Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 Office 808-322-4900 office@kppcs.org • www.kppcs.org P.O. Box 115 Kealakekua, HI 96750 WELCOME Aloha Kona Pacific Public Charter School Families: This Family Handbook has been prepared to promote understanding and clear expectations for students, parents, teachers and the administration of the school. It is designed to support a healthy academic, artistic, and social environment in our school. Kona Pacific teachers and staff ask that each family take the time to become familiar with the policies and procedures in this Handbook in order to ensure that your family’s school experience is a positive and enriching one. If you have any questions or need clarification please feel free to contact the school and we will be happy to assist you. We are honored to have the opportunity to share this school with our community, and on behalf of the Kona Pacific Ohana, I wish each and every family a wonderful school year. Mahalo, Usha Kotner Director, Kona Pacific Public Charter School Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 Table of Contents Welcome ............................................................................1 Our School ........................................................................4 History .........................................................................4 Who We Are...............................................................4 Educational Program ......................................................6 Overview .....................................................................6 Our Three Strands .....................................................7 Waldorf Education .............................................7 Hawaiian Cultural Studies ..................................8 Agricultural Studies.......................................... 10 Other Programs in Our Grades Curriculum ...... 11 Grades Curriculum Chart ...................................... 13 Kindergarten............................................................ 16 Educational Support & Remediation................... 17 Student Assessment ................................................ 18 Daily School Schedule .................................................. 20 Master Calendar ............................................................. 21 School Organization ..................................................... 23 Organizational Chart .............................................. 23 Governing Board .................................................... 24 Administration ........................................................ 24 Committees.............................................................. 26 Communication at KPPCS .......................................... 27 Who To Talk To About… .................................... 27 School Communication With Families................ 28 Thursday Mailing & School Newsletter ....... 28 Email .................................................................. 28 Connect-Ed Electronic Phone System ......... 29 Bulletin Boards ................................................. 29 School Website ................................................. 29 Class Meetings .................................................. 29 All School Meetings ......................................... 29 Student Affairs ............................................................... 30 Admissions/Enrollment ........................................ 30 Aftercare Program .................................................. 31 Attendance ............................................................... 31 Arrival & Dismissal ................................................ 32 Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 2 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 Birthdays .................................................................. 34 Carpooling ............................................................... 34 Children & the Office ............................................ 34 Class Visits ............................................................... 34 Code of Conduct .................................................... 35 Dress Code .............................................................. 36 Drug Free Campus ................................................. 37 Festivals, Fundraisers & Assemblies .................... 37 Field Trips ................................................................ 39 Fundraising .............................................................. 40 Gifts & Donations .................................................. 40 Health of the Children ........................................... 40 Home Life ................................................................ 41 Home Visits ............................................................. 42 Homework ............................................................... 42 Lost & Found .......................................................... 43 Lunch & Snack........................................................ 43 Media & Electronics ............................................... 44 Personal Items on Campus ................................... 45 Safety & Emergency Plans .................................... 45 School Photos ......................................................... 46 School Supplies ...................................................... 46 Visitors on Campus ................................................ 47 Community Life............................................................. 47 Parents & Families at Kona Pacific...................... 47 How Can I Help? .................................................... 48 Volunteer Your Time ...................................... 48 Classroom Parents ........................................... 48 Class Parent Representatives .......................... 48 Policies & Procedures ................................................... 49 Mahalo............................................................................. 50 Acknowledgement of Receiving Parent Handbook . 51 Appendix A – Kona Pacific Public Charter School Code of Conduct........................................................................... 52 Appendix B – Kona Pacific Public Charter School Fee Schedule .......................................................................................... 62 Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 3 Family Handbook History School Year 2012-2013 OUR SCHOOL In the summer of 2006, a group of parents, teachers and community leaders joined together to create a non-traditional public charter school in West Hawai‘i. Motivated by a desire to provide an innovative curriculum to the Kona community, the group founded Kona Pacific Public Charter School. Kona Pacific opened its doors in August, 2008. Who We Are Our Mission Our mission is to cultivate in young people the skills, knowledge, and values they need to reach their highest potential. Each student at Kona Pacific is inspired to a high level of academic excellence, enthusiasm for learning, a healthy self-awareness, interest and concern for others, and respect for the natural world. Our Curriculum The Kona Pacific curriculum is Waldorf inspired and weaves academic, project and art-based learning with Hawaiian and agricultural studies. The arts and practical skills play an essential part in the educational process. Kona Pacific Public Charter School offers a comprehensive education that weaves together three strands: A holistic, hands-on, project based program inspired by Waldorf education, promoting student achievement in language arts, math, science, fine arts, musical training and movement; An educational program that embraces the values of the Hawaiian culture, with particular focus on environmental education and community sustainability through understanding and respect for the people, land and sea of Hawai'i; and A curriculum rich in the life-sustaining practices of farming and gardening that are a vital part of Hawai‘i Island life. Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 4 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 The KPPCS educational program integrates Waldorf teaching methodologies with the revised Hawaii Content and Performance Standards III to provide a rich learning environment that assures that each student meets or exceeds state standards for achievement. Our Students Children thrive in our school, with a high level of caring attention from teachers who inspire each child’s imagination. We believe children learn best when their education embraces all facets of their development: intellectual, social, emotional and physical. The curriculum is aligned with the child’s unfolding intellect and social abilities. Environmental and cultural studies offer children ample opportunity to explore their sense of place in the Hawaiian Islands. Kona Pacific students gain the necessary skills and tools to grow into fully engaged and successful human beings. Our Parents At Kona Pacific, parents are an integral part of the educational process. Parents can create a positive home environment and support their children with enriching developmental activities. We invite and encourage parents and community members to participate in the ongoing activities, governance and community life of the school. What is a Charter School? Public Charter Schools are independent public schools that are free to be more innovative and are held accountable for improved student achievement. They foster a partnership between parents, teachers and students to create an environment in which parents can be more involved, teachers are given the freedom to innovate and students are provided the structure they need to learn. Charter schools are open to all students, regardless of income, race, or religion. They are independently designed and operated and committed to improving the academic achievement of all Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 5 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 children. Today, over 2 million children in 39 states and the District of Columbia attend one of more than 5,600 public charter schools. For more information regarding charter schools, please visit the Hawaii Public Charter Schools Network website at www.hawaiicharterschools.com or the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools at www.publiccharters.org. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM Overview At the heart of the educational program is the conviction that education is an art as well as a science. Kona Pacific’s programs are effective in educating the whole child, as the method and curriculum includes teaching that goes beyond the intellect. The program is focused on the inner development of children, and the curriculum is tailored to match their unfolding cognitive capacities and social abilities, as well as individual interests. Each child is regarded as an integrated being whose physical, emotional, and mental capacities will grow and thrive in response to nourishment and cultivation. Academic studies are therefore enlivened and balanced with artistic and social activities. Furthermore, the practical and culturally rich experientially based aspect of the curriculum fosters the development of individual empowerment and supports the rigor of learning. Each lesson engages the student’s need for thinking, feeling and doing. In addition to the core content of language arts, math and the sciences, Kona Pacific offers courses in Hawaiian studies, agricultural studies, handwork, hula, ukulele, movement education, woodwork, music, oral recitation, fine arts, drama and singing. Education through movement, crafts, art, music and games develops a variety of sensory and motor capacities that help the child in academic pursuits. The crafts, visual and performing arts, including painting, drawing, storytelling and drama, build self-confidence, exercise project execution skills, develop the aesthetic sense and provide insight into the student’s emotional life. In general, numerous aspects of the curriculum, including the order, timing and manner of presentation of skills and knowledge, are designed to be developmentally appropriate Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 6 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 as well as therapeutic for students who are facing the challenges of modern childhood. Kona Pacific’s educational approach promotes cooperation and social learning, inspires and provides the tools for complex thinking and problem solving, enhances effective communication, and, perhaps most importantly, instills a lifelong love of learning and a sense of personal and community responsibility. Our Three Strands - Waldorf Education, Hawaiian Studies and Agricultural Studies Waldorf Education "When children relate what they learn to their own experience, they are interested and alive, and what they learn becomes their own. Waldorf schools are designed to foster this kind of learning." - Henry Barnes, a longtime Waldorf teacher and the former Chairman of the Board of AWSNA Developed by Rudolf Steiner in 1919, Waldorf Education is based on an understanding of human development that addresses the needs of the growing child. Waldorf teachers strive to transform education into an art that educates the whole child—the heart and the hands, as well as the head. When you enter a Waldorf school, the first thing you may notice is the care given to beauty. The walls are usually painted in lively colors and are adorned with student artwork. Evidence of student activity is found everywhere, and every desk holds a uniquely created main lesson book. Another first impression may be the enthusiasm and commitment of the teachers you meet. These teachers are interested in the students as individuals. They are interested in the questions: · · How do we establish within each child his or her own high level of academic excellence? How do we call forth enthusiasm for learning and work, a healthy self-awareness, interest and concern for fellow human beings, and a respect for the world? Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 7 Family Handbook · School Year 2012-2013 How can we help students find meaning in their lives? Teachers in Waldorf schools are dedicated to generating an inner enthusiasm for learning within every child. They achieve this in a variety of ways. Even seemingly dry subjects are presented in a pictorial and dynamic manner. This eliminates the need for competitive testing and behavioristic rewards to motivate learning. It allows motivation to arise from within and helps engender the capacity for joyful lifelong learning. The Waldorf curriculum is broad and comprehensive, designed to respond to the three major developmental phases of childhood: from birth to approximately 6 or 7 years, from 7 to 14 years and from 14 to 18 years. Rudolf Steiner emphasized to teachers that the best way to provide meaningful support for the child is to comprehend these phases fully and to bring "age appropriate" content to the children that nourishes healthy growth. For the Waldorf student, music, dance, and theater, writing, literature, legends and myths are not simply subjects to be read about, ingested and tested. They are experienced. Through these experiences, Waldorf students cultivate a lifelong love of learning as well as the intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual capacities to be individuals certain of their paths and to be of service to the world. If you have further questions about Waldorf education, please contact either your child’s teacher or the office for conversation or suggested reading. Ka Mala O Ka Mana’o Hawai’i Hawaiian Cultural Studies At KPPCS, Hawaiian Cultural Studies is not simply one element of the overall curriculum. Rather, Hawaiian language and cultural values are woven into the very fabric of the life of the school. Our teachers offer the children a rich foundation in Hawaiian history, culture, arts and crafts through a diverse program that we call Ka Mala O Ka Mana’o Hawai’i or The Garden of Hawaiian Knowledge. Through studying Hawaiian culture, in the wider curriculum as well as in Hawaiian Studies, Ukulele, Hula, Ho’okele Wa’a (our Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 8 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 middle school Voyaging Arts program), and Agricultural Studies, the children gain an understanding of their surrounding community. The cultural program strives to create a sense of place (Who am I? Where do I come from?) and to create a connection to the ancestors and the land. As each child gains a sense of belonging and responsibility, they grow to respect themselves within the community. Cultural ceremonies foster respect for and understanding of unique cultures, leading to empathy and reverence. Our Hawaiian cultural emphasis begins each day within the piko of the schoolyard where students, faculty and staff share a morning protocol that includes chants written for the school, greetings, and reminders of the school’s values. These chants include the following: Oli Kula ‘o Kona Pacific (Na Kumu Keala Ching) He aloha no, e ku’u ‘aina Love for this land ‘Aina o Keawe, noho i ka la’i Land of Keawe, peaceful place ‘O Hokukano, i uka o Haleki’i Hokukano upland to Haleki’i Pili ia kanaueue, he ali’i Related to Kanaueue, a chief He kupukupu ia, ola i ka ‘aina Fern of beginning, living upon the land ‘Aina kama ‘aina, ‘o ka ‘Ohi’a Familiar land to the ‘Ohi’a Kona Pacific Public Charter School Eo mai kama ‘aina, Pakipika ko Kona Rejoice our relationship, Kona Pacific School E o [Kumu], e o [Keiki], e o mai e [Kumu and Keiki] I Ku Mau Mau Kumu: I ku mau mau! Haumana: I ku wu I ku mau mau! I ku huluhulu! I ka lanawao! I ku wa I ku lanawao I ku wa [Together:] I ku wa Huki! I ku wa Ko! I ku wa a mau A mau ka eulu E huki e Kulia! Page 9 Family Handbook Ho Mai Ka ‘Ike Ho mai ka ‘ike ‘ike papalua e Ho mai ka i’ini ‘i’ini papalua e School Year 2012-2013 Ho mai ka mana mana papalua e Ho mai, ho mai, ho mai ka papalua e E o la Our school-wide values program, which is set forth in our Code of Conduct, is based on our ALOHA values and emphasizes respect, relationship, responsibility, and Aloha. KPPCS students learn that when we say, “I have Aloha for you,” we are saying that we have the utmost respect for the person we are speaking to, and that we hold their inner spirit in the highest possible regard and reverence. Agricultural & Environmental Studies Agricultural Studies is woven into our school’s educational program. Through their observations and work with the land, throughout the curriculum and in agricultural studies classes and classroom gardens, our students experience firsthand the challenges and rewards of sustainability and the responsibility of good human stewardship of nature. The agricultural curriculum is interdisciplinary in nature and predicated upon the following core principles that stem from fundamental tenants of our educational philosophy: Rhythm and Security - Rhythm is central to education as it gives students a strong and secure foundation that fosters healthy growth and development. Reverence and Respect - The agricultural curriculum builds on the student’s innate sense of reverence and respect for nature. They observe the seeds, the young seedlings about to be transplanted, the young plants with leaves reaching for the sun, the developing plant with flowers, and the mature plant with its fruits or vegetables or roots for harvest. Students also observe the circle of life by watching the older, dying plant with its seeds and then its transformation through composting to rich soil to nourish new seeds. Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 10 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 Interdependence and Stewardship - A primary goal of the curriculum is to instill in students a deep understanding of and respect for the interdependence between humans and the natural world. Students appreciate that every action impacts the environment, and that their choices have significant consequences for the natural world and other human beings. Students engage in learning experiences and activities that promote a strong sense of environmental stewardship and community responsibility. Will and Work Ethic - Gardening responsibilities increase as the children become more capable. Over each year of farming activity, the power of sustained, focused work becomes apparent. The agricultural curriculum instills positive life habits such as responsibility and hard work. Other Programs In Our Curriculum Music Musical training is an integral part of our curriculum. Musical studies are an artistic endeavor for our students as well as a social enterprise, a cultural pursuit, and an intellectual activity that develops mathematic, scientific, verbal, and language skills. Musical instruction begins in kindergarten with songs and singing games. The teacher brings much of her direction throughout the day to the children through her singing voice. Singing and playing of rhythmic games continues through the early grades. In addition, our 5-8th grades sing together in a choir. The wooden pentatonic flute is studied in the first and second grades, transitioning to the recorder in the subsequent grades. Beginning in second grade, ukulele is introduced. The school provides these instruments. Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 11 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 Handwork In these lessons, students in grades 1-8 have the opportunity to create something useful and immediately tangible and to give expression to their latent creativity. These classes also offer our children a fun learning experience that builds a variety of physical, intellectual and emotional skills that also support academic development. Involvement in craft work offers the challenge of conceiving and considered planning as students learn to work an impulse from the creative and conceptual through to the material. In this process the student is guided to experience and become conscious of exercising this very human attribute of planning and producing through emotion, material and intellect. Knitting, crocheting, felting, embroidering, weaving and sewing build fine motor manual skills in our students. Creative thinking combined with spatial relationships and spatial awareness is reinforced, as students become sensitive to design and process. Along with the development of manual skills, we see the growth within the child of perseverance, and focus. In spending time each week in these creative processes, students are provided with a wonderful opportunity to learn practical activities that builds skill, aesthetic sense, and confidence. Woodwork In grades 6-8 woodworking classes offer our middle school students an opportunity to expand their handcraft skills. Just as in handwork classes, the practice of craft does not only enliven creativity. It challenges and grows the child’s intellect, character and manual skill. In the tradition of craftwork, our students endeavor to create quality objects that are both beautiful and useful. They envision the project, plan for its construction, and finally carve, join, sand and finish it. The students’ creativity thrives as they work with the unique capacities and limitations of the wood medium. The students Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 12 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 must reason and persevere through project design, planning, and implementation. Finally, in execution, working with wood increases the students’ manual strength and teaches them new skills. It is a joy to see the children learn and grow as they bring their creative concepts through process and into material being. Physical Education and Hula The movement education program at Kona Pacific includes instruction in movement & games and Hula. Movement education classes vary in content throughout the grades; they include traditional physical education exercises, team sports, and imaginative games and activities. The movement education program promotes healthy physical development and fitness, as well as is one of the primary ways in which the school’s social inclusion values are taught. Grades Curriculum Chart Grade 1 • Fairy and folk tales, nature stories • Language Arts: introduction to the alphabet and writing, introduction to reading • Arithmetic: the four processes, qualitative aspects of numbers up to 100 • Agricultural Studies • Hawaiian Studies • Hula • Games • Handwork: knitting Kona Pacific Public Charter School Grade 2 • Fables, legends of holy people and nature stories • Language Arts: reading, writing, spelling, introduction to elements of grammar • Arithmetic: the four processes; place value, carrying & borrowing • Agricultural Studies • Hawaiian Studies • Hula • Games • Handwork: knit and purl stitches, crochet Page 13 Family Handbook Grade 3 • Stories of the Hebrew scriptures, nature stories • House-building • Farming and gardening • Fiber arts and clothing • Cursive writing • Language Arts: grammar, spelling, reading, writing • Arithmetic: the four