Week of 12/5/25

What's Happening at HPA This Week?

Message from the Head of School

Aloha HPA ʻohana,

Sometimes a visit from critical friends — with fresh eyes, healthy perspectives, and a dose of positive energy — is just what the doctor ordered.

In the later part of November, we welcomed our HAIS mid-cycle accreditation team for their planned visit — a moment designed to assess our progress since the last full accreditation review and to offer a thoughtful checkpoint on where we stand today. Their time with us truly felt like a gift. Getting to reflect together, gather information, connect with colleagues in new ways, write and rewrite, and unite as an institution to share our story and progress — it was all a gift.

Over the course of their visit, the accreditation team met with students, teachers, and staff across both campuses. They leaned into the rhythm of our days and the spaces of our campuses. They shared how struck they were by the dynamics in our classrooms, the confidence of our students, and the strong sense of place that shapes daily life at HPA. They commented — with big smiles — on how happy and open our students seemed, noting that this is something that simply cannot be faked.

To say that we have done a great deal in the past three years was evident, yet they also affirmed that some of our most important qualities remain steady and true: the care and connection of our people, our place, and our purpose.

While we will receive the full written report in the coming weeks, the early feedback was especially encouraging. The team noted substantial and meaningful progress since our 2022 accreditation visit and highlighted the thoughtful, ongoing work that continues to strengthen our school. Their impressions mirror what we know to be true — our commitment to serving students with excellence and ensuring access remains our guiding north star.

With a week to go in the semester, assessments, presentations, and learning exhibitions abound — from study groups to art and music on display, from help sessions and office hours to handbell performances. It’s all happening, and it’s all good. Our focus is narrowed to ensure students have what they need to show up prepared to pursue excellence.

And of course, the situation is the experience. It is the process — the studying, researching, creating, rehearsing, and yes, even the nerves — that holds the learning. These culminating experiences, in whatever form they take, are not the end-all, be-all; rather, the preparation, the moment itself, and the reflection that follows are where the growth happens. These are the moments students will draw upon when they face larger and more complex challenges ahead.

Heck, I even dusted off my grandfather’s sportcoat this week as a reminder that this time of year matters: look good, feel good, play good. We’ll be here for our students as they grit and grind through the final week of classes.

As we head into the holidays, I want to express deep appreciation for everyone who contributes to this work each day. The dedication, professionalism, and heart of our community are seen and felt across our campuses, and it is that collective effort that allows HPA to thrive.

More to come once the full report arrives. A week filled with a supermoon, a community parade, countless activities, and the hustle of exam prep brings a rush of energy and excitement — enjoy this wonder-filled weekend!

Gratefully,

Fred Wawner
Head of School

HPA Fund Update

As we enter the final weeks of the year, we invite you to help us finish strong with a gift to the HPA Fund. Several classes are approaching the 80% participation milestone, and once reached, another $25,000 will be unlocked to support HPA students and programs.

Your participation makes a direct impact. The HPA Fund fuels opportunities across campus — in the classroom, on the field, in the arts, through activities, and beyond.

And remember — the first class to reach 100% participation earns a class celebration! Let’s keep the momentum going and close out the year with generosity, excitement, and Ka Makani pride.

Make your gift today.

School Bulletins for the Week of 12/5/25

Lower School

Each week, K–5 families receive updates highlighting joyful moments, meaningful lessons, and a glimpse into what students and parents can look forward to in the weeks ahead.

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News & notes

Aloha Lower School ʻOhana!

One of the great joys of this semester has been watching our Student Council leaders come into their own. Week after week, they have poured heart and thought into finding meaningful ways to serve both our school and our wider community. From creating mahalo cards for first responders to brainstorming initiatives that strengthen school spirit, our haumāna have shown continuous growth in confidence, collaboration, and compassion.

As their leadership term nears its close, they have stepped into two final initiatives — both centered on generosity, creativity, and mālama kaiāulu.

The first connects to our upcoming Lower School Holiday Chapel, happening Wednesday at 5:30 pm in Davies Chapel on Upper Campus. If you feel moved to participate, we invite you to bring new, unwrapped toys, books, and pajamas for keiki ages 0-5. We will be collecting for Hawai’i Diaper Bank, a wonderful organization that supports our island families. Diapers of all sizes and baby wipes are also greatly appreciated. If you’re unable to attend Chapel, donations may be sent with your child on Monday or Tuesday to their classrooms.

