This week, 8th Grade students, as part of their interdisciplinary unit between Science and Design, have made gliders and a launch ramp to test how shifting weight can alter the flight path. How does changing the center of mass location affect the performance? Students are collecting data on distance traveled, carrying load, and accuracy. These gliders will be transformed into full remote control planes after testing is completed.

September 30, 2022

A MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SECONDARY DIVISION

Only one full week left until Fall Break!

This week, I thought I would answer a really big question I sometimes get from a few groups of people; specifically, from seniors in the midst of the challenging months of September-December, from prospective parents, and from people who are not in education. The question is: Is the Diploma Programme Worth It?

My short answer is: yes!

My longer answer is: yes, for a few rational reasons. First, I have seen such amazing long-term practical and intrinsic benefits to our students. The practical benefits are that students report that they seem ready for college and do well there as well as earning valuable scholarships and college credit. Intrinsically, I also have heard from so many of our students that they are personally proud of themselves for earning the diploma.

The academy has also considered the question and come to some great findings:

Compared to their Non-IB peers… students report feeling less intimidated by the heavy workload required in college honors courses, more comfortable having one final exam account for a large portion of their course grade, and more able to manage their time and workload efficiently. Overall, this study indicates that the IB Diploma Programme can be instructive to the field on how to better foster critical academic and nonacademic (e.g., metacognitive) skills leading to improved postsecondary preparedness.

Despite a rigorous academic workload over two years, the IB Diploma Programme is worth it!

Have a great weekend!

Alex

From the Secondary Deans

Rachel Domenic

MYP Coordinator & MS Academic Dean

Are you curious about how MYP (grades 6-10) grading works but you don't want to wait for the face-to-face session? Here is a brief MYP assessment video and here are the Google slides used in the video. If you have any questions, I am happy to support students and parents in understanding MYP assessment.

Parents' Turn to Learn: October 20, 5:30-8:00 p.m., Kerr Lookout/Wang Auditorium

Join us for an evening of adult learning and socializing as we engage in discussion around a range of educational topics. Select from a menu of break out sessions and register in advance. View Menu and Register

College Corner

Scott Liedtke

Save the Date

Class of 2024 (Students and Parents)

College Night

October 25 at 6:00 p.m.

Wang Auditorium

Upcoming College Visits at LJA

College visits are open to all juniors and seniors

Click here for list

Upcoming National College Fair

College fairs are events that bring admissions officers from various colleges and universities to high schools, convention centers, and community spaces to meet with and answer questions from students and parents. In a single evening, high school students get face time with colleges from around the country and those colleges, armed with brochures and catalogs, can reach a cross-section of students from a local area.

With all the students vying for the attention of a limited number of college representatives, college fairs can be overwhelming and intimidating for some students and their parents. The key to using the fair to your advantage is to arrive prepared: Before you arrive at the fair, do your research. Which college representatives do you want to meet? What do you know about their college already, and what more do you want to know? Depending on your priorities, you might decide to focus your attention on schools that have a strong program for your intended major or look into scholarship information to help pay for college

NACAC College Fair

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Hawaii Convention Center
1801 Kalakaua Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815

TRAFFIC ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4

We are informed there will be some construction activity occurring along Kapa'a Quarry Road that may impact traffic during school hours on Wednesday, October 5. While no lane closures are expected, we do anticipate having to navigate traffic control between 7:45 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Please plan accordingly for drop off/early pickups on this day. Mahalo!

National Honor Society (NHS) and National Junior Honor Society (NJHS)

Students interested in joining NHS or NJHS must attend an informational meeting next week. There are two options to choose from:

7:30 am on Tuesday, October 4 in the Wang

7:30 am Friday, October 7 in the Wang

These meetings are for students in the 7th-12 grade who are interested in either applying for the LJA Chapter of NHS/NJHS or maintaining their membership.

The LJA NHS/NJHS Chapter application for this school year closes on Friday, October 7, 2022.

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, more than one million students are estimated to 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

LJA Chapter Requirements

For NJHS (7th grade-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

For NHS (10th grade-12th grade):

3.3 GPA
32 hours of Community Service; in addition to required MYP S&A service activities or CAS requirements.
Essay based on the prompt provided (applicants only)
Record of good citizenship
Completion of mandatory community service assignments
Meeting attendance

BULLDOG LEAGUE 4TH - 6TH GRADE CO-ED VOLLEYBALL

LJA will be hosting its second annual Bulldog League volleyball for 4th - 6th grade boys and girls.

Please note that due to the timing of practices (4:00 - 5:00 p.m.), 4th and 5th graders not enrolled in Extended Day must be picked up at regular dismissal and then dropped back off again at 4:00 p.m. at the gym.

Please fill out 1 form per participating child:

Bulldog League Volleyball Sign Up Form

Registration closes on October 17. We will not be able to accommodate late registrations.

Contact taylor.souza@lejardinacademy.org with any questions.

LOST AND FOUND NEWS

Items will be cleared out (repurposed, donated, or disposed of) regularly on or about the first and third Friday of each month. Our next cleanout will be on Friday, October 7.