Parent
August 30, 2012
Connection
Breaking News
Introducing New Faculty
Jessica Crowe isn’t really new to Island School, but she’s back in the Spanish department after several years absence. Jessica originally came to Island School in 2002, and taught Spanish for 4 years. Two babies later, she’s back and eager to get into the Island School swing. Jessica eaerned BA in Anthropology and Spanish from Bard College in New York, and is completing her teaching certification from Western Governor’s University in Utah. Born in India, Jessica has also lived in Sri Lanka and is a citizen of Argentina and the USA. She is teaching middle and high school Spanish classes and advising the Spanish Club. Lauren Calhoun was born and raised on Kaua‘i. She attended Colorado College where she majored in political science and minored in French. She has traveled extensively and has produced several videos, and most recently collaborated on a film about climate change in the South Pacific. In addition, she has developed curriculum and created an after-school program for girls in the Bronx, New York. She is teaching high school economics and Hawaiian history classes.
Flu Vaccinations
The Hawai‘i State Department of Health will be offering free flu vaccinations again this year. The program is open to students in kindergarten through 8th grades. Information about the vaccination program has been distributed to middle and elementary students; completed forms are due no later than Friday, September 7. After that date, students will be placed on the wait list. This year, parents/guardians may complete their child’s vaccination consent form online. (https:// vaxonlinereg.doh.hawaii.gov/VaxMe_ Login_SSL.php )Those choosing this option should print the completed and signed form and turn it in by the Sept. 7 deadline.
Parent Volunteers Needed Tomorrow
Kumu Kauka’s substitute needs some help with the elementary classes on Friday. (Kumu Kauka will be with the senior class at their retreat.) Kumu Steve Soltysik has a wonderful project planned, but it requires additional adult hands. If you are available tomorrow for 3rd grade, 12:55-1:45, and/or 2nd grade, 1:45-2:35, please call Kumu Steve ASAP at 246-0844.
Solar Project Underway!
Members of the Island School board members, administrators and faculty, joined, local dignitaries, and students on the far east end of campus for the blessing and ground-breaking of our solar energy project. Kumu Kauka and members of our halau, Nā Pua o Kamaile, led the blessing
Click HERE for important dates and honored the dignitaries who have been key in the planning of the Solar Farm. It has taken a year for this project to get to the point where construction can begin. When completed, the solar project will have more than 1,200 solar panels which will generate enough energy to meet the daytime needs of the entire campus with some surplus. If you’d like to read Dennis Fujimoto’s article in Tuesday’s Garden Island, follow this link: http://thegardenisland. com/news/local/education/islandschool-breaks-ground-on-solarproject/article_428f8edc-f0f3-11e19c67-0019bb2963f4.html.
After-School Math Tutoring
Starting next week, Susie Massaro will be available after school on Tuesdays and Wednesdays until 3:30 in the Wiliwili Room to help students in any math course from pre-algebra through pre-calculus. Students should check in right after school. There is no fee for this, and advanced appointments are not necessary.
Summer Latin America Trip
The Spanish Dept. will offer a trip for middle and high school students to Latin America during the summer 2013. An informational meeting will take place after school in September. Keep your eyes and ears posted for the exact time and date. The Latin American destination will be revealed at the meeting!
