KEKAHA — Kekaha Elementary School teachers and staff returned to school Monday, greeted by a “Mahalo Breakfast” sponsored by Deja Vu Surf Hawaii and presented by community support groups.
“We honor the teachers and staff for all of their hard work on improving early literacy,” said Marion Paul, Keiki to Career coordinator. “The Keiki to Career Leadership Council personally contributed more than 20 giveaway prizes, ensuring all of the teachers would walk away with a premium.”
Rep. Dee Morikawa, responsible for spearheading efforts that procured more than $2 million for school improvements, stopped by and thanked the Kekaha School ‘ohana for their work at the westernmost public school in the country.
“We’re committed to Kekaha School,” said Nannie Apalla, Keiki to Career programs manager. “When we selected Kekaha School, three years ago, it was because of the low literacy rate percentage. We’re midway through the five-year program, and already the school has shown a nearly 10 percent improvement in its literacy rates.”
The Kekaha Early Literacy Project is a multi-faceted community initiative designed to help measurably increase students’ reading proficiency by rallying together to support students at home, in school, and the community.
Kekaha School worked on the projects by sending home free books to help build home libraries and increased the rate of parents reading with keiki by hosting a pair of parent literacy nights.
Community organizations like the West Kauai Professional and Business Association assisted with book giveaways during the Waimea Town Lighting and the annual Waimea Christmas Lighted Parade.
The Waimea Public Library contributed to more reading access a used book sale and accompanying activity stations ahead of the annual parade.
The school also hosted a reading buddies program once each month, by getting community members to share their love for reading with the school’s students.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
