Navigator Fall 2012-13

the island school

a tri-annual publication Fall, 2012-2013

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Meet the Island School Community What’s Ahead?

November 16

End, Trimester 1

November 19 - 21 November 22 - 23

Teacher Development and Work Days Thanksgiving Break

November 26

Begin, Trimester 2

December 6 & 7 December 11

Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences Winter Chorus Concert

December 27

Alumni Reception

December 24 - January 4

Winter Break

January 7

Classes Resume

February 1

Island School’s 36th Birthday Fifth Grade Play, Treasure Island Island School Auction

March 1-2 March 16

peggy@ischool.org

(808) 246-0233

www.ischool.org

• Is teaching a real job? … pg. 2 • Let’s hear from the student community … pg. 3 • Alumni Reception - Dec. 27 … centerfold • It’s personally satisfying to volunteer … pg. 6 • Spotlight on Jen Pomroy … pg. 8 http://www.facebook.com/IslandSchoolVoyagersKauai

Ms. Connie, do you work?

Little Ryan Skinner in my class asked, “Ms. Connie do you work?” I replied, “Yes, Ryan, I work at Island School.” He asked “Where at Island School?” He evidently didn’t think teaching was work! I must be having too much fun.

Connie Kakalia Island School 2nd Grade Teacher 1979 - 1982; 1992-present Former Island School parent

The fact that the Island School administration places such trust in its teachers allows me to thrive in my job. We are treated as professionals who make wise choices and who always push ourselves to improve. I look around at Morning Circle and appreciate the positive environment we’re creating for our students as well as for ourselves. I value my co-workers as colleagues, but also as friends. I can easily go to them for advice on any subject and am treated with respect and compassion. I feel fortunate to be surrounded by like-minded people who love children. How many people have jobs where they get hugs all day long? I can’t think of a better place to work.

Setting an example for my children There is a definite sense of community here at Island School. Being a part of it makes me want to be an active participant. It gives me a lot of satisfaction to be involved in the growth, development, and the everyday goings-on at Island School.

Leah Edwards Island School parent of four President - Island School Parent Association

As a volunteer, I always feel my contributions are appreciated and valued. As a parent, it is important to teach my children the value of giving back to our community. The work I do for the school sets the right example for my children. Plus, it’s fun and I enjoy getting to know the other parents.

Island School Navigator

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Our Student Leaders April Oo senior

Island School Student

2008 - present

Class of 2013 President - Island School Student Government

2012 - 2013 Captain Island School Tennis Team, 2011 - 2013

I have always been a very independent person and Island School has helped to balance me out. There is a strong sense of community here and I’ve come to value the importance of contributing to something larger than myself. I’ve been supported both academically and socially.

My teachers want me to succeed and I’ve learned that there’s nothing wrong with asking for help when I need it.

In a small private school like this one, we all get really close to each other - we’re like a family. My old school seemed so big; here our teachers get to know us pretty well and can give us individual attention.

I feel like I’m getting a good education and getting prepared for high school. I’m learning at a pace that’s right for me. In math, for instance, I’m placed in the class where I belong. In Student Council, I’m learning to be a better leader.

I like going to a small school; I learn more. My teachers here are fun and I get help when I need it. I especially like to go on field trips - we see different things and play while we learn. It takes me a while to wake up in the morning, but once I’ve had breakfast, I’m always excited to get to school. I have lots of friends here and I look forward to seeing them every day. One of my favorite classes is math; I like solving problems. As president of Student Council, I’m finding out how hard is it to stay organized. But I know I’m learning things that will help me later on.

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Island School Navigator

Mabel Kha 8th grade

Island School Student

2008 - present

Class of 2017 President - Middle School Student Council, 2012 2013

Waileia Edwards 5th grade

Island School Student

2006 - present

Class of 2020 President - Elementary Student Council, 2012 - 2013 Overall Female Athlete, 2012 Mayor’s Track Meet

Alumni

On Facebook?

Centerfold

2012 - Garrett Beyer is studying at Pepperdine University in Malibu, and “hit the ground running” (to quote his mom). He is in the 3/2 Engineering Program, with a goal of graduating in three years then continuing on to USC or Washington University. He is “calm and cool” about it. Congratulations to Lauren Claypoole, who is one of four young women in the nation to earn the Linda Riddle/SGMA scholarship from the women’s sports foundation. Lauren has begun her freshman year at Williams College in Massachusetts.

