august ahrens

PARENT NEWSLETTER OCT 2019

AUGUST AHRENS

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Noted: ________

94-1170 Waipahu St, Waipahu, HI 96797

Phone: (808) 307-7200 Fax: (808) 675-0216

Attendance Line: (808) 307-7220

Office Hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

http://www.augustahrens.org

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Health and Wellness

Please support the health and

wellness guidelines designed to

promote school wide wellness.

To support these guidelines please:

1. Bring healthy snacks such as

fruit or vegetable trays or

positive favors such as bookmarks/

pencils when bringing in a special treat

for birthday/celebrations.

2. DO NOT send food that contains

peanuts or nuts. AAES is on

peanut-awareness.

If your child has a SEVERE

ALLERGY OR MEDICAL

CONDITION, please contact Julie

Kojima at 307-7241 in the Health

Room to discuss a Emergency Action Plan for

your child.

Students with a fever must be kept home for

24 hours WITHOUT medication! Parents will be

called to pick up child, if fever is present.

It is important that your child’s emergency

records are up to date in the Health room. If

you update your child’s immunization records,

or if your child has any changes in health

conditions, please submit a copy of these

updates and/or changes to Ms. Julie in the

Health Room. Also, please make sure that

parent and/or emergency contact

information on file is current. Mahalo!

Health Room For safety and security reasons,

please have your picture ID

available when picking up your

child from the front office. Cut off

time for early release at 1:30 p.m.

(12:30 p.m. on Wednesday) .

If your child is picked up before 11 a.m.,

he/she will be marked absent for that day.

Early Release

JPOs and crossings guards are posted from 7:00

a.m. to 7:35 a.m. and again at 2:00 p.m. to 2:20

p.m. to help with pedestrian safety. Always be

mindful of the children walking on or

around campus when driving in our

school zone and please BUCKLE UP.

Driver/Pedestrian Safety

Phone call messages for Students

Please refrain from calling the school

office with messages for individual

students. Calls cannot be transferred to

classrooms. In an emergency, and as

appropriate, a message can be delivered by the

office monitor. Thank you for your cooperation.

School Schedule

IMPORTANT OFFICE REMINDERS

Updating Contact Information

If there are any changes in your

contact information, please stop by the

office to fill out the form as soon as

possible. This will ensure us that we have

the correct emergency contact

information.

For Absences

For homework requests

students must be absent for 3

days consecutively. Please

contact 307-7220.

M, Tu, Th, F

Wed

7:45am– 2:00pm

7:45am– 1:00pm

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Hello AAES Family,

Wow! Thank you to Ms. Jones’ students for the awesome introduction. I don’t think I could

have introduced myself nearly as well and going through the interview was a great experience.

Your team asked some very good questions that gave me the opportunity to reflect on my

journey here at August Ahrens.

We are nearing the end of the first quarter and student learning and activities are in full

swing. Thank you Byron Montibon and Christina Henley for coordinating our first pedestrian safety

sign-waving event of the year. We would also like to extend our gratitude to Senator Clarence

Nishihara, City Councilman Brandon Elefante, Mr. Ige and students from P1-A, AAES JPOs and

counselors, the Honolulu Police Department, and Officer Mike for supporting our school and

students throughout the event.

Our first McGivern fundraiser is well underway. Thank you very much for all of your

contributions and support. By working together, we can continue to provide our students with

the most effective and innovative learning opportunities available. Pick up for the fundraiser will

be in the main cafe on Saturday, October 26 from 8 am -12 pm.

Remember after Fall Break from October 7 - 11 Parent Teacher conferences are right

around the corner. Please be sure to sign up with your child’s homeroom teacher. Notify your

child’s teacher if you have any questions or did not receive a parent teacher conference form.

Finally, I would like to thank the August Ahrens administration, faculty, staff, and students

for being patient and supportive as I learn how to best fulfill my new responsibilities as vice

principal. It has been challenging and full of learning opportunities, but everyone has been

understanding and full of encouragement. I cannot express how proud I am to be a part of the

August Ahrens family and serve our school in this new capacity.

Sincerely,

Jed Kutaka

TA-Vice Principal

Administration

Hanh Nguyen, Principal

Maribeth Thompson, VP (1, 2, 6)

Ronie Martinez, VP (PreK, SpEd, 5)

Jed Kutaka (TA), VP (K, 3, 4)

Let’s welcome Mr. Jed Kutaka, one of the new Vice Principals

this school year. Something interesting about him is that he actually began working as a

businessman. After a few years he got married and had 3 beautiful children. Like any

family man, he decided he wanted more for his family and their future. So, he started

volunteering at August Ahrens and realized his passion for teaching. He returned to

school and got his teaching degree. Fun fact: his first teaching job at August Ahrens

was a PE teacher.