processes; measurement; weight; money; and time • Agricultural Studies • Hawaiian Studies • Hula • Ukulele • Games • Handwork: knitting, crochet and embroidery Grade 4 • Norse mythology • Local history and local geography • Zoology • Language Arts: reading, writing, spelling, grammar • Arithmetic: the four processes; long division; fractions • Agricultural Studies • Hawaiian Studies • Hula • Ukulele • Games • Handwork: knitting, embroidery, hand-sewing Kona Pacific Public Charter School School Year 2012-2013 • Multi-part singing and musical notation Grade 5 • Ancient history and mythology: Greece, India, Persia, Babylonia/Chaldea, Egypt • Geography: North America, Oceana, Egypt, Greece, India, The Fertile Crescent, Persia • Botany • Language arts • Arithmetic: fractions, decimals • Agricultural Studies • Hawaiian Studies • Ho’okele Wa’a • Ukulele • Hula • Movement Education • Handwork: advanced knitting • Choir Grade 6 • History: Roman and medieval history • Geography: Italy and the Mediterranean, Arabia, Europe, East Asia • Mineralogy • Geology • Earth-centered astronomy Page 14 Family Handbook • Physics: acoustics, optics, heat, magnetism • Language arts • Arithmetic: percentage, business math, geometrical drawing, ratio and proportions • Agricultural Studies • Hawaiian Studies • Ho’okele Wa’a • Hula (elective) • Ukulele • Movement education • Handwork: hand-sewn animals or puppets • Woodwork • Choir Grade 7 • History: Renaissance and Reformation, Age of Exploration and Discovery • Geography: Europe, South America, Africa, Asia • Sun-centered astronomy • Physics: mechanics, electricity • Chemistry: combustion, chemical transformation • Physiology I: organs, bodily systems, nutrition • Language Arts: creative writing, poetry School Year 2012-2013 • Arithmetic: Algebra I, geometry • Agricultural Studies • Hawaiian Studies • Ho’okele Wa’a • Hula (elective) • Ukulele • Movement education • Handwork • Woodwork • Choir Grade 8 • American history • World geography • Physiology II: bones and muscles • Meteorology • Chemistry: metals, gasses solids • Language arts • Arithmetic: Algebra II, Solid Geometry • Agricultural Studies • Hawaiian Studies • Ho’okele Wa’a • Hula (elective) • Ukulele • Movement education • Handwork • Woodwork • Choir Other activities: Activities including developmental movement and games, Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 15 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 form drawing, singing, music theory, recitation and drama, painting, drawing, flute and recorder playing, beeswax and clay modeling recur throughout the grades. Kindergarten The young child learns primarily through imitation and activity. The kindergarten teacher takes care to create an environment in which the child is warmly nurtured and guided toward realizing his or her emotional, intellectual and social potential. Kindergarten creates a setting in which the child fully experiences the gift of a childhood filled with the concrete exploration and imaginative play that support the child’s physical, social and cognitive development. Harmonious daily rhythms and home-like activities in the Kindergarten help develop lifelong positive habits, such as table manners, social skills, and caring for the environment. In addition, a consistent progression of classroom activities from day to day helps establish the intrinsic sense of time. The teacher guides the students each day through various activities such as cooking/baking, beeswax modeling, crafts, painting and drawing. These activities allow the child to creatively build fine motor, visual and social skills, Story time and circle time are also essential components of the Kindergarten program. The seasonal narratives and traditional tales of story time, puppetry and drama develop a sense of oral language and lead to deeper comprehension of written stories. Story time also builds the child’s ability to listen, remember, and restate what the class has been told. Circle time, involving singing, recitation and creative group exercises, builds memory and supports gross and fine motor development and phonemic awareness. A nature table and weekly walks heighten the child’s sense of awe and wonder of the natural world. Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 16 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 Significant outdoor and indoor free play are an essential part of the Kindergarten curriculum. Such play supports social and physical maturation as well as brain development. The varied teacher led activities of Kindergarten are all designed to encourage cooperation within the classroom and foster joyful friendships among the children. Research has shown that children who have been given enough time to play develop dependable social skills, surpass students of purely academically-oriented kindergartens, and display more imagination and less aggression and a greater ability to use language for speaking and understanding others (Weiss, 2006). The active and creative learning of our Kindergarten has many benefits, perhaps the most significant of which is building the brain’s capacity. The curriculum places the child at the center of a world of active participation, developing a zest for life, growing self-confidence, and readiness for the next steps of schooling. Educational Support & Remediation At times during their education, some children struggle with parts of the curriculum or fall outside the usual range of child development patterns. Some children may need additional assistance in order to meet expected learning benchmarks. Kona Pacific offers additional academic assistance through differentiated instruction in the classroom, Title I services, targeted instruction individually and in small groups, and formal special education services. Kona Pacific complies with all state and federal special education requirements and works to accomplish this in a manner that respects the integrity of our curriculum. Questions about special education should be directed to the Student Services Director. Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 17 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 Student Assessment Just as our teachers incorporate different teaching strategies to reach all types of learners, multiple measures of assessment are used to evaluate and monitor student progress. Some of these assessment techniques include: clear learning goals as established by our internal KPPCS rubrics, student summaries, main lesson books, group work and discussions, artistic expressions, student writing samples, and teacher observations and reflection logs. Assessment of student learning happens on a daily basis, so that we can better understand how to improve learning and teaching. Following is a summary of student assessment at Kona Pacific: Date September Fall November Winter April Spring June Assessment/Reporting Initial assessment of student levels Fall HSA Testing Fall KPPCS Progress Reports provided to parents Individual Parent-Teacher Conferences Winter HSA Testing Spring KPPCS Progress Reports provided to parents Individual Parent-Teacher Conferences Spring HSA Testing KPPCS Final Narrative Student Reports Progress reports (report cards) are provided to parents four times during the school year. Kona Pacific also provides narrative reports and a curriculum overview at the end of the school year. Questions about the reports should be directed to the class teacher or the Director. Individual Parent-Teacher Conferences are held twice per year. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss your child’s Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 18 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 overall social and academic progress. It is expected that all parents and/or guardians of the child will attend this important meeting. In addition, we invite families to request conferences at any time to discuss student progress. Kona Pacific administers the Hawaii State Assessment each year, beginning in October and continuing through May. Specific testing schedules vary depending on grade. Please read your newsletter so that you can be aware of your child’s/children’s testing days. Attendance on testing days is critical. Results will be provided to parents in August. We believe the HSA is just one way to measure student performance. We embrace it as an opportunity for our students to show what they know. However, we do not use any single assessment to measure student progress or our efficacy as a school. Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 19 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 DAILY SCHOOL SCHEDULE Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday Schedule 8:15 Morning Protocol 8:20 Main Lesson 10:20 Snack/Recess 10:50 1st Period 11:35 2nd Period 12:20 Lunch/Recess 1:00 Reading Period 1:00 Kindergarten Dismissed 1:30 3rd Period 2:15 4th Period 3:00 Chores and Campus Clean-up 3:15 Dismissal Wednesday Schedule (early release) 8:15 Morning Protocol 8:20 Main Lesson 10:20 Snack/Recess 10:50 1st Period 11:35 2nd Period 12:20 Lunch/Recess 1:00 Reading Period 1:00 Kindergarten Dismissed 1:30 Chores and Campus Clean-up 1:45 Dismissal Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 20 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 MASTER CALENDAR Following is a calendar of the major school events, including holidays, fundraisers, festivals and assemblies. Please consult your weekly Kona Pacific Newsletter for updates regarding these events and additionally scheduled events and meetings. August: 20th Faculty & Staff first day back September: 4th First Day of School 8:15 a.m. Opening Day Assembly Festival of Strength & Courage 5:30 p.m. Kona Pacific Community Open House & Potluck 26th 27th October: 8th 25th 26th 27th No School Teacher Work Day 5:30 p.m. Halloween Journey Work Party & Potluck Pumpkin Carving at School Halloween Journey (an after school event) November: 6th No School General Election Day 8th Festival of Lights (an after school event) 12th No School Veteran’s Day 16th Makahiki Opening Day Celebration 19-20th No School Parent Teacher Conferences 21-23rd No School Thanksgiving Holiday 29th 5:30 p.m. Storytelling Traditions Potluck & Workshop December: 14th Advent Garden Dec 17-Jan 1st No School Winter Break January: 2nd 21st 25th No School Teacher Work Day No School Martin Luther King Day Multicultural Assembly Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 21 Family Handbook February: School Year 2012-2013 31st 5:30 p.m. Integrating the 3 Strands at KPPCS: Hawaiian Culture, Waldorf Education & Agricultural Studies Potluck & Workshop 13th 5:30 p.m. Debunking Waldorf Myths Potluck & Workshop No School President’s Day 18th March: 15th Makahiki Closing Day Celebration 18-22nd No School Spring Break 26th No School Prince Kuhio Day 29th No School Good Friday April: 19th 25th May: 1st 27th May Day Festival No School Memorial Day June: 7th Last Day of School – Early Release Hawaiian Studies Assembly Earth Day Celebration 5:30 p.m. Screen Free Week Talent Show & Potluck 25-29th No School Parent Teacher Conferences Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 22 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 SCHOOL ORGANIZATION Organizational Chart Governing Board Governance Ohana Association Faculty & Team Director Administration & Management Student Services Director Executive Director Faculty Support Staff Direct Link/Advisory Advisory Input Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 23 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 Governing Board The Governing Board (“The Board”) is the governing body of our school and is responsible for ensuring that KPPCS accomplishes its mission and goals and for overseeing the legal, financial, personnel, and policy issues of the school. The Board consists of parents, faculty, staff and community members, who serve 2-year, staggered terms. The bylaws of the Board are available in the school office and at the school web site, along with agendas and minutes. Board meetings are held the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Please check your newsletter for cancellations and changes in the schedule. Agendas are posted on the school bulletin board and web site at least one week before a Board meeting. Board meetings are open to the public, unless it is a personnel or other confidential matter. The Governing Board welcomes public comments at its meetings during the public comment portion of the meeting. Families may request that an item be considered by the Board by making request in writing at least 7 days prior to the Board meeting. Board members are elected each spring. We encourage the school community’s active participation in nominating and voting for Board members. Those interested in running for open Board seats are welcome and invited to contact the Board. Administration The School Director is responsible for providing oversight and leadership to the school as a whole, creating and implementing the school’s policies and procedures, overseeing the school’s educational program, and overseeing the day to day operations of the school. The School Director also serves as the liaison between Kona Pacific and governmental agencies, vendors, supporters, and the wider community. Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 24 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 The Director is available to answer any questions, and to hear concerns or ideas. Please make an appointment through the Administrative Assistant if you would like to speak with the School Director. The Student Services Director carries the responsibility for coordinating the special education, ELL and Title I programs at our school and ensures that these services are delivered appropriately. She also coordinates delivery of supplemental academic instruction through our academic support program. The Student Services Director is also responsible for overseeing student discipline and implementing the school’s Code of Conduct. The Executive Director acts as Business Manager and Development Director. As business manager, he is responsible for ensuring that the school's financial life runs smoothly. He manages ongoing expenditures, develops school budgets, provides a financial perspective on school programs, and is responsible for personnel matters. As development director he focuses on growing the school, supporting school programs by ensuring that necessary resources are in place for a rich educational program for all students. The Executive Director also collaborates with the Director on developing the school's programs and organizational infrastructure. The Administrative Assistant supports the school’s administration by coordinating communications and calendaring, assisting with project management, and assisting with general school operations. The Administrative Assistant also supports the faculty with implementation of the school’s educational program. The School Office is the busy, central hub of school. It is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on school days. During school holidays, the school office has reduced hours, which will be Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 25 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 posted in the school newsletter, on our phone answering service and on our school web site. The office staff consists of an Office Manager, Registrar and Receptionist. The office staff is there to help you – if you aren’t sure whom to call, call the office and the staff will direct you to someone who can answer your question or concern. Staff mailboxes are also located in the office. You may leave a note for staff members and the Board in these mailboxes. Committees When parents participate in their children’s education, the result is an increase in student achievement and strengthening of the school community. Kona Pacific encourages parents to participate in many aspects of the life of the school, including serving on school committees. Following is a list of our school committees. We encourage families to serve on committees in areas in which they have interest and expertise. I) Governing Board Committees a) Policy & Procedure Committee b) Hiring Committee i) Ad Hoc Hiring Committees c) Fundraising Committee II) Administrative Committees a) Site Committee b) Outreach/Public Relations Committee c) Contract Committee d) Care Group e) Community Education Committee f) Festival Committee g) Faculty Committees i) Curriculum Committee h) Ohana Association A description of the purpose and composition of the committees is available in the school office. Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 26 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 COMMUNICATION AT KPPCS Families are partners in their children’s education. If you have ideas, suggestions, comments, or concerns, we encourage you to share your thoughts with us. We are a learning community striving to improve in all that we do, and your feedback is essential in order for us to do so. KPPCS is committed to providing effective avenues of communication and encourages direct communication whenever possible. In order to facilitate direct and effective communication, we have offered some guidance below regarding whom to speak with. If you are not sure whom to contact, please do not hesitate to contact the school office for further direction. Who to Talk to About… General questions about our school and its operations should be directed to the School Office. They can answer your question or direct you to the right person or committee. Please speak with your Class Teacher if you have questions or concerns that are specific to your child and their education. Examples of areas that can be addressed by your class teacher include: curriculum content, student assessment, how the student is performing or developing socially, etc. The Student Services Director is available to answer questions regarding student discipline, students with special needs, and students needing educational intervention and additional academic or social support. The Executive Director is available to answer questions regarding school finances & fund development, as well as school operations. The School Director is available to discuss school operations, policies & procedures and the school’s educational program. The Director is available for conversation and questions during Friday Tea every Friday at Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 27 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 8:30 a.m. Otherwise, the Director is available by appointment. Please contact the Administrative Assistant (anandat@kppcs.org) to schedule a meeting with the School Director. If you have questions about Board policy or other Board matters, please contact the Governing Board Chair. School Communication with Families Thursday Mailing & School Newsletter One of the primary ways in which we communicate with our families is through our Thursday Mailing. Each Thursday a mailing containing the school newsletter and other important information will be sent home with the eldest student of each family. It is the responsibility (and we hope, the pleasure) of the parents to read these weekly communications. Important information is contained in the Thursday Mailing, and it is an essential way for the school to communicate with you. In keeping with our efforts as a school to care for our environment, the Thursday Mailing is available electronically. Please inform the school office if you are willing to receive these communications via email. If you would like to submit something for the newsletter, please email newsletter@kppcs.org by Monday. The Thursday Mailing is a way in which we can share information about events and organizations in the community that support children and families. Please note that our sharing of this information is not an endorsement of the activity. Email Email between KPPCS and your family can be used as a convenient and effective means of communication and is also consistent with our values regarding environmental sustainability. Emails are limited to school information and are used for the following: emergency info, late-breaking news, reminders for events and important deadlines, and class communications with the teacher or class parent. Email will Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 28 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 not be used for non-school related information or commercial advertising. Please ensure that the school office has your updated email address. If you are unable to receive email, please make sure the office is aware of the best way to contact you. Connect-Ed Electronic Phone System KPPCS has an automated phone tree service (Connect-Ed) to assist in communicating important information about school events. You will periodically receive pertinent recorded messages from school staff with reminders about such things as festivals, assemblies, and your class parent meetings. This system will also be used in case of emergency. Always inform the office of any changes to your phone numbers. Bulletin Boards Special notices and other information of interest are posted on KPPCS’ bulletin boards located outside the school office. You are encouraged to check the bulletin boards regularly. School Website The school web site offers a wealth of information regarding the school, including school calendars, newsletters, Board agendas and minutes, festival and fundraiser updates, etc. Class Meetings Throughout the year, teachers schedule class meetings with the parents of their class. The purpose of these meetings is to explore the meaning of the curriculum, particularly as it relates to the development of the child, provide a picture of what is happening in class, handle class business, and come together as the parent group that holds these children as they grow. It is expected that at least one of each student’s parents or guardians will attend all class meetings. All School Meetings Also throughout the year, the school may call meetings for the whole school community to gather. The purpose of these meetings is to share information about the school, such as fundraising events, school development, committee Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 29 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 information, etc. These meetings strengthen our school community and our group understanding of Kona Pacific’s educational program. It is ideal if at least one of a child’s parents or guardians will attend All School meetings. STUDENT AFFAIRS Admissions/Enrollment Kona Pacific is open to all students who choose to apply. If more students apply than spaces are available, a random selection process will be utilized to enroll students in the school. Applications are accepted during the Open Enrollment period from February 1st to March 31st. Following this period, and after guaranteeing space for currently enrolled students, applicants will be placed by grade. If there are more applicants than space available for any given grade, then the lottery described below will be held for applicants for that grade. Any applications received after the March 31st deadline but before the Lottery, will be considered in the rolling admissions after the lottery has taken place. Enrollment priority is as follows: 1. Current students; 2. Children of Kona Pacific employees*; 3. Siblings of current students; 4. All other Hawai‘i students. *If the staff member is employed less than half time, enrollment priority is not given until the second year of employment. KPPCS does not charge tuition. KPPCS is non-sectarian in its programs, admissions and policies. Potential students will be considered for admission without regard to ethnicity, creed, national origin, gender, disability or achievement level. The school admission policy Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 30 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 treats all students equally, regardless of their place of residence. Aftercare Program Kona Pacific offers an after-school care program through A+, with the following hours: 3:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. (1:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays) Kona Pacific also offers a before-school care program, with the following hours: 7:00 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. We offer a “gap-care” program, for Kindergarteners and Jr. Kindergarteners, with the following hours: 1:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Please register at the school office in order to participate in our after, before, or gap-care programs. Un-enrolled attendance is not permitted. Monthly fees must be paid in advance. Penalties are incurred for late payment and late pickup. Please read the A+ After-School Plus Program Handbook for further information. Basic fees for the program are set forth in the fee schedule attached as Appendix B. Attendance At Kona Pacific, students are taught in carefully designed, complete units known as Main Lesson blocks, which last 3-4 weeks each. Missing a portion of a block will affect full comprehension of that material as well as future lessons. When school is missed, rhythm is disrupted and missed work cannot always be completed. Regular attendance is extremely important for many additional reasons, including: Attendance at school is mandatory by law. Note that the school is required to keep accurate attendance records. The school office must verify all absences with the parent. Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 31 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 Regular attendance shows a commitment by the family to the school and to the student’s education. Regular attendance helps to ensure each student can reach his/her full educational potential. As a charter school, Kona Pacific is accountable for overall student performance. Lower student performance due to a low attendance rate can therefore affect the school as a whole. Excused absences include: Illness Infectious diseases including but not limited to the list under “Sickness” (page 40) Doctor/Dentist appointments Ukus Emergency in the family Suspensions Please call the school attendance line at 322-4900 to inform the school when their child will not be in school. Arrival & Dismissal School begins at 8:15 a.m., at which time all grades students gather for our morning protocol. A good goal is to try to arrive at school a full ten minutes before the morning start time to enable your child to settle in and be ready for the school day. School supervision begins on campus at 7:45 am. Students who arrive prior to 7:45 a.m. need to be signed up for beforecare. If a child arrives early and is not signed up the family will be automatically charged the cost of before-care enrollment for the month. All students arriving on campus before 7:45 need to sign in and remain in supervised areas. Students who arrive after 8:15 will be considered tardy and will need to “chant in” prior to going to class. Children who Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 32 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 arrive after chant will need to check in at the office before going to class. It is important to pick your child up promptly when the school day ends. Children should be picked up promptly at the close of the school day. Kindergarten is dismissed at 1:00 p.m., and all grades are dismissed at 3:15 p.m. (1:45 on Wednesdays). School supervision ends 15 minutes after the school day ends. If children are not picked up on time, a fee will be charged. If a family wishes for a student to be able to leave campus without an authorized adult (for example to walk home or ride the county bus), parents may sign an Unaccompanied Minor permission form that allows a child to leave campus on his/her own at dismissal time. Final dismissal from aftercare is at 5.30 p.m. Early Release If it is necessary for a student to be released from school during the school day, parents must come to the school office to sign out their child before leaving the school campus. Parents are asked not to go directly to the classroom for pickup. Someone from the office will bring the student from class. To ensure the safety of our students, children will not be allowed to leave campus without parent authorization. If the student returns to school before the end of the school day, he/she should report to the school office. Punctuality In our classrooms, there is a rhythm to the day, with opening activities which prepare the child to work effectively, as well as closing activities which allow the group to end as one and to bring a sense of completion to the school day. It is essential that your child arrive at school on time to benefit from the entire class day. Arriving late creates a disruption for the class and for the child. As a school, we are committed to teaching our children the importance of timeliness. Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 33 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 Birthdays Children’s birthdays are often celebrated within their class. Your class teacher will provide guidance regarding how birthdays are celebrated in your child’s class. Please keep in mind the school’s Food Policy (page 43) when bringing a treat to your child’s class. Carpooling Kona Pacific facilitates a carpool program with the assistance of the Ohana Association. Please fill out the carpool form in your enrollment packet and return to the school office. The school will then provide to parents information about families in their neighborhood who are interested in carpooling. Children & the Office Students may use the office telephone to contact their parents only in case of illness, emergency or other important reason approved by the office staff. Students may not use the office telephone to arrange after school play dates. Messages On occasion, you may find it necessary to communicate a message to your child during the school day. When this happens, call the school Office as early as possible during the day. It is not always possible to get messages to students close to, or at, dismissal time. Class Visits Teachers welcome and encourage parents to spend time in their child’s class. Open Houses, festivals, assemblies and class play performances are especially good times to bring relatives and friends to visit the school. In addition, we schedule school tours. Please call the office to schedule participation in a school tour. Please check directly with the class teacher prior to scheduling all other class visits. Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 34 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 Code of Conduct Discipline at KPPCS is to be considered as an aspect of moral guidance and not as a form of punishment. The purposes of discipline at Kona Pacific are as follows: 1. To provide a safe environment conducive to learning for all students and staff; 2. To promote character education and to cultivate the values upheld by Kona Pacific that ensure the demonstration of mutual respect; 3. To redirect and address misguided behavior in a way that develops self-direction; and 4. To provide pro-active and preventative measures to encourage expected behaviors. Our Code of Conduct is attached as Appendix A to this handbook. Please review it in its entirety, as parent support of the KPPCS Code of Conduct is vital in order for a discipline program to be consistent and effective. Dress Code One of our core values at Kona Pacific is the preservation of a healthy childhood for each child. The school Dress Code is established to promote this value, to ensure the safety of the students, and to encourage students to express themselves through their talents and inner beauty rather than focusing on their physical appearance. One important way that families can support this value is to keep it in your consciousness as you and your child are making wardrobe selections. School Uniform All students at Kona Pacific are required to wear a Kona Pacific Public Charter School t-shirt to school each day. School t-shirts can be purchased at the school office or ordered through the school website. Because accessibility is one of our core values, please inform us if the purchase of the shirts poses a financial hardship. Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 35 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 School uniforms may not be modified (cut, multi-color dying, decorated, etc.). Consistent with our values regarding sustainability and accessibility, shirts may be died to match our current uniform colors. Other Clothing Dress should be conducive to the active work and activities of school, which include gardening/farming, outdoor play, nature hikes, running and games. Dresses, skirts, skorts and shorts may be no shorter than midthigh. Dresses may be worn only under school t-shirt. Footwear Students must wear shoes at all times when outside of the classroom. Students should wear closed-toed, flat shoes, as our day at Kona Pacific is very active. Media Images At school, all clothing, hats, backpacks, lunch boxes/baskets and any other accessories should be free of media advertisements, references to drugs, alcohol, racism, sexism and or violence, slogans, cartoons, and caricatures. Kona Pacific hats, lunchboxes, backpacks, hoodies, etc. are available for purchase in the school office. Jewelry, Earrings, Hair Color & Make-Up Lipstick, make-up, tattoos (permanent and temporary) and body piercing (other than ear piercing) are not permitted, except that grades 7 and 8 may wear light make-up. Exemptions may be granted for cultural reasons. Stud and small hoop earrings are allowed in all grades. Grades 7 and 8 may wear other types of earrings. Any other jewelry worn should be safe and appropriate to wear during our active school program. Hair color should be natural. Decisions regarding the appropriateness of clothing and accessories are at the discretion of the school Faculty and Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 36 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 Administration. Following are the steps that will be taken to enforce the school Dress Code: (1) The parent/guardian will receive a gentle reminder identifying the dress code violation; (2) If the student’s dress continues to be in violation of the Dress Code, the class teacher or other school personnel will contact the parent/guardian to discuss the matter; (3) If the student’s dress continues to be in violation of the Dress Code, the student will be excluded from school until the student’s dress complies with the Dress Code. We thank you for your support in creating a safe, wholesome, and age-appropriate educational setting for our children. Drug Free Campus Our educational mission is to nurture each student’s capacities for clear thinking, sound judgment and conscience in action. In support of this value, Kona Pacific maintains a drug, alcohol and tobacco free environment. Students who violate this policy are subject to disciplinary action. Festivals, Fundraisers & Assemblies Holding festivals and assemblies at Kona Pacific is a way of observing the recurring rhythms and cycles in nature, establishing a yearly rhythm for the children, celebrating our education, and strengthening our community. Festivals and assemblies also provide an opportunity for the children to share what they have been learning at school with their friends and family, who are invited to attend. Following is a summary of festivals and assemblies celebrated at Kona Pacific. In addition to the community wide festivals listed here, teachers celebrate other festivals and events in their classrooms. Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 37 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 September The Opening Day Assembly takes place in the morning on the first day of school. We welcome our community to Kona Pacific. The Festival of Strength & Courage celebrates the strength and courage that lives in us all and provides an opportunity for the children and the community to celebrate the bravery required to overcome our challenges. October The Halloween Journey, one of our schools most loved fundraisers, is held on the weekend near Halloween. Games, food, costumes, fun, and a magical journey through a wooded trail delights the Kona community. On the Friday before the Halloween Journey, the students carve pumpkins to light the Journey. November In the younger grades, the Festival of Lanterns is held as the introspective time of winter approaches. The children make lanterns and carry them on an evening walk as a symbol of the inner light braving the darkness, cold, and winter storms. The rising of Makalii (Pleiades) marks the start of the Makahiki season. At our Makahiki Opening Celebration we give thanks for the year’s harvest. We open the traditional season of rest with Makahiki Games. December The Advent Garden is a celebration of the birth of our inner light. The students walk through the Advent spiral with their candle, and as each child spirals inward toward the central flame, so must each of us turn within if we are to find the source of our inner light. Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 38 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 January January brings Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We assemble at this time to celebrate the many cultures of our community at our Multicultural Assembly. March The Makahiki Closing Celebration marks the ending of the winter Makahiki season. On this day we work together in our gardens, ceremoniously returning to the summer work of cultivating our land. April At Kona Pacific we strive toward sustainability. Our Earth Day Celebration marks this commitment to respecting and preserving the land and our environment. May Our May Day Festival honors spring and nature’s renewed growth and energy. It is celebrated with lei making, hula, ukelele, singing, and dancing around a gaily decorated maypole. June The Hawaii Studies Program Assembly celebrates our commitment to nurturing in the children understanding and respect for the people, land and sea of Hawai'i. It is the culmination of all of the hard work the children have put forth during the year in their Hawaii Studies classes. Field Trips Field trips are taken throughout the year by all classes. These trips are conducted in conjunction with the curriculum and offer the students an opportunity to experience a deepening of their studies in a different environment. The school will send field trip permission slip to parents prior to the field trip. These need to be signed and returned before the event. For those parents who are driving, a copy of current driver’s Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 39 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 license and proof of auto insurance will need to be on file in the office. Fundraising Fundraising events are an important way in which the community can help support the school financially. The Fundraising Committee coordinates all school fundraisers. All fundraising efforts in the name of or benefiting the school must be submitted to the Fundraising Committee for consideration and approval. Gifts & Donations Individual donations may be made directly to the school and are tax-deductable. Gift giving to school employees is governed by the Hawaii State Ethics Code, which permits leis and other inexpensive tokens of aloha or appreciation, as well as gifts that are used in the classroom. Health of the Children Health Requirements Before a student may attend Kona Pacific, the student must submit all health records required by law, including a Student’s Health Record Form 14 and a TB clearance. Medication Parent permission is required for administering prescription medication by Kona Pacific staff. A required form (available in the school office) must be filled out in order for medications to be taken and/or administered on campus. Please supply clearly written instructions for administering the medication. Please include how the medication is to be stored. Parents are responsible for keeping the medication current. Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 40 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 Sickness If your child is coughing, has a fever, feels sick, is sick to their stomach or has the flu, please keep the child home. By law, some childhood diseases must be reported to the School. Do not send your child to school if he/she has any of the following infectious diseases, and please notify the office if your child or anyone in your family has contracted: Chicken Pox Conjunctivitis/Pink Eye Diphtheria German Measles Head Lice (Ukus)* Hepatitis Impetigo Measles Mumps Poliomyelitis (polio) Pertussis/Whooping Cough Ring Worm Scarlet Fever *Please Note: Students may not return to school until they are lice and nit free and cleared by the school office. If your child becomes ill or is injured at school, school personnel will provide immediate first-aid care. You will be notified about any serious illness and/or injury. Children who are ill cannot be kept in school. If you are unable to pick up your child, please let the school know who will come for your child. The release log in the office must be signed before the child is released. Home Life Please help your child succeed at school by: Establishing a healthy rhythm at home; Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 41 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 Ensuring that your child has adequate sleep; Providing wholesome, nutritious food to your children; Limiting or eliminating your child’s exposure to media during the school week; Supporting healthy homework habits; and Reinforcing at home the expectations of the teachers and the school. Home Visits The class teacher may offer to visit your home. These visits provide an opportunity for you and your child to bond with your child’s teacher. This visit enables the teacher to deepen his or her work with your child by experiencing your home environment. Homework Homework is given to strengthen the child’s ability to work independently. Homework is also an opportunity to review what was presented at school. It is ideal for each child to have a quiet space that is consistently available to do homework at the same time each day. Your support in helping to ensure that homework is done in timely manner will be beneficial, especially until children establish their own routines and responsibilities. If a student is having difficulty completing assignments, he or she should speak with the teacher and ask for assistance. Homework is minimal in the lower grades and becomes more rigorous in the upper grades. Kona Pacific offers a Homework Club as part of our Title I program. Middle school students may join us twice per week after school to receive homework support, tutoring or just to have a quiet study setting. The Homework Club helps students strive toward academic success and self-confidence Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 42 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 in their work. Students may come and go throughout the year as needed and there is no cost for this program. Lost & Found Lost and Found is located outside the school office. Please check it regularly. Unclaimed Lost and Found will be donated to local charitable organizations at the end of each month. Lunch & Snack Nurturing our bodies as well as our minds and spirits is important at Kona Pacific Public Charter School. In addition, lunch and snacks eaten at school provide opportunities to acknowledge our appreciation for the natural world and our community. Families are encouraged to support this philosophy at home by following these guidelines: · Send snacks, lunches, and celebration treats to school that use wholesome ingredients, fruits and vegetables, and as little sugar as possible. · Gum, candy, soda, or caffeinated beverages are not permitted. Any food that contains artificial dyes, preservatives, colors, added sugars, corn syrup, or artificial sweeteners are discouraged. · The avoidance of commercialism and excessive food packaging is another aspect of our commitment to environmental consciousness. Please try to send snacks and lunches in reusable containers with reusable utensils. · We request that lunch boxes and other food containers be free of advertisements, pop stars, cartoon characters, and other media images. Additional food restrictions may be established in the event of a severe food allergy. Kona Pacific Public Charter School participates in the National School Lunch Program. The school lunch program is designed to provide nutritious meals at a reasonable cost. School lunches are provided by the Hawaii Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 43 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 County Economic Opportunity Council. Parents must pay for lunches at the School Office. School lunches are available for order on a monthly or daily basis. In addition, the class teacher will take a daily count of children needing or wanting a lunch. We encourage parents of young students to order lunch directly at the office, as the little ones sometimes forget to order in class. Lunch orders must be placed no later than 9:00 a.m. daily. Please call in an order if your child will be arriving later than 9:00 a.m. and needs lunch. All grades students have a mid-morning snack time. Please send a nutritious snack with your child each day. Student sharing of snack and lunch is generally not permitted. However, the class teacher may at times facilitate class potlucks or sharing. If you would like to provide a treat for your child’s birthday, please (1) first check with the class teacher; and (2) ensure that the treat meets the food guidelines set forth above. Media & Electronics Electronic Devices & Cell Phones at School All electronics (iPods, cell phones, etc.) should remain at home. If it is necessary for the electronic to travel with your child, it must be turned off and remain in your child’s backpack while he/she is at school. Media at Home One of our core values at Kona Pacific is the preservation of a healthy childhood for each child. One of the most powerful ways to support this value is to limit children’s exposure to media, including TV, movies, and electronic games. Recent research has shown that exposure to media entertainment for young children may have a detrimental effect upon their self-image, their ability to concentrate and develop attention span, their relationship skills, values, reading skills, physical skills, energy levels, psychological health, creativity and social behavior. Because we believe that Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 44 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 electronic media can have detrimental effects on a child’s healthy growth and development and on their ability to succeed at school, we encourage families to incorporate our media-free philosophy into their children’s daily lives. To that end, we request that our families significantly reduce or eliminate the use of media (including television, videos, video games, computer games, movies, etc.) for their children. We strongly encourage elimination of electronic media during the school week. In addition to limiting or eliminating screen time in any form, we also urge parents to be particularly vigilant about program content. We urge parents to investigate program content for themselves and not rely on the media rating system. Many movies rated PG and PG-13 are not appropriate for young children and contain excessive amounts of violence. We encourage you to speak with staff or other parents in the school for suggestions, support and resources that you might find helpful on this subject. In addition, we strongly urge all parents to continue to research this critical topic. Please contact the office for further literature on this topic. Personal Items on Campus In order to maintain an environment conducive to learning and free from unnecessary distraction, students may not bring unnecessary personal items (including but not limited to toys, electronics, cell phones, wallets, purses, etc.) to campus. If it is necessary that a personal item travel with a student, the personal item must remain in the student’s backpack while he/she is at school. Safety & Emergency Plans Kona Pacific has a comprehensive safety plan in place. All staff and teachers are aware of their specific duties, responsibilities and procedures. As a routine part of our plan, students participate in monthly fire drills and annual Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 45 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 evacuation drills. Our evacuation pick-up location is Kona Scenic Park on Haleki’i Street. In case of an emergency, parents will be notified via the Connect-Ed electronic phone message system. Remember to update any changes, as this system will call home, cell and work numbers. Emergency cards/forms must be updated and filled out at the beginning of each new school year. School Photos School photos are an opportunity to document the treasured memories of childhood. In addition, the school is required to have a current picture of each student on file. To facilitate this opportunity, each year the school will arrange for an outside vendor to take the school photos in the fall. Students will be given an information packet and ordering instructions prior to photo day. Students must return their order forms and payment directly to the photographer prior to photo taking if they are ordering photos. Every student will have his or her picture taken regardless of their intent to purchase pictures. Students must wear their Kona Pacific Public Charter School uniform T-shirts for school photos. A make up/retake day will be scheduled approximately one month after school photos have been delivered to families. Any questions, problems or concerns, including any financial issues, regarding the pictures must be resolved directly with the outside vendor. School Supplies The supplies used in the Waldorf curriculum are very unique. High quality natural products that encourage quality work and Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 46 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 respect for the natural and social environment are used in the classroom. Therefore, the school provides all school supplies. Because these high-quality, unique supplies are costly, we request that each family contribute a supply fee in the amount of $75.00. Because accessibility is one of our core values, please inform the school if the supply fee poses a financial hardship. Your child’s class teacher may request that students have certain additional items in their desk or cubby, such as tissue, slippers, raincoat, etc. Visitors on Campus For the safety of our students, all visitors must sign in at the school office when they arrive and wear a Visitors Pass. COMMUNITY LIFE Parents & Families at Kona Pacific At Kona Pacific, parents are an integral part of the educational process. Parents create a positive learning home environment and support their children in important developmental activities. We invite and encourage parents and community members to participate in the ongoing activities and governance of the school. In addition, we encourage parents to learn as much about our school program as they can so that school lessons and expectations can be reinforced at home. Kona Pacific offers support and opportunities for parents to deepen their understanding of our educational program, including Ohana Association meetings, Class Meetings, All School Meetings, and visiting speakers. Please join us for the following regularly scheduled community events: Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 47 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 1. Friday Tea - Do you have thoughts, questions, concerns, ideas, etc. about our school? The Director is available for tea and talk every Friday morning from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. 