Creative School Strikes Gold For Computer Lab

An East Oahu private school has stepped up its Learning Resource Center with a $35,000 grant from a satisfied parent.

Honolulu Waldorf High School parent and donor Monte Elias (left), with daughter Rachel and teacher Antoinette DeNardis at the Jan. 14 grand re- opening of the school’s Learning Resource Center. Photo from Stacy Rachel.

The donation translated into 20 new Apple iMac computers, a 60-inch flat screen TV, classroom curtains and other TV sets and carts, a stove for cooking classes and frames to show- case student work at Honolulu Waldorf School.

Monte Elias coordinated his gift with humanities teacher Antoinette DeNardis, who also is senior class co-sponsor. His daughter Rachel will graduate in June from the high school on the makai campus on Kalanianaole Highway.

According to school officials, Rachel Elias transferred to Waldorf in her junior year “looking for a school where learning makes sense,” and she is thriving.

Though the 300-student, split campus limits technology use in grades 1-8 — located in Niu Valley, it has a significant role at the high school. With the equipment upgrades, teen students can develop their own text- books by searching online, contribute to the “HWS Live” section of the school website, and can post videos, photos and new content on a regular basis.

The electronic tools also will enhance the 11th-grade media class.