Week of 9/8/23
What's Happening at HPA This Week?
Message from the Head of School
Aloha HPA ʻohana,
Returning to school from a three day weekend is a skill. One I sure haven’t fully developed, so I pass no judgment on anyone else — especially our students. We don’t really think about it, and can’t wait to start a long weekend, but the other side can sometimes be a growth point. I saw this on Tuesday at the Village Campus. From the fogginess of the start of a new week, after what looked like a longer than long weekend came and went, I experienced one of the best moments I’ve witnessed in nearly 30 years of education.
More than a few car doors opened with a touch of unexpected grouchiness, an abnormal amount of bedhead, and some teary eyes. This is not the norm at Village Campus morning drop-off, as the joy of jumping out of the car to see friends and faculty is truly so inspiring each day. But the first return to school after a little time off, can bring a touch of the blues in all of us.
Here is where this whole thing turned to magic. With one young student, it was clear, today was not going to be his day. He seemed determined that attending school for the first three weeks was going to be good enough for this year and appeared ready to call it quits. With a strong and supportive parent knowing it was time to exit the scene, the young boy stood on the sidewalk behind me slumped over in tears. I’d been waiting for the right time to jump in and try to intervene. With more cars pulling up, and students jumping out, I kept an eye on him but didn’t yet move in to support. In the next moment, I watched another young student walk over and gently place her hand on his back. She didn’t appear to say much, but simply stood next to him and patted his back, like one of our aunties or grandparents might have done in times of fear or trouble. Her gentle nearness seemed to say, “We got this, I got you”. After a few minutes of watching this, I made eye contact with the other adults watching this same thing. It didn’t take long before the two students were heading into their classroom side by side. I was welled up with tears of joy. I could see the same in my colleagues.
These special moments exist. I am lucky to get to witness them from time to time. While we talk constantly about our Core Values and concepts of aloha, community, and kindness, it is so rewarding to see it play out in our young people’s actions.
Yes, we are back at it. School is picking up steam. School pictures, Open Houses, athletic competitions, camping trips, school dances — countless opportunities to grow, to be together, to connect with one another, and to support each other. At the Upper School, we have gathered to officially open our school year with Convocation, and to share gifts of song and story in the honor of our friends in Lāhainā. We seek to build and ensure a connected and resilient school community. Let’s not take any of these opportunities for granted. As we all aspire to be lifelong learners, this week, I got the opportunity to learn from a six year old.
Gratefully,
Fred Wawner
Head of School
School Bulletins for the Week of 9/8/23
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,
Mahalo to everyone able to make it out to our Village Campus Open House event this week! We hope you were able to learn about the foundations of our learning program through the Lower School and Middle School, hear from our Specialist teachers about their unique curriculum, and engage with our ʻOhana Association. As we emerge from the effects of pandemic-era restrictions and make renewed connections with one another, we are eager to make purposeful events in support of our student’s learning and experience. If you have a moment, please fill out this survey and let us know your feedback regarding this event as we strive to be even better.
As some of you heard on Wednesday, our annual book fair is coming up at our Lynn Taylor Library, along with other opportunities for you to get involved with our students. Check out K-8 Librarian, Mrs. Tarnas’s newsletter for more information.
Speaking of newsletters, please be on the lookout for communication from Mrs. DiBartolo regarding our upcoming 3rd – 5th grade musical. We are pleased to invite our 3rd – 5th grade families, as well as having our kindergarten – 2nd grade learners in our audience. This will take place on Friday, October 13, and all students will then be dismissed directly from GPAC (Gates Performing Arts Center) at the Upper Campus at 3:00 pm.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!
Mālama pono,
Dora Kwong
Lower School Principal
Schedule
Our K-5 classes continue with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Monday, September 11.
