For February’s blog, we at Ka‘ala would like to share our appreciation and aloha to Place-Based After-School Literacy Support (PALS) and Place-Based Learning and Community Engagement in School (PLACES) programs! These two programs are strong supports of learners and community partners on the Wai‘anae Coast!
Run out of the University of Hawaii, Manoa’s Office of Student Equity, Excellence & Diversity (SEED), these two programs work hand-in-hand with Wai‘anae Coast schools and community-based organizations to engage students in place-based cultural learning that connects students to their community and to make learning relevant and have seen some amazing results! Students who participate in their programs have seen substantial gains in test scores and graduation rates!
A little bit of background about the two programs:
PALS is an after-school program that has provided out-of-school learning opportunities for students on the Wai‘anae Coast since 2007! Check out their video below!
PLACES is an in-school program that works with Waianae Coast schools, UH Manoa, and community partners to engage students in their community. Under the guidance of teachers, students work with community partners to experience real-life social activism and environmental stewardship all the while developing the skills and strategies outlined in Hawaii’s Content and Performance Standards and The Common Core Standards.
See the video of PLACES in action below!
PALS/PLACES and Ka‘ala have enjoyed a multi-year collaboration that blends real-life ways of knowing and doing with teaching and learning across the school curriculum. PALS/PLACES provides resources and training to Ka‘ala staff and Ka‘ala Farm provides a cultural land-base and cultural knowledge for out-of-classroom learning. This partnership strengthens both Ka‘ala and PALS/PLACES for the betterment of all learners on the Wai‘anae Coast!
Mahalo, Mahalo, Mahalo to PALS/PLACES for their commitment and aloha!