HSTA negotiations update: Read a proposal summary; Watch a video about our proposals; Take a compensation survey, 8-15-2016

Teachers are deeply committed to the success of every student. View this email in your browser Find out more about some of HSTA's contract proposals by watching this video presentation. It is critical that you fill out this negotiations survey on compensation.

Aloha Colleagues: HSTA’s negotiations team had our first meeting today with the employer and presented an ambitious set of proposals to give our keiki the schools they deserve and our members the contract they deserve. These proposals are based on hundreds of conversations we have had with our members and the thousands of responses we have received from HSTA’s surveys. Our current contract expires June 30, 2017. Here are some of our proposals for the new contract:   Pay our teachers a decent, fair and professional salary             Teachers in Hawaii are underpaid and low pay has led to a teacher shortage crisis. As a result, the DOE is now allowing substitutes with only a high school degree to teach our children. This situation is not tolerable and must change.   Create an evaluation system that is meaningful, supportive and collaborative The evaluation system must not be punitive, create extra workloads or unnecessary stress for our teachers. Educators must actually feel it improves their practice.   Reduce class size in regular education, special education and ELL courses Class size is one of the most important factors affecting teaching and learning. We must allow our teachers to give our students the individual attention that they need and deserve.   Reduce the caseload for our special education teachers and provide more support for students with special needs We must give our special education teachers the time they need to create and oversee IEPs for our students, thus ensuring that all children, regardless of their special needs, receive a quality education.   Increase the amount of time teachers have to collaborate and plan within the school day Teachers have shared that they have insufficient time to complete all of the requirements placed on them, and research shows that good teaching requires adequate preparation time. These are just a few of our proposals. There are many others, including fairness for charter schools, increased opportunities for professional development, increased teacher protection and more mentoring time for new teachers. Find out more about some of HSTA's contract proposals by watching this video presentation. As these negotiations progress, we will work to keep you informed and want to hear your feedback. It is critical that you fill out this negotiations survey on compensation. Negotiations are always about give and take, and as your union, we will do our best to advocate for you and our students. Tomorrow, in a spirit of unity, please wear red to school in the hope for quality contract improvements and as as demonstration of support for our team. Thank you, Paul Daugherty (Kona) Shannon Kaaa (Honolulu) Diane Mokuau (Molokai) Corey Rosenlee (HSTA president) Osa Tui (Honolulu) HSTA Negotiations Team Find out more about some of HSTA's contract proposals by watching this video presentation. It is critical that you fill out this negotiations survey on compensation.

HSTA:  United in the pursuit of excellence for Hawaii’s public schools.

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

Representative Assembly meeting dates, Hilo Chapter, 7-15-2016

From: Dawn Raymond

Re: Representative Assembly Dates for Hilo Chapter

Date: 8-14-2016

Aloha HFR's,

Listed below are the scheduled RA dates for SY 16-17:

August 23, 2016
October 25, 2016
December 13, 2016
January 31, 2017
February 28, 2017
April 18, 2017
May 23, 2017

All RA's will be held at Kea'au High School Library from 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

The RA schedule is also available on the HSTA website and has been sent through HSTA Member Matters.

*NOTE - Sign waving for August 23, 2016 will be cancelled due to our RA meeting.

Thank you,

Dawn K. K. Raymond

President, HSTA Hilo Chapter

Member Matters: Vote in tomorrow's primary; Bargaining begins Monday; Wear red for ed Tuesday; Updated RA dates; Kona ESSA task force this Wednesday, 8-12-2016

