WEDNESDAY

AUGUST 16, 2006

Innovations spruces up its field Wednesday, August 16, 2006 9:15 AM HST Special To West Hawaii Today With shovels in their hands and smiles on their faces, parents and students work side-by-side with teachers and community members to lay irrigation for playing fields. Volunteers spent a recent Saturday morning at Innovations Public Charter School clearing rocks, digging trenches and planting grass. "It's great to see so many people give their time to help build the campus" said Sacha Manju, parent and irrigation coordinator. The Atherton Family Foundation awarded the school a $40,000 grant designated for playing fields and equipment. "We are so thankful to the Atherton Family Foundation for this generous gift. The students really thrive when they get a chance to run and play between classes." said Curriculum Specialist Jen Hiro Innovations is an award-winning school serving 125 students from grades one through six. The campus is located on Queen Kaahumanu Highway.

Many helping hands, from left, Juliana Hennig, Cory Yamagata, Jen Hiro, Nick Loera, Sacha Manju, Trevor Yamagata, Kim Leuenberger and Fernanda Hennig, make the task of planting grass fun recently at Innovations Public Charter School. The school had received a grant from the Atherton Family Foundation for playing fields and equipment and the students volunteered to help with sprucing up the area. - Special To West Hawaii Today