Quote Of The Week- "Insides, not Out"

By:  Alyssa Neal   It's your second week of, "Quote Of The Week!" ~Welcome back!~ I really love doing the "Quote Of The Week"! I am going to start adding pictures to the endings of my quote of the week as well, just for a visual. When I am looking for inspiring quotes, it inspires me as I read them, and makes me feel like I am helping all of our readers that choose to read our blogs. It gives me a feel of meaning and passion, and joy while I write up, "Quote Of The Week" blogs. Anyway, this week, I focused my quote choice on "Insides not out." That may sound confusing right now, but once you read this blog, it will make much more sense! So, please continue reading! ~"Art doesn't have to be pretty. It has to be meaningful." Duane Hanson~ This quote, in my opinion, is sending out a simple but strong message throughout all people. This quote, in my definition, basically is saying it's what's on the insides that count, not the outsides. It is just like the quote, "Don't judge a book by it's cover." {Cover: The outside.} {Pages: The insides.} All that matters is the personality and warm-heart. So, anyways, referring back to the quote, this ties in with the quote I have chosen. When, you are doing art you need to focus on what the moral of your drawing, or painting is. I mean, if it has a good meaning and moral it will always look perfect from the outside! So, art does not have to look pretty, it needs a moral. When you hear the word art, this is probably what you think: {It needs to look perfect. Perfect is best. Neatness gives a better grade.} But this is what you need to think: {Moral is meaning. What does this mean?} Art is meant to express, and if your art (which can also be a metaphor for your life) has a moral and you can explain the meaning it is already perfect.

Track Meet

By: Rhyanne Javier and Dasia Burr

On Friday we had a field trip for our district's annual track meet for all 5th and 6th graders. Even if you were not on the team, we had a lot of fun cheering for our school. With Ms. Coffin's drumming, we sure did roar the crowd up. I interviewed Taryn Kanai, a runner for track and she said she had a lot of fun because she got to compete with other schools and build teamwork.  It was super fun, our school either won 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place. We were very excited for all of our runners that represented KEONEULA! I lost my voice cheering for you guys! I also interviewed a 5th grade runner, Guy Leopard who ran the 200m and 100m and won 2nd and 3rd place. I would like to say to all you track runners and cheer squad in the stands, GOOD JOB!!

Help Support Keone'ula with Safeway Escrips!

Written by: Valerie Sunajo

      Help Keoneula Elementary earn money, just by shopping at Safeway! All you have to do is, sign up for escrip, register your Safeway club card, and start shopping.  An amount of your shopping goes straight to Keone'ula, just from your support.  There are two ways to sign up for this.  1. Go online to escrip.com and sign up there, but make sure to search for city, Ewa Beach to find Keoneula. OR, 2. Fill out your, “Name, Address, E-Mail, and Safeway club card number”, on a form that was given to your child.  I hope this year Keoneula Elementary raises even more money than last year.  It will support our school a lot, and will also help us raise money for our students.  Hope to see everyone shopping for Keone'ula!

Hawaii Food Bank Drive

Want to help feed Hawaii's hungry? Well, you can help be donating canned foods for the food drive.  Our school is trying to donate canned foods like canned meats/tuna, soups, vegetables, and fruits. For example, Vienna sausage is a canned meat that you can bring. Please turn in donations to the office or to your child's classroom teacher. REMEMBER YOUR DONATION COUNTS! Please bring all donations by May 3rd. 

Vote on SEEDS OF CHANGE on Facebook

Keoneula need your help! Seeds of Change is a foundation that provides grant money for schools. If you have a Facebook page, please like the page Seeds of Change, then enter our zipcode 96706.  It will pull up our garden name, Ka Uluwehi o ka Nauao and you can click to vote and help us win $10,000- $25,000 for the expansion of our Outdoor Learning Center. Please vote once a day. This money will help us a lot!

Spirit Week Outcome!

By: Taryn Kanai

Spirit week was awesome! Many people showed their school spirit everyday! Monday was pajama day. I really loved this day because I didn't have to get ready in the morning. The favorite pajama set I saw was one with a monkey holding a cupcake. Tuesday was twin day, and I was twins with my bff Dasia. On Wednesday was mustache day, and my favorite mustache was a little boy's one. He had a mask with a face, mustache, beard and everything.  Thursday was sports day, you could have dressed up as someone you favor in athletics or in a sport that you play.  I saw lots of people wearing either football or soccer uniforms. Finally, casual day was my favorite because everyone dressed up however they wanted.  Following dress code of course. Also thank you to all the people who dressed in purple for Purple Up Day on Monday to support our military and their families because they deserve recognition and honor. 

Keoneula Spirit Week!

