Member Matters, Sept. 18, 2015

HSTA encourages you to celebrate Peace Day HSTA IN THE NEWS HSTA President Corey Rosenlee calls the Smarter Balanced standard an artificial number. He believes the low scores will hurt, not help students because more emphasis will be placed on teaching the test subjects to improve future results. “The pressure to get these higher scores oftentimes means that we ignore the whole child,” he said.  Read more HERE>>> Two neighbor island teachers wrote to the Honolulu Star-Bulletin this week about the impact an Ethics Commission advisory opinion has on students. Read more HERE>>> Join the conversation on these and other issues on Facebook. Can you help a colleague in need? Jo Kaupu from Waiakea High has had a reoccurrence of cancer.  She survived two surgeries, 16 chemo rounds, and 32 rounds of radiation.  Due to a major surgery in August, she is in desperate need of sick leave days. Jo is a single parent.  She is trying to keep up her strength for her two children while at the same time worrying about supporting her family. Despite her concerns about medical bills and normal monthly expenses, she is thankful for the incredible emotional and loving support from family and close friends. Any help colleagues can provide by donating sick days would be very much appreciated. The contact person for the leave share donations is Melissa Respicio.  Ms. Respicio is the SASA at Waiakea High: Melissa_Respicio@notes.k12.hi.us or, call 974-4888 ext.221.  Mahalo. HSTA Organizing Grant HSTA’s vision is “United in the Pursuit of Excellence for Hawaii’s Public Schools.”The purpose of the HSTA Organizing Grant is to encourage members, schools, and chapters to create opportunities for organizing projects to build deeper relationships within the HSTA and the community. Activities should also provide opportunities for identifying and engaging new members and leaders to carry forth the vision of HSTA. Any HSTA member is eligible to apply for an organizing grant. Download a grant application HERE>>> Grant Reporting Form Vote for ERS Teacher Trustee Watch your mail for State of Hawaii Employees' Retirement System (ERS) election information.  HSTA's nominee for the teacher trustee position is Logan Okita.  CLICK HERE to read more about Logan. Are you registered to vote? September 22, 2015 is National Voter Registration Day Celebrating Democracy in America Hawaii's Online Voter Registration System HERE>>> Register to vote, update your exisiting voter registration confirm your voter registration address, or request to vote by mail.

Professional Development Integrating Stock Market, Personal Finance, and Economic Concepts into the Classroom  Saturday, September 26, 2015 Saturday, November 7, 2015 Saturday, December 12, 2015 All Workshops are from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Find out more about this professional development opportunity and how to register HERE>>> Professional Development Website http://www.pd.hsta.org ___________________________ Talking About Race and Inequality in Education  November 7, 2015 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 8:30 a.m. Check-In University of Hawaii Campus Center  PLEASE RSVP HERE http://goo.gl/forms/sxh3v8XIur by OCTOBER 16, 2015 to receive information about $5.00 registration process. 2016 National Geographic Bee Information and Deadlines Bring the exciting competition of the National Geographic Bee to your school! Take advantage of the early-bird registration (ends December 18, 2015); the $100 fee includes contest materials and prizes. The Geo Bee, designed to inspire students to be curious about the world, is open to students in grades four through eight. Important dates: August 18, 2015 – January 18, 2016 Enroll your school September 18, 2015 – February 5, 2016 Download Bee Materials and Hold Your School Bee February 5, 2016 Deadline for School Bee Champ to Take Online Qualifying - Test by 11:59 p.m. EST March 4, 2016 State Bee Qualifiers Announced April 1, 2016 State Bee Register for the National Geographic Bee competition at NATGEOBEE.COM Questions? Contact Hawaii’s National Geographic Bee Coordinator, Mary Frances Higuchi, atmfhiguchi@gmail.com. News you can use UniServ Directors By School 2015 Teacher Institute Agendas: October 12-16 Early-Career Teacher PD Opportunity Apply by September 24 September 2015 Peace Day Information HSTA 2016 Legislative Priorities Deadline to nominate: January 11, 2016 Friend of Youth Award Pono Award Resource: PBS Learning Media

Member Benefits Welcome HSTA's new Membership Services Specialist, AhLinn Yamane! HSTA ACCESS Membership Card More information HERE>>> NEA Member Benefits Turn your dues into cash. HSTA Enrollment Card - Join today to take advantage of additional benefits such as the $1 Million Educators Liability Insurance (EEL).