2. Community Potluck & Educational Workshops – Please join us on the last Thursday of each month from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. for a potluck and fun community activity for parents and students (see calendar, page 21, for scheduled workshops). How Can I Help? Volunteer Your Time There are many ways to volunteer your time at Kona Pacific. The Ohana Association coordinates the school’s volunteer efforts, which include: work party days and campus beautification, field trip driving, bringing refreshments for events at the school, planning and working at school festivals and fundraisers, volunteering in the office, being a class parent, serving on school committees, serving on the Local School Board. We ask that each family contribute a minimum of 4 hours monthly or 40 hours per year to Kona Pacific. Our school will thrive with your support! Class Parents Each class has at least one Class Parent. The Class Parent is the heartbeat of the classroom, providing support to the teachers, getting information to the other parents and coordinating meeting class needs. They work in partnership with the class teacher to ensure the health and vitality of the class. Parent Representatives on School Committees Many school committees have parent representatives. We encourage your participation by either serving or by nominating someone who has the experience and expertise to serve on a committee. Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 48 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 POLICIES & PROCEDURES Kona Pacific has adopted the following policies and procedures. Copies of these policies and procedures are available in the school office and on the school website and are subject to change. Admissions Policy Certificated Personnel Policies Classified Personnel Policies Code of Conduct Conflict of Interest Policy Dress Code Email Policies & Procedures Emergency Hire Policy Employee Contract Process Food Policy Fundraising Policy Grade Placement & Retention Policy Health & Wellness Policy Healthy Work Environment Policy Hiring & Contract Procedure Hiring Recusal Policy Internal Control Systems Mailing List Policy Media Policy Meeting Communication Policy Non-Financial Conflict of Interest Policy Personal Items on Campus Policy Procurement Policy Publication Policy & Procedure Record Keeping Policy & Procedure Scheduling Policy & Procedure School Photo Policy Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 49 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 MAHALO Thank you for taking the time to review this Handbook and for joining our school community. We recognize the care that you take in making educational choices for your children, and we look forward to working with you to provide an education that will cultivate in your child the skills, knowledge, and values they need to reach their highest potential. Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 50 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RECEIVING FAMILY HANDBOOK I have received a copy of Kona Pacific Public Charter School’s Family Handbook. I have read the guidelines and procedures contained in this handbook. If I do not understand anything in the handbook, I will discuss it with the school office personnel. I agree to abide by all school polices and procedures. I understand that the handbook is a general overview of some of KPPCS’ policies and guidelines and that these policies and guidelines, as well as any other policies and guidelines which may be adopted by Governing Board, may be changed or amended. Name/s: ________________________________________________ (Print Parent’s/Guardian’s Name/s) Signed: ________________________________________________ (Parent’s/Guardian’s Signature/s) Date: _______________________________ Name: ________________________________________________ (Print Student Name)(for grades 5-8) Signed: ________________________________________________ (Student Signature)(for grades 5-8) Date: _______________________________ (Parent/Guardian Copy) Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 51 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 APPENDIX A KONA PACIFIC PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL CODE OF CONDUCT The faculty, staff, administration, and student body at Kona Pacific work with a social inclusion model for school-wide discipline and positive behavior support. The Code of Conduct guides us in our thoughts, words and actions when interacting with others and our environment. Discipline at Kona Pacific is considered an aspect of moral guidance and not a form of punishment. Parent support of the Kona Pacific Code of Conduct is vital for our discipline program to be consistent and effective. The purposes of the Code of Conduct are as follows: To provide a safe environment conducive to learning for all students and staff; To promote character education and to cultivate the values upheld by Kona Pacific that ensure the demonstration of mutual respect; To redirect and address misguided behavior in a way that develops self-direction; To provide pro-active and preventative measures to encourage expected behaviors. ALOHA Values Aloha is something lived, not said, according to the kapuna. It may be viewed as social etiquette and grace one affords to others whether it be ohana (family), neighbors, figures of authority, subordinates, kupuna (ancestors), or even the forces seen in the environment. It is more than just “love”. Students and all staff at Kona Pacific share responsibility in following these values: Akahai Lokahi Óiaíó Modesty/Gentleness Togetherness Truthfulness Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 52 Family Handbook Haáhaá Ahonui A L O H A School Year 2012-2013 Humbleness/Humility Patience/Perseverance Preserve the integrity of ourselves and school by: Attending school, being on time, coming ready to learn, and remaining at school for the duration of the school day; and Being prepared to participate in class, and complete work in a timely manner. Support each other by upholding Kona Pacific’s Code of Conduct and by obeying all school rules and agreements. Work truthfully by behaving honestly and with dignity. Treat others with respect, kindness, and courtesy. Be aware of how words, actions, and attire affect others. Treat all property belonging to the school and others with care. Show humility by responding in a respectful manner to adults while participating in school sponsored activities. Come together in patience, persevering our principles of ALOHA and Code of Conduct. General Policy Teachers have the primary responsibility during school hours for guiding and disciplining students under their supervision. A teacher may refer a student to the student services director if that student persists in disrupting his/her learning, the educational environment of other students, or compromises his/her own safety and/or that of others. The administration is charged with promoting and maintaining a safe and nurturing learning environment. As such, they will consider and impose any and all disciplinary action to preserve a safe and secure educational setting. It is the responsibility of the administration to support teachers in the process and to Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 53 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 follow guidelines established in Kona Pacific’s Code of Conduct. When a Kona Pacific student does not follow school rules and guidelines and/or the Code of Conduct on campus or while on a fieldtrip, the adult responsible for the supervision of the student, i.e. the teacher, playground monitor, chaperone or administrator, will determine the appropriate response. In certain cases, removal from the group is necessary to protect the student and/or the learning environment. At any point in the behavioral support process, an action plan may be developed that may include the teacher, parent, administration, behavior support specialist, and/or special education staff (e.g. school psychologist, student services director, clinical psychologist). To ensure student success in the educational setting, the action plan may include a behavior support plan, modified school day, parent-shadow, behavior checklist, referral for student study team evaluation, and/or referral to outside agencies. Chapter 19 (Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 8, Department of Education) Chapter 19 governs student misconduct and discipline in public schools operated by the Hawai‘i Department of Education. As a public charter school, Kona Pacific is exempt from the requirements of Chapter 19. Because Kona Pacific values the principles articulated in Chapter 19, the school has created policies and procedures that are aligned with Chapter 19 for addressing student misconduct and discipline. When a student’s behavior violates established rules of the department, state or local criminal laws, or the student willfully disobeys legitimate directives of school personnel, the school may take appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with Chapter 19. A copy of Chapter 19 in its Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 54 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 entirety is available at the school office or on the Hawaii Department of Education website. FERPA (Federal Education Right of Privacy Act) This federal statute prohibits the communication of academic or behavioral records of any student with anyone other than their parent or legal guardian. Kona Pacific will not discuss the behavioral or academic records, performance, consequences or actions of a student with anyone other than the parent or legal guardian of the student. This confidentiality is not only a federal law, but is in the best interest of maintaining the privacy of the students and families at Kona Pacific. School-wide Expectations Use kind words and actions everywhere with everyone; Respect the campus environment and boundaries; Find non-aggressive ways to resolve conflict; Accept responsibility for one’s own actions; Play in cooperation and with a spirit where everyone is welcome; Play safely following playground rules; Wear shoes when outside of the classroom and closetoed shoes when in the garden; Listen to all staff and teachers with respect and cooperation; Use all equipment and play areas as intended; Follow the dress code and wear the school uniform as intended; Wear hats when appropriate (not during assemblies, chant or in the classroom); Students are role models for other students. Classroom Expectations Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 55 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 Take turns to speak, raising hand