By:  Rhyanne Javier

It's that time of year again, students get to wear something according to the theme of the day. It's called SpIrIt WeEk!! This years spirit week themes are as follows.  Monday is pajama day, Tuesday is twin day, Wednesday is mustache day, Thursday is sports day, and Friday is casual day.  We don't have to wear our uniforms, be creative and crazy with these days, it's your time to shine. Of course clothing has to be appropriate, and we have a dress code that we still need to follow. To look at the dress code to make sure your child's clothing is appropriate, please go to our school website and go to the tab for students, and it should have a school dress code policy. Thank you and get ready to show off your school spirit. Go Cubs!


                                           

Quote of the Week

By:  Alyssa Neal

Hey fellow bloggers! We have a surprise! Each week (starting this week) we are going to start having a quote of the week. That means, one of us journalist, will choose a quote we see and like, and create a blog on what we think that certain quote means! It’ll be loads of fun! This topic is mainly purposed to inspire you. You should try to apply some of these quotes to life, because it would benefit you and your life. When I found my quote for this week, it was really meaningful to me, and I will now try to apply it to my life! So anyway, let’s get on to the grand opening of… “Quote Of The Week!”

 

“Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact.” Inspired by: William James, 1842-1910

 

          This is just one of my all time favorite quotes! It is that type of quote that everyone can and should apply to their life. Anyways, this is what I think this quote means: You do not have to be afraid of living your life. Life is meant to be lived! You should not waste your life. By that, I mean, stop just sitting there. Go on an adventure! You shouldn’t waste your life because you never know when it will be over. Live your life to the best of your abilities, and don't be afraid of new experiences.

Live as if you’ll die tomorrow!

 Thanks for reading, “Quote Of The Week”! I hope it inspired, and you’ll apply it to your life. More coming! Another quote coming next week! 

Women's History Month! Girl Power: Sally Ride

By: Bryce Nichols

This blog is for Sally Ride. She changed history for all women. A long time ago women did not have the same rights as men. It was as if there was a glass ceiling keeping women below men. But Sally Ride broke through that glass celing, and pushed to get where she wanted to be. She also inspired other women to do the same. Sally Ride was the first female astronaut in space, in 1983. Sally Ride was born in May 1951. As a child growing up, she loved science and math. She enjoyed playing tennis and after high school she thought that she might become a professional tennis player but later found out it was not for her. She went to Stanford university in California. Her moment was in 1977 when she responded to a newspaper ad that NASA was looking for astronauts. Over 8,000 applied but only 25 were hired, and she was one of them! After lots of hard work and training she went to space. She died at 61 years old from pancreatic cancer. Sally Ride changed history and will never be forgotten.

Gabrielle Douglas

Gabrielle Douglas

Written By: Valerie Sunajo

     Who's a woman that you look up to? Is it your mom, someone famous, or a regular woman who works in a store? Why do you look up to that woman, and how does she inspire you?  The month of March is, Women Appreciation Month. This month celebrates the significance of women, and their accomplishments.  Take Gabrielle Douglas, also known as Gabby, as an example.  Gabby is a two-time gold medal Olympian in gymnastics.  Gabby Douglas was the first African-American gymnast to claim gymnastics’ biggest prize, “The All-Around Olympic Title.”  Gabby has also earned, female athlete of 2012, from her inspiring accomplishments.  Before becoming and actual Olympian, Gabby started her journey at age 6. Her desire to be in the Olympics grew more and more, and she finally moved to Iowa to train for the Olympics.  Gabby worked very hard, and she finally succeeded.  Gabrielle Douglas quotes, “Everything is possible, you just need to go out there and fight.  If you have the dream, just go out there and don’t be scared.  Always be courageous and strong, and don’t fear.  Anything is possible if you put your mind to it.”  Following your dreams, just like Gabrielle Douglas, will definitely lead you to success, and will get to you to experience many opportunities.

   

March is Women's History Month! Girl Power: Rosa Parks

By: Taryn Kanai

This month is Women's Appreciation Month, it's a month where we honor, study, and celebrate the women in the past that have done so much for us. Since its Women's Appreciation Month, I've decided to talk about Rosa Parks, a very inspiring and courageous woman.  Rosa was born on the 4th of February in 1913. Rosa Parks is no ordinary person, she is most known as one of the first African-Americans to not surrender her seat to a white passenger. Since that happened the city that she lived in (Montgomery) had no choice but to lift the law requiring segregation on public buses.  Now that you know a little about Rosa Parks, are you more appreciative of the power and influence of women and what it means to be a true risk taker?  Are you prepared to stand up for what is right, like Rosa Parks did?

                                                   

Prince Kuhio Holiday

By: Rhyanne Javier

Guess what holiday we celebrated last week on March 26th?  It was Prince Kuhio Day! Your probably wondering who's that? I'll answer that for you! Let's start with the history behind Prince Kuhio. First of all, his whole name is Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole. He was prince when the Kingdom of Hawaii was being removed from power by businessmen in 1893. Then he became a politician in the Territory of Hawaii, and he was a delegate in the US Congress. He was also the very first Native Hawaiian and the very first person to be elected in that position that was a born a royal.