Join the Island School Alumni Group IslandSchoolVoyagersKauai

Alumni Reception Thursday, December 27, 2012

JJ’s Broiler

Check our Island School Facebook Pages for details www.facebook.com/IslandSchoolVoyagersKauai

If you’d like to get involved, please contact the committee: chairs: Clare Petterson, ‘02 Ita Rubio, ‘01 Natasha Arruda, ‘06

Plan on it!

2011 - Liana Beyer is a sophomore at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego. She is leading an organization called Kids at Heart, which provides tutoring opportunities for under-privileged and misplaced children from Uganda and Mexico. She has 16 volunteers who go weekly to these refugee camps for three hours and tutor the children. She is also interning weekly at an on-campus pre-school, and oversees a children’s choir. This is all on top of carrying a 17 credit semester! Lexa MinkFlacco is at University of Hawai‘i, Manoa, majoring in computer science. She has a job in tech support for the linguistics department. She’s sharing an apartment with Sadie Jackson, who is also at UH, Manoa. Sadie is majoring in education and plans to specialize in early childhood education or possibly special education.

Kyle McDonald was sworn in to the Navy ROTC Kyle McDonald, ‘11, at program at the University of Florida in August. Hayley his Navy ROTC Uliana made the Dean’s List last spring at Azusa Pacific swearing in.

University. Way to go!

2009- Riley Martinez started interning at the talent management company, Trademark Talent, last spring. He accepted a full-time, summer position with them as an assistant, where he learned a lot about the talent agency business, and landed a few interviews at bigger talent agencies. This fall, he’s working three days a week as an intern at another talent agency, United Talent Agency. He’s also taking18 credits at Chapman University in Orange, CA. “It’s hectic, exciting, and utterly grueling - but I couldn’t see myself working anywhere else, and I’m quite driven to make sure that I don’t have to.” Ryan Bender is a senior at New York University and continues to love NYC. He studied abroad in Prague and traveled widely throughout Europe during his time there. He also spent time in Singapore. Ryan plans to get a degree in advertising.

2008 - Kim Mayfield, who is studying environmental science at University of Hawai‘i, Manoa, was awarded a student travel award by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute to present her research at the American Society for Limnology and Oceanography conference in New Orleans, LA in February.

2006 - Jett Jasper graduated from University of Hawai‘i, Manoa and is back on Kaua‘i helping out with the family business, JJ’s Broiler.

2004 -RJ Jordan is living in New York City, working with a catering company called Pinch Jett Jasper, ‘06 Food Design, which he helped create. The company makes good use of RJ’s creative talents, as it combines gourmet food with theatrics (look it up: pinchfooddesign.com).

His classmate, Sam Alfiler, is working there part time!

Congratulations to high school sweethearts, Josh Tjarks RJ Jordan on a visit to and Sarah Piano, who Kaua‘i in August, reunited with were married this summer, Tiana Kamen and to Andrew Kakalia (both class of 2004). and his wife, Kim, on the birth of their first child, Cliffton David Kakalia. Nick Ellenburg completed his MBA at Mannheim Business School in Germany. He and his wife, Stephie, are living in the town of Bensheim, which is south of Frankfurt. Nick has started a new job with Celanese, a Josh Tjarks and global technology and materials company that engineers a Sarah Piano (both wide variety of products “essential to everyday living.” He’ll class of ‘04) were married be working in the business and marketing area. this summer.

2003 - Tarah Henderson has moved to San Francisco where she is working as a personal trainer and health coach. Her main area of interest is preventative health care through exercise and nutrition. She especially likes working with the elderly and has a lot to offer in the area of keeping fit. Check out her website: tarahhenderson.com. Tarah and Krystal Peak are still great friends. Krystal also lives in San Francisco, where she describes herself as “Fun-employed.” She’s a journalist and contributes to Tarah Henderson business publications.

and Krystal Peak (both class of 2003) on a recent visit to their alma mater.