To contact the publisher of Island School’s Parent Connection, email peggy@ischool.org
I.S. Chronicles clubs, which will change each trimester: Science Olympiad, Climbing & Athletics, Green Campus, American Sign Language, Library and Stitches. These clubs are organized and led by the middle school faculty. ART – Middle School art students are studying ceramic hand building Air Riflery students practice on the upper field. techniques. They are currently learning to shape SPANISH – Spanish is off to a great the clay into hollow forms. start with many enthusiastic students Once perfected, these hollow forms wanting to learn the language. There can be used to create many types of are many students who have a family sculpture. Students are transforming member that speak Spanish! We had their hollow forms into animals, our first Spanish Club meeting on fantasy creatures, abstract sculptures, Friday and will meet every Friday and whistles. When these pieces are during lunch. Our first outside finished, they will be fired in our gathering will be held at Mrs. Wong’s new kiln and glazed. Below, Sydney house in September, where we will Agudong poses with her troll. have a Spanish themed potluck dinner. Students in both Middle and High school are welcome to join the Spanish Club and come to the potluck dinner. FOURTH GRADE – Students have been learning how the Hawaiian Islands were born and their stages of growth. They wrote their own “tall tales” and compared them with Hawaiian legends. FIRST GRADE – The class has been doing a lot of reading. Their reading list includes: Sing a Song Leo the Late Bloomer , by Robert Kraus and Jose Aruego; The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle, The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear, by Don Wood. CHEMISTRY – High school students measured how temperature affects the density of water. MIDDLE SCHOOL – Students have signed up for various clubs that meet once a week during their homeroom classes. There are six Our salad bar is a highlight of lunch time!
Colin Bedwell, 2nd grade, navigates the traversing wall wearing a scarf to make it more challenging.
is now preparing to race the Molokai Channel on October 7th. At the Kaua‘i Farm Bureau Fair, Chad Andrade, ‘14, won grand Champion Steer, Grand Champion Goat, the Senior Showmanship Award for steer, goat and lamb. This was Chad’s sixth year showing his livestock through Kaua‘i 4-H Livestock Club. PHYSICAL EDUCATION – Second graders were challenged on the traversing wall in PE this week. Ms. Mariko devised a game where the students had to show their climbing skills while dressed in costume pieces!
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT – Braden Beck, ‘13, competed in the VAA World Sprints in Calgary, Canada a couple of weeks ago. He paddled with the Keahiakahoe canoe club in the age 19 division. They made the finals and came in fourth place, competing against teams from Hawai‘i, Tahiti, New Zealand, Canada and around the world. He also raced in the open men’s division with his father, Hobey, and placed fifth! Braden is on the Namolokama O Chase Orsatelli, PK, rides his brother Chad Hanalei canoe team and Andrade’s prize-winning steer.
Parent Page
Parent Association
PA GRANTS DUE TOMORROW Last day to apply for September PA Grants are Friday, August 31. Application and information are located in the Front Office in the PA folder. NEXT PA MEETING 9/4 PA meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 4 at 1 p.m. in Teacher Workroom GIFT WRAP SALE UPDATE The froggies are leaping from lily pad to lily pad along the wall of the Main Hall! As of this morning, grade 3 has bounded ahead with 72 points! Grade 4 is behind them with 30 points. This three-day weekend is certain to change the standings dramatically. In Middle School, it’s boys vs. girls! Winners of this contest will be announced next Tuesday.
Classified Ads BABYSITTERS AVAILABLE: Liz is keeping a list of high school students who are available as babysitters in various areas of the island. If you need one, send her an email with your location and she will connect you with a great high school student in your neighborhood. liz@ ischool.org. STUDENT EXCHANGE HOST FAMILIES WANTED: Hosting an exchange student can be a highly rewarding experience for the entire family. Northwest Student exchange, located in Seattle, has three juniors, two from China and one from Germany, who are looking for host families for this school year. If you are interested, please contact Peggy Ellenburg for details (peggy@ischool.org). KITTENS NEED HOMES: When everyone living at Koloa Camp had to move away, several kittens got left behind. They have been rescued and are spayed and neutered, micro-chipped and 100% loyal litter box users. They’re gentle, sweet,
Mahalo to
♥♥♥
♥ ♥ ♥ all faculty, staff and families who helped in the
support of Student Government’s Shop For a Cause at Macy’s last weekend. It was a big success!
♥ ♥ ♥ Monica King for making curtains for the third
grade puppet theater/work area. Also thanks to Monica for organizing and launching our annual Gift Wrap sale!
♥ ♥ ♥ the Coast Guard and Nawiliwili Yacht Club
lending the freshman class life jackets to use on the freshmen retreat. Also to Lori Parraga and Kaiola Canoe Club for volunteering to teach these students to paddle.
♥ ♥ ♥ the Civilian Conservation Group for volun-
teering to teach orienteering skills to our sophomore class at their retreat in Koke‘e.
