Q: I heard that Alexander Track is closed until May 15. Why is that?

A: The Alexander Track and Field is available for community use except when students are actively using the facility for PE classes, sports or marching band practice (walkers and joggers are asked to use the outside lanes of the track to protect the inner lanes for competitive events). During the Track and Field season in the spring, however, there are over 400 student athletes participating in Intermediate, JV and Varsity girls and boys teams. Consequently, the track area is closed to the community in the afternoons from 3 - 5:30 p.m. to ensure that the students have a safe practice environment. This limitation was imposed beginning in 2009 after several collisions between students and others using the facility.

Q: Why doesn't the Bookstore allow charges to the student accounts? It would be so much easier - especially when the kids need to get another PE shirt, etc. I have to send them with enough cash...

A: Bookstore manager Bertha Ueoka tells us that when a student wishes to buy something in the Punahou Bookstore, the school cannot determine whether the intended purchase is approved by a parent or not, given the wide range of items carried in the bookstore. Therefore, the access for charging to student accounts has never been given to the Bookstore. To assist parents who wish to have their student purchase specific items, a parent can call the Bookstore at 944-5743 or email bookstore@punahou.edu to find out the cost of the specific item and send the correct amount of cash. The bookstore also accepts checks (checks should be made payable to "Punahou School"). There is no tax assessed on Punahou Bookstore purchases.

Q. With Punahou's efforts for sustainability, are there places for students to lock their bikes? This would give students options to bike to school.

A. There are locations in Case Middle School where students can lock up their bikes. Interested parents should contact their Grade Supervisor.

Q. Is there any way laptops can be programmed to block out sites? (Eg. AIM, Facebook etc)

A. Tim Lucas, Grade Supervisor, provided us with the following response: We can, and do, block individual websites on student computers as needed to help them learn to appropriately manage their learning. Parents should contact their child's Grade Supervisor or Dean for help with this.

The November issue arrived in mailboxes the week of Nov. 30. To view or print the issue in full color, please open the attachment: November 2009 Currents

Order forms due Sunday, November 29, 2009 for pre-ordering bentos and musubis for pickup at the Christmas Fair on Friday, December 4, 2009, 3 to 6 p.m. at the Dole Cafeteria.

The funds go towards offsetting the expenses associated with the Haku Lei Booth at Carnival 2010, such as travel, shipping, etc. of the beautiful greens and flowers in the Haku Leis.

See order form for more details: Bento & Musubi Pre-order Form

Please print and complete form, and return along with payment to the PFA office or mail to Punahou School - PFA Office, 1601 Punahou Street, Honolulu, HI 96822.

Monday - Wednesday, November 23 - November 25, 2009, 7:00 - 8:00 a.m. SUGAR NEEDED for Carnival 2010! Drop off points are Kindergarten, Case Middle School, Mamiya Science Center in the Academy, and in front of the PFA office.

Sunday, November 22, 2009, 12:15 p.m. to approximately 2:45 p.m. Parent volunteers (and vehicles) are needed to assist with delivering canned goods and other food items collected during the October 20 - November 20 Food Drive. Volunteers will meet at approximately 12:15 pm at the Luke Center (near the Chapel) to load and drive items to the FoodBank. Drivers are due to be there at 1:30 p.m. for the unloading, weighing and a short tour of the facility. Estimated time of completion is 2:45 p.m. If you are able to help load and transport, please email Lissa Lau at lissalau@hotmail.com. Mahalo for your support!

Friday, November 20, 2009 and Saturday, November 21, 2009, 7:30 p.m, at Dillingham Auditorium.

Dillingham Hall is about to effervesce as the Academy students present "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead", a Tony Award-winning play by Tom Stoppard. This tragi-comedy, based on minor characters from Shakespeare's "Hamlet" is directed by William Ouellette, and recommended for mature audiences (middle school and older).

Tickets go on sale at the Sullivan Administration Building Box office, hours 2 to 4 p.m. on these days:
Wednesday, November 17
Thursday, November 19

They are also available at the box office one hour prior to curtain time on performance days, from 6:30 to 7:30pm.

Ticket prices: $10 for adults, $5 for students and senior citizens with identification.

