Week of 1/27/23
What's Happening at HPA This Week?
Message from the Head of School
Message from the Head of School
Aloha HPA ʻohana,
What we have together at HPA is worth celebrating and sustaining. We know that we are at our best when we look for ways to care for one another, to create and learn together, and to sustain our school community. It is through the incredible partnership we have with our families that this is possible.
While I mostly use this space to celebrate student and staff doings and share some of my philosophies on education and our learning journey, this week is more of a business note. I hope you had the opportunity to review the letter I sent earlier this week regarding changes to our tuition for the upcoming 2023-2024 academic year and the re-enrollment process that begins on Wednesday, February 1. We always strive to deliver our mission in the most responsible ways possible. This increase ensures continued investment in the people and programs that define our pursuit of excellence.
To provide a little more insight into what it takes to make HPA the special place it is, it’s important to share some context on the financials of independent, private institutions such as ours. While we will be releasing an updated annual report for 2022 in the near future, our 2021 annual report can be found here.
Some key takeaways from the 2021 annual report:
- Net tuition revenue covered 67% of expenses.
- Endowment and restricted funding accounted for 29% of HPA’s total revenue, with an additional 1% funded by Auxiliary Programs and 3% from contributions to the HPA Fund.
- Between the endowment and the HPA Fund, past and present donors collectively provide more than 32% of the resources necessary to provide students with the unsurpassed opportunities HPA affords.
- Educational services, including our commitment to provide competitive compensation and benefits to faculty, comprise 79% of HPA’s operating expenses. Other expenses supporting the HPA experience include utilities, insurance, academic and student support, dining services, health and wellness services, information technology services, and facilities management costs.
- We award nearly $3.5 million in financial assistance and scholarship programs each year — important funding that supports almost 50% of our HPA families who partner with us through the qualifying application process.
This is all to say that your tuition, annual giving, and the many other ways that you support our school community are an investment in your child(ren), our staff, and our school. It means so much to us, and we value it greatly. Talking about money is uncomfortable, and I appreciate this, which is why I try to keep it in its appropriate space. I do want you to know and be comfortable with the business model of HPA and be able to see how your contributions help educate our students.
We are all in this together, connected by our mission, our values, and our commitment to each other. We are continuing to grow and improve in our work to honor your child’s learning and your connection to HPA. Mahalo for believing in us and helping us to drive our mission forward each day.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Gratefully,
Fred Wawner
Head of School
School Bulletins for the Week of 1/27/23
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,
February is upon us and with it comes Black History Month, Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, World Read Aloud Day (2/1), Valentine’s day (2/14), and our K-2 Musical (2/22) — all alongside our regularly-scheduled programming. Our academic classes are bustling with our core skills of collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity. Currently, students are engaged in humpback whale migration patterns (grade 3), using the compass rose to draw maps (grade 2), engineering design processes (grade 1), book reviews (grade 4), UN sustainable development goals (grade 5), and sentence structure development (kindergarten). Our second Lower School Student Council term has also begun and with it, a renewed energy and collective sense of purpose as our new crop of young leaders brainstorm ideas for community service projects for this semester. What a time to be a Lower Schooler at HPA!
Speaking of Student Council, their first announcement for their classmates this term is to let them know about our garden initiative to collect glass jars and (intact) cardboard boxes. This is to help our 4th graders prepare for the upcoming Plant Sale, on Friday, March 3. More details to come regarding the event, but if you have any clean glass containers such as jars, bottles or jugs, please bring them to the morning drop-off roundabout so we can repurpose them for seedlings and plantings. Likewise, clean and intact cardboard boxes will be used for the upcoming sale. No need to break them down!
A friendly reminder from the Village Campus Office that should you need to inform us about an absence or tardy, please email vcattendance@hpa.edu so that our office staff can be informed. You may copy your child(ren)’s grade-level teacher as well.
Our Lost and Found collection has grown significantly these past weeks, so please come by and take a look before we donate the items to St. James on Friday, February 3.
Much farther down the road, is our not-to-be missed author’s visit for students on Friday, April 14, by Newbery award-winning author Meg Medina. We are excited to share that just this week, the Library of Congress has inaugurated Meg Medina as the new National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature! Jason Reynold’s passes the torch at the 10:34 time mark in this video clip! Please click here for more information from our Village Campus Librarian, Mrs. Kristin Tarnas, in her wonderful newsletter. Be sure to browse the photo gallery to see some recent happenings.
