Week of 4/20/23
What's Happening at HPA This Week?
Message from the Head of School
Aloha HPA ʻohana,
This week has been a true representation of spring and what this season evokes. A feeling of possibility, new beginnings, regeneration, growth, and hope for new horizons. I can’t tell you how great it feels to be out and about across our campuses, spending time with parents, families, students, and community members through our programs and events. It’s energizing and brings a different buzz to our school ʻohana! Oh, how I have missed it, and am thrilled to feel its consistent rhythm and magic again!
I have had the privilege to be a fly on the wall during our 5th, 8th, and 12th-grade capstone showcases this week. First off, the poise, charisma, and pride shown in each presentation has been truly inspiring. Listening to our students share their learning journeys allows them to both reflect and look forward to future work. Each displays a deep understanding of the process and their specific content. It is clear that the independent research time, the necessary mentorship, and the forging of critical community connections have pushed these students outside of their normal routine in ways that will benefit them so greatly going forward.
The statement that “not all classrooms have walls” is never more true than when taking in these presentations. Our kids have been everywhere — questioning and then researching everything, all while connecting their hearts to their minds and hands. They have owned their learning and in so many ways, spent time they probably wouldn’t have, thinking about how they’re learning and why — which adds another layer of depth and value to this experience. I am so grateful to our faculty and academic leaders! Their guidance, support, and inspiration in providing these exceptional learning opportunities shines brightly through our students’ work.
And this was all just during the school day! In the evenings, we have been open to amazing opportunities to gather as parents and community members. On Tuesday, we held our return of the TEDxYouth@HPA series with several senior capstone projects. On Wednesday, our ʻOhana Association hosted a mixer at Isaacs Art Center that was a true joy to attend. If you haven’t stepped foot in our magical little gallery at the Village Campus, it is a must do! And our Director, Mollie Hustace, is a must know! Mollie shared the history of Isaacs Art Center, the mission to provide scholarship support to HPA, and the stories of the many beautiful pieces of art on display.
Tonight, I am excited to attend the screening of the film, Hold Your Fire in partnership with the HPA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Voices for Belonging and Community Conversations is the first in a four-part film series to inspire thoughtful dialogue about place, identity, and belonging through storytelling. Click here for more details, and see you there!
Then on Friday, we open our Village Campus to welcome our newly admitted day students and families for the upcoming academic year.
With all of the meaningful gatherings, celebrations, culminations, and transitions to new chapters — spring at HPA is in full bloom! Thank you for being part of what makes HPA such a dynamic and evolving place and for stretching with us in this busy, bustling time of year.
Have a great weekend!
Best,
Fred Wawner
Head of School
School Bulletins for the Week of 4/20/23
Lower School
Each week, Lower School Principal Dora Kwong writes a message to K-5 families highlighting joyful moments and meaningful lessons and offering a glimpse into what students and parents can plan for in the weeks ahead.
From the desk of your Division Principal, Dora Kwong
Aloha Lower School families,
It’s not every day that a Newberry Award-winning author comes to visit your campus, reads one of her award-winning books to you, answers your questions, and even signs a personal note to you! Well, our lucky Lower Schoolers experienced just that this past Friday. Since our ASB went to press before the day was done, I wanted to share a bit more about this special day with you this week in the hopes you can connect with what your child has perhaps already talked with you about!
One big takeaway from one of several interactions with students on Friday was the way she spoke to us of talking about books. Have you ever read a book you enjoyed so much you just couldn’t wait to tell someone about it? Or, on the other end of the spectrum, one that you didnʻt like at all, and when someone asked you about it, you had — well… opinions?? Ms. Medina reminded us that book talks are a beautiful way for us to learn about one another and share about ourselves. When you talk about a book, you are saying something about yourself, something about your feelings, your perspective, and your identity. Books are a way to connect us. Stories are a way to connect us. She taught us the Spanish phrase, “¡Cuenteme!” meaning, “So tell me.” Or, really, “Story me!” This made me think about our own local Hawaiian culture of talking story — our island way of sharing and connecting with one another.
