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IPA Awarded $150,000 Grant from James & Abigail Campbell Family Foundation

ISLAND PACIFIC ACADEMY had a chance to say thank you to the James & Abigail Campbell Family Foundation for a $150,000 grant they recently awarded the school. The grant, “Retooling Our Tool Boxes,” provides funding for “Tools for the School”, “Tools for the Faculty”, and “Tools for the Students.” These tools include support for technology upgrades and curriculum integration, faculty professional development and training, and the Elementary innovation incubator.

Members of the Campbell Family Foundation Board of Directors visited campus to learn more about the positive impact their generous support has on ISLAND PACIFIC ACADEMY faculty and students. IPA administrators, Gerald Teramae, Steven Caley, Michelle Bradley, Steve Ross, and Be-Jay Kodama, welcomed the directors to the school and led them to the innovation incubator on the second floor of the Elementary building to show them firsthand how their grant is being used by IPA students.

The innovation incubator space was designed and created this year by the Grade 4 students during a Design Thinking project lead by Elementary computer teacher, Debbie Yoshino. “The Lounge,” as they elected to name the space, is used for activities run by the Grade 4 and Grade 5 “Lounge Crew” for all Elementary students during morning recess. “Movie Thursdays”, “Just Dance Fridays”, chess, board games, crafts, and student-led coding workshops are just some of the activities that take place in The Lounge. Members of the “Lounge Crew” also stopped by to express their gratitude in person.

“This space provides students with the opportunity to organize, manage, plan, and lead activities that are meaningful to them. They are building leadership and collaboration skills that will help them succeed in life,” shared Yoshino, who also oversees the student crew.

The Lounge is also the new home of the student-run Navigator Credit Union & Cafe. The Navigator Credit Union, run by the Grade 4 students in partnership with the HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union, is a learning lab that provides authentic learning experiences for students to apply math, technology, and entrepreneurship skills and knowledge, while also providing a valuable service to the IPA community. With support from the Campbell Family Foundation, the students were able to add the cafe for their customers, providing them with coffee and pastries and comfortable seating while completing their transactions.

ISLAND PACIFIC ACADEMY is fortunate and is grateful for the many amazing opportunities the James & Abigail Campbell Family Foundation provides for all our students and faculty. Gerald Teramae, Head of School, also shared his appreciation for the support. ”The Campbell Family Foundation has generously provided their unwavering support and encouragement for many years to ISLAND PACIFIC ACADEMY. We are extremely humbled and honored to consider the trustees of the Foundation a significant part of our IPA Community and ʻohana.”

 

Steve Ross speaking before a group of directors
Elementary Principal Steve Ross talks about how the grant supports the Elementary students.

 

Gerald Teramae speaking in front of a group.
Gerald Teramae, Head of School, speaks about his vision for the school.

 

Students speaking in front of group of adults.
Logan ’26 explains his responsibilities on the Lounge Crew.

 

Students speaking in front of group of adults.
Jayla ’27 explains Just Dance Fridays to the directors.

 

Steven Caley talking before a group of directors.
Steven Caley, Secondary Principal,  shares the successes of our Upper school students as Secondary Vice Principal Michelle Bradley looks on.

 

Group photo of the board of directors.
Campbell Family Foundation Board of Directors with Steven Caley, Michelle Bradley, Gerald Teramae, and Be-Jay Kodama.