Parent Connection: August 22, 2013

Parent

Welcome Back!

August 22, 2013

Connection

Breaking News Click HERE for important dates

New Faculty This Year • • •

Keana Oliveira - PK Aide Emily Thomas - PE/7th HR Erin Cobb-Adams - Math/ Wrestling • Traci Sullivan - Science • David Lohrey - English • Roxanne Haverkort-Yeh - Chemistry • Mariana Ferrari-Elzaurdia Spanish For photos and more about these new additions to our faculty, go to page 5 of this issue. (Click the link.)

Farm Bureau Fair August 22-25

For the first time, Island School has snagged a coveted food booth at the Farm Fair, which starts tonight and runs through Sunday. Due to the quick thinking and perseverance of I.S. dad, Pepe Trask, we stand to make a significant profit from our delicious plate lunches. We will be serving a hapa rice combination with a salad and choice of grilled mahi or steak (or both). A vegetarian quinoa/ tofu salad will also be available. We anticipate our food booth to be very popular. There are still openings for volunteers to help at the fair, especially on Saturday and Sunday evenings. Please sign up. All funds raised will support student activities and allow teachers at all grade levels to enrich their programs even more.

Contact Daryl Edwards at daryl@ ischool.org to volunteer, or visit http://vols.pt/xdF2JQ to sign up online.

Reserved Parking Stalls

Your help is needed! Please help us maintain the integrity of the reserved parking spaces that are sold by Island School every year at the auction.

Our donors pay for their parking privileges and we need to honor our side of the agreement. There are three reserved spaces on campus: two in the small parking lot adjacent to the kitchen, and a new reserved space on the high school side of the campus, between the gazebo and the rest rooms. Please do not park in these spaces and be sure to leave adequate room for them to park and not be blocked in. Mahalo for your kokua.

Temporary Kitchen Help Needed

!

We are looking for someone to help Dean out for a short time in the kitchen until someone can be hired.

Hours are 8 a.m.-2 p.m. This is a paid position. Please contact Mike Goto if you are available or know of someone.

Applications are being taken for a permanent position to assist in the kitchen. Experience preferred.

Contact Mike at 246-0233, ext. 252 or email mike@ischool.org.

RenWeb - a valuable tool for parents, teachers and students RenWeb is your online access to

homework assignments, lesson plans, gradebooks, classroom documents and more. A detailed description of how to get the most out of RenWeb is on page 7. (Click the link.)

Na Pua Keiki Class Tomorrow - Half Day

All 20 students will have a half day of school tomorrow, Friday, August 23.

A trip to the Farm Fair is scheduled.

They will return for dismissal at 12:00. Their first full day of school will be Monday, August 26th.

Fall SAT Prep Courses

These beneficial courses are recommended to seniors who plan to take the SAT this fall and to juniors and sophomores as preparation for the PSAT given in October. Two courses are offered: Math Prep, taught by Susie Massaro, and Critical Reading/Writing, taught by Dave Reynolds. Please see page 6 for more information.

5:10 Northshore Bus Service Begins

So many activities are happening here after school that we’ve arranged a late bus to transport a limited number of northshore students home at 5:10 p.m. This will relieve the pressure for parents to make a trip into Puhi and make it easier for students to participate. All students wishing to take the 5:10 bus to the north shore must sign up by 3:15 p.m. the day before they wish to ride. There is a sign-up sheet in the Office. Those already signed up for the regular Island School bus will not be charged an extra fee; others will be charged $5 per ride, to be paid in cash, to the bus driver upon boarding. Please contact Mike Goto if you have questions.

To contact the publisher of Island School’s Parent Connection, email peggy@ischool.org

I.S. Chronicles

College counselor, Joan Shaw, with senior, Christy Jo Williams at high school registration last Wednesday.

