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Kaua`i High School GEER Final Report

Kaua`i High School GEER Final Report

Hawaiʻi Academies GEER GRANT SCHOOL REPORT
Project with Small Business of Non-Profit in the Community
September 30, 2022
Name of School: Kaua`i High School Principal’s Name: Marlene Leary
Name of Person Completing the Report:
 Marlene Leary  Job Title: 
 Principal
 
PART IA:  PROJECT WITH SMALL BUSINESS OR NON-PROFIT IN THE COMMUNITY  
Name of your project: Kupuna University-A Virtual Kaua’i High School Aloha ‘Aina Project Name(s) of your partner(s):  
Briefly describe the status of your project (one paragraph).

A group of leadership students and our Student Activities Coordinator utilized the skills they learned from Design Thinking to collaborate and assist one of our businesses in the Lihue area during the pandemic. The goal was directly linked to providing assistance with promotion and marketing the needs of the business (Aloha ‘Aina). A video was completed to showcase the owner and her focus on working with high school students. Plans for pop-up events were developed but due to COVID-19, these were not completed. The team and business still have one event planned.

 

List down at least three successes (what worked well).

See Below:

 

List down any “surprises” or something that you were not expecting (positive, neutral, or negative).

See Below:

PART IB:  PROJECT WITH SMALL BUSINESS OR NON-PROFIT IN THE COMMUNITY  
Name of your project: Kaua’i High School Kenji Burger Project (Next school year) Name(s) of your partner(s):  
Briefly describe the status of your project (one paragraph).

The work with the second business (Kenji Burgers) will be done this upcoming school year. Design Thinking principles and the work with Aloha ‘Aina will be the template for the work but will be customized to better meet the needs of Kenji Burgers. 

List down at least three successes (what worked well).

See Below:

List down any “surprises” or something that you were not expecting (positive, neutral, or negative).

See Below:

PART 1: ALL PROJECTS
 
List down at least three successes (what worked well).
  1. Our school’s team (leadership students and Student Activities Coordinator) were excited to participate in the Design Thinking workshop. It provided them with the necessary skills and process to better engage in the project with our business partners. The value of community partnerships were deepened through relationship building. 
  2. Our business partners were pleased to have the assistance of our students to meet the needs of their business during the pandemic. The projects provided an opportunity for our school and community to engage in a relevant project. 
  3. The school’s vision of creating of culture of learning that educates, engages and empowers all to be successful was evident throughout the projects. Wonderful evident of project based learning.
List two or three challenges: 
  1. The timeline of the project and the pandemic made it difficult for our students and businesses to meet, plan and implement. The health and safety guidelines were barriers to the work necessary. 
  2. The funds were difficult to utilize in the project. Things that were necessary to successfully create a pop-up event were too restrictive. Approved local vendors on Kauai and the inability to purchase gift cards from our businesses due the HIDOE guidelines were large barriers to the promotion and advertising of our business partners. 
What was a lesson(s) learned? (one paragraph) 

A lesson learned was ensuring all parties at the school level understand the use of funds and timelines better. This includes sharing that information with our students who are working directly with our business partners. Structured check ins with students by administration would have provided the communication for clarity and directions.

ALL PROJECTS - ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:  (OPTIONAL)
PART 2: EARLY COLLEGE
 
Students Enrolled in Early College Courses: Yes*
Number Enrolled:    124
Number Passed:    118
 
*    All Early Courses