Aloha Island School ‘Ohana,

It’s 5 pm and I’m sitting in my office trying to write this week’s note…and wow, how to find the words for such a lovely celebration of student learning and the power of stories?

Why? Because I am filled with so much gratitude and love for all of the Island School community that made today’s Hō‘ike possible. It’s a little overwhelming. Under the direction of Kanānāikahaku Kuhaulua, and with the skills, leadership, and dedication of Sabra Kauka, Joyce Sun, and Joey Kalanikila Palupe…this dynamic team worked so hard with all the teachers and staff across the school to make today possible. Countless hours as a team and with their haumana (students) to choreograph, design, organize our nearly 500 students. What a feat! And then, the dedication of our ‘ohana who sewed, made lei, gathered greenery, played music, gave their time to prepare, gave their time to teach, gave their time to help our haumana fully embrace the invitation of this year’s team - E Moʻolelo Mai - and tell the community through mele, oli, and hula important lessons about their journey this year. I am so grateful and honored to be a part of a community that celebrates our learning this way.

If anyone in your family had to miss today, you can find the recording here.

As we turn to the last week of school, please know our team is working hard to close up the year with your children. I look forward to a week of supporting our students to celebrate their learning.…whether through a final project, a final exam, or simply through enjoying each day with their peers and teachers. We have much to do until our final day of the 24-25 school year on Friday.

And so, the rush of these last few days can lead to a sense of “busy”  or a feeling of stress, which can possibly lead to missing the beauty of the small moments with our haumana / your keiki, our ‘ohana, with colleagues, or with our teachers…thank you for joining me in slowing down, remembering the big picture and not sweating the small stuff, and taking in each moment as it comes. Here’s to a wonderful close to the school year next week.

Together,

Nancy Nagramada

Head of School