Week of 2/16/24
What's Happening at HPA This Week?
Message from the Head of School
Aloha HPA ʻohana,
In the last few weeks, I have communicated internally about planned restructuring for the next academic year that is important for the school. While these changes are indeed transitions, they are intended to only further strengthen the school’s position to live its mission. When change is announced, it is natural to question the reason, assess with apprehension, or even assume the worst. This is not the case for HPA. As an employee here for the last 15 years, I know us well. There are things that we have wanted to do. In a position where we can be change agents for the school, I don’t want us to wait any longer. The time is now.
Capitalizing on the immense opportunity to reach HPA’s vision of becoming a leading educational community to learn and live sustainably takes direction, discipline, and determination. These actions, anchored by our Core Values of respect, integrity, pursuit of excellence, and wonder, will allow us to follow our vision, to continue to offer our students exceptional learning opportunities, broaden our diverse community, and honor our place in meaningful ways of greater scope and depth. We are strong and seeking to get stronger. We do this with heart, courage, and clarity.
Our focus is and will always remain on our students. We build meaningful programs that resonate with them beyond their time at HPA while supporting the people who successfully lead these programs. We will continuously work to offer robust and rigorous opportunities at each level and evolve with what students need for tomorrow — prioritizing unique courses and independent learning offerings. This is our commitment — to you, our students, and to all of those amazing HPA alumni who care deeply about the integrity of the diploma they earned. It’s special to be Ka Makani and we are privileged to provide that experience and belonging through our mission each day.
We will graduate another class of students in May who will be prepared to move things forward, to share ideas and be thought leaders, and to do so with a firm grasp of who they are, where they come from, and how they can contribute to the greater good of their new communities.
I hope my passion for this school and this mission is coming through in an honest, caring, and humble tone. I just love this place and the people who make it special. I am honored to be called to lead during this time for HPA, and I am grateful for your trust, perspective, and pride for this outstanding and longstanding Academy in the hills of Waimea. With next year being HPA’s 75th, there is a lot to reflect on and a great deal to look forward to. Thank you.
If you are in town this weekend, try to catch one of the Upper School performances of Alice in Wonderland.
Have a wonder-filled weekend!
With aloha,
Fred Wawner
Head of School
School Bulletins for the Week of 2/16/24
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 assembly this week upheld a theme of Haʻina (sharing our story) as part of Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, with Kumu Kūwalu and special guest, 1st grader, Kosta P., telling the tale of Manaua. Kosta was inspired to tell this story after learning about Manaua and the rain rock at one of our Wā Pilina ʻOhana Series workshops taught by revered community member, Kumu Hula Pua Case. During our assembly, students learned that Manaua is a moʻo wahine, or a female lizard-like being, who is said to live in the Kōhakohau Stream here in Waimea, residing in the pond known as “Anna’s Pond,” located behind Anna Ranch. Revered as a water guardian, several well-known stories of Manaua remind us of her mana and her sacredness. These tales of Manaua leave us with two important messages—the protocol of entering the pond of Manaua or Kōhakohau, and the offerings given to her pōhaku, or rock, that summon and bring the much-needed rains to Waimea. Today we continue to learn and share these stories as our continued commitment to honoring, practicing, and remembering legends of Waimea like Manaua! Mahalo to Kumu Kūwalu, Kumu Pua Case, and Kosta, for sharing one of many important local legends with us!
This sharing was a perfect segue into our next Ōlelo Hawaiʻi activity at our assembly. Our Lower School students, grades K-5, were then invited to kinesthetically practice ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi vocabulary such as i luna (up, above), i lalo (down, below), i hope (backward, back, last), iki (little, tiny), nui (big, large) or waho (outside, outward) through a round of “Kumu Says.” It was a rousing and interactive way to engage our language learners. Ask your child(ren) to try it at home with you!
In Student Council news, our elected leaders have been heavily focused on community service this term. Specifically, how small acts can make huge impacts. Together, the group decided to make a collection of tasks and projects that teachers and other community members need help with. Ideas ranged from sorting books, campus clean up, organizing jump ropes, weeding, sweeping classroom lanais, and so much more. With input from teachers and peers, the leaders created a long list and then solicited so much interest from their peers, that rather than having one community service work day as originally intended, they have decided to do this once a week for the next three weeks until Spring Break. They are calling it “Community Service Fridays!” During these Fridays, any students who wish to volunteer can meet with our Student Council leaders during their lunch recess and participate in the community service activity of their choice. We are excited to try this new idea from our Student Council leaders, and engage in small acts that make a huge impact! This show of lokahi, pilina, and kuleana is emblematic of our Student Council leaders and we are proud of them for working on this idea together as a group!
