|
|
Jan. 10
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.
Happy New Year!
This season symbolizes a time of self-reflection and setting direction as we celebrate past achievements and prepare for the exciting possibilities that lie ahead. As we step into the second semester, I extend my heartfelt appreciation for the dedication and efforts of our entire school system in bringing us to the midpoint of the school year. While there’s still much work ahead, I’m optimistic that through our collaborative efforts – ne‘epapa – we can sustain our positive momentum into 2024!
Leading with Intention: Annual Principals Forum
During the winter break, we convened our school principals for our annual Principals Forum at the Hawai‘i Convention Center to deepen our collective understanding around the theme, Ne‘epapa: Leading with Intention. We took time to reflect on the hard work of our school leaders along with their teachers and school teams in accelerating student learning at rates above national averages on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), and closing achievement gaps from pre-pandemic levels on the Smarter Balanced Assessment at faster rates than most states.
I reiterated these gains and shared other HIDOE achievements and updates on the Spotlight Now program this week. Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke was also on the show and shared updates on the state’s Ready Keiki initiative to expand and improve access to early learning opportunities. Watch the segment here.
Strengthening middle level education and supports
I was energized by the passion and enthusiasm on Maui for our latest AMLE/HIDOE Middle Level Summit. After kicking off the first statewide conference on O‘ahu about a year ago, these regional summits are conducted in partnership with the international Association of Middle Level Education (AMLE) to help advance the Department’s high-leverage initiative around middle level education. We hosted a conference on Kaua‘i in August, and will hold a convening on Hawai‘i Island next week. The aim is to strengthen our existing middle level education in public schools through growing and developing the knowledge, understanding and skills of our middle level tri-level stakeholders to better meet the diverse needs of our young adolescents.
|
|
|
#HIPublicSchoolsProud
Social media highlights of the most engaging posts of the week.
Use the #HIPublicSchoolsProud hashtag for a chance to be featured!
|
|
National Mentoring Month
January is National Mentoring Month and an opportunity to highlight the significance of mentoring, with a special focus on the Hawai‘i Teacher Induction Center. This week, we focus on mentors and the positive influence they bring to their colleagues and school communities. Watch the video below that features a full release mentor and state office teacher, Gino Pascual, who helps new teachers maintain their confidence and passion for teaching through guidance and support.
Keep an eye out tomorrow on our Instagram for an #IGTakeover from our 2024 Honoka‘a-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena Complex Area Teacher of the Year and school-based mentor Jennifer Ilaban.
|
|
West Maui Updates
We will be providing relevant information on Lāhainā schools in this space,
including updates on health and safety, construction and more.
Wipe tests
The Department continues to conduct bi-weekly wipe sampling in Lāhainā classrooms to test for any particles settling on surfaces. A Dec. 18 test found no lead or arsenic, similar to previous samplings. Another test was conducted Jan. 8.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers update
Concrete was laid for the covered area at the temporary school site at Pulelehua on Dec. 29, 2023.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is proceeding with a FEMA mission assignment to support the state of Hawai‘i and the state Department of Education to design and oversee the installation of a temporary elementary school campus. The first two rows of classrooms have been set with work commencing on the third row for a total of 20 classrooms and two restrooms.
Still time to fulfill a wish for a staff member
Help bring in the New Year by meeting the needs of staff members affected by the Maui wildfires. View their wish lists and help out a HIDOE ‘ohana member here. Orders and shipment will be fulfilled through Purposity. Purposity is a crowd-source platform dedicated to connected communities and real-time giving opportunities.
Kibou for Maui
The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i, the TOMODACHI Initiative and Odyssey Japan launched the Kibou for Maui program for high school juniors and seniors directly impacted by the Maui wildfires. Students will be able to travel to Tohoku, Japan, to see how the community recovered from the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of March 11, 2011.
|
|
Important Dates & Upcoming Events
|
|
Community Query
We asked school leaders to complete the prompt below and will be featuring more in the coming weeks.
“What is your professional New Year’s resolution?”
Find more innovative ways to engage stakeholders. For example, something we started this year to reach parents and the community was to go to the farmers market and have an info booth. We’ve found success going to the community instead of waiting for them to come to us, especially with hiring.
Sheldon Konno,
Principal,
Waiʻanae Elementary
|
To build more coherence throughout the systems within our school. We’re looking at how we do what we need to do in a more cohesive fashion with a clear understanding of our purpose and how that impacts our school, community and how we perform in a global society.
Jamie Dela Cruz,
Principal,
Waimānalo Elementary & Intermediate
|
|
|
HIDOE Headlines
A roundup of announcements, resources and shoutouts.
|
|
 » The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education is proud to announce and celebrate two high schools — Mililani and Maui High — that have been recognized as the first-ever Hawaiʻi Schools of Democracy.
|
 » Watch a special collection of stories on this episode of HIKI NŌ on PBS Hawai‘i from Hawai‘i’s New Wave of Storytellers’ first round of shows this season.
|
 » Nā Pua Noʻeau UH Mānoa with funding from the Hawai‘i Department of Health and the HIDOE’s Office of Hawaiian Education will be offering Summer Institute 2024 to haumāna currently in grades 6-12. Applications will launch on Feb. 1.
|
|
HAWAI‘I STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Keith Hayashi
Superintendent
Heidi Armstrong
Deputy Superintendent
|
Curt Otaguro
Deputy Superintendent
|
Tammi Oyadomari-Chun
Deputy Superintendent
|
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS
Sean Bacon
Talent Management
|
Brian Hallett
Fiscal Services
|
Audrey Hidano
Facilities and Operations
|
Elizabeth Higashi
Strategy, Innovation and Performance
|
Annie Kalama
Student Support Services
|
Michael Otsuji
Information Technology Services
|
Teri Ushijima
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
|
Kimberly Yuen
Contributing Writer
|
|
|
|
|
