INSPIRE Wednesday by Leslie Toy

Leslie

leslie_toy1 — 2020-04-01 01:50:11 UTC

I really appreciate the Modern Love podcast -- essays read by professional actors! Find in your podcast list or listen here.

Regina

2020-04-01 23:34:42 UTC

Here's something to make you laugh. My oldest son was asked to be the "Flower Boi" at a friend's wedding.

Jill

jill_higa — 2020-04-08 05:40:27 UTC

On the 2nd day of Distance Learning, my boys were being irritating cause they were fist fighting in the house. I told them go fight outside so they don't break anything in the house. Did they listen?!?!!? NOOOO... so I took their iPads and TV taken away all day. At the end of the day, I told them if they can prove to me that they can get along working together (without fighting), I'd let them watch 1 show on Netflix. So together they worked on Kysen's Family Challenge HW assignment for school: Make a comic strip about a situation showing how to stay healthy. Told them to choose a topic and figure it out themselves! They ended up having so much fun together doing this assignment together and came out with this. If you know my kids, there's so much truth to this comic!

2020-04-08 18:02:13 UTC

I borrowed a dog, Eddie, and he's a very sweet and good boy. Walking him every morning has really boosted my mood.

I am loving scheduling naps into my day, of course, after working hours ;)

2020-04-09 01:11:14 UTC

But really, although challenging being a multi-hat parent/teacher at home, I truly am trying to enjoy more and more of the little and big moments that I am having with my girls and my dog. Although, I think the dog secretly wants his all day naps back instead of being wrestled around by the girls all day. <3 We've got this!

Family Dance Off!

2020-04-09 03:21:19 UTC

My family was inspired by my newly acquired dance moves.

Kids love using Padlet!

marie_smith2 — 2020-04-09 19:19:15 UTC

Teacher Parade

angela_ramey2 — 2020-04-13 21:46:21 UTC

My former school organized last week, with the help of local police and fire, a route to connect with students. Teachers lined up in their cars at the school, and a route had been communicated via social media. Students and families lined up (using social distancing of course) along the route and waved at teachers. Teachers back at them. It was very meaningful for all, and brings tears to my eyes watching them all. Wondering if this might be possible for the Ho'okele community? Maybe a Ho'okele C.A.R.e.s route for our students?

Some Good News - Leslie

leslie_toy1 — 2020-04-16 00:46:13 UTC

If you're a fan of "The Office," John Krasinski is doing a weekly show with "Some Good News" with positive stories only. :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5pgG1M_h_U&list=PLefDJZTo3gOEe2PrltZA1jCackMNHmYM_&index=5&t=0s

Guinness World Record Holder

2020-04-16 02:18:31 UTC

On Wacky Wednesday, I wore my Angels Rally Wig for lunch Grab and Go. This reminded me of a fun fact that I share with you to inspire you-

When my family and I went to Anaheim in 2013, we went to the Angels Game and were each given a rally wig. At that game, we became part of the crowd holding the world record for largest gathering of people wearing rally wigs! True, Fun Fact!

You can aspire to hold a world record in anything! I look forward to seeing your grand accomplishments in the near future :)
-mindy

Rachel Hollis (an author, blogger, motivational speaker) recently was in an interview with ABC and made such a powerful statement- she said "choose joy...make a list of things that make you happy, a Joy list" and that really is a motivating idea! Make a joy list. What makes you happy? Even in a challenging, difficult, lonely time, what makes you happy? For me:

2020-04-16 03:45:24 UTC

1. Being ABLE to go for a walk or run- the fact that my body is able to do that- as slow as it may be :) and I even am getting a bit of a tan- maybe more freckles but still tan!!!!
2. My cup of coffee (or 3 cups), in a MUG and not a to-go cup!
3. Being able to stop and breath for moment and not feel rushed, for anything.
4. Just having moments of laughter- if it is a silly reality TV show, a meme or a conversation with a friend.

A wonderful note from a parent. This is just one of many reasons I love teaching...

2020-04-21 00:24:58 UTC

#GotPurple? Supporting Ho'okele School Purple Up Day for our Military HEROES and 'ohana!! Miss Everyone and be safe and spread ALOHA not germs!! Shakas always!!

2020-04-22 21:35:57 UTC

Community service at its wackiest!!! Love the people I work with!! Love my job! MISS MY JOB!!

2020-04-22 22:18:11 UTC

Mindy serving our community during Ho'okele Spirit Week! Spread Aloha not germs! Shakas always!!

Purple Up!!!

2020-04-22 22:21:36 UTC

I SURVIVED!

regina_yamamoto — 2020-04-23 07:08:28 UTC

I made it back home after our bike ride!! Ty is my biggest cheerleader!! It's nice to get out of the house during this social distancing time. You should go out for a walk or bike ride in the evening when the streets are pretty empty. It's a nice way to end the day after sitting behind the computer all day.

Ho'okele Dance Team

leslie_toy1 — 2020-04-23 18:26:15 UTC

If you haven't seen the amazing video Laura put together of our Ho'okele Dance Team (who were supposed to perform last weekend at a cancelled event), please do! I found a lot of inspiration in it. ~Leslie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5DVncKVTbE

A Mother's Day Note from AM

angela_ramey2 — 2020-04-29 19:58:19 UTC

As an empty nester that struggles being an empty nester, this means the world!

Part 2

angela_ramey2 — 2020-04-29 20:01:48 UTC

For anyone who may need this, we are in this TOGETHER!! We are all going through our own struggles dealing with something that's out of our "norm", but we will be ok, and get out of this STRONGER than EVER!! HANG IN THERE, AND REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE...EDUCATORS!!