HS/MS REGISTRATION – They lined up in the Main Hall to meet their teachers, finalize their classes, ask questions, pay fees and (most importantly) to reconnect after summer break. Middle school parents and students met with teachers and advisers for orientation and to get their locker assignments. Another HS/MS registration day came and went last week Wednesday, heralding the start of a new school year.

PK AND K ORIENTATION – Parents learned what it’s like to be a PK student last week at Pre-K orientation They sat in the tiny chairs, followed Miss Sue’s directions.

Mary-Jane Garasi, Peter Chow and Curtis Bedwell make “literacy cubes” at Pre-K orientation.

Board members, staff and faculty got together last Monday at the annual Staff Social in the Frear. Left, Liz Hubbard, Director of Student Activities, Jim Guerber, Board vice pres. and Sabra Kauka, Hawaiian Studies teacher. Right: Kathy Richardson, Board president, and Jim Mayfield, Board member.

Kindergarten parents learned what their keiki will be doing this year and got to know each other.

STAFF SOCIAL – Members of Island School’s Board of Directors gathered in the Frear Center with faculty and staff for an end-of-the day social event, complete with refreshments and great conversation.

SENIOR PROJECTS – On Thursday, August 29, from 8:00 11:00 a.m., seniors will meet with Jim Bray, Bob Springer and their Senior Project advisers to learn the requirements of this assignment.

Senior Projects are completed over the next several months and are done on a topic of special interest.

Each student gets an adviser to help them along the way.

Presentations are made in May by each senior.

DRAMA – Fifth graders learned their play this year will be the musical, The Phantom Tollbooth, Jr. Auditions will be next week. The play is based on the popular children’s adventure novel by Norton Juster about a boy who is bored with life, until … stay tuned!

First graders took the grand tour of campus yesterday, learning where things are, including where to line up for a fire drill.

President of Student Government, Margo Latif, welcomes her fellow students at the high school Morning Meeting this week.

Parent Page

Parent Association

Elementary Parent Orientation

Tuesday, August 27 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Teachers will give parents an overview of the year.

Meet in your child’s classroom.

Mahalo to

♥♥♥

♥ ♥ ♥ Cynthia Hannah-White and Carmel Gabrial for facilitating the donation of costumes from the Estate of Mildred Devrell. ♥ ♥ ♥ Evan Price, who spent a good part of his summer

painting the elementary walls, fascias, classroom doors, trim, lanai, and more. What a gift!

♥ ♥ ♥ the literally hundreds of parents, students,

Parent Association’s Information Fair

For parents with children in grades 1-5.

Right before Orientation.

Helpful information regarding: • Booster Club • After School Sports & Clubs • Annual Auction • Gift Wrap Sales • Your Parent Association

faculty, staff and friends who have and continue to volunteer this week at our food booth at the Farm Bureau Fair. Way to pull together, I.S. Ohana! (Below, tireless volunteers prepare pineapple salsa.)

Classified Ads WANTED TO RENT: Island School parent with two children (grades 6 & 11) looking for 2-br house or apartment. Call Kimberly at 360-547-9826.

“A TRIBUTE TO FRANK SINATRA:” Friday, August 23, 6:30 - 7:30 pm at the Farm Fair. The Paradise Big Band led by Dennis McGraw, with guest vocalists: Arnold Meister & Cindy Jackson.

KAUA‘I FARM BUREAU FAIR: August 22 - 25 4-H displays, Rides by EK Fernandez, live circus acts, local foods, games, non-stop entertainment. Vidinha Stadium, Lihu‘e. Be sure to stop by the I.S. food booth!

MISS SAIGON: An incredible theatrical and musical experience. Kaua‘i Community College Performing Arts Center. Tickets and information: www.misssaigonkauai.com/ or at outlets: Kaua‘i Music & Sound, Inkspot Kaua‘i, Dr. Antolin G. Apalla, Jr., Scotty’s Music.

BON DANCE: Friday, August 30, 7:30 - 9:00 pm Honoring the spirits of family members who have passed away. Veterans’ Center, Lihu‘e. Contact: (808) 246-1135.

