Week of 1/9/26

What's Happening at HPA This Week?

Message from the Head of School

Aloha HPA ʻohana,

On a quick trip to Oʻahu just before winter break I read through the new edition of Hana Hou magazine. I love this flight, just enough time to sink into a few good articles, where I always learn more about Hawaiʻi and the wonderings of this place. In one article I was inspired by the concept of kaiao—in Hawaiian it refers to the quiet time just before the sun rises. It is a threshold moment, neither night nor day, often held as a sacred space for reflection, clarity, and intention. Kaiao is a time to slow down, listen more carefully, and gain perspective before the day begins. A time of creation and exploration. Of reflection and personal free-flow.

It can be an intricate connection, both with self and with surroundings—a slowing down and an emphasized consciousness. What is it for you? What is it for me? That idea and those questions stayed with me.

I have written in this space before about the calm of the morning hours. It’s funny how this time moves around as we move through different phases of life. There are many early years of not ever thinking or wanting to think about this time of the day—push snooze, push it again, push to the last minute you have to rush out the door to class. During this time, kaiao held sleep. And then comes the early parenting years, where this time comes fast and furious, sometimes after a night of diaper changes and feedings, or sometimes with sweet rockings and whispers of a new day. A tiny demanding human in arm and a shared intention of a new light and a quick gameplanning session on how we are going to get through the next four hours. Next, that small and demanding human grows into one (still a bit demanding) that cannot and will not awaken until the sun is closer to mid-sky. All these phases exist in our lives and there is good in each one.

I try to embrace and respect this time most mornings. I don’t always get it right, and I certainly don’t figure everything out. But kaiao offers a pause—a small pocket of calm before the day fills with activity, expectations, emotions, and noise. It’s a space to connect a few dots, think a little bigger, or simply breathe before stepping forward.

Here in Hawaiʻi in early January, this moment lingers a bit longer than in many places. The sun doesn’t rise until late into the 6 a.m. hour right now, making kaiao feel more attainable. And since the Winter Solstice on December 21, we’ve been gaining about a minute of daylight each day—a quiet reminder that more light is already on its way.

Like kaiao, the start of a semester is also a threshold moment. It invites intention, patience, and clarity before the pace quickens. We don’t need to have everything fully mapped out—but we do benefit from beginning with purpose and openness.

This new year, I invite you to join me, when you can, in lingering in kaiao a bit longer each morning. It is a moment of many gifts flowing in both directions with refreshed opportunities, and clarity of blurry lines from the day before. A reciprocal moment, if allowed. A good cup of coffee seems to help!

As we begin this new semester, there is much to look forward to with renewed energy in classrooms and campuses, growth through assessments, performances, and exhibitions, meaningful trips, competitions, and service experiences, and the steady momentum that comes from setting goals and working toward them together.

May we each find our own version of kaiao in the days ahead—a moment to pause, reflect, and welcome the light. Have a wonder-filled weekend.

Gratefully,

Fred Wawner
Head of School

School Bulletins for the Week of 1/9/26

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!

Welcome back to all of our students and families. We hope you enjoyed a restful, rejuvenating, and beautiful winter break filled with meaningful time together and moments to recharge. It has been wonderful to welcome everyone back on campus and to feel the energy, connection, and sense of purpose that comes with the start of a new term.

Yesterday, Thursday, we were especially grateful to see those connections in action through our Wā Pilina program. Launched in 2021 in the Lower School, Wā Pilina creates intentional time for students to build relationships across grade levels. This week, our 7th graders partnered with our Kindergarten and 1st grade students to design and build fairy and menehune homes in the garden! Through this experience, students explored Hawaiian moʻolelo, ecosystems, and design thinking, while deepening their connections to one another and to place. Mahalo to Mrs. Ali Marchildon, Mrs. Lauren Prutow-McKenna, and our Kindergarten and 1st-grade teachers for making this meaningful, cross-curricular experience possible. While the homes themselves are temporary, the learning and memories will endure.

As we move forward together into this new season of learning, we also want to take a moment to share an important update regarding our faculty community.

At the end of this school year, Mellon Monello will be concluding her time at HPA as her family relocates to California due to her husband’s job transition. While we are saddened to see her go, we fully support this next chapter and wish her family every success ahead.

Since joining HPA in the 2021–22 school year, Mellon has been an extraordinary contributor to our K–8 Educational Technology program. She has strengthened technology integration across classrooms; guided student podcasting and HIKI NŌ / PBS storytelling; led robotics and yearbook; piloted our STEAM Lab and Makerspace; taught digital citizenship; supported student Google Sites portfolios; mentored Capstone students in grades 5 and 8; and beautifully documented daily life at the Village Campus through her photography. Her positivity, creativity, and can-do spirit have embodied our core values and enriched our community.