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 18: 3:00 to 5:30 pm, Village Campus Flu Clinic, Kohala Field
• Friday, September 22: Faculty Work Day, all divisions, no classes K-12
• Sunday, October 1: Keiki Triathlon
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,
It was great to see so many people at our Village Campus Open House. We hope you had a chance to meet most of your child’s teachers and get a feel for the classrooms. Parent-teacher connection is such a vital part of our students’ learning and the more we can partner, the better placed our students are to thrive. One of the thoughts we shared at the Open House came from a book entitled Trust in Schools: A Core Resource for School Reform. In there is a sentiment that states, “The level of trust in schools (between students, teachers, administrators, and parents) is the variable that most strongly determines academic outcomes.” We believe that parents and teachers are workers on different shifts, all working to help our children be the best they can be. Thank you for your partnership.
This was the first time we have hosted this particular event in this way and would love your feedback and suggestions about the experience. Thanks in advance if you are able to fill out this form: HPA VC Open House Feedback
For this week’s Fly on the Wall, I got to sit in on a few capstone classes that welcomed guests from our community to talk to our students about sharing their gifts with their communities. Mr. Bernstein, our K – 8 Capstone Coordinator, expands on the visitors below in our Capstone Update.
At this week’s assembly, we had the pleasure of welcoming Mr. Anthony Peckham, author of ‘Children of the Black Glass’. Middle School students read this book for summer reading and we were very fortunate to learn from Mr. Peckman about his journey in writing his first young adult novel. This was a wonderful opportunity for our students to learn what can be accomplished with perseverance and a pursuit of excellence.
Please see this update from Ms. Tarnas from the Taylor Library on the Village Campus to learn more about the upcoming Book Fair September 18 – 21 and other library news and opportunities: Village Campus Library News
Mahalo,
Glenn Chickering
Middle School Principal
Capstone Update from K-8 Capstone Coordinator, Dagan Bernstein
Aloha mai kākou. The beginning of the capstone experience is always an exciting period for our 8th-grade students. We kick off this journey with a range of collaborative and reflective activities, all aimed at igniting their curiosity for a specific topic they will explore throughout the year.
This year, we’ve introduced a series of activities designed to inspire students to think deeply about the stories behind their names, communities, and gifts. This past Thursday, we also had the privilege of hosting valued community members who shared how these elements influence their professional lives. Keala Kahuanui, a Project Director with Nā Kālai Waʻa, discussed the link between voyaging and food. Uakoko Chong, the ʻĀina Education Coordinator from Hui Mālama i ke Ala ʻŪlili, spoke about resource sustainability. Naka Nathaniel, a journalist for Civil Beat, focused on the art of storytelling.
All these interactions serve as the foundation for the year-long capstone experience. In the upcoming months, I look forward to giving you insights into our students’ learning journeys through regular updates.
Schedule
Our Middle School 2023-2024 Daily Schedule continues with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Monday, September 11.
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 18: 3:00 to 5:30 pm, Village Campus Flu Clinic, Kohala Field
• 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!
Now that we are about four weeks into the start of the school year, I feel like it is a fitting moment to take a closer look at our Upper School class schedule and the names that have been given to each day. The Upper School schedule is divided into two alternate days, ʻUla and Mamo. ʻUla days consist of A, B, C, and D class blocks. Mamo days consist of a morning block for a rotation of programming followed by E, F, and G class blocks.
Our ʻUla and Mamo Upper School schedule was named with intention. The lehua ʻula and lehua mamo are two prominent flower varieties of the ʻōhiʻa tree, the foundation of Hawaii‘s forests. ʻUla and Mamo are in reference to these ʻōhiʻa lehua flowers. ʻUla, which is the red, and mamo, which is the term often used to describe the yellow lehua because of its similarity to the yellow mamo bird, are colors representative of high esteem and dignity. These lehua have been chosen as a symbol to represent HPA’s pursuit of excellence and to represent alternating days on our schedule. ʻUla is also referenced in other areas where a high degree of reverence and sacredness are needed. For example, the ʻula leo is a term seen in chants that represent the highest amount of sanctity that is placed on the words being chanted, often as an offering. The ua koko ʻula is a term given to the reddish hue of a rain cloud that is a hōʻailona, or symbol of something to come.
