Week of 9/1/23
What's Happening at HPA This Week?
Message from the Head of School
Aloha HPA ʻohana,
Full circle. From morning drop off at the Village Campus to college drop off in Boston.
This is the same kid who hid behind a tree after we dropped her off for her kindergarten year. In fact, this is one of the reasons I greet our K-8 families each morning. After 20 minutes of looking, I received a phone call that she had been found. Once found and coaxed into entering her class, school became her happy place.
Fast forward 13 school years and here we are.
My wife and I did the college drop-off last year with our oldest. This time, it will be easier, I think and hope to myself. NOPE.
Well, as you know, it’s complicated. As parents, our love language differs from child to child and mostly as they individually dictate it. This one between my oldest daughter and I can probably be described as business casual. “Howzit?, doing great, thanks for being here, I’m all set,” are quick summaries of our usual banter. Eighteen-year-old daughter and 50-year-old dad at college orientation? It’s a balanced mix of awesome, terror, and a Saturday Night Live skit rolled into one. Are there really shirtless guys lifting weights in the yard of a fraternity house right across the street from my daughter’s freshman dorm? I fight off the urge to go introduce myself to these young folks all the while flexing my scariest crazy dad eyes. I find myself monitoring my breathing on this trip more than usual, anchoring myself to the great foundation that my kid has, otherwise, my heart will jump out of my throat.
We have plans each day that are a blend of school orientation sessions, cruising the new-to-us college town, and grabbing dorm room necessities. Only, to this point have these scheduled activities been dismissed for other plans – programs we didn’t know were happening, or just new connections with new friends that now clash with the original schedule mom faithfully and caringly sketched out for us. Like a veteran relief pitcher in the Major Leagues waiting patiently in the bullpen, I stay ready for the call from my basement Airbnb rental just near campus, confident I’ll have the stuff to pull us through in any situation that arises. And like the rookie starting pitcher that seems confident and poised to pitch the whole game, my daughter does not seem to need or want my services at this point, at least during this two-day visit. I tell myself – this is good – “as long as we get the win, I’m happy.” It’s good, right?
The irony of me standing up at our HPA Opening Days each year and ensuring parents their kid(s) will be safe and sound and not to worry is not lost on me. For those of you who have sat through my annual river rapids visual metaphor presentation, guess who the crying kid in the raft is this week?! Yours truly.
Here’s what I know and can rest assured: HPA nurtured, grew, and prepared my kid. She has a lot to learn and certainly will have her challenges, but the foundation is there. This is because her teachers, her coaches, and her community poured their hearts, minds, and souls into her. She knows she isn’t alone and represents more than herself. She learned that at the Village Campus, and carried it through her Upper School career. Now, she brings a little bit of Waimea, Hawaiʻi Island, and HPA to Boston. All of our graduates do this, wherever they go, every year.
It’s a cycle that has endured for nearly 75 years. The P in HPA is where the magic happens. The act of preparing is multidimensional and comes in different times and in many, many forms. The interwoven development of character traits, core skills, and learning experiences builds a strong foundation on which our kids stand and eventually launch, and from which we ultimately have to give them space and our trust.
Easier said than done. I needed to come to see where my daughter is placing her hopes and dreams. After a short while, I have affirmed that she made a choice that fits what she is looking for and will hopefully take advantage of the opportunity. And now, I head out with the comfort of having walked where she will walk, and with the knowledge that she is in a place she will grow. The healthy and ironic paradox of wanting to be needed but not being needed. Full circle.
Happy Aloha Friday from Boston. Have a wonder-filled Labor Day weekend. See you real soon.
Gratefully,
Fred Wawner
Head of School
School Bulletins for the Week of 9/1/23
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,
Our day of integrated, interdisciplinary, experiential learning today started with a full school assembly focused on Kukulu Kaiāulu (building community), and ended with all grades K-5 in a beautiful hula on our Puʻu Ohu field. I hope when you talk with your children about this day, they will not only share about the tī-planting, book-making, pot-pinching, reading-assessing, or music-parachuting, but that they will also talk about their Wā Pilina partner, the connection between students and teachers across grade levels and disciplines, and all the fun they had while learning. One of the many benefits of being a part of the Lower School community here at HPA is the ability to provide exceptional learning opportunities in a place like no other, with a talented group of educators and an eager student body.