Spring is Here!

By: Taryn Kanai and Dasia Burr

Spring break is finally here! What are you going to do? If you said eat, sleep, and watch T.V. all break then you have a pretty boring life.  Go out and do something, like have a sleepover, go shopping, play outside, do something active and productive!  The most important thing you probably need to remember is that during spring, the weather is just right, nature is so beautiful and it's the perfect time to spend with family and friends! Another thing to remember is during spring break you better review what you have learned at school, so that when you come back to school, you won't be brain washed and not remember anything.  Remember to be balanced this Spring Break!

Saint Patrick’s Day

Saint Patrick’s Day

By: Valerie Sunajo

C’mon guys! Let’s go meet a leprechaun, find a pot of gold, and wish on a four leaf clover!  Coming up on March 17 we celebrate, Saint Patrick’s Day!  This day is when we celebrate Saint Patrick, himself.  Saint Patrick was a patron saint of Ireland, but before this he was kidnapped by Irish Raiders.  After escaping, he returned to his homeland, Britain, and became a priest.  Later, he went back to Ireland as a missionary to spread Christianity to Ireland. There, he spent 30 years building ministries of worship all around Ireland. Celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day, allows people to honor his accomplishments, and his entry to heaven.  So, on March 17 remember the reason why you are celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day, and make sure to wear green, to show your appreciation.

Recycle that Bottle Style!

Thank you to all of the students, school staff, foundations, and families who came out for Keoneula's second annual Go Green Night!  Families enjoyed moving through different stations of Family Feud, learning about vermicast and different types of plants growing in our garden, learning how much power goes into powering an incandescent vs. a CFL, playing a sorting game with the Kokua Foundation, and learning how to turn all of our food scraps (meat and all!) into compost.  Great prizes were given throughout the night, and KIC students put on an entertaining Gangnam style dance, rewritten by Zarren Oasay to fit the Green theme.  An exciting and interesting night! 

Let's Go Green!!

By: Taryn Kanai

On March 15, we are having a Go Green Night, which you guess it, is all focused on going green! There is going to be lots of games having to do with going green.  For example, KIC will have a family fued about recycling, relay races, so on and so forth. Plus we even have a special performance, it will be performed by our very own.......... KIC members YAY!! This night will be student led, there will be some teachers talking throughout the night but mostly students. There will also be other foundations there like HECO (Hawaiian Electric Company), and their mission is to provide secure, clean energy, and we will also be having the Kokua Foundation, which is a non-profit organization that supports environmental education. It will be lots of fun I promise, hope to see you there!

Question of the Week

By: Rhyanne Javier

Hi there! Im glad I got your attention. Kaleo o Keone'ula is trying to interact more with our blog readers. Every week we'll try to post a survey, feel free to comment down below for your answer. This week's question is........SHOULD KIDS BE ABLE TO CHOOSE THEIR RELIGION? In class we are doing an arguement piece on it. Again please feel free to comment your answer. We really appreciate it!

Konichiwa Keone'ula!

By:  Stevie Pascual

Hey everyone! I would like to tell you about Ms.Akama, our new Japanese language teacher to our current K-2 students. Ms.Akama is a nice, sweet lady who was born and raised in Japan.  She has always loved Japan and one of her favorite Japanese traditions is their New Year's tradition. She likes it because she gets to spend time with her family and they get to eat delicious fruit and ozoni. She really loves teaching the kids at Keone'ula because she feels the kids are really bonding with the Japanese culture. If you happen to see her on campus be sure to say hi!

Welcome Mrs. Yamaguchi!

By:  Stevie Pascual

Hey everyone! We have a new teacher in training and her name is Mrs.Yamaguchi. Mrs.Yamaguchi is very exited to help teach students, and is training in Mrs.Matsuura's class.  She wants to become a teacher because she has always been involved with helping people. She is currently attending the University of Phoenix and her hobbies are volleyball and judo. If you happen to see her on campus, be sure to say hi!

6th grade Religion Field Trip

By:Taryn Kanai and Leialoha Bugarin

     On Friday, Febuary 22, 6th grade went on a field trip to 3 churches/temples. The first one we went to was Immaculate Conception (a Catholic church). Reverend Dalton talked to us about the artifacts and why they are so special or what they are symbolized for. After he talked for a little while we got to look around the church, it was so cool looking at the different artifacts. The next stop was to Temple Emanu-al (Jewish temple). There we had a guest speaker talk about the torah scrolls, and the 10 commandments. The last temple we went to was the Byodoin at the Valley of the Temples in Kaneohe. We had fun here because we got to ring a bell, look at a big Buddha, and got to feed the koi fish. We had lots of fun on this field trip and we hope  next year's 6th graders can go on the same field trip and have as much fun as we did. Thank you very much to the very kind speakers at all of our visits for sharing their knowledge and spirituality! 