Ms. Medina also shared with us about the joy she finds in her role as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, about her office at the magnificent Library of Congress, why it matters to be knowledgeable, and how books are a source for that knowledge. And she had some reminders for us adults as caretakers of children as well — allow children to find the books they love. Let them read what they enjoy reading. She told us a story about how, when her daughter was younger, she sometimes wished she would read different types of books, perhaps “harder” books, perhaps with more complex storylines. But now her daughter is a wonderful reader because she read the books she herself wanted to read. Ms. Medina reminded us that, as parents and educators, allowing children to pursue their own joys in reading allows them to grow up with a true love of books that will be beneficial for years and years to come.
Our Lower School community also would like to say a huge congratulations to our 5th-grade students on the culmination of their capstone experience. On Tuesday, all Lower School students visited the 5th-grade Sustainability Fair and Capstone Expo to learn from 5th graders about topics such as green roofs and watersheds, urban gardening, reducing our carbon footprints, microplastics in our oceans, and more. We also got to explore a student-created website about protected natural areas on our home island, try some delicious homemade local foods, watch a shadow puppet show about gender equality and poverty, learn about making moa paheʻe out of invasive wood, listen to original music about sustainability, and so, so much more. From our youngest learners in kindergarten to our guest kupuna, who took time to visit us, we can all say that we learned a lot and experienced pride in our Ka Makani like no other. Well done, 5th-grade scholars!
Coming up on Monday, April 24, our kindergarten and Grade 3 classes will be participating in a Wā Pilina Artist Reception and Exhibition. Supported by K-5 Art teacher Ms. Alexa Hustace, this Wā Pilina artist exhibition celebrates artists from these two grade levels and will run until Friday, May 5. Kindergarten and 3rd-grade families are invited to the artist reception at Isaacs Art Center on Monday, April 24, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm.
Speaking of artists, more immediately, our 4th-grade art class will be showcased at the 2023 Waimea All Schools Art Exhibition held at Kahilu Theatre from April 20 to May 28. The theme of the show is Nā Pana Moku ‘Āina o Waimea: The Celebrated Lands of Waimea. Our title is Nā waiho’olu’u o na pana o Waimea. During this creative process, 4th-grade artists considered the word pana (celebrated or legendary places) and brainstormed individually and in small groups to learn about places in Waimea that are special and celebrated. They discovered that we share many pana, as well as hold places that are unique to our own experiences. The current unit of study of the Italian Renaissance and artists from that time, particularly Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, inspired students to learn the American Sign Language alphabet and to draw hands as letters, which led each student to draw out the word pana! Their final composition was inspired by the question: What are the colors (waihoʻoluʻu) of pana in Waimea? They read the poem by Nā Ku‘ulei Keakealani and considered four areas of focus: the colors of our Mauna (mountains), the colors of our Pu‘u (hills), the colors of our Kahawai (freshwater streams), and the colors of our Kahakai (seashore). 4th-grade artists added these colors to their hand drawings and backgrounds. There is an opening reception today, Thursday, April 20, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. If you can, come and celebrate our young artists! How exciting their work will be available for viewing through Sunday, May 28.
Have a beautiful weekend, Lower School ʻohana!
Me ka mahalo nui,
Dora Kwong
Lower School Principal
Capstone Update from K-8 Capstone Coordinator Dagan Bernstein
Mahalo, mahalo, mahalo! My deepest gratitude to our learning community for supporting our 5th-grade students at their capstone presentations and Sustainability Fair. Their presentations were reflective, engaging, and exemplified our core value of the pursuit of excellence. This is a team effort, and I don’t have enough room to list all the people that help bring these significant projects to life. Kumu, families, community members, administrators–we all work together to support our students. It is an honor to be part of this team. Great job, 5th graders!
Schedule
Our K-5 classes continue with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Monday, April 24.
We encourage all families to check the School Calendar in myHPA for the most up-to-date information. In addition, a list of Key Dates (school opening and closures) can also be located on the Lower School Family Resources tile located in myHPA.
Coming Up
• Friday, April 21: Faculty work day, no classes K-8
• Monday, April 24, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm: Wā Pilina Artist Reception and Exhibition for grades K-3
• Friday, May 5: 9:30 to 11:00 am: K-5 May Day performance, GPAC. Volunteer for the decorating committee here!
