On Wednesday, October 4, Assets School was honored by Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters with an Honorary Certificate during a ceremony at Kapolei Hale. The school received this recognition for its exceptional dedication and expertise in providing a specialized education for children with dyslexia.
"I am excited to recognize Assets School during Dyslexia Awareness Month with a Honolulu City Council Honorary Certificate," said Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters. "Assets School's commitment to their students and families to provide an exceptional education while recognizing each individual student's abilities is awesome, especially when you consider that this school has been doing just that for more than 60 years. Their staff and teachers help all students to reach their full potential. And there's nothing I like more than recognizing the great things that our keiki are achieving, for they are our future leaders in our community."
The event was a momentous occasion, graced by the presence of the entire Honolulu City Council, underscoring the importance of Assets School's mission in Hawaii's education landscape. The ceremony celebrated the school's accomplishments and an opportunity to shed light on its critical role of supporting students with dyslexia. Assets students in kindergarten to sixth grade made artwork to thank the Honolulu City Council for the honor.
Chair Waters represents Honolulu City Council District 4, encompassing the vibrant communities from Waikīkī to Hawai'i Kai. Thanks to Assets parent April Coloretti, mom of Cody '24, and her team, Adam and Keola, for coordinating the honor. She works for Chair Tommy Waters.
Current students, alums, and families know what a difference Assets can make for students with dyslexia and gifted dyslexia.
"Before I attended Assets, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't grasp what the teacher wanted me to do,” said Landon Hamada ’07. “I felt frustrated and often infuriated knowing that I had to study twice as hard as others on my classmates just to feel 'normal.' Other challenges I had to endure were being bullied by my classmates and frustration from my teachers at my previous school because they didn't know how to handle my dyslexia. Assets has taught me a valuable lesson that every individual has their own unique learning needs, and there are multiple ways to learn. This helped me realize that having a learning difference is not something to be ashamed of but rather something to embrace and utilize. Assets provided a safe and nurturing environment for students to express themselves, experiment with different learning styles, and explore to help them understand how their mind works and put all the pieces together. Thanks to Assets, I found a career that allowed me to use my unique perspective to be successful and make a difference in the lives of others.” Today, Landon is a successful architect at one of Hawaii's leading firms.
The significance of this recognition extends beyond a mere certificate; it symbolizes the ongoing commitment of the school and the local government to ensure that all children, regardless of their learning differences, have access to high-quality education.
The ceremony's live broadcast on Spectrum Channel 54 allowed the broader community to witness this moment of acknowledgment and appreciation.
Assets School's dedication to empowering students with dyslexia deserves commendation, and this honor serves as a testament to their unwavering commitment to educational inclusivity. It is a proud moment for the school and the entire community, as it reinforces the values of diversity, equity, and excellence in education.