Hawai’i Academy of Arts & Science Public Charter School

Inside this issue

Spring Greeting ........................... 1

K-6 Garden Opportunity .............. 2

Seaview Community School ........ 2

Movie Night & Doughnuts ........... 3

Club Profile: Anime Club ............. 3

Community Events ...................... 4

Spelling Bee Finale ...................... 4

Shady Shakespeare ..................... 5

Coffee & Poetry ........................... 6

Sharing your voice ....................... 7

Special Points of Interest

School Board Vacancy ................. 7

Here at HAAS, much like all around the rest of the state, the end of the school year is starting to feel just around the corner, & Spring Break is already here!! That means it’s the time of year where students and classes begin to bring together all their learning, practice, and accomplishments from the past school year and present them to their community to be witnessed and celebrated. Nowhere is this more true than on stage! With the dedication and creativity of students and teachers, like HAAS’ Musical Director Lisa Wells, wonderful stories are told and stu-dents get to participate in something bigger than themselves! Shady Grove just concluded its limited run of a Shakespeare production and the students at Beach Academy and Paradise Hui Haumana have performances coming right up, and they’re not the only ones! As we feel the summer season beginning to approach and the rush of all that ‘needs to get done’, it is nice to be reminded to pause and give thanks for the remarkable accomplishments happening all school year, and really give ourselves the chance to celebrate what we’ve done, no matter how small or big. We here at HAAS wish you a Safe & FUN Break next week! We look forward to returning to classes on Tuesday, March 28th—refreshed and ready to show our stuff & finish the year strong!

Spring is Performance Season at HAAS!

March 2016 Volume 8

In the last published Newsletter we printed an article about the elective classes offered at the

Seaview Community School. In that article some information was misrepresented and we

would like to take this opportunity to correct our mistakes.

It was noted in the article that Kristen O'Guin was offering her Japanese culture class for the

2nd year in a row when, in fact, Kristen has been teaching Japanese in one capacity or another

for the past 8 years.

Finally, the article represented "The Seaview School" as a "home school support program".

The Seaview Community School is an Ohana school site

located at SPACE that offers curriculum and electives for

grades K-6.

Mahalo Nui to the teaching team at the Seaview Community School - Terry Walker and

Kristen O'Guin. Thank you for providing the academic opportunities that you do for our

community!

Mahalo also to ALL the families that make up the Seaview Community School Ohana!

Because of your involvement, interest, and support,

we are able to provide a robust school option for

families all over Lower Puna

The School Garden at HAAS Main Campus is always growing but received a dose

of ‘fertilizer’ this year when Carly Wyman, an Americorps—FoodCorps member

came to help out. Carly has extended her passion for the garden to work with

HAAS’ K-6 students after school while they wait for their parents to pick them up.

There’s always time to garden!!

K-6 students who ride the shuttle to school now

have the option on Mondays and Tuesdays to

head across the field with Carly and get their

hands a little dirty, plant seeds, transplant starts, build com-

post, and learn about the amazing garden!

Hey Kiddos! Do you want to spend some extra

time playing in the dirt, learning how to make

food grow, & telling jokes? Find Aunty Carly at

the upper tent on campus Monday & Tuesday from 2-3, or have your parents

call the main office .

Hey what’s up Cool Kids...yeah I’m talking to you Middle and High Schoolers. I know a lot of the kids these days say that the Garden is SO 2 centuries ago, but you

can totally earn your REQUIRED community service hours by playing in the dirt, learning how to make food grow, telling jokes and hanging out with smaller cool kids.

Contact Mr McLean or Wendy Baker for more info. 965-3730

Sharing a 1-word poem about Garden Time with:

Kaia Johnston, Amaya & Alex Ranne, Jaxon Steele,

Quanah & Jason Ozbolt, & Carly Wyman

2

Interested in helping with the HAAS School Garden?

COME ON OUT! Volunteer and help our garden grow!

Donate tools, materials, seeds or starts

Connect with local business

Call to find out other ways you can help HAAS bloom! Contact: Wendy Baker, Garden Coordinator Wendy_baker@notes.k12.hi.us

McLean Eames, Student Activities Coordinator meames@haaspcs.net

Keiki in the Garden!

Correction: The Seaview Community School

Pictured Above: Terry Walker, Cedar Satynda,

Makani Penza, Banyan Penza, Rasika Edwards

Anime Club Meets Fridays in A1

12:30-2:00

Contact Mr. McLean for more info

965-3730 meames@haaspcs.net

3

Anime Club

Recently, Anime Club founder Nate Myers was interviewed to

discuss the Who, What, When, Where, & Why of this unique

student-run club.