This past week’s assembly focused on lōkahi, or harmony, and how we each have a role in bringing harmony to our community. Ask your keiki about what they do each day as they live and breathe lōkahi on our Village Campus. Hearing directly from them is an integral window into their experience, contributions, and understanding. We are so proud of the way they share about their role to mālama kaiāulu each and every day.
Have a great weekend, Lower School ʻohana.
Dora Kwong
Lower School Principal
Schedule
Our K-5 classes continue with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Monday, February 3.
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 10: Faculty work day, all divisions, no K-12 classes
• Wednesday, February 22 at 1:15 pm: K-2 Musical, GPAC; Grades 3-5 will be in the audience. Students will be dismissed following the performance.
Student Support
Ms. Baydo (K-8 School Counselor) rbaydo@hpa.edu and Mr. Ludes (K-8 Learning Specialist) jludes@hpa.edu are available to discuss and support social-emotional and academic concerns for your child(ren). Please connect with them via email.
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, 2022-2023.
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 are now fully into the swing of the second semester and have some great things developing in our classrooms. Last week we mentioned our blossoming capstone projects and the Hiki Nō films in our Hawaiian Studies classes. Students are putting their finishing touches on these films this week and we will let you know as soon as those are available to share.
Elsewhere the Fly on the Wall got to witness grade 6 students giving presentations about different countries around the world, describing their forms of government and the rights of their citizens. In our Advisory programs, students kept their eyes on the wider world, looking at current issues and using systems thinking tools and inquire activities to better understand the bigger picture, root causes and connectedness of the events and topics shaping our world.
Grade 8 English is doing a wonderful project as Ms. Sturla and Ms. Monello collaborate to create a series of podcasts which will form the start of the Kamakani Literary Review. Students are currently interviewing each other about the books they read over the Winter Break. These audiobook reviews will be available in the Village Campus’ Taylor Library for all to access. We will also continue to build upon these resources in the years ahead.
Speaking of the Taylor library, Ms. Tarnas is excited to share her first edition of Village Campus Library News. Check out all the great stuff going on and coming up at the Taylor Library.
Next week will mark the start of our first lunchtime tournament of the semester with the always popular Kickball Tourney. It should be lots of fun, as students keep their eye on the prize of a pizza and ice cream lunch.
It may be early in the semester, but our Lost and Found has gotten quite full. Please ask your children to take a look through the assortment of items. There are some coats and sweaters that I imagine you’re not quite ready to donate yet. Plenty of water bottles too. We will aim to donate anything still on the shelves after the end of school on Friday, February 3, to St. James.
And finally – by popular demand, we have scheduled another Middle School Dance for Friday, February 24, in Hale ʻĪnana. The theme is a semi-formal masquerade ball. It’s a perfect fit with Mardis Gras season! Students are, of course, welcome to create or find their own masquerade mask, but we will also have plenty on hand, so don’t feel the need to shop for them. The ʻOhana Association will be supporting this event and will have food starting at 6:00 pm, with the dance starting at 6:30 pm and wrapping up at 8:30 pm.
Mahalo!
Glenn Chickering
Middle School Principal
Schedule
Our Middle School 2022-2023 Daily Schedule continues with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Monday, February 3.
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
• Friday, February 10: Faculty work day, all divisions, no classes
• Friday, February 24 at 6:00 pm: Masquerade Ball Middle School Dance at Hale ʻĪnana
Student Support
Please remember that we will be outside as much as possible during lunch and recess, so a rain jacket for light rains and a pareo or small beach towel for picnicking will be great to have at school. Students should also bring a water bottle to school each day.
Ms. Baydo (K-8 School Counselor) rbaydo@hpa.edu and Mr. Ludes (K-8 Learning Specialist) jludes@hpa.edu are available to discuss and support social-emotional and academic concerns for your child(ren). Please connect with them via email.
Digital Citizenship Resources for Parents
Parenting in the Digital Age: Resources for Parents
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.
Upper School
From the desk of your Poʻo Kumu (Division Principal), Kaʻai Spencer
Aloha e nā ʻohana o ka makani!
We have some very exciting things that are coming up soon. The Upper School will be celebrating an International Day on Friday, February 3, which celebrates the wide variety of cultural backgrounds that comprise our student body. This is one of the most exciting days of the school year because the students get a chance to showcase who they are in various ways. Many of our English language learners lead workshops that teach something about where they come from, others cook and serve food items, and we end the day with performances. I truly believe that days like these showcase the best of our students.
