Why Pascal Gives

There are a few important reasons why my family decides to donate to Wai’alae School. From a philosophical point-of-view, financially supporting the school is doing what’s right and leading my children by example. From a practical point-of-view, it is about supporting and making a difference about a cause that we believe in—our children and our future.

Supporting the school is doing what’s right

One of the things that attracted us to Wai’alae School is that it is focused on supporting the development of a well-balanced, whole child. Wai’alae offers an education that we believe is best for children in the democratic society we live in. For example, the school has physical education and Hawaiiana programs that are not standard to public schools. Children have a lot of energy, both physical and creative energies, that need an outlet. For example, this afternoon after school, our 3rd-grader chose to ride her bicycle up and down the driveway singing out loud songs she learned at school. To me, this is an example of how the school’s priorities are leading to well-adjusted children. 

Children’s spirits should not be squashed with standardized test preparation, but should be allowed to flourish while ensuring proper academic preparation. 

Leading my children by example

We want our children to be productive, socially responsible members of society. It is often said that children will not do what they’re told to do, but  what they see us doing. Our donations and active participation in Wai’alae is our way of leading our children up the mountain, along a selfless path. In other words, we want our children to see us walk the talk.

We believe that teachers and supporting staff are heroes

When I see teachers in their classrooms at the crack of dawn, staying at school after sunset, and working over the weekend and holidays, it is testament that they are doing their very best to support our children. But that behavior is not limited to teachers. Just a few weeks ago, I noticed the school’s grass getting a bit long, and sure enough, a groundkeeper was dutifully cutting the grass a couple of days later—which was 7 a.m. on a Sunday morning. 

To me, that level of dedication warrants support and recognition, and as parents and caregivers, we can fulfill this through our financial and time donations to Wai’alae School. 

PascalCharron
President,Friends of Wai'alae School (FWS)
Wai’alae School parent 

Why Lianna Gives

Walk around Wai'alae School's campus, and you will witness firsthand the love and positive energy that beats through Wai'alae School. Where does it come from? Our Wai'alae community! 

Teachers, staff, school leadership, parents, students, and community members - collectively, we inspire each other and generate what I like to call, "Wai'alae magic.”  Everyone in our community is dedicated to providing a high-quality, student-centered, whole-child education (one that encompasses nurturing the mind, body, and spirit) to all students, regardless of socioeconomic status.

We are a public school—full of diversity and unique perspectives. We are democratic and we don't just tolerate our differences; we celebrate them. In the process, we create an opportunity for children to learn empathy and compassion.

To put it frankly, I give to Wai'alae because our charter freedoms come at a price. In exchange for more independence, charter schools receive less state funding and centralized supports than a traditional Hawaii Dept. of Education school.

I also give because we are at the beginnings of exciting times at Wai'alae! John Constantinou, our new CEO, embodies Wai'alae magic. I want to support Mr. Contantinou because he is a tireless advocate of students and teachers, and is dedicated to making Wai'alae a shining example of a highly effective public school. With the help of the school community, I am confident John will lead the school to do even more great things! 

I hope you will consider giving to the Annual Fund, even if it’s a small donation. It will go far to support the educational innovation we have at Wai’alae. However, if you cannot donate financially to the fund, please consider sharing your time with Friends of Wai'alae, the'ĀINA IS gardening and nutrition program, and/or your child's classroom teachers. We all have our strengths and talents, and Wai'alae School is such a special place because of us—the community that supports it.

Lianna Lam
Chair-Elect, Wai'alae School Governing Board 
Wai’alae parent and mom to three boys

Why Lee Gives

In 2008, I agreed to go on a blind date with a kindergarten teacher at Wai'alae School. Eventually, that date turned into a marriage and that teacher became the dean of students of Wai'alae School. As our relationship grew, so did my relationship with Wai'alae.    

Although my husband is now at another school, in the years he was a Wai'alae teacher and in administration, I attended many school events like Halloween, Fun Fair, May Day and Curriculum Nights. I was welcomed and treated like 'ohana by the students, teachers, staff and Wai'alae families. I can remember one event, when we brought our 2-year old son who ran into the middle of the yard. In the craziness, I watched a group of Wai'alae students look after my son, not knowing who his parents were, just that he was at Wai'alae. They made sure he got up when he tripped and tried to include him in their play.

I thought to myself, this is what they teach at Wai'alae School: the importance of academics, but also social-emotional learning and how to contribute positively in our society.

Over the last few years, I have had the opportunity to observe and work closely with Wai'alae’s administration. The teachers and staff truly believe in its mission to educate the whole child. This is something that I appreciate as a mother and a community member. So, when my husband left Wai'alae, we both wanted to remain connected to this school we had bonded with so deeply. I have been honored to serve on the Wai'alae School Foundation's board of directors, and am currently the board president.

Being a charter school allows Wai'alae School to create their own curriculum and environment for learning, and most importantly, its own community. And we all know just how special Wai'alae's community is. Thank you for allowing me to continue to be a part it. 

-Lee Higa-Okamoto, president, Wai'alae School Foundation

Why Ashley Gives

There is nothing scarier than hearing from your child’s teacher that they are concerned that your child might have learning differences. Being a traditional learner myself, I lacked any familiarity with the spectrum of reading-related learning disorders, and the methods of diagnosis, treatment and management. All I knew was that, at 3rd grade, my daughter Audrey was not reading and she hated school. This devastated me.

When it became clear that her private school (one of the most competitive in the state) would be unable to offer her the support she needed in the classroom and during the school day, I began to explore our options within the public school system, and more specifically how I could use the tool of the individualized education program (IEP) to help support Audrey’s learning during the school day. 

Wai'alae School stood out as the best school in the city to offer strengths-based, child-centered learning, along with the support of the Dept. of Education's IEP Program. In only her year and a half at Wai'alae, Audrey’s relationship to learning has been transformed. She is excited about school and has many opportunities to shine. 

She has a dynamic special education team that has helped her become a proficient reader and writer at a level I didn’t think it was possible. I see the way Audrey sees herself as a part of a community of learners where her ideas and contributions play a vital role in the health of the whole. This confidence wouldn’t have been possible had we not made the shift. 

-Ashley, mom to Audrey, Wai'alae School fourth-grader