HSTA provides everything you need to prep for health coverage Open Enrollment which starts Monday
The Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund, more commonly known as the EUTF, provides medical, chiropractic, prescription drug, dental, vision and life insurance benefits to all eligible State of Hawaii, City and County employees and retirees. Each year the EUTF holds an open enrollment period starting Monday, which allows employees to modify their plan enrollments. Read EUTF’s open enrollment flier here Watch the HSTA-EUTF Open Enrollment presentation on HSTA's Facebook page. (You can read questions and responses here too)Watch the HSTA-EUTF Open Enrollment presentation on HSTA's YouTube Channel.The open enrollment period for EUTF health plans will be Monday, April 2, 2018 through Monday, April 30, 2017. The HSTA suggests that members take some time to assess their current plan enrollment(s) and the health plans available. It is in every member’s best interest to analyze the health plans available and decide which plan(s) best meet member and their family’s health care needs, taking cost and coverage into consideration. You are not required to do anything if you wish to remain with your current plan. Click here for more information about Open Enrollment. EUTF and Health Benefits FAQsWhat is open enrollment?Open enrollment is a period of time where you may do any of the following without having to experience a “qualifying event”: enroll in a plan, change from one plan to another, cancel a plan, add or drop a dependent, change tiers (self to family, two-party to self, etc.). Open enrollment is a time period when you should analyze the health plans available to you and your family and decide which will best suit your needs when taking cost and coverage into consideration. You are not required to do anything if you wish to remain with your current plan. What are the dates for the 2018 Open Enrollment?Monday, April 2, 2018 through Monday, April 30, 2017. What is a “qualifying event”?A “qualifying event” allows you to make changes to your health plan outside of the open enrollment window. Common events include: acquisition of alternative coverage, birth of newborn, court order to cover child, death, divorce or termination of domestic partnership, guardianship decree, legal separation, leave of absence without pay for more than 30 days, loss of alternative coverage, marriage, newly eligible or ineligible full time student aged 19 through 23, new hire, new domestic or civil union partner. http://eutf.hawaii.gov/active/eutf-hsta-active/qualifying-events/What are the new rates and when do they go into effect?The new rates go into effect on July 1, 2018. Coverage dates are from Sunday, July 1, 2018 through to Sunday, June 30, 2019. Premium deduction amounts will come from paychecks starting Friday, July 20, 2017 through to Friday, July 5, 2018. The rates can be found in the links below. EUTF (Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund): https://eutf.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Active-Rates-Eff-July-1-2018-All-BUs-Except-12-s.pdfHSTA VB: https://eutf.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Active-Rates-Eff-July-1-2018-HSTA-VB-s.pdfWhat is the difference between the 2017 rates and 2018 rates?HSTA developed a comparison sheet for members use. Please note this comparison is an UPDATED version as EUTF officials have updated rates since they first provided HSTA numbers in January.Open Enrollment FAQs, including...
What is the difference between EUTF and HSTA VB plans?
Who can enroll in HSTA VB plans?
How are the EUTF premium rates determined?
What types of things should I take into consideration when selecting my plan?
What is meant by 75/25, 80/20, and 90/10 PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) and HMO Plans?
What plan(s) am I currently on?
What do I need to do if I want to make a change?
Who can I contact if I have questions?Informational sessions throughout the state and webinars are being held throughout the month of April and last about an hour and a half. HSTA understands how difficult it is for our members to attend these sessions as most of them happen during the work day. So at our request, the EUTF added three webinar briefings after school from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on April 4, 5, 18 and 25. See 2018 EUTF Open Enrollment seminar times and locations here.Where can I find more information?EUTF open enrollment guideEUTF open enrollment checklistEUTF Premium Calculator
Class visit guidance memo released
Teachers should be aware that a memo with guidance for classroom visitations was recently distributed by the DOE. This guidance came as a result of the HSTA and DOE working to address some of the questions and issues that resulted from the non-renewal of the Walkthrough Memorandum of Agreement, which existed in the previous HSTA contract (Appendix XVII – 2013-2017 Contract).
If teachers have questions or need further guidance, please contact your respective school level leaders and/or UniServ Director.
First-year teachers: Apply for dues rebate by May 1
First-year active teachers who were student members during their college years are eligible to receive a $20 rebate for every year they were a student member of HSTA (or the NEA student program in their college if they attended school in a different state). Just fill out this rebate form and send it to studentrebate@nea.org by May 1.
HSTA dues are tax deductible!
HSTA convention proposals ready for review
Elected teacher delegates from across the state gather April 7 for HSTA's State Convention at the Hawaii Convention Center in Waikiki, when they will debate and decide on proposals for new business items, resolutions and bylaws changes. When you have a chance, review these proposals and let your chapter delegates know which ones you support or oppose and why, so they can make your case at convention.  Above: Delegates from HSTA's Lanai Chapter (above) and Kohala Chapter (below) at last year's State Convention. 
HTY and Sex Abuse Treatment Center team up to combat sexual violence and build a culture of respect: Free event April 5
On April 5, Honolulu Theatre for Youth and The Sex Abuse Treatment Center of the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children will offer a free public showcase celebrating their joint work fostering healthy relationships in Hawaii’s youth. The event marks the beginning of Sex Assault Awareness Month and will feature Expect [ r e s p e c t ]™, one of the interactive and theatrical pieces that is offered as part of the [ r e s p e c t ]™ curricula created for middle and high school students. The piece focuses on developing social-emotional competencies such as: responsible decision-making, relationship management, and social awareness. The free Expect [ r e s p e c t ]™ showcase starts at 7 p.m. at Tenney Theatre. The 60-minute program will include a short discussion. The show is appropriate for ages 10 and above and refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP to Honolulu Theatre for Youth by calling 808-839-9885 extension 720. Click here for more information on Expect [ r e s p e c t ]™.
