The dream team - Scientist-educators. Teachers came together to talk about the DP science program in various science classes.
Principal's Message by Alex Ramsvig, HS Principal February 25, 2021 Aloha All,
This week our faculty spent some time considering the importance of "marginal gains", that is, the idea that small improvements within a student's (or athlete's) overall performance can result in phenomenal change. Importantly, it allows for students and teachers to make improvement in small chunks, rather than looking at problems as single and potentially insurmountable efforts. What we have asked teachers to do is seek to make improvements in their teaching each and every day as well as encourage students to make small but important improvements every day as well.
Campus continues to hum with activity as athletics and other activities resume with modifications.
As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns.
Alex Ramsvig HS Principal
HS Dean of Academics & DP Coordinator Lindsey Schiffler
Aloha all,
I want to remind families of the Feb. 26 ManageBac check as well as the March 12 midterm date. After reviewing ManageBac on these dates, please contact your student's teachers if there are questions or concerns. Feel free to contact me as well. lindsey.schiffler@lejardinacademy.org
Due to the continued worldwide loss of instructional time, IB just announced that the adaptations which were put in place for the May 2021 session will be extended through the May 2022 session. The examination schedule has been updated to reflect these changes.
Hopefully this decision alleviates some pressure felt by teachers, students, and parents.
MS Dean of Academics, MYP Rachel Domenic
UPDATED DUE DATES FOR THE GRADE 10 PERSONAL PROJECT:
In honor of Black History Month and in conjunction with their Jim Crow/Civil Rights Era Unit, MYP4 humanities students took part in a T-shirt-making project. Students researched a Black/African American figure of their choosing and then each made a T-shirt with an image of that notable person along with some information and achievements. #BlackHistoryisAmericanHistory.
LJA Wellness Message Date: 02/025/2021 By Sean Landau and Jessica Osborne As we approach year two into Covid, students are required to wear a mask ALL DAY. This can still be challenging for some. Please click here to learn more about how to help your kid continue to feel comfortable wearing a mask at school.
FROM THE OFFICE OF EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION Christina Hoe Dean of Experiential Education
Throughout this pandemic, our students continue to rise as active global citizens, committed to sustained community engagement and creating a positive impact on the world. A few of our ongoing projects in the high school are highlighted below.
Under the guidance of Tara Spagnoli, Lili Hess and Tara Schaberg, thirteen high school students have spent the past four months learning to artfully sew masks for our Windward community. Last Thursday, February 18th, they delivered masks to Hui Mahi'ai 'Aina, an organization that serves the unsheltered community in Waimanalo. Tara Spagnoli affirmed, "These students are wonderful and have made a truly meaningful difference with their sewing talent and generosity." The group will continue to sew masks and will also add other sewing projects to their list, all with the intent of helping our community Meals on Wheels, led by senior, Brin Jaffe Rain or shine, this hui of committed community stewards has delivered meals to our Windward kupuna. Makai Team, led by Alex Webb and Ossian Nichols, along with seniors, Skylar Webb, Morgan Kellicut, Pikes Riley and Griffin Cloney Our Wild Kids Makai Team has been helping HPU graduate student and Le Jardin Alumni, Drew McWhirter, sort and catalog derelict fishing nets. The goal of the project is to reduce marine debris that is killing reefs and threatens endangered sea animals.
Check back next week for a spotlight on our Plastic Makerspace, the work being done at Kawainui, and our peer tutoring program. Woot woot!
Scott Liedtke Director of College Counseling Aloha LJA Families
The University of San Francisco is hosting two college readiness events specifically for sophomores and juniors in high school. Understanding the college process certainly paves the way to a successful journey through the process for both student and parent(s). Hearing from folks on the college side of the desk provides another level of information.
Both events will cover how students can manage their time doing activities they enjoy, how to lay a strong academic foundation in high school, and how to begin exploring colleges remotely. While the descriptions for the events are identical, the Junior College Night will focus more on the college search and the college admission process.
Sophomore College Night
Sophomores, this is the event for you! Hear from both college admission counselors and high school guidance counselors about steps you can take to prepare for your future after high school. You still have plenty of time, so no need to get too overwhelmed yet! We'll walk you through a few easy things you can do to get in the mindset for college and how you can begin researching different colleges remotely.
We have plenty of tips to share from our years of experience, so feel free to bring friends or family members who are interested. Junior College Night
Juniors, this is the event for you! Hear from both college admission counselors and high school guidance counselors about steps you can take to prepare for your future after high school. You still have plenty of time, so no need to get too overwhelmed yet! We'll walk you through a few easy things you can do to get in the mindset for college and how you can begin researching different colleges remotely.
We have plenty of tips to share from our years of experience, so feel free to bring friends or family members who are interested.
