Ka Leo Alakaʻi o Waikīkī
A Message from Principal Kusuda
Dear Waikiki School Ohana,
As the school year draws to a close, we want to extend our warmest wishes to all our families for a safe and wonderful summer break! It's been a truly wonderful year filled with learning, growth, and memorable moments.
This year, guided by our theme, "Hang Loose with Mindfulness," we've been busy infusing the Habits of Mind into every facet of school life. We've taken a focused approach to cultivating good characteristics and dispositions, helping our students develop the kind of thoughtful and resilient minds that will serve them well in the future. It's been an absolute pleasure watching our students' understanding of themselves and the world around them expand with each passing day.
From the moment students stepped through our classroom doors, they were encouraged to think flexibly, strive for accuracy, and listen with understanding and empathy. We've seen our young learners grappling with challenges, demonstrating persistence, and thinking about their thinking in new and exciting ways. Our teachers have done a truly amazing job of weaving these powerful habits into daily lessons, turning every classroom into a vibrant hub of mindful growth.
Our school calendar has been absolutely overflowing with opportunities for our students to practice and demonstrate these Habits of Mind in action:
The Fun Fair was a perfect example of creativity and problem solving as students played games designed and operated by their peers.
The Haunted House encouraged taking responsible risks and persisting through the scares!
The Tech Bubble Run was a fantastic display of persistence, humor, and joy as students raced around the foam-filled course.
Astronomy Night sparked wonderment and curiosity.
Intramural Sports fostered both persistence and thinking flexibly in the heat of competition.
The Winter Fete brought opportunities for creativity and thinking interdependently as our whole school community came together to celebrate the power of music.
These are just some of the many enriching activities that allowed our students to embody the Habits of Mind in a variety of engaging contexts. We are incredibly proud of our students' hard work and achievements, and we thank you, our parents, for your continued partnership and support.
☀️ Making the Most of Summer Break
To keep those brilliant minds active over the hiatus while still enjoying some well-deserved downtime, here are a few ideas for the months ahead:
Keep Reading Daily: Reading is the single best way to prevent the "summer slide."
Did you know? Research shows that reading just 4 to 6 books over the summer can prevent the reading achievement loss that typically occurs when children are out of school.
Practice Mindfulness on the Go: Encourage your child to use their Habits of Mind by noticing the sights and sounds on a hike, listening with empathy during family chats, or practicing patience and flexibility during travel delays.
Explore Locally: Visit the local library, check out museums, or engage in backyard science experiments to keep that sense of wonderment and curiosity alive.
Whether you're traveling, exploring local attractions, or simply enjoying downtime at home, we wish you a summer filled with joy and rejuvenation.
📅 Important Date for Your Calendar:
School Resumes: Monday, August 3, 2026.
We look forward to welcoming back all our students for another exciting year of learning and discovery! From all of us at Waikiki School, have a fantastic summer! We can't wait to see you all again soon!
With Love,
Mr. Kusuda
About Us
Email: ryan@waikikischool.org
Website: waikikischool.org
Location: 3710 Leahi Avenue, Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: (808) 971-6900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WaikikiSchool
Twitter: @WaikikiSchool