ISLAND PACIFIC ACADEMY hosted nearly 100 guests at the 2017 New Parents Reception held on August 3. Organized by the Departments of Admission and Advancement, the New Parent Reception is an annual event held each August before the start of the new school year. IPA administrators, faculty, and staff were present to welcome new families to the IPA community, answer questions, and ease any concerns. The evening included messages from Mr. Gerald Teramae, Head of School, Elementary Principal, Mr. Steve Ross, and new Secondary Principal, Mr. Steven Caley.
“This special evening, planned especially for parents and families joining our community, is an excellent opportunity for them to meet some of our faculty and staff, to ask questions, and to get to know other new parents,” explained Mr. Teramae.
Mr. Teramae opened the reception by sharing with parents his vision for the future of IPA, including his goal to develop it in to one of the premier independent schools in the nation. Mr. Caley, Secondary Principal, shared his enthusiasm for the new year and pointed to the sincerity, dedication, and commitment he saw in the people here as one of the deciding factors in his decision to join the IPA ʻohana.
“When I was talking with Mr. Teramae about the school, and he looked me in the eye and explained his vision for IPA with the utmost and heartfelt sincerity, I said ‘Where do I sign up?’,” shared Mr. Caley.
Many faculty and staff, as well as members of the ISLAND PACIFIC ACADEMY Parent and Teacher Association (IPAPA) and current IPA parents, were also on hand to greet the new parents, share their experiences, and invite them in to the community. Parent involvement and support in the many activities throughout the year contribute a lot to the success of the school, and ensuring parents feel welcomed and included from the start is important to IPAPA.
Following the program, parents mingled with IPA faculty and staff and enjoyed heavy pupu and desserts provided by IPAPA.
“Welcoming new parents in to school before the year starts helps us all connect and get excited for the first day of school,” said Ms. Molly Ripton, Director of Admission. “For some families, these connections will last from kindergarten through graduation.”
Mrs. Charmaine Hauanio-Kuewa, Director of Advancement, agreed. “We want to create a strong community of people dedicated to the success of our students and our school. Welcoming new families to our ‘ohana really is a privilege, and tonight they were able to meet our school administrators, IPAPA representatives and enjoy a reception with other parents new to IPA,” she explained. “We are grateful to have the opportunity to serve all of our families as part of their children’s educational journey.”
IPA extends a warm mahalo to IPAPA for organizing and providing the refreshments: Mrs. Desiree Loperfido (Class of ’22 parent), President; Mrs. Marised Gillette (Class of ’17 and ’28 parent), Vice President; Mr. Jerry Pupillo (Class of ’29 parent), Grade K-2 Representative; and Mrs. Michelle Starke (Class of ’25 parent), Grade 3-5 Representative.
