Dear Waimalu Ohana,
Welcome to Waimalu Elementary School, home of the Warriors. As the proud principal, I eagerly look forward to our journey together in supporting the academic, social, and emotional development of the “whole child.” I’d like to share some of the great things happening on our campus that make Waimalu Elementary a wonderful place to learn. Together, with the unwavering support of my fabulous faculty and staff, I am committed to ensuring that all students receive a positive and nurturing environment that empowers them to strive for excellence, think critically, be technologically literate, and demonstrate respect and responsibility for oneself and each other.
With regards to academics, Waimalu Elementary (WE) is proud to be accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The accreditation process monitors student learning and continuously focuses on school improvement with regard to its programs and its impact on student learning. In 2023, WE earned a 6-year accreditation, which is the highest number of years a school can receive.
Our school utilizes a universal screener to identify academic student needs in English Language Arts and Math. Our Common Core standards-based curriculum provides a rigorous learning experience for our students that is enhanced by the plethora of instructional strategies employed by our highly qualified teaching staff. Students also attend classes in Computer Science/Technology, Guidance, and Hawaiian Studies. These programs allow students to explore their strengths and passions to continue their love of learning in a variety of areas.
The Hawaiʻi Multi Tiered Systems of Support is a continuum of proactive, integrated academic, behavior, social-emotional, and physical supports increasing in intensity from Tier 1 to Tier 3 to address student challenges and promote a positive school culture and climate. Waimalu Elementary teachers consistently engage in professional development and collaboration to ensure instruction is modified, based on data, to address the learning needs and performance of our students.
Waimalu Elementary promotes our Social Emotional Learning program, Choose Love, to increase student understanding of courage, gratitude, forgiveness, and compassion in action. This evidence-based curriculum improves culture and cultivates an environment that is supportive and safe. Coupled with our General Learner Outcomes, or GLOs, students build skills in being a self-directed learner, community contributor, quality producer, complex thinker, effective communicator, and ethical user of technology. Our focus is to prepare students who are college and career ready as we align our efforts with other complex area elementary schools, Aiea Intermediate, and Aiea High School.
One way that WE align our efforts in the Aiea Complex is through our Project Based Learning (PBL) projects. Our schools, K-12, endeavor to prepare our students to apply their knowledge and work together to create projects that demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving challenges that enhance their learning experience. Over 300 teachers in the Aiea Complex meet annually to showcase, discuss, and create PBL projects that promote student voice and choice and engage community members to be a part of their experience.
WE also provide many extra curricular programs for students to participate in such as Robotics, Media, Art, Junior Police Officer (JPO), Student Council, Intramural Sports (basketball and volleyball), and English Language (EL) Tutoring.
WE value family involvement and partnerships. WE understand the powerful impact a positive school and family relationship has on the development of our students. Thus, WE encourage and look forward to seeing you at our parent activities as well as Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and School Community Council (SCC) meetings.
Again, welcome, Waimalu Ohana! We look forward to a great partnership! Please feel free to review our website as it provides important information about our school. Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Mahalo and take care,
Ronnell Nipp
Principal