Village Campus Open House
Please remember to mark your calendars for our Village Campus Open House, taking place next week, Wednesday, September 6, from 2:30 to 4:00 pm. It will be a time to highlight the work of both the Lower and Middle Schools, hear from our specialist teachers about our scaffolded curriculum, and visit with teachers in various learning spaces. As you have just recently held your Intake Conferences, we wanted to make this time an opportunity to engage with our other teachers and spaces, answer any questions you may have, and gather together as an ʻohana. We will be starting at 2:30 pm in Hale ʻĪnana and you can park in front of Ulumau Garden.
Seesaw for Schools app
Teachers have begun supporting students to post learning and assignments on Seesaw for Schools. A virtual place to share real-time learning, give comments and feedback, students learn to show their work to others using this platform. Please be reminded that this sharing is authentic and may show the journey of learning, and not necessarily a finished product. The process is just as important as the product! While classroom newsletters are posted on myHPA for ease of referencing past posts, you may see announcements and videos here from teachers so have your notifications turned on for timely notifications.
Room Parents
A reminder that our ʻOhana Association is looking for a few more Room Parents for the Lower School. You will hear from our Lower School Vice President, Ratna Amin, during our Open House next week, but if you have any questions in the meantime, or want to express interest in being a class parent, please contact her directly via email ohana_vplower@hpa.edu or at (510) 390-4167.
Have a wonderful long weekend, Lower School, ‘ohana!
Mālama pono,
Dora Kwong
Lower School Principal
Schedule
In observance of Labor Day, there will be no classes on Monday, September 4.
Our K-5 classes continue with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Tuesday, September 5.
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
• Monday, September 4: Labor Day holiday, no classes K-12, school closed
• Wednesday, September 6: School Photo Day
• Wednesday, September 6 from 2:30 to 4:00 pm: Village Campus Open House; Hale ʻĪnana, LS & MS classrooms
• Friday, September 22: Faculty Work Day, all divisions, no classes K-12
Helpful Lower School Contacts & Links
Student Support
- Ms. Rachel Baydo, K-8 School Counselor, rbaydo@hpa.edu
- Mr. Joe Ludes, K-8 Learning Specialist, jludes@hpa.edu
After School Program, K-5
Mrs. Mele DeMille, Director of After School Programs, mdemille@hpa.edu
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, 2023-2024.
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,
At this week’s assembly we took at look at pilina, the second practice of our Mālama Kaiāulu model. Pilina asks us to understand how we connect to others, our communities, and the natural world. We talked about the importance of working to make trusting connections to each other in a school community that relies on trust so that we can all be our authentic selves and learners willing to ask for help when we need it.
We also took a look at a short biography made by last year’s Yearbook and Documentary Filmmaking crew as part of PBS’ Hiki NŌ film series. Students interviewed Kumu Kūwalu who spoke of the importance of connecting with Hawaiʻi’s culture through hula and other traditions. You can watch the film here: Being Kumu
Fly on The Wall
One of the privileges of being in my position is that I get the opportunity to visit all of the great things going in and outside of classrooms. I want to share some of that with you through a weekly ‘Fly on the Wall’ section to give you a window to some of those moments. This week’s edition is a ‘Fly in the Garden’, as I visited our newest Middle School Elective class, Garden Leadership, taught by Ms. Prutow-McKenna.
Middle School students were busy planting māmaki and palapalai, a fern that we will use for May Day and the 8th-Grade Transition Ceremony. They also started brewing māmaki tea at the beginning of class and drank the tea during reflections, reviews, garden theory, and leadership chats.
In Garden Leadership, Middle School students are expanding their current gardening skills and knowledge while also learning important leadership skills as part of our Village Campus Wā Pilina program. This course intentionally overlaps with our Lower School garden classes a majority of the time and our Middle School garden leaders are fostering their gardening skills while leading small group garden projects and building mentoring relationships.
Our Middle School garden leaders are helping to create an atmosphere that is open-minded, encouraging, forward-thinking, and fun. The class culture is based on mutual respect while empowering each other to be creative, collaborative, and solution-oriented thinkers.