Our annual Holiday Chapel promises to be a joyful and festive gathering, filled with the sounds of our 4th and 5th Grade Hand Chimes and Bell Choirs, 3rd-grade ukulele players, K-2nd grade vocal choir, special guest musicians from our HPA ʻohana, and a fun seasonal sing-along for all! All of Kindergarten through 5th grade will participate in the sharing of the music. We hope you’ll join us in your favorite aloha wear as we close the semester with gratitude, music, and community.

The second Student Council-led initiative before we close our term is a student-created surprise for their classmates. What began as an idea for a sustainable gift exchange evolved, through thoughtful discussion, feedback, and plenty of creativity, into something new. Our student leaders are excited to keep the final plan under wraps for now, and they look forward to sharing their surprise with the Lower School just before the holiday break!

As we head into the weekend, I want to wish your ʻohana rest, joy, and time together. We hope to see many of you at the Parker Ranch Tree Lighting tonight, where our Middle School bell choir will be performing, as well as at the Waimea Christmas Parade on Saturday, featuring our very own HPA float and many of our Lower School participants.

As we head into the final week of the semester, please note the following:

Monday, December 8: 7:40 – 8 am morning drop-off at Davies Chapel, Upper School
Wednesday, December 10: 5:30 pm LS Holiday Chapel event at Davies Chapel, Upper School
Thursday, December 11: last day of After School programming. There is no After School on the last day of the term, Friday, December 12th. (Except for Robotics, which ends after their designated in-house presentations take place on 12/8 and 12/9)
Please remember to check the lost and found. All unclaimed items will be gathered for donation on Thursday, December 18.
Friday, December 12: last day of term. Regular dismissal at 3 pm for all K-5 students.
Lower School student reports will be released during the week of December 15. The office will send a message letting you know when they are ready to be viewed on myHPA.

Mahalo for all the ways you support our community — your presence, your spirit, and your partnership truly make HPA shine, and we are deeply grateful.

Have a beautiful weekend, Lower School ʻohana!

Me ka mahalo nui,

Dora Kwong
Lower School Principal

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4.21.26 Lower School Isaac Art Gallery Wa Pilina Exhibit

Video Highlight: Makahiki

Schedule

Our K-5 classes continue with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Monday, December 8.

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, December 8, 7:40-8:00 am: Morning drop-off at Davies Chapel, Upper Campus

• Wednesday, December 10: Lower School Holiday Chapel Event, Davies Memorial Chapel, 5:30 pm

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, 2025-2026.

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, 6–8 families receive updates reflecting on recent activities and accomplishments, along with a preview of what students and parents can look forward to in the coming days.

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News & notes

Aloha Middle School Families,

As we bring Semester 1 to a close, I want to share my gratitude for the collaboration, creativity, and spirit that have shaped our Middle School community this fall. Rooted in our theme, ʻAʻohe Hana Nui Ke Alu ʻIa, meaning “No task is too big when done together by all,” our students, teachers, and families have embodied connection, perseverance, and excellence in so many meaningful ways.

This semester has been filled with opportunities for students to learn, lead, and contribute, whether through the Pinch Pot Harvest Fête, experiential work along the Waimea Trail, or the many moments of creativity and teamwork across our classrooms.

I want to give a special shout out to Ty R. ’31 for his classical guitar performance at the Upper School Senior Speaking Series this past Monday. His dedication to his craft is a clear and inspiring example of our value, Pursuit of Excellence.

Our Middle School Performing Arts Showcase on Thursday, December 11, will continue this momentum. The evening will include:
• A performance of “Boxes” by our Acting Ensemble class
• Musical theater pieces performed by students across grade levels
• Stage crew and lighting designed by our Theater Tech students
• A featured performance by our Handbell Ensemble

Our Handbell Ensemble will also perform at the Parker School Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, December 5, and will close their performance season at the St. James Community Meal immediately following the showcase on December 11.

Looking ahead to Semester 2, we are excited to focus our students on their own pursuit of excellence and to give them opportunities to demonstrate their learning through the NWEA MAP Growth assessments in Reading and Math. These adaptive assessments provide personalized measures of student achievement and growth that will inform instruction and support goal setting. It will also be an important period for our Capstone students as they continue to develop and refine their projects.

Advisor Reports and Semester 1 grades will be available on Thursday, December 18.

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. I wish you a joyful and restorative winter break when it arrives.

With gratitude and excitement,

Michael Cservenak
Middle School Principal

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