At the time when our current class schedule and its name came about, we were in the middle of navigating times of challenge with a global pandemic, and the ʻōhiʻa tree was also experiencing a struggle that has been called Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death, or ROD, which is still a looming concern. The ʻōhiʻa is the keystone anchor of Hawaiʻi’s rainforests and a very prominent factor in maintaining our watershed cycles. As a way to tie the similarities of being steadfast in the face of adversity, similar to the tree image that HPA uses to show the impact of ka makani, it is fitting to highlight the beauty of Hawaiʻi’s admired ʻōhiʻa lehua ʻula and mamo flowers. The ʻōhiʻa, while facing a challenge, is still strong and so are we.
The morning blocks of Mamo days consist of a meeting block rotation, which is tied to a day of the week. The nature of each “mamo morning” meeting block is as follows:
Mamo Mondays or Tuesdays: Assembly, 8:30 to 9:20 am
Mamo Wednesdays: Faculty meetings
Mamo Thursdays: Class meetings, 8:30 to 9:20 am
Mamo Fridays: Office hours, Occasional Friday Morning Programming, Student Clubs
The students and faculty have a good feel for the flow of our schedule, and I hope they now have a better understanding of the intent that was put into the name that was given to each day. I was lucky enough to travel to Italy over the summer for a nice vacation. While there, I learned that in the Roman Empire, the colors red and yellow were also used there to symbolize rank and prestige as well, which I found very interesting. I wonder if this is a similar theme in other areas of the world. In our continual quest for the pursuit of excellence, I hope everyone can see how it was also applied to the names of each day of our Upper School class schedule. Have a great weekend, everyone!
Ke aloha nō,
Kaʻai Spencer
Upper School Poʻo Kumu
Schedule
Our Upper School 2023-2024 Daily Schedule will resume as a Mamo day with in-person instruction on our Upper Campus on Monday, September 11.
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, September 8: 7:00 to 9:00 pm, Back to School Dance, Ko Kākou Hale (Student Union) & Kennedy Square
• Tuesday, September 19: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, Upper School Flu Clinic, Gates Performing Arts Center
• 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.
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 5:00 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 tonight, 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.
Students must have signed up in advance and have completed the Dance Student Conduct Form that was assigned to them on myHPA. Failure to complete this form will prohibit admission to the dance.
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.
Student Check-out
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: Trip full, waitlist additions accepted
- Thanksgiving – Kauaʻi Island: (details and cost pending, minimum 6 participants, maximum 13)
- Spring Break – Coral Reef Ecology & Conservation Fiji: Trip full, waitlist additions accepted
- 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)
Don’t hesitate to contact Ka Makani Travel Coordinator Adrienne White (awhite@hpa.edu) for information on registration, eligibility, and travel grants.
Residential Life
This week, the residential community elected their representatives to Student Council, who serve on the Residential Student Council (SRC) sub-committee. These so-called Dorm Reps meet weekly with the Executive Dormitory Representative and the SRC advisor to plan activities for the residential community, address the concerns of the boarding population, and occasionally make proposals to adjust school policies around the residential program. We are excited for each of these students who have stepped up to serve their peers and the school through this important leadership role! Please join us in congratulating them!
Executive Dormitory Representative: Luke Linebaugh
Carter Dorm Reps: Murphy Makely, Katherine Philpott
Perry-Fiske Dorm Reps: James Skyrm and Benjamin Wyatt
Robertson Dorm Reps: Daniela Rojas-Castelblanco, Rowan Schiermeyer
College Counseling
Senior Parent Night with College Counseling, Monday, September 11, 5:30 to 6:30 pm
College Counseling will host an informational Zoom discussion and Q&A for senior parents regarding college applications, standardized testing requirements, and financial aid timelines. This session will be recorded for families who are unable to join and shared afterward.