In all of our garden classes, Ms. Prutrow-Mckenna inspires students through engaging, innovative, hands-on learning, creating a connection to nature, a respect for our natural environment, and a passion for conserving it.
We hope to see you at the Village Campus Open House next Wednesday, September 6. We’ll get started at 2:30 pm in Hale ʻĪnana with a welcome from Mr. Wawner, a few words from Ms. Kwong and myself, and then hear from our Village Campus ʻOhana Association representatives. From 3:00 to 4:00 pm, Middle School teachers will be in their classes and happy to say hello and answer any questions you may have. Please note that this is an opportunity for you to meet your child’s teachers see their learning guides and ask a few questions. If you want to talk specifically about your child you can always reach out to teachers for a meeting.
I hope you have a wonderful long weekend and get a chance to connect with the natural beauty of our island.
Mahalo,
Glenn Chickering
Middle School Principal
Schedule
In observance of Labor Day, there will be no classes on Monday, September 4.
Our Middle School 2023-2024 Daily Schedule continues with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Tuesday, September 5.
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, September 4: Labor Day holiday, no classes K-12, school closed
• Wednesday, September 6: School Photo Day
• Wednesday, September 6 from 2:30 to 4:00 pm: Village Campus Open House; Hale ʻĪnana, LS & MS classrooms
• Friday, September 22: Faculty Work Day, all divisions, no classes K-12
Helpful Middle School Contacts & Links
Student Support
- Ms. Rachel Baydo, K-8 School Counselor, rbaydo@hpa.edu
- Mr. Joe Ludes, K-8 Learning Specialist, jludes@hpa.edu
After School Program, Grades 6-8
Mrs. Mele DeMille, Director of After School Programs, mdemille@hpa.edu
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’.
myHPA Tutorials
myHPA is your window to your child’s progress in school. Here you will find their schedules, their assignments, their grade books and so much more. Ms. Monello and our IT team have put together a number of tutorials to help you navigate the myHPA parent portal.
Please note this myHPA Middle School Parent Tutorial, which gives you an overview of using myHPA as a window to your child’s learning in real time.
Upper School
From the desk of your Poʻo Kumu (Division Principal), Kaʻai Spencer
Aloha e nā maka o ka ʻupena a ka makani!
E Hawaiʻi e kuʻu one hānau ē, kuʻu home kulāiwi nei. You might recognize this line. Perhaps your ear goes straight to the melody and you know the meaning. This is because it is the first line of a mele called Hawaiʻi Aloha, a very well known mele that is often sung in large gatherings across Hawaiʻi, especially at the closing of large events. Hawaiʻi Aloha is a mele that is sung during our Commencement ceremonies, and it is one of our feature mele during our first convocation which will take place on Friday, September 8, at the start of school. Aside from being a symbolic start to the school year, the theme for this convocation will be a tribute for Maui, with a focus of togetherness, especially during tough times.
During Wednesday’s faculty meeting, we spent a portion of our meeting time to learn more about the history of Hawaiʻi Aloha, followed by some singing practice. To say that it was an impactful learning experience would be an understatement. The composer of Hawaiʻi Aloha is a very important piece that needs to be mentioned because it is often assumed that Hawaiʻi Aloha was composed by a Hawaiian composer with deep roots in Hawaiʻi. However, the composer of Hawaiʻi Aloha was Reverend Lorenzo Lyons, also known as Makua Laiana. Lorenzo Lyons arrived as a missionary here in Waimea, Hawaiʻi in 1832 and spent the remainder of his life, along with his wife, Betsy Curtis, dedicated to Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiian language, and Hawaiian music composition. The Imiola Church here in Waimea is one of fourteen churches that is attributed to Makua Laiana. Makua Laiana remained a dedicated member of the Waimea community until his passing in 1886.