Class of 2022 College Meetings My individual meetings with the junior class is well underway and this is always an exciting time for me (and hopefully them). Research shows that students who own the college research, application, and decision making process are happier and more successful in the college decision and transition process. Transitioning into college life and the independence that comes with it is easier for students who have already had practice being self-reliant. I have worked my way through 48 students and still have 14 to go. Please check with your son or daughter to see if they have had their meeting. As always, parents are welcome to join our college meetings and I will leave that decision up to the family.
Technology 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
Jana Fraser Athletics Director Water Polo Informational meeting on 2/25 at 3:30pm outside of the gym. All boys and girls in grades 7-12 that are interested in participating in water polo, please come out to the meeting. Coach Chauncey Hirose-Hulbert will be there to provide information about the upcoming water polo season. Follow LJA Athletics on instagram @lejardinathletics
Get tickets for "City of Incineration" through Eventbrite. (The tickets are free but the seating is very limited). Eventbrite seating High school theater teacher
LJA Blood Drive This year's LJA blood drive is right around the corner and we need YOU to help donate! Only 2% of people in Hawaii donate while 60% are in need of blood during their lifetime. During the pandemic, even fewer people have been able to donate so, more than ever, every person counts. We can't stress enough how vital these blood drives are to our community and we appreciate any flexibility from our teachers in allowing students to go give blood. Now is your chance to give back to your community!
In order to ensure everyone's safety, there have been some changes made to the blood drive. This year's blood drive will take place at Castle Medical Center over the course of 4 days from 2/28 to 3/3. Feel free to sign up on whichever day works best for you but be sure to communicate with your teachers. There are a limited number of spots so sign up now to make sure you get the time and date you want!
To sign up, click on this sign-up link. Using the search bar, search for Castle Medical Center and scroll through until you get to find the dates 2/28 to 3/3. Click "Make appointment" and follow the steps to sign up. On the day of, when you arrive at Castle Medical Center, please let them know that you are from LJA and give them the code '1719.' This is to make sure LJA gets credit for your blood donations and can help us organize more blood drives in the future.
Requirements 1) Must be 16 years old 2) If you are under 18 you must bring this parental consent form 3) For more information about eligibility visit this link
Other people outside of LJA may also come and give blood so PLEASE SHARE/FORWARD THIS TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY!! Even if you aren't able to give blood you can still help out by recruiting others.
Wild Kids Montana Trip Applications Wild Kids Montana Trip Applications are now open for High School and Middle School students. Middle School trips will take place July 4th-18th. High School trips will run from July 21st to August 1st. Applications close February 28th. You can learn more on our website: Wild Kids Montana Trips.
Spirit Store & Lunch
Hello LJA Community! Today we are announcing the launch of Student ID Debit Cards!
This means that parents will be able to load money under their child's name to be used at the Middle/High School Concession Stand.
We hope that this will make lunch purchases easier for you and your child.
This is brought to you by the LJA High School Student Government.
HERE is the link to LJA's spirit store where you can make an account
Required PE shirts/shorts for school and other Spirit items are available to order. Orders placed when the Spirit Store opens will have time to arrive before needed in PE.
You can use this link to order lunch for 2nd quarter.
Kyle Nakayama can be contacted for further questions,
Information & reminders
Reminder to please call or email attendance if you will be picking up your child early.
Friday, February 26th will be an "A" day instead of "B" March 12 will be a B day
HS Parent Portal is a great place for all things high school related. Check it out if you havent.
Sick policy If a student needs to stay home sick for a day or two they need to rest, email their teachers and get well. Please only have them join a class Zoom session with prior permission from their teachers. If they are going to be out longer than a couple of days, you will need to contact the HS Office to request the Distance Learning option.
Student travel procedure--approved by the Medical Hui--is in effect as long as the State allows a pre-travel COVID test for Mainland or International* travelers:
This procedure is intended to shorten the amount of time that students must learn remotely following travel relative to the 14-day quarantine alternative. If you have any questions, please email school.nurse@lejardinacademy.org.
*Neighbor island travelers will be expected to comply with current County and State regulations for travel and testing, and procedures may vary by island. Visit https://hidot.hawaii.gov/coronavirus/ for details.
If you are new to parking on campus, please complete this Student parking application. ALL students who wish to park on campus must pay for parking and display a parking pass. Please let me know if you have any questions. Stacey.Surina@lejardinacademy.org
Important Dates
March 4- HS coffee with Principal -zoom registration here March 15 -19 Spring Break March 26 - Prince Kuhio Day Holiday No School
April 2- Holiday No school April 22 - Earth Day April 30 - May Day
May 24-28 HS Impact Term May 29 - Graduation May 31 - Memorial Day - School Closed
June 1-2 - HS Final exam make-ups June 2- Last day of school June 11- Kamehameha Day- Campus closed
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
Jessica Osborne MS/HS Counselor jessica.osborne@lejardinacademy.org
Sean Landau Lindsey Schiffler HS Dean of Academics & DP Coordinator lindsey.schiffler@lejardinacademy.org
Christina Hoe Dean of Experiential Education christina.hoe@lejardinacademy.org Contact for I-Term, SA and CAS, and Internships
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.
High School Information
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 |