Give Aloha at Foodland and Sack-n-Save Stores are other activities that help support the school.

 

With your help and cooperation we will continue the proud tradition of Külia I ka Nu‘u (Striving for the Highest) and Holomua (Moving Forward) and make our school a place where each child can fulfill the school’s vision that “all students graduate ready for college, work, and responsible citizenship.”

 

In closing, please accept my best wishes for an exciting, productive, and successful school year.

 

Please feel free to contact me or any member of the school team throughout the school year.

 

Sincerely,

 

keoni jeremiah

Keoni Jeremiah, Principal
Email: keonij@hawaii.edu