Waimea Country School Earns Accreditation

Waimea Country School achieved a three-year term of full accreditation by the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools (HAIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), joining ten other member schools on Hawaii Island which are fully accredited. The accreditation process is designed to confirm a school meets accepted standards of educational quality, operation and staff competence.

The accreditation announcement was the culmination of a two year process involving the entire school community. Board members, faculty, staff, families, and community members participated in a comprehensive self-study and developed a long range school improvement plan. In March, a visiting team, led by Edna L. Hussey from the Mid-Pacific Institute on Oahu, conducted the accreditation site visit and provided a comprehensive written report articulating the strengths of the school’s program and its areas of need. The report of the visiting team’s findings was reviewed and approved by HAIS and WASC.

“The accreditation is an affirmation of all we are—from the strength of our learning program to the quality of our faculty to the active involvement of our board and parent body,” said Amy Salling, Head of School. “It clearly recognizes our ability to meet the educational needs of the children of Hawai’i Island and helps us chart a course for the future.”

The report noted the defining characteristics of the school which include strong and active involvement of parents in the classroom, a collaborative and supportive relationship between the Board and Head of School, and a commitment to uphold its core values of inclusion and respect in terms of admissions. Tuition increases are kept to a minimum and financial aid is provided to approximately 35% of the student body. The report also acknowledged the school has “honed the character and identity of the school, summarized in the acronym ‘LEARN,’ which represents student outcomes – Live Pono, Exhibit independent learning, Apply effective communication skills, Recognize and produce quality work, Nurture relationships through inclusion and tolerance.”

The report highlighted the Hui ‘Ohana program, where students and faculty members form cross grade level relationships. These groups assemble regularly for scheduled activities including reading, physical fitness, and community service projects.

Salling continues, “With much to be proud of, we, like many other small independent programs, are challenged with identifying more secure means of establishing long term financial stability. We hope that this accreditation will send a message that we are an educational asset worth sustaining in our region.”

Waimea Country School Launches String Program

Students at Waimea Country School are tuning up!

Jessica Salerno-Woodbury is the new music teacher at Waimea Country School, and she’s got big plans for the 4th/5th/6th grade multiage class.

“It has been a long time dream and goal of mine to start a Waimea Youth Symphony Orchestra,” said Salerno-Woodbury. “I am starting the Waimea Country School string program to work toward that goal.”

Salerno-Woodbury was recently given a ¾ sized child’s violin by family friend and Waimea doctor Shay Bintliff. The violin was supposed to be for Bintliff’s only grandchild Ileiana who passed away at age 11 from cancer. Salerno-Woodbury has had the special violin in her music room, and it has prompted her to turn that sad event into something positive.

For students at Waimea Country School, that means learning to play an instrument that most have only see from a distance.

“My mom used to play the violin,” said 5th grade student Gavin Paraiso. “Now I get to try it.”

“I’ve never seen a violin in real life,” added 4th grade Kawekiu Lincoln, “and now I can play one.”

The students’ violins are on loan from Salerno-Woodbury, so they learn personal responsibility and how to care for the instrument as well as how to play it. Students felt a sense of ownership immediately as they cradled their cases at the end of the first day, eager to get home to show what they’d learned to their families.

In addition to the strings program, Salerno-Woodbury teaches music classes in all grades in the school. The music program is funded by contributions made at the school’s Benefit Auction last February where more than $3,000 was raised as seed money for a performing arts fund.

“Fine arts is an important piece of a child’s education,” said Amy Salling, Head of School. “The students are really responding to the music classes, and we feel so special to be part of Miss Jessica’s string program.”

Founded in 1996, Waimea Country School’s mission is “to provide an outstanding K-6 child-centered, multiage and multicultural learning experience which incorporates the core values of inclusion and respect.” The members of the Board of Trustees are Peter Gregg, Nancy Perry, Debbie Goodwin, Randy Campbell, and Alex Munster. For more information about Waimea Country School, please call 885-0067.

