Parent Connection: Dec. 6, 2012

Parent

December 6, 2012

Connection

Breaking News ‘Tis The Season

All four of Island School’s choral ensembles team together to present their fifth annual Christmas choral concert on Tuesday, Dec. 11, at the KCC Performing Arts Center and featuring Island School students on violin, piano, drums, handheld percussion and, of course, ukulele. “Tis the Season!” sets the mood for the yuletide by sharing traditional Christmas classics and contemporary favorites. This year’s chorus, comprised of the Island School Alaka’i Chorus, Island School ‘Ōpio Chorus, Island School Keiki Chorus, and the Island School Singers, is the largest in Island School’s history, with over 140 students in grades 4-12 participating. Island School students in grades 9-12 are admitted free at the door with their official Island School student ID card. Tickets on sale in the Office.

Holiday Fun During Winter Break Students aged 4-10 are invited to join Mr. Dean and Ms. Rachelle for eight days of holiday fun with crafts, indoor and outdoor games/play, science experiments, cooking, photography, art projects, holiday reading and waterplay! December 24-28 and December 31-January 4 (except Dec. 25 & Jan. 1). 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. $225.00 (8 days) $150.00 (4 days) You will need to provide lunch, snacks, and drinks. Sign up today in the Office. Contact Rachelle at

rachelle@ischool.org or Dean at deanw@ischool.org, or call 246-0233, for more information.

Click HERE for important dates ❄❄ Classroom supplies like scissors and paper; ❄❄ Technology and maintenance upgrades.

Every donation makes a difference in the lives of our students. Please visit http://diamondmindinc.com/island. html to make your contribution today.

PADI Presentation Next Wednesday Lego Masters Win First Place in Mechanical Design Last weekend, our elementary Lego Masters Team participated in the Statewide FIRST Lego League Robotics Competition on O‘ahu. We are pleased to announce that they received first place in mechanical design and 7th in the robot mission competition. Fifty-two teams from around the state participated in this tournament. Congratulations to our team and to advisors, Nathaniel Evslin and Sue Macklin.

Holiday Giving

The season of giving is upon us! As you make your year-end charitable contributions, please consider a gift to the Annual Giving Campaign.

Donations to Annual Giving are fully tax-deductible and directly support a cause that is close to our hearts - Island School! Here are a few examples of things your gift will help to support: ❄❄ Teacher salaries and professional development; ❄❄ Campus repairs;

Howatt King is making a Project AWARE Fish ID presentation for the SCUBA Advanced class on Wednesday, December 12, from 3-4 p.m. in the Ulu classroom. Anyone who is interested is invited to attend.

RSVP to Joe Corbo by Tuesday, December 11, so they can get a head count - joecorbo@ischool.org.

Vintage Tractor Mows Upper Field

A 1941 9N Ford tractor has been purchased by Island School to mow the tall grass in the upper fields. This classic machine is perfect for this area, as it was made for tough jobs such as guinea grass on rough turf.

Farmer Willy (Willy Ellenburg) mows the grass in front of our solar farm.

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

I.S. Chronicles worked as a consultant and trainer with organizations across the country and is the author of Essential Student Leadership Guides.

Second graders spent some reading time in their “magic tree house.”

SECOND GRADE – Second grade has a magic tree house in their room!

The students have been devouring the Magic Tree House books so the class thought it would be fun to have one in their room. A special thanks to Lei Kurz for painting and assembling the tree.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT – A leadership training workshop is taking place for members of Student Government and Student Council and their advisors tomorrow. Eric Williams, from Student Government Solutions, will spend all day Friday giving student leaders the resources they need to be successful. Students will learn about goal setting, planning and implementation, communicating, running meetings and mobilizing students. Mr. Williams has an impressive background in organizational leadership dating from his own involvement in student government in college. He has

Elementary students get a peek at the working of the Honu Theatre’s puppet play, Bedtime Story.

MS & HS – The Main Hall was filled with students yesterday morning to hear a presentation from Rotary Club International. Members from the six Rotary Clubs on Kaua‘i showed a film and spoke about their experiences in Rotary and how they fulfill the Rotary motto, “Service above self.”

