PICTURED ABOVE: The theme this year's May Day was "Hoʻōla Wai Ka Honua," translated as "Water Brings Life to the World." |
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| HEAD OF SCHOOL MESSAGE As we shared in March 2022, LJA has completed an administrative realignment for the 2022-23 school year, intended to move more resources closer to the classroom in support of excellence in teaching and learning. We would like to update you on the organization, positions and their key responsibilities of the new structure. New Roles Within Divisions 1. Primary (PK-5) and Secondary (6-12) Division Heads - With educational services shifted to the divisions, Division Heads will have more tools and greater authority to effect our shared vision for education at LJA. Leah Magana and Alex Ramsvig are well equipped for their respective roles as Division Heads having served in principals roles in the past. They will also have more people on their respective teams to whom to delegate authority. |
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2. Dean Team (Academics, Students, and Enrichment & Experiential Education) - A set of Deans support curricular and co-curricular programs within each Division. In Primary (PK-5), the team includes Rob Marsden (Academics), Lori Praetorius (Students) and Josh Masagatani (Enrichment & Experiential Education). In Secondary, the team includes Lindsey Schiffler (Academics, 11-12), Rachel Domenic (Academics, 6-10), Vicki McNeill (Students 9-12), Kara Omori (Students, 6-8), and Christina Hoe (Enrichment & Experiential Education). Although each has distinct sets of responsibilities, the Deans will be working as a team in order to support students' "individual pathways to success" in and out of the classroom. - Dean of Academics oversees design of the curricular program, the instructional framework and education policies, procedures and protocols. Together with teacher team leaders, the Dean ensures the quality of curricular design and fidelity of implementation.
- Dean of Students oversees support service processes and staff--including counseling and learning support--for those who might struggle academically, socially or emotionally. The Deans of Students have been working with a team of teachers to revise learning support policies and procedures for the coming school year to improve the referral, identification, planning and progress monitoring for supported students and their families. Assisting the Dean will be additional counselors, learning support specialists and student support specialists.
- Dean of Enrichment and Experiential Education will design and manage processes, programs and people that constitute our enrichment and experiential education programs. These include co-curricular activities (e.g., career exploration guest speakers, policy forums, ceremonies and other special events) clubs, teams and programs. Some of the activities will engage community-based organizations and partner schools to have a greater impact on our community.
In future LJA Weekly newsletters, we'll introduce you to other directors, managers, coordinators and staff who "make the magic happen". *** Starfish and COVID I love the story that is told in one of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. A beachwalker encounters a man throwing starfish back into the sea that had washed ashore during a storm. The beach had scads of starfish that had washed ashore, and this man was picking up those in his path and tossing them back into the water. When asked why he was doing this, the man said that if left ashore the starfish would die. The beachwalker responded that the man was crazy. How could the man possibly save all the starfish? The man paused, bent over and picked up a starfish. He tossed it into the ocean and said, "It made a difference for that one." We need your kōkua. With a month of school remaining and many fun and celebratory activities planned, we need families to be safe, so our children and staff can be a part of end-of-year festivities. We also need your help to keep our staff and their families safe. No greater way to say "thank you" to our staff this "Teacher Appreciation Week" than to double down on your household mitigation measures whether you believe that they will help or not. This is kōkua, aloha kekahi i kekahi. We continue to be affected by the rise in COVID cases on campus and its impact on learning as well as the health of our staff and families. With the relaxation of State and Federal mitigation measures, we have seen a quadrupling in O'ahu hospitalization rates in the past month and an increase in cases on campus. Our faculty and staff are on the front line every day, and they and their families have borne the heavy burden of the variants' spread. Not only have they missed school and time with our students, but in some cases we have had severe and protracted illnesses. Our extended 'ohana has also been affected too many of our 'ohana have lost loved ones due to COVID. Let's all do what we can to protect those most vulnerable in our community. Mahalo! Earl Kim |
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60TH ANNIVERSARY GALA The Le Jardin Academy Gala: Celebrating 60 Years was a magical evening of music, community, and memories made -– all in support of excellence, scholarship, and extraordinary experiences as LJA nurtures its students to positively impact the world. A heartfelt mahalo to everyone who generously supported this momentous celebration! Through table and ticket sponsorships, pledges of excellence, the provision of in-kind goods and services, auction purchases, and volunteer time, our generous community helped to raise more than $290,000 in support of the LJA Fund. |
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| LJA SOCCER ACADEMY JOINS ALBION SC ALBION SC has announced the expansion within the ALBION SC National Affiliate program, welcoming Le Jardin Soccer Academy to join ALBION SC Hawaii. ALBION SC, with over 10,000 players and clubs throughout the country, is quickly becoming one of the largest youth clubs in the US and a great vehicle to advance soccer in this country. As a result, ALBION SC Hawaii provides a platform for immediate national recognition and receives significant operational and strategic support. The overall network will provide a player's pathway and help accelerate where this club is looking to be in the next 3-5 years.
"Becoming part of ALBION Hawaii and ALBION SC, a nationally recognized and winning brand, provides resources and opportunities that strengthen our club and provide new and expanded opportunities for our players, school community, and coaches," says Joy Gayton, Director of Operations of ALBION SC Hawaii, Oahu. "ALBION shares our LJA values, which reinforces the excitement we feel." |
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PARENT SURVEY We are sending out a survey to gather feedback on how well parents perceive Le Jardin Academy to be successfully delivering a high quality educational program, the school environment, school leadership, and key services. When you receive the survey, we kindly ask that you please take the time to answer the questions. Mahalo! |
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PFA GENERAL MEETING & VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION BREAKFAST All parents are invited to attend the last PFA General Meeting for the 2021-22 school year. The meeting will be held in person at the Wang Auditorium on May 18 at 8:30 a.m., followed by the Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast. If you are interested in attending the PFA General Meeting & Volunteer Appreciation, please RSVP. INTRODUCING THE 2022-2023 EXECUTIVE PFA COMMITTEE President: Mercedes Treasurer: Morgan LaRue Secretary: Kulia Boerstler VP New Families: Denice Kolodny & Amy Lu VP Communications: Ann Medeiros & Blair Morrison Grades PK-JK Representative: Caitlin McOmish Grades K-5 Representatives: Kristy Scherman & Johanna Katzman Grades 6-8 Representatives: Jami Burks Grades 9-12 Representatives: Amanda Murphy PFA APRIL RECAP Junior School: The decorating committee decorated for May Day and PFA provided lunch for the teachers. Lower School: PFA parents refilled the Teacher's Snack Attack table several times this month with all the generous parent donations. Middle School: PFA provided snacks/drinks and pizza at Poetry Slam. High School: PFA provided snacks for Personal Project Night. TEACHER APPRECIATION
The PFA appreciates our dedicated faculty. This week teachers were honored with breakfasts, lunches, smiles and hugs! |
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COVID REPORTING AND HEALTH QUESTIONS If you have been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, need to report a positive case, or have any COVID-19 related questions, please email school.nurse@lejardinacademy.org immediately. |
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COVID RISK RESPONSE CHART |
Click here to view full version of the COVID Response Level Chart |
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UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES May 30: Memorial Day (HOLIDAY) May 28: Graduation June 1: Last Day of School |
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