Science in Action In 8th grade Science class students designed and ran their own experiments to practice data collection and analyzing. Students needed to use basic materials to run 3-5 trials testing their independent variable. A lot of fun ideas and creativity! Some students even learned to use new equipment! 8th Grade Chorus Students Created A Soundtrack Of Their Lives To view Jaycee's playlist click HERE To view Kai maile's playlist click HERE Ella C. Created This Comic Strip For Her Summative In MYP 1 French "Dans Le Monde Entier" Reminders & Updates From The Principal Julie Do, MS Principal Dear Parents and Students, Please take a few minutes to read this weekly newsletter for many new announcements and very important reminders. - Ice Cream Social: we will be having an ice cream social this Friday during Clubs Block. Distance Learning students may pick up their ice cream along with their school ID and other class materials (as needed) by letting the MS Office know when they will be coming to campus this week or next.
Borrowing Books - If your child is in DL and would like to borrow books from the LJA Middle and High School Library, you can place a request through the online library catalog. Directions are on the Library website. Books will be available for pickup in the main administration building during school hours.
Health Screening - Please remember to complete the health screening prior to arrival every day.
- Also, bring a water bottle, and don't forget a mask.
- Student should stay home if they have fever (100.4℉ or greater), body aches, shortness of breath, new loss of taste or smell, runny nose, or headache.
- Please keep your child home until symptom-free without medication for 24 hours. A doctor's note needs to be submitted to the school nurse if your child has been absent due to illness for 3 days or more If your Doctor refers your child or household member to get a COVID test, please report to school.nurse@lejardinacademy.org or at 808-261-0707 ext 1420. Rapid response testing is available via the school nurse.
- Students with allergies, please file documentation with the school nurse or on Magnus Health
Mask Policies and Procedures - In situations where a student needs multiple reminders for following our Level 2 safety guidelines, we will be contacting parents to help us address the situation and determine best options to support the student moving forward. Students will be required to follow mandatory masking and spacing guidelines:
- Masked indoors at all times.
- Masked outdoors at all times during recess, breaks, and transitions.
- Students can be unmasked to eat or drink and must remain stationary and maintain 6ft distancing.
- Students can be unmasked outdoors only if a teacher allows for specific activities where distancing guidelines can be maintained (e.g. certain PE activities).
Travel Policy LJA's policy for out-of-state travel requires that: - Families notify the School Nurse at school.nurse@lejardinacademy.org to report travel dates and destination(s)
- Students quarantine for 14 days before returning to campus, even with a negative pre-travel COVID test
Please email school.nurse@lejardinacademy.org with any questions. Learning Model Change October 19th will be the first day of the 2nd quarter. At this time we invite families to consider what learning model they would like for the next quarter: distance learning or face-to-face. Please fill out this FORM if requesting a change. There is no need to complete the form if your child will be staying in their current learning model. Reading The Weekly Newsletter Pays Off! Last week's "Do Know's Challenge" winners Kiae K. and Ean O. enjoy a pizza surprise from Ms. Do for their careful reading of the MS Weekly newsletter and the daily student Bulldog Minute. MS Dean of Academics/MYP Coordinator Rachel Domenic Aloha Parents, This week the most frequent topic of conversation I have had with parents, students, and teachers was on MYP assessments. As we get closer to the end of the first quarter, we all are concerned about grades. So, this week's topic is on the nature of assessments. We assess to understand what learning has taken place, specifically the strengths and learning needs of students. We do this in two ways-- formatively and summatively. With formative assessments, the focus is on feedback, and not necessarily the grade. While formative assessments may use grades to indicate assessment levels, it is most important to note that the learning process in this stage is specifically focused on feedback, growth, and reflection. Teachers use this data to gain important information about student learning. Students use this feedback to make changes and adjust their learning strategies. Formatives are transformational. Summative assessments, on the other hand, are the analysis of students learning at the end of a unit. They assess the skills, content, and concepts and determine the achievement level in subject-specific criteria. These grades are reported in Managebac. How do we shift the conversation with students who are concerned about their grades? Focus on feedback and self-reflection on a formative instead on just the grade. Encourage students to check the rubric and self-assess prior to turning in their work. Once receiving feedback, create a plan for "next steps" to improve learning. Discuss skills (AtLs) students need to develop to improve learning. Here is a great guide on the student's role in formative assessment. Class of 2026 (virtual) Campfire! Next week would have been camp for our 7th grade students. Due to the continued state guidelines for such events, we have had to cancel our plans. The MS Advisory program, however, would like to invite the Class of 2026 to a virtual campfire on Thursday, October 8 from 6:00p-7:00p. 7th graders will need to register if they are planning to attend (the link to registered has been sent out to the students) and Mrs. Omori will share the Zoom link with them through their google calendar next week. LJA Wellness Message By Sean Landau and Jessica Osborne, MS/HS Counselors Do you ever struggle with what to do in tough parenting situations? Greatschools.org worked with the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence to create Parenting Cue Cards to help. For general information about counseling services at LJA, please visit www.hscounseling.org. Take care and be well, MS Learning Support Coordinator Juniper Richardson Governor Ige's proclamation (click HERE to view full document) declares that "15-20 percent of the nation's population, including over 280,000 residents of the State of Hawaii, have dyslexia or another reading disability". The Hawaii Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (HIDA) is highlighted in the Governor's proclamation for the work they do in "increasing awareness of dyslexia in our community, providing support for individuals with dyslexia, families, and educators, promoting teacher training, and improving literacy for struggling readers". One way to observe Dyslexia Awareness Month is to learn more about dyslexia! There will be a free virtual panel discussion for parents and