Students from Waimea High School and Kapa‘a High School spoke about Interact Club, which is the student offshoot of Rotary. Interested students signed up to form an Island School Interact Club.

KIF SOCCER – Both our girls and boys teams showed lots of potential on the field as the season opened last weekend against Kapa‘a. Our JV girls lost 2-0, but played well and look forward to this Saturday’s game against Waimea. The boys team started the soccer season with its best ever start – a tie with Kapa‘a, 0-0. “A tie may not seem like much to many of you readers but it is a sign that we have arrived,” said Coach Sean Magoun. “In years past we have often let the first two or three games get away from us due to inexperience. The varsity boys team understands what it means to battle for 90 minutes and still come out OK. We had our chances to go ahead out shooting Kapa‘a 6- 4 in the first half but it was without reward (this time around). The second half showed fewer opportunities to offensively get on the board, but we still did not let the defending league champions into the game. It was only the first game of many, but it was a very good start indeed!” Please come out and support our Voyager athletes as we take on Waimea this weekend at home.

GRADES PK - 3 – Students were treated to a special performance

by Purple Striped Honu Theatre

Fifth grader, Emily Binder, shows off the model of the Hokule‘a she made in Hawaiian Studies.

for Kids. The show, Bedtime Story, featured both puppets and actors and told the story of a centipede who lived in the oven of a young boy’s home. Demanding to be called “Your Majesty,” the centipede ordered the other nighttime creatures of the house (the cockroaches, ants, dog and cat) to fetch him food. When the little boy captured the Pede in a jar, he sent him outside to live where he belonged.

ONLINE LEARNING – Several high school students have been taking online courses for credit with Dr. Kozak as their adviser. A few recently completed their trimester courses. Daniel Wu, ‘16, completed Stanford University’s AP Calculus B, which is a college level course. Quinn Hannah-White, ‘14, Braden Beck, ‘13, and Ava Zebzda, ‘13, have all completed Stanford University’s Introduction to C Programming, for high school credit. Six other students in the class are continuing the online courses they have been taking and several others have begun courses.

COMMUNITY SERVICE – High school students are invited to sign up to Shop and Wrap next Wednesday, Dec. 12. Susie Massaro will meet students at Walmart at 5:00 p.m. to shop, then return to school for pizza (provided by Rotary Club) and to wrap gifts that will be distributed by Nana’s House to needy families.

Parent Page

Parent Association

Parent Association Enhancement Awards The following groups have recently been awarded a $100 Enhancement award from the PA, designed to support special projects.

Island School Alaka‘i Chorus to support their travels to O’ahu for the Ho’olokahi Choral Festival 6th and 7th grade P.E. classes for special, enriching activities For more Enhancement Award information or to apply, forms can be found in the Front Office.

Classified Ads KAUA‘I SINGS CHRISTMAS: Saturday, December 8, at 7pm. Get tickets or tables by calling 2469577 or emailing barbara@malama-pono.org. Other ticket outlets include: The Hawaiian Music Kiosk in Princeville, Kaua‘i Music and Sound in Kapa‘a, and Scotty’s Music in Kalaheo. Some highlights...

• Mayor Bernard Carvalho is singing!

• The theme is “Christmas Around the World!”

Kaua‘i Voices and conductor Randy Leonard are debuting two fabulous favorites.

• Many of your favorites are singing-- Karen Dickinson, Thom Newman and many others. Plus some fabulous newbies: Sean Texeira, Tawna Bedsaid, and more!

It will be a night to remember and it’s for a great cause - Malama Pono! Come one, come all!

