May 20, 2021 Lower School Principal Message Aloha Parents!
The year feels like it is ramping up, not winding down, with all the events planned for the next week and a half. Spirit Week will be held from May 27-June 2, so please check out the list of events below so you're in the know!
Tomorrow I'll be hosting our final Lower School Principal's Coffee of the year. We'll be reviewing the progress made on this year's goals, our vision for next year's goals as well as upcoming changes and staffing for next year. I hope you can join me at 9:00am via zoom. Please click here to register in advance.
Aloha, Leah
A Picture of Practice The PYP Exhibition is both a learning process and a celebration of learning. As the culminating experience of the PK-Grade 5 IB Primary Years' Program, learners apply the understanding and skills they've developed throughout their years at LJA in order to design their individualized learning process.
The PYPX inquiry spans across the school year, starting first with learners identifying an issue of interest. Then, in small groups, learners design their own unit of inquiry through a similar planning process that our teachers do, by intentionally designing end targets and learning experiences that challenge students to think deeply and critically about the world around them. Next, the learners gather information and identify next steps to further their inquiry. In this phase, students prepare to collect primary research by planning field trips, running experiments, designing surveys, and emailing experts for interviews.
While students are gaining deeper understanding of their issue of choice, it's the skills they develop through the learning that are so impactful. Students learn how to write professional emails, plan and conduct an effective interview, manage their time blocks to meet their goals, reflect and refine their approaches, and most often the students report how they've learned to navigate strained relationships when they can't all agree on which direction to go in next. I am always fascinated and impressed by the learners' ability to articulate their learning journey and what went wrong in their process.
Next week, family members get to celebrate the PYP Exhibition experience with their children. We'll make the students' websites available for your viewing next week so you can see what's in store for your own children.
(Photos: below, and at the end of this Weekly - constructing Exhibition displays)
UPCOMING EVENTS / TAKE ACTION SPIRIT WEEK
SEESAW PORTFOLIOS OF STUDENT WORK If your child is currently in Grade 5 or if you are moving, please take the time to download your child's digital portfolio in Seesaw by the end of June. Click HERE to learn how. Returning PYP students' Seesaw portfolios will roll into their next year's class and so downloading returning students' portfolios is optional, but not necessary. PLEASE RETURN ALL BOOKS BORROWED FROM THE LIBRARY As the school year winds down, please plan to return all borrowed books before the last day of school. uAchieve Learning Center - Math Enrichment (entering grades 5-9) Starting June 5 and running through August 14, a math enrichment course will be offered on Saturdays on the LJA campus. Please click this uAchieve link to learn more about the program and to register.
PARENT RESOURCES PARENT EXPECTATIONS AROUND COVID MITIGATION Key Points to Remember:
For additional information, find our health and safety page on our school website. 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 SELF-SCREENING Remember to self-screen your children every day using the School Pass app. If you've forgotten, please let us know in the loop. School Pass App - load the app to your phone OR follow the link on a web browser. Through the app you can also make attendance notes. Click the plus sign on the bottom of your app and select from the options (absence, late arrival, early pick-up) and then follow the prompts to select your date and the child you are reporting. STAY SOCIAL! Trying to set up a socially distanced beach playdate, bike ride, or hike? Here is a tutorial on how to access the Parent Directory to connect with other families:
DATES to REMEMBER Mar 22 - Jun 2 Quarter 4
May 21 Principal's Coffee 9:00am
May 21-22 Grade 4 Field trip and Campout
May 26 Gr 5 Exhibition on campus each Grade 5 student gets two invitees
May 27
May 28
May 29 LJA class of 2021 graduation
Jun 1 Spirit Week - Pajama Day
Jun 2 Last Day of School Splash Into Summer - beach wear
Jun 14 Report Cards available on ManageBac
Jun 14-Jul 16 Summer School
Jul 19-Jul 30 Summer Fun
STAY SOCIAL! Trying to set up a socially distanced beach playdate, bike ride, or hike? Here is a tutorial on how to access the Parent Directory to connect with other families:
LS Administration Attendance hotline 261-0707, select options 0, then 1
Leah MagaƱa Lower School Principal (808) 261-0707 ext. 1030 leah.magana@lejardinacademy.org
Lower School Vice Principal/ (808) 261-0707 ext. 1060 lori.praetorius@lejardinacademy.org
Lower School Administrative Assistant (808) 261-0707 ext. 1130 lisa.ventura@lejardinacademy.org
SECURITY HOTLINE If you need help while on campus, contact Security at 808-491-7909.
LOST AND FOUND items have piled up again. At the end of the school year all unclaimed items will be donated or disposed of.
PHOTOS Grade 5 students are busy constructing Exhibition displays.
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