Student Support
Ms. Baydo (K-8 School Counselor) rbaydo@hpa.edu and Mr. Ludes (K-8 Learning Specialist) jludes@hpa.edu are available to discuss and support social-emotional and academic concerns for your child(ren). Please connect with them via email.
Past Email Communications
All past email communications can be accessed by visiting the Lower School Family Resources tile on myHPA and scrolling down to Past Parent Email Communications, 2022-2023.
myHPA
In addition to Seesaw, many important resources can be located on our community portal, myHPA. Check the Lower School Family Resources tile for the most up-to-date information.
Summer at HPA
Enrichment Camps: Swim Lessons (multiple levels)
Our summer enrichment camps offer a unique and comprehensive learning experience, allowing you to explore a variety of different interests and develop new skills. One offering is swim lessons, which are offered for a variety of ages and experience levels.
For more information and to explore all our summer options, click the link below.
Middle School
Each week, Middle School Principal Glenn Chickering pens a note to 6-8 families reflecting on the activities and accomplishments of the week and previewing what students and parents can look forward to in the coming days.
From the desk of your Division Principal, Glenn Chickering
Aloha Middle School families,
It was quite a week at the Village Campus with students proudly sharing their capstone projects and I hope you were able to stop by to check out either the Grade 5 Sustainability Fair on Tuesday or today’s Grade 8 Capstone Expo. We are all proud of the work the students put into their projects and the confidence with which they shared them. Using our Malāma Kaiāulu model as a lens, their projects focused on bettering communities, from our own community here on the Village Campus to Waimea, Hawaiʻi Island and its ecosystems, and all the way to Ukraine. Well done, everybody! And a thank you to our parent volunteers for helping to supply snacks and beverages.
After reflecting on the capstone project next week, our 8th graders turn their attention toward transitioning to the Upper School and will visit the Upper School Campus on Thursday, April 27, to meet key administrators, advisors, faculty and student leaders, get a tour of the campus and attend some of the senior class capstone presentations. Drop-off and pick-up will be as normal at the Village Campus on Thursday, April 27. Please review this email from April 17 for more information.
We are looking for some parent volunteers for a few of the upcoming Grade 8 events. Please take a look at these sign-up sheets and let us know if you are able to help. Many thanks in advance!
8th Grade Dinner and Dance at Anna Ranch on Saturday, May 6.
8th Grade Transition Ceremony Decorating Crew on Tuesday, May 23.
Our 8th-grade student winners in the Eddie Aikau Essay Contest visited Oʻahu last week to attend a special luncheon and received their prizes. Congratulations again to Zach Montgomery, Liam Grayson, Dylan Hendricks, and Kela Quayle! And a big thank you to Kumu Kūwalu and Ms. Sturla for their work with the students.
Please remember to keep your eye on our ‘Coming Up’ section below, as there are lots of events and happenings going on in our final weeks. We’ll reach out to you with specifics, as needed, as events draw nearer.
I hope you have a great weekend!
Mahalo,
Glenn Chickering
Middle School Principal
Capstone Update from K-8 Capstone Coordinator Dagan Bernstein
Hulō to our 8th-grade students! And a huge mahalo to our families, kumu, administrators and staff, members of our community, and everyone who is part of this ʻohana at HPA! It is through our shared efforts that we are able to bring the students’ capstone projects to life. Watching the 8th graders present to our panelists for assessment as well as during our culminating exhibition in Hale ʻĪnana reminds us of what our core value of the pursuit of excellence looks like in action. My sincerest gratitude to our entire learning community for working together to support our students as they “strive for the highest and best result.”
Schedule
Our Middle School 2022-2023 Daily Schedule continues with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Monday, April 24.
We encourage all families to check the School Calendar in myHPA for the most up-to-date information. In addition, a list of Key Dates (school opening and closures) can also be located on the Middle School Family Resources tile located in myHPA.
Coming Up
• Friday, April 21: Faculty work day, no classes K-8
• Thursday, April 27: Grade 8 visit to the Upper School (drop-off and pick-up at Village Campus)
• Saturday, May 6: Grade 8 Dinner and Dance at Anna Ranch, from 6:30 to 9:00 pm
• Monday, May 8, and Tuesday, May 9: Upper School Registrar visit to go over 9th grade schedules
• Friday, May 12: Middle School Performing Arts Showcase at GPAC, from 1:45 to 3:00 pm. Parents welcome
• Tuesday, May 23: Grade 6 and 7 Class Retreats; Grade 8 drop-off at GPAC for Transition Ceremony practice
• Wednesday, May 24: Grade 8 Transition Ceremony at GPAC, from 10:00 to 11:00 am. Parents and guests are welcome. Students will be dismissed following the ceremony.