This very brief history of Makua Laiana is shared because of the impact he had during his time here in Hawaiʻi. While he did not have Hawaiian blood flowing through his veins, he was very much Hawaiian. With this knowledge, Hawaiʻi Aloha becomes more than just a mele that we sing at large gatherings. It is also a reminder that anyone who has a deeply rooted allegiance to the land they live in will be a welcomed addition to that society. In the case of Makua Laiana, it was not only Hawaiʻi that he dedicated himself to; it was Waimea. This goes to show that one’s actions, values, and dedication to place are the pathway to acceptance, belonging, and long-lasting impact. Missionaries are often the recipients of negative reviews here in Hawaiʻi, but not Makua Laiana.
Oli ē, Oli ē, mai nā aheahe makani e pā mai nei. Mau ke aloha no Hawaiʻi.
Ke aloha nō,
Kaʻai Spencer
Upper School Poʻo Kumu
Schedule
In observance of Labor Day, there will be no classes on Monday, September 4.
Our Upper School 2023-2024 Daily Schedule will resume as a Mamo day with in-person instruction on our Upper Campus on Tuesday, September 5.
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
• Monday, September 4: Labor Day holiday, no classes K-12, school closed
• Friday, September 8: 8:30 to 9:30 am Upper School Convocation, Davies Memorial Chapel
• Friday, September 8: 7:00 to 9:00 pm, Back to School Dance, Ko Kākou Hale (Student Union) & Kennedy Square
• Friday, September 22: Faculty Work Day, all divisions, no classes K-12
• Wednesday, October 4 – Friday, October 6: ʻOhana Days
Student Support
Should your child need additional learning support, we encourage you to reach out to Amanda Aragon, our Upper School Learning Center Coordinator, by emailing aaragon@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.
Convocation
The ceremonial opening of the 2023-2024 academic school year at HPA will be held on Friday, September 8, at 8:30 am in the Davies Memorial Chapel. Not held since 2020 because of COVID-19 restrictions, Convocation returns to Davies Memorial Chapel as a time-honored and cherished tradition at HPA. This non-denominational event is required of all Upper School students, who are reminded to attend in aloha wear. Friday’s Convocation will honor the survivors and victims of the devastating Lāhainā wildfires with special performances from faculty and staff of a selection of mele (songs) all from Maui.
ʻOhana Days
Save the Date for ʻOhana Days!
Where: Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy, Upper Campus
When: Wednesday, October 4 – Saturday, October 6, 2023
Who: Upper School grades 9-12 and their families
We are thrilled to announce our plans for the upcoming ʻOhana Days (formerly known as Family Weekend), which features classroom visits, parent-teacher conferences, special presentations, student performances, athletic events, and many opportunities to engage with our Upper School community. It is a great way for our families to connect and to get a glimpse into their child’s life at HPA.
Wednesday, October 4
Mark your calendars and clear your schedules to join us on our Upper Campus for a full day of programming on Wednesday, October 4. We will gather in Kennedy Square for a Welcome Orientation and an overview of the day, which includes a 15-minute visit to each of your child’s classes and an opportunity to connect with our incredible HPA faculty. In addition to a student musical performance, families will be treated to a special screening of Hometown Legends, a documentary produced by fellow HPA-parent, Kolby Moser. We will wrap up the day with dinner in our Taylor Commons Dining Hall, after which parents are invited to join our Head of School Fred Wawner at Atherton House for drinks and dessert and more time to network with one another.
Thursday, October 5
In-person Parent-teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday, October 5, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Families will have the opportunity to schedule 10-minute one-on-one conversations with each of their child’s instructors. More details on how to register will be sent in the coming days. Later that evening, our JV and Varsity Girls Volleyball team will be taking on Kohala starting at 6:00 pm in Castle Gymnasium.
Friday, October 6
Parent-teacher Conferences will continue on Friday, October 6, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, in a virtual format via Zoom for those families who were unable to attend in-person on campus the day before. Once again, families will have the opportunity to schedule 10-minute one-on-one conversations with each of their child’s instructors. More details on how to register will be sent in the coming days. For those who will be in Waimea, we invite you to join us on campus at 3:30 pm for what promises to be an exciting BIIF Cross Country Meet.
Saturday, October 7
Our HPA Football team goes head-to-head against Kāʻu on Saturday, October 7, at 3:00 pm. We’re looking forward to all of our Upper School families joining us in the stands to cheer on our Ka Makani. Our fans will have the opportunity to fuel up with several food truck offerings, including Jaw Jacker Grindz, Sugar Shack, and Wilson’s Snack Shack.
