Author: Russell

Students are invited to create a colorful poster inspired by this year’s theme: Growing Hearts and Minds. This is a fun opportunity for students to express their creativity and share their work with the school community.

More info: https://moanaluapto.org/portfolio/

Poster Contest Details

• Create your poster on the back of the flyer
• Be sure to include the signed parent/guardian permission section
• Turn in completed posters to your teacher by Wednesday, January 29

Voting Night

• Wednesday, February 12, 2026
• 6:00–7:00 PM
• MES Library

Families are encouraged to attend and vote for their favorites. There will be one prize winner per grade level, and the overall winning poster will be featured on next year’s MES student portfolio cover.

Since voting will take place during our PTO meeting time, please remember to RSVP for the meeting to help us plan and ensure your voice is counted:
RSVP here: https://bit.ly/MESPTOmeeting25_26

We look forward to seeing our students’ creativity and welcoming families to another great MES PTO evening!

Want learn ways to help your child build executive function skills to fulfill those New Year’s resolutions?

Moanalua Elementary School families are invited to join us for an informative online Webex talk focused on executive functioning and how these skills develop over time.

The Building Blocks of Adulting
Defining Executive Functioning and Identifying Opportunities for Development

Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026
Time: 5:30–6:30 PM
Format: Online via Webex

Featured Speakers:

• Dr. Taryn Park, General and Child-Adolescent Psychiatrist, Hawaii Pacific Health Medical Group
• Mrs. Melissa Nagamine-Inouye, MES SEL Counselor
• Ms. Shana Valenzuela, MES Vice Principal

What we’ll be covering:

• What executive functioning is and why it matters
• The developmental timeline of executive functioning skills
• Practical opportunities in early and late childhood to support these skills at home and at school

This session is a great opportunity for parents and caregivers to better understand the skills that help children plan, focus, manage emotions, and grow into independent learners.

Webex link: bit.ly/48ZJE4d
Password: dcHmv6BSQ45

Hosted by the Moanalua Elementary School PTO.
We hope you can join us for this valuable conversation supporting our keiki.

Happy New Year, MES families. We hope you had a wonderful winter break and are ready to kick off an exciting 2026 together.

Please join us for our first MES PTO Meeting of the new year.

MES PTO January Meeting
Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: MES Library

All MES families are welcome. We will be sharing important updates about upcoming spring events and programs, as well as opportunities for families to get involved this semester.

Light refreshments will be provided. Students are welcome to attend with a parent or guardian. A Webex link will be available for those who are unable to attend in person.

You can review the meeting agenda here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MYe7B0dkE6xiPsCZM7sSYv9CKOlWR0fmVBe8VK_synU/edit?tab=t.0

RSVP here: bit.ly/MESPTOmeeting25_26

We look forward to seeing you there and starting the new year together!

The Moanalua Athletic Club (MAC) has served our community for more than a decade, giving hundreds of Moanalua students opportunities to learn teamwork, stay active, and develop confidence through sports. This year, MAC nearly stopped the basketball program; however after many families expressed interest, MAC is willing to move forward if they are able to find coaches.

For teams to be entered into the Police Activity League (PAL) season, each age division must have a committed head coach. If no head coach is secured, that team cannot be formed even if players are available.

What MAC Needs Now
MAC is urgently looking for parent volunteers to serve as head coaches for the following divisions (age as of January 1, 2026):

• Jr. Pintos: Ages 5–6
• Pintos: Ages 7–8
• Mustangs: Ages 9–10
• Broncos: Ages 11–12
• Pony: Ages 13–14

Teams will be created only if there is a head coach and a minimum of 10 players. Currently only the Mustang and Pony divisions have head coaches. Coaches’ children receive priority placement, and fees may be waived or discounted.

Season Details
• Tentative season dates: December 15, 2025 – March 7, 2026
• Practices held at Moanalua Community Park and Moanalua Elementary School courts (MES approval pending)

How to Sign Up
• Player sign-ups: December 8–14, 2025 at palmoanalua.com.

After signing up, players will be placed on a waitlist. Team placement is confirmed once registration and payment are received.

Priority for teams
• Head coaches’ children
• Players living in the Moanalua Elementary School district (proof of residency may be required)
• Players who have obtained a GE to MES or MMS (player’s school schedule acceptable)
• All other players who sign up
• Players who request specific days of practice and are not a head coaches’ child

WANTING TO COACH OR HAVE QUESTIONS: Contact Dennis Arakaki, MAC Coordinator at palmoanalua@gmail.com

Our students benefit tremendously from having community members invest in their growth. If you have the time, interest, or past experience—or simply the willingness to learn—please consider stepping forward. Your participation could make all the difference.

The MES Scholastic Book Fair is just around the corner, and we need your help! Volunteers are needed to assist Librarian Mrs. Weisz in making this event a success.

Volunteers will help students select books, create wish lists, assist at the cash registers, and keep the shelves organized. It’s a fun and rewarding way to support literacy and our MES students.

Dates: October 27–30, 2025
Time: 7:15 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: MES Library

Sign up today at bit.ly/3IjIiqw.

All volunteers must complete the MES HIDOE Harm to Student Registry Screening Form, available on the MES website or in the office.

Questions? Contact gail.weisz@k12.hi.us.