HPA’s Lower School was abuzz with excitement as K-5 students and teachers came together for their annual Enrichment Day — a unique initiative designed to foster interdisciplinary learning and community building.
Dora Kwong, the Lower School Principal, shared the vision behind the special day.
“It was born for a variety of reasons, and we’re really trying to meet several goals that we aim to achieve throughout the school year,” Kwong said. “One is to have a rich learning experience that is interdisciplinary, focused on Mālama Kaiāulu — our sustainability model. Another goal is to work across grade levels through a program we started a few years ago called Wā Pilina. Students across grade levels get to know each other and learn together. We built this day around those hopes, dreams, and goals.”
Kindergarten paired with grade 3, 1st with 4th grade, and 2nd with 5th. The buddy program was aptly named Wā Pilina — wā meaning time and pilina signifying connectedness or the symbiotic relationship among all things.
“It’s about mentoring, relationship building, and learning from each other — regardless of whether you’re the older one or the younger one,” Kwong said.
The day’s theme, Kuluku Kaiāulu — which translates to “building community” — was evident in every activity. From tī-planting, book-making, and crafting pinch pots in the garden to literacy, music-parachuting in Hale ʻĪnana, and art — each session revolved around this concept. Students pondered questions like: What is a kaiāulu? Who comprises a kaiāulu? How do we belong, build, and contribute to a kaiāulu? How do we ensure inclusivity in our kaiāulu? What is the significance of mindfulness and alignment to ourselves and others in a kaiāulu?
“The most significant aspect is not just academic learning but the connection with each other and our community as a whole,” Kwong said.
Mālama Kaiāulu, HPA’s sustainability framework, also played a pivotal role during the day and is deeply woven into the Lower School’s curriculum.
“It’s our guiding compass,” Kwong stated, “directing us to instill a profound love and care for the ʻāina in our students, helping them understand its importance not just for themselves but for the broader community.”
“It’s our guiding compass. directing us to instill a profound love and care for the ʻāina in our students, helping them understand its importance not just for themselves but for the broader community.”
Besides fostering community and interdisciplinary learning, the Enrichment Day also bridged the school’s literacy instruction program. Grade-level teachers met with their students one-on-one, read together, assessed their reading abilities, and tailored their literacy instruction based on real-time needs.
Overall, the Enrichment Day was a beacon of fostering connections. Echoing this sentiment, Kwong stated, “It’s about recognizing those connections in our communities so we can be better learners in a safe environment.” This event highlighted HPA’s unwavering commitment to a holistic educational approach, strengthening community ties, and cultivating the upcoming generation of conscientious and interconnected global citizens.