KS Kapālama update #2

August 28, 2020

Laptops and devices have been firing up; virtual orientations and introductions are connecting kumu and haumāna; and we are all slowly, but surely, settling into the school year. Mahalo to everyone for having grace for each other and for yourselves as we unwrap the possibilities of this unfamiliar, yet exciting, learning experience. Every day certainly brings a new adventure.

This message is the second in our series of bi-weekly updates meant to keep our campus community informed about important decisions and actions that affect us all during this first quarter. If you have questions about any of the following updates, please be sure to reach out to the appropriate contact so we can assist you as best we can.

STAY AT HOME, WORK AT HOME

Just a reminder that our Kamehameha Schools Kapālama campus was closed effective Thursday, August 27, for the duration of the current stay-at-home order. Campus will be accessible only to residents, staff designated as essential by their Campus Leadership Team leader, kumu who have received approval from their poʻo kumu to conduct distance learning from their classrooms, and haumāna who have received special approval from poʻo kumu for distance learning support.

For more information, please refer to the Poʻo Kula campus closure announcement on our KS Kapālama homepage.

ʻOHANA SURVEY

An important part of planning and preparing for this unprecedented learning journey is engaging the members of our campus ʻohana community. The voices of those closest to us reflect genuine perspectives of people who have the most to gain and lose in these times.

To help us gain that perspective, we invite you to participate in our new ʻohana survey. With the community conditions shifting week by week, it is important for us to check in with our families frequently to inform decisions that affect us all.

The survey is now open and will close on Monday, August 31. All K-12 ʻohana are invited to participate.

DISTANCE LEARNING #2

In this update, we continue to share tips and resources designed to help families support their keiki in the digital learning space.

Distance learning ʻohana tip this week: Communicate with your school

Communicating early and often can help maintain a good relationship with your kumu and school.

Let us continue to support each other as we discover the wonders of distance learning together.

MAHALO TO OUR KS COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM

With all of us doing our part to keep our family, friends, and community safe in our own spaces, I would like to take a moment to recognize and offer tremendous thanks to the KS COVID-19 Response Team for their amazing leadership and tireless commitment to the entire Kamehameha Schools ʻohana. As elevated confirmed case numbers continue to indicate a long battle ahead, the CRT has been instrumental in directing protocols that care for members of our own campus ʻohana who may be directly affected by COVID-19 as well as ensure the safety and health of others at Kamehameha Schools.

If you have any questions about possible exposure to COVID-19, please reach out to your poʻo kumu office.

Mahalo for your time and attention. The world looks more and more different every day and the pace of change has only been increasing. We appreciate your understanding and thank you for your partnership as we holomua me ke aloha nui.

Me ka ʻoiaʻiʻo,

Dr. Taran Chun, Poʻo Kula