He worked as a PE teacher and a 3rd Grade teacher for a few years. Then he was

offered another awesome opportunity, to be a Vice Principal at AAES. He wanted to

challenge himself, learn something new, and offer something more to the students and school.

As busy as it is being a Vice Principal, one of the advantages of this job that he enjoys is the opportunity to

move around on campus and interact with more students, parents, the school and community.

Student Interview

MESSAGE FROM ADMINISTRATION

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Kindergarten Fundraiser

Please help support Kindergarten!

Every month there will

be a designated date

for August Ahrens.

Thursday, October 24

Thursday, November 21

Save your receipt from your order

on designated date and turn it in

to your HMRM teacher.

WHAT’S GOING ON

Aloha AAES Parents and Guardians,

I hope you and your child are having a great start to the 19-20’

school year. As we approach the middle of our first quarter, I would

like to send a friendly reminder that at August Ahrens student safety

is a top priority. To ensure the well-being of all of our students, we

are asking our families to please acknowledge and follow all traffic

safety laws.

To also help alleviate the rush of traffic in the afternoon, please try

to plan for student pickup at about 2:00 pm on Monday, Tuesday,

Thursday, and Friday. On Wednesday, please try to schedule pickup

at about 1:00 pm. If you do come a little early, please abide by all

traffic laws and be aware of pedestrian traffic. By working together,

we can make certain our Keiki have a safe place to learn and

grow. Thank you so much for your cooperation.

Thank you,

AAES Admin

MTuThF

Pickup starts

2:00 pm Wed

Pickup starts

1:00 pm

Congratulations AAES we received the

School of Distinction

from

For SY 2018 - 2019 We are 1 one of 4 schools in Hawaii

that received this Prestigious Award.

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October 3

October 7-11

October 16

October 26

October 21– November 1

November 1

November 4– November 15

November 9

November 11

November 20

November 27

SCHOOL-WIDE EVENTS

AAES Complex Day (No School)

Fall Break (No School)

Fall Picture Make-ups

Regal Fundraiser Pick-up

Parent Teacher Conferences

Flu Clinic

Book Fair

Campus Beautification

Veterans Day (No School)

PTO Turkey Trot

Mass Evacuation Drill

Colo

r Fr

iday

s

October 4

October 18

October 25

November 1

November 8

November 15

Brown

Pink

Gray

Black

White

Favorite

Color

Kindergarteners are working

on color recognition. Let’s

all join in and support them

by wearing the color of the

day.

Career Day Speakers Needed

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

https://cutt.ly/careerdayinterest

Email [email protected]

Inspire the youth by sharing your career journey, a typical

workday, education requirements and more. This is an

opportunity for students to speak with someone whose

career choice interests them and to explore areas they

may not have considered before.

We appreciate your willingness to give back to the youth

of our community.

Parent Teacher Conferences

October 21– November 1 will be Parent Teacher conferences.

Please make proper accommodation for your child’s way home during P/T conferences.

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

Wednesday

School ends 1:00 pm

School ends 12:00 pm

https://cutt.ly/careerdayinterest

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Hello AAES Families,

Thank you to everyone that came out to our first PTO meeting on September 13th and we

had an awesome turnout. Nearly 60+ parents present and we presented our mission this

year: To help the school, students, teachers and parents succeed by providing the

resources they need to do so. We do hope we covered our mission and goals are for the

school, students and teachers. Our goals and mission can not be accomplished without

the support of you parents, as well as teachers and administration. We need all hands on

deck to go the big things for the school. We hope everyone is ready jump in to help

execute the big picture.

We also voted on our new PTO board.

Please join me in welcoming our new board members below.

PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION (PTO) CORNER

Grace Beltran

President

Reymalyne Hogan

Vice President

Gayleen Balias

Treasurer

Tupou Gonzales

Teacher Liaison

Thomas Biniek

Community Liaison

Joann Ramos

Parent Liaison

Rheza Tatunay

Secretary

AAES PTO

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Wed., Nov. 20, 2019

Fri., Dec. 6, 2019

Wed., Mar. 4, 2019

Turkey Trot Fun Run

Movie Night “Aladdin”

Dr. Seuss Fun Run

https://cutt.ly/ptovolunteer All PTO events are solely

run with awesome

volunteers. If you are

interested in being a

volunteer, please fill out

the form. We love

volunteers!

AAESPTO Please contact us at:

[email protected]

or message us via our

Instagram page @aaespto

for more information.

We all feel that it has been a scorcher this summer into fall. Our primary focus will be to,

"Cool the School" and supply classrooms with AC's and fans once the buildings electrical

is upgraded. As soon as we get the go ahead from facilities we can cool some

classrooms right away.

In the meantime, we were able to supply

4 heavy duty fans to the Pre-K classes

(I-1, I-2, I-3a & I-3b). We do know it is not

much but we wanted to help cool your

classroom in anyway possible.

