| HIDOE continues to work with school bus contractors to recruit drivers and restore routes | https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/HIDOE-continues-to-work-with-school-bus-contractors-to-recruit-drivers-and-restore-routes.aspx | HIDOE continues to work with school bus contractors to recruit drivers and restore routes | The Department continues to work with its school bus contractors statewide to recruit and retain drivers. HIDOE high school students, families are encouraged to apply for free county bus passes as we continue to work to minimize disruptions. | | |
| Ongoing school bus driver shortage to impact student transportation services on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi in upcoming school year | https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/SY2023-Bus-Impacts.aspx | Ongoing school bus driver shortage to impact student transportation services on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi in upcoming school year | The continuing shortage of qualified school bus drivers statewide will suspend bus transportation services at 10 of Oʻahu’s 24 high schools and four schools on Kauaʻi when the new school year begins. | | |
| Class of 2023 high school graduation ceremonies scheduled | https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/2023-Graduations.aspx | Class of 2023 high school graduation ceremonies scheduled | High school graduation ceremonies have been scheduled for the Class of 2023. Commencement guidelines continue to reflect less restrictive COVID-19 requirements across the state. | | |
| HIDOE awarded nearly $5 million to begin electrifying school bus fleet | https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/electric-school-buses.aspx | HIDOE awarded nearly $5 million to begin electrifying school bus fleet | HIDOE has received a $4.99 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to begin electrifying school bus fleets across the islands, replacing traditional diesel-powered models over the next two years. | | |
| EXPRESS pilot will expand student ridership options with county bus passes | https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/EXPRESS.aspx | EXPRESS pilot will expand student ridership options with county bus passes | HIDOE is launching a pilot program with the four counties to expand subsidized county bus passes for high schoolers in grades 9-12. The pilot program — called EXPRESS, which stands for Expanding Ridership to Educate Students in Schools — aims to help mitigate the impacts of the national school bus driver shortage. | | |
| Pearl City Cultural Center renamed for renowned band director Michael D. Nakasone | https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/Nakasone-Performing-Arts-Center.aspx | Pearl City Cultural Center renamed for renowned band director Michael D. Nakasone | The Pearl City Cultural Center was renamed as the Michael D. Nakasone Performing Arts Center in recognition of the renowned band master's contributions to music education and band programs across the state. | | |
| HIDOE receives donation of 50,000 N95 masks from Hawaiʻi Pacific Health | https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/HPH-mask-donation.aspx | HIDOE receives donation of 50,000 N95 masks from Hawaiʻi Pacific Health | HIDOE today received a donation of 50,000 N95 face masks from Hawaiʻi Pacific Health to help protect students, teachers and staff during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. | | |
| HIDOE to implement revised health and safety protocols aligned to latest DOH guidance for schools | https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/Revised-health-and-safety-protocols.aspx | HIDOE to implement revised health and safety protocols aligned to latest DOH guidance for schools | The Hawai‘i State Department of Education (HIDOE), in partnership with the state Department of Health (DOH), worked on ensuring that the health and safety protocols are consistent with the latest DOH guidance for schools. | | |
| HIDOE releases guidelines to allow athletic workouts and practices | https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/HIDOE-releases-guidelines-to-allow-athletic-workouts-and-practices.aspx | HIDOE releases guidelines to allow athletic workouts and practices | The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education this week released guidelines for safely restarting student athletic programming for high schools beginning Monday. Status of interscholastic competition to be determined by island league associations. | | |
| Department announces 2020-21 enrollment figures for public and charter schools | https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/2020-21-enrollment.aspx | Department announces 2020-21 enrollment figures for public and charter schools | Hawaii's public and charter schools combined enrollment for school year 2020-21 totals 174,704 students, compared to 179,331 last year, a difference of 2.6 percent. | | |
| HHSAA postpones start of moderate and high-risk fall sports | https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/HHSAA-postpones-start-of-moderate-and-high-risk-fall-sports.aspx | HHSAA postpones start of moderate and high-risk fall sports | The Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) executive board approved by majority vote to postpone the start of moderate- and high-risk fall sports to January 2021. | | |
