Unfortunately, because Hopwood Jr. High School has been around for many years, its electrical system has too and is in dire need of renovation.
School principal Jonas Barcinas plans to enforce educational tax credit donations from community businesses, grants as well as other assistance to help with the expenses.
Fortunately the Hillitai team was able to adjust to the power outage and take on the challenge of doing things manually. By Saturday the weekend before the opening week everything was up and running which allowed an on schedule opening school year. Classes were provided with brand new air-conditioning in every room along with new windows which granted students a comfortable learning environment. As for conservation of power Barcinas has implemented scheduled times where the power will be turned on and off. With this there has been a decrease in power expense ranging from $7,000 down to $5,000 to $6,000.
Another issue that arose was the unexpected increase of 1,254 students. Many students came from off-island as well as private and public school transferees. Nonetheless the Hilitai staff and teachers were able to adapt and set up a convenient first day of school where class schedules were posted at different areas that allowed them to utilize their campus space. Despite the minor issues the first day of school was a great success that rode smoothly through the day.
Barcinas said he designed their new school uniform for 2011. He was inspired by the popular fashion of teens now days which Barcinas put as the “Fotten Gaga” look. A blue shirt with the alumni (Hilitai) filled in with tiny stars crawling up a latte stone and coconut trees coming out the side with the banner, Admiral Herbert G. Hopwood Jr. High School, Home of the Hilitai “we make every day the best.” “The significance of the shirt would be unity. The culture and the strength portrayed with the latte stone and coconut trees along with the stars signifying the children as they shine and succeed through their years of learning and growing” said Barcinas.
Along with cool uniforms the 7th grade students will be granted laptops as soon as the numbers are submitted to the commissioner. The laptops are estimated to arrive at the end of this month. Barcinas will also schedule a parent summit to ensure the understanding and enforcement of policies and responsibilities of the laptops not only in school but at home as well. All in all with the new renovation the new uniforms and the soon to come laptops Barcinas expects an outstanding school year.
