Middle School Orientation & Retreat at Salt Pond Beach Park - Tuesday, August 5, 2025

7/31/2025

Meet in the Wilcox Gym at 8:00 a.m.

Aloha Middle School Families,

Middle School Orientation and the Retreat for all students in Grades 6–8, both new and returning, will take place on Tuesday, August 5. The day will begin with orientation on campus from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m., followed by departure at 9:30 a.m. for the Middle School Retreat at Salt Pond Beach Park, which will run from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. During orientation, students will meet their teachers, learn about school expectations, receive their class schedules and school ID cards, and find out who their advisor will be. The retreat at Salt Pond will offer a chance for students and staff to begin building meaningful relationships that will support a strong and connected school year.

Arriving to School

On Tuesday August 5th, parents/guardians should drop their students off at the Wilcox Gym, around 8:00 a.m. Upon arrival, on the Wilcox Gym Lanai, students should check in at their grade-level table, meet their Deans, and pick up their school ID. All students should be seated in the Wilcox Gym by 8:15 a.m Transportation to school and from Salt Pond back to school will be provided by Island School. If your student chooses to ride the bus, here are the pick up locations and times. There will NOT be a fee to ride the bus on Tuesday August 5th to attend the required Middle School Orientation and Retreat. Reference this document for the pick-up and drop off locations and times.

Welcoming and introductions will begin at 8:15 a.m. We will have introductions of grade level teachers, directors, counselors, deans, advisors and Nancy Nagramada, our Head of School. Students will then be dismissed by advisory grouping to their advisory locations.

Orientation Agenda – Monday, August 4

8:00 - 8:15 a.m. - Arrival and Check-In (Wilcox Gym Lanai)

8:15 - 8:25 a.m. - Welcome, Introductions & Announcements

8:30 - 9:15 a.m. Advisory Session: (students dismissed to advisory classrooms)
Led by advisors, this time will include:

Community building and icebreakers
Distribution and review of new daily schedule
Orientation to the new Kūlia structure:
- Purpose (study time, support, ententions, tutoring)
- Weekly schedule (Tues–Thurs)
- How students request support
Campus protocols and community expectations
- Updated cell phone policy
- Conduct matrix and behavioral expectations
Retreat Overview at Salt Pond Beach Park
Locker assignments and preparations for the first day (ABCDEF schedule)

Upper School Announces Grade Level Deans for 2025-26 SY

You can read about your Grade Level Deans here:

6th Grade Advisors

Joe Corbo - Room 7 (Grade Level Dean)

Jen Pomroy - Weinberg Gym

AJ Arnold - Pratt Hall 2

Ben Hendrix - Main Hall

7th Grade Advisors

Jamie Nause - Niu (Grade Level Dean)

Peter Joffrion - Hau

Garren Venzon - Milo

Jenn Haugh - Noni

8th Grade Advisors

Pat Gegen - Ulu (Grade Level Dean)

Laura Lee - Wiliwili

Ben Nause - Music Room

Archie Achuara - Wilcox Gym

9:15 - 9:25 - Morning Break & Snack
Students should use the restroom, refill water bottles, and ensure they have what they need for the morning.

9:25 report to Location for check-in

6th Grade: Check in with Mr. Corbo before getting on the bus
7th Grade: Check in with Ms. Nause before getting on the bus
8th Grade: Check in with Ms. Haugh before getting on the bus

9:30 AM – Departure to Salt Pond

RETREAT AT SALT POND BEACH PARK

The Middle School Retreat is a unique and valued experience for Island School students and teachers. Its purpose is to begin the year on a positive note that continues throughout the year. The retreat provides time for the staff and students to begin to build and develop meaningful relationships. Students will participate in various activities with the purpose to have opportunities to work with and bond with their class level, students in other grades, and also students in their advisory grouping. Students are called upon to problem solve, make decisions, set goals, use effective communication skills, build trust in each other, support others, lead, listen, and follow directions. Our goal is for students to get to know each other and trust each other more fully and to make connections before the start of the 2025-26 School Year.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES:

Students will…

Increase their commitment to excellence
Engage fully in activities
Behave ethically
Demonstrate empathy towards others
Form new friendships
Strengthen bonds with current friends, peers and staff
Promote respect for self and others
Build a sense of community & responsibility for each other and the community of Kauaʻi

What to Bring:

Students should bring their own lunch, snack, and refillable water bottle.
They can wear their team color or an approved Island School shirt - Bandanas of team color will be provided
There will be an option for free swim from 12:15 - 1:30 p.m. Swimwear should be appropriate for a school water context and a towel and change of clothes is needed if you/your child plans on swimming. If your student chooses not to swim, there will be other activity options available during this time.
Students should be prepared for sun protection with sunscreen, hats, and/or sunglasses.
Slippers are recommended in addition to sport shoes for the morning activities.

10:00 Arrive at Salt Pond Beach

10:10 - 12:10 Rotations led by Teacher/Advisors

12:10 - 12:30 Lunch

12:30 - 1:30 Free Swim OR option for Kickball, Soccer, or Board Games/Playing Cards

1:30 Clean-Up/Change Clothes (Pick-up Time 1:30 - 1:45 if picking up from Salt Pond Beach)

1:45 Depart Salt Pond Beach for Island School on buses

2:30-3:00 Pick-Up Time /Outdoor Play Basketball Courts & Outdoor Lanai area/bus leaves at 3:10 p.m.

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