Salling Named Head of School

Amy Salling has been named head of school for Waimea Country School. The announcement of Salling’s elevation from interim head status to the head of school position was made at the school’s Annual Family Day Picnic held recently at Anaeho’omalu Bay. Also announced at the event were the new officers for the School’s Board of Trustees: Dr. Peter Gregg (president), Nancy Perry (vice president), Felicity Johnson (secretary), and Randy Campbell (treasurer).

Salling was hired by Waimea Country School in 2006 to serve as the Curriculum Administrator. She was appointed Interim Head of School in 2007. Among her professional experiences in education, Salling taught for 14 years in Washington and Alaska, with 11 of those years at a small, independent multiage school similar to Waimea Country School. Salling reports, “I am honored to be part of this wonderful school and its students, families, professional staff and board. It is very gratifying to be able to serve the educational needs of this community. We have a unique multiage learning program that provides the opportunity for children to excel academically, socially, and emotionally within the context of a supportive, family-like atmosphere.”

Reports new President Peter Gregg: “Amy has proven herself capable as an administrator and is developing a strong educational program for our region. On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to report that our outstanding faculty and staff are all returning for the third consecutive year as a winning team to benefit our students. Our School was started twelve years ago by a group of parents who wanted a community-based school that honored and embraced childhood and the love of learning.”

Waimea Country School currently supports a diverse student body of 37 children in grades K-5. Under Salling’s leadership, the program offers 4 multiage class levels taught by Mary Doty, Marcie Neubecker, Sui Lan Gomez, and Laurel Matsuda. Sherry Hewitt is the Business Manager. For further information please visit them at their campus on St. James Circle in Waimea.

September 2007

Our Backyard Moves Forward

Thanks to the incredible hard work of our work party parent volunteers, we moved the backyard project right along. One team added another layer of woodchips to the play areas, making it safer for our kids. The garden crew built the beds and laid the pavers, creating the outdoor classroom envisioned by our own Mary Doty. Teachers and parents worked side by side throughout the day, including during the organizing of the school’s storage garage, The Hut. While kids were kept safely inside while the tractor was working, they came out to help rake as well as to paint the garden shed. In the spirit of cooperation and community with our St. James Circle neighbors, we washed the windows at the new yoga center—There’s No Place Like Om.

We couldn’t be happier with the results of today. Not only did we build a backyard to be enjoyed by all, but we built community. Many mahalos, volunteers!

June 2007

The Playground Is In!

Dreams came true at Waimea Country School over the weekend as a new playground structure was installed on the school grounds. With the support of a team of volunteers from all segments of the WCS ‘Ohana, including parents, students, faculty, Board members, and friends of the school, the play structure was unpacked, assembled, and prepped, to wait patiently for the arrival of students and the opening of the next school year.

The playground was the brainchild of a group of Country school parents back in the fall of 2005. That parent group, which included former WCS parent and current WCS Board of Trustees Vice-President Jennifer Grace, agreed upon the need for a playground to add value to the school learning environment. “We all have a vision of what we want our child’s learning experience to be. Certainly for me it includes the connection to the outdoors. When I look back at my elementary years, what I most remember is my time outside playing in the schoolyard.”

In addition to the playground installation, other improvements have been added to the school grounds at St. James Circle. Mary Doty, Level 1 teacher, directed volunteers to sculpt garden areas that during the school year will host a beanpole teepee, sunflower maze, salad garden and composting program. Doty said, “I want our students to appreciate and understand the green world—from the crawling things in the garden to the birds flying overhead and everything in between. There’s nothing more important than nurturing our world.”

A number of WCS students were on hand to help their parents as the play structure took shape. New Level 1 student Kehelelani Walsh giggled with anticipatory glee as the slide was hoisted into place by the volunteer team, which included her dad, Jonathan.

Amy Salling, the new Interim Head of School, said, “I am so impressed with the hard work and dedication of our volunteers. We’ve had people working on this project for years, determined to see it to completion. Today is a testament to their commitment and perseverance.”

With a combination of private donations and a HAPA grant through the Hawai’i Community Foundation, the school parent group was able to raise enough money to bring the project to fruition. At this year’s school fundraiser, 27 friends of the school made donations to fund the playground project.