Look for an email with the complete ʻOhana Days schedule and how to register for Parent-teacher Conferences in the coming days.
Ka Makani Athletics
Another fall season is ready to roll. Let the games begin! Here’s the updated fall athletic schedule and weekly schedule. GO KA MAKANI! You can also access the athletics schedule on the myHPA calendar.
Student Life
School Dance!
Our sophomore class is hosting an on-campus Back-to-School Dance on Friday, September 8, 2023, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. The decor and refreshments for the dance will be tied to a “Casino Night” theme. We encourage students to join in the school spirit and dress up in their old formal wear. For more information, please refer to the email You’re invited to the Back-to-School Dance next Friday, September 8! that was sent to students and parents on Thursday, August 31.
Club Fair
We had a successful club fair on Thursday! We had 469 students (many signed up for more than one club) sign up for 29 clubs. If a student missed the Club Fair, they can sign up via the email that Ms. Watson sent on Thursday to all students.
Student-led Clubs include: Asian Food Club!, Astronomy Club, Aviation Club, Baking for the Heart, Baking Support Group (BSG) Club, BC2M, Book Club, Chess Club, Christian Club, Coastal Clean-Up Club, CODE-IT-UP Club, Fashion and Trade (FAT) Club, Film Club, Finance Club, Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA), Girl Talk Club – Safe Space for All, HPA Athletics Promotion, HPA Photography Club, K-Pop Dance Club, Ka Makani Wave Sliders, Makers Club, Model UN, Music Sesh Club, Plogging & Junk Art Club, Certified Scuba Club, Speech and Debate Club, The Book Club, Tri V Club (Very Valid Volunteer Club), and Ultimate Frisbee Club.
Emergency Communication With Students
All Upper School students have been asked to upload the Safe2SpeakUp app on their device so that the school can alert them of emergency situations (e.g. fire, earthquake, tsunami, etc.) By clicking this link, students will receive instructions on how to upload and link the app to their hpa.edu email account. Students who do not have a mobile phone should stop by the Student Life Center so that alternative methods of communication can be established.
Emergency Communication With Parents
Parents are encouraged to click on this: HPA Emergency Notification Via CrisisGo to receive emergency notifications from the school.
Day Student Check-in is coming to an end
Beginning on Tuesday, September 5, day students will no longer be required to check-in at the Student Life Center before their first commitment of the day. Going forward, students will have their attendance taken at their first commitment of the day.
Day Student Attendance Protocols
All students must still sign out at the Student Life Center if they are leaving campus before their last commitment of the day, including athletics and co-curriculars. If a student is returning to campus during the academic day, they must sign in at the Student Life Center before heading to class along with a note from their appointment. Parents must email attendance@hpa.edu to alert the school that their child needs to be excused early.
Ka Makani Travel
Ka Makani Travel, HPA’s student travel program, is offering five trips for the 2023-24 school year.
- Thanksgiving – New York City: 2 spaces left; we will create a waitlist (application past due, with a non-refundable deposit of $100)
- Thanksgiving – Kauaʻi Island (details and cost pending, minimum 6 participants, maximum 13)
- Spring Break – Coral Reef Ecology & Conservation Fiji (application deadline Friday, September 8, 2023, by 3:00 pm, minimum 6 students and maximum 12)
- Spring Break – Expedition to Australia & New Zealand with EF Tours (deadline for $100 discount and 14-day risk-free enrollment September 30, enrollment deadline November 13, space is limited)
- Summer – Splendors of the Mediterranean: Italy & Greece with EF Tours (deadline for $100 discount and 14-day risk-free enrollment September 30, enrollment deadline February 5, space is limited)
A limited number of travel grants are available. The deadline to submit an application to be considered for an HPA travel grant is Tuesday, September 5.
Don’t hesitate to contact Ka Makani Travel Coordinator Adrienne White (awhite@hpa.edu) for information on registration, eligibility, and travel grants.
Residential Life
The school year is in full swing now, and our students are starting to find themselves busier with homework, commitments to clubs they recently joined, or varsity athletic competitions! While all of those programs make up the bulk of their time and attention, there are still lots of fun things happening around campus for them to enjoy!
