Week of 2/17/23
What's Happening at HPA This Week?
Message from the Head of School
Message from the Head of School
Aloha HPA ʻohana,
As we continue to explore the best ways to ensure our kids are connected to each other, to this place, and to their educational journey — it is often that the most basic way to provide authentic happiness is through play. Play is built on simplicity, yet we seem to have made it more and more complicated to engage in, more complex to find, and more challenging to make the necessary time. Play is critical in human development and finding happiness. Finding space for it in our own routines will add years to our lives, bring joy to our days, and provide clear thinking when we need to call upon it. Having worked in a few different schools — and visited many more over the years — we are all in search of that magic balance, that series of events, and that tradition that pulls us all together. Over the years, we have found that special sauce in the form of our annual HPA Olympics at the Upper School.
Next week will mark the 45th Annual HPA Olympics. Yes, 45 years! Founded in the 1970ʻs by a former faculty member and HPA legend Zeke Knight, the HPA Olympics has only grown, modified, endured, and improved over time. It is one of our school’s most productive and positive traditions and the syllabus that has been built out over the last 45 years is second to none. Spanning over three official days, it truly pushes the boundaries of our studentsʻ interpersonal and intrapersonal growth and is one of the schools’ strongest community-building events. Participating in group and individual events stretches many out of their comfort zone. This is more than ok — this is important, and this is encouraged. With over 100 different events, there is something for everyone, from the extraverted events like talent show and lip sync to chalk art and Scrabble for those who like a more quiet venue to showcase their skills.
I mentioned a few weeks ago that our Young Alumni Day panel — all from different graduating years and with very different backgrounds — encouraged our current students to participate fully in the HPA Olympics. Individually and collectively, they referred to HPA Olympics as their favorite memory. They urged everyone to give it their best, embrace the journey, and to enjoy every moment with their classmates. They remembered how their class did each year, but most poignantly, they recalled how they felt. That is what sticks with us. Don’t worry, our students will be prepared for their finals, their projects, and their AP tests — we will make sure of that. But for the next few days, we will take time to immerse ourselves in play.
Finding ways for our students and adults to break from the norm, to find a reason to enjoy each other’s company, and to come together for a common goal of having fun is worth the time and energy put into its preparation and finding a place each year in our calendar. If you ask if sprinting full speed down the football field in dive fins and a scuba mask on a Tuesday morning is part of the HPA experience, I am proud to say: yes it is!
I will be away next week with an amazing opportunity to learn from the best in the business of education at the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) annual convention. As an educator, professional development is a major highlight for me whenever the opportunity arises. There are always so many great presentations, innovative ideas, and valuable takeaways to bring back to campus. While I will miss the magic of campus life, it is important to see what is out there in order to ensure our growth and improvement in pursuit of excellence.
With some tough weather in the forecast, letʻs stay safe and have a joyful weekend. If you can make it to the Upper Campus to see You Can’t Take it With You, it is well worth the effort!
Gratefully,
Fred Wawner
Head of School
School Bulletins for the Week of 2/17/23
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,
When I was a young child, I had the privilege of living near my grandparents for a period of time. I can still remember my grandmotherʻs hands — broad, strong, leathered, kind, soft, and freckled. I recall those hands expertly and easily kneading dough for our baozi (stuffed buns) and jiaozi (dumplings), gently rubbing my tummy with warm minty ointment whenever I had a bellyache, or kindly enveloping my own small hand in hers as I leaned into her couch snuggles. They were powerful, active hands, ripe with age, experience, and love. As I journeyed into my adolescence, the connection between my grandmother and me grew stronger with each of our visits. Soon, it was I who my grandmother leaned on. Her legs soon became weaker, and her steps slowed. Her strong, capable hands now held on tightly to my skinny forearm as we shuffled along during our regular walks in her neighborhood. I learned to keep my arm aloft, like the handle of a cane, supporting her and steadying her throughout our strolls. I could feel her grip on me, and it made me glad that I could now support her in this small way.
