First day for students, Wednesday, August 11, 2021.
Principal's Message by Alex Ramsvig, HS Principal
August 6, 2021
Aloha All,
Welcome back to another amazing year at LJA! I hope that everyone had a wonderful, relaxing and adventurous summer break. I spent my summer mostly on island, enjoying time outdoors with my family and friends.
Of course, we all hoped that COVID would no longer be a concern at the start of this school year, we will once again need to maintain a flexible and thoughtful stance related to the illness throughout the year. Our improved and updated protocols, taking into account changes in the scientific understanding of the disease as well as vaccination rates at our school and on island, should allow us to continue to provide a rigorous and authentic experience for all of our students. Relatedly, if you or your children are not yet vaccinated, please consider doing so as soon as possible.
On Monday August 9, LJA will host a series of back to school Zoom presentations for parents. For HS parents you should consider attending the 4pm session with Head of School Earl Kim and a member of our Medical Hui discussing COVID protocols, followed by my HS presentation at 6pm. Note, the presentations will all be recorded and made available if you are unable to attend. Please sign up before the session using this link.
On Tuesday August 10, we will welcome onto campus all students and parents who are new to LJA from 10-Noon at the High School building. During this time you will be able to meet teachers, learn about athletics as well as the PFA.
And then, of course, our first day of class is Wednesday August 11th!
I look forward to an amazing year! Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.
Thank you, Alex Ramsvig HS Principal
Welcome to High School Faculty Susan Lee will be joining the mathematics department teaching MYP to 9th and 10th graders in the High School. With a BS from the University of California at Berkeley in Chemistry and a MS from the University of Southern California in Education, she has almost thirty years of teaching secondary math and science in California and Hawaii. Susan is also a fitness instructor in Honolulu and has been regularly teaching 6 AM classes before hitting the classroom to teach math. She is thrilled and excited to join the LJA ohana.
New Families Welcome Event
Welcome to NEW HIGH SCHOOL FAMILIES Tuesday, August 10. New families to LJA t are encouraged to attend to learn more about the LJA campus and the start of the new year. Faculty, Staff, Admissions Office Personnel, and our PFA committee are ready to greet you.
High School Drop Off STUDENT DROP-OFF AND PICKUP
High School students should be dropped off and picked up at the designated area for the HS. In order to assist with traffic flow, please avoid stopping in the main driveway loop. Drivers should not exit their vehicle and please do not stop along the student locker areas until you have pulled all the way forward to the crosswalk just before the large mural (or until the car in front of you stops). Drivers are also asked not to drive through the gravel student parking lot during the drop-off or pick-up process. This creates a very unsafe situation for our student drivers parking and leaving their assigned stalls.
Under no circumstance should students be dropped off or picked up on the road leading down the hill. For safety reasons, students are not permitted to walk off campus, walk, or linger on Kapaa Quarry Road fronting the school.
While it is a mundane topic, student drop-off and pickup directly impacts student safety. Eli Omori is usually directing traffic in the morning and afternoon to ensure wait times are as short as possible. I am asking parents to remain patient and aware of students during these busy times.
High School Communications
The majority of school information is sent electronically. Please make sure our High School Administrative Assistant, Stacey Surina, has your most updated email account. Stacey can be contacted by email at stacey.surina@lejardinacademy.org or phone at 261-0707 x1120.
Also make sure to visit our Parent Portal website to find useful information and to view the following important documents. Updates occur throughout the year so check in often to find the latest information.
HS Dean of Academics & DP Coordinator Lindsey Schiffler Aloha parents, guardians, students, and community members:
I want to start by celebrating the accomplishments of our 2021 graduating class, specifically their IB DP results. Our IB Diploma pass rate of *91% is based on the reduced assessment route of coursework and May examinations. Maybe the most impressive statistic is the 100% pass rate of our students on learning support plans.
We all know scores are not the most important indicator of academic performance; however, these results do provide us the opportunity to analyze, reflect, and adjust. The results also demonstrate what can be accomplished when we work together to support the whole child, something that became our school's focus as a result of the pandemic. I am so proud of our response to students' needs.
These examples are huge motivators for our high school students, especially our seniors who are in the process of completing college applications and our juniors who are just starting the DP program. For more information about the Diploma Program, I encourage families to attend the DP 11 and 12 Parent Night. The date and time of the event has yet to be determined. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at lindsey.schiffler@lejardinacademy.org. lindsey.schiffler@lejardinacademy.org.