HSTA begins contract negotiations Monday; please wear red for ed Tuesday! HSTA's negotiations team holds its first bargaining session with the state Monday when it will deliver its initial contract proposals to the employer. Look for a special email late Monday or early Tuesday with an update about the first bargaining session, a video presentation and a compensation survey. Please wear the color red to work on Tuesday in a show of support for the team and collective bargaining power. Also, the negotiations team would be happy to receive messages of support and photos from fellow teachers at negotiations@hsta.org. The negotiations team is made up of Paul Daugherty (Kona), Shannon Kaaa (Honolulu), Diane Mokuau (Molokai), Corey Rosenlee (HSTA president) and Osa Tui (Honolulu).   Please vote in tomorrow's primary election and support the candidates who support HSTA  If you haven't already voted early either in person or by mail, please turn out tomorrow (Sat., Aug. 13) when polling places statewide are open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the primary election. If you are in line at 6 p.m., you will be allowed to vote. Please be sure to support those candidates who are recommended by HSTA. Read the list of HSTA's recommended primary election candidates To find your polling place, call the state's Office of Elections at 808-453-VOTE (8683). Be sure to bring a valid photo ID with you to vote. For information about voting in the primary election, click here. If you received an absentee ballot in the mail but haven't sent it in, you can still vote with it but do NOT send it in the mail tonight or tomorrow. Instead, drop it off at any polling place or the County Clerk's office on your island between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. primary Election Day.   Updated chapter RAs, executive board meeting dates listed for new school year  HSTA chapter presidents throughout the state have set initial dates for RA and executive board meetings. Some of those dates have changed since we first announced them last week. Contact your chapter president to confirm the dates, times and locations. This list is subject to change. August 2016 August 16:  Honolulu RA August 16:  Kauai RA August 16:  Kohala RA August 16: Windward EB August 18: Central EB August 18:  Kona EB August 22:  Lanai EB August 23:  Hilo RA August 23:  Lanai RA August 23:  Leeward RA August 24:  Molokai EB August 25: Central RA August 25:  Kona RA August 30:  Molokai RA August 30: Windward RA September 2016 September 6:  Honolulu EB September 6:  Kohala RA September 6:  Leeward EB September 13:  Hamakua RA September 13:  Honolulu RA September 13:  Kauai EB September 13:  Maui EB September 13:  Windward EB September 20:  Leeward RA September 20:  Maui RA September 20:  Molokai RA September 22:  Central EB September 22:  Kona EB September 27:  Hilo EB September 27:  Kauai RA September 27:  Windward RA September 29:  Central RA September 29:  Kona RA See RA/EB meeting dates for the rest of the school year here                   Important protection from HSTA VEBA Trust  While we all hope our members will remain healthy throughout their working years, the reality is we don’t know when we may become ill or injured and run out of paid sick leave days. The HSTA VEBA Trust is committed to HSTA members, and offers a Short Term Income Protection plan especially for active HSTA members. As an added benefit, the HSTA VEBA Trust will subsidize up to $10 of the monthly premium for members who enroll in and maintain the maximum coverage for which they are eligible. To learn more about this plan, visit  www.hstaveba.org or call the HSTA VEBA Trust office at 440-6940 (Oahu) or 1-800-637-4926 (neighbor islands).   Big Island teachers:  ESSA task force meets at Kealakehe High Aug. 17    Please turn out to speak your minds at Gov. David Ige's next Every Student Succeeds Task Force meeting Wed.,Aug. 17, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., at Kealakehe High School on Hawaii Island. Join us to share HSTA member ideas to improve public education in Hawaii to create the schools our keiki deserve. Please wear your red HSTA shirt to the town hall meeting on your island. For a list of the ESSA town halls and to register, click here. Please make time to show up and be heard at the upcoming ESSA meetings nearest you. Aug. 17, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Kealakehe High School, Hawaii Island Aug. 24, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Waiakea High School, Hawaii Island Aug. 24., 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School, Kauai Aug. 27, 1 to 3 p.m., Molokai High School, Molokai Sept. 7, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Maui High School, Maui Sept. 7, 6 to 8 p.m., Castle High School, Oahu Sept. 14, 6 to 8 p.m., Moanalua High School, Oahu Read the list of HSTA's recommended primary election candidates For information about voting in the primary election, click here. See RA/EB meeting dates for the rest of the school year here For a list of the ESSA town halls and to register, click here.

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

Sign-waving on Friday, August 12 at 3:00 pm in front of the large pkg lot next to grassy field (Mo'oheau Park), 8-10-2016

To: WIS Colleagues Email From: Dawn RaymondDate: 8-10-2016

This message is going out BCC to All HFR's. Please forward to your teachers.

Aloha HFR's,

If any of you are free, we will be sign waving this Friday, August 12, 2016 before the Democratic Grand Rally. We plan to meet a little after 3:00 p.m. on the sidewalk (makai side of Kamehameha Ave.) in front of the large parking lot next to the grassy field (Mo'oheau Park). 

Please wear your red shirts.

Thanks,

Dawn K. K. Raymond

President, HSTA Hilo Chapter

_____________ To: WIS FACULTY Forwarded by Dawn Raymong, Email from: Yamanaka, Rae Date: 8-11-2016

THIS MESSAGE IS GOING OUT BCC TO ALL SLLS, PLEASE FORWARD TO YOUR TEACHERS!

As in any election year, it is important that HSTA members present a unified front for our recommended candidates.  We will be holding support signs for Senator Kai Kahele, Senator Russell Ruderman, Representative Mark Nakashima, Representative Clifton Tsuji, Representative Richard Onishi and Representative Joy SanBuenaventura.  Please join us at 3pm on Friday August 12 and consider staying for the Grand Rally at 5pm.

Wear your red HSTA shirt.  Let me know if you need one and I will bring it down with me.