This week, Tuesday Night Leagues returned! We kicked off our second annual Tuesday Night Wiffle Ball League, with dozens of students joining teams to play an hour of wiffle ball and enjoy the community on Tuesday nights after dinner. They were joined by day students and faculty, and though our first week was a little wet from the rain, we are off to a great start! This season will run for five weeks, and then we will transition into basketball, and then other sports throughout the year!
For this long weekend, our Outdoor Program is delighted to be able to return to Waimanu Valley for the first time in over three years, as restrictions have lifted. Our group of hikers will take on the 16-mile trek, and spend the weekend resting and relaxing in the cool waterfall and on the beach!
Also happening this weekend is a student-organized Residential Potluck on Labor Day on Monday afternoon, where students can bring anything from a prepared dish to a bag of chips to share, or just come and hang out with each other.
There is much more ahead, and we hope that all of our students will find those little pockets of joy in crowded schedules!
College Counseling
Seniors: Important Communication
Please be sure to carefully review this email from Thursday, August 31, with details about our senior fall programming.
Seniors: Work on your College Counseling TO DO list
Below is a list of tasks to be working on in the weeks ahead. You may have already completed many of these tasks. If so, keep up the great work! If not, please work towards completing these assignments prior to your first senior individual meeting:
- Make sure that both you and your parents/guardians can successfully log in to Scoir
- Complete and submit the ‘Self Introduction Form’ and ‘Parent/Guardian Input Form’ Both of these forms can now be found in Scoir under “Surveys”
- List all colleges you are thinking about in your Scoir account in either the “Following” or “Applying” column in the “My Colleges” section
- Ask two teachers to write letters of recommendation for your college applications and request the letters in Scoir (Colleges and Applications → Manage Applications)
- Complete or edit the “Overview” sections with your personal information
- Revise and update your Common Application
- Spend time on the “Activities” section to truly highlight your extracurriculars
- Draft your main college essay and send it to us for feedback
- Add all of your Common Application colleges to your Common Application
- Organize and draft the supplemental essay prompts for colleges on your list that require supplemental essays
- Register for standardized testing (ACT and/or SAT for the senior fall (if applicable)
College Visits, September 4 – September 8, 2023
Friday, September 8 – Willamette University (Salem, Oregon); 11:00 to 11:30 am
ACT/SAT Prep Boot Camp-Register Now!
HPA will again partner with Tutors Across America to provide an Online ACT/SAT Test Prep Boot Camp from Friday, September 15, through Sunday, September 17, 2023.
This course has been designed with a focus on 11th and 12th graders, although 10th graders are welcome to participate. For 10th graders, this course will serve as early preparation for the PSAT in October and any future SAT/ACT testing.
- Friday, September 15 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm
- Saturday, September 16 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (lunch from 1:00 to 2:00 pm)
- Sunday, September 17 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (lunch from 1:00 to 2:00 pm)
Students attending the weekend camps are averaging 3 to 7 point improvements on the ACT and 150-200 points on the SAT, representing a 30-40 percentile point increase. The program includes two practice exams for each test — using actual past ACT and SAT exams.
While the cost to attend the camp is typically $399, HPA students qualify for a discounted price of $199 using the coupon code HAWAIIPREP at checkout.
How to Enroll
- Go to: http://TutorsAcrossAmerica.com/ACTcourse
- Scroll through ACT COURSES to find our camp listing
- Enroll as directed
- Don’t forget to use coupon code HAWAIIPREP at checkout (You may use the coupon code for any virtual boot camp)
Students registered by Tuesday, September 5, will have all course materials sent to campus before the program. Students who register after September 5, will need to download and print the course documents on their own (approximately 100 pages). Links to the materials will be provided
This course is offered in a virtual format only. There is no in-person option.
Tutors Across America has hosted several ACT/SAT Boot Camps for our students, both virtual and in-person, with positive results and reviews. If you have questions about the program, you may contact Wendi Whitteker at wendi@tutorsacrossamerica.com, or feel free to reach out to me at testing@hpa.edu.
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.
