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The newcomer at Waikiki School begins assimilation as assemblies is to give awards to those students exhibiting
soon as one foot is on campus. The Habits of Mind are intelligent behavior. An older student will set up these
prominently displayed in the office, on bulletin boards, awards by giving a definition and example of what
in the cafeteria, on the ceiling of main the walkway, that intelligent behavior means. In other words, the
and in every classroom. ‘Mindfulness’ is on the lips students contextualize the concepts for their parents.
of every learning community member. Children learn Another method of contextualizing what it means to
age-appropriate definitions and applications for these be a student or parent in a Mindful School happens
behaviors beginning in kindergarten. On the playground yearly, at the fall quarter Open House. It begins with
they are used as a reference for analyzing choices, the principal welcoming all parents, guardians, and
especially in situations requiring discipline. Habits of Mind community members and describing the school’s culture
are also integrated into daily classroom assignments and to them. In recent years, a video was created about
discussions; they are the active vocabulary of the Mindful the Mindful School and shown as well. Parents then
School Culture. go to each of their children’s classrooms where they
can see the Mindful Habits integrated into their child’s
The Waikiki School has developed many meaningful reading, writing, social studies, science, and math work.
traditions over the years. For example, every class is Students are encouraged to explain their assignments to
paired with another class of distinct age difference in their parents.
what are known as ‘Cooperation and Caring Groups’.
Twice per quarter those classes get together to promote An annual Mindful School tee shirt contest was initiated
the cultural value of learning through cooperation. For early on by the PTA. Students in grades K-6 enter their
example, a third grade class might take their science unique designs depicting ‘mindfulness’ and drive the
and social studies reports to the kindergarten classroom, mindful slogan for the year. In addition, notepads and
and read their reports to them. The third graders would stationery depicting the Mindful School logo have been
be encouraged to solicit questions and engage in further created by the SCBM Council to market the school’s
discussion about the topic after the reading’s conclusion. mindful philosophy.
The pairing allows both grades to engage in language
development as the older student assists the younger Evolving Culture, Evolving Practice
ones.
Bonnie Tabor, principal of Waikiki School writes:
The Waikiki School Student Council promotes the
school’s cultural value of involvement through school ”As principal, I consider my most important contribution
wide activities. The council designs two rubrics per year to be refining and sustaining the culture of our school;
for self-assessment of intelligent behavior, as well as a culture which invites collaboration and mobilizes
organizing recycling and clean-up days grounded in the the passion and spirit of each contributor. Over time,
intelligent behavior of ‘cooperation and caring’. Several collaborating repeatedly, tackling the difficult issues time
teachers are actively involved in the student council and again, the level of trust and respect deepens and
meetings, posing questions to nurture dialogue that generates a sustained confidence in the power and
assists the executive board in making meaning out of competency of our collective intelligence. As a result,
their pursuits. The question, “What does this have to do our classrooms become powerful places, launching
with Mindfulness?” is often asked to refocus the students dreams, engaging and delighting hearts and minds.
on the school’s cultural values. Ultimately though, it is Our steady increase in academic achievement can be
the student council that decides upon and executes the attributed to our ongoing professional dialogue, which
Mindful School activity develops a collective understanding of who our students
are, what they need, and how we can best meet these
Every year a group of students is chosen to be trained as needs. All this is made possible through the strength,
playground conflict mediators. A trained faculty member fluidity, and ethical grounding of the mindful school
teaches those students how to use the intelligent process.”
behaviors to help children in conflict talk out their
problems. The mediators keep records of every conflict, The voice of our administrator is indeed a reflection of a
which have reduced since the program’s inception. The learning community that has committed to ‘walk the talk’
Mindful School’s common language empowers children of mindfulness. Since there is no hierarchy of behavior (all
to make meaning out of a problem and take action members of the school family follow the same standards,
towards solving it. and all players are some-time leaders), progress is not
impeded by an ‘us and them’ mentality. Consistent
Another tradition which doubles as a method for ideology and practice is applied everywhere. Putting
transmitting culture to parents and guardians is through in extra effort to help the greater good is a common
our quarterly ‘Mindful Assemblies’. The focus of the expectation, and ‘whatever it takes’ is the underlying
mantra of this collective cultural experience.
Putting in extra effort to help Focus on the whole child is key to the Waikiki School
the greater good is a common vision. Enrichment classes in physical education,
Japanese, Hawaiian language and culture, and
expectation, and ‘whatever it takes’ technology are provided weekly to all students. Grants
is the underlying mantra of this provide residencies for artists. University of Hawaii
partnerships provide weekly philosophy lessons and the
collective cultural experience. assistance of student teachers. Enrichment academies
provide extended-day opportunities in gymnastics,



Australian National Schools Network and Learning Network New Zealand • 33
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