ʻĪAO SCHOOL

News and Announcements

9/15/26

A huge mahalo to all of our families, students and staff for making our open house a huge success last week. We know your time is valuable and appreciate your ongoing support and dedication. Some important reminders this week:

1. As a Title 1 school we have access to an extra $300,000, however, this year we are at risk of losing this funding and need your help! We still need 2.68% (only 23 more students!!!). The original deadline was TODAY, but may be extended so please, please hurry and complete the application even if you don’t think you’ll qualify for free or reduced pricing https://secure.ezmealapp.com.

2. Bus applications for quarter 2 opened yesterday, September 14th. Even if your student currently has a pass you must apply every quarter. The deadline is Monday, October 12th, but passes are issued on a first come, first served basis so don’t wait!

3. Federal survey forms were distributed to all students. These forms are mandatory and must be completed by all students. As an incentive the first advisory class from each team to reach 100% turn-in rate will earn a pizza party - win win! 

4. The Maui 5k will be Sunday, March 7, 2027. Many of our students and staff will be participating. There is a $5 discount for early registration which ends on September 30th. Please click on Maui 5k for more information.

September is also Attendance Awareness month. Consistent attendance in middle and high school drives academic success, graduation, and college readiness. Missing just two days a month hurts engagement and increases dropout risks.

How to Help:

• Build Responsibility: Have your student manage their own schedule and alarms.

• Stay Connected: Discuss classes and address challenges early.

• Prioritize School: Schedule appointments outside class hours.

• Collaborate: Partner with the school and celebrate attendance goals together.

Mahalo for your partnership. Together we can accomplish great things!

9/4/26

Open House: Next week is our Open House and Fall Community Meeting. 6th Grade is on Wednesday 9/9 and 7th and 8th Grade families are welcome on Thursday 9/10.

School Pictures: The following week, is school picture taking during social studies classes. Monday, September 14th and Tuesday, September 15th (whichever day your student has social studies). Uniforms are not required on these days but the dress code will be in effect. Students must dress appropriately for both classes and pictures on these days. For dress code guidance, please refer to the Handbook for Students and Families. An access code and order forms for Nagamine Photo will be shared soon for preorders.

Parent Engagement: Title Ⅰ Parent Engagement Policy and Hawaiʻi Statewide Family Engagement Center Flyer. Supporting our families is a top priority so if you have any questions or feedback please let us know.

8/17/26

We are thrilled to share some incredible news with our school community: ʻĪao School has been officially named a 2026 School of Distinction by AMLE, the Association for Middle Level Education!

This prestigious national honor recognizes middle schools that exemplify best practices in adolescent education and demonstrate a deep commitment to continuous improvement. 

ʻĪao School earned this recognition through a rigorous review process that evaluated our programs against AMLE’s foundational framework, The Successful Middle School: This We Believe. The evaluation included a comprehensive school-wide assessment and interviews with our staff, students, and families. 

"It is an honor to recognize ʻĪao School as a 2026 AMLE School of Distinction," said Chris Woodside, CEO of AMLE. "Their dedication to fostering a thriving middle school community sets a powerful example, and we’re excited to share their story with educators worldwide."

This award belongs to our entire community. It is a direct reflection of the hard work of our dedicated teachers and staff, the enthusiasm of our students, and the unwavering support of you—our families.

As the only AMLE School of Distinction in Maui County, ʻĪao School will be highlighted in AMLE’s global network of exemplary middle schools, and our team will have the opportunity to present our school’s achievements at the 53rd Annual Conference for Middle Level Education in Nashville, TN. Please view our AMLE Profile Page at amle.org/iao.

Thank you, families, for your continued partnership and for helping make ʻĪao School “The Place to Be” for our young adolescents to grow and thrive.

ʻO ʻĪao kahi aloha

8/16/26

School Resumes Tuesday: We hope everyone stayed safe during Tropical Storm Lālā. All DOE schools across the state are closed tomorrow 8/17 and ʻĪao School will reopen Tuesday 8/18.

Mahalo to Costco! ʻĪao School was recently awarded over 500 student backpacks and a $500 gift card to help restock our classrooms. If your child needs a backpack or additional supplies, please reach out to their Advisory teacher or Counselor—or have your child contact them directly. A huge mahalo to Costco for supporting the students of ʻĪao School!

Afterschool UPLINK Starts August 24: UPLINK is a positive, free, and safe afterschool program for students. Please view the new UPLINK Program Guide and Registration form at this LINK. Hard copies are available at the Main Office. There is no deadline to join, but space is limited in some classes. Forms are accepted at the Main Office - no digital registration.

Free Meals Application: ʻĪao School needs families to apply for free and reduced-price meals to help us qualify for crucial Title 1 funding. This federal money, which has provided over $300,000 annually for the last decade, supports essential school programs, technology, and curriculum. Even if you're unsure if you qualify, we strongly encourage you to apply. You can do so easily online at ezmealapp.com or pick up a paper application from the Main Office. The deadline to apply is September 15 but don’t wait. Your application directly helps our school, so please apply today!

Save the Date – Open House! ʻĪao School’s Open House and Fall Community Meetings are coming next month, so mark your calendars:

• 6th Grade: Wednesday, September 9 | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

• 7th & 8th Grades: Thursday, September 10 | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Updated Family Handbook: The 2026-2027 Iao School Handbook for Students and Families is now available. We encourage families to read through it together and bring any questions to our staff at Registration. Students will receive a planner that includes a hard copy version of the Handbook in the first week of school.

Questions? Please call our Main Office at (808) 727-5200 weekdays between 7:00 AM and 4:30 PM.