We will begin the search for the next educator to continue advancing HPA’s K–8 EdTech goals, building on the strong program foundation Mellon helped build and further. Please join us in thanking Mellon Monello for her extraordinary service and in wishing her and her family well in their move.

Me ka mahalo nui,

Dora Kwong
Lower School Principal

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4.21.26 Lower School Isaac Art Gallery Wa Pilina Exhibit

Schedule

Our K-5 classes continue with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Monday, January 12.

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, January 19: Martin Luther King Jr., Day, no classes, no classes

• Monday, February 16: K-12 Faculty Work Day, no classes

• Friday, February 27: Village Campus Plant Sale

• Wednesday, March 4: 5th Grade Capstone Presentations

• Thursday, March 5 and Friday, March 6: LS/MS Student-Led Conferences

Academic Survey

We encourage all Lower School families to complete the Academic Survey that was recently sent out. Your feedback plays a valuable role in shaping our academic programs.

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,

I think many of us were ready for school to start back up, and I hope your family had time over Winter Break to reconnect, celebrate the holidays, and perhaps enjoy an adventure or two. As we begin Semester 2, it has been energizing to see how clearly the work of the first semester is carrying forward into the third quarter of the school year.

Our yearlong theme, ʻAʻohe Hana Nui Ke Alu ʻIa, or “Many Hands Make Light Work,” was fully alive this week during our Experiential Learning block. The Village Campus felt especially vibrant as multiple grade levels engaged in learning rooted in place, relationships, and shared responsibility. Our 7th graders partnered with Kindergarten and 1st grade students at Fairy House Wā Pilina, building fairy houses in the Ulu Mau Garden, telling stories, and making cultural connections between island mythology and traditions from other parts of the world. Nearby, our 8th graders worked together under the guidance of Ms. Kawakami to tend a new section of the garden featuring plants native to Hawaiʻi, continuing meaningful work that began with a Capstone project last year. At the same time, our 6th graders met with our school counselor, Ms. Baydo, to engage in activities centered on belonging, friendships, and self-awareness. It was one of those moments that remind us how powerful middle school learning can be when collaboration, care, and purpose come together.

As shared in December, HPA Middle School and Upper School are beginning a collaborative partnership with the NWEA MAP Growth assessment. In the message from our Academic Leadership team sent yesterday, it was explained that this adaptive assessment will provide consistent measures of student achievement and growth over time, complementing our project-based and place-based learning. While holistic learning remains central to who we are, having a shared academic measure helps students reflect on their progress and allows faculty to make more informed instructional and curricular decisions. To support families, I will host an optional parent Zoom meeting on Thursday, January 15, joined by our K–8 Learning Specialist, Joe Ludes, to explain the purpose, routines, and long-term value of MAP Growth and to answer questions.

Virtual HPA MS Parent Meeting: NWEA MAP Assessment

Thursday, January 15: 4:30 – 5:00 p.m.

Zoom Meeting Link

Looking ahead, Semester 2 is full of opportunities for creativity, leadership, and celebration. Please save the following dates:

• Friday, February 20 for our Middle School Lip Sync Contest and Dance, a deeply loved tradition that brings advisories together through music and performance. This year’s genres are Disco, Local Jams, and Hard Rock Ballads.

• Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4 for our Middle School Spring Musical, Annie Jr., directed by Ms. Wadlegger with musical direction by Ms. DiBartolo. Rehearsals are already underway.

• Saturday, February 1 for the First Lego League Robotics State Championship on Oʻahu, where our teams are preparing presentations and builds with great focus and enthusiasm.

Finally, I want to share the bittersweet news that our K-8 Educational Technology Specialist, Mellon Monello, will be moving on from the Village Campus after this school year as her family relocates to California due to her husband’s job transition. While we are saddened to see her go, we fully support this next chapter and wish her family every success ahead.

Since joining HPA in the 2021-22 school year, Mellon has been an extraordinary contributor to our K–8 Educational Technology program. She has strengthened technology integration across classrooms; guided student podcasting and HIKI NŌ / PBS storytelling; led robotics and yearbook; piloted our STEAM Lab and Makerspace; taught digital citizenship; supported student Google Sites portfolios; mentored Capstone students in grades 5 and 8; and beautifully documented daily life at the Village Campus through her photography. Her positivity, creativity, and can-do spirit have embodied our core values and enriched our community.

We will begin the search for the next educator to continue advancing HPA’s K-8 EdTech goals, building on the strong program foundation Mellon helped create. Please join us in thanking Mellon Monello for her extraordinary service and in wishing her and her family well in their move.

Thank you for your continued partnership and trust. Semester 2 is already off to a strong start, and I look forward to all that our students will accomplish together.

Aloha,

Michael Cservenak
Middle School Principal

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