Week of 1/23/26

What's Happening at HPA This Week?

Message from the Head of School

Aloha HPA ʻohana,

What does it mean to be confident? I think most of us know the feeling when we have it—and we definitely know when we don’t. Confidence can make us feel energized and ready to take on a challenge. Without it, we can become hesitant, avoidant, even unsure of ourselves. It’s not something we’re simply born with. In fact, there sure are days I wake up without it. What I do believe, though, is that confidence is built—slowly and deliberately—through practice, discipline, and showing up again and again.

Last week, I spoke about the Middle Eight—those stretches of time where outcomes are shaped long before the final moment. Confidence is built the same way: not in the spotlight, but in the small, consistent habits that prepare us for when it matters most. This week, I was able to share some thinking with a few students on what allows confidence to actually show up under pressure: learning to trust our preparation.

Trusting preparation means knowing that we’ve done the work before the moment arrives. It doesn’t mean feeling perfectly ready or free from nerves. In fact, nerves usually tell us that something matters. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.” Confidence isn’t the absence of fear—it’s the ability to steady yourself and move forward anyway.

That trust is earned through repetition: attending class, practicing skills, studying, reviewing feedback, asking questions, and staying engaged even when motivation dips. When preparation is honest and consistent, we earn the right to trust ourselves. Over time, this becomes intuitive—almost like muscle memory. Younger students learn it through trying and being encouraged to keep going. Older students begin to recognize the pattern: effort leads to progress, and preparation leads to confidence.

At HPA, we are intentional about creating environments where preparation matters. Teachers build learning over time. Coaches emphasize habits and practice over last-minute heroics. Advisors help students reflect, adjust, and grow. The message is consistent: confidence doesn’t come from shortcuts, and success isn’t accidental.

As we move deeper into the semester, I will continue to share this with our students and teachers, while reminding myself: when the moment arrives—a test, a performance, a game, or a hard conversation—we don’t need to panic or second-guess ourselves. Letʻs remember to take a breath. Find our center. Trust the work we’ve already done. Preparation may not be flashy, but it tends to be reliable. And when we commit to it day after day, it quietly carries us forward.

Have a wonder-filled weekend!

Gratefully,

Fred Wawner
Head of School

School Bulletins for the Week of 1/23/26

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!

It’s been a bit cooler than usual here at the Village Campus this week (chilly at times, but not too bad compared to our mainland counterparts!) and I’m especially grateful for the many ways our community stays steady, flexible, and connected. Whether we were adjusting to wet-weather routines or enjoying moments of sunshine outdoors, our students and staff brought warmth and positivity to each day. With that spirit of pilina in mind, we have several exciting upcoming events and important reminders to share in this weekʻs bulletin.

5th Annual Village Campus Plant Sale
Join us for our 5th Annual Village Campus Plant Sale on Friday, February 27, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at the Village Campus Ulumau Garden! This community event is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our connection to the ‘āina and each other while helping to spread more greenery across our island home. Led by our 4th-grade students, this sale exemplifies HPA’s core learning skills—collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking—as they prepare for their capstone projects in 5th grade. Every Lower and Middle School student has played a role in making this event a reality, reinforcing our pilina (connection) as a school-wide effort.

Next Friday sibling photo shoot: Friday Jan 30, 7:40 am – 8:30 am
We are excited to announce our annual Village Campus Sibling Photo Shoot for the Yearbook page, and we want to showcase your ‘ohana!

What: 2025-2026 Village Campus Sibling Yearbook Photo Shoot
When: During morning drop-off on Friday, January 30, 2026, from 7:40 AM to 8:30 AM. Please drop off your children as usual; Ms. Kwong and the yearbook team will be there to guide them.
Where: Ulumau Garden (rain location to be determined)
What to Wear: Please dress your children in HPA colored Palaka clothing, HPA clothing, or solid Red, White, or Black clothing (simple or plain designs preferred).

We look forward to capturing the spirit of our Village Campus siblings!

K-2 Musical: The Tortoise and the Hare
We are excited to announce the upcoming K-2 Musical Program, based on the Aesopʻs Fable, The Tortoise and the Hare. Grades K, 1, and 2 will showcase their knowledge of musical elements and performance techniques as they explore themes of perseverance and humility.