| Grab-and-Go school meals program wraps up with over 1.3 million meals served | https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/Grab-and-Go-wraps-up.aspx | Grab-and-Go school meals program wraps up with over 1.3 million meals served | HIDOE's Grab-and-Go school meals program wrapped up today after its final lunch service. Over 17 weeks of operation, the program provided over 1.3 million school meals for breakfast and lunch to children ages 18 or younger at nearly 80 public schools and community locations. | | |
| HIDOE launches new online student bus pass application and payment option | https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/Online-Bus-Pass-Application.aspx | HIDOE launches new online student bus pass application and payment option | HIDOE has launched an online bus pass application and payment feature for parents and guardians. Parents who have an email address in their student’s profile will receive an automated email message today with instructions to apply. | | |
| School bells ring, but why? | https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/VisionForSuccess/SuccessStories/TeachersAndPrincipals/Pages/school-bell.aspx | School bells ring, but why? | School communities are being asked to "think out of the box" about how to deliver upon five student promises by 2030 as part of the public school system's next 10 years of strategic planning. What do schools need to do to advance equity, excellence and innovation for all, and what current procedures, policies, infrastructure and other elements should be reconsidered? State Office Teacher Bobby Widhalm shares his thoughts about the school bell. | | |
| Kalani High dedicates new Girls’ Locker Room and athletics facilities | https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/Kalani-High-Dedication.aspx | Kalani High dedicates new Girls’ Locker Room and athletics facilities | Kalani High celebrated the dedication of several new athletics facilities including a new Girls’ Locker Room, an Athletics Trainers’ Facility, a Judo and Wrestling room, and other improvements. | | |
| 'Waiting for You,' an intersection of work and play, nets top art award | https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/VisionForSuccess/SuccessStories/Students/Pages/2019-HRSAA.aspx | 'Waiting for You,' an intersection of work and play, nets top art award | Emma Park, an 8th grader at Wahiawa Middle School, has been named an American Visions nominee in the Hawaii Regional Scholastic Art Awards. Her photograph, "Waiting for You," and two other works will be considered for national recognition. A selection of works statewide will be exhibited at the Hawaii State Art Museum. “I always saw something in my work, and it makes me really happy that other people see something in it, too.” | | |
| 2018 Year in Review | https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/VisionForSuccess/SuccessStories/Pages/2018.aspx | 2018 Year in Review | Happy New Year! Enjoy this roundup of 2018 in pictures, videos and stories from the Hawai'i DOE and our schools. | | |
| Hawai‘i public schools celebrate Thanksgiving with local Okinawan Sweet Potato Pie | https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/2018-11-Aina-Pono-HOTM-Sweet-Potato.aspx | Hawai‘i public schools celebrate Thanksgiving with local Okinawan Sweet Potato Pie | Hawai'i public schools will celebrate the upcoming holiday season with an Okinawan Sweet Potato Pie as part of November's 'Aina Pono: Harvest of the Month program. The pie will be served on a day selected by participating schools, which includes more than 200 cafeterias statewide. Bake this delicious dessert at home for your family and friends. | | |
| Department celebrates School Bus Safety Week with proclamation ceremony | https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/2018-School-Bus-Safety-Week-Proclamation.aspx | Department celebrates School Bus Safety Week with proclamation ceremony | Governor David Y. Ige and the Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) kicked off School Bus Safety Week with a proclamation ceremony on Oct. 22. The weeklong celebration is part of a national initiative to highlight the importance of school bus safety. | | |
| A culture of kindness, acceptance and aloha | https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/VisionForSuccess/Newsletters/Supts-Corner/Pages/101618.aspx | A culture of kindness, acceptance and aloha | Ending bullying is key to having safe, nurturing learning environments. We are updating the student misconduct and discipline code known as Chapter 19 to elevate bullying and cyberbullying at the secondary levels to a Class A offense, the most serious category. We invite all schools, offices and communities to join us in Unity Day — wear orange on Wednesday, Oct. 24 as a statement of support for kindness, acceptance and aloha. | | |