Thanks,

rae

Member Matters, 8-5-2016

HSTA settles grievance giving bonuses to hundreds of teachers HSTA settled a statewide class grievance with the state Aug. 1, awarding lump sum payments of up to $2,000 to more than 300 public school teachers. During 2015 re-opener negotiations, the HSTA and DOE agreed that tenured teachers and those who began probation before July 1, 2013 would receive a lump sum payment of $2,000 (full-time) or $1,000 (half-time). There were two contractual disputes over who was entitled to the lump sum payments: teachers on leave of absence without pay (LWOP) on October 5, 2015, affecting approximately 300 teachers and another roughly 30 teachers who were rated less-than-effective under the Educator Effectiveness System (EES). As a result, HSTA filed a class grievance against the state Department of Education in October 2015. “This is a fair compromise that avoids time-consuming arbitration,” said HSTA President Corey Rosenlee. “We were glad to advocate for our members to ensure they receive the bonuses they are entitled to.” The settlement provides that teachers are eligible for payment if they meet the following requirements: qualified teachers who were on LWOP shall receive the $2,000 lump sum payment upon their physical return to work from unpaid leave; teachers rated less than effective or marginal shall receive the $2,000 lump sum payment upon receiving an effective or highly effective rating for the 2015-16 school year.  For processing of payments, the DOE will be given up to 60 days from the executed agreement (approximately by September 30, 2016), or within 60 days after a teacher physically returns from LWOP. If you meet the above requirements and believe you may be eligible for a lump sum payment, contact the HSTA Negotiations Department at 808-833-2711.   Chapter RAs, executive board meeting dates set for new school year  HSTA chapter presidents throughout the state have set initial dates for RA and executive board meetings. Contact your chapter president to confirm the dates, times and locations. August 2016 August 9:  Hamakua RA August 9:  Kauai EB August 9:  Leeward EB August 11:  Maui RA August 16:  Honolulu RA August 16:  Kauai RA August 16: Windward EB August 18: Central EB August 18:  Kona EB August 22:  Lanai EB August 23:  Hilo RA August 23:  Lanai RA August 23:  Leeward RA August 24:  Molokai EB August 25: Central RA August 25:  Kona RA August 30:  Molokai RA August 30: Windward RA September 2016 September 6:  Honolulu EB September 6:  Kohala RA September 6:  Leeward EB September 13:  Hamakua RA September 13:  Honolulu RA September 13:  Kauai EB September 13:  Windward EB September 20:  Leeward RA September 20:  Molokai RA September 22:  Central EB September 22:  Kona EB September 27:  Hilo EB September 27:  Kauai RA September 27:  Windward RA September 29:  Central RA September 29:  Kona RA See RA/EB meeting dates for the rest of the school year here NEA joins HSTA in backing Hanabusa for Congress The National Education Association this week joined HSTA in recommending Colleen Hanabusa for election to the seat representing Hawaii’s 1stCongressional district in the U.S. House. HSTA had originally recommended the late Mark Takai for re-election to the seat, but he pulled out of the race for health reasons on May 19. After reviewing candidates’ records and interviewing several candidates, HSTA’s Board of Directors made the recommendation for Hanabusa, who has previously represented Hawaii in Congress. The NEA announced it is also supporting her election this week. “Colleen has been an effective advocate for public school teachers and students,” said HSTA President Corey Rosenlee. “She has a strong record of representing Hawaii in Congress previously and we know she will fight hard for our state in Washington, D.C. again.” As an attorney, Hanabusa has also represented public school teachers in court. In June, she won a case invalidating a controversial state Ethics Commission ruling that had previously prohibited teachers from taking free educational trips when they chaperoned their students on those trips.   Free 3-PD credit course targeting SpEd teachers  HSTA is partnering with BetterLesson’s PersonalizedPD to provide Hawaii teachers with a three-year opportunity to grow as teacher leaders. Participating teachers will be matched with a personalized PD virtual coach with similar grade, subject backgrounds and together, they will develop a plan of action for the year. Coaches will meet with teachers every other week to support them with planning, instructional design and strategy implementation. Upon completion, teachers have the potential to become a HSTA PD Trainer. Application Deadline: 9/16/16 Opportunity is open to: ● All special education teachers ● Tenured teachers who have taught for at least three years ● Teachers on all islands ● HSTA members Virtual information session on Thursday, Aug. 11 at 3:30 p.m. HST. Click here to RSVP for virtual info session on free PD course Apply for the free PD course here For more information, please contact Okello Carter at okello.carter@betterlesson.com.   Why you should speak out about ESSA at governor's task force meetings   After passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act in December 2015, Gov. David Ige created a task force to develop a “blueprint for educational transformation” in Hawaii. The task force is composed of nineteen members, only two of whom are teachers. There is one elementary school teacher and one secondary school teacher.   The Governor’s Task Force is hosting nine town halls between July 27 and Sept. 14  to get input from teachers, students, parents and community members. For a list of the ESSA town halls and to register, click here. Join us to share HSTA member ideas to improve public education such as: TEACHER EMPOWERMENT Increase teacher autonomy – control over curriculum, instruction and assessment. Strengthen School-Community Based Management – more teacher voice in decision-making. PROFESSIONAL, CERTIFIED AND LICENSED TEACHERS IN EVERY CLASSROOM This year, there will be more than 1,600 vacancies, and tens of thousands of students in Hawaii schools will not have a licensed and certified teacher. The task force is working on a long-term, visionary response to chronic, recurring teacher shortage crisis – MORE PAY, MORE RESPECT. USEFUL AND SUPPORTIVE TEACHER EVALUATION Federal law NO LONGER requires that teacher evaluation be linked to student performance in any way, but every state will decide, which is why we need your input. Our teacher evaluation is STILL 50% student performance (SLOs) – seen by many as punitive and non-supportive. LESS TESTING, MORE LEARNING Move away from a system that encourages teaching to the test and start teaching to the whole child. Allow teachers to be creative, innovative and work across disciplinary boundaries. Bring back the arts, social studies, Hawaiian Studies and physical education. SCHOOLS OUR KEIKI DESERVE Let’s continue the collaborative discussion to create great public schools in Hawaii. We can help choose the school quality indicators that best measure equity of opportunity. WHY ATTEND THE TOWN HALLS? Now is our chance to step up and say something. Do we want other people to make educational decisions for us or do we want teachers to have a say in the educational future of our state? Let's reclaim this conversation! Be sure to wear your red HSTA shirt to the town halls.  Please also speak out in this survey  Please make time to show up and be heard at the upcoming ESSA meetings nearest you. Aug. 10, 6 to 8 p.m., Kalani High School, Oahu Aug. 17, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Kealakehe High School, Hawaii Island Aug. 24, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Waiakea High School, Hawaii Island Aug. 24., 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School, Kauai Aug. 27, 1 to 3 p.m., Molokai High School, Molokai Sept. 7, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Maui High School, Maui Sept. 7, 6 to 8 p.m. Castle High School, Oahu Sept. 14., 6 to 8 p.m., Moanalua High School, Oahu       See RA/EB meeting dates for the rest of the school year here Click here to RSVP for virtual info session on free PD course Apply for the free PD course here For a list of the ESSA town halls and to register, click here. Read the list of HSTA's recommended primary election candidates

