Ho‘oha‘aheo Newsletter, Aug. 7

Hawai'i State Department of Education sent this bulletin at 08/07/2024 02:01 PM HST

Aug. 7

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.

Editor’s Note: For our new subscribers, welcome to the first issue for this school year of Ho‘oha‘aheo, a weekly online newsletter put together by the Hawai‘i State Department of Education’s Communications Branch. It will hit your inbox every Wednesday, except when schools are on break. Have a great school year ahead and we look forward to continuing to highlight the accomplishments of Hawai‘i’s public schools!

KEEP In the Loop with SuperIntendant Keith T. Hayashi-Template

KEEP Superintendent Keith T. Hayashi-Template

Aloha, HIDOE Community –

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

Ne‘epapa: Strongest Together

As we begin the new school year, I want to acknowledge the challenges we're facing, particularly with the suspension of school bus routes in Central O‘ahu, Upcountry and Central Maui, and East Hawai‘i Island.

Despite these difficulties, we remain committed to ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed, and we are working diligently to restore service as soon as possible.

This year, we are placing a strong emphasis on the importance of attendance as well as building on impressive academic gains our students have achieved. Together, we will continue to support our students on their educational journeys. I look forward to all of the great things that we can accomplish this year.

First day of school shakas, welcoming students back at Kaimukī Middle.

Remembering Lahaina

This time last year, tragedy struck West Maui as a wildfire mixed with hurricane-force winds tore through Lahaina and took hundreds of homes and at least 102 lives. The fire also consumed one of the four public schools serving West Maui — King Kamehameha III Elementary — and displaced over 3,000 students in the town.

It's been a challenging year and the recovery continues. Our four Lahaina schools will be closed on Thursday in observance of the one-year anniversary of the Maui wildfires. I know that this will be a difficult day and I encourage you to reach out for help if you need it. In-person mental health and well-being services are available on every campus. For more information, reach out to your current school or visit heretohelp.hidoe.us.

#HIPublicSchoolsProud

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

Waipahu High

» Congratulations to the Class of 2024 graduates who recently passed their Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam on the first try!

Kailua High

» Kailua High has joined Mōkapu Elementary as one of two schools in the Kailua-Kalāheo Complex Area to earn a Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation.

Ho‘okele Elementary

» Mahalo to our dedicated staff as we kicked off the new school year with a heartfelt rededication of our Hoʻokele Elementary School campus!

Ho‘oha‘aheo Photo of the Week

The McKinley High School Cheerleading team welcomed Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke at an Aug. 1 press conference at McKinley High School announcing the sanctioning of girls flag football as an official high school sport. Credit: Derek Inoshita / HIDOE Communications Branch

Submit your public school-related image from this school year for a chance to be featured as next week’s Ho‘oha‘aheo Photo of the Week!

Important Dates & Upcoming Events

August 15: Board of Education Special Meeting & Human Resources Committee
August 16: Statehood Day

Public School Pop Quiz!

At over 2,700 feet above sea level, which Hawai‘i public school campus has the highest elevation of all of the Department’s 258 campuses?

ʻIliahi Elementary
King Kekaulike High
Hōlualoa Elementary
Kula Elementary

Find the answer at the end of this newsletter.

Inspiring vistas are a hallmark of this high-elevation school.

HIDOE Headlines

A roundup of announcements, resources and shoutouts.

» In partnership with the Cook Center for Human Connection, we are providing all families and staff with access to ParentGuidance.org, a 24/7 online platform that offers resources and support for student mental health.

» Ethan Yang, a senior at Kaiser High School, will serve as the student representative for the 2024-25 school year. Yang is the first student from Kaiser to serve in this role.

» Starting this school year, all public high schools can offer varsity girls’ flag football – making Hawai‘i the 12th state in the country to sanction it as a high school sport.

Work With Us!

HIDOE's recruitment team participated in the Hawai‘i Career Expo on July 31, 2024.

Educational Assistant I, II, III - Kalani High (Oʻahu)
Data Processing User Support Technician I, II - Keolu Elementary (Oʻahu)
Cafeteria Helper - Pāhoa High & Intermediate (Big Island)
Private Secretary I - Hāna-Lahainaluna-Lānaʻi-Molokai Complex Area (Maui)
School Custodian II - ʻEleʻele Elementary (Kauaʻi)

For more job opportunities in the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education, please visit hawaiischooljobs.com

Staff Spotlight

Geraldine Gonsalves

Title: Educational Assistant

Jobsite: ‘Aiea Elementary School

Years in the HIDOE: 22

Q: Favorite part about the job?

A: Helping students reach their full potential and being a role model for students while building positive relationships with all students.

Q: How do you feel your job supports students?

A: Educational assistants are a vital part of the school. They are the heart of the school. We are hardworking, compassionate and a strong support for all students.