SY 24-25: Mrs. Alonzo, Ms. Ceus, Ms. Delp and Ms. Shirk, participated in a course exploring the significance of native plants, their cultural and ecological roles, and their impact on Hawai‘i’s ecosystems. They also learned ways to integrate ʻāina-based education into their teaching, inspiring students to engage in caring for the campus orchard, the land, and each other through hands-on learning experiences. This opportunity was co-hosted by the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (UH CTAHR) and the O‘ahu Farm to School Network (OFSN), with sponsorship from the HIDOE School Garden Program. One impact of this professional development was that it helped shape the focus for our Arbor Day event on April 22, 2025. We will emphasize adding a diverse range of native plants to our IPES Orchard!

SY 23-24: Our IPES Grade 5 team; Ms. Ceus, Ms. Seeman, Mrs. Ino, and Ms. Shirk participated in this hybrid, place-based professional development opportunity. Students enjoyed learning about the interactions of Earth's spheres through the lens of our ahupua‘a, Honouliuli. This PD was hosted by Healthy Climate Communities, an organization dedicated to education and action in Hawaii to combat climate change. One positive outcome of this PD was the place-based focus of the unit, which helped all our students deepen their connection to Hawaii and strengthen their sense of belonging.