educators on October 21st from 6-7. Panelists will share their personal and family perspectives on living with dyslexia. This discussion would be beneficial for interested middle and high school students to attend as well. For more information on Dyslexia Awareness Month, and to learn about other events in October, please check out the HIDA website: https://hi.dyslexiaida.org/events/october-is-dyslexia-awareness-month/ How to Disinfect Your Devices From Viruses and Germs COVID-19 likely has you aware of how many times a day you touch your face, but how about how many times a day you touch your phone and other devices? Before you go dunk everything in a vat of bleach, read this guide to getting your gadgets gleaming. Tech Support All tech questions should be directed to helpdesk@lejardinacademy.org or to the chat forum at https://www.lejardinacademy.org/parent-portal. Please do not email teachers regarding tech related questions. Having trouble with your device? Please contact helpdesk@lejardinacademy.org Le Jardin Academy's National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society There will the third and final NHS/NJHS Informational Meeting on Tuesday, October 6 at 4:00p via Zoom The link will be shared with the High School students if they would like to join this meeting. The LJA NHS/NJHS chapter enrollment for this school year is open to all 7th-12th grade students until Friday, October 9, 2020. What is the National Honor Society (NHS) and National Junior Honor Society (NJHS)? The National Honor Society (NHS) and National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) are the nation's premier organizations established to recognize outstanding high school and middle-level students. More than just an honor roll, NHS and NJHS serve to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character (and Citizenship for NJHS). These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since their beginnings in 1921 and 1929. Today, it is estimated that more than one million students participate in activities of the NHS and NJHS.NHS and NJHS chapters are found in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, many U.S. Territories, and Canada. Chapter membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments but challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service. LJA Chapter Requirements - For NJHS (7-9th grade):
- 3.5 GPA
- 24 hours of Community Service; in addition to required MYP S & A service activities
- Essay based on the prompt provided (applicants only)
- Record of good citizenship
- Completion of mandatory Community Service assignments
- Meeting attendance
Please contact Ms. Omori, kara.omori@lejardinacademy.org for more information or with questions. The Global Read Aloud: One Book to Connect the World The Global Read Aloud is an international group that selects a book, based on grade level, to read aloud during a set 6-week period. The goal is to connect with people across the world over a book. It is meant to make the world a little smaller, to open our eyes to the rest of the world and look at all of our shared experiences. LJA Middle and High School will be participating this year and we hope you will join us! How it works: - You and your family fill out the LJA form to participate
- Decide which book you would like to read Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park or Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
- Rachel Domenic, the MYP Coordinator/Middle School Dean of Academics and Christine Keogh, the Middle and High School Librarian will read the books aloud online and moderate the discussion
- You can choose to join in and listen to the read aloud or you can read it on your own
- We will have a Zoom meeting to discuss the books, dates to be announced
We have connected with a school in Europe and North America. Students will be able to share their opinions and responses to the books with students through FlipGrid. Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park is a powerful, touching, multilayered book about a girl determined to fit in and realize her dreams: getting an education, becoming a dressmaker in her father's shop, and making at least one friend. Acclaimed, award-winning author Linda Sue Park has placed a young half-Asian girl, Hanna, in a small town in America's heartland, in 1880. Hanna's adjustment to her new surroundings, which primarily means negotiating the townspeople's almost unanimous prejudice against Asians, is at the heart of the story. Narrated by Hanna, the novel has poignant moments yet sparkles with humor, introducing a captivating heroine whose wry, observant voice will resonate with readers. This is NOT a history book. This is a book about the here and now. A book to help us better understand why we are where we are. A book about race. The construct of race has always been used to gain and keep power, to create dynamics that separate and silence. This remarkable reimagining of Dr. Ibram X. Kendi's National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning reveals the history of racist ideas in America, and inspires hope for an antiracist future. It takes you on a race journey from then to now, shows you why we feel how we feel, and why the poison of racism lingers. It also proves that while racist ideas have always been easy to fabricate and distribute, they can also be discredited. Through a gripping, fast-paced, and energizing narrative written by beloved award-winner Jason Reynolds, this book shines a light on the many insidious forms of racist ideas--and on ways readers can identify and stamp out racist thoughts in their daily lives. Global collaboration is necessary to show students that they are part of something bigger than them. That the world needs to be protected and that we need to care for all people. Attendance Please notify Lizbeth Smith at lizbeth.smith@lejardinacademy.org and Kim McDonald at kim.mcdonald@lejardinacademy.org if you know your child will be absent, arriving late, or leaving school early. You can also call and leave a message at 261-0707 x7004 Important Dates October 12 Discovers Day Holiday No School October 13-16 Fall Break October 29 Coffee with the Principal 8:30 - 9:30AM November 11 Holiday No School November 25 - 27 Thanksgiving Holiday No School Attendance Hotline 261-0707 x7004 Lizbeth Smith MS/HS Registrar 261-0707 x3070 lizbeth.smith@lejardinacademy.org Kim McDonald MS Admin Assistant 261-0707 x1160 kim.mcdonald@lejardinacademy.org Juniper Richardson Learning Support Coordinator juniper.richardson@lejardinacademy.org Jessica Osborne MS/HS Counselor jessica.osborne@lejardinacademy.org Sean Landau MS/HS Counselor sean.landau@lejardinacademy.org Rachel Domenic MS Dean of Academics, MYP Coordinator Rachel.Domenic@lejardinacademy.org Vicki McNeill Dean of Students 6-12 vicki.mcneill@lejardinacademy.org Julie Do Middle School Principal julie.do@lejardinacademy.org Middle School Information Please visit the Middle School Portal frequently to view additional information, important events, changes, and forms at https://www.lejardinacademy.org/parent-portal/middle-school-portal or Click HERE |