Ho‘oha‘aheo Newsletter, Nov. 6

Hawai'i State Department of Education sent this bulletin at 11/06/2024 01:19 PM HST

Nov. 6

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.

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.

Visitor Code of Conduct
Ensuring that our schools remain places where respect, safety and support are at the forefront is a shared responsibility. With this commitment in mind, we are taking additional measures to strengthen the sense of security and mutual respect in our educational spaces.

As part of our ongoing efforts to foster a safe, respectful and supportive environment in our schools, we have collaborated with the Attorney General’s Office to develop a Visitor Code of Conduct to guide all interactions with visitors on our campuses and at HIDOE offices and events.

The Visitor Code of Conduct outlines clear expectations for visitor behavior and complements our existing Code of Conduct for employees, contractors and volunteers, establishing a comprehensive standard of conduct throughout our school communities. The Code will be prominently displayed at school entrances near visitor sign-in areas and in the reception areas of complex area and state offices. We appreciate your kōkua in helping make all of our schools safe and welcoming spaces for our communities

As an added proactive step, the Department's Community Engagement Branch will be hosting conflict resolution training workshops for parents and community members later this month. Registration is full for the Nov. 25 workshop at the Kroc Center, however there are still spots available for the workshop at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi on Nov. 19.

Bus updates
Three more routes in East Hawaiʻi Island were reinstated on Monday, restoring service for nearly 50 student bus riders at Keonepoko Elementary and Waiākea Intermediate schools. As of right now, a total of 112 routes have been restored, representing 81% of impacted routes. Efforts to restore the remaining 26 suspended bus routes are ongoing.

Ho‘oha‘aheo Photo of the Week

Drum majors and color guard captains from each school posed for a photo after performing in the Oʻahu Marching Band Festival on Nov. 4 at Pearl City High School's Bino Neves Stadium. Bands that participated in the festival were from ʻAiea High School, Campbell High School, Castle High School, Kailua High School, Kaimukī High School, Kamehameha Schools, Kalani High School, Kapolei High School, McKinley High School, Mililani High School, Moanalua High School and Radford High School.

Credit: John Costa / Kalani High School

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!

#HIPublicSchoolsProud

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

Ho‘okele Elementary School

» Huge mahalo to @kapoleihigh for hosting us and sharing about their amazing academies! 🎓This valuable experience has given us a clearer picture of the diverse pathways our students can pursue after elementary school. We had a blast touring the campus and seeing firsthand the exciting opportunities available. We’re grateful to the other complex elementary schools for joining us. Together, we gained valuable insights for our students’ future. #HIPublicSchoolsProud #HookeleCARES

Chiefess Kapi‘olani Elementary School

» These students are wicked smart! Good morning and Happy Halloween, Kōlea! Congratulations to our Honor Roll students for your excellent efforts on campus. We are very proud of you! #KōleaPride #HonorRoll

Waimea High School

» Two of the Health Pathway students, as a senior project, organized and created a "Pink Run" in support of Relay for Life and Nalani Shigematsu. The run included everything from t-shirts, great food, door prizes and many Waimea High alumni and friends. Whether walking or running, everyone had a great time and celebrated Nalani's memories. Mahalo to these two seniors for their great work. #180daysofwaimeahs #HIPublicSchoolsProud

Important Dates & Upcoming Events

National School Psychology Week: Nov. 11-15
Nov. 11: Veterans Day (Schools and state offices closed)

In honor of Veterans Day next week, which Oʻahu school is named for a Hawaiʻi Vietnam War hero from the 25th Infantry Division who was killed in action while carrying wounded members of his company to safety, earning him the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for his courageous efforts?

Major General William R. Shafter Elementary
Lt. Col. Horace Meek Hickam Elementary
Major Sheldon Wheeler Elementary
1SG Samuel K. Solomon Elementary

Find the answer at the end of this newsletter.

HIDOE Headlines

A roundup of announcements, resources and shoutouts.

» Hawai'i P-20 Partnerships for Education and GEAR UP Hawaiʻi are hosting college planning events to support local high school students and to guide them through the scholarship application process. All workshops are free and open to all high school students.

» Royal Elementary School won the American Society of Safety Professionals honor in the government category for serving as a model of safety and emergency preparedness.

» Lahainaluna High School’s Archive Committee is seeking suggestions for a name for its newest building on campus that will house social studies and special education classes.

Staff Spotlight

Liza Canuela

Title: School Food Services Manager
Job site: Kapolei High School
Years in the HIDOE: 30 years
Years in the position: 8 years

Q: What are your primary duties?
A: Ordering food inventory and school meal menu planning.

Q: Favorite part about the job?
A: Working with my staff and working with kids.

Q: Most challenging part about your position?
A: Getting students to eat lunch at school instead of getting their lunches elsewhere.

Q: What advice do you have for people considering this position?
A: I would encourage anyone wanting to be a School Food Services Manager to take the time to learn from your current managers. After I learn new things, I always try to teach them to my staff. It’s always good to learn everything from cooking to baking.

Q: How does your role support student success?
A: Having students eat well helps them succeed in school.