In addition we have added a second fun

run on November 20th. You will be seeing

donation envelopes heading home the

week of October 14 and we encourage

you to support. All donations can be

tax-

deductible. The

monies collected for the Turkey Trot will go to supporting programs

and students curriculum like Resources classes like STEAM, Music,

PE, Computer Classes.

We all want our students to succeed but we can't do it without

everyone's help. Please look over our activities and reach out to

us if you can help, donate or volunteer.

Grace Beltran, AAES PTO President

https://cutt.ly/ptovolunteer

mailto:[email protected]

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KINDERGARTEN WORKSHOP

Mrs. Susan Serrao is a retired Kindergarten Teacher from August Ahrens Elementary School.

She has taught Kindergarten for 22 years. She is back again this school year to offer

Kindergarten Workshops in various subjects. She will also continue to serve as the Parent

Involvement Coordinator for the school.

The primary goals for Kindergarten Workshops:

Child’s first school is the home

Parents are the child’s first teacher

Child’s first subject is Reading

The first workshop was held on Thursday, September 26. Thank you to all the parents that

attended our first workshop. We had a great turn out. Parents and Guardians that

attended had a great time learning new strategies to help their child excel in reading.

We look forward to seeing you at these workshops to help you have a better

understanding on our goals are for your child. Remember, the most

important work you will ever do, will be within the walls of your own

home.

Upcoming Workshops

If you have any questions & concerns

Contact Information

Mrs. Susan Serrao

Phone: (808) 589-9909

Email: [email protected]

Thurs., Oct. 17

Tues., Nov. 19

Understanding the Kindergarten Report Card

Writing

1pm-1:50pm

6pm - 7pm

Two sessions offered

H2

Library (*need 10 or more

parents for night work-

shop)

Light Refreshments will be served.

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This Quarter we continue incorporating The Jessie Lewis Choose Program love into our

classrooms. The Choose Love Program is based on 4 Pillars: Courage, Gratitude, Forgiveness

and Compassion in action. Students have begun to learn about the first pillar, Courage.

Showing courage means being brave even when it’s difficult. Students can show courage

by standing up for what is right and by helping others when wrong is being done to

them. Showing courage every day is a small way that we can make our school a better

place.

Families

Discuss “What courage means to you?”

Below is a question that you can use to facilitate your discussion on courage.

What’s coming up for each of us in the next few days that we know is going to require cour-

age? Let’s talk about ways we can support each other

in being brave.

Sincerely,

Counselors

Erin Baxa

Junn Ramirez

Melissa Maluo

307 - 7272 (Grades K-2 Counselor)

307 - 7346 (Grades 3-4 Counselor)

307-7223 (Grades 5-6 Counselor)

Contact Information

FROM THE COUNSELORS

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DRAW HERE STUDENT CORNER

October Challenge

For the month of October, I

Challenge

everyone to make

1 new friend every

week.

Learn something

new about

someone new. Find out their hobby/

interests, what they love to eat, what

they love to do for fun. You may

never know you may who you will

meet.

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STUDENT CORNER

Halloween Safety Tips

Stay in

groups

Costumes

should be

well fitted

and flame resistant.

Always test makeup

Remember to look both

ways when crossing the

street

Examine all treats before

eating

Stay on the sidewalks

when possible

Avoid dark houses

Bring flashlights & glow

sticks for visibility.

Enjoy

with

caution

Look at the picture and write the beginning sounds

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Volunteer Opportunities

For Parents & GuArdians School Support Picture Day

GRADE

K

GRADE

1 GRADE

2

GRADE

3 GRADE

4

GRADE

5 GRADE

6

No events scheduled.

Please refer to your

child’s teacher.

No events scheduled.

Please refer to your

child’s teacher.

GRADE LEVEL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Field Trip

Oct. 21

Oct. 22

J101 A/B & J105 A/B

J115 A/B, J116 A/B,

P-25

Hawaii’s Plantation Village

Field Trip

Oct. 17 Waimanalo

Country Farm

Oct. 31 K Fall Parade

On-Campus Activity

Field Trip

Oct. 25

Oct. 30

Nov. 6

Nov. 13

Nov. 20

UH (All classes)

Hawaii Nature Center

M104, M204

M203, P14

M103, M201

M101, M102

Field Trip

Nov. 14

Nov. 15

Nov. 19

P2, P3, P7

P1A, P4, P6

P1, P5

Manoa Heritage Center

Field Trip

Nov. 12 Hawaii Theater

Youth

Oct. 4

Oct. 29

Water Play (Reward Day)

McTeacher Night

On-Campus Activity

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was born Patricia (means “honor”) Tracy (means

“industrious” )Jones. Originally from California she

took a huge leap of faith by moving to Hawaii and living on her own.

