Ho‘oha‘aheo Newsletter, May 1

Hawai'i State Department of Education sent this bulletin at 05/01/2024 12:30 PM HST

May 1

Editorial Mission: As the Department's primary publication, we aim to live up to the meaning of ha‘aheo – to cherish with pride – by bolstering and sustaining pride in public education and touting the successes happening across our system.

In the Loop with SuperIntendant Keith T. Hayashi

Aloha, HIDOE Community –

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Ho‘oha‘aheo Newsletter.

HEMSAA principal and vice principal of the year awards

It was an honor to help celebrate two exceptional school leaders who the Hawai‘i Elementary and Middle School Administrators Association named as the top principal and vice principal for the state.

Pauoa Elementary School Principal Dale Arakaki was named Hawai‘i's National Distinguished Principal and Lāna‘i High & Elementary Vice Principal Jennifer Pimentel was named Outstanding Assistant Principal for 2024.

Mr. Arakaki is credited with significantly boosting academic success over the past decade at his school – a Title I school serving low-income families. Supporters also praise his commitment to fostering a school culture of pride, open communication, community and ‘ohana.

Mrs. Pimentel, alumna of Lāna‘i High & Elementary, is credited with cultivating positive relationships within the school, with the community, and throughout the Department. She has also helped reduce student behavior issues and even filled in as a substitute teacher for a quarter to ensure students had a highly qualified teacher in the classroom.

Congratulations to these outstanding leaders and the teams that support them in ensuring the best outcomes for students!

Students excelling in academics and citizenship

The Class of 2024 is full of bright scholars, engaged citizens and strong leaders dedicated to serving the community. The 20th annual Citizen-Scholar Awards were presented last week to 42 outstanding seniors from public schools across the state.

The program – sponsored by the Hawai‘i Lodging and Tourism Association, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and the Department – honors top students who are selected by their respective schools for demonstrating excellence in leadership, academics and citizenship in their schools and their communities. Congratulations and best wishes to all of this year’s winners and mahalo to our partner organizations!

May is the season for many types of graduations

Graduation season is in the air. These are busy times for ʻohana who are preparing lei and planning graduation festivities.

Our elementary and intermediate/middle students are also transitioning into new environments and expectations. Many schools will host orientations to help build connections between students, teachers and the administration. Additionally, preparing for kindergarten is a big deal for our littlest keiki. Slowly acclimating them into a school-type schedule over the summer or Pre-K environment can ease our youngest learners into a successful school year in the fall.

#HIPublicSchoolsProud

Social media highlights of the most engaging posts of the week.
Use the #HIPublicSchoolsProud hashtag for a chance to be featured!

Highlands Intermediate

» For its exemplary record of leadership, service and activities that improve the school and community, the Highlands Intermediate Student Council has been recognized as a 2024 National Gold Council of Excellence by the National Association of Student Councils (NASC). The NASC program is supported by its parent organization, the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

Kapolei High

» Ho‘omaika'i to our Ho‘oulu team for winning Project of the Year for Year Two at the @ctlhawaii Vision Lab last night! Mahalo for showing our communities what caring, dignity and integrity look like in action through your work with native plants and our upcoming haumana. One team! #kapoleihigh #hoolaacademy #HIPublicSchoolsProud

Mililani Uka

» Last night we hosted an EL Family Gathering event in the library. A dozen of our EL families learned about our EL program and were able to connect with each other and school staff. This year our students played games that encouraged them to use their first language. #HIPublicSchoolsProud

Important Dates

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
National Children’s Mental Health Month
May 1 - May Day
May 5-11 - Children’s Mental Health Week
May 6-10 - Teacher Appreciation Week

Community Query

Do you know the answer to this graduation question? 52% of participants on Instagram answered this question correctly.

HIDOE Headlines

A roundup of announcements, resources and shoutouts.

» Tenth-graders at Mililani High School are part of a pilot program teaching students how to perform CPR and properly use AED machines to help increase cardiac survival rates in Hawai‘i.

» More than 300 students from Kailua High School, Kalāheo High School, Le Jardin Academy, McKinley High School and Pūʻōhala School participated in the Hawai‘i State Judiciary’s Courts in the Community program.

» Waipahu High School celebrated the recent release of two books featuring stories multilingual students penned over the past two years about their unique experiences and diverse cultures.