Student Support
Please remember that we will be outside as much as possible during lunch and recess, so a rain jacket for light rains and a pareo or small beach towel for picnicking will be great to have at school. Students should also bring a water bottle to school each day.
Ms. Baydo (K-8 School Counselor) rbaydo@hpa.edu and Mr. Ludes (K-8 Learning Specialist) jludes@hpa.edu are available to discuss and support social-emotional and academic concerns for your child(ren). Please connect with them via email.
Digital Citizenship Resources for Parents
Parenting in the Digital Age: Resources for Parents
Past Email Communications
All past email communications can be accessed by visiting the Middle School Family Resource tile on myHPA and scrolling down to ‘Past Email Communications, 2022-2023’.
myHPA
myHPA is where you can find all the resources related to your child’s learning. Two key resource boards that we would like to draw your attention to are the Middle School Family Resources, and the Middle School Student Resources.
Summer at HPA
Enrichment Camps: Black Rocket Python Programmers
Our summer enrichment camps offer a unique and comprehensive learning experience, allowing you to explore a variety of different interests and develop new skills. One offering is Black Rocket Python Programmers, which is for students ages 8-14 from June 5-9.
For more information and to explore all our summer options, click the link below.
Upper School
From the desk of your Poʻo Kumu (Division Principal), Kaʻai Spencer
Aloha e nā ʻohana o ka makani!
Ua ʻā ke kukui. This is a phrase that is in reference to one’s awareness. When translated literally, it means the light is on. This is something that might be said if someone were to be described as being present at the moment, alert, and aware, especially when it comes to expectations. If something has been communicated and explained yet met with a sense of unawareness, you could say, ua pio ke kukui. The light is off.
As we get closer to the end of the semester, awareness of our testing policies is important in order for us to maintain a strong and equitable academic program. In the words of Brene Brown, “Clear is kind.” This is often to time of year when requests are made to leave school before the end of the final exam week to get an early jump on summer vacation. While it is understandable to want to get home for summer, I want to ensure everyone knows our exam policies. Here is our Exam policy taken from the Student-Parent handbook.
Exams
Semester exams are given at the end of each semester and account for 20 percent of the semester grade. Students must have permission from the Principal to reschedule any exam they are unable to take at the scheduled time. Students may reschedule exams only in the event of a medical emergency. A doctor’s note must accompany the request to reschedule. It is the family’s responsibility to schedule travel following the last school commitment each semester. No exam may be taken early or late unless there is a school-related function that is the cause of a scheduling conflict.
Policies like this ensure that each student receives equal treatment, and our faculty are not being asked to adjust their schedules to accommodate individual requests. As an educational community, we all rely on each other at times to assist when needed. When this gets strained, it is harder for each individual, and resentment builds. Mahalo for your understanding of policies like this and for scheduling your child’s travel after the completion of the final exam week. Ua ʻā ke kukui!
Ke aloha nō,
Kaʻai Spencer
Upper School Poʻo Kumu
Capstone Update from 9-12 Capstone Coordinator Greg McKenna
Aloha mai kākou. We are excited to announce the Senior Capstone Showcase next week, Monday, April 24 – Friday, April 28. We will be celebrating each student as they present their capstone journeys this year. We welcome all HPA families and community members to stop by the Gates Performing Arts Center (GPAC) at the Upper Campus to view the various student presentations. We will also be providing a YouTube live stream of the Showcase for those family members who are not on island.
Day 1, Monday, April 24:
https://youtube.com/live/2jfSSTy552A?feature=share
Day 2, Tuesday, April 25:
https://youtube.com/live/mgWmSngf8oI?feature=share
Day 3, Wednesday, April 26:
https://youtube.com/live/rF7kZfvj69Y?feature=share
Day 4, Thursday, April 27:
https://youtube.com/live/AuK7UL2ZhC4?feature=share
Day 5, Friday, April 28:
https://youtube.com/live/e67rBqHcBbY?feature=share
Schedule
Our Upper School 2022-2023 Daily Schedule will resume as an ʻUla day with in-person instruction on our Upper Campus on Monday, April 24.