2002 - Romy TriggSmith graduated from University of Cambridge, UK. with her second Masters of Philosophy in Educational Policy. She returned to the Bay Area and taught at a new Charter School for two years. She is now teaching in Morocco at the American School of Marrakech and determining where she will possibly complete her Ph.D. Danny Braun, was married over the summer to the former Tamara Stryker. Kumu Kauka performed the ceremony! Danny owns the Princeville Wine Market. Mia Braverman teaches English to Japanese kindergartners in Kamobe, in the Kochi Prefecture, Japan. She also finds time to play music and make art and Romy Trigg-Smith, ‘02, was part of a group art show last spring that involved at left, and Blaise Trigginstallations all around the small town of Ino. She also Smith, ‘98, at Blaise’s played music with a few friends at the opening. wedding with the groom, Thomas Damek.

2001- Justin Guerber has moved back to Kaua‘i from Portland with his girlfriend, Kim Wright and is overseeing the opening of his dad’s brewery, Kaua‘i Beer Company, L.L.C. 1999 - Check out Preeta Carlson’s new song on YouTube, “We Are Changed.” http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=NGvHORbnurg&feature=share, which features Preeta and her belly dancing group. Her new, full length album with the same name will be released soon.

Justin Guerber, ‘01, and Kim Wright

1998 - Blaise Trigg-Smith was married last July in Provence, France, to Thomas Damek. They live in Jakarta, Indonesia, after having been Londoners for several years.

Kaina Costa, ‘96, with wife, Justine and three sons, at the Fall Round-Up.

1987 - Carla (Lamberton) Sellers lives in Kent, Washington, with her husband, Eric, and two children, Jessica, Ashley (Siebring) a college sophomore at Jones, ‘92, and Western Washington daughter, Kalena, at the Fall Round-Up. University, and Michael, a high school freshman. Carla is the project manager at a local hospital.

Kealia Alumni Reunited at Camp Sloggett It was unanimous! We have to do this again!

We had a wonderful reunion against the beautiful backdrop of Koke‘e State Park on June 30/July 1. Over 35 Island School alumni, faculty, parents and offspring enjoyed singing together (thanks, Auntie Mary), eating (thanks Uncle Willy), playing games (thanks, Auntie Micki), mailehunting, a talent show, hiking, a campfire and more. Seeing the keiki of our alumni playing together was most delightful!

Carla (Lamberton) Sellers, ‘87, with daughter, Jessica, at the Kealia Koke‘e Reunion.

“Lindsay Made Me Do It!”

– David Pratt, referring to then Board President and Founder, Lindsay Kamm, when asked how he got involved in Island School

It’s important to have a good, private college preparatory school option on Kaua‘i. At a private school there can be more spontaneity; good ideas can be implemented without concern of statewide effects. When something needs to be improved, we can make it happen quickly and efficiently.

Serving the community has always been a part of my life. It was handed down to me from my parents. My father and older brother both set a strong example for me. I’ve grown up believing it is important to give back to your community. Island School is here to serve all of Kaua‘i.

Involvement in this kind of volunteer work challenges me on many levels.

As an old retired guy, [!] it’s invigorating and exciting to be a part of such a worthwhile project. Maintaining the quality of the education we provide here is a big responsibility. Expanding our facility and increasing tuition aid continues to be critical toward meeting our goals. There is always more to be done. I enjoy working with the talented members of our Board of Directors, administration and faculty and being a part of the inner workings of Island School.

David Pratt

Island School Board of Directors:

1987 - present

President - 1997-2009

Chair - Development

Past Chair - Bldg. & Grounds Island School Grandparent:

2005 - present Retired President and CEO

Grove Farm Co.

It’s About Family H. Peter King Island School alumnus:

1978 - 1982 Island School Parent:

2010 - present Island School Board Member:

2011 - present

President, I.S. Alumni Association

2011 - present Professional GIS Consultant MS Geography, University of Nevada, Reno

When you make an investment, you want the best return on your principal. Having grown up on Kaua‘i, I consider moving back after 20 years as an opportunity to invest my time and energy into something that will provide my family with the greatest return. Island School has become the best return for that investment.

Having been away for so long and being disconnected from Island School, I didn’t realize there was a family here for me. When we enrolled our son, we immediately became members of a thriving community. The more we participate, the more ways we find to contribute.

As an alumnus from the Kealia days, I’ve seen Island School grow from a small building in a cane field to this wonderful campus with tremendous resources. Now my boys are thriving here. When you put energy into something worthwhile, the rewards are rich.