KAUA’I MARATHON & HALF MARATHON: Sept. 1, 6:00 am - 2:00 pm. Striking mountain views, hula dancers, Taiko drum troupes along the route.

Begins in Po‘ipu. Contact: (808) 635-3053.

AUDITIONS: Women in Theatre Announces Auditions for Mayhem in the Mansions — A Production of Cross-Cultural Comedies. This is a rare opportunity to work with Dallas McCurley, Ph.D., a master of Kyogen and Commedia dell’arte theatre. For Mayhem in the Mansions, where the comic form of 14th century Japan meets that of 16th century Europe, Dallas will share her professional performing experience with commedia dell’arte troupes in Florence and Venice, Italy, as well as her years of training in nihon buyo and various traditional Japanese theatre forms with the University of Hawaiʻi and the National Theatre of Japan. Sat, Aug. 24 & Sun, Aug. 25, at WIT’s End in Coconut Marketplace.

Please come for one of the group auditions on either day: 10 am / 11:15 am /12:30 pm. Must be at least age 16 to audition. They are also looking for an Stage Manager. Call Melissa Mojo for more info: 482-0818.

Take Control of Homework So It Doesn’t Control You Although very few students love homework, it does serve a purpose. Homework helps you: Organize the Information People process information in different ways. Some people • Reinforce what you’ve learned during the day. like to draw pictures or charts to digest information, • Build study habits that are essential in college. others prefer to read out loud or make detailed outlines.

• Prepare for your classes.

Try to find the methods that work best for you. Ask your • Get a sense of progress. teacher for recommendations if you’re having trouble.

Here are some tips to help you deal with homework more efficiently and effectively.

Set the Mood

Create a good study area with everything you need (for example, a calculator). If you don’t have a quiet place at home, try your school or local library.

Know Where to Begin

Make a list of everything you need to do, and note all deadlines. Do the more difficult assignments first, so you don’t have to face them at the end.

Take Advantage of Any Free Time

If you have a study period or a long bus ride, use the time to review notes, prepare for an upcoming class or start your homework.

Study with a Friend

Get together with friends and classmates to quiz each other, compare notes and predict test questions. Consider joining a study group.

Communicate

If you have concerns about the amount or type of homework you have, you may want to talk to your family, Study at the Same Time Every Day teachers or counselor. They can help you understand how Even if you don’t have homework every night, use the time much time you need to allot for homework and how to to review notes. If sitting down to work is part of your manage your tasks. normal routine, you’ll approach it with less dread. Also, you’ll become a pro at using time productively.

Celebrate Your Achievements

Keep Things in Perspective

Know how much weight each assignment or test carries, and use your time accordingly.

Get More Involved

Keep your mind from wandering by taking notes, underlining sections, discussing topics with others or relating your homework to something you’re studying in another class.

Reward yourself for hitting milestones or doing something well.

This article appeared in Big Future, an online publication by the College Board, “a dynamic, member-led, missiondriven not-for-profit organization governed by an elected Board of Trustees with guidance from three national assemblies and six regional assemblies.” Their goal is to ensure that every student has the opportunity to prepare for, enroll in and graduate from college.

Island School 3-1875 Kaumuali`i Hwy Lihu`e, Kaua`i, Hawai`i, 96766

August 22, 2013 A weekly publication We’re on the web at www.ischool.org

Keana Oliveira (Ms. Keana) an Island School alumna, attended Island School’s Kealia campus as an elementary student. A Kapa‘a High School graduate, she attended the University of Northern Colorado and the University of Hawai‘i, Manoa. She has experience substitute pre-school teacher at Kamehameha Schools. Keana is the mother of three current I.S. students and has been a valuable volunteer for the past six years. She and her husband host numerous field trips to her family’s ranch in Moloa‘a. She will be the aide to Sue Macklin and Na Pua Keiki.