It is this heartful reciprocity of love, care, and kuleana for one another that I think of when we consider community connections for our Lower School students. Connections between and amongst students, teachers, our wider Waimea community, and especially our kūpuna. The importance of regular and sustained opportunities for these connections to grow and develop as we learn over time that we can lean on one another throughout our journeys, experiencing the care, trust, and aloha that come with the deepening of relationships. Indeed, living mālama kaiāulu is a vital aspect of our student’s journey here as we find ways for keiki to regularly experience giving and receiving. This week, our K-2 learners showed how our youngest students can connect with our community to share appreciation and care in simple yet impactful ways. Kūpuna seated outside and throughout HoʻoNani Place clapped, sang, and smiled for the students as they gifted well-practiced songs and handwritten cards. With twinkling eyes, our kūpuna asked if we might come again, and we were certainly glad to accept the invitation. How important for our students to connect with our Waimea kūpuna, as well as our Upper School community, who showed enjoyment for our pilina together, expressing much delight in hearing our little ones’ sweet voices in song and receiving their carefully crafted bouquets. How joyful to give of oneself.
Mahalo to Mrs. DiBartolo, Mrs. Prutow-McKenna, and all our teachers for supporting this now annual event of connecting with others in our community. We look forward to our Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd graders sharing more songs with us at their performance next week, Wednesday, February 22, at 1:15 pm at Gates Performing Arts Center (GPAC) on our Upper Campus. K-2nd grade families can check Seesaw messages for details and updates regarding next week’s rehearsals and performance. Families of students in Grades 3-5, please be reminded that all dismissals will take place at GPAC unless your child participates in our After School Program, in which case we will bus them back to the Village Campus. Our pilina with one another will continue, thanks to our ʻOhana Association, through a celebratory potluck for K-2 grade families and siblings on the GPAC lanai following the performance.
May our care for our community of spirit, land, and people continue to grow, and may we all continue to share the gift of this joyful reciprocity, hand in proverbial hand.
Mālama pono,
Dora Kwong
Lower School Principal
Schedule
Our K-5 classes continue with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Monday, February 20.
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
• Tuesday, February 21: K-2nd grade students should be dropped off for the day at our Upper Campus Gates Performing Arts Center (GPAC) between 7:40 to 8:00 am. Dismissal as usual at the Village Campus.
• 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.
Ka Makani Keiki Camp
Arts, sports, hiking, and enrichment on campus and around our island to fill the summer days. Runs weekly from June 5 to July 28. Registration is now open, so reserve your spot today!
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,
Our Middle School continues to buzz with excitement! We crowned Ms. He’s advisory Kickball Tournament Champions after a close and tense final that saw Ms. Kawakami’s advisory tie it up in the top of the last inning to stay alive, only to see Bodie step up to the plate for a game winning home run to give the He Advisory two lunchtime tournament wins in a row after also taking the Flag Football championship in December. They celebrated with a pizza party on Friday.
Next week’s Middle School Masquerade Ball on Friday, February 24, is just around the corner and certainly fueling the energy on campus. A big thank you to the ʻOhana Association and their work to help us get ready for it. They are looking for some more volunteers for set-up, food, chaperones, and clean-up. If you can help, please sign up here:
Masquerade Ball Parent Help Sign-up Sheet. Many thanks in advance!
If your child is going home with another family from the dance, please reach out to your child’s advisor to let them know who will pick them up.
There is so much going on to keep us on our toes. In science, this week for Fly on the Wall, 6th and 7th-graders were challenged to think like civil engineers and engage their critical thinking and creativity skills to build bridges from paper cups, toothpicks, marshmallows, and valentine gummies. Students were presented with criteria — the bridge must be at least 14 centimeters long from cup to cup, and only the two cups could touch the table; and constraints — each student received a limited amount of each material to accomplish their build. As long as the bridge met the base criteria and constraints, students could choose to strive to create the longest or the strongest bridge. The longest bridge exceeded 28 centimeters, and the strongest one, which was 14 centimeters long, could hold more than the maximum weight used in testing. It was great to see students engaging in the prototyping process and pushing themselves to persevere through challenges during the build!