Go Green Tips: Eat Locally!

 By: Christine Toorinjian

               Have you ever wondered where your food came from? No, I'm not talking about all that "Oh, this place does this!' or "Oh, this place has chicken hormones in their chicken!" I'm talking about things like: Where was it grown? Who grew it? How was it brought to my plate? You know, things like that. But have you ever asked yourself these questions? Think about it. Whether it be when you went out with some family, or if you just bought some groceries and was preparing dinner. Have you ever really thought about it? Well right now, your thinking will have to be put on hold. Here's what this week's blog is really about! Over the past years, and some may even say decades, local buyers (which SHOULD be us, have very much dwindled. With mainland competitors , Hawaii's growing popuation, cost of labor, land/water problems, lack of technology, and much, much more, local suppliers find it harder and harder to  keep up. But what the people really need to know is why they should buy locally. So here's some reasons and some tips to help you out:

            Reason #1: You'll be supporting local farmers. Won't seeing one less person out of work be satisfying, and to know that you just spread aloha to someone else out of just one magnanimous act be something very much worth your time?

            Reason #2: Local= healthier. You know why? It's fresher. Well picture this. Food that is locally grown is from right here in Hawaii. Food that is grown in the mainland is, well, grown in the mainland, literally hundreds of miles away. So take your pick. Food that goes straight from a farm to a store or restaurant, or food that goes straight into some packaged box for days, maybe even weeks to get to you.

            Reason #3: It's getting easier! Yes, you heard right: buying locally is becoming easier. More and more stores, such as Foodland and Times Supermarkets are picking up on the thrend of local food and are giving it a go! So if stores are giving it a try, why won' t you?

            Now on to the steps!

            Step #1: Meet is menacing. Just producing the meat takes up many resources and eating it less will surely make a life a bit green. Say amybe one serving a week?

            Step #2: Eat out. When you go out to eat, your supporting local chefs that cook with Hawaiian-grown foods. Spread the aloha of being local, and eat out!

            Step #3: Farmers Market time! If you want some of the frreshest and locally grown foods, go to one farmer market! Food there is basically straight from the farm to you.

            Step #4: Look at labels. Ask owners where they get their produce from. Just because something says that it's made n the U.S. doesn't mean it's grown here. For example, just because a banana has a Dole sticker on it, doesn't mean that it was grown here.

            So why don't you put this knowledge to some use, eh? Take some action and eat local.

Balanced is the Way to Be!

By:  Alyssa Neal

As you guys all know, every month there is an IB-Attribute focus. So for the month of March, the IB-attribute we are focusing on as a school is "Balanced". Wow! It is already March! The school year is going by so fast! Well anyways, I just love that next months IB-Attribute is "Balanced". The definition of the word balanced, is basically just how you imagine it. Calm & cool, clear-headed, and motivated. For example, what is one scenario where you need literal balance? Standing on one leg! Okay, step one of standing on one leg; you need to be calm & cool. Because, if you are standing on one leg all excited and hyper, who is going to fall? That's right. You.  Second step of standing on one leg, you need to have a clear-mind. Because if you are thinking about random things while trying to balance, you will probably get of balance and fall. Rather than someone who was focused on not falling and had a clear mind. Now you have mastered the move on balancing on one leg. While I was writing those steps, I was actually trying to balance on one leg while thinking random thoughts. Now guess what? I fell each time!

Now, for the golden steps to being a balanced person:
1.) Care: Be kind to yourself, and do the same to others.
2.)Reflective: Take time to look back in your good past, and pull more of those good things in to your current life, so you can remember those great memories. And take a look at the bad ones; reflect and learn from  them. Take a look, reflect, use them to make you a better person.  Ask yourself questions like- Good memories? How will I try to be more balanced? What can I do differently next time?
3.) Examine: "Examine" all the parts in your life that you would like to be more balanced.  Are you spending too much time playing video games, and not enough time on your academics?  Too much time with your friends, and not enough time with your family? 
4.) Prepare: Get your insides ready. Get all those things that will stop you from not being a balanced person, and prepare for it so you will have goals that help you accomplish your goal on being balanced.
6.) Connect: Get your main man / women in place. Your main supporters to help you through this journey of being balanced.  They could be your family members, teachers, or friends. 

Be balanced.

Book Fair

By: Dasia Burr

Another successful book fair has come and gone.... I hope you had a chance to check it out and purchase some books!  The theme this year was “ Story Labratory."  Some of the books they had was “I survived” by Lauren Bake, “Bake Wish” by Lorna Honey, and lots, lots more! So I hope you continue to invest in reading because it gives you super powers!

