Ten memorable events of the first Semester…
#1 Middle, School Orientation | August 2nd |
#2 Middle School Retreat | Salt Pond Beach Park | August 11 |
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 participated 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 2023-24 School Year.
#3 Fall Festival | August 25
Fall Festival is a parent-led event sponsored by the Island School Parent Association. All proceeds went towards benefiting all students throughout the year. What a great opportunity for students and their ohana to gather together on our campus and we are grateful for the chance to be able to support great causes and endeavors for our students.
#5 8TH GRADE WORLD HISTORY CLASS EXCURSION | September 28 |
8th grade students participated in an excursion to a variety of religious and sacred sites from Wailua to Lihue. This excursion was a part of the World History class which studies World Religions. During the excursion students learned about the Hindu, Jewish and Christian Religious traditions along with Hawaiian Spirituality and pre-missionary beliefs. They were privileged to be able to visit and tour these spaces and will be entering areas that are sacred to those who hosted them.
#6 RUN CLUB KAUAI MIDDLE SCHOOL XC CHAMPIONSHIP | October 20 |
Middle School Cross Country Championships were hosted on the campus of Island School. This event, features a 1.5 race, and was open to all students in grades 6-8th. Khyler Greenleaf place first overall with Rayden Machado coming in second. Tevah Keahiolalo, Vivian Ledesma & Lilah Harman placed for the girls.
#7 Middle School Dance | October 27 |
The Middle School Dance was themed masquerade ball and we had over 85% of Middle School students attend in addition to many guests including former students!! Mr. Gegen and the student council members executed a great event including preparations with food, coordinating the photo booth and DJ and especially clean-up!
#8 Island School Wins the Spirit Award at Iolani Invitational! | November 25 |
Eleven students from grades 6 to 9 represented Island School at the `Iolani Invitationals for Science Olympiad. Island School was awarded the coveted SPIRIT AWARD! Being the youngest and smallest Middle School team, Coach Lee said, “It went well and I’m so glad we went.” The students are now able to have this experience and know who they are competing with and know more of what to do.
There were 15 teams total competing at Invitationals and this event allowed our students to compete with top teams like Highlands Intermediate & Iolani and meet other students. Sophia Lewis and Melia Kakutani placed second in the Crimebusters event. Dawson Bickham and Levi Hovland placed fourth in the Write it Do it event and Callum Raine, Oliver Templeman, and Maya Raine placed fifth in the Experimental Design event. Tanner Miller and Sofia Lewis placed 5th in Can't Judge a Powder. Callum Raine placed 4th in Anatomy & Physiology. Coach Lee volunteered to write a test and run the Crimebusters event. Coach Lee would like to extend a thank you to our supporting parents that went on the trip with the team which includes Jenny Lewis (who also coached!), Malia Freitas, Will Robinson, Terri Kakutani, and Sam Shetzline.
Thank you coaches Laura Lee & Joe Corbo for their time and commitment to this endeavor!
STEM STUDENTS: Melia Kakutani, Sofia Lewis, Tanner Miller, Andrew Robinson, Levi Hovland, Oliver Templeman, Callum Raine, Dawson Bickham, Mya Freitas, Maya Raine, Macy Aguilar
# 9 HO’OKUPU SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION | November 9
We were excited for the implementation of our first annual Ho'okupu Service Learning Project. Ho’okupu means giving back and over the course of the 2023-24 SY, Middle School students will work in collaboration with various community organizations to be stewards of the ‘aina. Each quarter, a full day will be set aside where all Middle School students in grades 6th-8th will be split into cross grade levels groups and will travel off campus at different locations on each side of the island partnering with these organizations. Our first Ho’okupu day was Thursday November 9th and our next one is scheduled for January 26, 2024
We hope that students will develop an understanding of their responsibility to themselves, our school, each other and the greater Kaua’i community through these partnerships and efforts.
#10 Winter Chorus Concert | December 7&8
Winter Chorus Concert: This winter's chorus concert "A Jazzy Holiday" featured the Keiki, Opio and Alaka'i choruses as we heard from a variety of music from musicians like Louis Armstrong to Eric Whitacre. What a great performance, by our middle school students who are poised and prepared and had some fun with their “jazz” moves!