before speaking aloud; Treat others with kindness and understanding through words and actions; Respect oneself, other students and ones teacher; Obtain permission from the teacher prior to leaving the classroom; Respect all classroom materials and furnishings with cleanliness and order; Listen attentively to teachers and follow directions given; Allow others to learn and do their best; Work together as a social unit throughout a variety of games, activities and spaces; Treat others with respect, kindness, and courtesy; Give every task effort and care, knowing when to be serious and focused; Be aware of how your words and actions affect others. Faculty and Staff Expectations: Be a positive role model in word and action at all times; Read and uphold the Kona Pacific Code of Conduct; Be observant of signs of distress or suspected incidents of bullying and/or harassment; Intervene appropriately when acts of bullying and/or harassment are reported or seen; Work to remove opportunities for bullying and/or harassment through active supervision; Report suspected or observed incidents of bullying or harassment to the administration; Complete documentation and communicate with parents when appropriate; Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 56 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 Actively teach expected and appropriate behaviors that students are responsible to exhibit; Be there to guide children when appropriately asked for help, avoiding being dismissive; Help students improve their social skills; Provide a regular rhythmical routine of activities and collaborative learning; Design activities and assessments for different levels of attention and achievement; Provide engaging experiences for children on a regular basis; and Implement behavior support plans and action plans with integrity. Parent /Guardian Expectations: The primary responsibility for the behavior of a student lies with the parent. The Code of Conduct does not intend to replace the responsibilities of the parent but rather to reinforce the family in the efforts to establish responsible behavior. Nonetheless, parents are expected to play an active role in supporting the school to create and maintain a safe and positive learning environment. Parents are encouraged to: Be positive role models in work and action at all times while on the Kona Pacific campus; Demonstrate respect and courtesy in all Kona Pacific relationships; Read, sign and uphold the Kona Pacific Code of Conduct; Discuss and clarify the Code of Conduct with your child/children; Take an active interest in your child’s social relationships and friendships; Watch for signs of distress in your child or sudden changes in their behavior or demeanor which may indicate a potential problem; Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 57 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 Communicate with Kona Pacific administration and/or faculty/staff members about suspected, observed, or reported incidents of bullying and/or harassment; Commit to working with Kona Pacific when your child is involved in a bullying and/or harassment incident. Prohibited Conduct Obscene or abusive language; Gossiping, teasing or harassment of any person at any time; Showing disrespect, defiance or insubordination to an adult; Persistent misbehavior or disrespect for school rules; Theft, vandalism or destruction of property; Dishonesty or fraudulent actions (willful deception, cheating, plagiarism, etc); Possession of inappropriate material (unless authorized by school personnel for special activities or instructional purposes) o Electronic such as: radios, CD players, MP3 players, tape recorders, electronic games, remote controlled toys. o Items that may create classroom or campus disturbances (e.g. water balloons, slam/slang books, etc.) o Cellular telephones must remain off and secured in a backpack or purse while on campus, cell phones will be secured in office for parent pick-up if heard or seen o Drug/Gang/ Sexually explicit related articles, materials or subject matter o Tobacco Inappropriate public display of intimacy or affection; and Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 58 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 Leaving school boundaries without permission. Anti-Bullying Policy The purpose of Kona Pacific’s policies is to outline our community’s responsibilities to eliminate social, emotional and physical intimidation and bullying in any form within the Kona Pacific community. The school strives to nurture the emotional well-being of its whole community. All students are expected to refrain from any comments, attitudes, bullying, physical touching, or attentions that are unwanted by or upsetting to another person. It is of the utmost importance that each student develops and practices a respectful sensitivity for the physical and emotional boundaries and well being of the other people in the school. Repeated, unwanted and disrespectful attention is called harassment. Bullying and/or harassment can take many forms, all of which are serious personal and social offenses. Feelings and conscience will reveal whether someone is caught up in harassment, either on the receiving or the giving end. If a student becomes involved in a situation involving harassment or bullying, it is of the utmost importance that the student seek immediate guidance and help from a trusted adult. Students are encouraged to speak to a parent/guardian, teacher, counselor, administrator, or any adult who will appropriately do what is needed to put a stop to the harassment. Similarly, if a student witnesses a situation involving harassment or bullying, the student is encouraged to report the situation to an adult. Kona Pacific actively provides positive behavior support and teaches strategies of social inclusion. Some of these strategies are “Circle of Friends”, “Put-Down Diet”, and “Ready for Change”. These methods allow us to take a deeper look at the social dynamic, helping the children to find their role in the group, which is vital to spiritual/soul/self development. We define ourselves increasingly through social relationships, Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 59 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 therefore, it becomes crucial that conflict is not avoided but channeled, that the nature of our encounters be guided with consciousness and thoughtfulness. Steps of Intervention Reminder (Step One): If a student exhibits behavior that interrupts the learning environment, a teacher will provide appropriate reminders to bring about awareness of the unacceptable behavior and redirect the student to demonstrate appropriate classroom behavior. Whenever possible teachers will acknowledge the right behaviors and encourage practice of those behaviors. Reflection (Step Two): Should reminders not be sufficient, a student who exhibits behavior that a teacher determines requires further action may be instructed to move to a desk or place of self-reflection until the teacher determines that student is ready to rejoin the class. The teacher may redirect/implement other strategies, such as changing seats, providing an alternative assignment or duty to re-set, giving a break for self-reflection (a no-blame re-set). Removal (Step Three): If after step one and step two have been utilized, the teacher may determine that the student requires removal from the immediate environment. The necessary documentation of this action will be made by the teacher. The student may be asked to sit outside the classroom in an area that can be seen by the teacher or the teacher may impose a minor consequence, which they will supervise, such as time-out, time-off of an activity or a work duty such as service to the classroom or campus. Teachers are required to notify parents when children reach step three, creating an opportunity for parent involvement in the process. Parent notification may be in the form of a “parent communication form” by email, in person, or a phone call within 24 hours of the incident. If a child reaches step three on multiple (3 or more) occasions within a 3-4 week period, Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 60 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 the teacher will notify the Director of Student Services, who may proceed with an action plan to meet the challenges of the student’s behavior. Referral (Step Four): A student may be sent to the student services director at the discretion of the teacher once repeated attempts have been made to address the misbehavior or if the misbehavior is serious in nature, such as physical aggression. A student who is referred to the Student Services Director will take a referral form, which includes a description of the behavior(s) from the teacher as well as any actions taken by the teacher prior to sending the student. The administration will determine an age-appropriate resolution. Some examples may include a written/verbal apology, drawing of appropriate behavior, service to the school, contact with parents, and/or loss of free or class time. The incident will be logged in the office with the outcome reported to the class teacher. The data collected will help inform best next steps for meeting student needs. Disciplinary actions for bullying and/or harassment incidents will be handled at the step 4 level – referral to the Student Services Director and in a manner consistent with Chapter 19, class A and B offenses. Referral/Suspension (Step Five): Suspension from school will be based on the severity of the infraction and will be considered on a case- by- case basis, and in alignment with Chapter 19. An investigation will be conducted and an incident report will be completed and filed. The parents/guardian will be notified prior to the suspension, and a parent conference will be held when possible and before the student returns to school. Dismissal (Step Six): Dismissal from school will be based on the severity of the infraction and will be considered on a case- by- case basis, and in alignment with Chapter 19. If a student has been suspended for ten days in a school year, is unable to safely engage in the school program or if after an Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 61 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 investigation, is found to be responsible for a serious offense (Class A violation under Chapter 19), dismissal will be considered. The student’s parents/guardians will be notified in writing of the incident, and will be expected to attend a disciplinary hearing with the school director. Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 62 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 APPENDIX B Kona Pacific Public Charter School Fee Schedule School Year 2012-2013 Fees as of 7/1/12 (subject to change) Supply Fee: $75 per student. The supplies used in the Waldorf curriculum are very unique. Therefore, the school will be providing all school supplies. As these high-quality, unique supplies are costly, we request that each family contribute a supply fee in the amount of $75.00. Because accessibility is one of our core values, please inform us if the supply fee poses a financial hardship. The supply fee is a general fee and non-refundable if students are withdrawn from the school. Upon withdrawal, the child's schoolwork, i.e. main lesson books, paintings, artwork, may go home, however, all other supplies remain with the class. Uniforms The Kona Pacific Local School Board has approved a school uniform policy requiring all Kona Pacific students to wear a Kona Pacific Public Charter School t-shirt to school each day. Prices of the t-shirts are as follows: Type of Shirt Full Price Reduced Price Free Price Regular Youth $9 $7 $5 Regular Adult* $9 $7 $5 Organic Youth $10 $8 $6 Misses $10 $8 $6 * Adult size shirt prices are for student uniform use only. Before/Afterschool Care Program Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 63 Family Handbook School Year 2012-2013 Following is the monthly fee schedule for the Kona Pacific’s before school and afterschool care program: Program Full Price Eligible for NoCost A+ Before Care $25 $25 Kindergarten Gap Care $25 $25 A+ Aftercare $85 $0 Please note: Fees must be paid in advance. Penalties are incurred for late payment, late pickup, etc. Please read the A+ After-School Plus Program Handbook for further information. Student ID Card Replacement A Student ID card is available at no charge each semester upon request. Replacements cards will cost $2 each. Kona Pacific Public Charter School Page 64