Principal's Message by Alex Ramsvig, HS Principal
Aloha All,
It has been an exciting week in the HS with some great events. First, we held our Winter Athletics Banquet which showcased many competitive and team moments from the year. I was so delighted to share in the celebration of these performances.
On Wednesday, we had our annual Sophomore Personal Project Exhibition. This is a great event that highlights the physical products and projects completed over many months by our students. Importantly, while the showcase is now complete, our students now move on to the reporting and reflecting portion of the project.
Finally, on Friday our freshmen Individuals and Societies students will all be wearing individualized T-shirts highlighting Black History Month. I will be wearing a T-shirt honoring Bell Hooks, and I look forward to discussing her thinking all day.
Have a great weekend!
Dean of Academics Message: By: Lindsey Schiffler HS Dean of Academics/ DP Coordinator
Aloha parents, guardians, students, and community members:
In the Weekly several months ago, I explained how my belief in the IB program has grown over the last decade. I also mentioned the IB Twitter feed, which you can access here. While reading the feed this week, I came upon a post titled "IB graduates share #whyIB was the right choice." Graduates answered several questions including:
How did the program prepare you for university?
What would you say to someone considering the IB program?
If you have specific questions about the IB program, specifically DP, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Mahalo!
From the Office of Experiential Education by Christina Hoe, Associate Director of Experiential Learning, Global Citizen Diploma Coordinator Aloha Le Jardin Community,
Please mark your calendars for an Impact Term parent conversation on Monday, March 16th, from 5:30-6:30pm in the Wang Auditorium.
Rotating Dates for Impact Term
After meeting with key stakeholders in our high school community, we have determined that a rotating schedule for I-Term will best serve our students and families. When graduation falls on an even year, Impact Term will be held in the second semester. For example, this year's graduation is in 2020 and our I-Term was held in January of the second semester. When graduation falls on an odd year, Impact Term will be held in the first semester. This means that next year, since graduation will be in 2021, I-Term will be held in the first semester.
Thank you for all of your support! High School Students Climate Congress By Chloe Kamiskas https://www.theumiproject.com/
Bulldog Builders Create Tiny House for High School, by Beckham Richards and Christina Hoe
Beckham Richards now co-leads the club with Alissa Sue-Ako, both class of 2021. According to Beckham, "This club provides a hands-on, creative outlet unmatched by any course at LJA. At Bulldog Builders, as the name suggests, we build stuff. You may have heard of a tiny house being constructed on campus for about a year now. We're the ones building that." Student agency is at the heart of Bulldog Builders. The club advisors, MYP design teacher, Kyle Quint, and marine biologist, Kevin O'Brien, are passionate about hands-on learning and want to ensure that LJA students graduate with some practical skills alongside their rigorous academic pursuits. Kevin O'Brien suggests, "Learning how to use tools is not just about acquiring skills, it's also about building confidence and self-reliance, learning that you can actually create and fix things yourself, rather than always calling on someone else to do the job." Beckham Richards invites more students to get involved, "The tiny house will go where the senior bus used to be and serve as a sort of student hangout space where you can eat lunch or study. There's still a lot of work to do and a lot more that needs to be designed for the interior. If you're interested in learning about how houses are constructed and designed, or if you just want to use some power tools, you should come hang out with us." Sessions are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 - 6:00 near the portables (P3). There are also some community work Saturday, which will be posted in the Bulldog Bulletin. Don't worry if you have a tight schedule, you can show up whenever you want to, as long as you have your waivers signed. If you have any further questions, contact Beckham Richards, Alissa Sue-Ako, Mr. Quint, or Mr. O'Brien (kevin.obrien@lejardinacademy.org).
MYP Personal Project Exhibition 2020
The Grade 10 Personal Project gives students an opportunity to inquire deeply into a subject of their choice and to create a product or outcome which they can proudly share with their community. Students practice and strengthen their ATL skills, connect classroom learning engagements with personal experience, and develop their own interests for lifelong learning.
College Corner by Scott Liedtke
Good Afternoon Being we have plenty students every year apply to various UC schools I would like to give a quick review on my recent trip to UC Santa Cruz.
Trying to keep this somewhat short in length, rather than highlight all their academics, I will boast about their ARTS. A number of buildings and studios nestled together overlooking the lower portion of campus and out to the ocean, is the work space and performance venues for all ARTS at UC Santa Cruz. The Theater Arts Center (Theater Arts) which includes Experimental Theater, Media Theater, Mainstage and Second Stage, The Elena Baskin Visual Arts Studios which supports numerous Galleries, Digital Arts And Media Center (Digital Media and Arts), Recital Hall and Music Center.