We encourage all students and families to access the School Calendar in myHPA for the most up-to-date information. In addition, a list of Key Dates (school opening and closures) can also be located on the Upper School Family Resources tile located in myHPA.
Coming Up
• Friday, April 21: Advisor-parent Conferences, no classes grades 9-12
• Monday, April 24 – Friday, April 28: Senior capstone presentations
Advisor-Parent Conferences
Our Upper School Advisor-teacher Conferences are scheduled for this Friday, April 21. If you still need to schedule your virtual or in-person conference, please reach out to your child’s advisor immediately.
If you have scheduled an in-person conference between 1:00 to 3:00 pm, please park at the Rutgers Tennis Center parking lot and walk up to the Taylor Commons Dining Hall. A faculty member will be there to greet you.
All conferences will be 20 minutes long. Please assist by arriving at least five minutes prior to your scheduled time so that you may start your meeting promptly.
Mahalo for your cooperation, and please email upperschool@hpa.edu if you have any questions. For assistance on the day of your conference, please call 808-881-4002.
Student Support
Should your child need additional learning support, we encourage you to reach out to JoAn Canning, our Upper School Learning Support Center Director, by emailing jcanning@hpa.edu. In addition, our counselors are ready to assist any student who needs additional support to navigate these unusual and unprecedented times. Please feel free to reach out to the Upper Campus counseling team of Tiffany Freitas at 808-881-4038 or tfreitas@hpa.edu and Steve Furchner at 808-640-4441 or sfurchner@hpa.edu.
Ka Makani Athletics
Our spring athletic schedule has been updated, and be sure to check out the weekly schedule as well. You can also access the athletics schedule on the myHPA calendar.
College Counseling
Support for Seniors and Senior Families
While many seniors have already received news from their colleges, others are awaiting admissions decisions and financial aid offers that will arrive in the coming weeks. Wherever your senior is in this process, College Counseling is here to help, whether by talking through college options, offering support and guidance, or helping to interpret financial aid packages.
For your reference, we are including two articles that we hope you will find useful.
Helping Your Teen Make a College Decision
College Rejection: How to Take the Sting Out of Difficult News
We also recommend Karen Coburn’s Letting Go: A Parents’ Guide to Understanding the College Years as an excellent parent resource for processing the transition to college. Please reach out at college@hpa.edu if you need us. We look forward to our continued work with you.
Testing
Aloha AP Students! AP Exams will commence Monday, May 1, 2023. A schedule of exams and exam locations will be posted near the exit of the dining hall. Students testing with accommodations will be notified of their exam schedule and locations via email. You will all be receiving email reminders for any test you are registered to take. Please be sure to check your email regularly for any updates or changes.
You are required to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to an exam. That means students testing at 8:00 am must report no later than 7:30 am, and students testing at 12:00 pm must report no later than 11:30 am.
For afternoon exams, please do not enter any exam space until the proctor directs you to, in case the morning test goes longer than expected. Students may not be dismissed from the exam room until an exam has officially ended for all students, so please plan accordingly.
Below are some important reminders for test day:
What to bring to the exam:
- Two sharpened No. 2 pencils (with erasers) for completing multiple-choice sections
- Two pens, with black or dark blue ink only, for completing booklet covers and free-responses
- Up to two approved calculators with the necessary capabilities (Allowed only for AP Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics, and Statistics exams)
- A ruler or straightedge if taking an AP Physics Exam
- A photo ID (student ID is fine)
- A snack and water bottle for breaks
- A jacket or sweater, in case the room temperature is below your comfort level
Do NOT Bring to the exam:
- Electronic equipment (phones, smart watches, or wearable technology of any kind, laptops, tablet computers, Bluetooth devices, portable listening or recording devices— MP3 player, iPod, etc.— cameras or other photographic equipment, devices that can access the internet, separate timers of any type, and any other electronic or communication devices)
- Books, compasses, correction fluid, dictionaries, highlighters, or notes
- Mechanical pencils, No. 3 pencils, or colored pencils
- Rulers or straightedges (these are allowed only for Physics exams)
- Protractors
- Scratch paper (notes can be made on portions of the exam booklets or, for Chinese Language and Culture, and Japanese Language and Culture, on scratch paper provided by the proctor)
- Computers or calculators (except as previously noted)
- Reference guides, keyboard maps, or other typing instructions
- Watches that beep or have an alarm
- Food or drink
- Clothing or shoes with subject-related information
- Earplugs
- Clipboards
Food and drink are prohibited in the exam room; however, students are allowed to bring a snack and beverage for the 10-minute break.