Brown University Evening Presentation, Friday, September 15, 6:00 to 7:00 pm
Brown University will host an informational session at Gates Performing Arts Center (GPAC) on the HPA Upper Campus on Friday, September 15, from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. This event is open to all students and families in the Hawaiʻi Island community. If you are interested in attending, please register via this link.
Seniors: Important Communication
Please be sure to carefully review this email from Thursday, August 31, with details about our senior fall programming. Seniors should be working towards completion of the Senior Fall Application Checklist, which is located in the “Drive” of each student’s and parent’s SCOIR account.
College Visits, Monday, September 11 – Friday, September 15, 2023
All college visits will take place in the College Counseling Center with the exception of Friday’s visit with California College of the Arts (Gerry Clark Art Center) and Brown University (GPAC).
Monday, September 11
University of Rochester (Rochester, NY) – 11:15 to 11:45 am
Lewis & Clark (Portland, OR) – 11:45 am to 12:15 pm
California Institute of Technology (Pasadena, CA) – 2:30 to 3:00 pm
Tuesday, September 12
Washington University in St. Louis (St. Louis, MO) – 9:15 to 9:45 am
New York University (New York, NY) – 11:45 to 12:15 pm
Occidental College (Los Angeles, CA) – 3:30 to 4:00 pm
Friday, September 15
Gonzaga University (Spokane, WA) – 11:00 to 11:30 am
California College of the Arts (San Francisco, CA ) – 11:10 to 11:40 am in GCAC
Brown University (Providence, RI ) – 6:00 to 7:00 pm in GPAC
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
Enriching Opportunity
Lower School Enrichment Day Fosters Community and Interdisciplinary Learning
Ulumau & Ulu Mālama Gardens of HPA
Join us in the garden! We have planned several upcoming community workdays to learn and grow together. All are welcome, please use this link to sign up or email wquayle@hpa.edu or lprutrow@hpa.edu with any questions.
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
We are happy to announce our annual flu clinic dates! In partnership with Waimea Primary Care, we will host clinics on both our Upper and Lower Campuses as part of our commitment to the health and safety of your families.
Village Campus
Date: Monday, September 18, 2023
Time: 3:00 to 5:30 pm
Place: HPA Village Campus, Kohala Field *Parent/guardian must be present
Upper Campus
Date: Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Time: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Place: HPA Upper Campus, Gates Performing Arts Center *Parent/guardian attendance NOT required
Please register in advance by Friday, September 15, using the form below, and bring both an ID and insurance card to your appointment.
Click here for the Waimea Primary Care Influenza sign-up link
Influenza vaccines provided by Waimea Primary Care, for our students, are the following:
- FluLaval Quadrivalent, Preservative-free
- Fluarix Quadrivalent, Preservative-free
- Flucelvax Quadrivalent, Preservative-free
The brand of vaccine used is based on availability of supply. On the day of vaccination, you will be informed, by Waimea Primary Care, of the vaccine received.
The influenza vaccine provided by Waimea Primary Care, for our employees, is the multidose Flucelvax Quadrivalent. This is a cell-based vaccine free of eggs and antibiotics. The multidose vial contains a small amount of preservative in each dose.
Most insurance companies — including GeoBlue, United Health Alliance (UHA), Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association (HMSA) and Kaiser Permanente — cover the cost of the influenza vaccinations. Please reach out to your insurance provider to determine your eligibility for coverage.
We encourage you to contact your physician or child(ren)’s physician if you have any questions about the seasonal influenza vaccine. You also may speak to any of HPA’s Registered Nurses by contacting either of our infirmaries:
Upper Campus: (808) 881-4022, infirmary@hpa.edu
Village Campus: (808) 885-2504, vcinfirmary@hpa.edu
Links:
Waimea Primary Care Influenza sign-up link
Influenza Vaccine Information Statement
FluLaval Quadrivalent
Fluarix Quadrivalent
Flucelvax Quadrivalent
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.