Rounding out this week was a special Valentineʻs event our K-2 students get to participate in each year, for the past few years — singing to our beloved kupuna at HoʻoNani Place. Walking over to our neighbor together with bouquets in hand and love in their hearts, our students gave our elderly community members the gift of song and aloha. How wonderful for our Kindergarten through 2nd graders to be empowered to give in this way. This learning opportunity highlights the different ways we can give back and show care in our community. Everyone joining voices together, young and old, with the closing song of “This Little Light of Mine,” was a joyful way to end our session and celebrate another day of heartfulness and giving.
Coming up next Friday, February 23 is our Kindergarten through 2nd grade musical, The Rainbow Fish. Families of students in these grades are invited to attend the performance at GPAC. The show starts at 2:15 pm (doors open at 2:00 pm). Students in grades 3-5 will also be watching and supporting the audience. Families of all students, K-5, should plan to pick up their keiki directly from GPAC at 3:00 pm unless they are participating in the after-school program (those children will be bussed back to the Village Campus).
A little later on the horizon, Friday, March 1, our 3rd Annual Village Campus Plant Sale promises to be a beautiful community event for all our VC families. Hosted by the 4th grade, with support from all other grade levels, and led by Mrs. Prutow-McKenna, the goal of our Plant Sale is to get more plants in gardens and increase photosynthesis across our island home! We hope you will join us on March 1st from 3:00 to 5:00 pm for this community event in Ulumau Garden. There will even be live music from our faculty band, a surefire way to bring in some great cheer for what will be a beautiful Aloha Friday. Families who will be here during the school day for the 5th graders’ Capstone event (from noon to 3:00 pm) are welcome to transition directly to the Plant Sale at 3:00 pm with their keiki!
Finally, please be reminded that the speed limit on our campuses is 10 miles per hour and morning drop-off is at the back roundabout unless accommodations have been worked out with the office. Please do not drop off at the front office in the mornings. We are grateful to our security team for helping us enforce the speed limit and road expectations to help us with traffic flow and the safety of all our young learners. Thank you for respecting our safety officers’ work and our campus driving expectations for the sake of our keiki.
Me ka mahalo nui,
Dora Kwong
Lower School Principal
Schedule
Our K-5 classes continue with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Monday, February 19.
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
• Thursday, February 15 through Saturday, February 17 at 7:00 pm: Upper School play for all families, Alice in Wonderland, Gates Performing Arts Center
• Friday, February 23: K-2 Musical, all students to be dismissed directly from GPAC
• Friday, March 1 from 12:00 to 3:00 pm: 5th Grade Capstone Presentations
• Friday, March 1 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm: Village Campus Plant Sale Event
• Wednesday, March 6 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm: Suessical, feat. 5th-8th grade actors, Gates Performing Arts Center
• Thursday, March 7, and Friday, March 8: LS & MS Student-led Conferences, no classes grades K-8
• Monday, March 11 through Sunday, March 24: Spring Break, school closed
• Monday, March 25: Prince Kuhio Day, no school & offices closed
• Tuesday, March 26: Classes resume (all divisions, grades 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,
We had a packed assembly this week, with many students sharing and looking to get other students involved in their Capstone projects. We heard from a student working with the Waimea Preservation Association and inviting us to join him at the Pukalani Farmer’s Market on Saturday, February, 24 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. Another is collecting fruit to make gourmet ice cream. Another Capstone student has been hosting a series of successful Game Nights at the Village Campus Library. The next game night is tonight, February 16, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Please feel free to come with your family. Finally, we heard from a Grade 12 Capstone student who is making bracelets from discarded fishing lines and will be selling them at school on Monday and Tuesday of next week to benefit the Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund. All of these fit nicely with this week’s assembly theme focusing on the HPA Core Skill of communication. Speaking of communication…
We now have our Grade 7 students’ Black History Month Podcast Expo set up in the Village Campus Library. Parents are invited to drop into the library to visit the exhibit after school on Thursdays and Fridays from 3:10 to 5:00 pm. There are iPads set up with headphones for listening and the recordings also have a QR code that you can scan and listen to from your own device. You can also find the posters and QR codes on this link: Grade 7 Voices of Black History in America Podcasts. You can scroll through the pages to see the different posters with play buttons. A big mahalo to Ms. Monello, Ms. Boswell, and Ms. Tarnas for their collaboration on this project.
