FAFSA workshop scheduled Feb. 6
A follow-up workshop on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 6 at Kauhale, at Kanu o ka Aina New Century Public Charter School located at 64-1041 Hiiaka St. in Waimea. The free workshop offers help in completing the online FAFSA.
Parents should bring a copy of completed tax forms for 2012 if they haven’t filed for tax year 2013.
Kona Sunrise Rotary offers scholarships
The Rotary Club of Kona Sunrise is offering two scholarships, each in the amount of $2,000, to West Hawaii High School seniors who have been accepted to a two- or four-year college or art school, with a major in one of the areas of the arts. This includes, but is not limited to, design, graphic arts, creative arts and theater. Payment of the scholarship will be made to the school where the student is registered at and will be submitted in one payment. This scholarship is open to any West Hawaii senior including home-schoolers.
The club is also offering a one-time scholarship in the amount of $1,000, in recognition of Francis Kuailani Sr., to any West Hawaii high school senior, including those who have been home-schooled. Kuailani was a long time employee of the U.S. National Park Service and worked for many years at the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park. Students applying for this scholarship must be registered in a two- or four-year program at any school with a focus in the fields of biology, geology or ecology. Payment of the scholarship will be made to the school where the student is registered and will be submitted in one payment.
Both scholarships will be weighted based on three equal parts: financial need, merit (grade point average and test scores) and community service involvement. Two letters of reference are required. At least one should be from a teacher or instructor who can share information as to why the applicant would merit the award and understands the student’s future artistic aspirations. Applicants must provide either FAFSA or EFC data with the application form.
Applications for both scholarships will be accepted until Feb. 22. Award notifications will be sent out no later than March 10. For more information contact Ann Goody at animals@threeringranch.org.
The club also reminds students that the Hawaii Rotary Youth Foundation scholarship applications for a $5,000 award are due Friday. The paperwork needs to be in the hands of any Rotary Club that the student selects on or by that date to be considered. All graduating seniors are eligible. Contact a school advisers to get a copy of the application, contact Ann Goody at 331-8778 or call the foundation at 735-1073.
Kealakehe Intermediate council meets Tuesday
Kealakehe Intermediate School Community Council meets at 5 p.m. Tuesday in the school’s library work room to discuss the following agenda: 2014-15 academic plan, 2014-15 budget and master schedule issues and the filling of council vacancies.
For more information, email Lisa Diaz at lisadiaz@notes.k12.hi.us or call the school office at 327-4314.
Teacher workshop planned for Feb. 8
Hawaii Learning Resource is partnering with Assets School to provide a workshop for educators, “Project Read: Written Expression Module.” The workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at Kanu o ka Aina New Century Public Charter School located at 64-1041 Hiiaka St. in Waimea. The workshop is designed to help educators teach students to express their thoughts through writing using multisensory strategies and materials.
Robyn McMullin, curriculum specialist at Assets School, an independent school for gifted and dyslexic children located in Honolulu, will present the workshop. McMullin is a certified member of the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators and a certified Project Read Written Expression facilitator.
Educators interested in attending this workshop may register by completing a registration form available online at hawaiilearningresource.org, or by contacting Hawaii Learning Resource at info@hawaiilearningresource.org or 885-9318. The $15 fee may be waived for eligible participants. Contact Hawaii Learning Resource for more information.
Hawaii Learning Resource is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower all kinds of learners through partnerships that bring advances in teaching and learning to our community.
Essay contest
entries due April 30
Auto Body Hawaii will provide West Hawaii’s graduating high school seniors the opportunity to showcase their writing skills for the chance to win $500.
Auto Body Hawaii will also award $500, as well as a gift certificate for a super wash detailing service, to the winning high school teacher. Teachers often choose to spend their own money to buy additional supplies for classes need; Auto Body Hawaii would like to help.
The essay theme is: “If you had the opportunity to recommend a new subject that is not currently being offered in your school’s curriculum, what would you recommend and why would it be beneficial for students to learn.”
Contest deadline is April 30. For a list of invited participating schools and contest rules, visit autobodyhawaii.com.
Call Tiffiny Taylor at 329-2544 or essay@autobodyhawaii.com for more information.
Mainland student seeks information
West Hawaii Today regularly receives inquiries and requests from elementary school children from other states seeking information about Hawaii, soliciting postcards, maps and other information for a school project. Typically their requests are about land forms, landmarks and famous people.
Should you be interested in sending such information, it may be forwarded to: Jenna M., c/o Karen Talbert, fifth-grade teacher, Conway School, 19710 State Route 534, Mount Vernon, WA 98274.