Student orientation set at Waimea Middle School
On July 29, current fifth grade students will begin the 2015-16 school year as sixth-graders. To ease this transition, Waimea Middle School annually hosts an Incoming 6th Grade Family Orientation, which this year will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday in the school cafeteria. It’s free and families are encouraged to bring their incoming sixth-graders.
The gathering will begin with a free family dinner of warm teri-chicken salad with cookies, Starbucks coffee (for adults) and cold drinks. There is no charge and a reservation is helpful, either by filling out the form sent home from school or calling the school office at 887-6090, ext. 222.
The orientation will include an overview of why the school opted to become the state’s first public conversion charter school in 2003 and also about accreditation, which reflects a schoolwide commitment to continuous improvement aligned with its mission of “empowering all students with the skills, values and cultural understanding to successfully navigate high school and beyond.”
The event will introduce the sixth grade teaching team and curriculum, school policies and student supports including counseling, technology and before- and after-school Homework Help, Student Leadership, Athletics and K(Arts). Families will learn about three model programs at the school, including its Ike Hawaii cultural and place-based lessons integrated into common core curriculum, relevant hands-on learning in the Malaai School Garden connected to academics, nutrition and environmental education, and the importance of family involvement.
The orientation program also will provide families with details on the school’s 14-day Summer School from June 15 to July 2. Cost will be $50 per child and scholarships are available.
For information about registering, call Betty Healy at 887-6090, ext. 228. For information or to make reservations for the orientation, call Patti Cook at 937-2833. For information including scholarships for Summer School, call the school office at 887-6090, ext. 222.
Graziano is presidential scholars semifinalist
Harmony Graziano, a senior at Hawaii Preparatory Academy, has been named one of 565 semifinalists in the 2015 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The semifinalists were selected from more than 4,300 candidates on the basis of superior achievements, leadership qualities, personal character and involvement in the community and school activities.
Graziano, daughter of Paul Graziano and Sharon Snuggs of Kapaa, Kauai, is an active member of the HPA community. She is involved in theater and the performing arts and her recent productions include “Beauty and the Beast,” “42nd Street,” “Flowers for Algernon” and the “25th annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” She also is a member of the HPA varsity swimming and water polo teams and president of the Zephyr Literary Club, which produces the school’s annual literary magazine.
Final selection of the scholars will be made by the Commission on Presidential Scholars, a group of eminent citizens appointed by the president, and will be announced in May. The commission will select one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and U.S. students living abroad; up to 20 students representing the visual, literary and performing arts; and 15 students at-large.
Scholars will be invited to Washington, D.C., in June to receive the U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion at a recognition ceremony and to participate in the various activities and events held in their honor.
Semifinalists were chosen by a panel of educators after a review of students’ essays, self-assessments, descriptions of activities, school recommendations and school transcripts.