On the Road

There are times when my work keeps me practically blocked in at my office. And other days it feels like I’m on the move non-stop all day and into the night. Today was a day on the move because I’ve learned to move with what comes whenever it comes, both as a parent and as an educator. So, when I learned Kumu Sabra was heading out to Waimea with her students as part of their preparation to perform the hula “A I Waimea O Kalani” in honor of Queen Emma at Eo E Emalani next Saturday, Nov. 2 in the Kanaloahuluhulu Meadow in Kokeʻe, I had to figure out how to reshape my day so I could join them.

I needed to consider how I could take the requirements of my day and shape them around the opportunities to connect with students, families, and colleagues. I had advisory in the morning, Senior Seminar (the class I co-teach) in the afternoon and then two special events in the morning, the field trip with the high school halau to Waimea and the ʻOhana Morning with Nā Pua Keiki. What a beautiful way to end the week - and I figured it out, right after crosswalk duty, that I could get to ʻOhana Morning with the first rotation at 8:15 am, hop over to the senior lounge on the main campus for advisory and Halloween planning, and the jump into my car and head to Waimea. OK! Ready….go!

It was such a pleasure to have the chance to cross the street and mill about with Nā Pua Keiki families to celebrate the work their children did during the first quarter. We marveled at the architecture projects – blueprints, to modeling, to building their structures – oooo’d and ahhh’d at the glow-in the dark color creations in the “dark art gallery,” chatted over the beauty of the Kauaʻi map that showed where children were from across the island along with the collection of earth from their home categorized by region…and so much more. The celebration of process and expression that is happening at Nā Pua Keiki was such a pleasure to take in. I have so much gratitude to our team who tirelessly work with our youngest students.

Then I hiked it across campus to get to the Senior Lounge on time. I was so glad Ms. Jen, my partner for the Halloween activity where the older students are hosting games for younger students, was on it! After discussing games we would do, they got to work and we had marvelously painted pumpkins, green, yellow, and blue, ready for our “Pumpkin Match” game.

With green paint stains on my fingers, I then jumped in my car to meet up with Kumu Sabra and her students out in Waimea. Not only did I get to see where they collected the kukui nut shells that they will make into special lei, but I got to see them rehearse their hula kahiko right on the mouth of the Waimea River. Kumu Sabra’s voice rang in the air as she chanted for the students. My own hula studies this year helped me appreciate their effort and skill development expressed in their movements. And as a treat on this special day, we headed back into town, skillfully driven by Mr. Alika, and got to enjoy a delicious lunch hosted at Tiki Tacos by Ms. Tiki Morales herself! (She also happens to be a parent of 2 Island School students, one of whom was on the field trip.) Not only did our chicken tacos hit the spot, but we got to see Ms. Tiki working on the ofrenda that they have in the restaurant honoring not only their family’s ancestors but those of friends and neighbors too. It sounds like they have a wonderful evening in the making on November 2 in honor of Día de los Muertos and the celebration of ancestors and family who have passed. I was so proud of our students as we shared in full voice Oli Mahalo for Ms. Tiki in gratitude for the care she and her team showed for us.

And while my day didn’t stop there…that was all before Noon, I think I’ve shared enough to express my gratitude for the many experiences our students have, from our youngest to our oldest. In fact, the year 3 ‘Ōlelo Hawaiʻi class spent the day up in Hāʻena with Kumu Kanānāikahaku as a part of their year-long study focused on Moʻolelo (storytelling) and wahi pana (place-based learning). Wow!

We are a school that believes in engaging and experiencing the world around us as an integral part of learning. I am so grateful for your trust in making that happen with your children.

Together,

Nancy Nagramada

n.nagramada@ischool.org

P.S.

Thank you for continuing to spread the word about our Open House sessions - November 14 for rising 6th-12th Grades from 5-7pm and November 5, 12, and 19 for PK-2nd Grades from 8:30 - 10am. Together your help to spread the word about the possibilities of Island School is what will help us grow to an even stronger school community. Encourage your friends and neighbors to come learn about our program!