I-Term March 11 - 12 Spring Break March 15 - March 19
Life In The Middle
Kayla L.
Makana T.
Hannah S.
Anne S. 8th-grade Visual Arts
Students just wrapped up their unit on famous art movements and ism's. Each character image is manipulated to look like the many art movements we studied in class.
MYP 1 Design Students Digital Video Tutorial Summative
Our 6th-grader Design students spent the week working in teams to practice their filming techniques in preparation for their upcoming Digital Video Tutorial summative as part of the Teachers of the Future unit. Lots of directing, coordinating, acting, and slipping on imaginary banana peels went into learning how to use shots, scenes, camera framing, angles, and movement - all to tell a story and focus the eye of our viewer. Next up... editing!
MYP3 Language and Literature
In 8th Grade Language and Literature students have been investigating the whole concept of generations, especially focusing on the major world events, technological innovations, and trends that have shaped the previous few generations going back to about 1900, right up to their own generation. They've also analyzed the stereotypes that exist about specific generations, and the notion of generational divides. Many of the 8th graders have interviewed members of prior generations to better understand the values, beliefs, and differences between today's 13 and 14 year olds and what it was like "back in the day" for Millennials, Gen X-ers, Baby Boomers, the Silent Generation, and the Greatest Generation.
In end-of-unit Compare and Contrast Presentations recently, the 8th graders have shared the facts and their opinions about what their generation has in common with an earlier generation as well as what the significant differences are. This unit has given students a chance to explore many different types of literature from different generational eras, including news articles, op-ed pieces, advertisements, TV show clips, political speeches, and more. A better understanding of the last century or so of the immense changes, as well as those things that remain timeless and unchanged has been the result.
Looking forward to the next unit after I-Term and Spring Break--POETRY MONTH! (FYI: April is National Poetry Month in the USA. The LJA Middle School Language and Literature Department challenges you to read a poem a day in April. For super duper extra credit WRITE a poem every day in April!)
Students in 8th grade MYP3 Design are working hard on the fabrication of their Community Lawn Games
Message From The Principal
This past TribesTuesday I had the opportunity to spend some time with our awesome DL students during our weekly virtual Tribes session. The topic we covered this week was our schoolwide Tribes Agreements and how they connect to our different environments during our day. In reviewing the guiding four agreements, we analyzed how the different agreements may look, feel and be applied depending on where we are and what activity we are engaged in. The students did a great job of connecting our agreements to things they encounter, whether it be in a classroom, online, or out at play with friends. I really appreciated their insight and, as usual, was impressed with their depth of consideration for others.
Another really impressive experience I was lucky to have this week was our virtual parent session this morning to discuss some FAQs related to homework expectations, grading system, formative vs summative assessments, and how to support your child. During the teachers' share out this morning, it was evident in their answers and explanations, the level of passion and support they provide to our students every day. For me, I feel very blessed to get to work with all the MS teachers as they sincerely try to engage with our students and provide opportunities to participate at every level with their daily systems, delivery of content, and efforts to provide an individualized level of support, based on their pedagogical, age-appropriate knowledge of their students' abilities and/or challenges.
So, as this next round of MS Admissions session approaches on Saturday, I'm excited to share with the 24 prospective families more examples of what Life in the Middle at LJA holds and how our community of students, faculty/staff and parents are guided by our four simple, but very important agreements.
To end this week's message, please find a recording of this morning's parent session for those who weren't able to join us HERE. (Apologies in advance for not having the first few minutes of the welcome and opening remarks). Please also find below the excerpt from our current Parent & Student Handbook that discusses more in depth how parents, students and faculty/staff connect with the 4 Tribes agreements schoolwide.
The entire school community is expected to uphold the following four behavior expectations at all times:
Demonstrate Mutual Respect (and Trust)
Demonstrate Attentive Listening
Demonstrate Appreciation
Uphold Your Own and Others' Right to Participate/Right to Pass
Welcome To Our Learning Support Substitute
We are pleased to welcome Michelle Lefevre to the Middle School! She will be the substitute teacher for our Learning Support Coordinator, Juniper Richardson, who is currently out on leave. Michelle is a certified special education teacher from the east coast with a bachelors and masters in special education. She and her husband moved to Kailua in July with their three daughters. Please feel free to contact her at michelle.lefevre@lejardinacademy.org .
MS I-Term Information Rachel Domenic, Dean of Academics
The Middle School I-Term is almost here! Courses for Thursday, March 11 and Friday, March 12 have been emailed to students and parents. By the end of the week you should also receive an email from your teachers for each course. We are excited!
Ms. Tam And Ms. Shimabukuro Prepare For Their I-Term Session "Sew Cute! Sew What?!"
LJA Wellness Message By Sean Landau and Jessica Osborne
It can be tough for transgender and nonbinary people to constantly educate or be subjected to the other's curiosity, so one of the best ways to be an ally is to educate yourself on the basics of gender identity and expression, so you can better support others.
Gender expression can be a fun, creative, and affirming way to express yourself. You can be an ally to transgender and nonbinary people in your life by refraining from making assumptions about their gender. Be aware of the expectations you project onto others based on their gender, and strive to support others and validate their experiences.
Respecting the language that youth use to self identify their gender is not only polite, it can save lives. In a recent study of transgender youth, using chosen names at home, at school, at work, and with friends reduced depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, and suicidal behavior.
For more detailed information please click on this Link to find a helpful guide in being an ally to people that may be different from you! For general information about counseling services at LJA, please visit www.hscounseling.org.
Lost & Found
The Lost & Found table has filled up again after this last round of cold weather. Please look through the items for anything lost. All items will be donated or disposed of at Spring Break.
Travel Policy
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.
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.
School Links
Reminder to please call or email attendance if you will be picking up your child early.
Find all of these items and more in the MS Parent Portal
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 MS Office to request the Distance Learning option.
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
Important Dates
March 11-12 - MS I-Term March 15 - 19 Spring Break March 26 - Prince Kuhio Day Holiday No School April 2 - Holiday No School April 30 - May Day
Middle School Contacts 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
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 |