Anime Club is a group that meets every

Friday on Main Campus after school to

discuss and appreciate Japanese Ani-

mation. Anyone over the age of 13 can

join the club immediately, students

aged 12 & under need parent

permission.

While it is an opportunity for students

to watch anime movies, they discuss

Japanese culture as well and have even

begun looking into the potential for some kind of a student

exchange with a school in Japan.

Anime Club caters to both younger children and Young Adults;

they host art classes focused on the Anime style, have

costume days where all members dress up, and are

actively getting more involved in their community — even

attending HawaiiCon in Kona!

Nate sees the benefit of gathering with those who share inter-

ests. “I started the club because I have been really interested

in Anime for 5 years. I’ve met lots of people through the club,

and It’s really opened up friendships with others who share

similar interests. I’m making connections that I wouldn’t nor-

mally, and I see others mak-

ing connections too!”

The HAAS Anime Club even

has it’s own Facebook Page!

Students or families who

want more info can find some

updates there, or call Mr.

McLean on Main Campus.

Mahalo Nate and Anime Club

members for sharing your

passion and making it easier

for others to explore

theirs!!

An Interview with Anime Club Founder Nate Myers

Doughnuts & a Movie Night...So we can DANCE!!

Original Artwork by Hui LA’AU Student &

Anime Club Member

Laura Segle

HAAS’ High School Prom Committee is hosting a Movie Night for ALL Ages, the Whole Family, an ALL-HAAS event on Friday, March 31st - The Movie starts at 6pm. RIGHT NOW, in a lead up to this fundraising event, the prom committee is pre-selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts by the dozen. All proceeds go to fund

Prom and other student activities. Please consider indulging in this rare treat (for the Big Island) and supporting our students in creating a great Prom experience! Last day to purchase is Tuesday, March 28th. Contact Mr. McLean Eames by email meames@haaspcs.net or by phone 965-3730 or find a member of the prom committee out and about or on social media. Nyah Selassie, Adja Mbacke, Finna Christensen, Haley Dixon, Tiana Haines, Siearra Goddard, Noelani Wright, & others, Thank you so much for all you do, and have already done to make it happen!

STEAM Extended Day Program

Earlier this year we met Greg Henkel,

HAAS’ new STEAM Coordinator. Greg

has teamed up with Cat McManus to

supervise a very cool opportunity for 1st-

6th grade students at the end of the

regular school day.

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays,

Greg and Cat offer students access to a

variety of STEAM activities. They can

experiment with everything from Ro-

botics, to modular building, to art, and

design fundamentals.

If Your student is interested in getting

involved in this opportunity, contact

Greg Henkel ghenkel@haaspcs.net

Have you heard of other academic contests that you’re curious about participating in? Contact Mr McLean meames@haaspcs.net 965-3730

4

2017 Big Island Spelling Bee!

The end of January saw HAAS hosting the Big Island Spelling Bee

for the 2nd year running.

This year, 11 schools from all corners of Hawaii Island participat-

ed - sending their Spelling Bee School Champions to compete for

the 2 top speller spots that go on to com-

pete in the Statewide Competition later in

the Spring.

Liam Ransdell and Paisley Veilleux repre-

sented HAAS at the Island-Wide Bee this year (2nd year in a row for

Paisley!), and all who attended agreed that it was a great competition.

Even the judges learned some new words, and the participants all loved

their laser-cut name tag / trophies that were designed and cut by HAAS'

STEAM coordinator Greg Henkel - a truly one-of-a-kind keepsake for the

Big Island's spelling champions.

Mahalo Nui to all HAAS students and their families who participated in the

Spelling Bee this year, and a special thanks to our faculty organizers who

hosted this academic contest; truly honoring the efforts of our young spellers,

and giving them a chance to shine!

If you will be in 1st-8th grade next year, then start studying up...the Spelling Bee will be back!

STEAM Extended Day Program cont.

(Continued from top sidebar)

Or Call the Main Office 965-3730 to

check availability and to enroll your

student.

STEAM Extended Day Program

M,W, 2-4pm

Friday 12-3

Main Campus Pavilion

Laser Cut Name Tag / Trophies

made by HAAS STEAM

2nd Annual Tropical Living Festival In a few weeks, the Arts & Sciences Center will be hosting farmers, educators, keiki, kupuna, musi-

cians, and community action groups at this festival that informs and supports our life in the tropics!