Money for Others Rocks

By: Taryn Kanai

Have you heard about Pennies for Patients? Well if you haven't then I will tell you, it is the fundraiser to raise money for those who have leukemia (affects blood and bone marrow) and lymphoma (blood cancer that begins in lymphatic system). Thank you so much to all the people who donated. Even if you just donated a penny you have helped to make a difference. I know that Pennies for Patients will be so happy with all the money we raised. If you did not have an opportunity to donate last month, you can donate directly to this non profit organization.  Check out the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society website.   

http://www.lls.org/


Also remember to keep bringing in your labels for education or punch in those codes on the bottle caps from your Coke bottles!  Thank you for your generosity and kindness!

HSA Testing is Here!

Written by:  Rhyanne Javier

Guess what, HSA testing is coming up. Most students fear this because it is a test. We all had our first try and now its time for our second try. Now this grade matters the most! Tips for getting a good grade: you have to sleep early the day before the test. Sleep for at least 10 hours. Study at least 10-20 minutes everyday just to make you remember everything you learned in class so that it doesn't slip your mind. Another tip is to have a well balanced breakfast the day of the test (and everyday) so you can't have a BIG breakfast because you will be too stuffed, you have to eat a just right breakfast.  You should've skip breakfast because you need something to fill your stomach to make you think. Try to practice these good habits everyday and I am sure you will get the grade! This is all I have to say and good luck! You can also use Teenbiz and IXL for help on studying for the big test.

HTY Performs "Sort It Out" For Us

By: Leialoha Bugarin Say thanks to HTY! Why? Well because they taught us a very valuable lesson about the wonderful recycling process. Don't forget the process goes reduce, reuse, recycle. They sang and even took some time to be with us. HTY is always an amazing group. They always amaze me with their performances. Here are some tips on recycling that we learned: before you recycle look if there is a number 1 or 2 on the object in the triangle symbol because if there is, that means it is safe to recycle. Use both sides of the paper and make sure you put your trash in the correct bin. HTY was also very funny. They asked kids to give them a hard reusable item, so they could figure out how to recycle it. One of the items suggested by a student was an old building. The actors said that you can turn that old building into a balance beam by using the old beams from the roof.  It was cool that they could think so quickly on their feet. Now remember to thank and support the Honolulu Theater for Youth!

Quarter 2 Prolific Readers!!

Chloe Gilman, 3rd grade Prolific Reader
77 books read!

 

Landon Salazar, Kindergarten Prolific Reader
195 books read!

 

Huli Cannella, Preschool Prolific Reader

82 books read!

 

Brianna Mo, 4th grade Prolific Reader

35 books read!

 

Samantha Bacalso, 5th grade Prolific Reader

35 books read!

 

Brayden Talledo-Bala, Preschool Prolific Reader

82 books read!

 

Alex Ricard, 2nd Grade Prolific Reader

145 books read!

 

Angel Diaz, 6th grade Prolific Reader

25 books read!

 

Kevin Kalani, 1st grade Prolific Reader

250 books read!

 

 

Keep reading Keone'ula Cubs!  Check out our reading stars favorite books and authors!  Look for them on the posters around campus.  Happy Reading! 

Find Them!

By:Taryn Kanai and Rhyanne Javier

If you guys haven't heard about Labels for  Education, then that is why we are here to tell you about it. First off ,you can find the labels on Cocoa Pebbles, Honey Bunches of Oats, Honeycomb, Post sesame street cereal, Fruity Pebbles, Post Raisin Bran, Campbell's soup etc. What do these labels do? Well, they are kind of box tops, they earn things for our school like P.E. equipment, academic supplies, and things like that. You can either turn in the labels into the boxes student council gave your class, or you can go online and enter a UPC code that you can find on bottle caps like Pepsi, Coca-cola, etc. Remember to turn in these labels or enter those codes.

Go Green Tips: 6 Special Steps, That's All You Need

By: Christine Toorinjian

               This week, I want to talk about 6 special steps that will very much end up making you have a greener lifestyle and a huge change in Hawaii's homes and environment. With about an  estimated 1,340,674 residents living on Hawaii, have you ever thought about the amount of energy that you used, or the amount of water that you used? Well, if you’re a part of the 1,340,674 residents, (and you are), I think that contribution should be VERY little. And hey, small isn't so bad. Don't you like little amounts of zeroes on your bills? Don't you like very little messes to clean up when you come home? If you say no, I know you’re lying. Anyways, here are your 6 special steps.

            Step #1: Have a home energy makeover. For example, use an energy monitor that tells you in real time how much electricity your gadgets, (phones, compuers, tablets, etc.), or plant trees to shade your home. With these renovations (and still yet tons more!), you'll be leading a greener life in no time!