Emily Thomas (Ms. Emily) earned a B.S. in education from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa. She will be Mariko Strickland’s other half, teaching PE and 7th-grade girls homeroom. She lives in Lihu‘e with her two daughters and has been working as a substitute teacher in the public elementary schools as well as at Island School. In addition, Ms. Emily is a licensed private pilot and works as a licensed massage therapist at the Natural Health Clinic and the Club at Kukuiula.

“I have had a life-long interest in health, wellness and fitness and hope to share that passion with my students. Island School is a very special place and I am very excited to be teaching here!”

Erin Cobb-Adams (Coach) is a Kamehameha Schools graduate, born and raised on Kaua‘i.

He earned a B.S. in bioengineering from the University of Hawai‘i, Manoa and has taught math, Hawaiian culture and healthy life choices to students in all grades. Erin helped to launch our wrestling team last year, acting as coach. He has also coached community baseball, basketball, football and soccer. He got a very good impression from parents he met at our Sports Banquet last year. “It seems that everyone who has been part of Island School has nothing but good things to say and, after my first few days, I would have to agree.” He and his wife and three sons live in Anahola. He will be teaching math and coach wrestling.

Traci Sullivan (Mrs. Sullivan) is ready to get back into the classroom after an almost ten year “vacation” from teaching. A Kaua‘i resident for 13 years, she has been homeschooling her own children, coaching robotics, teaching summer science programs and producing science nights around the island. She will put her B.A. in environmental, population, and organismic biology from the University of Colorado, Boulder, to good use to teach science in middle and high school. She’s also interested in helping out with the FIRST Lego League and VEX robotics teams. Her three children will be joining her here as students!

David Lohrey (Mr. Lohrey-Low-ree) has spent the past five years teaching English writing and literature in Saudi Arabia and China. He and his wife relocated to Kaua‘i in order to be closer to his wife’s family in Japan. He earned a B.A. in history from UC, Berkeley, an M.A. in English from Cal State University, Los Angeles, an M.S. in special education from the National University, La Jolla, California and a PhD in humanities and English literature from Charles Sturt University, Wagga, Australia. He hopes to apply his interest in what he calls global comparative English, to his high school English classes. This focuses on the “englishes” of the English-speaking world, including Australia, Britain, India and S.Africa.

Roxanne Haverkort-Yeh (Ms. Haverkort), originally from Curaçao (a small Dutch island off the coast of Venezuela), earned a B.S. in biotechnology from Van Hall Larenstein University, in the Netherlands, and an M.S. in biology from the University of Hawai‘i, Manoa.

She has recently taught marine science at the Marine Science Research Learning Center at the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology on O‘ahu. She will be teaching chemistry and honors chemistry and a marine science class 2nd & 3rd trimesters. She looks forward to sharing her expertise with her students, “and expose them to an example of how science really happens.”

Mariana Ferrari-Elzaurdia (Mariana), born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, earned a B.S. in psychology from the University of Buenos Aires, and an M.A. in marriage and family therapy from Argosy University. She will be teaching Spanish V. Mariana has lived on Kaua‘i for 20 years; she has worked over the years for various non- profit organizations and is currently in private practice. “Teaching Spanish will give me a special way of being connected to my roots,” she said. “I hope to bring passion and a deeper understanding of Spanish culture and values, making learning fun and interesting.”

SAT Prep Courses Fall 2013 NOTICE: SAT Prep Courses – Each Prep Course (Reading/Writing and Math) consists of four sessions over the course of four weeks; each session is 1 ½ hours in length.

Who Should Take the Fall 2013 SAT Prep Courses?

The fall prep courses are recommended for seniors who plan to take the SAT this fall (October 5, November 2 and/or December 7). Prep Courses are also recommended for juniors and sophomores as excellent preparation for the PSAT (Preliminary SAT administered to all Island School 10th and 11th graders on October 16).