| Hawai‘i public schools seek more local farmers and vendors to supply fresh produce for student meals | https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/2018-produce-solicitation-pre-bid-meetings.aspx | Hawai‘i public schools seek more local farmers and vendors to supply fresh produce for student meals | The Hawai'i State Department of Education (HIDOE) is seeking more local farmers and vendors to supply fresh produce for student meals on their island, with an emphasis on locally grown fruits and vegetables. From Oct. 22-30, HIDOE will be hosting produce solicitation pre-bid meetings across the state. RSVP by Oct. 19. | | |
| Public review of revisions to Chapter 19 and new Chapter 89 codes | https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/Chap-19-and-89-outreach.aspx | Public review of revisions to Chapter 19 and new Chapter 89 codes | On Oct. 4, the Board of Education approved for public review the Hawai‘i DOE updates to the student misconduct and discipline code known as Chapter 19, as well as a new section titled Chapter 89 Civil Rights Policy and Complaint Procedures for Student(s) Complaints against Adult(s). Public review sessions are scheduled on O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i Island through November. | | |
| HIDOE updates to student misconduct and discipline code approved for public hearing | https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/chapter-19-revisions.aspx | HIDOE updates to student misconduct and discipline code approved for public hearing | The Hawaii State Board of Education unanimously voted to send the revisions out for a public hearing. | | |
| Jake Shimabukuro and Music for Life Foundation dedicate Jake’s Clubhouse at Ala Wai Elementary | https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/Jakes-Clubhouse-Ala-Wai.aspx | Jake Shimabukuro and Music for Life Foundation dedicate Jake’s Clubhouse at Ala Wai Elementary | The new music education learning space is outfitted with more than 100 instruments, a recording studio, performance stage and more for students of Shimabukuro's alma mater. | | |
| October’s Harvest of the Month features ‘Ulu Beef Stew in student meals | https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/2018-10-Aina-Pono-HOTM-breadfruit.aspx | October’s Harvest of the Month features ‘Ulu Beef Stew in student meals | The Hawaii State Department of Education is continuing its ‘Aina Pono: Harvest of the Month program for a second year. This October, participating public schools statewide will be serving ‘Ulu Beef Stew. Create this delicious meal at home by following our recipe. | | |
| Three Hawaii public school teachers each vying for $100,000 'Dream Big' grants in national competition | https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/Farmers-Dream-Big-Finalists.aspx | Three Hawaii public school teachers each vying for $100,000 'Dream Big' grants in national competition | Online votes through Nov. 3 will determine five winners from among 15 finalists nationwide. Hawaii has three teachers in the running for the grant. | | |
| September 2018 Inspire | https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/VisionForSuccess/Newsletters/Inspire/Pages/0918.aspx | September 2018 Inspire | Inspirational stories from Hawai'i's public schools. In this edition: 9th graders at Wai'anae High excel on "The R.I.D.E.," school-based health center dedicated at Nanakuli High & Intermediate, the HIDOE Team and Employee of the Year are named, new classroom building breaks ground at Waikoloa Elementary & Middle School, more stories. | | |
| Let's help more students tap into federal and private dollars for college | https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/VisionForSuccess/Newsletters/Supts-Corner/Pages/091718.aspx | Let's help more students tap into federal and private dollars for college | A critical measure that serves as one predictor for college access is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. This year, the Hawaii DOE has set a goal to have 70 percent of our seniors complete the FAFSA, and 90 percent in 2020. We all play a role in meeting this goal. | | |
| Bullying is not acceptable in Hawai‘i's public school system | https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/Organization/Offices/Pages/Supt-Kishimoto-091918.aspx | Bullying is not acceptable in Hawai‘i's public school system | From Supt. Christina M. Kishimoto: It should go without saying that bullying is not tolerated in an organization or in communities dedicated to educating healthy and joyful lifelong learners who contribute meaningfully to our communities. But to be explicitly clear: Bullying of any kind is not acceptable in Hawai‘i public schools. This piece ran on Sept. 19, 2018 in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. | | |
| Public schools and HIDOE offices statewide to resume normal operations tomorrow | https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/HIDOE-School-Closures-Monday-Aug-27.aspx | Public schools and HIDOE offices statewide to resume normal operations tomorrow | Hawaii State Department of Education public schools and offices statewide will resume normal operations tomorrow, Aug. 27, with the exception of four schools in Lahaina that will be closed for students. Superintendent Dr. Kishimoto urges school communities to remain vigilant and prepared through the rest of hurricane season. | | |