Please remember to abide by the policies of both the College Board and Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy during the exam period. Any misconduct will be reported and could jeopardize your AP Exam score.
Scores will be available to students online at apscore.org in July. Students will also be able to access their scores at that time by signing in through My AP.
Please reach out to me at testing@hpa.edu with any questions.
Wishing you all the best with your AP exams!
Accessing Scores from the School Day ACT
Scores from the April 4th School Day ACT exam will be available 4-8 weeks after the exam date. Once scores become available, students will receive an email from ACT with directions on how to access exam scores through their myact.org account.
Senior Speaker Series
Next week Tuesday, April 25, represents the first gathering of our Senior Speaker Series, which will be taking place in one of the oldest and historically recognized buildings on our upper campus, Davies Memorial Chapel. No other building at the Upper Campus embodies the core values of HPA in such a simplistic yet profound way. Designed by one of the most renowned architects in Hawaiʻi, Vladimir Ossipoff, Davies Chapel captures the natural strength, beauty, and dexterity of Hawai’i Island, connecting all generations of Ka Makani.
The theme of the Senior Speaker Series is “Gratitude: Love for your school,” and 15 seniors have volunteered for the opportunity to share their appreciation for HPA with their fellow Upper School students, faculty, and staff. Among them, all 11 of the 13-year-students who have been Ka Makani since kindergarten.
We are excited about this meaningful new programming focused on student reflection, voice, health and wellness, and connections to people and place. While messaging within Davies Chapel is not specifically faith-based, we are mindful of the importance of making everyone feel comfortable and welcome with a commitment to maintain programming that is rooted in HPA’s mission and Core Values.
Class of 2023
Mahalo to all the families who completed the Commencement ticket survey with their soon-to-be graduates. We are reviewing everyone’s responses and are working to accommodate as many people as possible. To clarify, if a senior has a sibling who attends HPA — they do not need a ticket out of the allotment of six (6) given to each senior. These HPA students and/or employees may sit with their families in the ticketed-seating section (NOT the employee/student section).
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at graduation@hpa.edu if we can be of assistance.
Links:
Class of 2023 End-of-Year Events Ticket Survey
Class of 2023 End-of-Year Events reminder email – March 19, 2023
Grad Night 2023 Volunteer Form
Class of 2023 End-of-Year Events – ʻOhana meeting – January 31, 2023
Class of 2023 End-of-Year Events – Resource Board & Slides
Class of 2023 End-of-Year Events – Calendar
Upper School Library
Did you know that in April, libraries around the country celebrate National Library Week? This year National Library Week is Sunday, April 23 to Saturday, April 29.
Help us celebrate the Dyer Library by purchasing a book or maker space tool from our Amazon Wish List, or donate one of the following items to support our library programs and help us build our mini-maker space:
- Yarn
- Knitting needles
- Crochet hooks
- Sewing machine
- Craft supplies
- Hot cocoa
- Tea
- Puzzles
Please reach out to me at aweisner@hpa.edu if you would like to donate any of the above items or have something else you’d like to donate to our library programs.
Mahalo!
Angela Weisner ‘03, MLIS
Upper School Librarian
Student Life
Student Council updates!
After candidate speeches at Assembly on Tuesday, April 18, the student body elected Ariana Hudgins as our new Secretary for Executive Student Council. Eric Tang was also appointed as the Treasurer.
Students running for Class Representative gave a speech to their class peers this morning during their Class Meeting, and voting began immediately afterward. Results will be announced on Friday, April 21.
Elections for Class Representatives are currently underway! An email announcing the winners will be sent to all students on Friday. In mid-October 2023, we will have elections for the freshman Class of 2027.