Enrollment in both classes is limited. Students can sign up for one or both classes with Joan Shaw, College Counselor, Island School (246-0233, ext. 232 or joan@ischool.org). Independent practice work between class sessions will be required to receive full benefit from the course.

Math Prep Course taught by Susie Massaro This course will cover test-taking strategies, including some review of Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II. Students will receive two prep books: The Official SAT Study Guide and The New SAT Math Game Plan. Practice tests will be administered.

Registration for the math course is limited to students who are enrolled in geometry • •

Wednesdays, September 4, 11, 18 & 25 Island School – Wiliwili Room, Purdy Hall

Critical Reading/Writing Prep Course taught by David Reynolds This course will cover test-taking skills and strategies to discern the meaning of a sentence and the purpose of a passage. Sections of the SAT will be administered, with significant focus on responding to timed-writing prompts effectively.

• •

Mondays, August 26, September 9, 16 & 23 Island School – Wiliwili Room, Purdy Hall (NOTE: Class will not meet on Labor Day, September 2)

Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis; registration will be confirmed when payment is received.

These courses typically fill up very quickly, so please sign up as soon as possible to ensure your space. Checks should be made payable to the individual instructors (Susie Massaro and/or David Reynolds).

Questions? Call Joan Shaw at 246-0233, ext. 232 or email joan@ischool.org.

RenWeb A Valuable Source of Information for Parents and Students RenWeb is a digital filing cabinet for student records.

It lists classes students are taking and tracks their attendance, day by day and period by period. It stores and can display information about the student and his or her family, emergency contacts, syllabuses, daily lesson plans, and homework assignments. In it, grades and behavior are recorded, and grades and grade-point averages are calculated.

Through RenWeb, progress reports and report cards are generated and distributed, messages are sent and received, and documents are made available for students to retrieve. It is a veritable cornucopia of information for students and parents and a valuable tool for teachers and administrators.

Using RenWeb takes know-how and effort.

For all of this, RenWeb is web-based software, and using it requires knowing how it works and applying this knowledge. This means that teachers must consistently input data, keeping items as current as possible. Then parents and students must access the data. On both sides, using RenWeb takes knowhow and effort. If you have difficulty logging in, please contact Sean Magoun for help. (sean@ischool.org or 246-0233, ext 241)

RenWeb is designed to support our educational needs.

The program is not equally utilized or enjoyed by all parties. Some teachers are more diligent at this than others, as are some students and their parents. There are teachers who prefer using e-mail and hard-copy newsletters rather than RenWeb to communicate with parents, especially at the elementary level. In grades 6-12, a few teachers prefer not to post information about student progress. This is because generally there is a lag between receiving homework and tests and grading and recording this work. This affects what is seen by parents, some of whom get concerned when work awaiting the teacher’s attention is not reflected in what they see.

Students should be aware of information posted on RenWeb by their teachers.

Mostly we want students to use RenWeb to check daily lesson plans and homework, i.e., to be aware of what has been and is being covered in class and what they are missing. This is especially helpful to them when they have been absent. Parents can view this information, too, if they want to know what the class is doing and what is expected of the students.

RenWeb can be accessed via computer or mobile device.

Finally, mobile device users can download the RenWeb app on their phone or tablet. To do so, they navigate their mobile device to the Parents Web Login Page. Then they will be directed to the Parents Web Mobile Login Page. From here they can access homework assignments, see grades of their student (if the teacher posts these), check lesson plans, note calendar events, and peruse other items available to them through RenWeb.

This is what we do not post on RenWeb: •

• •

The Parent Connection - this is emailed to families and posted on our website (www.ischool.org) and our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/IslandSchoolVoyagersKauai) every Thursday.

The Island School Calendar - this is posted on our website (www.ischool.org) and can be added to your own Google calendars.

School photos - you can find these on our Shutterfly site (islandschool.shutterfly.com; password = islandschool)

For Island School students and their families, RenWeb provides a storehouse of information. We encourage all of our ohana to take advantage of what this program has to offer.