Thanks, Scott
LJA's Summer School Registration opened February 18th for LJA families and we encourage you to browse the Course Catalog to view this year's course offerings for students in Grades 9 through 12 (courses include Driver's Education, Intergrated Algebra & Geometry and Research, Writing and Readiness 9-10) Summer School program dates are June 15th-July 17th. REGISTER HERE
The LJA Blood Drive is coming up on Thursday, March 12th (N day)
Donate to help those in need (and their families), or even to find out what type of blood you have! Even if YOU don't feel comfortable or can't donate, tell a family member or friend who can! It is super easy to sign up and save up to 3 lives! Snacks and drinks will also be provided to those who participate!
Why donate? 1. FREE drinks and snacks
2. Every two seconds someone in Hawaii needs blood for a lifesaving treatment or emergency care 3. One donation can save up to 3 lives 4. To find out your blood type 5. About 200 blood donors are needed daily to help meet the needs of Hawaii's patients 6. Because you can! EVERY DROP COUNTS!
To apply: Sign up HERE and have the parental consent form (HERE) signed if you are under the age of 18 and give it to Skylar W, Ethan R, or Ginny W. THE SOONER YOU SIGN UP, THE BETTER TIME SLOT YOU CAN GET!!!
(ALMOST) PI DAY- MARCH 13th
Every year the high school students celebrate Pi Day (on March 14th) with pies donated by our HS Ohana! This year Pi Day falls on a Saturday so, we have decided to celebrate (Almost) Pi Day on March 13th during lunch (12:25-1pm) We have had many different flavored pies in the past, the students love them all! So, pick your favorite and drop it off after school, in the high school loop, on March 12th or before school on March 13th. We would also love some help cutting and handing out the pies to the students during lunchtime (12-1pm). Please sign up HERE
Thank You LJA HS PFA
Class Highlights
Enviromental Science Kahanahaiki Field Trip on February 21st DP1 ESS Students (Class of 2021) enjoyed a full day in the Wai'anae Mountains with the Oahu Area Natural Resources Program. LJA Parents Joby Rohrer and Kapua Kawelo (Kane '19 and Ho'ohila '21) lead students through native mesic forest at Pahole Natural Area Reserve, along Kahanaha'iki Trail, to the rim of Makua Valley. They visited two native tree snail enclosures and looked for lost kahuli snails trapped underneath. The group also assisted with removal of invasive strawberry quava and Clidemia hirta in a small grove of young koa trees. Seeing Hawaiian biodiversity up-close, and grappling with the many threats to our vulnerable native species, made for a special day of outdoor learning.
18th Annual Bento Competition by Yoshiko Sensei
Thank you to our amazing LJA Faculty and Staff for coming out to judge MYP4 Japanese students' Bentos. All the students were glad that they were able to showcase their skills. Everyone had a good time learning more about the Japanese Language and the students' personal presentations. Arigato, and see you again next year!
Spring 2020 SAT Prep Class
REGISTER HERE
Students entering grades 10 through 12 are invited to register for this review course offering test strategies for the reading, English (writing and language), math, and essay portions of the SAT exams through interactive, tech-based lessons. Students can expect to take four full-length practice tests and receive score reports at regular intervals throughout the course.
Enrollees are encouraged to bring pencils, notebooks, and the scientific or graphing calculator they plan to use on "test day". Textbooks and materials–valued at $30 per student–are included in the tuition and course fees.
Tuition and Course Fees: $470 (GE Tax Not Included)
CONTACT SAT PREP CLASS INSTRUCTOR Seleena M Harkness-Lee at seleena@eliteprephawaii.com for more information.
Announcements & Reminders CALENDARS: JARDIN (Letter day) Calendar 2019-2020 HS IMPORTANT DATES (Subject to change)
Sophomore Lock-In: Thursday, March 5th (5:30pm) to Friday, March 6th (1:30pm) Forms and $40 payment are due to Mrs. Kara Omori ASAP!
SPRING BREAK 2020- March 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th, and 27th
Good Friday Holiday- April 10th (No School)
College Night for 10th/11th grade- Monday, April 20th
Senior Parent Night- Tuesday, April 21st at 5:30pm (Wang)
Earth Day Events (No Classes)- Wednesday, April 22nd *Students will be participating in Service Projects all day*
Senior IB Exams- Friday, May 1st-Friday, May 22nd
All-School Assembly/Awards Day- Friday, May 22nd @ 1pm
End of the Year Party- Friday, May 22nd from 5:30-8pm
Memorial Day Holiday- Monday, May 25th (No School)
CLASS OF 2020 Graduation Ceremony Saturday, May 30th at 5:30pm in the LJA Gymnasium (Admission by Ticketholders only)
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL- Wednesday, June 3rd
Summer School 2020- Monday, June 15th-Friday, July 17th (Grades K-10) Register HERE HS ADMIN TEAM
261-0707 x7004 HS Dean of Academics & DP Coordinator 261-0707 x2150 Room 407A on the second floor of the HS Building Director of College Counseling 261-0707 x2220 Room 407A on the second floor of the HS Building HS Admin Assistant 261-0707 x1120 Office 2 on the second floor of the HS Building HS CALENDAR
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