Assets School awarded $378K to create Transforming Lives Center

Assets School awarded $378K to create Transforming Lives Center

Governor David Ige has awarded Assets School $378,000 to create the Transforming Lives Center, the first private school-based full resource center on Oahu to provide comprehensive assessments of students who may be struggling in traditional settings or facing academic challenges because of the pandemic. Assets is the only school in Hawaii educating children who are dyslexic, gifted, or learn differently. The objective of the Transforming Lives Center is to help parents and students understand dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and executive dysfunction. The center will be equipped to evaluate at-risk students in-person or virtually. Early intervention will help in the statewide effort to reduce high school drop-out rates. According to the National Center for Learning Disabilities: “Students with specific learning disabilities drop-out of high school nearly three times the rate of all students. One in 5 children in the U.S. have learning and attention issues.”  Assets has always been a private school with a public purpose providing community outreach to teachers and parents to understand learning differences. This funding will allow Assets to expand its community outreach efforts.

The governor announced Assets School’s award on Aug. 4, 2021, along with 30 other not-for-profit organizations, public schools, and the University of Hawaii. The governor awarded $8.1M in funding with grants ranging from $100K to $450K. The governor thanked Assets and the other awardees for visionary leadership and for creating a new culture of innovation for education in Hawaii.

 “Assets School’s Transforming Lives Center builds upon the school's expertise and will help change the trajectory for students and their families. Early intervention to address learning differences provides a far greater opportunity for children to be prepared for college, accepted to colleges, attend college, then become a productive member of our workforce and community,” said Gov. Ige.

“When a child is struggling, the whole family struggles,” said Alison Bhattacharyya, mother of two students attending Assets School. “Governor Ige’s commitment to early intervention and the Transforming Lives Assessment Center will be life-changing for all who are screened. Assets provided my children a reading test years ago and that’s how I learned my children had dyslexia. My children were taught strategies to read and are thriving. I am grateful to Governor Ige for supporting Assets and embracing the need for early intervention of learning differences.” 

“We are honored to be selected by Governor Ige and his Emergency Education Relief Advisory Group,” said Ryan Masa, Head of School at Assets. “We look forward to working with the 30 other awardees to create significant change in education. Our keiki are our future and this investment is extremely meaningful.” 

The Transforming Lives Center by Assets School will in time offer the following: psycho-educational assessments, attention deficit hyperactivity deficit (ADHD) screenings, reading screenings, speech and language assessments, assistive technology services, and executive function coaching and support. Some of the services will begin in 2022 and will be offered in phases.

“I applaud Assets for recognizing the need for a broad resource such as the future Transforming Lives Center, and I applaud Governor Ige and his team for making this investment in our students and families,” said Dr. Philip Bossert, Executive Director of the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools. “Assets School has always been the authority in our state for educating Kindergarten through 12th grade students who are gifted, dyslexic or have other learning differences. The Transforming Lives Center will build upon Assets’ past and present success of helping students in a profound way.”

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A poster for Stem Round Table at Sunset for all high school students to attend October 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Assets High School

Team Waffles, the Assets Robotics team, invites students from all high schools to the free STEM Round Table at Sunset, sponsored by the Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association (AFCEA) Hawaii, on October 18, from 5-7 p.m. at Damon Hall on the Assets High School campus. Students can meet with professionals in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), expand their knowledge, and network with industry experts. There will be pupus and a beautiful sunset. Please share with anyone who may be interested. RSVP by clicking here.  

A photo from when team from the Dyslexia Association of Singapore visits Assets School in 2012.

The Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS) and Assets School formed a powerful partnership over 25 years ago because of a shared commitment to supporting students with dyslexia.

Siang Lee, CEO of the Dyslexia Association of Singapore, reflected on the collaboration, noting that several DAS team members visited Assets School, where they learned about our Teachers Teaching Teachers program. Inspired by what was known as TTT, they returned to Singapore and launched their version of the program, renamed "Teams Teaching Teams." DAS continues to host Teams Teaching Teams to this day.

Assets High School teacher Len Black at the playground.

It is with deep sadness that we share that longtime Assets High School teacher, Len Black, passed away on August 15. Lennie joined our Assets ‘ohana in June 1992 and retired in May 2016 after 14 years of selfless service. His retirement came one year after his dream of us occupying the former AOP campus became a reality. 

Assets students do presentations to share about their experience at the Mentorship Expo.

This week, our high school kicked off the mentorship program with a record 22 new partners, thanks to connections made by our staff, students, and their families. Among the new partners are Kapena School of Music, Bowers and Kubota, Balanced Obedience, Golden Dermatology, and Hawaii Marine Solutions. 

Assets School Receives The Largest Donation In Its History To Support Tuition Assistance

Assets School has received a $1,250,000 donation to support tuition assistance. This marks the largest single donation in the school’s history since opening in 1955. The $1.25M donation creates The Anne Kirkwood Dick Campbell and H. Benjamin Campbell Scholarship Fund at Assets to annually support financial aid scholarships to students in kindergarten to eighth grade.