Meet your community members and the organizations they are a part of that support us here in

Hawaii!

This Event is Free and sure to be lots of fun for the whole Family!!

Saturday, April 8th, 10 - 2p Beautify Pahoa...

...& win a Pizza Party!

5

Shakespeare in the Park...Hawaiian Paradise Park!

Shady Grove presents: Much Ado About Nothing

On March 3rd, HAAS had its very first poetry slam. The stage was opened by a warm wel-come from Malika, the senior who put on the event. This slam was an element in her senior project. I walked into the pavilion unsure of what awaited me, and discovered a unique win-dow into the creative hearts of students and teachers alike. The slam consisted of the poets of HAAS taking turns sharing original poetry into the mic, from hand written journals or memory. Unbenounced to me, a panel of judges was also listening in. At the end of the night, they declared a winner. Malika took home the gold that evening, but each speaker gave an award

winning performance. She accepted the win with grace and gratitude, and thanked the audience for attending. After the verdict, as the attendees milled about, I had the chance to speak with Malika about her project. Slam poetry was something she was just getting into, something she had little experience in, which was surprising. She had seemed like a seasoned veteran in the field. Though I have never had

an aptitude for poetry, the slam was hugely entertaining to watch and seemed to be a joy to participate in. In my eyes, It was an unparalleled and successful senior project.

6

Student Leadership Coffeehouse a Success!!

Pictured on this page: Alix Barbula, Alex Fomenko, Alex Dodge, Alex Brooks-Mathew, Alex

Stricker, Madeline Anderson, Steven Manner, Delano Wentz, Malika Maynard, Rose Burrows,

Carl Saxer, Audreea Ewing, Venus Kohana, Josh Urbano, Nicholas Anderson, Lolita Sanchez,

Lucy Yoes, Rachel Haver

At the end of February our Student Leadership class organized a fundraising event

open to all high school students - a relaxing evening of games and refreshments at this

year's 1st 'Coffeehouse'.

With some quiet Jazz music playing on the sound system, 9-12th grade stu-

dents mingled, laughed, and played games together in the Pavilion. Staff and

students alike participated in a Chess Tournament, while student leaders like

Josh Urbano and Carl Saxer ran table service; taking orders and serving fresh-

made pancakes, waffles, coffee and tea to their peers at the tables .

The staff chaperones agreed that everyone seemed to be having

a blast, and the reports from student leadership are that lots of

funds were raised for future student activities and events!

Nice job Student Leadership, and thanks to everyone who came

out to enjoy themselves and support the student community!

Thanks to a Senior Project, HAAS has it’s 1st Poetry Slam ~ A Candid Account By Sophie Smith ~

7

School Board Seat Vacancy

HAAS, the Hawai’i Academy of Arts & Science, as a Public Charter School is supported by and reports to it’s

own Board. It is a group of people comprised of Faculty, Staff, Parents, Students, and Community Members who

come together to oversee the operations of the school and ensure that we are able to do our best to meet our

the mission of the school:

To educate, enrich and inspire the whole student to thrive by understanding the past, navigating the present, and

preparing for the future.

There is currently a seat open on the board that needs to be filled by a Member of the local community.

This person must be someone who is not currently an employee of the school, or related to someone who is.

If you, or someone you know has knowledge or experience that can support our youth, or a passion for community

enrichment, and the ability to give their time and energy, Contact Gail Clarke at the HAAS Main office 965-3730.

Thank you to all of our HAAS Ohana for all the big and small ways you contribute every day to help our students,

and this community thrive.

How to Submit Testimony for Senate Bills or House Bills ~ Easier than you think to do your part ~

1. Signing in/Registering Go to http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/ If you already have a user account, sign in. If you don’t have a user account, you will need to register.

After you login, you may be redirected to the home page (see above), or you may receive a screen about updates. If you receive the update screen, just click on “submit testimony” and you will be redirected to the 2. Submitting Testimony

Step 1: Once back on the home page, type in the Senate Bill or the House Bill in the search. You do not put any spaces between the letters and the numbers. Senate bills start with SB and House bills start with HB. Then select “go” Step 2: Select the “Submit Testimony” button Step 3: Fill out the form to submit your testimony. If you want to attach a letter or add additional comments, you can; however, it isn’t necessary. Most important thing is to select “support” or “oppose” depending on the measure. After, you submitted the form, hit “next”. Step 4: You will receive an email confirmation that your testi-mony has been received.