HSTA monitors lava threat; works with DOE to help teachers and students

HSTA President Corey Rosenlee traveled to Hawaii Island Tuesday to meet with teachers in some of the schools affected by the lava outbreaks. He also spoke with Hilo Chapter’s HSTA leaders at the last RA of the school year.

HSTA President Corey Rosenlee and Hilo Chapter Dawn Raymond met with teachers at Keonepoko Elementary, as well as Pahoa Elementary, Intermediate and High schools on Tuesday.

Teachers were able to share additional information with Rosenlee, Raymond and HSTA staff so we can better support and direct efforts to support our HSTA ohana affected by the lava outbreaks.

Click on the video link below to hear from teachers about how the lava situation is affecting their students in and out of the classroom.

Click here to watch the video.

Among the efforts HSTA is pursuing and working on:

Hilo Chapter continues to coordinate efforts to donate food, water, household items, children’s toys, books and clothing to distribute to affected teachers and their families. You can also drop off donations during the work day at HSTA's Hilo office, 101 Aupuni Street, Suite 219.
Teachers who need help or would like to offer help to others, please contact us and we will help get you in touch with each other, via social media or one-on-one. Call Rae Yamanaka, the UniServ Director in HSTA's Hilo office, at ryamanaka@hsta.org, on her mobile (808) 365-6979 or her office phone (808) 935-9301 for more information.
Teachers affected and in need are encouraged to consider applying for HSTA’s emergency $1,000 interest-free loans. The application and instructions are here.
HSTA is working with NEA Member Benefits to determine what if any resources and support the National Education Association can provide. The NEA has activated its Disaster Relief Program for Hawaii Island members affected by the disaster.
HSTA is working with DOE leadership at the state and district level to ensure that proper and adequate emergency procedures and communications are in place.
The HSTA has confirmed the following information with DOE.
- Any teacher who lives in an area affected by the mandatory evacuation may request up to five consecutive days of paid administrative leave to address their personal matters related to the evacuation. Teachers must make the request of their principal.
HSTA has made a number of specific requests of the DOE in the last week, and will follow up on the efforts as we move through the end of the school year. Those requests include:
- DOE ensure staff members are provided and aware of protocols for emergency plans as well as the opportunity to meet to answer questions and/or discuss additional concerns not addressed in the school emergency plan.
- DOE fully explain to staff the steps being taken to assess school/campus risk to health and safety and the process for determining a school will close.
- The DOE consider additional communication methods with staff and families such as a text messaging system to ensure more timely communication, especially for things such as closing schools.
- The DOE provide the necessary and adequate resources for school shelter-in-place situations be provided, such as masks, food, water, materials to seal windows and provisions for emergency restroom/toileting.
- The DOE consider if air-conditioning or air purifiers could be provided to affected schools.

The DOE has put out two memos in the last week about the situation:
Update on Activity at Kilauea
Kilauea Update: Ash Concerns, Employee Assistance

Above: Donations continue coming in for Amber Makuakane, daughter Alana (6) and son Aaron, (4), who lost their Puna home to the lava earlier this month.

Pahoa Elementary teacher Amber Makuakane's colleagues set up a GoFundMe page for her, which had raised $69,610 as of mid afternoon Friday, May 18.

HSTA backs Ige; sign waving May 25, stew and rice event May 31

Just days after HSTA recommended Gov. David Ige for re-election, we have begun planning events to help boost his campaign.

For schools that have received heat abatement, we're asking if those schools can organize a sign waving either before or after school on Friday, May 25 for a "Mahalo for Cooling our Keiki" day. Schools are encouraged to get groups together (could even be just one or two or three folks) to sign wave in front of their campuses either before or after school before the school year lets out.

For HSTA members on Oahu, the main Ige sign waving kick off will be held along Pali Highway in Nuuanu from 4 to 6 p.m. on May 25 as well (centered at Nuuanu Valley Park/Queen Emma Summer Palace). Also, there is a large Stew and Rice event at Mililani High School on May 31 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and please come early to sign wave wearing your red shirts from 4:30 p.m.

Check here bit.ly/hstaforige2018 for a schedule of Ige events and oppportunities to volunteer.

Click here for an Ige teacher call-to-action flier and this Ige fact sheet, explaining just some of the reasons why educators should vote him in for another two years.

Read the HSTA news release announcing our recommendation of his campaign.

