Week of 5/19/23
What's Happening at HPA This Week?
School Bulletins for the Week of 5/19/23
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 may have been the last full week of school, but our students continue to be front and center in their learning. With a very full assembly celebrating multiple Student Spotlights kicking off this busy week, we forged onward with culminating projects and final unit celebrations in all our classes, K-5. From butterfly releases, gratitude projects, and being empowered to be eco-heroes — our students were engaged, front and center.
Mahalo to our FLIK nutritionist Jenna Lewis who came last week to share about encouraging our students to be adventurous eaters. If you are interested but were unable to make the talk, here is a handy cheat sheet with some tips for your ʻohana.
Mahalo also to Mrs. Mellon Monello, K-8 EdTech Specialist, who took these wonderful May Day pictures (portraits and getting ready, May Day event photos) for us to keep and share. Thank you for being mindful of the privacy of all our students by refraining from posting others on social media.
As we head into summer, Mrs. Tarnas and Mr. Giff (former K-8 librarian and current HeluHelu Quiz Bowl organizer), would like to share the book lists for the 2023/2024 school year. Not just for interested quiz bowl participants, this is another great list to pull from for summer reading inspiration! You can also find the book summaries here.
Also, in looking ahead to the fall, please take review this Robotics Team registration information for 4th-8th graders. If your child is interested in participating next school year, please let us know so that we can include them in our initial registration into the Robotics League. This is an “intent to join” sign-up, so no worries if your child changes their mind. This year’s experience was full of learning and fun, and we look forward to another year of innovation!
Check out this wonderful summer opportunity, Camp Clay, for our keiki, ages 10 and up. Mahalo to the Waimea Arts Council, Parker School, and the Rotary Club of North Hawaiʻi for making this possible!
Closing off this week is some inspiration from our third-grade learners and leaders, Jordyn S. and Dev J. Let us all continue to make choices great and small to mālama kaiāulu.
Me ka hauʻoli,

Dora Kwong
Lower School Principal
Schedule
Our K-5 classes continue with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Monday, May 22.
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
• Tuesday, May 23: Last day of After School
• Wednesday, May 24: Last day of classes; 2:00 pm dismissal
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.
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 is hard to believe that we are heading into our last three days of school! While the year has gone by quickly, we have packed so much into it. Aside from all the wonderful learning that went on in our classrooms, we had many great adventures, including; class retreats, Theme Week, Makahiki Games, our Performing Arts Showcases, beach clean-ups, capstone presentations, and so much more.
At Friday’s Assembly, we looked back at those memories in a slideshow full of Ms. Monello’s wonderful photographs. We also gave a heartfelt farewell to Ms. Tali, who is off to new adventures, and shared one last round of gratitude. It is always a highlight of the week to see the student sharing gratitude for each other, their families, their teachers, and life in general.
We will also have much to be thankful for at our 8th-grade Transition Ceremony at Gates Performing Arts Center (GPAC) on HPA’s Upper Campus on Wednesday, May 24, including families who have signed up to help supply foliage and decorate the stage for the ceremony. The decoration team will meet on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 23, at 3:30 pm at GPAC to get everything set up. If you are able to help, please sign up here:
8th-grade Transition Ceremony Decorating Crew.
The ceremony will begin Wednesday, May 24, at 10:00 am and finish at 11:00 am. Families will be directed to park on the lawns to the south and east of GPAC and should arrive by 9:45 am to be settled and ready to start the ceremony promptly at 10:00 am.
We will also be live-streaming this event on our HPA YouTube channel for those who are unable to attend. You are welcome to share this link with family and friends: 8th-grade Transition Ceremony – YouTube live stream link for May 24, 2023
In looking ahead to the fall, please take a look at this Robotics Team registration information. If your child is interested in participating next school year, please let us know so that we can include them in our initial registration into the Robotics League. This is an “intent to join” sign-up, so no worries if your child changes their mind. This year’s experience was full of learning and fun, and we look forward to another year of innovation!
I hope that you enjoy a wonderful weekend.

Glenn Chickering
Middle School Principal
Schedule
Our Middle School 2022-2023 Daily Schedule continues with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Monday, May 22.