I know I have mentioned our HIKI NŌ films quite a bit, but I feel I have to give one more shout-out and reminder for you to check out these two episodes on PBS that are hosted by Middle School students Koen Walker and Liana Doppmann. These episodes also feature some of our other Grade 8 student films and Koen’s ends with a well-deserved Teacher Spotlight on Ms. Monello and Kumu Kūwalu that will leave you inspired that they are working with your children.
And if you are on campus, be sure to pop your head into the dining room entrance to see our students’ art. Ms. M’s Fiber Arts class is displaying some beautiful work they did with indigo dye and her Art from Mauka to Makai is showing some of their wonderful drawings of native Hawaiian species.
Our Spring Dance, with a Big City Nights theme, is next week — Friday, February 23. The dress can be fancy or casual – but the decorations will be Big City. The dance will go from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and we will have snacks on hand to fuel the dancing. We are looking for a few parent volunteers to help decorate, supply and manage snacks, and clean up after the dance. If you can help out please sign up on this form: 2024 MS Big City Spring Dance Sign Up. Many thanks in advance if you can help.
A reminder that drop-off for students in the morning should be in the back parking lot roundabout. Please do not drop off students in the center Office parking lot area.
I hope you have a great weekend!
Mahalo,
Glenn Chickering
Middle School Principal
Schedule
Our Middle School 2023-2024 Daily Schedule continues with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Monday, February 19.
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
• Thursday, February 15 through Saturday, February 17 at 7:00 pm: Upper School play for all families, Alice in Wonderland, Gates Performing Arts Center
• Friday, February 23, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm: Middle School Spring Dance, Hale ʻInana
• Wednesday, March 6 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm: Suessical, feat. 5th-8th grade actors, Gates Performing Arts Center
• Thursday, March 7, and Friday, March 8: LS & MS Student-led Conferences, no classes grades K-8
• Monday, March 11 through Sunday, March 24: Spring Break, school closed
• Monday, March 25: Prince Kuhio Day, no school & offices closed
• Tuesday, March 26: Classes resume (all divisions, grades 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!
Auhea ʻoukou e na waha ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi o nei ʻaina a me na ʻaina mamao o ka honua. Aloha no kākou! In today’s world, it seems like many things are given recognition by being featured in a month, a week, or a day. In Hawaiʻi, February is the month dedicated to honoring Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, the native language of Hawaiʻi. As a speaker of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, this is something I think about. ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi speakers do not necessarily do anything differently during February as compared to any other month, week, or day. It is the language we choose to speak with those who speak it when we choose to speak it. Therefore, it is difficult to relegate the language of this place to one month. I am also curious about February being labeled as Black History Month. I wonder if other cultures and people feel similarly about the month that has been chosen for their culture and history. For me, it’s a reminder to celebrate and uplift cultures, history, and languages every day, fostering mutual respect, understanding, and harmony in our communities and beyond.
This is also a time to recognize other significant cultural times. With the start of the new moon cycle, we begin a period, or month, known as Kaulua. Kaulua is representative of the changing of the seasons when our weather patterns begin to move away from winter patterns and shift into spring. The new moon cycle is also a mark of the Chinese New Year. In Hawaiʻi, the Chinese culture has a strong footing because of the many Chinese families who emigrated to Hawaiʻi during and after the plantation era.
Last but not least, it is also the start of the Spring sports season! As a coach of track and field, this is an exciting time! As you can see, February comes along with a lot. There are things dedicated to the month of February and changes that are marked in the lunar calendar. Change can be exciting, and it can be hard. Let’s strive to make the most out of any changes that come our way, viewing them as chances for growth. Note to self: Embrace change as an opportunity for progress.
Ke aloha nō,
Kaʻai Spencer
Upper School Poʻo Kumu
Kelan K. ’26 contributed to this photo gallery
Schedule
Our Upper School 2023-2024 Daily Schedule will resume as a Mamo day with in-person instruction on our Upper Campus on Monday, February 19.
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
• Thursday, February 15 through Saturday, February 17 at 7:00 pm: Upper School play, Alice in Wonderland, Gates Performing Arts Center
• Wednesday, February 28 to March 1: 46th Annual HPA Olympic Games
• Sunday, March 10: Dormitories close at noon, school closed
• Monday, March 11 through Sunday, March 24: Spring Break, school closed
• Sunday, March 24: All residential students return to campus, dormitories open
• Monday, March 25: Prince Kuhio Day, no school & offices closed
•Tuesday, March 26: Classes resume (all divisions, grades K-12)
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.
