What a week to be Voyagers!

Aloha Island School ‘Ohana,

As we conclude Learning Voyage Week for the 6th to 12th Grades, I have to say how much I’ve enjoyed seeing students immersed in hands-on learning experiences. Whether it was hiking muddy trails or working knee deep in water in a lo’i or at Alakoko fishpond, students were out and about experiencing our island home. I even got to host breakfast for the hearty crew of 10th Graders who chose to sleep over on campus after they and their other peers worked all week under the leadership of Kumu Tina and the 10th Grade team of teachers to prepare for a full lū‘au with parents and elders teaching them about how to prepare lau lau, poi, and even the imu itself; make lei; and play music together! What a celebration as a part of their Hawaiian history class that they had with their families Thursday night!

To mention just some of what younger grades did for their immersive learning experiences:  9th Graders dove into what it means to be a Voyager through sailing in Nāwiliwili Harbour and paddling up the Hulē‘ia River, 8th Graders got to cruise the waters with dolphins and whales off the Napali Coast, 7th Graders got to see what it means to develop an environmentally sustainable chocolate farm over at Lydgate Chocolates, and 6th graders paddled up the Wailua River and even got to see a rodeo in action…and all along meaningful learning kept the campus alive with with Nā Pua Keiki experiencing the world around them and elementary classes enjoying the 3rd Grade market as well as the 5th Grade play, Treasure Island!

And, I can’t wait to hear what our Voyagers abroad in Japan experienced, and what our other 11th and 12th Grade students immersed themselves in, from ceramics, woodwork, film, astronomy, to college visits and other individual Learning Voyages. It’s been quite a week!

All of this energy to bring learning alive for students during Learning Voyage Week, alongside our efforts year round, highlight why we are so grateful for the commitment to our community auction event. Next Saturday, we are being asked to travel back in time to Whiskey A Go Go. This fun evening has the critical goal to support our financial aid goals and to make the opportunity of an Island School education accessible to as many Kaua‘i families as possible. We work hard to create a dynamic learning experience, and we believe strongly that tuition should not have to be a barrier for access to our program. Our annual auction is one of the essential ways we support our financial aid program. You’ll see final details below as we get ready for our big night on March 2.

MAHALO NUI LOA to all those who have already volunteered to give your time to help put on this grand event. So much happens behind the scenes to make the event possible. There are some seats still available if you’d like to join us for the event. And if you are not in town on March 2 or big crowds aren’t your thing, feel free to make a donation to Financial Aid. I look forward to working alongside those of you who signed up for set-up and/or clean-up as well as mingling in the crowd with you for those attending the night itself.

As always, please know how much gratitude I have for your belief in Island School and entrusting us with these important years of your child’s education. 

Together,

Nancy Nagramada

Head of School

 

P.S. There are some exciting auction items being offered!  Check back next week as more and more items are added to the site.

 

P.P.S Email auction@ischool.org if you’d like to reserve a room at the Royal Sonesta on auction night. A few remaining rooms are available at a discounted rate of $359/night.