Grade 6 students, Kalāwena and ʻAhuʻula, took some time on Friday to share a story with our grade 1 students in both English and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi to help celebrate Hawaiian Language Month. A special mahalo to Ms. Chong and Ms. Tarnas for helping to set this up.
This semester’s Clubs are also in full swing, and it is fun to walk around and see students doing double dutch jump rope, playing soccer, sewing, cooking, dancing, acting, and so much more. Some of our Clubs are led by students as part of their capstone projects. Great stuff!
Enjoy your weekend!
Glenn Chickering
Middle School Principal
Spreading the joy of Hawaiian storytelling across grade levels. Grade 6 students share tales with Grade 1 to celebrate Hawaiian Language Month!
Schedule
Our Middle School 2022-2023 Daily Schedule continues with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Monday, February 20.
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 24 at 6:00 pm: Masquerade Ball Middle School Dance at Hale ʻĪnana
• Friday, March 3: Springfest and Plant Sale in the Ulumau Garden. 3:30 – 5:15 pm
• Thursday and Friday, March 9 and 10: Student-led Conferences
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.
Summer at HPA
Summer Academies
Do you have a passion you want to pursue? Our specialized four-week academies are designed for day and boarding middle and high school students ages 11-17. Runs from June 26 to July 21.
Upper School
From the desk of your Poʻo Kumu (Division Principal), Kaʻai Spencer
Aloha e nā ʻohana o ka makani!
Let the games begin! The annual HPA Olympics is about to begin, and excitement is taking over the campus. Our Upper School assembly started things off with a soft opener, which was a cheezeball challenge! This challenge is a partner event where one partner spreads shaving cream on their face while the other partner stands at a distance and tosses chesseballs. The goal is to get as many cheeseballs as possible to stick to the shaving cream in a given amount of time. It is very goofy, makes a mess, and is a laughter-filled event.
Games like this are perfect primers for the main events that will take place starting next Monday night through Wednesday. One of the jewels of the HPA Olympics comes from the essence of the ʻOhana award. This award can be compared to a sportsmanship award, but it is much more than that. Students earn points by being helpful during setup and breakdown. When they showcase respect for each other, cheer on their opponents, and display a strong sense of aloha — it all counts towards the ʻOhana award.
Values that grant points for the ʻOhana award are important to the type of community we strive to be. Hopefully, our students will hold on to these values as they mature and become parents of children who play sports. If these values of respect, sportsmanship, and aloha were carried to the sidelines of youth athletics competitions, I am sure our community would have more people that are willing to be coaches and officials, which are the key components of any league.
These are exciting times. We have groups in the lip sync and talent show competitions rehearsing for their performances, and other students are creating props and posters to help with their class cheers and opening ceremonies events. All this is happening as we transition to our final sports season of the year. I know that our seniors are looking forward to their last experience with these bonding activities, and I am looking forward to watching the excitement unfold. Whenever I speak to Ka Makani alumni about their time at HPA, the conversation always includes their memories of the HPA Olympics. It will be great to watch the creation of these memories as we head into next week.
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 20.
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 16 – Saturday, February 18: Upper School play, GPAC
• Monday, February 20 – Wednesday, February 22: Upper School Olympics (Updated dates)
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 spring athletic schedule has been updated, and be sure to check out the weekly schedule as well. You can also access the athletics schedule on the myHPA calendar.
College Counseling
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 from 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. Click here to enroll in the ACT/SAT Bootcamp, and scroll down to find your course. Don’t forget to use the coupon code HAWAIIPREP at checkout to get the 50% discount.
Class of 2023
Mahalo nui to the senior families who attended our Zoom presentation on Tuesday evening. For those of you who were unable to join us live, you can view a recording of our discussion here. In addition, here are links to our End-of-Year Events calendar and the “Upper School End-of-Year Events” tile on the Upper School Resource Board on myHPA, which includes our Google slides presentation from Tuesday night. Be sure to check back often, as we will be continuously updating that Resource Board with new information as it becomes available.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if we can be of assistance at graduation@hpa.edu. For those of you who would like to volunteer to participate with Grad Night 2023, please email gradnight@hpa.edu.