More information at http://www.punahou.edu/page.cfm?p=1542&newsid=249.

Saturday, November 21, 2009, 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Case Middle School.

Thursday, November 19 and Friday, November 20, 2009. Location to be determined. 3rd and 7th graders participate in learning Hawaiian games of skill and strength.

Thursday, November 19, 2009, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at Dillingham Auditorium and Academy Classrooms. Please note this is a change from the original date of November 5.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Chapel. David Streight is the executive director of the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education (CSEE). A nationally certified school psychologist, he has spent two decades as a teacher of religion and ethics.

A half century of research focuses on the five parenting practices that maximize the possibility of raising "good kids", meaning kids who are emphathic, who are willing to act for the good of others and not for rewards, kids who have good conscience, and with good moral reasoning skills. This presentation, with discussion time, will explore these five practices and make suggestions regarding how to implement them.

View the flier: Speaker David Streight

No RSVP necessary.

11/19/09 Addition: Mr. Streight has offered a subscription to the CSEE newsletter to our Punahou community. David is also able to send a booklet containing parenting tips on raising good kids to interested parents. There is a $3.00 charge for the booklet and no charge for the newsletter. Please email David at info@csee.org if you are interested in these items.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 8:00-11:00 a.m in Wo 204. The PFA Hospitality/Recognition Committee welcomes anyone interested in creating birthday cards for students in Grades K to 8. Come for all or part of the session. If you are able to come and/or have questions, please email Rhoda Asato at rhoda.fong@gmail.com.

Saturday, November 14, 2009, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. at the Hemmeter Gym and Pool. (This was previously incorrectly listed as being on Friday, Nov. 13.)

In addition, Grade 7 Supervisor Jenni Tyau will be hosting a Parent Education Meeting in Kuaihelani Center during the canteen. She will be sharing recent research and insights on the development of the "Adolescent Brain" from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Parents may come early for light refreshments at Kuaihelani and remain after the presentation until the 9 p.m. pickup of their child.

Saturday, November 14, 2009, 2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the Dole Courtyard, Pool and Middle Field. For Grade 6 students and their families.

Friday, November 13, 2009 and Saturday, November 14, 2009, 7:30 p.m, at Dillingham Auditorium. (also Nov. 20 and 21.)

Dillingham Hall is about to effervesce as the Academy students present "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead", a Tony Award-winning play by Tom Stoppard. This tragi-comedy, based on minor characters from Shakespeare's "Hamlet" is directed by William Ouellette, and recommended for mature audiences (middle school and older).

Tickets go on sale at the Sullivan Administration Building Box office, hours 2 to 4 p.m. on these days:
Tuesday, November 10
Thursday, November 12
Wednesday, November 17
Thursday, November 19

They are also available at the box office one hour prior to curtain time on performance days, from 6:30 to 7:30pm.

Ticket prices: $10 for adults, $5 for students and senior citizens with identification.

More information at http://www.punahou.edu/page.cfm?p=1542&newsid=249.

Friday, November 13, 2009, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the President's Pavilion. A light lunch is served, and no RSVP is necessary.

Eileen McCool, kindergarten through sixth grade counselor and Pam Robles, 5th grade teacher, will share their experiences and results with implementing social and emotional learning in the daily curriculum. Eileen will discuss her sabbatical work which focused on social and emotional learning and its impact on changing a school climate. Pam will take the audience through a "morning meeting" experience, which she piloted along with Eileen in her fifth grade classroom in the 2008 - 2009 school year.

Thursday, November 12, 2009 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. in Wo Room 204

Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (PLEASE NOTE TIME CHANGE, ORIGINAL TIME 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.), Sullivan Boardroom at the Sullivan Administration Building.
Further discussion and dialog on the power of play with Dr. Thompson in a small group setting. Attendance is limited to 50.

Download the flier: Dr. Michael Thompson workshop

10/22/09 Update: Registration is now closed.

Monday, November 2, 2009, 6:30 p.m. at Dillingham Hall. Dr. Thompson is a consultant, author and psychologist specializing in children and families who will be addressing the topic "The Impact of the Loss of Play in Childhood".

View the flier: Dr. Michael Thompson 11.2.09

Please RSVP at http://www.punahou.edu/PFArsvp