×
×
homepage logo

February an exciting month at LIS

By Staff | Mar 7, 2013

LAHAINA – Wow! Is it March? You do know what that means, don’t you? We are approaching the end of the third quarter very soon – March 15 is the last day.

February was full of excitement in different areas. First, LIS students completed their second attempt of the HSA-Reading. If we are to compare the final results from the 2011-12 school year to the the results in February, there was significant growth in grades six and seven. In grade six, student achievement increased by eight percentage points (66 vs. 58 last year). In grade seven, there was an increase of six percentage points (64 vs. 58 last year). In grade eight, students made some growth but did not exceed the final results from last year (52 vs. 60). Our third and final attempt in the HSA-Reading will be in April.

On Feb. 16, our grade eight band students participated in the Middle School Mass Band Concert in the Maui High School Gym. Schools from Iao, Kalama, Lanai, Lokelani and Maui Waena Intermediate also participated. They filled the entire gym floor and sounded awesome. Mahalo to Mark Gilmore for a job well done with the LIS Band Program.

Also in February, our girls wrestling team won the championship in the first Maui Middle School Wrestling Tournament. Mahalo to Nathan Williams and Shane Cunanan, who served as coaches for our teams.

Finally, rounding off the month of February, on the 26th, LIS rocked with “Opportunity Rocks.” We would like to thank the six hotels that participated in this annual career exploration event: The Hyatt, Napili Kai, The Ritz-Carlton, Royal Lahaina, Westin and The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort. Each hotel was well-prepared with their agendas for our students. Students were introduced to career types within the hotel industry.

Educational backgrounds were shared with our students, as well as what skills are needed in order to be successful in the variety of jobs available. Both students and adult chaperones were impressed with the presentations at all participating hotels. Thank you for the lunches. Mahalo to the hotel planners: Robert Hudgins, May Sato, Yvette Laborte, Amy Peterson, Mayling Barbosa and Lei Gonzalez. You did an awesome job!

Mahalo to the key Rotarians of the Rotary Club of Lahaina who supported and became chaperones for our students: Liz May, Don Lehman, Dr. George Lavenson and Norm Bezane. Last but not least, thanks to our LIS staff who played a major role in the planning of this event. Mahalo to Lori Koyama, Charmaine Nuesca-Ganer and Cindy Koyama. Much mahalo goes out to Lisa Paulson of the Maui Hotel and Lodging Association, who provided gift bags for all of our students. Thank you for your generosity. Job well done, everyone. You really can’t beat our Lahaina community. YOU ROCK!

On March 12-14, our students will be taking their second attempt of the HSA-Math. Please be sure that your children are getting to bed early, so they are attentive and energized in the morning. Please have them eat a hearty breakfast. Good luck to our students as they try their best to meet proficiency and beyond. IMUA!