            Step #2: Input a solar water heater. By doing this, you may qualify for a 35% state tax credit AND a 30% federal tax credit. I don't have to pay taxes quite yet, but this sounds pretty good to me!

            Step #3: Read! There are MANY other sites to tell you how to stay green besides us! BUT of course, we would like you guys to keep on visiting us. For example, heco.com. They also have booklets such as "Power to Save" and "Power to Save for Small Businesses".

            Step #4: Click greenhomeguide.com. This particular website is run by the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council, and is a handy guide when you’re ready to remodel your house!

            Step #5: Re-read! Remember all those things that I've told you in other blogs in the past? Well make sure you did them! You could even make a checklist of all the tips I've given you and check off each of the ones that you did and see that you so the ones that you haven't yet!

            Step #6: Get children involved! Starting a green lifestyle is never too early, or too late, to educate yourself on. Just think of all the energy you'll save, and the money, once you see the T.V. going off, and the homework getting done.

            So those are the 6 special steps! Now all you have to do is go out there and DO THEM!

Valentine’s Day

By: Dasia Burr

    February 14 is Valentine's day or St. Valentine’s day. Do you know why Valentine’s day is a day of romance? Well if you don’t know, then keep on reading. The Catholic church recognizes at least 3 different saints named Valentine, with 3 different legends of the history of Valentine’s day.  From a priest who performed marriages in secret, to the Valentine who attempted to help Christians escape prisons, to an imprisoned Valentine who set the first valentine after falling in love with a young girl. And a fun fact that maybe you don't know is that about 150 million Valentine’s day cards are exchanged, making Valentine’s day the second most popular card-selling holiday. So remember on February 15, make sure to show your greetings, affection, and emotions to your friends and families and even your lovers. ;) ~xoxoxo~

Presidents Day

Written by:  Alyssa Neal

     This important holiday comes around every year, but to be honest, I don't actually think any of the students or some kids in general actually take the time to think and reflect on this holiday. Most kids in my opinion just think of this day as a day to just sit back and relax, do nothing and consider it as a regular no school day. To be honest, I was one of those kids! After researching and writing this blog about this holiday, I have changed my mind. I now know it's a good idea to think and reflect for at least 5-10 minutes on what this holiday means.

     Originally, President's Day was celebrated on President's George Washington's birthday Feb. 22 and was called Washington's Birthday. After Abraham Lincoln was president, it was thought President Lincoln should also have a day to be recognized. President Lincoln's birthday was on February 12 which is very close to President's Washington's birthday, so before 1968, the federal holiday was celebrated on Feb. 22 and a public holiday was celebrated on Feb. 12. President's Day is not the same date every year like Christmas is always on December 25th, but it is always on the third Monday in February each year. Today Presidents Day is to honor all the American presidents not just our former presidents, but every president our country has had and currently has. I do not agree that one president worked harder than another president, because every president worked equally hard to keep our country in the best shape.

     We have had a lot of great presidents and they deserve to be recognized for all their hard work and sacrifice.

Basketball Tournament

By: Dasia Burr and Taryn Kanai

     On Friday, January 25, Keoneula's basketball team went to a basketball tournament at Campbell high school. We had a lot of fun competing against the other schools. Here's how it went: We did some stretching, shouted out encouragement, and then started the game. Our school played against Ewa, Ewa Beach, Holomua, Iroquois, Kaimiloa, and Pohakea. Altogether, our school won 2 games, tied 1, and lost 3 out of 6 games. Overall, we did pretty awesome. Caleb Mantanona, a 6th grade basketball player said, "The basketball game was super fun and I wold love to do it again!"

S-P-E-L-L-I-N-G B-E-E, Spelling Bee

By: Christine Toorinjian

        Many things go through the human mind each and every single day. Should I do my homework before my chores? Is this answer correct? What do I do now? Should I pull this fire alarm? Well, what was running through my mind the day of the Leeward District Spelling Bee was: Is this even real? Here, let me get you caught up. I was one of the 2 contestants representing Keone'ula in the Leeward District Spelling Bee, the other being Courtney Lee. Let's just say that I've could have used a little bit more time to study... I mean A LOT. The competition was VERY fierce, and I didn't even make it pass the 2nd round! Words like forensics, miasma, stucco, hors d'oeuvre. You name it, were being thrown all over the place. Some that Ms. Firestone and Ms. Coffin, (6th grade teachers also attending the bee), had to look up on Google to know how to spell! I, however, didn't even make it past the 2nd round, having to spell one of the easiest words that the English language could've come up with. But we're not talking about that quite yet...

