Greetings from New York City!

While I started this short week working with the 9th Grade, I ended my week in New York City at Teachers College, Columbia University. This past fall I applied to and was thrilled to be accepted as one of 35 people accepted into their doctoral program in Executive Leadership. While it is dominantly a remote program for working professionals, it is a significant commitment that will allow me to deepen the skills I can offer to Island School as Head of School. While this is the one trip during the school year that I will make for the program during the 3.5 year program, I can already feel myself growing and expanding my thinking about our school systems and the work I do with adults and students alike.

I headed out on Wednesday morning, and was glad to be a part of the kick off of this exciting week at Island School! Our Elementary School students enjoyed a Lunar New Year parade on Tuesday by the Kindergarten and 1st Grades, learned how to make kapa with Kumu Sabra in Hawaiian Studies, and took local adventures with Big Buddies! Our Upper School students expanded our definition of classroom this week to spaces across Kauaʻi, with Middle School students traveling to various locations for their quarterly Hoʻokupu day, doing service work with four critical community organizations: Mālama Hulē‘ia, Kumano I Ke Ala, NTBG, and Waipā. Meanwhile, High School participated in Learning Voyages all week, which are invaluable opportunities for students to learn beyond classroom walls. 

I gladly supported the 9th Grade team on Monday as they engaged their students to explore what it means to be a Voyager. What meaningful days they had across the week! They paddled outrigger canoes led by seasoned watermen and women from the Kauaʻi community, thanks to the Kauaʻi Sailing Association, experienced introductory Hoʻokele (Sailing & Navigation), dove into the ʻAina Restoration Project at Kahili Preserve, and then had time strengthening their crew on the important Hanakāpī’ai trail. 

The 10th Grade celebrated the Hawaiian proverbs I ka wā ma mua, ka wā ma hope (“The future is in the past”) and Ma ka hana ka ʻike (“Knowledge is gained through experience”), exploring the core themes of Mālama (caring for self, others, and the environment) and Lōkahi (teamwork and collaboration). Their week blended cultural, educational, and social experiences to deepen students' connection to our Kauaʻi community and its rich history. Through hands-on learning that included Hawaiian history, food systems, and environmental stewardship, students gained a deeper appreciation for the past while fostering meaningful relationships as a group. The week culminated in a class pā‘ina that included traditional Hawaiian food, music, and bonding activities that celebrated the spirit of learning and unity.

11th and 12th Graders experienced opportunities focused on building independence as well as looking towards their futures beyond Island School, including a college tour here in Hawaiʻi led by High School and College Counselor Renate McMullen and US Director of Academics Jeff Kozak.

As always, mahalo for being a part of the Island School ʻohana and for all the ways you mālama our community. 

Together,

Nancy Nagramada P’29

Head of School

n.nagramada@ischool.org