ISLAND PACIFIC ACADEMY welcomed new and returning students back for the start of the 2017-2018 school year last Wednesday. An energy of excitement and anticipation buzzed on campus as the students, fresh-faced in their crisp uniforms and spotless shoes, reunited with friends, found their new lockers, and shook off any lingering first-day jitters.
Elementary students and parents were greeted on the front lawn with an amazing Harry Potter themed photobooth, created by Ms. Erin Ibarra (Class of ’24 parent). Eager students lined up to have their first-day photos taken, proudly (and sometimes shyly) holding up signs with their new grade level in front of a faux brick backdrop.
Inside the foyer, parents found more opportunities for photos with IPA-themed frames and props provided by the Advancement department. Even the elementary faculty and staff had fun taking photos of each other with the props! The hashtag for the day, #firstdayatIPA, allowed parents to share their photos with their families, friends, and the IPA community on social media sites like Facebook and Instagram.
After settling in to their new classrooms, elementary students and their parents kicked off the start of the year with a special “welcome assembly” in the MPR. The new kindergarteners got their first exposure to assembly etiquette and were able to follow along with the older students during the school oli, despite not yet knowing the words. The K-5 students spent the rest of the day getting to know each other through fun activities, discussing the IPA 5 Agreements, and learning the daily routines with their teachers.
“The first day of the year is always full of excitement,” said Mr. Steve Ross, Elementary Principal. “There is a lot of work and preparation, by all the faculty and staff, that goes in to making sure the students and parents feel welcomed and secure – but it’s all worth it.”
“The best first day ever,” he added.
The middle and upper school students started their #firstdayatIPA getting settled in to their puʻuhonua (homeroom) classes, organizing their lockers and supplies, and preparing for the new year. Grade 6-8 students spent most of the morning engaged in fun Tribes activities while learning about our IPA 5 Agreements and our community. The Grade 9-12 students had a chance to socialize at a special “welcome back” breakfast organized by the Student Government in the Student Center before starting their day.
At the end of the day, the middle school students had fun competing for the Spirit Scepter in the annual “IPA Middle School Field Activities”. The traditional event begins with the story of the Spirit Scepter and “Spiritonomous”, a mythical and spirited man who valued inquiry, knowledge, thinking, communication, principals, open-mindedness, caring, risk-taking, balance, and reflection (the traits of the IB learner). The story is one of the vision and birth of IPA, and is a reminder of the values upon which the school is founded. This year, students in each grade created a cheer and competed in a dance contest, water balloon toss, and three-legged race. Each grade was scored on teamwork, cooperation, and enthusiasm by judges Mr. Steven Caley (Secondary Principal), Ms. Michelle Bradley (Secondary Vice Principal), Ms. Stephanie Capen (Secondary Curriculum Coordinator), and Ms. Aja Woodman (Secondary Office Manager). The Grade 7 students were the victors this year and will provide a home for the Spirit Scepter in their puʻuhonua until the next round of games.
“This has been a great start to the school year – my first here as part of the IPA ʻohana,” said Mr. Steven Caley, Secondary Principal. “I’ve found that there’s always an excitement about the first day of school, but here, I also sensed a genuine excitement about being at IPA and I look forward to sustaining that throughout the year.”
The #firstdayatIPA was an exciting start to what will be an exciting year. There will be many activities and events for students, parents, and the community coming up soon, including our first community meeting tonight , IPA’s open house on October 7, and IPAPA’s Family Movie Night on the Lawn on October 14.