        So here's how all this started. It was at our 2nd quarter school spelling bee, and there were 2 contestants left. Me, Christine Toorinjian, and Rhyanne Javier. Now, I know what your thinking. What happened to Courtney? I'm getting to that. Rhyanne's word was "receptacle", but alas, she got the ding of the horrid bell of elimination. My turn: "Receptacle. R-E-C-E-P-T-A-C-L-E. Receptacle." That was all I had to say, or should I say spell. With me in first, Rhyanne in second, and Courtney in third, the represntatives for our school for the Leeward District Spelling Bee were announced. Christine Toorinjian and Rhyanne Javier. Then it was time to prep. We practiced and studied whenever we could. Even Ms. Firestone had told the class, (by the way, we're both in Ms. Firestone's class), to just ask us how to spell a word at any given time. Before we knew it, it was just a week before the spelling bee. But just days before though, Rhyanne had to drop out. And this is where Courtney comes in . From then on, all we really did was wait. Study and wait that is. And then it came. The day finally came where we would finally find out who would represent the Leeward District in the State Spelling Bee, (it goes from school spelling bee, to district bee, to state bee, to national bee).

        Heading down to the bee, I did a bit of some last minute studying, you know, to be on the safe side. When I finally got there, I didn't realize that there would be so many people watching. I mean, isn't it just a bunch of kids spelling words? NOPE. Anyways, me and Courtney did get to meet and actually sort of befriend some of the contestants. When I say some, I mean 2. Zoe and Riley. Last names? Erm, let's just get to the bee. Courtney's number was 3 and mine was 7. Lucky numbers, right? Eh, not really. Anyways, the announcer had walked over to the contestant tables and explained the rules as follows: You may ask for a repeat of the word, an alternate way to pronounce the word, language of origin, to use it in a sentence, and for it's definition. If you start spelling a word and get a letter wrong, there is no going back to change it. If you hear a bell, that means you are eliminated. Whoopdy-doo. Now on to round 1. Courtney's word was transience. Though in the beginning, the announcer said that her word was a homynym- which she thought was her word at first, which lead to me getting quite a laugh. But now, I wish that her word was homynym, because she got transience wrong. She spelled it as "transcience" instead of "transience". I was very disappointed, but decided not to think about it. Soon enough it came my turn. Persistent was my word. Of course there was no dinging of the bell this time. So on and so forth happened with all of the other contestants, and before I knew it, the whole round was over. With only 14 people left, I thought that I had a pretty good chance. Boy, was I wrong as ever. Apportion. Apportion was my word. I had missed it by a p. Just one little p. It was over. I was officially out of the bee. Of course I was sad, but happy. I didn't have to stand in front of a crowd again! And so the bee went on and eventually we had our winner. All I had to show for Keone'ula now was some good sportsmanship. So I brought it upon myself that I HAD to high-five every contestant that had participted on the bee. 24 high-fives later. I was out of there. But not without some pictures and a bunny cake as a prize! And maybe a little promise of a trip to Cold Stone later on...  

4th Grade Field Trip to He'eia Fish Pond

By:  Rhyanne Javier

The 4th graders went on a field trip on Tuesday, February 5 to He'eia Fish pond.
I bet they had a great time. I interviewed Ms.Fong about how their Field trip went. Let's see what she has to say.

I asked her what her favorite part of the field trip was and she said, "When they got to take a tour of the fish pond and how they got to learn how the fish ponds worked. "

I also asked her what her students learned from the field trip and she said, "They got to learn about a species named the mangrove, and how it is dangerous to Hawaii because it destroys the native plants habitat."

 Lastly I asked her what she would do differently when they go back? She said that they would be more prepared for all the mud. Sure sounds like the 4th graders had a lot of fun!

Think! Think! Think!

By: Alyssa Neal

This month, February, our school is focusing on the IB Attribute of: Thinker! What does it mean to be a thinker you might be asking yourself right now? Well, to be a thinker you have to solve problems in a variety of ways, listen to other's answers, and always be able to justify the answer. You need to always have an explanation and/or conclusion ready. And lastly, you need to take initiative (Take charge in a positive and nice way) and be independent. Don't take " Be independent " in the wrong way either. I don't mean be lonely all the time and have no friends, I mean figure things out on your own.

To be a thinker you will need to be solid on your answers. You shouldn't be wobbly and unsure with your answers. You have to feel in your gut that you know that is your final answer and just know it will be right! Also to be a thinker, you need to be an inquirer. You will need to think and reflect on relevant and reasonable questions. Now, I don't mean go all out with crazy questions, "Why, why, why?" I mean ask reasonable questions like, "How did you come up with this answer?" or, "How does this number equal this?" So, if you're striving to be a thinker (Which everyone should) practice some of these character traits until it feels normal and natural demonstrating these traits.