Scott Liedtke Director of College Counseling Aloha Le Jardin Families-
As I begin working with my 15th senior class, my enthusiasm and optimism towards the college process has not waivered one bit. Bring on the Class of 2022 and let's have another record setting year. My year begins with individual meetings with each senior to discuss their college process and how I can best fit into their customized journey. It does take a while to work through the entire group so any encouragement you can offer your student to schedule their meeting would be appreciated. Thank you
What is Scoir Scoir is a customized, secure website that supports post-secondary, college and career planning. It is designed to assist students and their parents/guardians in making informed decisions about college opportunities and career choices. This online resource allows Le Jardin students the ability to research colleges, view statistical and historical data on other LJA students anonymously, build a resume, take a career interest inventory, view the schedule of college representatives visiting the high school and much more.
College Rankings I came across a recent article in Forbes about rankings. As you will discover, there are unlimited resources available as you or your student researches and investigates schools. Like with most college information being disseminated, you will take away what is important to you and your process. To some students (and parents), rankings play a role in this process, while for others, rankings are not as important. The more educated you are in this process, the better you and your student will manage the process and ultimately build a list of schools you are completely excited about. Within the Forbes article, there is a useful ranking tool based on a students criteria, which may prove helpful to some of you. FORBES
Let's make this year a memorable one!
Bring your own device Policy
All grades 6 - 12 students must bring a laptop to school to support the academic requirements. Please click HERE
Returning students, its the same as last school year, self screen prior to arrival on campus. New students will receive directions via email.
Search the App store or Google Play for the Schoolpass app.
Username: your email Password: login with the temporary password via the browser to set your own password.
https://lejardinacademy.school-pass.net/
Click forgot password
Username: email on file with the school
The app will enable easy self-screening each morning that is required prior to arrival on campus. Contact support@lejardinacademy.org with any questions.
Magnus Health Update
ALL FAMILIES: HEALTH FORMS – CRUCIAL FOR ATTENDANCE
Le Jardin Academy uses a web-based system called Magnus Health to manage student health forms. Magnus Health can be accessed directly through the Parent Portal. Log onto lejardinacademy.myschoolapp.com and click on the Magnus Health icon.
New families should allow 20 to 30 minutes per student to fill out the entire set of forms and upload paper forms as required. Each year, parents will login and confirm or update each child's record. For returning families, most data entered into Magnus previously will only need to be confirmed or updated if changed, including immunizations records.
Please enter the health information required within your Magnus Health account for each child attending Le Jardin Academy.
Here is a checklist of items that should be uploaded into Magnus:
Please feel free to visit the Magnus Health page for Parents:http://magnushealth.com/parents/ and Privacy and Security page at www.magnushealth.com/privacy-and-security/
Sincerely,
Melissa Handy Director of Education Technology melissa.handy@lejardinacademy.org 808-261-0707 ext. 181
Lunch Orders
Lunch orders will be taken beginning August 4th. The information will be accessible from the spirit store.
Please note that the menu for August will be posted by early that month before the beginning of school. All questions regarding the lunch program should be directed to: Kyle Nakayama at kyle.nakayama@lejardinacademy.org Spirit Store
Required PE shirts/shorts for school and other Spirit items will be available to order August 4. Orders placed when the Spirit Store opens will have time to arrive before needed in PE. Kyle Nakayama can be contacted for further questions,
Important Dates
August 10- New Family Welcome Day August 11- First day of school
September 6- Labor Day Holiday - No school (campus closed) September 16 HS Picture Day
October 4- Make up Picture Day for HS October 11-Discovers Day Holiday- No School October 12-15- Fall Break
Please note that dates may change due to unforeseen issues.
High School Contacts Attendance Hotline 808-261-0707 x7004
Lizbeth Smith MS/HS Registrar lizbeth.smith@lejardinacademy.org
Stacey Surina High School Administrative Assistant stacey.surina@lejardinacademy.org
Jana Fraser Director of Athletics jana.fraser@lejardinacademy.org
Christina Hoe Dean of Experiential Education christina.hoe@lejardinacademy.org Contact for I-Term, SA and CAS, and Internships
Sean Landau Lindsey Schiffler HS Dean of Academics & DP Coordinator lindsey.schiffler@lejardinacademy.org
Rachel Domenic MS Dean of Academics, MYP rachel.domenic@lejardinacademy.org
Vicki McNeill Dean of Students 6-12 vicki.mcneill@lejardinacademy.org
Scott Liedtke
Alex Ramsvig HS Principal alex.ramsvig@lejardinacademy.org
SECURITY HOTLINE If you need help while on campus, contact Security at 808-491-7909.
Please visit the High School Portal frequently to view additional information, important events, changes, and forms at https://www.lejardinacademy.org/parent-portal/high-school or Click HERE
Unsubscribe from this eNotice. Students and staff head to Montana for Wild Kids with the middle school earlier in the summer. |