Mauka Makai 4-5

June 13, 2016

Dear Parents,
Aloha and welcome to Mauka Makai 4-5. This class is being co-taught by Jerusha Tabori
and Cindy Tamashiro. During the regular school year, Jerusha taught fourth grade at Le
Jardin Academy, but will be teaching third grade at Punahou this coming fall. Cindy
teaches third grade Enrichment Math and Language Arts and ELL at Kapunahala
Elementary School. Our Teachers Assistant this summer is Orion McCartney. Orion
graduated from Punahou in May 2015 and just completed his Freshman year at Seattle
University majoring in Electrical
Engineering. We are so excited to have your child joining us this summer. Together, we will
explore and learn about the world around us.
Mauka Makai 4-5 is a course designed to help students develop a better understanding of
our rich environment from the mountains to the sea. This is a hands-on class where we will
learn by doing and exploring. We will have many field trips, guest speakers, and
workshops. Other curriculum areas, such as reading, writing, math concepts, Science, and
art will be integrated. Most importantly, we will learn how we can become responsible
citizens and help protect our planet Earth.
As mentioned above, we will be going on several field trips this summer. We would like to
have parent help on July 5 (Reef Walk) and July 11 (Hanauma Bay). Please let us know if
you are available to help on these trips. You and your family are also invited to our end of
summer potluck picnic on July 15.
We would also like to ask for your help in checking your calendars (which are attached)
daily so your child will come to class prepared for the days activities. Please have your
child wear their Mauka Makai t-shirt for all off campus field trips. Shoes are required for
most field trips. Wed like to suggest that you get a pair of reefwalkers (water shoes) which
can be used for the ocean and fishpond field trips. Also, for your childs protection, please
apply sunscreen for outdoor trips and insect repellent for hiking trips. Please note that
students should bring a snack, water, and a small backpack on field trip days. Also, please
note that we will be making terrariums after our Manoa Falls hike on June 21. Please send
an extra large jar or clear container with a lid. If you have a small trowel, that would be
helpful for your child to dig up plants on the hike to be used in their terrarium.
We are looking forward to an enjoyable and productive summer with your child. If you
have any questions or concerns, please dont hesitate to stop by, drop us a note, email us
at ctamashiro@punahou.edu or jtabori@punahou.edu or leave a message for us at the
Summer School office at 944-5737. Thank you in advance for your support this summer.
Sincerely,
Jerusha Tabori and Cindy Tamashiro
P.S. Please sign the attached waivers and the Student Emergency Form and return them by
tomorrow, June 14. We also need a parent to fill in the google docs form for our Papahana
Kuaola field trip on July 7. The link for the form is http://bit.ly/DMNsjQ. If you are unable to
fill out the form electronically, please let us know and we can send home a hard copy.
Mahalo!