Bloom with good vibes

Hinamatsuri ひな祭り is a traditional Japanese holiday celebrated annually on March 3rd. It is also known as Doll’s Festival, Girls’ Festival, and formerly Peach Festival. In Hawaiʻi, this day is called Girls' Day! This is a time when families wish for the health, longevity, and prosperity of their girls.

Here are some arts and crafts that you can do to celebrate Hinamatsuri.

Try this Strawberry Mochi Trifle recipe from Foodland to treat yourself to something sweet. It's a simple 5 ingredient recipe that can be done in the microwave!

As we enter spring, student attendance often declines — a trend known as the Spring Slump. Research shows that students who miss just two days a month (or 10% of the school year) are at risk of falling behind. Regular attendance is crucial for academic achievement, engagement, and future success.

Here are some strategies to help maintain strong attendance:

• Maintain Consistent Routines – Set a bedtime and morning schedule to ensure your child starts the day ready to learn.
• Reinforce the Importance of Attendance – One way to prioritize daily attendance is to support your child through going to school even when it’s hard. You could even model how you’ve worked through successfully showing up for something you really didn’t feel like doing in the past.
• Schedule Appointments Wisely – Plan medical appointments and family trips outside of school hours to prevent unnecessary absences.
• Seek Support When Needed – If your family faces challenges affecting attendance, such as transportation or health concerns, please reach out to your school for additional assistance.

Let's continue to work together to keep your child on track!

This newsletter is a joint collaboration of the DOE Central District's School Social Workers and Human Services Professionals. The purpose is to highlight information that you may find useful, and does not serve as a comprehensive list. We do not endorse any specific organization. Mahalo!