Student Ambassador Program
On Monday, April 17, and Wednesday, April 19, an email was sent to freshmen, sophomores, and juniors to apply for the Student Ambassador Program. Applications are due on Sunday, April 23, at 10:00 pm.
Students have been asked to review the 2023-2024 Student Ambassadors – Job Description before applying to ensure they meet the requirements to apply and hold this position.
Students will work with the Admissions and the Office of Student Life to represent our school in various ways, including assisting with Opening Days – our new student orientation, hosting prospective/visiting students during class and other commitments and activities, giving campus tours, meeting with other guests such as parents, board members, etc. to discuss programs and school life, and assisting with the 8th Grade visit.
Ambassadors will gain valuable networking, organization, and communication skills and will be able to list this distinction on college applications.
Residential Life
Though there are still five weeks of school left, we are beginning to prepare our students and our dorm for the transition into summer, including packing up their rooms, discarding items they no longer need, deciding what to store for the summer, or preparing to move out for good. To that end, here is some information for you to know:
- Returning residential students may store up to three (3) boxes and/or suitcases in the locked dorm storage rooms over the summer. The school has a limited supply of storage boxes available, but students can also utilize old suitcases or their own plastic storage boxes.
- Students wishing to mail belongings home or to college should order their own labels online and can get assistance from the Student Life Office in preparing their package for pick-up.
- There will be a clothing and school supplies drive coming soon for students to pass on things they no longer use or need to those who could use them.
As we approach the end of the semester, students will have certain benchmarks to hit each week in terms of packing and cleaning. Our hope is that by starting early, students are not simultaneously trying to tackle all of their belongings at the same time as they are preparing for Final Exams.
Past Email Communications
All past email communications can be accessed by visiting the Upper School Family Resources tile on myHPA and scrolling down to ‘Past Email Communications, 2022-2023’.
myHPA
myHPA is where you can find all the resources related to your child’s learning. Two key resource boards that we would like to draw your attention to are the ‘Upper School Family Resources and the ‘Upper School Student Resources.
Summer at HPA
Summer Academies
Do you have a passion you want to pursue? Our specialized four-week academies are designed for day and boarding middle and high school students ages 11-17. Runs from June 26 to July 21. Reserve your spot now, as spaces are filling up!
All-School
Need to know information for our entire Ka Makani ʻohana.
Advancement & Alumni
Welcome Back!
As we enter the final months of the school year, please take a moment to make your annual gift to the HPA Fund. We rely on the generosity of or current families, along with alumni, and friends, to sustain the outstanding educational experience we offer every student, every day, here at HPA.
How Your Support for the HPA Fund Makes a Difference EVERYDAY
School Gardens (check!), two libraries (check!), experiential learning (check!), beautiful campus community (check!), amazing and dedicated faculty (check! check!) – none of this is possible without the HPA Fund! If you haven’t made your gift, there’s still time! Want to know more about the Fund and everything it makes possible for our students? Visit our Priorities & Impact page.
P.S. Save the Date!
Mark your calendars, Alu Mai 2023 is coming! It’s never too early to start planning for a FABULOUS party in support of a WONDERFUL cause! Save the date for this year’s Alu Mai Gala in Support of Financial Aid at HPA. Can’t wait to see you there!
ʻOhana Association
It’s the most important time of the school year — celebrating our teachers! We could use your help showing them love for everything they do for our kids.
We are organizing a Teacher Appreciation Luncheon at the Upper School on Friday, April 28, and we need your help to make it special! Sign up here to donate a lei or contribute food or small gifts. Every donation is welcome!
Our ʻOhana Association elections are coming up on Saturday, April 29, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, at the Gates Performing Arts Center (GPAC) on the HPA Upper Campus. Refreshments will be served, so please come and enjoy.
For those who may be interested in joining the ʻOhana Board, we have some terrific board leadership opportunities open including Lower School Vice-President, Middle School Vice-President, events coordinators for Lower and Middle School, community liaison, and more. You can read the job descriptions here. It is a wonderful way to meet and connect with other HPA families. To learn more or get involved, please email ohana@hpa.edu.