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Island School Navigator

The School Community

by Robert Springer Head of School One sometimes hears the statement, “Our school is all for the students!” This is said with great pride and singular focus, as if students were all that mattered, the only audience to which attention should be given.

I would contend that this is a partial truth, for, indeed, students are the primary element of any school.

Nevertheless, other elements matter, too, and if not appreciated can cause the entire enterprise to drift in mediocrity or cease to exist.

For example, think of a school with a Board of Directors that is largely dysfunctional. Then from where do directions come and support so necessary to a school’s viability and vitality? The institution needs a strong and active Board if the institution is to be financially healthy, forward looking, and well thought of.

Or consider the role of the administration, enrolling students and hiring staff to implement policies of the Board. This requires leaders with a commitment to the vision and mission of the school and who know about and practice effective theories of management.

Teachers stay motivated when they feel supported and encouraged to keep current with the content of their disciplines and the craft of teaching. Otherwise they can become uninspired, with outdated information and outmoded methods.

Families of the students are eager for their children’s success. Many want to be part of the educational experience, and they are an incredible resource when properly channeled, or they can be a source of dissatisfaction if not given the attention they desire.

Finally there are the graduates, whose careers and families establish the reputation of the school and whose ties strengthen and deepen traditions built over time.

This is by way of saying that schools are communities comprising several groups, each necessary to the

Development Update Our Donor Community

Donors are an integral part of the Island School ‘ohana. From Annual Giving to classroom donations, philanthropic individuals, businesses, foundations and trusts show their support through their generosity.

Fast Facts About Giving at Island School: $2 - the smallest gift made to the Annual Giving Campaign in 2011-2012 $10,000 - the largest gift made to the Annual Giving Campaign in 2011-2012 822 - the number of people who have made at least one monetary donation to Island School since July 2009 15% - the portion of Island School’s budget that comes from fundraising gifts and contributions 100% - the amount of Board members who supported Island School in 2011-2012 through contributions to Annual Giving and other projects 28 - the number of states in which our donors reside (plus the District of Columbia, England and the US Virgin Islands)

To make your contribution, visit http:// diamondmindinc.com/island.html or call the Development Office at (808) 246-0233. success of the whole, and each deserving recognition and nurturance. To ignore any of these groups is to risk a dramatic reduction in the quality of services of the institution.

At Island School, the community is the school. Each group – the Board of Directors, the Administration, the Faculty and Staff, our students, our families, and our graduates – has a role, and these roles must be maintained in context, in balance. Students matter and so do these other elements. Each helps ensure that Island School continues to provide top quality educational services for its students and families along with making programs and Island School Navigator

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In 2006, when Jen answered our ad in The Garden Island for a school secretary, she didn’t know much about Island School. “Growing up, I didn’t even know Island School existed,” she said. “My friends were surprised when I took the job and were interested to know that Island School was not the haole school they thought it was. The diversity and family atmosphere appealed to me.”

A Kaua‘i High School graduate, Jen always wanted to be a teacher, and initially was drawn to the Hawaiian immersion program, but after completing her degree, and working in customer service for a few years, she found her niche. “I come from a volleyball family, so when I had the chance to assist [then Athletic Director Kirk Correa] with the intramural volleyball program, I jumped right in.” It wasn’t long before Jen migrated from the front office to the newly built Wilcox Gymnasium.

She now holds the position of Assistant to the Athletic Director.

Organizing Island School’s participation in the KIF program has been challenging. “Once we declare ourselves in a particular sport, we have to get enough student body support to field a team,” she explained. “We’re always looking ahead to what new sports we can

add. Most recently we’ve added wrestling, and we’re looking at baseball as a possibility. And paddling … we are the Voyagers, after all!”

Jen’s family has been pulled into Island School athletics as volunteers. Her brother and parents coach volleyball, and help with cross country meets and the Sports Banquet. The Pomroys are also known for their lei-making and flower arranging and organize the Booster Club lei booth at May Day. Jen would love to teach our students to make lei, but would have to squeeze it in with her teaching and coaching schedules – which often stretch into the evenings and weekends.

When she’s not at Island School, Jen and her family live on the family farm in Moloa‘a. Her two children attend Island School in the pre-kindergarten and fifth grades.

Island School 3-1875 Kaumuali‘i Hwy Lihu‘e, HI 96766

Jen Pomroy