CTE teachers: apply now for paid externships
HSTA has partnered with the State Career and Technical Education office and the DOE CTE office to offer 9-12 CTE teachers an opportunity to participate in the state’s only teacher externship program this year.
This summer program gives HSTA members first-hand knowledge, on-the-job experience and network with some of Hawaii’s top business leaders. Selected teachers will be placed into a business over the summer based on your CTE teaching areas so you can see how industry needs are changing, what are the latest workforce trends, job skills and competencies needed in today’s workplace. Application deadline: April 3. Stipend: $1,500.
For more information, check out the flyer. If you have questions, please contact Lois Hamaguchi at loishama@hawaii.edu or call 808-956-6115.
From The New York Times: When professionals rise up, more than money is at stake
The teacher uprising that began in West Virginia has exposed a trend among white-collar workers:
a feeling that their credentials are being devalued.
From National Public Radio: Dept. of Education fail: Teachers lose grants, forced to repay thousands in loansA new government study, obtained by NPR and later posted by the Department of Education, suggests that thousands of teachers had their grants taken away and converted to loans, sometimes for minor errors in paperwork. That's despite the fact they were meeting the program's teaching requirements. From NEA Today: NEA calls for Betsy DeVos to resignFrom KQED's MindShift: How reading novels in math class can strengthen student engagementFrom NEA Today: The epidemic of anxiety among today's students
Teacher mentors: Be sure your student teachers know about HSTA's free Student Program Annual Conference next month
Free for HSTA/NEA student members, the conference offers a day of free workshops and networking at UH West Oahu on Saturday, April 14. Breakfast and lunch are included. Panel discussions with new educators will offer important advice for those about to take the helm of a classroom for the first time, student teachers telling aspiring educators what to expect, plus these breakouts:
- "Know Your Rights" Workshop by HSTA staff: This workshop will give attendees insight into what they need to know about the teaching contract in the state of Hawaii.
- Survival Guide to Starting Mid-Year by Danielle McGee: How do you deal with getting your own classroom mid-year? Hear from a new 6th grade teacher who is currently going through this circumstance.
- Restorative Practices workshop by Carrie Fiszer: This workshop will focus on moving from negative consequences to positive-based interventions in the classroom.
- PRAXIS Resources for Success workshop by Liann Sanerivi: What resources do you use to study for Praxis? This workshop will provide a variety of useful resources you can use to conquer the Praxis test!
- DonorsChoose Workshop by Jenifer Evans: Fund your classroom needs without going broke! Jenifer will share her methods for success when using DonorsChoose.
- ClassDojo Workshop by Natalie Daley: ClassDojo-classroom management, parent communication, student rewards and teacher tools all wrapped up in one free website! This workshop will help you discover the wonders of ClassDojo!
HSTA/NEA student members, register now! (Teachers, please forward this email to your mentees/aspiring teachers to be sure they don't miss it!)
Pedagogy of Aloha April 21 on Maui
What can we do to address institutionalized racism? This workshop will explore solutions as a diverse collective body to work towards equity in education for all ethnicities. There will be takeaways for teachers to use in their classrooms. Ku Kahakalau, Ph.D. will speak and lead small group discussions about finding solutions leading to success in life. Lunch will be provided. More information on Pedagogy of Aloha April 21 on Maui.Register for Pedagogy of Aloha April 21 on Maui
Next school year's Institute dates set; DOE official calendars
The HSTA has set the Teacher Institute dates for February 2019. They are: Monday, Feb. 11 -- Oahu Tuesday, Feb. 12 -- Hawaii Island Wednesday, Feb. 13 -- Kauai Thursday, Feb. 14 -- Molokai Friday, Feb. 15 -- Maui/Lanai And while we're planning ahead, we thought these would be helpful. DOE's 2018-2019 official school calendarDOE's 2019-2020 official school calendarDOE's 2020-2021 official school calendar
HSTA contract advisory: Education administration credits can now be used towards reclassification
The Hawaii State Teachers Association is pleased to announce we recently came to agreement with the Hawaii Department of Education regarding a pilot program allowing for bargaining unit 05 employees to use education administration credits towards reclassification.
The DOE memo about this pilot program can be found here.
The guidelines related to utilizing education administration courses for reclassification can be found here.
  Universal Studios Hollywood discountHSTA members enjoy new pricing on our custom web store. These special discounts are not available at the theme park. General Admission: Save up to $34!
- Date specific pricing, prices start at $95 vs. $129 at the front gate
- Currently available for purchase through August 31, 2018
2018 Season Pass: BEST VALUE!
- $119 – Limited Time Discounted Offer
- Come any day on your 1st visit, limited blackout dates apply to return visits only
- Use all visits by December 13, 2018
- For reference, the lowest priced pass sold at the theme park starts at $189
As always, you may purchase up to 9 tickets or passes at a time to share with friends and family. For more information, visit the Universal Studios Hollywood custom HSTA website.
 Kauai Financial Education WorkshopAre You on Track to Retire? Tuesday, April 174 p.m. (early dinner) Ho`okipa Café at Puakea Golf Course 4150 Nuhou StreetLihue, HI 96766 Please RSVP by April 6 https://goo.gl/A1wJZK Oahu: Are You on Track to Retire WorkshopTuesday, April 10 6 p.m. (Dinner) Waikele Country Club 94-200 Paioa PlaceWaipahu, HI 96797 Please RSVP by March 30 to https://goo.gl/PDduRr
Subscribe to and follow HSTA's social media accounts
Be sure to subscribe to HSTA's YouTube channel and follow us on Instagram for the latest videos, photos and news about our Association and public schools in Hawaii.
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