For those who were not able to make it to Park for Coffee on April 7, no worries, there is another opportunity coming up on Friday, May 12, 2023, from 7:45 to 8:30 am at the Village Campus. Come and enjoy coffee, donuts, and conversation (bring your own mug!). We look forward to seeing you there!
COVID-19 Policies & Information
While masks continue to be optional indoors and outdoors, there will be times when we will require everyone — students, families, guests, and employees — to wear masks. You will be notified in these instances. Everyone, regardless of age or vaccination status, must have a clean mask with them at all times should HPA officials determine they are necessary.
- HPA COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, 2022-2023
- HPA Community Safety Pledge, 2022-2023
- HPA COVID-19 Positive Cases Policy
- HPA COVID-19 Decision Tree
For a complete directory of all our health and safety protocols, please review our COVID-19 Policies & Information Resource Board on myHPA.
Health & Wellness
Hawaii Poison Control Center has trained nurses, pharmacists, and toxicologists available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. They offer free advice, and it is 100 % confidential. Their telephone number should be on everyone’s cell phone: 1-800-222-1222.
Hawaii CARES (formerly The Crisis Line of Hawaii) offers 24-hour-a-day, 7-days-a-week resources, including crisis and mental health resources and substance use treatment services. If you or someone you know need help, please call 9-8-8 or 1-800-753-6879 OR text ALOHA to 741741.
Isaacs Art Center
Isaacs Art Center is free and open to the public, Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and on Saturdays by appointment. Gallery works for sale may also be viewed on our website. Be sure to also visit our Instagram and Facebook pages for highlights from ongoing exhibitions. Sales from gallery artwork have supported the HPA Financial Aid program since its opening in 2004.
Safety Protocols
Campus Access
During this time, campus access is limited to current students, employees, essential contractors, and approved guests — all of whom have completed a daily thermal/symptom check and a screening questionnaire. Guests to campus will have had their hosting faculty or staff member fill out the appropriate form and will have received permission from their supervisor.
Should a student’s family member need a meeting with a faculty, staff, or administrative team member, kindly contact them so that they can apply to have you come to campus. From that point, security team members will be alerted to your appointment date and time and let you onto campus.
At the Upper School, please do not park and walk onto campus without an appointment. Similarly, at the Village Campus, kindly call or email for an appointment so that arrangements can be made. Mahalo for your understanding and respect for this process.
If you See Something, Say Something
We ask all families to join HPA in keeping our campus safe. While on the HPA campus, if you see anything out of the ordinary, we ask that you please report it to the school or local authorities immediately. This will help us maintain the safest campus for our students.
• Imminent threat to life or property: call 911 immediately and email Mark Noetzel at mnoetzel@hpa.edu
• Anything out of the ordinary: email Mark Noetzel at mnoetzel@hpa.edu
CrisisGo for Parents
It is important that all families are set up with CrisisGo, HPA’s school emergency communication tool. To set up CrisisGo SMS/Email subscription, please click on this invitation link and complete the form by adding your name, email, and cell number (this is an important step if you would like to receive an SMS message) and click on the Subscribe button. Should an emergency occur, you will be alerted by email and SMS messaging. You can also locate these instructions by logging into myHPA, clicking on the resource tab, and selecting the CrisisGo Safe2SpeakUp tile.
Safe2SPeakUp for Middle and Upper Students
Families, it is extremely important that the school is able to communicate not only with parents/guardians, but also with each student, via their mobile device. We are asking all students in grades 6-12, who bring a phone to school, to download theSafe2SpeakUp app.
Safe2SpeakUp allows us to inform students of emergency events when immediate action is needed. Teachers and administrators would also receive the information so that our community is on the same page. Please review the instructions below and assist your child with downloading the Safe2SpeakUp app.
This is a companion app to CrisisGo, an app that teachers and administrators use on their devices. It will allow the school to alert students of emergencies that happen on or off campus and enable students to communicate with us about their safety status. They can also use the app to alert the school anonymously about any behaviors they are concerned about.
All students can also submit an Online Bully/Harassment report by clicking on this link, which can also be located on the CrisisGo Safe2SpeakUp tile on myHPA.
All students can also submit an Online Bully/Harassment report by clicking on this link, which can also be located on the CrisisGo Safe2SpeakUp tile on myHPA.