hsta updates

Waiakea Intermediate School (WIS) teachers can subscribe to this blog for information relating to the Hawaii State Teachers Association. The purpose of this blog is to promote communication, action, and understanding between the WIS colleagues and the HSTA. For automatic update notifications, please "Follow with Email."

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Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Nominations needed for WIS's Teacher of the Year, due Friday, March 4, 2016

Nominations needed for WIS TEACHER of THE YEAR!
Teacher Excellence and Retirees' Luncheon

Teacher Excellence Luncheon

Please nominate a colleague (teacher) from WIS who is deserving of this recognition for SY 2015-2016. Participating schools will be responsible for a  5-minute presentation to honor their nominee.


Nominations for Teacher Excellence are due to Joy Grabar or your other SLLs by February 19, 2016. 
due: Friday, March 4, 2016
DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MONDAY, MAR. 7, 2016
Please send a written statement explaining why you would like to nominate this colleague. Nominations will be compiled and voting will occur in March. 
Let's honor our colleagues and support each other!

Date of Luncheon: May 1, 2016

Time:  11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Location: Nani Mau Gardens

Cost: Buffet Luncheon: $25 per adult; $17 per child (5-11 year old)

Retirees will also be recognized and will receive a complimentary luncheon! 

Please notify Joy Grabar if you will be retiring this school year.  


Posted by hstajgrabar at 7:54:00 PM No comments:
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Nominations for HSTA Teacher Excellence Award (The STACY Award) now open

The Hawaii State Teachers Association Award for Teaching Excellence program is seeking nominations for 2016. The award celebrates the outstanding work of Hawaii public school teachers.

The award is also known as The STACY Award, named for former teacher, member and staffer Stacy Nishina. It honors teachers who excel in five areas: Scholarship, Teaching, Advocacy, Community and Youth.

More information about The STACY Award

Work with your chapter to nominate a deserving colleague.

NOMINATION DEADLINE:  5:00 p.m. March 11, 2016
Download candidate bios 
  • Information about The STACY Award
Copyright © 2016 Hawaii State Teachers Association, All rights reserved.
Mahalo for your engagement.

Our mailing address is:
Hawaii State Teachers Association
1200 Ala Kapuna Street
Honolulu, HI 96819
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Monday, February 22, 2016

Member Matters, 2-22-1016

Legislative Update
While there is great emphasis on the Schools Our Keiki Deserve bill, there are many others currently alive in the legislature that affect public education and teachers. They include bills relating to the ethics commission, salary bonuses, and hard-to-staff schools. Your lobbying team is monitoring these bills, submitting testimony and lobbying legislators on your behalf.
Read more about the bills at the legislature
 
$500 Reimbursement
HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union members who took classes in 2015 can apply for a reimbursement of up to $500.
Read More
 
Know Your Rights: 
Teacher Assignment & Transfer
It's time for school assignments and transfers and if you don't know your rights, you could be left behind. Article VII and Appendix IX of the teacher contract outline the procedures and your rights.
Read More
 
Be a Hawaii Teacher Fellow
Hope Street Group is looking for teachers to become Hawaii Teacher Fellows. These teachers will lead the discussion with policymakers and other partners about education policy and what is needed to improve the public education system. Teacher Fellows remain in the classroom, work with Hope Street Group approximately 10-15 hours a month and receive a stipend and travel opportunities.
Get more information 
United States Senator Mazie Hirono stopped by the HSTA Board of Directors meeting this weekend to chat with us about the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and her thoughts on the status of the United States Supreme Court. 
2016 Legislative Updates

Teacher Assignment, Transfer & Staff Reductions

Get a reimbursement for credits taken in 2015

Become a Hawaii Teacher Fellow
 
Copyright © 2016 Hawaii State Teachers Association, All rights reserved.
Mahalo for your engagement.

Our mailing address is:
Hawaii State Teachers Association
1200 Ala Kapuna Street
Honolulu, HI 96819

Posted by hstajgrabar at 4:46:00 PM No comments:
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Thursday, February 18, 2016

Today is the vote for new Hilo Chapter Leaders and Delegates. Make a difference and vote!



Waiakea High School Cafeteria, Thursday, Feb. 18 @ 3:00 - 5:30   

Let's make our voices heard! Take 20 minutes and vote today.
                     
Posted by hstajgrabar at 12:27:00 PM No comments:
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Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Remember to vote on February 18

Make Your Voice Heard: 
It's time to vote for your HSTA HSTA Hilo leaders

HSTA Hilo Chapter members take to the polls on:

Thursday, February 18
3:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Download voting sites

This year, Chapter and State elections will be conducted at the same time.