Performance date: Friday, February 20
Location: Gates Performing Arts Center (GPAC), HPA Upper Campus
Time: 2:15 pm, doors open at 2 pm

Families of students in these grades are invited to attend the performance. 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).

Lost and Found
After a busy week of swim, we often find belongings at the pool or around campus. Please take a look at our lost and found.

Morning Drop-off
Please remember that morning drop off starts at 7:40 am. If you arrive earlier than that, you may drop off only if you see an adult on site at the back parking shed or the office lanai. The school is not responsible for unattended children prior to 7:40 am.

Have a beautiful weekend, Lower School ʻOhana!

Me ka mahalo nui,

Dora Kwong
Lower School Principal

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4.9.26 Lower School with UC Capstone_Dylan Vincent_Gyotaku Painting Demo

Schedule

Our K-5 classes continue with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Monday, January 26.

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

• Friday, February 6: Pizza and Play with Head of School, Fred Wawner

• 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

Pizza and a Play with the Head of School

Join us in Ko Kākou Student Union on the Upper Campus from 5:15 to 6:30 pm on Friday, February 6, for pizza with our Head of School, Fred Wawner, before the opening night of Ka Makani Players’ performance of Too Many Detectives at the Murder Mansion. Bring the family for a slice and head over to the Gates Performing Arts Center for the 7:00 pm showing. The show is free and open to the public. Please RSVP here. We hope to see you there!

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.

Video Highlight of the Week

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,

One of the many reasons I love leading at the Middle School level is the opportunity to witness just how resilient young people can be at this age. At times, it may seem that a student has lost confidence or momentum, only for them to rebound moments later with renewed energy. At the same time, middle school is also a tender developmental period when limiting beliefs can begin to take hold.

During today’s Middle School Assembly, we explored the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset, and how our internal dialogue can directly influence both effort and self-image. A fixed mindset often greets challenges with avoidance or resignation, expressed in statements like “I’m just not a math person.” A growth mindset, on the other hand, recognizes obstacles as temporary and changeable, allowing space for growth through persistence and practice.

This topic resonates deeply with me. As a junior high student, I once adopted the belief that I was “not a math person,” and I allowed that mindset to limit my opportunities well into adulthood. Years later, as a new Assistant Principal, I found myself leading a professional learning community of highly skilled math teachers. That experience pushed me to reframe my thinking. I spent many Sundays studying 7th and 8th grade math content alongside my teachers so I could engage meaningfully in conversations about student learning. Through that process, I learned something powerful: I could do hard things.

This past week, our students were asked to engage with NWEA MAP Growth adaptive academic assessments. Moving forward, they will use this data not as a label, but as a tool for reflection and goal setting. On Thursday, January 15, I gave this virtual presentation on this new assessment process for our students and families – you can listen/view the recording of this session here. During this demanding part of the school year, our teachers will support students in examining their progress over time and identifying areas for growth. These reflections will become a meaningful data point in their Student Led Conference portfolios, which students will begin building through Google Sites and Slides and eventually present to you March 5 or 6 (communication forthcoming).

And along the way, our advisories are also hard at work rehearsing Disco and Hard Rock Ballad routines for our upcoming Lip Sync Contest and Dance – gotta love that balance!

Thank you for taking the time to read. Please review the important dates below as we look ahead to the coming weeks.

Looking ahead, please save the following upcoming dates:

Saturday, February 1 for the First Lego League Robotics State Championship on Oʻahu, as our teams finalize builds and presentations.
Friday, February 20 for the Middle School Lip Sync Contest and Dance, a favorite tradition that brings advisories together through music and performance.
Thursday, March 5 and Friday, March 6 for Student Led Conferences. These are non-instructional days, and conferences are a required part of our Middle School program. Additional information about scheduling will be shared soon.
Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4 for the Middle School Spring Musical, Annie Jr., directed by Ms. Wadlegger with musical direction by Ms. Di Bartolo.

Attendance Reminder: Please Notify the VC Office
A friendly reminder to please contact the Village Campus Office if your child will be absent, tardy, or has an appointment and will be picked up early during the school day. This is also important if your child will be out of school for an extended period of time.

Phone: (808) 885-2500
Email: vcattendance@hpa.edu

Aloha,

Michael Cservenak
Middle School Principal

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