Class of 2024 – Seniors and Families
Mahalo to those of you who were able to join us on Zoom on December 7, for our Commencement and End-of-Year Celebrations informational meeting. For those of you who missed it, here is a recording of all the information that was shared. Please also be sure to visit the “Upper School End-of-Year Events” Resource Board on myHPA, which will be updated over the next several months with new details.
We are thrilled to celebrate all of the achievements of the Class of 2024, including their culminating event — the 73rd Annual Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 24, 2024, at 10:00 am in Castle Gymnasium. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at graduation@hpa.edu.
Student Life
Upcoming Student Life Events
- Wednesday, February 28 – Friday, March 1: HPA Olympics!
- Our Student Council and Class Leaders are in the final stages of planning the 46th Annual HPA Olympic Games. On Tuesday, we held our first ‘early’ event, the Oreo competition, and the seniors won, placing them in first place so far. Please visit the HPA Olympics Resource Board to stay up-to-date on the HPA Olympics. An email will be sent to all families next week.
Ka Makani Travel
We are in the final stages of confirming itineraries for Spring Break 2025. Japan is open for enrollment. Options to Peru and a combination tour that includes Switzerland, Italy, France & Spain will open for enrollment in the coming weeks.
- Spring Break 2025: Japan: Land of the Rising Sun with EF Tours: Open for enrollment
EF’s Global Citizen Scholarship Fund offers $1000 scholarships.
Please contact Ka Makani Travel Coordinator Adrienne White (awhite@hpa.edu) for information on registration and eligibility.
Ka Makani Players
The Ka Makani Players are proud to present Lewis Carrol’s “Alice In Wonderland” on February 15, 16, and 17 at 7:00 pm in Gates Performing Arts Center at the Upper Campus. In this adaptation by Anne Coulter Martens, Alice encounters all the familiar faces of Wonderland—the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, the White Rabbit, and more—all while trying to get back home.
This wacky and wonderful production is appropriate for all ages and run time is approximately 90 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission. Admission is free to all and donations are generously accepted.
If you cannot join us at GPAC, we will be live-streaming Friday’s performance here.
Residential Life
The third quarter is past the halfway mark, and we are deep in a season of traditions, fun events, and preparing for Spring Break! In the last few weeks, the residential community was delighted to spotlight our International Boarding students through our annual International Day celebration, and this past week, we held another time-honored tradition of Open Dorm! On Monday, February 12, Carter Hall opened its doors for a special social event for our residential community, as they served treats, played music and games, had a table for Valentine’s cards, a photo booth, and of course all of the residents got to show off their interior decorating skills as the whole community came down after study hall and enjoyed the festive atmosphere! Great job, Carter Hall!
On Monday, we will honor another long-standing HPA tradition- Formal Dinner! Students will dress semi-formally for a special sit-down dinner in the dining hall with the residential faculty. This quarter, we will use this opportunity to celebrate and honor Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, or Hawaiian Language Month. Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi is a month set aside for the celebration, preservation, and use of the Hawaiian Language. After nearly a century of being banned, the native language of the people of Hawaiʻi has made a resurgence over the last few decades, and we are honored to play our own small part in continuing that legacy. Menus at Formal Dinner are being translated into Hawaiian and English, and the theme of the meal will be a hybrid of Hawaiian Language and Valentine’s Day! We thank Kumu Roy McGrath for his partnership with his Hawaiian Language classes and for helping us celebrate this special and important month!
Ka Makani Athletics
Here’s the updated weekly schedule for our end-of-winter sports and the beginning of spring sports season. GO KA MAKANI! You can also access the athletics schedule on the myHPA calendar.
College Counseling
Paying for College: Financial Aid & Scholarships
FAFSA
All U.S. families wishing to be considered for federal need-based financial aid must submit the 2024-2025 FAFSA, which was released on December 31, 2023. Both student and parent must register and receive a FAFSA ID. Please reach out to us at college@hpa.edu with any questions.
CSS PROFILE
Many private colleges and universities also require the CSS Profile as part of the financial aid application process. A complete list of colleges that require the CSS Profile is available at CSS Participating Institutions.
Hawaiʻi Community Foundation Scholarships
HPA students with US citizenship can become eligible for hundreds of regional scholarships by completing the scholarship application at the Hawai’i Community Foundation. The application deadline is on Wednesday, February 29, 2024, at 4 pm. Families must complete the FAFSA to be eligible for scholarships through the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation.