2020-04-29 20:07:03 UTC

Spread ALOHA, not GERMS!!

Something Inspirational

regina_yamamoto — 2020-04-30 00:12:59 UTC

My son is a true angel. Ty has been involved in the Best Buddies club at Mililani High since his freshman year. Seeing the special needs students gain confidence after spending time with them brings so much joy to his day. During the school closures, Ty has been spending hours talking with a couple of students who need a friend almost daily. He entertains them with Carlos (puppet), is teaching one to play the ukulele, and is also trying to teach someone how to add. It's quite frustrating at times and exhausting, but he never lets it show. He's positive, encouraging, and makes them laugh. Ty also found that Carlos is a good incentive to get one student to attempt addition problems. When the student gets an answer correct, Carlos comes out and cheers on the student, which encourages the student to want to do another problem. Even though Ty would rather play Animal Crossing, he will give up his free time to FaceTime these students at all hours of the day.

Ty is such an amazing person!!!

~ Regina

Looking out for 'ohana

leslie_toy1 — 2020-04-30 02:01:14 UTC

As many of you know, Mindy and I work at the Kapolei High School Grab N Go site for breakfast and lunch. Ms. Mel, one of our amazing staff members who works in our med frag classroom, had her family made goodie bags and thank you notes for the whole Grab N Go team. I'm so grateful to them for sharing aloha during this time!!! ~Leslie

To All You REAL teachers out there

jill_higa — 2020-04-30 08:57:59 UTC

Kysen (my 2nd grader) has just started new learning... opinion writing for Q4! He did this alone (as you can tell). The apple post it note is my 2 cents. He was refusing to write more and refusing to fix his conclusion so I was running around the house trying to 👊 him.... I told him I think he should change it to: "Although I can still learn at home with my family, learning at school is better because i have friends, can do activities, and have a really great 2nd grade teacher Mrs. Takeguchi." Of course Kysen claims my suggestion is NOT a matching conclusion. So i said forget it, go ask your teacher for help. As wonderful as Marisa is, she gave him feedback on his writing and suggested the same exact conclusion as me (little does kysen know I asked her to suggest it) and what do you know?!?! Kysen reads her comment, smiles and agrees, Mrs. T's conclusion is good!!!! At least he told me "you were right mommy!!!" music to my ears!!! So in the end, I have to agree with Kysen, learning at school is better than learning at home because mommy obviously isn't a real teacher!! haha

We are getting through this TOGETHER!!

2020-05-06 20:30:31 UTC

Just think when this school year is over, WHICH IS SOON EVERYONE, the stories we'll be able to tell the future generations!! WE SURVIVED!!-Ms. Mel

Teacher Appreciation!

leslie_toy1 — 2020-05-07 00:27:38 UTC

Thank you again for all you do. You all inspired us to make this video. :) ~Leslie

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-o_ZFPIW464JHdmuSlWhY70igp86jn8A/view

We Appreciate You!!!

regina_yamamoto — 2020-05-07 16:31:54 UTC

Thank you for your creativity and flexibility in working with your students and parents!!! I'm sure many parents have a greater appreciation for teachers now that they're having to help teach their children at home.

Jimmy Fallon has two children of his own that he and his wife are working with as they continue to do their jobs from home. They wrote this "Teachers' Day Song" in honor of teachers. XD

~Regina

We're almost there

regina_yamamoto — 2020-05-14 19:17:35 UTC

Two weeks to go!! Thank you for all your hard work, dedication and going the extra mile for your students and parents. ~ Regina

Awesome Student Video!

leslie_toy1 — 2020-05-15 02:28:41 UTC

Our fifth graders won a statewide video competition on Monday (sponsored by 'Olelo). Watch their awesome message below.

Keep it up, the finish line is almost there!!

2020-05-20 20:05:48 UTC

I know you all are doing amazing with this curve ball we've all been thrown. Keep it up, the finish line is in sight!!! -Ms. Mel

Happy Birthday, Bruddah Iz!

leslie_toy1 — 2020-05-21 02:25:46 UTC

In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in the U.S., Google customized its homepage to celebrate the 61st birthday of native Hawaiian `ukulele player, singer-songwriter, and activist Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole. ~Leslie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMSezPwq2js

Surely no one feels like this!

2020-05-27 20:25:18 UTC

So excited about planning for our reopening!
It is so awesome seeing so many of you on campus this week. Thanks for everything you are doing. Ho‘okele Faculty and Staff continuously exceed expectations.
Enjoy the summer and we look forward to seeing you again soon. Stay Safe!
-mindy

How I felt yesterday seeing my Ho'okele Peeps!!

2020-05-27 21:08:02 UTC

What an experience yesterday at our school supply distribution! The best part was seeing my fellow colleagues, parents, and students!! -Ms. Mel

Grab n Go Aloha

leslie_toy1 — 2020-05-28 22:29:11 UTC

Mel Fernandez and her 'ohana put together goodie bags for the Grab n Go team at Kapolei High School. It included this message. I believe this sentiment absolutely applies to our entire Ho'okele staff! ~Leslie

Your Parents Appreciate You Too!!

regina_yamamoto — 2020-05-29 00:57:26 UTC

Just a little something to make you laugh!!! I'm sure your parents have a greater appreciation for you and all that you do!! ~Regina

I THINK THIS

leslie_toy1 — 2020-09-22 02:29:55 UTC