Ho'oha'aheo Newsletter, Nov. 27

Nov. 27

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.

Aloha, HIDOE Community –  Welcome to this week’s edition of the Ho‘oha‘aheo Newsletter. Mahalo As we gather around the table this holiday season, I want to take a moment to thank all of you in our Hawai‘i public schools community. Your support, commitment and dedication to the success of our students is truly appreciated. Mahalo for your enthusiasm day after day to inspire our keiki and create an inclusive, vibrant learning environment. On behalf of the Hawai‘i State Department of Education, wishing you and your loved ones a safe, joyful, and memorable Thanksgiving! Supporting our Lahaina educators Last week Gov. Josh Green and I announced two initiatives aimed at addressing critical needs and celebrating the resilience of our Lahaina public school educators. First, a 47-unit rental workforce housing complex will be built on the Lahainaluna High School campus, representing a pivotal step in ensuring the stability and continuity of our Lahaina educational workforce following the wildfires, with priority given to displaced educators and new recruits. The project will be built by Maui-based Dowling Co., with the first units anticipated to be available in mid-2025, and full completion expected in spring 2026.

In addition to housing, the Lahaina HERO (Honoring Employees’ Resilience and Optimism) Awards program just completed a first round of awards, distributing more than $723,000 to over 300 Lahaina educators who played a critical role in keeping Lahaina schools open following the wildfires. Eligible salaried employees received $2,500, while eligible casual employees received $1,000. A second round of HERO awards will be opening in late January, with payments expected to be distributed in April. Application information and eligibility will be released and sent to employees in January. Mahalo to Marc Benioff, Chair and CEO of Salesforce, and his wife, Lynne, for their generous donation, along with support from Gov. Green, to make this initiative possible!

Ho‘oha‘aheo Photo of the Week

Mililani ‘Ike Elementary School kindergarteners Edward Timoteo, left, and Charlotte Maxwell work on a turkey handprint art project on Nov. 13 and share what they’re grateful for ahead of Thanksgiving.

“I actually do a lot of handprint art in kindergarten. (The students) say, ‘Handprint again?’ And then I say, ‘Yes, because your hands are only going to be this small for so long,’” Mililani ‘Ike kindergarten teacher Christine Castro said.

Credit: Edgar Ambrosio / 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!

#HIPublicSchoolsProud

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

Waiākeawaena Elementary School

» We’re overflowing with gratitude for the incredible generosity of our school 'ohana! 🙏❤️ Thanks to your donations, we were able to collect close to 500 pounds of food to support families in need this Thanksgiving. #ThanksgivingFoodDrive #Grateful #Thankful #Blessed

Hilo Intermediate School

» Today was the 8th grade Intramural Football Championship and it was an amazing game between the Jaguars and the Ravens. After a great back and forth battle, the Jaguars emerged victorious in an overtime victory. Congratulations to both teams on a job well done! Thank you to the Intramural Club for all your hard work! #hipublicschoolsproud #intramuralfootball #middleschoolsports

Maui High School

» Maui High Robotics students hosted, organized, and managed the third tournament of the Maui VEX IQ League, which consisted of 16 middle and elementary school robotics teams from around the island. #mauihighschool #mauihighcte #mauihighsabers #mauihighrobotics #mauihighteam2443

Important Dates & Upcoming Events

• Nov. 28: Thanksgiving (schools and state offices closed)
  
  
• Nov. 29: Day after Thanksgiving (schools and state offices closed)

Which school’s mascot matches one of the two NFL teams that traditionally play games on Thanksgiving Day?

1. Kalihi Waena Elementary
2. Solomon Elementary
3. Kohala High
4. All of the above

Find the answer at the end of this newsletter.

HIDOE Headlines

A roundup of announcements, resources and shoutouts.

» Watch the winning entries of the HIKI NŌ on PBS Hawaiʻi 2024 Fall Challenge, hosted by Emma Roy, a senior at H.P. Baldwin High School on Maui. The story prompt was “Weathering the Storm” and students were given five days to find stories that met the prompt.

» Students from Kūhiō, Hōkūlani, Palisades, Mōkapu, Ala Wai, Lincoln, Enchanted Lake, Pōhākea and Lunalilo elementary schools got to visit college for a day at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. The students toured the campus, learned about different academic programs and capped off the experience at a Rainbow Wahine basketball game.

» Kapa‘a Middle School hosted its first-ever Turkey Bowl on campus this week with 11 teams from three different schools competing in a flag football tournament.

What’s For School Lunch?

For November, the School Food Services Branch featured a special holiday meal for students in our school cafeterias.

Thanksgiving is only hours away and to help celebrate, schools statewide were offered the opportunity to serve a Turkey Holiday Meal with roast turkey, whipped potatoes, whole grain roll, vegetables, fruits and a special cranberry shortbread cookie (see recipe below)! 

Cranberry Shortbread Cookie

Ingredients (50 servings. Scale measurements accordingly for smaller or larger batches):

• Butter, unsalted (1 lb)
• Vanilla Extract (1 tsp)
• Sugar (1 cup)
• Flour, White Whole Wheat 60/40 Blend (1 lb)
• Salt, table (½ tsp)
• Cranberries, Dried, Original (5 1.16 oz. packets)

Instructions:

1. Add butter, vanilla and sugar to a mixer and cream on low to combine. Speed up to high and whip for approximately 15 minutes until mixture is light and fluffy. Periodically scrape sides of the mixer to combine.
2. Add in flour, salt, and cranberries. Mix until incorporated.
3. Use a #40 scoop to portion out dough on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Note: Each cookie should weigh approximately 0.7 oz. Optional: Lightly press cookie mound down prior to baking for a flatter cookie.
4. Bake at 325°F for 10 minutes. Turn the pan around and bake for another 15 minutes until golden brown.
5. Let cool prior to serving.

HIDOE is very thankful for all of the dedicated and immensely talented staff who make school meals both healthy and fun for our students everyday. Mahalo to all cafeteria staff at schools statewide!

Photos credit: Derek Inoshita / HIDOE Commnications Branch

Mahalo to Pālolo Elementary’s Mele Matalona, left, and Wendell Tom, right, and Cynthia Morales, Miles Trela, Scott Hamada for inviting us into their kitchen to cover this Thanksgiving feast! Beautiful centerpieces were handmade by Henrietta Celmons from the school's Parent-Community Networking Center.

“What’s For School Lunch?” is a monthly column coordinated by the School Food Services Branch that features new and exciting school meal initiatives.

Work With Us!

School Custodian II, Hauʻula Elementary (Oʻahu)
General Laborer II, Repair and Maintenance Operations (Oʻahu)
Grade 7 Physical Education Teacher, Kalama Intermediate (Maui)
Office Assistant II, III, Kapa‘a Elementary (Kauaʻi)
Cafeteria Helper, Mountain View Elementary (Hawai‘i Island)

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

Public School Pop Quiz! Answer: 4. All of the above. The Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys have traditionally played on Thanksgiving Day since 1934 and 1966, respectively. Kohala High School’s mascot is the Cowboy and Kalihi Waena and Solomon Elementary School are the Lions.

HAWAI‘I STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Keith Hayashi

Superintendent

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS

Ho‘oha‘aheo

PUBLIC SCHOOL PROUD

Contributors

1390 Miller St. Honolulu, HI 96813 | Phone: (808) 784-6200 Fax: (808) 586-3234

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