Principal's Message by Alex Ramsvig, HS Principal
Aloha All,
This week, I thought I would address more of a "meta" topic based on a question my six-year-old son asked me on the way into LJA this morning: "Why do kids go to school?"
I often pose similar large, open-ended questions when speaking with students or parents about big topics (Why do we do the DP? Why are we traveling to learn?).
I answered River by saying that for me, the purpose of school is to make the world a better place by helping to grow good people. At the most simple level this is why, I think, all of our teachers come to work each day: because we believe that our program, community and combined efforts will help all of our students be better and therefore be better for the whole world.
If you see me this week, or want to drop me a line, let me know your thoughts. Why do we send kids to school?
Thank you!
SOPHOMORE LOCK-IN
Attention Tenth grade students and parents: Mark your Calendars...The Sophomore Lock-In is literally around the corner! Thursday, March 5th from 5:30pm until Friday, March 6th at 1:30pm. $40 FEE (Cash or Check Payment only) Paperwork and payment are due no later than Wednesday, February 26th to Mrs. Omori or to the HS office.
Global Learning Highlights by Christina Hoe, Associate Director of Experiential Learning, Global Citizen Diploma Coordinator
Aloha Le Jardin Community,
In our parent survey, many requested that students have a bigger role in creating I-Term courses. To clarify, students are the primary drivers in the creation of our course catalog and are provided multiple opportunities and support in order to brainstorm, pitch and propose courses. This year, we had a variety of rich independent learning opportunities that students created for themselves, including job shadowing an oncologist, working at Castle Hospital, landscape photography on the Big Island, saltwater pleinair painting, and interning at the University of Ottawa's eQuality Project for online racial justice. In addition, we had several courses that were run by students or co-created between students and faculty. For instance, our Engineering and Entrepreneurship course was entirely student led, and our Teaching STEM on Kauai course was created by a student who then co-led the course with a faculty member. Our Peru and Fiji international learning experiences were proposed by students, and multiple itinerary iterations were customized through student collaboration with Rustic Pathways. The French Language Immersion course was created by a team of avid French students, the Tiny House Construction course was led by members of the Bulldog Builder club, and the Big Island Wilderness and Cultural Immersion course was created by members of the Wild Kids Stewardship Council.
All I-Term courses connect directly to our Global Citizen Diploma Program (GCD). When students or faculty formally propose their I-Term courses, they must incorporate a minimum of one GCD Core Value and one GCD Competency. In the picture below, the first column lists the Core Values of the GCD, the middle two columns list the Competencies, and the final column represents Advanced Areas of Expertise. A core philosophy of the GCD is that learning is not sequestered to the classroom, nor is it confined to typical school hours. In fact, we are always learning, and students deserve recognition for their diverse learning experiences outside of school. At Le Jardin, we have integrated this philosophy into our mission as a school, honoring the whole child in our educational vision. In order to ensure that students develop sound character and are able to positively impact the world, developing the attributes, skills and mindsets of global citizens, we believe we must recognize diverse learning experience, as well as provide diverse learning experiences beyond our rigorous academic curriculum. This is the heart of I-Term and of our other Impact Programs.
To learn more about our Impact Programs and key tenets that guide our work in developing our experiential learning framework, please join our Impact Term parent conversation on Monday, March 16th, from 5:30-6:30pm in the Wang Auditorium.
Community Engagement in the High School
Global Day of Play, by Lily McDermott (pictures below) The best classrooms often aren't rooms at all. This past Wednesday, the third graders ventured into the forest accompanied by eager high school members of the Wild Kids Stewardship Council to kick off their celebration of Global Play Day. The hour was filled with hiking, mud face painting, giggles, nature observations, hill sliding, and a general feeling of appreciation for the beautiful land surrounding our campus. We are lucky to be part of a community that values intergenerational play, and we are so fortunate that the King family continues to generously allow us all to benefit from their property. Thank you, LJA and King Family! WILD KIDS HAVING FUN IN THE FOREST! Meals on Wheels Club By Christina Hoe Junior, Brin Jaffe, launched the Meals on Wheels club a few months ago and it is now fully up and running. She and her fellow club members, Grace Charles-Jones, Kenly Jones, and Rica Uch, deliver pre-made meals to elderly members of our community, providing not only food, but good company to those who need it most!
LJA Alumni Can Teach Us How to Align our Actions with our Values by Aidan Anderson
On Tuesday, February 4th, 2020, officials approved the exploratory drilling of public land on 35 sites in the Beartooth Mountains in Montana. The potential environmental impact of this project is destructive to wildlife and raises the question: Who gets to decide what happens to public lands?