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
• Monday, May 22: Yearbooks delivered
• Tuesday, May 23: Grade 8 drop-off at the Upper Campus for Transition Practice
• Tuesday, May 23: Grade 8 drop-off at the Upper Campus for Transition Practice
•Tuesday, May 23: Grades 6 and 7 class retreats. Drop-off and pick-up as normal at Village Campus for Grades 6 and 7
• Wednesday, May 24, from 10:00 to 11:00 am: 8th-grade Transition Ceremony at GPAC; 8th-grade students are to be dropped off by parents at GPAC at 8:00 am and will be dismissed from GPAC at 11:00 am. 6th and 7th-grade students are to be dropped off at the Village Campus and picked up at GPAC at 11:00 am.
8th-grade Transition Ceremony – YouTube live stream link for May 24, 2023
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: Skate Board Engineering
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 Skate Board Engineering, which is for students ages 11-17 from June 19-23. Reserve your spot now, as spaces are filling up!
Explore all our summer options at the link below.
Upper School
From the desk of your Poʻo Kumu (Division Principal), Kaʻai Spencer
Aloha e nā ʻohana o ka makani!
Haʻina ʻia mai ana ka puana. This line, and many iterations of it, is often used to start the final verse of Hawaiian songs. It tells the listener that the story has been told, and here is the ending. We have just started our final exams for the year, and graduation is one week away. Endings can be tough for people, and I prefer to view transitional moments as new beginnings. Therefore, I would like to share another Hawaiian phrase that is often used at the end of a major chapter of a story, which is pīpī holo kaʻao. This phrase lets the reader know that more is to come.
I would like to wish everyone a great summer break. Please use the time to explore new hobbies, connect with friends and family, and prepare for the next chapter of life’s journey. When one chapter closes, another one opens. Pīpī holo kaʻao…
Ke aloha nō,

Kaʻai Spencer
Upper School Poʻo Kumu
Schedule
Our Upper School 2022-2023 Daily Schedule will resume with in-person instruction on our Upper Campus on Monday, May 22.
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, May 19 – Wednesday, May 24: Upper School Final Exams
• Wednesday, May 24: Freshmen are excused from school from the Tennis Center parking lot after 2:30 pm
• Thursday, May 25: Sophomores are excused from the Tennis Center parking lot after 2:00 pm
• Thursday, May 25, starting at 9:30 am: Alumni Pinning Ceremony, Baccalaureate Service, Celebration Brunch, and Senior Awards & Slide Show; invite-only
• Friday, May 26 at 10:00 am: 72nd Annual Commencement Exercises
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.
Final Exams
Friday, May 19 – Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Students will not be allowed to leave campus between exams that are administered on the same day. Once a student arrives on campus, they should plan to remain on campus until their last exam is done for the day. If a student has only a morning exam they should plan to leave immediately following their exam or after lunch.
If a student has an appointment between exams, they may sign out at the Student Life Office with parent/guardian permission and turn in a note to the Student Life Office when they return.
Residential Life students who do not have an exam in a given period are permitted to be in their dormitory during the academic day. Day students are not permitted into the dormitories at any time.
If a student will be late/absent to an exam please email attendace@hpa.edu as son as possible.
End-of-Year Student Commitments
We are returning to the HPA tradition of having our younger Upper School students assist with our graduation celebrations after classes have ended.
All students are required to participate in the end-of-year student commitments. If a student chooses not to participate, they will start the next academic year with conduct points. If travel has already been booked or students have a scheduled appointment, please reach out to your child’s Class Leaders and the Attendance Office. Students who are excused from end-of-year student commitments will have assigned responsibilities for the 2023-2024 class retreats.
Freshmen
Campus beautification in preparation for graduation on Wednesday, May 24
The freshmen class has the important role of beautifying the HPA campus in preparation for visitors and families coming for Commencement. Freshmen are asked to report to class leaders from 12:30 to 2:30 pm on Wednesday, May 24.
Day students can be picked up after 2:30 pm from the Tennis Center parking lot. Freshmen residential students may depart campus for the year after 6:00 pm on Wednesday, May 24.
Sophomores
Assisting with the Baccalaureate Celebration Brunch on Thursday, May 25
The sophomore class has the important role of serving the Baccalaureate Celebration Brunch to seniors and their families on Thursday and will also help clean up afterward. Sophomores will be asked to sign-up for shifts for one of these two services activities. Students who sign-up to help with the Baccalaureate Celebration Brunch are requested to wear long pants or jeans, their HPA Olympics class t-shirts, and closed-toe shoes.