Links:
• Class of 2023 End-of-Year Events – ʻOhana meeting – January 31, 2023
• Class of 2023 End-of-Year Events – Resource Board & Slides
• Class of 2023 End-of-Year Events – Calendar
Student Life
HPA Olympics!
The 45th annual HPA Olympics begins on Monday! There are a few events that some students will need to be in attendance for on Sunday, but Monday marks the official beginning. For more information and the schedule, please refer to the 2023 HPA Olympics is right around the corner! email that was sent on Wednesday, February 15.
We hope that everyone has an amazing time and creates lifelong memories of this special event. As a reminder, all Upper School students are expected to participate in the events.
A brief outline of all Olympic events can also be found on the myHPA calendar.
Spring Break
Our Spring Break is quickly approaching, Monday, March 13 to Monday, March 27, 2023, and we hope that everyone finds some time to rest and prepare for the remainder of the year. It will go by quickly!
Residential Students, please adhere to the travel dates when booking your travel and make sure that you forward your airline confirmation email or a full itinerary to Mrs. Ganley at travel@hpa.eduby Friday, February 24. For more information, please refer to the Spring Break Travels, important reminders email that was sent on Thursday, February 16.
Residential Life
This week, Carter Hall welcomed the boarding community for an Open Dorm event for Valentine’s Day. The boarding community is getting out to watch the excellent Winter production, You Can’t Take it With You. Heading into next week, the 45th Annual HPA Olympics has arrived, and our students are buzzing with anticipation!
If you have not done so already, please send your child’s travel information for Spring Break to travel@hpa.edu, so that we can arrange for transportation to and from the Kona Airport. As a reminder, our dormitories close on Sunday, March 12, and re-open on Sunday, March 26. HPA will provide transportation to and from the airport for any students leaving campus after 3:00 pm on Friday, March 10, through Sunday, March 12, and from the morning of Sunday, March 26, through the night of Monday, March 27.
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.
Summer at HPA
Summer Academies
Do you have a passion you want to pursue? Our specialized four-week academies are designed for day and boarding middle and high school students ages 11-17. Runs from June 26 to July 21.
All-School
Need to know information for our entire Ka Makani ʻohana.
Re-enrollment to HPA for the 2023-24 Academic Year
The deadline of February 15 has passed to secure your child’s enrollment at HPA for the 2023-2024 academic year. For those that have completed it, MAHALO! For some families needing more time or special circumstances, please be sure that you are in touch with the Admission Office ASAP. We have prepared step-by-step instructions to assist you in completing the enrollment agreement.
If your child is not planning to return to HPA for the 2023-2024 academic year, please email admissions@hpa.edu at your earliest convenience to let us know.
To be considered fully re-enrolled at HPA, we ask that you submit your child’s completed enrollment agreement and pay the tuition deposit ($1,000 for day students and $2,500 for boarding students) by Wednesday, February 15. This secures your child’s enrollment for the 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
We are very excited to introduce the newest addition to our Health Services team. Registered Nurse Linh Nguyen brings with her many years of experience, including work in pediatrics. She will primarily be working at the Upper Campus. Be sure to stop by and say hello!
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
Families, it is extremely important that the school is able to communicate not only with parents/guardians, but also with each student, via their mobile device. We are asking all students in grades 6-12, who bring a phone to school, to download theSafe2SpeakUp app.
Safe2SpeakUp allows us to inform students of emergency events when immediate action is needed. Teachers and administrators would also receive the information so that our community is on the same page. Please review the instructions below and assist your child with downloading the Safe2SpeakUp app.
This is a companion app to CrisisGo, an app that teachers and administrators use on their devices. 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 anonymously about any behaviors they are concerned about.
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.
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.