Upper School Dean's Welcoming Letter
Dear New Students:
Welcome! Whether you are freshmen with eight semesters ahead of you, or transferring in, we are excited to welcome you and start the school year. As you begin your first year at HPA, I am guessing you have many questions, including, How friendly are the other kids? What are the teachers like? What is the quality of the meals? How do I decide between so many great options in the afternoon activities program? Will the academic workload be easier or harder than the school I last attended?
While this letter can't answer all of these questions for you, I know firsthand the dividends of an HPA education. Our youngest son came in new to the school his senior year and absolutely loved his HPA experience. At year's end, he headed off to college on an athletic/academic scholarship. As a parent, I couldn't have asked for more.
Having worked in private independent schools for 30 years, I can tell you there is no single blueprint for your success. I can, however, offer you two suggestions that might help make your journey through HPA more pleasurable and rewarding:
The teachers and staff are here to help you obtain the best education; however, it is up to you to work diligently and do your best. We trust that this year will be a positive, rewarding venture filled with high expectations and achievable goals
Allow me to finish this letter with a specific achievable goal-we call it "Headmaster's Dinner." At the conclusion of each quarter, the headmaster, or his designee, and invited guests take the top student from each grade level (9-12) to lunch or dinner to show support for his/her outstanding accomplishments. The top student in each grade level is determined by averaging the academic grade and the conduct grade. There is no reason why it can't be you!
I look forward to getting to know you and supporting you throughout the year.
Sincerely,
David M. Graham
Dean of Students/Assistant Principal
Office: 808-881-4355
Fax: 808-881-4050
E-mail: dgraham@hpa.edu
Welcome! Whether you are freshmen with eight semesters ahead of you, or transferring in, we are excited to welcome you and start the school year. As you begin your first year at HPA, I am guessing you have many questions, including, How friendly are the other kids? What are the teachers like? What is the quality of the meals? How do I decide between so many great options in the afternoon activities program? Will the academic workload be easier or harder than the school I last attended?
While this letter can't answer all of these questions for you, I know firsthand the dividends of an HPA education. Our youngest son came in new to the school his senior year and absolutely loved his HPA experience. At year's end, he headed off to college on an athletic/academic scholarship. As a parent, I couldn't have asked for more.
Having worked in private independent schools for 30 years, I can tell you there is no single blueprint for your success. I can, however, offer you two suggestions that might help make your journey through HPA more pleasurable and rewarding:
- Take ownership of these semesters in Upper School. Be involved! Your high school years will have a ripple effect that will influence you for the rest of your life.
- Embrace the HPA Student Handbook and other school publications. The HPA Student Handbook is designed to help you become acquainted with the organization of the Academy and provides valuable information that will assist you as you adjust and adapt to what will be numerous new procedures and policies.
The teachers and staff are here to help you obtain the best education; however, it is up to you to work diligently and do your best. We trust that this year will be a positive, rewarding venture filled with high expectations and achievable goals
Allow me to finish this letter with a specific achievable goal-we call it "Headmaster's Dinner." At the conclusion of each quarter, the headmaster, or his designee, and invited guests take the top student from each grade level (9-12) to lunch or dinner to show support for his/her outstanding accomplishments. The top student in each grade level is determined by averaging the academic grade and the conduct grade. There is no reason why it can't be you!
I look forward to getting to know you and supporting you throughout the year.
Sincerely,
David M. Graham
Dean of Students/Assistant Principal
Office: 808-881-4355
Fax: 808-881-4050
E-mail: dgraham@hpa.edu