Day students can be picked up after 2:00 pm from the Tennis Center parking lot. Residential students may depart campus for the year after 3:00 pm on Thursday, May 25.
Juniors
Decorating Castle Gymnasium for Commencement on Thursday, May 25
The junior class has an important role in decorating Castle Gymnasium for Commencement. The class will be meeting at 8:00 am on Thursday, at the gym, and will be done by 3:30 pm. Students will be assigned to one of two shifts during this time.
Day students can be picked up after 3:30 pm from the Tennis Center parking lot. Residential students may depart campus for the year after 3:00 pm on Thursday, May 25.
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
AP Exam 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.
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.
Class of 2023
Baccalaureate and Commencement tickets were distributed to each senior during the last class meeting on Thursday, May 11.
Seniors, please be sure to complete your Grad Night Acknowledgement form by Sunday, May 21. Review this email for more information.
Senior families, please be sure to complete your Grad Night Registration and Waiver form by Sunday, May 21. Review this email for more information.
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
Ka Makani Travel
It’s not too early to be thinking about next year’s adventure opportunities with Ka Makani Travel!
Spring Break 2024
Expedition to Australia & New Zealand with EF Tours $5,849 per student
Summer 2024
Splendors of the Mediterranean with EF Tours $4,999 per student
For more information, please contact Ka Makani Travel Coordinator, Ms. Adrienne White, at awhite@hpa.edu.
Student Life
As a reminder to the email, Important Reminder about HPA Citizenship, that was sent on May 3, 2023, graduating seniors are who considered to be failing Citizenship, four (4) or more conduct points, will have their diploma and official transcripts withheld until they have worked off their conduct points to three (3) or less. Students should make every effort to clear off their points before graduation, if they do not, they will be expected to return after graduation to work off the outstanding conduct points. They may still participate in the Commencement Exercises; however, no diploma will be received, and no official transcript sent to their college or university.
Returning students who are failing Citizenship at the end of the semester will be required to work the outstanding points down to zero at the start of the next academic year and will be precluded from receiving various end-of-the-year awards, such as the Dean’s List and will be placed on academic probation and required to meet with Mr. Mark Noetzel, Dean of Campus Life, at the beginning of the new academic year.
Lockers by Classrooms and Pavilion
Lockers located in the classroom area and by the pavilion must be cleaned out by Wednesday, May 24, with locks returned to the Academic Office located in the Science building between classrooms 41 and 42. All items left in lockers after May 24, will be donated to charity. Students who do not return their locks to the Academic Office will be charged $5.00.
Lost and Not Yet Found
Please have your child stop by the Student Life Office if they are missing any items. All unclaimed items will be donated to charity on May 27, 2023.
Residential Life
Summer Departures
Only a week to go! To prepare for summer and move-out, students were informed again this past week of the process for packing up their rooms.
- All returning students may store up to three (3) boxes or suitcases in our locked storage closets for the summer. The school has a limited supply of storage boxes that students are welcome to utilize.
- Graduating seniors who wish to sign out with their families before graduation are welcome to do so but will be required to fully pack up their rooms before beginning to spend the night outside of the dormitory. They may leave a set of bed sheets and a small bag with clothes they will need for Baccalaureate, Commencement, and Grad Night, but should otherwise be moved out.
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.
• Young Authors Academy
• Arts Academy
• Nature's Classroom Academy
• Marine Explorations Academy (waitlist only)
• ELL Academy
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
HPA Fund
As we enter the final weeks of the school year, please take a moment to make your annual gift to the HPA Fund. We rely on the generosity of our current families, along with alumni, and friends, to sustain the outstanding educational experience we offer every student, every day, here at HPA.
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 for Alu Mai Gala 2023
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!

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
The time of year when your student’s health records need updating is right around the corner! Beginning Tuesday, May 30th you will start to receive weekly reminders, each Wednesday, from Magnus Health SMR. Please log-in and complete the requirements as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Health Services at infirmary@hpa.edu (Upper Campus) or vcinfirmary@hpa.edu (Village Campus).
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.