All-School
Need to know information for our entire Ka Makani ʻohana.
HPA Today
Running for Maui
Student-led fundraiser supports families affected by devastating Maui fires
Waimea Fire Prevention & Resilience Fair
“Are You Ready” Waimea Fire Prevention & Resilience Fair!
Saturday, September 9, 2023
10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Mana Christian ʻOhana Kahilu Town Hall
Kamuela, HI, 96743
This free event is open to the public. There will also be keiki activities and door prizes.
Admissions
The 2024-2025 application is now available online to apply any HPA siblings and share with your friends and family. The admissions team will also be out “on the road” in a variety of locations locally and around the world to meet up with prospective students, parents, alumni, and more! We look forward to many good times together as we dive into the new school year. Mahalo for your partnership and enthusiasm for HPA!
Advancement & Alumni
HPA’s Alu Mai Gala in support of Financial Aid is right around the corner!
Come with a generous heart and enjoy a fabulous night of dinner, dancing, and giving for future generations.
Health & Wellness
Flu season is upon us. As part of HPA’s commitment to overall health and well being, we will be hosting two flu clinics this year. Be on the lookout for an official communication with details from our Health Services Department in the next few weeks.
Magnus Health forms are now overdue. Please log into your child’s Magnus Health portal, via your myHPA parent account, to complete outstanding items. Students will not be allowed to attend classes if these items are not completed. If you have any issues logging in, reach out to infirmary@hpa.edu for assistance, as soon as possible so we can help.
COVID-19 Policies & Information
After careful consideration, we have adjusted the HPA COVID-19 Policy, 2023-2024, effective as of July 1, 2023.
For more information, please review this email from Head of School Fred Wawner which was sent on June 30, 2023.
We are asking that everyone routinely assess themselves for symptoms of illness — which can be mild, so please pay close attention. If you or your child(ren) develop any symptoms of illness, contact your healthcare provider and HPA Health Services at vcinfirmary@hpa.edu(Village Campus);infirmary@hpa.edu (Upper Campus); or employeetravel@hpa.edu(all employees). Please keep your child(ren) home until they are no longer sick and have been cleared for return. For more information, please review our COVID-19 Decision Tree.
ʻOhana Association
The ʻOhana Association is recruiting for two room parents for each Village Campus (K-8) grade for the 2023-24 school year. We are looking for folks who are interested in sustainability, sharing cultural practices, and connecting with the community, among others. Room parents know what’s going on at school, get to know faculty, make new friends, and create fun experiences for our students, and ʻohana. Room parents will benefit from the organized support of Ratna Amin,ʻOhana VP Lower School, and Michele Sullivan,ʻOhana VP Middle School.
Room Parents Support Classrooms
- Each grade will receive $150 per semester to spend on class activities!
- Collaborate with teachers and other parents to plan activities throughout the year
- Get other families involved with specific class/Village Campus activities
Room Parents Communicate with Families
- Assist with distributing ʻOhana materials and communications to families
- Help your families participate in school activities and ʻOhana events
- Recruit help for ʻOhana events.
- We will use the “signup.com” platform to make sign up easy
Room Parent Meetings
- Kickoff Gatherings of all Room Parents (late August)
- Mini-training about privacy and expectations for the classrooms and then promote these guidelines to other parent volunteers
- Shape the ʻOhana Association 2023-24 program for Village Campus
- ʻOhana Association general meetings (two per year)
- ʻOhana Association sponsored Lower School events
- Online training for student-facing volunteers
To be a grade K-5 room parent, contact ohana_vplower@hpa.edu / 510.390.4167 (Ratna)
To be a grade 6-8 room parent, contact ohana_vpmiddle@hpa.edu / 808.896.9648 (Michele)
If you have questions or want to be involved with ʻOhana in a different way, please feel free to contact us. Mahalo for all you do as families! Here’s to an awesome 2023-24 school year!!
Ratna Amin P ‘27 & ‘32
Lower School Vice President
Michele Sullivan P ‘29 & ‘32
Middle School Vice President
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.
myHPA Resource Boards
Past HPA communications and other important information can be found on myHPA. We are continuing to make updates to our student and parent resource boards, so please be sure to visit them regularly.