Also, HSTA members are strongly urged to join their other union brothers and sisters in a UnionStrong rally on February 16 at 5:00 p.m.

This rally will protest the appearance of union-busting Governor Scott Walker at the GOP Lincoln Day Dinner to send a strong message that anti-worker policies will not fly in Hawaii.

Although our neighbor island members cannot attend (unless you're on island for some reason), please encourage your Oahu colleagues to show their support and get down to the rally.

Get more information here
Download candidate bios
  • Leeward Chapter
  • Windward Chapter
  • Central Chapter
  • Hilo Chapter
  • Maui Chapter

     
  • Candidate bios for delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly
Copyright © 2016 Hawaii State Teachers Association, All rights reserved.
Mahalo for your engagement.

Our mailing address is:
Hawaii State Teachers Association
1200 Ala Kapuna Street
Honolulu, HI 96819

Posted by hstajgrabar at 4:17:00 PM No comments:
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Member Matters for February 16, 2016

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HSTA Member Matters for February 16, 2016

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HSTA info@hsta.org via mail46.wdc03.rsgsv.net 

1:32 PM (40 minutes ago)
to me

HSTA's Schools Our Keiki Deserve Bill passes committee reading
This weekend you received an urgent request for legislative testimony for the SOKD bill, which was being heard on the 10th. We are happy to report that your work paid off. Thanks to the testimony of those who emailed and came to the legislature in person, the bill was passed from the Senate Education Committee to the Senate Ways & Means (WAM) Committee. The date and time of the WAM meeting has not yet been set. We will be able to submit testimony but will not be able to testify in person during this meeting.

Please watch your inbox for more information on when to submit testimony.
Read more about the HSTA Omnibus Bill


Know Your Rights
It’s the time of year where schools are finalizing their tentative line assignments for next school year and many members are asking about the process. The key sections of your contract related to these issues are Article VII-Assignments and Transfers (pp. 34-42) and Appendix IX—Experimental Transfer Program (p. 114).
Read More


Rally Rally Rally!
Nearly 1000 teachers swarmed the Capitol for Schools Our Keiki Deserve. It was a sight to see, teachers in red shirts staked out on the Capitol lawn, and sidewalk, cars honking their support as they drove past.
See pictures of the event by teacher Stephen Fong


Be a Hawaii Teacher Fellow

Hope Street Group is looking for teachers to become Hawaii Teacher Fellows. These teachers will lead the discussion with policymakers and other partners about education policy and what is needed to improve the public education system. Teacher Fellows remain in the classroom, work with Hope Street Group approximately 10-15 hours a month and receive a stipend and travel opportunities.
Get more information 
Spotlight on: Keaukaha Elementary showing off their RED to support EDucation. Send your RED for ED pics to info@hsta.org to be featured in an upcoming issue of Member Matters. And always wear red on Tuesdays!
Teacher Assignment, Transfer & Staff Reductions

Become a Hawaii Teacher Fellow

Go Home Scott Walker
Copyright © 2016 Hawaii State Teachers Association, All rights reserved.
Mahalo for your engagement.

Our mailing address is:
Hawaii State Teachers Association
1200 Ala Kapuna Street
Honolulu, HI 96819
Posted by hstajgrabar at 4:15:00 PM No comments:
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Sunday, February 14, 2016

Guest Blog: Hilo Chapter Candidates and Endorsements


WARNING: Politically active teacher individual opinion follows.
____________________________________________________________________________


____________________________________________________________________________

"Every decision that affects education is a political decision."

I’m endorsing for HSTA Hilo Chapter
President:          Matthew Yarberry
Vice President: Mireille Ellsworth
Treasurer:         Cheney Kaku
Secretary:          Kellee Kelly

     Our HSTA Elections are critical especially this year, because of educational changes coming from two federal branches, the U.S. Congress and the Supreme Court. In the Summer of 2016, a Supreme Court ruling is anticipated in the Freidrichs vs. California case, which has implications for financing and organization of public sector unions.
     My intent is to support and improve our Hilo Chapter, so I asked a couple of clarifying questions to all of our candidates choosing to run for office:
1. Why do you want to lead Hilo Chapter in 2016? [Values? Belief statements?]
2. How would electing you into the 2016 leadership position benefit Hilo Chapter members? [Goals, platform].