WIT PRESENTS: Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple” (female version) directed by Cass Foster, at Aston Aloha Beach Hotel. Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, now through Dec 16. Tickets for dinner and show - $45; Sunday lunch performances $35. Tickets for performance only - $25 (space allowing) Featuring I.S. sophomore, Emily

Mahalo to

♥♥♥

♥ ♥ ♥ Jared Watumull and Jim Mayfield for arranging the donation of salvageable materials from the Kaua‘i Athletic Club, including wooden flooring, rubber mats, wall mirrors, towel racks, etc. ♥ ♥ ♥ Pepe Trask for organizing the 3rd grade recycling at Kilohana and Monica King, Claudia Trask and Corey Dobashi for helping the class sort the trash. The class made $100 from the items they recycled at Kilohana last Thursday. ♥ ♥ ♥ Keana & Danny Oliveira for having the 2nd and 5th grades up to their ranch. ♥ ♥ ♥ Leah Edwards, Keana Oliveira and Sandy Catlin for the time and energy they devoted to the Scholastic Book Fair. ♥ ♥ ♥ Stacey & Lorena Wong for their monetary donation to our art and PE programs. ♥ ♥ ♥ Duane Shimogawa for donating Norfolk trees for our Slipper Tree, the Main Hall, and for several elementary classrooms. ♥ ♥ ♥ Amy Sherrer & family and the Estate of Mildred Devrell for donations to our costume collection. ♥ ♥ ♥ Laurel Petterson McGraw for being a judge at auditions for the 5th grade play.

Threlkeld. Reservations: www.womenintheatre. org; call (808) 635-3727.

LIGHTS ON RICE PARADE: Friday, Dec. 7. Begins at 6:30 p.m. Festival of Lights Opening Ceremony at the Historic County Building 6-6:30 p.m. featuring the Kaua‘i Chorale, the Keiki of Halau Ka Lei Kukui Hi‘ilani and Santa leading the fabulous “Lighting Countdown.” Kaua‘i Museum Craft Fair and Food Court opens at 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

CHRISTMAS VIOLIN CONCERT: Christmas Gifts,a serenade by string students of Helen Sina, with Island School senior, Kimberly McDonough and first graders Savannah & Maddison Hubbard and PK student, Ryan So. Monday, December 10, 6:00 pm. KCC Performing Arts Center. Enjoy a rich mixture of music, song and dance by talented young performers from Kaua‘i. $8 general admission. For more information or tickets, call 652-0706, or contact Liz Hubbard at liz@ ischool.org.

Gifts for Teachers & Staff A Guide for Showing Your Appreciation Island School teachers and staff members appreciate the generosity of parents and others during the holidays, at teacher appreciation events, and all year round. Small mementos such as candy, baked goods, gift cards, greeting cards and photos are frequently given by parents and students as a way to honor them and give thanks. However, when a teacher is given an expensive personal item, receiving it can become awkward or even an ethical dilemma.

Being professionals, it is important to Island School employees that a gift never be seen to impair or influence professional decisions or actions. In order to clarify the difference between appropriate and inappropriate gift-giving, the Board of Directors has created the following guidelines and written them into Board Policy:

For Personal Gifts …

Please Do: • give notes, cards, letters, baked goods, gift cards and small-but-meaningful tokens of appreciation, not to exceed $50 in value; • donate any amount to our Annual Giving Campaign in that school employee’s name.

Please Do Not: • give cash; • give gifts to any one school employee that exceed $50 within a school year.

For Gifts to a Class, Grade Level, Program or School-Sponsored Activity …

There may be occasions when parents or others wish to supply a classroom, program, department or school-sponsored activity with books, equipment or services. While this type of generosity is greatly appreciated, it, too, can sometimes be awkward.

To ensure that gifts of this type are consistent with Island School’s directions and philosophy, the Board of Directors has requested that they be reviewed and approved by the Head of School or his/her designate before they are given. Once approved, the gift will be gratefully received and becomes the property of Island School. Please contact Bob Springer if you would like to give something of this type.

We are grateful to our parents and friends who add Island School to their gift lists. We recognize that attending private school is a financial responsibility, and when you choose to make gifts in support of our teachers, staff members and programs in addition to tuition fees, we see this a huge vote of confidence.

These guidelines were made to ensure that giftgiving continues to support the quality of education we provide for your children. Thank you for your understanding and your generosity.

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

December 6, 2012 A weekly publication We’re on the web at www.ischool.org