She is one of our awesome sixth grade teachers who is good at

organizing and letting go of things. She is described as industrious,

flexible (attitude not physically), easy-going, energetic, silly, love of

music, dance and well-seasoned food as well as passion about Jesus.

As a teacher one of the characteristics she finds important that

everyone should have is patience. So lets be patient and not talk over

others. Her greatest achievement is she going back to school to finish

her Master’s degree. Her busy schedule definitely requires a lot of time and a lot of energy.

Maybe one day her boss will say those magic words “Thank you for all of your hard work,

here's a 20% increase in your pay! “ So she can enjoy herself to a well deserved me time to

get a massage, go shopping or enjoy a delicious meal. Or possibly take another fun and

memorable vacation to Disneyland with her niece and nephew. Not to mention a long

planned cruise around the world.

FACULTY AND STAFF SECTION

Tracy Jones

is one of our caring 3rd

grade teachers. He is

motivated, hardworking,

organized, and driven. All

characteristics we want in a

teacher to get our students

in tip top shape.

An important skill he believes

everyone should have is

setting goals. So remember setting goals will help

set your vision, to keep you motivated,

accountable for your actions, organize your time

and pave the path for your life.

After he completes a goal he tries to reward

himself by buying something he has been waiting

for or travelling around the world. He took a huge

leap of faith when he traveled to 3 different

countries for 3-4 weeks with friends. Talk about

testing your friendship throughout the trip. Don’t

worry they are still friends. But that didn’t stop him

from travelling, he made his way to Thailand,

which turned out to be the best vacation so far.

Tyler-Jay Kriedler Junn Ramirez Is one of the

energetic counselors

on campus for 3rd

and 4th graders. As

a counselor he listens

to many students

and their problems

or situations they

have to deal with. It

is no surprise that he

feels it is important for everyone to have

that skill. He is known for being patient,

kind, and athletic to all of his students.

But that doesn’t stop there! What Mr.

Ramirez wants to be known for is being a

loving and caring husband and father. His

biggest pet peeve are people that are

dishonest. Although his favorite food is

pizza and would spend an hour of his time

taking a nap, don’t let this fool you! He

relieves stress by exercising and playing

basketball. As an frequent traveler he has

his eye on visiting the ancient civilizations

of the past, hopefully soon.

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Translation ILOCANO: No adda saanyo nga maawatan, wenno matarusan, wenno saludsodyo

maipanggep iti aniaman nga naisurat ditoy “Parent Newsletter”, tumawag kayo ti

#307-7200.

TAGALOG: Kung may hindi kayo naitindihin o mga tanong tungkol sa anumang

naisulat dito sa “Parent Newsletter”. Tumawag kayo sa #307-7200.

MARSHALLESE: Motta e, Komaron ke lale me ewor kajimwe im ne ededelok pls

forward nan kora rane bwe enwot reba k asap. Kommol.

CHUUKESE: Ika pwe ke mochen emon epwe anisuk ne chiakuni mei ei mei mak non ei

toropwe, kose mochen kope kori ei nampa #307-7200.

SAMOAN: Afai e mana’omia se fesoasoani e faaliliu ai lenei pepa I se isi gagana,

fa’amolemole vala’au #307-7200.

If any assistance is needed to translate this document into another language, please

call #307-7200.

The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) and its schools do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, national origin, religion, or disability in its programs and activities.

Please direct inquires regarding HIDOE nondiscrimination policies as follows:

ADA/Section 504 inquires: Krysti Sukita, ADA/504 Specialist; Title VI, Title IX, and other inquires:

Anne Marie Puglisi, Director, Civil Rights Compliance Office,

Hawaii State Department of Education, P.O. Box 2360 Honolulu, HI 96804,

(808) 586-3322 or relay, [email protected]

Continuous Notice of Non– Discrimination

Need to APPLY?

Free/Reduce Meal App

Download and Register

EZ School Pay

For Sch

oo

l Me

al Ap

ps

Apple devices & Android Devices

Use camera to open QR code.

Big thanks for your help during

Kindergarten Picture taking. I

really appreciate your help.

Ana Zirkle

Lei Soi

Vita Villi

Regal Fundraiser

Fundraiser ended

Tuesday, October 1

Submit all tickets to HMRM teacher before/

afterschool ONLY

Pick-up

Saturday, October 26, 2019

From 8:00 am - 12:00 pm in Main Cafe

Food items that are not picked-up will

be DONATED.

Positions Available

Adult Supervisor

PPT

Sub Cafeteria Helper

Able to work 19 hours & enjoys working

with children.

If interested, please come to the office to fill

out an application. For any questions, please

ask Mr. Martinez or Mr. Kutaka for more

information.

Office Hours: M-F 7:30am - 4:00pm

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