Teaching Empathy. This week our third grade students engaged in deep reflection on the challenges many face with acquiring a precious resource we all depend upon for survival. "A Long Walk to Water" explores the hardship of two Sudanese children who must make a two-hour walk through countless perils twice daily to sustain their village. After reading this moving story, our students set out on a simple mission to better understand the lived experience of Nya and Salva: Each third grader filled and carried a heavy jug of water around the loop. Walking in the shoes of children who don't live in safe circumstances and for whom water doesn't flow readily from the tap provided an opportunity to empathize with the experiences of others and to consider the precious, life-sustaining resource of fresh drinking water. |
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| A NOTE FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL EARL KIM "Light-touch government works more efficiently in the presence of social capital. Police close more cases when citizens monitor neighborhood comings and goings...schools teach better when parents volunteer in classrooms and ensure that kids do their homework…" ― Robert D. Putnam, Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community The documentation of the loss of community is well established. Since the 1960s, we have witnessed a striking decline in "community" across the United States. In a prescient analysis twenty years ago, Robert Putnam, Dean of the Kennedy School at Harvard, described the loss of community--at all levels and across institutions--and its deleterious implications for our society. Schools, too, experienced the decline in participation; indeed, one could argue that our parents and staff were raised in a time of community decline and don't know what we have not, ourselves, known. Perhaps some of you are wondering about community at LJA, or have particular expertise in the same, and might be interested in exploring "community and its impact on schools" with me. Our aim would be to offer our learning to the Strategic Planning Team this spring. Along the way, students, parents and staff might engage in different ways depending on their level of interest or time. Some might participate in conversations through advisories, staff meetings or Parents' Turn to Learn. Others might serve on a guiding coalition that explores, more carefully, the idea of community in schools, how it is cultivated, and how it manifests itself. Still others might participate in a shareback session through which we will get feedback on our summary for the Strategic Planning Team. Some of you have already participated in preliminary discussions (e.g., Parents' Turn to Learn or staff conversation), however, we invite those who might be interested in pursuing the subject further to participate in 2 book talks. The first is on November 17 and focuses on Bowling Alone (20th Anniversary Edition). The second is scheduled for January 12 on readings selected by the group. If you are interested in the November 17 book talk, please sign up here. A limited number of books and spaces are available, so sign up soon! Sincerely, Earl
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| FIRST NIGHT OF FALL PLAY TONIGHT! HAROLD THEATER FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2022 | 6:30 P.M. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022 | 6:30 P.M. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2022 | 6:30 P.M. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2022 | 5:00 P.M. Please come out and support students Evelyn Errico-Huttler, Cat Sumaki, Jamie Matthews, Thomas Finnegan, Abby Ward, Hannah Gaines, Dena Brennan, Rowen Ewalt, Ace Cornish, Kayla Lee and Andrew Everest in the Theater Department's Fall Production of "She Kills Monsters," a coming of age narrative described by Concord Theatricals as a "high-octane dramatic comedy laden with homicidal fairies, nasty ogres, and 90s pop culture- a heart-pounding homage to the geek and warrior within us all." Stage Manager Hannah Gaynes plays an evil succubi cheerleader named Evil Gabbi. She shares, "I have really enjoyed participating and acting in this role because it is out of my comfort zone and I get to create dance choreography." Break a leg, Hannah and cast! Buy tickets. |
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| GOT ROCKETS? LJA does! Junior Koa Brown decided to create a Rocketry Club last year. "I have been interested in rockets since 8th grade," explains Koa. A video of the SpaceX falcon heavy test flight first sparked Koa's passion. "I was super hooked and found some great YouTubers that love sharing information about all things related to space." Read the full story. |
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| LJA HAS RECORD TURNOUT FOR BLOOD DRIVE Secondary Humanities teacher and LJA Blood Drive Coordinator Luke Thompson is thrilled to share news of an unprecedented turnout at this week's Blood Drive on campus. He notes, "Yesterday, we completed THE most successful LJA blood drive to date! The Blood Bank of Hawaii asked us to try to collect 40 units of blood and we gave them 50! There are too many people to thank as this was truly an LJA community event. If you see our Student Blood Drive Leaders - Arwen Revere, Hanalei Agamaite, Aleah Webb, Massimo Flumian, and Gio Oliva - please give them praise and appreciation! They recruited 32 first-time donors and over 50% of the donations were from students. These leaders will be back in action in March for the spring blood drive. Way to be there for your community, LJA 'Ohana! |
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| HEALTH CORNER HYGIENE REMINDER Wash your hands! The School Nurse reports several unrelated cases of conjunctivitis (pink eye) on campus this week. Pink eye can be easily prevented by proper hand hygiene. Encourage your child to wash their hands frequently and for at least 20 seconds. |
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Report Covid Cases. Parents are expected to notify the Health Room about positive cases in the household. Anyone testing positive should consult the nurse about proper return to school protocols. Please email school.nurse@lejardinacademy.org. |
| COVID VACCINE BOOSTER CLINIC VACCINE BOOSTER CLINIC SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2022 | 9:00-11:45 a.m. WANG AUDITORIUM The FDA and CDC have approved an updated COVID-19 booster. The bivalent booster, which is being produced by both Pfizer and Moderna, targets the original strain of the coronavirus as well as the highly contagious omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5., which represent 90% of cases in Hawai'i. LJA has partnered once again with Kaiser Permanente to host a vaccine clinic to make boosters available to the LJA community. If you have recently contracted COVID, please consult your physician regarding eligibility. |
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NOVEMBER LUNCH SUBSCRIPTIONS DUE NOVEMBER 5 Sign up for your November Lunch Subscription and view the upcoming menu via the parent portal. |
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Pictured left: Johanna Katzman and Kristy Scherman (K-5 Reps) organizing all the wonderful snack donations collected during the Snack Attack. Pictured center: Amanda Murphy (9-12 Rep) put on an Ice Cream Social with the help of volunteers, LiLing Stulack, Veronica Kinzer, Mindoro Nakano Galovich, Reyna Cox and Ashley diColigny. Pictured right: students in grades 9-12 attend the Ice Cream Social. HALLOWEEN DANCE AND DECOR With help from volunteers Yan Scherman, Jennifer Doran, and Lindsey Burik, Jami Burks (6-8 Rep) put on the Halloween Dance with the generous food and drink donations from our families. About to toss the pumpkins, skeletons, and tombstones gracing your yard? No need! Bring unwanted Halloween decor to the front desk, and we'll put it to good use next Spooky Season! |
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OPEN HOUSE NOVEMBER 5 Please help spread the word and send interested families our way for LJA's Open House tomorrow! |
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TRAFFIC ADVISORY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13 Disney will return to Kapa'a Quarry Road for a reshoot on Sunday, November 13. LJA's main campus will be closed from 6:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on this day. After 12:30 p.m., our school play and sports club activities can run as planned but participants and attendees must enter and exit from Kalaniana'ole Hwy only. |
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| HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR We are excited to welcome our community to our upcoming PFA Holiday Craft & Gift Fair on campus this December! Vendor Applications are now being accepted, and we look forward to supporting our student vendors at this fun and memorable occasion. Food will be provided by our Senior Class of 2023 to benefit this year's Project Graduation! Submit your vendor application to reserve your space. |
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