Weekly Updates, May 25

25-May-2022

Our monthly Ho‘oha‘aheo newsletter will temporarily transition to a weekly edition. With COVID conditions continuing to improve, we have shifted away from the weekly COVID updates and will provide a wider range of HIDOE stories and announcements in this space as we adapt to the broader needs of our school communities.

May 25

Editorial Mission: Our monthly Hoʻohaʻaheo newsletter will temporarily transition to a weekly edition. With COVID conditions continuing to improve, we have shifted away from the weekly COVID updates and will provide a wider range of HIDOE stories and announcements in this space as we adapt to the broader needs of our school communities.

This issue closes out the 2021-22 school year. Have a great summer break!

Updates from Interim Superintendent Hayashi

Aloha, HIDOE Community!


As we approach the final days of the semester, I would like to first off congratulate our students, parents, teachers and staff for the strides they have made throughout the 2021-22 school year. It has been a truly heartwarming experience to attend commencement ceremonies the past few weeks, as we joined again in person to celebrate our graduates across the state.


During this time of celebration, we also know there is deep grief and mourning over the tragic events in Uvalde, Texas. Our heartfelt aloha and prayers go out to the families whose worlds have been changed forever.


I’ve had the privilege of serving as interim superintendent for the last 10 months and am both humbled and honored to continue this work next school year. I am grateful to our state, complex area, school leadership and staff for their unwavering support throughout this time, and am so proud of our collective work in supporting students as we emerge from the pandemic.


Mahalo for your dedication to the success of our students and schools. I look forward to working on a shared vision for where we want to be in public education in Hawai‘i — and how we are going to get there, together.

Congratulations, Class of 2022! You did it!

#PublicSchoolProud  |  By Temi‘i Pua

Hāna High and Elementary School Class of 2022

 
What makes me #PublicSchoolProud is that it really shows when you strive to do your best to achieve your goals and ambitions.
» Temiʻi is a trailblazer in many ways. She is the first Hāna High and Elementary student to receive the Department’s Seal of Biliteracy, the first recipient of a Hāna grassroots full tuition scholarship, and the first person in her family to leave home to attend college. Temiʻi plans on continuing to be #PublicSchoolProud by returning home to become a kumu at Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Hāna.

Question of the Week

Q: How will families be communicated with regarding any changes to the Department’s health and safety guidance for the summer sessions or the new school year?

A: The Department's COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidance is developed based on guidance from and in collaboration with the state Department of Health (DOH). As updates are made, they will be communicated with school leaders to share with their school communities. Families can also check the Department’s website and social media channels for any significant statewide updates.

HIDOE Case Counts

A total of 1,458 confirmed or probable cases were reported across Hawai‘i’s 257 public schools from May 16-20 for a daily average of 292 cases (as of May 23). For the latest case count information, visit bit.ly/HIDOECOVID-19Updates. Following the last day of the school year for most students this Thursday, case reporting at schools may reflect an artificial low, as fewer students and staff will be on campuses for the summer session. We urge students, parents and guardians to continue to be vigilant against COVID-19 during the summer months, as school case counts may not provide a comprehensive reflection of community spread.
 

May 9-13


News Feed  |  #HI4PublicEd

A roundup of announcements, resources and shoutouts.

» Castle High’s math teacher Heidi Maxie was featured by The 74, which covers education news across the country. Maxie was commended for her commitment to Castle students, always going above and beyond expectation to “Build Community Bridges Through her Hawai‘i School.”

 

» Kealakehe High graduates received their associate’s degrees in Automotive Mechanics Technology from Hawai‘i Community College just one year after earning their high school diplomas. The students were part of an accelerated program that allowed them to gain work experience and college credits while still in high school to meet workforce demands in their community. Congratulations!

 

» Waipahu High School built, installed and dedicated a brand new, state-of-the-art space observatory on its campus. This 17-inch remotely controlled telescope, housed in a 12.5-foot dome, will be used by Early College students in astronomy courses and help inspire students to pursue STEM careers.

HAWAI‘I STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Keith Hayashi

Interim Superintendent

 

Phyllis Unebasami
Deputy Superintendent

 
Heidi Armstrong
Assistant Deputy Superintendent

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS

Sean Bacon
Interim
Talent Management
 
Brian Hallett
Fiscal Services
 
Annie Kalama
Acting
Student Support Services
 
Randall Tanaka
Facilities and Operations
 

Christine Shaw

Interim
Information Technology Services
 

Cara Tanimura

Interim
Strategy, Innovation and Performance
 

Teri Ushijima

Interim
Curriculum and Instructional Design
 

Ho‘oha‘aheo

PUBLIC SCHOOL PROUD

Nanea Kalani

Executive Editor

 

Chanel Honda

Managing Editor

 

Sara Miyazono
Creative Director

 

Derek Inoshita

Contributing Writer

 

Krislyn Yano

Contributing Writer

 

Cara Phillips
Contributing Writer

 

 
 

CONNECT WITH US » HawaiiPublicSchools.org

1390 Miller St. Honolulu, HI 96813 | Phone: (808) 784-6200 | Fax: (808) 586-3234
Email: newsletter@k12.hi.us


 


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