Victories in Chess and Sports

Assets School secures back-to-back wins in chess. We have good news in esports, judo, golf, and CSAL Girls Basketball.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz poster

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The Spirit Of Giving For Our Keiki

Your gratitude for Assets and desire to help others greatly appreciated and impressive, especially on our campaign finale, Giving Tuesday.

College Visits Help Navigate Transitions

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Adventures In Geometry In Fifth And Sixth Grade

Students investigated areas around campus to identify and take pictures of parallel, intersecting, and perpendicular lines. They also learned about different angles, their classification, and how to measure and draw them using a protractor.

Embarking on a Journey of Learning

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Mentorships Launch at High School

Mentorships at the High School start this month. Every Wednesday, for the entire day, students participate in a mentorship of their choosing.

US Patent Director Kathi Vidal Tours Assets School

Kathi Vidal, who serves the Nation as the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property (IP) and the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), toured Assets School on Friday, June 16.

Valedictorian Noa '23 on KHON2's Way 2 Go! segment May 23, 2023

Our Valedictorian Noa '23 was on the KHON2 Way 2 Go segment on the 4 p.m. newscast that aired on Tuesday, May 23, 2023.

Senior presents at Senior Showcase Friday, May 12

At Senior Showcase on Friday,  graduating seniors shared a little bit about themselves, their favorite memories of Assets, their educational journey, and their plans with family, and friends.

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Under twinkling lights, the music of alumnus Kapono Wong ’20 with a special appearance by former student Imani Colon, more than 200 guests including our Trustees, corporate sponsors, families, alumni, faculty and friends celebrated Illumination 2023 at The Pacific Club on April 15.

Arts Night Showcased Amazing Talent at Assets

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MidWeek Hot Shots 5-3-2023

MidWeek newspaper featured Central Pacific Bank and Assets School in the Hot Shots section on May 3.

Illumination Gala is April 15

We look forward to Illumination, our Gala Tuition Assistance Fundraiser. It will be on April 15, at The Pacific Club at 5 p.m. We are planning a special evening. We hope you can come. Board Chair Kitty Yannone shares what she loves about Illumination.

Love is in the Air

In honor of Valentine's Day, we share these Assets School love stories.

Summer School Registration Begins

Summer School classes will be from June to July at both K-8 and High School campuses, with distinctly different programs offered at each site. 

Thank You to the Robotics Sponsors

We extend a hearty mahalo to all the sponsors and supporters who believed in our robotics teams, Team Waffles, and Team MEAF.  Thank you for encouraging them on their journey from the start.

Assets School logo

On behalf of our Head of School Ryan Masa, Assistant Head of School and Admissions Director Sandi Tadaki, and Vice President of Institutional Advancement Linda Jameson Myers, we thank you for supporting our Annual Fund which supports Tuition Assistance, the Brace Library, Robotics, Athletics, and the School's Greatest Needs

This Family Appreciates Your Support

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, consider donating to our Annual Fund and help a family feel the magic of Assets School. Donations support much-needed scholarships to help transform the life of a student! 

A Giving Heart Educates A Grateful Heart

Mahalo to Assets parents Byron and Yumi Petrossian and their company Bright International Group, LLC for supporting Assets School's Annual Fund and our Robotics Program. 

High School Mentorship and Rocketry Programs Excell

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This robotics program is geared towards students nine to sixteen years old and teaches them to program, build, and work with a team while having fun and exploring the world of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). 

Happy Anniversary Sandi and Darlene

Congratulations to Assistant Head of School and Director of Admissions Sandi Tadaki and Director of Professional Development and Outreach Darlene Robertson on their 40th Anniversaries with Assets School.

Ryan and Kanoe Gibson

Ryan Masa is interviewed by Kanoe Gibson on HINOWDaily and shares about our Illumination auction and "Celebrating 65 Years of Transforming Lives" television show. 

Announcing Assets' TV Show

Assets is producing a one-hour television show: “Assets School-Celebrating 65 Years of Transforming Lives.” 

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, April 14th at 8 p.m. on K5, Saturday, April 17th at 6 p.m. on KGMB-TV (CBS) and Sunday, April 18th at 4 p.m. on KHNL-TV (NBC).

Assets School Donates 1,254 Pounds of Food

Assets School's community of #GreatMinds collected 1,254 pounds of food and $300, which was donated to the Hawaii Foodbank for Assets School's first Giving Back Tuesday.

Message from Hawaiian Studies Teacher Mele-Aina Wood

Hawaiian Studies teacher Mele-Aina Wood shares how important it is to pay it forward because someday those children, who have benefitted from your generosity, will be the ones giving back: https://youtu.be/d42FgQzmjws

Robot-assisted Graduation 2020

Special times called for special measures. Thanks to Assets' Robotics Coach, Peter Han, our #greatminds had one of the most unique graduation ceremonies that included a Diploma Robot!

Highway Overhead Shot at Night

Research suggests that because of the freedom we had growing up, which included the freedom to do some foolish things that necessitated taking responsibility for our actions, we became capable problem solvers and resilient individuals.