Hawaiʻi Community Federal Credit Union Scholarships
The Hawaiʻi Community Federal Credit Union also offers a number of scholarships for Hawaiʻi Island students. The HCFCU scholarship application is due Monday, March 4, 2023.
Other College Scholarships
Seniors can find information regarding several other college scholarships by looking in their “Drive” folder in their Scoir accounts, where College Counseling regularly uploads scholarship opportunities. Students can also search for national college scholarships using one of the many online search engines available such as Fastweb.
Important Reminders for Seniors Who Have Submitted College Applications
Congratulations to the many seniors who have submitted their first college applications! It has been a pleasure working with you and seeing your high-quality applications and the thoughtful essays you have created. Moving forward, here are a few important reminders:
- Check your email regularly. Applicants usually receive an email from each college to which they have applied with the status of their application or instructions for setting up an online application portal. If you have not received an email from a college within two weeks of applying, please follow up with the college or reach out to us for assistance.
- If applicable, send your official test scores (ACT, SAT, TOEFL, and/or DuoLingo) to all of the colleges for which you’d like test scores to be part of your application.
- If you would like to be considered for need-based financial aid, please make sure your family has submitted the CSS Profile if it is required by any of the colleges to which you have applied. The FAFSA, which is required for all U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens applying for need-based financial aid, will be available on December 31, 2023.
- Please remember that the deadline for requesting your college counselor to review any additional essays is December 15.
- It is very important that you update your “applying” and “applied” columns in Scoir as you add colleges and submit your applications. This will ensure that all of your school materials are submitted by college counseling in a timely fashion.
Keep up the great work! Stop by anytime or contact us at college@hpa.edu with questions.
Online Test Prep
HPA will again partner with Tutors Across America to provide a Virtual ACT/SAT Test Prep Boot Camp from Friday, February 16, through Sunday, February 18, 2024. This course is online only.
The Boot Camp has been designed with a focus on 11th 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.
Please see this link for detailed information regarding dates and times and how to enroll.
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, 2023-2024’.
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.
Admissions
Re-enrollment for the 2024-2025 academic year
The deadline of February 15 has passed to secure your child’s enrollment at HPA for the 2024-2025 academic year. For those that have completed it, MAHALO! For families who are experiencing delays or special circumstances, please be sure that you are in touch with the Admission Office ASAP.
If your child is not planning to return to HPA for the 2024-2025 academic year, please email admissions@hpa.edu at your earliest convenience to let us know.
Performing Arts at HPA
The following performances will be taking place on the Upper Campus at Gates Performing Arts Center. Our entire school community is invited to attend.
Upper School
Alice in Wonderland
Thursday, February 15 through Saturday, February 17 at 7:00 pm
Middle School
Seussical Musical
Wednesday, March 6 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm
Health & Wellness
HPA Senior, Katelin C. is continuing her important capstone work! She has organized for HPA, in collaboration with the Hawaiʻi Island Fentanyl Task Force, to offer one free box of Narcan (naloxone) to students and employees at the HPA Upper School. Students will only receive the free box of Narcan with guardian consent. Be on the lookout for an email next week linking a consent form should you wish for your student(s) to pick up a free box. We are so pleased to be able to offer this opportunity for our ʻohana. Mahalo, Katelin!
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 lprutow@hpa.edu with any questions.
ʻOhana Association
What is Wā Pilina and why is that the name of this series?
The word pilina means association, relationship, and connection. Wā refers to a period of time. HPA started the Lower School Wā Pilina program two years ago in order to have intentional time and space for Lower Schoolers to connect with others under the umbrella of, and in connection to, Mālama Kaiāulu. Lower School students meet across grade levels to connect with and learn from one another. From Enrichment Day to art shows and Makahiki games to reading times — Wā Pilina opportunities have expanded through the three divisions, as well as across specialty areas.
Our new Wā Pilina ʻOhana Series aligns school and ʻOhana Association practices with intentionality. We hope you will join us!
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 a 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
Similarly, Middle and Upper School students received instructions during orientation on how to upload the Safe2SpeakUp app. This is a companion app to CrisisGo. 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 about any behaviors they are concerned about. Students can also locate instructions on setting up Safe2SpeakUp in myHPA, and they were also emailed the video shown at orientation which walks them through the process of uploading the app and registering, step-by-step.
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.