Hawaii Catholic Herald

Newspaper of the Diocese of Honolulu

Saint Louis earns triple six-year accreditations

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Saint Louis School has received six-year accreditations from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools (HAIS), and the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA) effective through June 30, 2019. WASC is one of six regional accrediting associations in the United States. HAIS is a local organization that advocates on […]

Interview with superintendent | A system seeking success: The quality of Catholic education gets better, as those who can afford it are fewer

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With two years under his belt as superintendent for Hawaii Catholic schools, Michael Rockers has been getting a clearer view of the highlights and hardships in local Catholic education. On the bright side, professional development for teachers and principals is progressing well with skills and leadership training. New technology is creating more dynamic curriculums. Catholic […]

Back to School | Understanding ‘21st Century Learning’

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The first of four goals in Hawaii’s Catholic Schools current “System for Success” strategic plan is the strengthening of the schools’ “Catholic identity.” The No. 2 goal is: “To promote academic excellence through the development of a 21st Century curriculum that provides comprehensive support for all students.” But what exactly is a “21st Century curriculum?” […]

Back to School | High school enrollment up while overall numbers continue slide

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Catholic grade school enrollment in Hawaii continued its downward drift last year, while high school numbers increased slightly, thanks mostly to student body growth at Damien Memorial and Saint Francis, which have recently gone co-ed. But overall enrollment — preschool through grade 12 — dropped 458, from 9,794 for the start of school 2011 to […]

Remembrance: Deacon Jerry Nunogawa ‘left things better off than he found them’

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Jerry Nunogawa “loved doing the Lord’s work.” That’s how Michael Shizuma remembered him in a eulogy he offered to his fellow deacon in services in Hilo, where Nunogawa lived and worked, and on Oahu. Nunogawa died on June 17 after collapsing at St. Stephen Diocesan Center a day after assisting at a formation weekend for […]

Back to School | Tuition rates increase for most, but not all

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The universal truth that Catholic school tuition will always go up was not practiced universally this year as at least five schools kept their prices the same as the year before. One school even lowered its base tuition cost for one of its grades: Damien Memorial School reduced its sixth grade tuition by $300, while […]

Back to School | Free milk, reduced price meals

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Twelve Hawaii Catholic schools this coming school year are offering free milk and free and reduced price meals for children unable to pay the full price under the Special Milk Program, National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program and Child and Adult Care Food Program. Application forms are being sent to parents or guardians. Children […]

Back to School | St. Ann Early Learning Center: New director started at school 20 years ago

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Cynthia Achong, who started at St. Ann Early Learning Center 20 years ago as a teacher’s aide, is now the preschool’s director. She began her position on July 1. Achong grew up in Kaneohe and now lives in Waimanalo with her husband Wayne and three daughters Leesa, Chelsee and Cailee. Achong began at St. Ann […]

Back to School | St. Ann Model Schools: Music teacher hits right note as administrator

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Mandy Thronas-Brown began her new position as principal of St. Ann Model School in Kaneohe on July 1. Born on Kauai, she attended St. Catherine School and graduated from Kapaa High School with honors in 1988. She then attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa where she earned a bachelor of arts degree in music […]