Wednesday, April 14, 2010

New Tech Network at Nanakuli & Wai`anae Needs Your Support

We need your help! Something special is happening on the Wai‘anae Coast that promises to revolutionize student learning. Two high schools in our state, Nānākuli High and Intermediate and Wai'anae High schools, are working to dramatically change education by fundamentally rethinking teaching and learning, empowering students to become the creators, leaders and producers of tomorrow. Your generous gift will help students from both schools to receive a computer.
Here is your chance to help high school students in the Wai'anae Coast community. Our goal is to raise $2 million by May 2010. In partnership with the Kamehameha Schools and Harold K. L. Castle Foundation, we would like you to join us by making a tax-deductible donation to Ke Ali'i Pauahi Foundation to further these efforts. Please go to www.pauahi.org/giving to make a gift online or find out more information on how to make a donation.
[Note from Rep. Shimabukuro: Designate "New Technology Network" when making donations. I made a donation, and was given the option make it in honor or memory of someone. I chose to make the donation in memory of Koa Paka Kamaki Miles, and encourage you to do the same.]
Nānākuli High and Intermediate and Wai'anae High schools have been selected to join the New Technology Network (http://www.newtechfoundation.org/), which works with over 40 schools, districts and communities nationwide to develop innovative high schools. More than 50% of the New Tech high schools are in low-income areas, not unlike that of the heavily populated native Hawaiian communities of Nānākuli and Wai'anae. The New Tech model not only prepares students to be entrepreneurial, innovative and thoughtful members of the workforce, but also turns low-performing schools into high-performing schools.
The three key elements of the design are:
  • project-based learning
  • a culture of empowerment
  • use of technology
Beginning in July 2010, 160 Nānākuli High and Intermediate 9th graders and 150 Arts and Communications Academy 10thgraders at Wai'anae High will enter New Tech Academy. Plus, a new cohort will be added each year for a combined total of 1,000 students by 2010.
Teachers will design rigorous projects tied to Hawai'i state standards and customizing them to meet the interests and needs of their students. Students will work in collaborative teams to acquire and apply subject-matter knowledge and critical thinking skills to identify and solve problems.
The teacher becomes the facilitator and the students become active learners responsible for the creation and completion of products such as presentations, designs, plays, short stories and prototypes. These learning experiences ensure that students will be equipped with the tools and skills necessary to succeed and lead Hawai'i in the 21st century.
The use of a computer along with technological support is essential to each student’s learning. We need your help to make this possible so that students in New Tech classrooms have the same opportunities as other students at New Tech Network schools across the nation. Your donation will change a student’s life!
For more information, please call Corey Tom or Llewelyn Yee.

Corey Tom
Complex Area Resource Teacher
Nānākuli/Wai'anae Complex
Hawai'i Department of Education
Office: (808) 668-5739

Llewelyn Yee
Project Manager
Public Education Support Division
Kamehameha Schools
Office: (808) 534-8405
Cell: (808) 780-2676



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