♥ ♥ ♥ Lelan Nishek of Kaua‘i Nursery and Land-
scaping for donating three light poles that will be used for the three solar lights that are being erected around campus.
♥ ♥ ♥ Tom Shigemoto & Alexander & Baldwin
for use of their ‘ō‘ō (digging stick) for the solar project ground breaking.
♥ ♥ ♥ Wade Lord and Kukui Grove Center for donating shelving and hand trucks to be used in our new middle and high school library.
and affectionate and are free to responsible people who can give them a loving home. If you’d like to see them, you can call Carol Ann Davis at 639-1936. They’re delightful! SWING CLASSES STARTING: East Coast Swing & Lindy Hop class for teens and adults. Beginning Sept. 10 for 2 months (8 classes) Mondays 6:30 to 7:30pm at the Puhi Theatrical Warehouse (KAPA). Cost is $96 per person. Call 245-3150 for more information. KAUAI SINGS MOTOWN, SOUL AND R&B: September 21 - 23, Fri & Sat - 7:00 pm; Sun - 5:00 pm. To benefit Malama Pono and Kaua‘i United Way. Hukilau Lanai, Kaua‘i Coast Resort. Tickets $20 Advance/$25 Door/$15 Students. For more info or tickets visit www.malama-pono.org or call 808246-9577.
Solar Farm Project Underway Many thanks to all who have made this possible! idea was sparked by Rick Fogel, parent of I.S. alumni, Bailey MorrisonFogel, ‘10, and Dylan This project has the potential to benefit all parties involved: Island School, Voyager Solar Corporation, MorrisonFogel, ‘12, when he introduced the concept to the KIUC and Kaua‘i’s environment. The Solar Farm is Building and Grounds Committee in April, 2011. a good example of how the private sector can work The Committee, led by Wade Lord, along with Board together with non-profits toward a common goal. President Kathy Richardson took off with the idea The Solar Farm is located on approximately one acre and began negotiations with Kurt Bosshard. With the cooperation of the County of Kaua‘i and Kaua‘i Island on land at the far eastern edge of campus. The first phase involves digging a conduit trench from the site Utility Cooperative, permits were approved over the to the school’s electric boxes on the end of the kitchen. summer. REC Solar was chosen to build the solar farm; Esaki Surveying and Akinaka & Associates are The trench will be around 30 inches deep and two feet wide and will take roughly two days to complete. the project engineers. Parents are asked to be mindful of possible detours along our walkways and roadways. Students are also We are also grateful to Lelan Nishek, of Kaua‘i Nursery and Landscaping, for clearing the land where being cautioned to stay clear of the trenching area. the solar farm will sit and the surrounding area. In the next phase over 1,200 solar panels will be A key person in assuring that construction can installed and hooked up by REC Solar. The entire progress efficiently and with minimum impact on project should take about two months to complete. the students and faculty has been Business Manager, Mike Goto. As Bob Springer said in his address at Kurt Bosshard, parent of I.S. alumna, Lindsey Monday’s blessing ceremony, “Mike is the Go-To Bosshard, ‘10, is the owner of Voyager Solar person — the lynchpin of this project.” Corporation. The school will purchase all electricity from this company and, if excess power is produced, sell it to KIUC. The result should be to substantially If you’re on campus this week, you might see the white line on the ground that delineates the route reduce our electrical costs. of the conduit trench between the site and the Main Hall. Please be cautious and avoid this area. We are grateful for and proud of the teamwork and The actual construction site is off-limits until all is commitment demonstrated by the many parties completed. Mahalo for your cooperation. involved in getting this project off the ground. The It’s uplifting to see what can be accomplished when people work collaboratively and diligently together. It’s taken over a year of planning, negotiating and patience, but the result is well worth the wait. Our solar farm project has broken ground and construction has begun.
Island School 3-1875 Kaumuali`i Hwy Lihu`e, Kaua`i, Hawai`i, 96766
August 30, 2012 A weekly publication We’re on the web at www.ischool.org