Bridging the Gap: Campus Merging Grades 9-12
View of Konia Field Taken From Konia Balcony
Students in grades 9-12 experience a different trek around school with new campus modifications.
It’s no secret that the coronavirus has brought numerous changes both big and small to our campus. Many of these adjustments have created a safer environment for haumāna and kumu alike however, there is one significant change that has everyone talking. Of course, I’m referring to the modified campus layout.
Unlike previous years, the high school campus has been designed to resemble a true college campus. While Konia houses the English Department, Paki is the home to all math courses.
Itʻs a change that has many students wondering: why? Why increase foot traffic the same year where avoiding crowds is critical? Why jam our school buses to their limits?
“One of our campus priorities is to be a professional learning community and ensure alignment from grades9-12. One of our long term plans is to increase access to Midkiff Learning Center as we hope to remodel that into a 21st [Century] Learning Center”, said Po’o Kumu Wendy Erskine.
She continued, “A Content-Based Campus was actually the original layout of our campus and moved to 9/10 and 11/12. At the time, there were 8 periods a day with 8 passing times. With the move to [a] block schedule, we are now only going through 4 passing times a day. In addition, we want to create a 9-12 community across our campus. A kaikua’ana/kaikaina atmosphere if you will.”
Meanwhile, some students have identified flaws within this system.
“The main issue I have with this new campus layout is the transportation, especially with covid happening. I hate having to suffer on a crowded bus (and there’s no way Iʻm walking up)”, said junior student Cassidy Duquette.
“The only problem I see is the schedule. Our buildings are pretty far from each other because of the amount of classes we have. It’s also hazardous when people crowd to get on the bus all at the same time,” stated Kiyana Smith-Soares, a KS freshman.
Whether it’s for better or for worse, new campus adjustments have surely changed the dynamic of day-to-day school life for all Kamehameha high schoolers.
EMAIL: [email protected]
Hi! My name is Logan and this is my second year on Ka Mō’ī. I am a part of the c/o 2023 and wanted to make this last year memorable for everyone by being a part of the school newspaper. When I'm not on the hill, you can usually find me working at Baskin Robbins as a cake decorator on the weekends. As for my post-high school plans, I intend on double majoring in Communications and Education. After graduating from college, I hope to return to KS as a teacher or admin for some time while I continue to write and do journalism on the side. Eventually, I plan on pursuing a full-time career in writing (though I don't know exactly what that career will be). With the help of everyone else on Ka Mō’ī, I hope to restore the interest haumāna once had in reading the school newspaper. If you have any questions, feel free to email me!
