At Kamehameha Schools Preschools, the start of a new school year is a heartfelt journey to create strong, lasting pilina between kumu, keiki and ʻohana. This unique process begins with parent orientation sessions, kipa ʻohana (home visits) by kumu and their teaching assistants, and a carefully crafted orientation experience for keiki. These steps are woven together to form the foundation of a nurturing, supportive educational environment.
“Home visits and parent orientation are the first opportunities to foster strong relationships between kumu and ʻohana, creating a supportive environment for keiki’s learning and development,” Jeannette Sun, the Hope Poʻo Kumu for Waiʻanae region II said. “This ensures that ʻohana are actively involved in their child’s education, promoting better outcomes and a sense of kaiāulu at our kula.”
The year kicks off with hoʻokipa nā ʻohana, or parent orientations, hosted by KS Preschools across their 30 sites on five islands, welcoming the mākua of more than 1,600 haumāna for the 2024-2025 school year. This session is designed to inform and empower parents, ensuring they feel confident in the school’s E Ola! curriculum and values. During orientation, mākua learn about the school’s expectations, daily routines and how they can be active partners in their keiki’s learning at home.
At Hoʻokipa Nā ʻOhana at KS Preschools -Kaumakani, mākua participated in an ʻohana engagement activity called Aho to ʻAha. The activity involves parents braiding or twisting cords together to form an aho. The parents’ aho are then braided together to form an ʻaha, symbolizing strength when bonded together. Mākua are asked to reflect on how the expertise of each individual woven together can support the well-being of the group.
Kaumakani mākua make individual aho that were braided together to make one strong ‘aha.
Kaumakani mākua make individual aho that were braided together to make one strong ‘aha.
“Equally important as the relationship between ʻohana, keiki and kumu is the relationships amongst all the ʻohana of our class. Yes, parent orientation provides a space and time for understanding Pauahi’s will, learner outcomes, and expectations, but it also provides a space and time for ʻohana to familiarize themselves with one another too as we all know that ‘it takes a village.’ The ʻohana in our class may potentially become one another’s village.”
This is followed by kipa ʻohana, when kumu visit each student’s home before the first day of school. These family home visits are more than just a meet-and-greet; they are special moments where kumu step into the world of their haumāna, connecting with them in a place where they feel most comfortable. By seeing keiki in their home environment and spending time with ʻohana, kumu gain invaluable insights into their haumāna’s personality, interests, and learning style, helping to ease any anxieties and lay the groundwork for a trusting relationship.
“Home visits are valuable in that it gifts ʻohana, keiki and kumu sacred time to start building a relationship and to set the tone for the school year before the hustle and bustle of the start of the school,” Kaumakani Preschool kumu Erika Sakamoto said. “Being able to observe family dynamics during home visits helps us kumu begin to understand the diversity of our keiki and the specific needs and strengths of each keiki, and how we might synthesize all of that information to plan for a successful preschool experience for everyone.”
From left to right: This year Kauaʻi-based Kumu Erika and her teacher assistants Kumu Toni and Kumu Keiko visited their haumāna in their papa ʻilima. They learned how their three-year-old haumāna Dreyson has learned valuable lessons in responsibility and empathy by caring for Reenie, his blue Sapphire Gem hen. At other home visits, kumu visit their haumāna Mason, who has recently become the older brother of newborn twins and observe the special bond shared by Cannon and his dad, Johnathan.
From left to right: This year Kauaʻi-based Kumu Erika and her teacher assistants Kumu Toni and Kumu Keiko visited their haumāna in their papa ʻilima. They learned how their three-year-old haumāna Dreyson has learned valuable lessons in responsibility and empathy by caring for Reenie, his blue Sapphire Gem hen. At other home visits, kumu visit their haumāna Mason, who has recently become the older brother of newborn twins and observe the special bond shared by Cannon and his dad, Johnathan.
Hoʻokipa nā keiki, or keiki orientation, is thoughtfully designed to help haumāna transition into their new environment with ease. The phase-in schedule of short periods of attendance allows keiki and ʻohana to become gradually comfortable with the new environment, school routine and preschool staff. The focus is on creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere where keiki feel safe, loved, and ready to explore. Through activities that encourage socialization, play, and discovery, keiki begin to see their school as a second home — a place where they can thrive academically, socially and emotionally.
This comprehensive, heartfelt approach ensures that every KS Preschool student starts the year feeling seen, supported and cherished, ready to embark on a joyful and successful educational journey.
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ks preschools,early learning,parent engagement,e ola educators,parents and teachers
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