A great way to keep score of how you are doing while striving to be a thinker is, just jot down 4-10 weaknesses you have as being a thinker, and once you feel you got it down pat and it feels like a natural thing, just put a little checkmark by that weakness. And that check you put by that weakness now represents a new strength.

Think BIG. Think BOLD!

Chinese New Year!

Written by:  Mrs. Matsuura

The 6^th graders learned about the Chinese New Year. Many of them visited China Town on February 2, Saturday to enjoy the Lion Dances, great food, and entertainment. What a great tradition!

Chinese New Year starts with the New Moon on the first day of the new year and ends on the full moon 15 days later. The 15th day of the new year is called the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated at night with lantern displays and children carrying lanterns in a parade.

The Chinese calendar is based on a combination of lunar and solar movements. The lunar cycle is about 29.5 days. In order to "catch up" with the solar calendar the Chinese insert an extra month once every few years (seven years out of a 19-yearcycle). This is the same as adding an extra day on leap year. This is why, according to the solar calendar, the Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year.

New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are celebrated as a family affair, a time of reunion and thanksgiving. The celebration was traditionally highlighted with a religious ceremony given in honor of Heaven and Earth, the gods of the household and the family ancestors.

The sacrifice to the ancestors, the most vital of all the rituals, united the living members with those who had passed away. Departed relatives are remembered with great respect because they were responsible for laying the foundations for the fortune and glory of the family.

The presence of the ancestors is acknowledged on New Year's Eve with a dinner arranged for them at the family banquet table. The spirits of the ancestors, together with the living, celebrate the onset of the New Year as one great community. The communal feast called "surrounding the stove" or weilu. It symbolizes family unity and honors the past and present generations.

 

Parent Student Workshop

By: Stevie-Ray P.

Hi guys! As you might or might not know, we recently had a student and father workshop inside of the Keone'ula cafeteria. What students and parents did was eat food and make crafts. Some 4th grade students from Ms. Correira's class did presentations so the fathers of the students could learn about what students recently learned about in school. One of the topics was about our school's worm bin system. (Learn more by searching, "Vermiculture is Cool" on our blog).  If this sounds interesting and you feel left out, don't worry! We might have a student and parent workshop for students and mothers. So be sure to look out for that!

Beautiful Art!

 

Mrs. Aimee Matsuura was awarded $500.00 from Hawaii federal Credit Union to buy much needed art supplies! Her mediums were canvas boards and acrylic paints. The kids tied this art project to the 6th grade IB unit relating to China and their unique brush techniques. Keone'ula has terrific artists!

Taking Those Risks

    
By:  Alyssa Neal

     As you all know, each month the teacher or class selects one student as the student of the month who demonstrates an IB attribute. This month, January, was the IB attribute "Risk-taker". Congrats to every single student who was selected. I think it is a HUGE honor! Like um, who wouldn't want to be recognized as a risk-taker? Everybody should want to!

     A risk-taker is a person who is not fearful of getting something wrong, they would take a chance in hopes of winning, but won't get negative when wrong. A risk-taker enjoys to try new things with a positive mind and will consistently keep trying until they get it right. Risk takers don't back down from a positive challenge, they just go! Go! Go!

     I feel everyone should take risks in life, whether it be leaving family for a while to go to Iraq or another country that needs help, or simply trying a new food. If you don't take risks you can't get anywhere in life because I bet you any job or career you choose to do, you will need to take risks. If you don't take those risks, you're out. Not three strikes your out. If you decide you don't want to take those risks, on the first time (First strike) you're out!

     You can take positive risks easily! All you have to do is "The Staircase". The top stair is your strengths (things you know you can well) And just make your way down the staircase accomplishing each problem as you go. On the way down, all your challenges may get harder and harder and harder, but guess what? Your strengths help you along the way, and A CHALLENGE IS GOOD!  Maybe we should start viewing challenges as going down a staircase, instead of the difficult trek up the stairs.

     Well, while all this information is flowing in my head I interviewed Kylee Kamalii, 6^th grade, F-205.

     "Hey Kylee, can I ask you two questions about your honor for representing F-205 for the IB attribute risk-taker?

     "Sure!" she replies.

     "How did you be a risk-taker?"

     She responds back, "Well, I ate some new foods. Made new friends very easily, because I wasn't shy to talk, and I made sure I volunteered more. (To share, participate, to help, etc.) This was pretty easy and fun too!"

     "Wow!" I reply. "Great job!"

     "Did you think you were going to get chosen for risk-taker?"

     She replies, "No. I really didn't because I thought there were a lot of great risk-takers from my class, so I didn't think I would have gotten chosen. And on the other hand, I didn't think people actually noticed me risk-taking."

     "Well, sounds like you certainly deserved it." I replied. "Thank you."

     Wow! Being a risk-taker sounds like fun, and sounds pretty easy too! So, I leave you with one final thought......


What risk will you take today?