Middle School Newsletter

Wednesday, February 12, 2003

HAPA Activities. Please click on the following url for highlights from the last HAPA meeting! Important information about the following events/issues is available through this link:
· Blessing and Open House: Formal blessing of our new assembly building (the "Bridge Building") is scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, at 8:00 AM.
· Parking Reminder: Now that we have additional parking available makai of the new Assembly Building, please do not use the fire-lane for parking
· Golf Tournament: Hualalai Academy will be holding a Golf Tournament fundraiser at Hokulia on Monday, April 14.
· Recycle Challenge: February is Big Island School Recycle Challenge month.
· Summer Thing! The bi-annual community carnival and rummage sale (a.k.a the "Spring Fling") is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, May 10.
http://www.hualalaistudents.org/ha/hapa/hapahappenings.html

(If you have trouble linking to this url, please reply to this message and we'll try to find an alternate way to get the information to you!)

End of Trimester. Please remember that the 2nd trimester will end on Friday, March 7.

Community Service Reports. Community Service reports for the 2nd Trimester are due soon. Students should have completed at least 8 hours of community service during the trimester (plus any "make-up" hours still required from the 1st trimester.) Community Service Reports are due to homeroom/challenge teachers no later than Wednesday, March 5th.

Elective Class Choices. Choices for elective classes/challenges for the 3rd trimester are due as soon as possible! Students should give their choices to Mrs. Hicks no later than Wednesday, February 12th.

Middle School Parent/Teacher Meeting. An evening get-together for Middle School parents and faculty is being planned for March.Now that we've completed almost two thirds of the school year, we'd like to meet to exchange ideas and share experiences about the new curriculum and schedule.

Solange Roy (HAPA President and 6th Grade parent) and Dianne Buoncristiani (HAPA Vice-President and 8th Grade Parent) will be contacting Middle School parents to take note of any issues/experiences/subjects you'd like to share or have discussed at the meeting. Please start thinking about your concerns today. If you don't want to wait for a call, feel free to drop a note into the HAPA mailbox in the faculty lunchroom at school, or just stop us in the yard and give us your feedback. The meeting is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, March 12. The exact time is not yet set, but it should be in the evening, so everyone can attend.

Open Door Policy. The teachers of Middle School remind you that their doors are always open. If you wish to come and sit in on a class, you are welcome. Get ready for an algebra quiz, though, if you choose to visit Mrs. Hicks' class!

Upcoming Holidays/Events. Please make sure to mark your calendars for the following holidays/events:
· Sunday, February 16 - Sunset Cruise Fundraiser. Tickets are still available . Contact Barbara Bush for details.
· Monday, February 17 - Presidents' Day (holiday for students)
· Tuesday, February 18 - Blessing Service for Bridge Building
· Friday, February 28 - Teacher In-Service Workshop (holiday for students)
· Friday, March 14 - Grandparents' Day/St. Patrick's Day Hat Contest/Ice Cream Social
7th/8th/9th Grade News
Valentine's Day Dance.The 7th, 8th, and 9th grade Valentine Dance has been cancelled.

8th Grade News
Visitors in April. Mr. Sveiven reports: "Once again we have the wonderful opportunity to expand our circle of friends and learn about another community. A group of 8th grade students from Maine is planning an exchange program with Hualalai Academy. This is the second time this school has brought students to Hawaii. They will be staying in Kona from Wednesday, April 16th, 2003, until Tuesday morning April 22nd. I need your help and support for this exchange! " A special letter about this opportunity will be coming home with your 8th grader soon. Be on the look-out!

Graduation Festivities. Marcia Nora and Meg Childs are beginning to plan graduation activities for the end of the 2003 school year (wow...are we there already?!?) Watch this space for details or contact Marcia/Meg for more information.

Field Trip Updates
Mrs. Goodale's Ecology Class will be participating in the following field trips:

Tuesday, February 11 - Lava Cave exploration. (8:00-10:30 AM)
Monday, February 24 - Kaloko Rainforest exploration. (10:30 AM-12:30 PM)

**********************************
Please send any feedback/suggestions to Dianne Buoncristiani at HAnews@attglobal.net or drop off a note to Robyn in the School Office. If you wish to be removed from this mailing list please let us know.