Later in February is HPA’s annual Olympics class competition. The whole school buzzes with energy and enthusiasm during this time as students participate in a wide variety of friendly competitions and bonding activities. It is times like these that are often the focus of conversations amongst alumni when they reflect back on their time at HPA. These are the days when friendships are solidified and lifelong memories are made. Our International Day is a perfect platform for students to share more about themselves, and HPA Olympics provides an opportunity for a plethora of skills and talents to be on full display.
One of my favorite competitions that take place during HPA Olympics is something that is surveyed throughout the entire two-and-a-half-day event, which is the ʻOhana Award. The ʻOhana Award is presented to the class that has shown the most sportsmanship, respect, assistance for game officials, supportiveness where support is needed, help with setup and breakdown, and other acts of kindness. This type of behavior comes naturally to some, yet others need to be shown the way of aloha. It is called being pono, doing the right thing, which is something that is tricky to teach in a classroom setting and is better delivered where it is felt and experienced.
The days that are spent outside of the classroom provide us an opportunity for learning in non-traditional, but equally valuable ways. HPA’s core values of Respect, Integrity, Wonder and the Pursuit of Excellence are lived and not just spoken about. These days give our students the chance to practice our core values and experience the impact they can have when it is done well. Let us all get excited about these days that will soon be upon us. It is a great time to show how we choose to live pono in Hawaiʻi.
Ke aloha nō,
Kaʻai Spencer
Upper School Poʻo Kumu
Schedule
Our Upper School 2022-2023 Daily Schedule will resume as a Mamo day with in-person instruction on our Upper Campus on Monday, February 3.
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, February 10: Faculty work day, all divisions, no K-12 classes
• Thursday, February 16 – Saturday, February 18: Upper School play, GPAC
• Wednesday, February 22 – Friday, February 24: Upper School Olympics
Reminder of Updated Spring Calendar
We have made some changes to our planned parent-teacher conferences, which were initially scheduled for Thursday, March 2, and Friday, March 3. Instead, both days will be regularly scheduled Upper School classes and our parent-teacher conferences are moving to Friday, April 21, which was already set aside as a Faculty Work Day with no classes for grades K-12. On Friday, April 21, parents will have the opportunity to meet with their student’s advisor. The shift in dates is in recognition that students in grades 9-11 will be signing up for courses that week and the potential it provides for parents and advisors to discuss the student’s course choices. Senior advisors look forward to meeting with their advisee parents as a last opportunity to connect with their advisees’ parents, maybe talk about the upcoming capstone showcase, commencement events, and post-secondary plans.
All of these changes available to view on the myHPA calendar and our Key Dates calendar. Further details and reminders about this change will be communicated throughout the Spring.
All of these changes are available to view on the myHPA calendar and our Key Dates calendar. Further details and reminders about this change will be communicated throughout the Spring.
Student Support
Should your child need additional learning support, we encourage you to reach out to JoAn Canning, our Upper School Learning Support Center Director, by emailing jcanning@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.
Ka Makani Athletics
Our winter athletic schedule has been updated. You can also access the athletics schedule on the myHPA calendar.
College Counseling
Practice SAT
Revolution Prep is also offering students the opportunity to take an SAT practice exam on Saturday, February 4. The exam is free and is proctored online. Each family will also receive a free Score Review from a representative from Revolution Prep. Click here for more details and to register.
Tutors Across America’s Online ACt/SAT Boot Camp
HPA has partnered with Tutors Across America to provide a discounted Online ACT/SAT Boot Camp over the dates of Friday, February 17, to Sunday, February 19.
Schedule for the Weekend Boot Camp
Friday, February 17, from 4:00 to 8:30 pm
Saturday, February 18, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (with a lunch break from 1:00 to 2:00 pm)
Sunday, February 19, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (with a lunch break from 1:00 to 2:00 pm)
The regular cost of the camp is $399; however, HPA students qualify for a discounted rate of $199 using the coupon code HAWAIIPREP at checkout. The camp includes two practice exams of each type of test — utilizing actual past ACT and SAT exams.
To enroll in the ACT/SAT Bootcamp, click here. Scroll down to find your course. Don’t forget to use the coupon code HAWAIIPREP at checkout to get the 50% discount.
Student Life
Student Life has a few exciting and fun activities coming up, including our school dance which is being held tonight! Please watch your email for more information regarding each event!