I encouraged each slate of candidates to formulate a written statement to this effect, to provide a voting members a more equitable or balanced view compared to their opponents.
            Example: In the interest of full disclosure, as a potential nominee for the new seat on the Negotiations Committee, I asked each candidate for President whether they would consider my nomination. The 2016-2017 Negotiations cycle to develop a new contract beginning Summer 2017 and beyond promises to be an exceptional opportunity because of the December 10, 2015 reauthorization of the ESEA from the War on Poverty into ESSA.
            As an active HSTA member for more than a quarter century, and a Hilo Chapter member since 2011, I’ve been acquainted with all of the candidates. The following are my recommendations, with my rationale included to assist your decision making and vote on 2/18 Thursday afternoon.

President
o   Dawn Raymond (current Vice President) is committed to representing Hilo Chapter. She would make appointments based on consultation with her Board. She is willing to meet after school for further discussion.
o   Matthew Yarberry has distributed a 1 page flyer of his platform and values. Matthew asked for information about the new Negotiations seat, the temporary appointment, and about my credentials and experience, so he could consider a reasoned judgment.
Given a significant difference between the materials provided and the follow-up interviews revealing distinct decision making processes, I support Matthew Yarberry for President.

Vice President
o   Chris Ho, speaking as an individual:
1.     “I value the ability of all members of our chapter from all the different disciplines and backgrounds. I value all sides and beliefs as they allow us to be well rounded and committed to the truth, that everyone's opinion and beliefs are valued. I can work as a team player with everyone throughout our entire chapter.”
2.     “I want to help lead the Hilo Chapter now and in the future towards greatness and understanding of all areas of our field. I am a firm believer in the power of colleagues to understand and work with each other to strengthen understanding and professionalism. I would like the opportunity to help foster, support, and be [Vice President].”
Recently, Chris has been designing Professional Development opportunities, and chose ethically to resign from a different Chapter position to focus on his priority.
o   Mireille Ellsworth has distributed a 1-page flyer of her platform and values. She is a member of the HSTA Speakers Bureau, presenting the “Schools Our Keiki Deserve (SOKD)” campaign. Recently she has written successfully for an organizing grant to promote SOKD across Hilo Chapter schools.
What distinguishes these qualified Vice Presidential candidates? While Chris is encouraging education to assist in improving classroom instruction, Mireille challenges me to be a better Teacher Leader. Mireille is collaborating with other candidates for Chapter office to provide a consistent slate promoting Change in alliance with our current HSTA President Rosenlee’s successful campaigns to “Work to the Rules,” etc.

Secretary
o   Karen Kohagura is the incumbent, anticipated to continue serving in the current manner.
o   Kellee Kelly would like to improve Chapter communication by amplifying its voice via several means including social media.
Comparing these two options, I am convinced that Kellee Kelly would provide secretarial and Board service for Hilo Chapter which would support change more robustly.

Treasurer (unopposed)
o   Cheney Kaku has experience in several other positions. As a member of the Charter, Bylaws and Resolutions (CBR) Committee, Cheney has communicated well and worked collaboratively with me to improve Resolutions and New Business Items.

Campaign materials provided by each state of candidates should have been posted accessibly by Your Head Faculty Representative. Materials distribution into boxes has been cleared as appropriate as well.

PLEASE VOTE! Your voice matters, as will our 2016 Hilo Chapter Leadership.

Respectfully submitted,

Debbie Anderson


END BLOG

____________________________________________________________________________


VOTE AT WAIAKEA HIGH SCHOOL
Thursday, Feb. 18 
3:00 - 5:30 pm


Posted by hstajgrabar at 9:25:00 PM 2 comments:
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  • Debbie Anderson, M.Ed., MLIS, NBCT
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      • Nominations needed for WIS's Teacher of the Year, ...
      • Nominations for HSTA Teacher Excellence Award (The...
      • Member Matters, 2-22-1016
      • Today is the vote for new Hilo Chapter Leaders and...
      • Remember to vote on February 18
      • Member Matters for February 16, 2016
      • Guest Blog: Hilo Chapter Candidates and Endorsements
      • Member Matters for February 7, 2016, posted 2-11-2016
      • Reminders: Kahele Funeral (Mon.) & Email your legi...
      • FW: HSTA Updates: SOKD Rally (Friday, Feb. 5 3-6 p...
      • WIS Certificated: Teaching Excellence (Nominees ne...
      • RA Meeting (Jan. 28, 2016) Info for WIS Certificat...
      • RA Meeting (Jan. 28, 2016) Info for WIS Certificat...
      • RA Meeting (Jan. 28, 2016) Info for WIS Certificat...
      • Member Matters for January 29, 2016
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