Le Jardin Students Journaling, Overlooking the Beartooth Mountains (photo taken by LJA Alumna, Kaya Harper) Passionate Pilot Seeks Support, by Miles Brown
I have spent my life pursuing my deepest passion: flying! Last year, I proposed an independent learning experience for my I-Term, taking classes at the Honolulu Airport. Ever since I was a little kid I always wanted to fly. I was able to start my flying career early by flying gliders at Dillingham airfield. At the age of 14, I was taken in by a flight school there and, through their amazing programs, I was able to solo at 15 years old and gain a massive head-start in my career as a pilot. The community at that airfield is super close and open to anybody, from kids to adults, that wants to learn to fly. Recently, an issue with the future of this airfield has come up. The state Department of Transportation plans to stop operating the Dillingham Airfield and will transfer control of the North Shore property back to the U.S. Army by the 1st of this year. There are multiple flight schools that serve the public and programs that open the door for young pilots. This airfield is also the only airspace on the island that allows skydiving operations to exist. It is also the only place in Hawaii where there is glider flying which is a really special and important form of flight. For these companies who have made a home, they will have to go through much trouble to relocate and most likely not relocate at all if the planned shutdown of Dillingham airfield continues. This issue can be solved, we have 5 months until the planned cease of operation. There is plenty of time to generate passionate public support for the airfield. I encourage everyone to do their own research and come to their own conclusions, and please come talk to me to share your perspectives. If you are interested, there is a petition to protect the Dillingham Airfield that you can sign: https://www.change.org/p/david-ige-keep-dillingham-airfield-open-for-public-use Kualoa Loi Stewardship, by Morgan Kellicut On Saturday, February 8th, fourteen LJA high school students attended a community work day at the Kualoa loi. Led by Kara Omori, different members of the LJA Wild Kids Stewardship Council have attended four different work days at Kualoa so far this year, collectively contributing to the restoration of the Kualoa loi and kahawai (stream). Our goal is to help with sustainable agricultural efforts on Oahu and connect with other people who share our commitment to environmental and community stewardship. A huge thank you to Ms. Omori for setting this connection up!
Public Art Bring People Together, by Siena Spagnoli I feel that incorporating art and beauty into your local community is super important, so I took action with my 10th grade Personal Project to bring a little color and joy to our school. Studies show that art can make you happier, whether you're creating your own art or enjoying someone else's. Each light post represents parts of the world that bring us happiness, highlighting nature with bright, bold colors. Long days were spent cleaning, priming and painting each post with care, but it all paid off in the end. Public art is a universal language that brings people together to make relationships and connections, and I hope my pieces can do that for our community. I'm so thankful that LJA gave me the opportunity to express my love of art and my passion for bettering our community with a little color!
PFA FUN RUN REGISTRATION AND SHIRTS
Le Jardin Academy's 23rd Annual Family Fun Run happens next Sunday, February 23rd here on the main campus! The event is free. Click here to register and order a t-shirt. Check-in is from 8-9 a.m The race starts promptly at 9 a.m. Parking is available on campus. Volunteers are needed to help at the run. Click here to sign-up!
HIROSHIMA STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS by Yoshiko Sensei, MYP/DP Japanese Teacher
Hiroshima students were here with us for three weeks from Jan. 21 through Feb. 7 They had a great time in Hawaii and had a blast on campus thanks to your warm-welcome and open-mindedness.
SOPHOMORE CLASS HIGHLIGHTS by Ms. Jenny Matheson, MYP5 PE/Health Teacher
Both the male and female records were broke this week during our annual Splash & Dash Biathlon where students swim 200m followed by a 1000m campus run. Thomas Caps broke the male record with a time of 7.17
MYP Personal Project Exhibition 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.
Please join us on Wednesday, February 26th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Wang Auditorium for the Class of 2022's Exhibition celebrating the knowledge, skills and attitudes that helped these students accomplish this year long project.
Light pupus and refreshments will be served from 5:15-6:15pm
Project Grad 2020 Pizza Coupons - valid until Dec. 31, 2020 They are BACK! The original $20 coupon for a large 5 topping pie ($29 value). The coupons are for Boston's Aikahi only and don't expire until Dec. 31 2020 so it gives you over ten months to use them!! Great gifts! Purchase online at https://www.ljaprojectgrad.com
Aloha Junior Parents! We are looking for volunteers to help chaperone and support the Project Grad activities which will begin at about 5pm on Saturday, May 30th and end at about 7am the following morning, Sunday, May 31st. There are a variety of shifts to choose from! This is a great opportunity for you to gain first-hand experience with Project Grad -- as your very own will be graduating in a short time! Please respond to cmcmcdermott@yahoo.com if you are able to help, I will send you further information and shift options at a later time this month!
Kindly, Chloe McDermott 2020 Project Grad Volunteer Coordinator
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!!!
Announcements & Reminders theCALENDARS: JARDIN (Letter day) Calendar 2019-2020 HS IMPORTANT DATES (Subject to change)
Friday, February 14th- PDD#4 No School for Students (Campus open for Teacher/Staff Workday)
Monday, February 17th- President's Day- No School (Campus closed)
Tuesday, February 18th- Coffee with MS and HS Principals (8:30am-9:30am in the MS/HS Library)
Tuesday, February 25th- Progress Check Form are due and must be signed by teachers, parents, and students. Progress Check Forms were handed out to students on Tuesday, February 11th during Advisory Block.
10th Gr. Personal Project Exhibition- Wednesday, February 26th 5:30-7:30pm in the Wang Auditorium
Sophomore Lock-In: Thursday, March 5th to Friday, March 6th Forms and Info in Above Section. Contact Kara Omori for details!
SPRING BREAK 2020- March 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th, and 27th
Good Friday Holiday- April 10th (No School)
Earth Day Events (No Classes)- Wednesday, April 22nd
Senior IB Exams- Friday, May 1st-Friday, May 22nd
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- Begins Monday, June 15th (Grades K-10) 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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