- Friday, January 27, 6:30 – 9:00 pm: School Dance, on campus
- Friday, February 3: International Day, on campus
- Wednesday, February 8 – Thursday, February 9: Student Council will be selling Candy Grams for Valentine’s Day
- Wednesday, February 22 – Friday, February 24: 45th Annual HPA Olympics, on campus
- Saturday, April 1: Upper School Prom, Four Seasons Hotel
Residential Life
It has been a busy week here on campus, with home sporting events every day and lots of opportunities for our students to support one another! Looking ahead, we are only a week away from our International Day, where our students from all over the world will share their cultures through food, workshops, and performances with the rest of our student body, as well as visitors from local high schools! We thank all of our international students for their participation in the special day at HPA, and can’t wait to see what they have to show us!
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.
Admissions
Re-enrollment is approaching!
It’s almost time for re-enrollment! Secure your child’s space for the next academic year between Wednesday, February 1, and February 15, 2023.
Admissions and Financial Aid
Re-enrollment to HPA for 2023-24 Academic Year
It’s almost time for re-enrollment! Secure your child’s space for the next academic year between Wednesday, February 1, and February 15, 2023. All eligible students will receive notice of a re-enrollment agreement through myHPA, which will need to be returned with parent/guardian signature(s) and a deposit. For those HPA families who would like to apply for financial aid, scholarships, and grants, our financial aid application is available on the HPA website for your convenience. If you have missed the initial deadline of November 1, please submit it ASAP in order to be considered.
Please be sure to review this important email from our Head of School with additional information about the re-enrollment process and a change in tuition for the upcoming 2023-2024 academic year.
The admission application for the 2023-24 school year is now open for new students! Spread the word and help us grow our Ka Makani ʻohana. You can also visit and share the link to our in-person and virtual Admission events page. We are excited to work with siblings of current students and prospective families new to HPA!
Advancement & Alumni
We are excited to share the digital version of our Fall/Winter Ma Ke Kula – a hard copy should arrive in your mailbox shortly!
COVID-19 Policies & Information
While masks continue to be optional indoors and outdoors, there will be times when we will require everyone — students, families, guests, and employees — to wear masks. You will be notified in these instances. Everyone, regardless of age or vaccination status, must have a clean mask with them at all times should HPA officials determine they are necessary.
- HPA COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, 2022-2023
- HPA Community Safety Pledge, 2022-2023
- HPA COVID-19 Positive Cases Policy
- HPA COVID-19 Decision Tree
For a complete directory of all our health and safety protocols, please review our COVID-19 Policies & Information Resource Board on myHPA.
Health & Wellness
With the reawakening of Kīlauea volcano, vog has affected the air quality on Hawaiʻi Island. If your child has a preexisting respiratory condition or is sensitive to air quality changes and has an inhaler, please check the expiration date and doses remaining. If necessary, have prescriptions renewed and filled now.
Mask use is an option to filter out unwanted particles in the air and should be considered— particularly for those with sensitive airways.
Middle and Upper Schools (Grades 6-12): Students with prescription inhalers should carry them at all times–whether they are for everyday use or as a rescue medication. Please be sure Magnus Health has an updated Asthma Action Plan on hand for your child.
Lower School (Grades K-5): Our infirmary should have your child(ren)’s prescription inhalers on campus at all times, whether they are for everyday use or as a rescue medication. Please check in with vcinfirmary@hpa.edu to be sure we have an updated inhaler. Please also be sure Magnus Health has an updated Asthma Action Plan on hand for your child.
Isaacs Art Center
The Isaacs Art Center and the Hawaiʻi Wood Guild announce the opening of the 37th Invitational Masters Show on Friday, January 13, through Friday, February 24, 2023. The exhibit is free and open to the public, Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, including on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Presidents’ Day.
Isaacs Art Center has hosted the Hawaiʻi Wood Guild’s annual Invitational Masters Show since 2009. This year’s exhibition will feature furniture, sculptures, and wood art by noted island artisans — Marcus Castaing, Kelly Dunn, Mike Felig, Mats Fogelvik, David Gomes, Nicole Gomes, Scott Hare, Cliff Johns, Jeffrey Kurash, Noah Lake, Tai Lake, Duane Millers, John Mydock, Tom O’Connor, Gregory Paul, Les Pedersen, David Reisland, Paul Schuerch, Timothy Shafto, Michael Patrick Smith, John Strohbehn, Robert Woodward, David Young, and Scott Zuziak — that reflect innovative materials and techniques. All items in the show are available for purchase.
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 family member of a student 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
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.