English Learner Task Force presents proposals

On Thursday, the ELL Task Force, which included teachers from HSTA presented their recommendations before the BOE on improving ELL in Hawaii. You can find their document here.

Watch the 15-minute presentation on English learner proposals here.

Some their recommendations include:

Recruit certified TESOL teachers
Determine professional development pathways for educators to obtain minimum second language acquisition competencies
Improve equitable and adequate funding to promote English learner success
Promote differentiated professional development aligned with high-impact curriculum resources and assistance with pathways to Hawaii Qualified/TESOL certification
Strengthen partnerships with community-based organizations to support parents and families

SPED Task Force reveals recommendations

On Thursday, the Special Education Task Force, which included teachers from HSTA, presented their recommendations on improving SPED in Hawaii.

You can read the entire document – with detailed SPED recommendations -- here.

Watch the entire 36-minute presentation of the task force before the BOE here.

The comprehensive recommendations for changes in Special Education address many concerns of our members, such as:

Allocating funding (including staffing) based on student needs, similar to the system used before 2009
Allowing adequate time for IEPs and care coordination with options such as 8 to 10 substitute days, recall pay and release time for SPED teachers
Giving all new SPED teachers a mentor with expertise in SPED
Improving professional development for all educators for inclusive practices
Conducting a comprehensive study to identify best inclusive practices across the state
Creating common understanding and definitions of inclusive education (e.g., What is inclusion?)

You can read the entire document – with detailed SPED recommendations -- here.

Are you one of 1,400 teachers whose license expires this year?

The Hawaii Teachers Standards Board (HTSB) has asked the HSTA to remind members that teachers need to renew their licenses in a timely manner. As of mid-April, there were approximately 1,400 teachers whose licenses will expire this year, so they need to take action before June 30, 2018. Failure to hold a valid license may result in a fine of up to $500.

If your license expires on June 30, 2018, you must login to your HTSB account before June 29, 2018, and complete your renewal process. Here is the link to the HTSB.

You are strongly encouraged to renew early in the renewal period, as you must allow for processing time. Renewals submitted after June 29, 2018, may not be processed in the event of unexpected issues.

HMSA members: Enter contest for $500 gift cards and get healthier!

Click here for the full flier

From an Op-Ed in Civil Beat: Funding public education can change our destin y

"If under funding is part of the problem," writes Maui English and STEM teacher David Negaard, "better funding is part of the solution. Granted, money is not a “silver bullet” that will fix everything; money is more like irrigation water. Water is one limiting factor in crop cultivation, while funding is one limiting factor in public education."

"If farmers want to grow more crops, they need to secure more water; if we want to address shortcomings in public education, we need to secure more money. That isn’t all we have to do, but we have to do this."

From Civil Beat: School Board says schools 'heading in right direction' under new leader

From Labor Notes: I work with Mark Janus. Here's how he benefits from a strong union.

DOE official calendars available here

Here are the the next three years of DOE calendars:

DOE's 2018-2019 official school calendar

DOE's 2019-2020 official school calendar

DOE's 2020-2021 official school calendar

Check out your latest HSTA discounts here

HSTA offers great savings on everything from filling up your car with gas to traveling on select Hawaiian Airlines flights. See the latest deals and discounts here.

Save $1 off admission to New Baby Expo this weekend

Join the excitement at the 21st Annual New Baby Expo 2018 “Hawaii's Largest Prenatal through Preschool Expo," May 19 and 20 at the Neal Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall. The expo will feature more than 150 exhibitors showcasing the latest products and services for Hawaii's prenatal to preschool families. Several stroller manufacturers from the mainland will be at the show featuring their product lines as well as guest speakers on infant learning and baby sleeping techniques. Vendors providing information on infant/child car seat safety, breastfeeding, baby wearing, birthing classes and special events such as Hawaii's Largest Baby Shower and Baby Crawling Contest. At the show, you’ll find expert speakers, demonstrations, activities and entertainment.

SPECIAL $1 DISCOUNT FOR HSTA MEMBERS

HSTA members can show their HSTA card or school identification and a photo ID to the box office to receive $1 DISCOUNT the $5.50 general admission price. One discount per HSTA member.

For more info go to: www.newbabyexpo.com, IG: @newbabyexpo FB: newbabyexpo or call us at Tel:(808)239-7777.

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