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

Hilo Chapter Representative Assembly (RA) Schedule for SY 2016-2017, 8-4-2016

Hilo Chapter                            2016-2017 School Year President’s Message                        August 2016 Welcome Back! Aloha Colleagues, Welcome to school year 2016 - 2017. We have an exciting new year to look forward to and lots of work ahead of us. On behalf of your chapter officers, I would like to invite you to our upcoming Representative Assemblies (RA) as well as other activities that the Hilo Chapter will be participating in, such as political action and community involvement.  We will inform you about our participation in these activities as we get more information.   RA Schedule  SY 16-17 5 – 6:30 p.m. Kea’au High School Library August 23, 2016 October 25, 2016 December 13, 2016 January 31, 2017 February 28, 2017 April 18, 2017 May 23, 2017 We will be making school visits throughout the year. If there is anything we can help you with, please contact our HSTA Hilo Office at 808-935-9301 or any one of your officers at the email addresses provided below:                                             President, Dawn Kiyoko Kainoa Raymond dkiyokohsta@gmail.com Vice President, Christopher Ho christopherho.hsta@gmail.com                                            Secretary, Karen Kohagura kkohagura@hotmail.com Treasurer, Cheney Kaku ckkaku@gmail.com Board of Director, Val De Corte val.decorte@hawaiiantel.net We look forward to working with each one of you, and wish you all a great school year. Dawn Kiyoko Kainoa Raymond President, HSTA Hilo Chapter

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Speak to governor's key staff in Hilo Aug. 9, 8-3-2016

Aloha Colleagues, We have been invited by Wil Okabe, the representative for Gov. David Ige's East Hawaii office and immediate past president of HSTA, to attend the governor's Community Connection meeting in Hilo next week. The governor believes statewide engagement and collaboration with our island and communities are essential for creating positive and lasting change within our state. One of the governor’s main goals is to hear from the community – especially young people -- about their concerns and hopes for the future. The event at UH Hilo will allow the governor to talk briefly about the administration’s strategic initiatives, and more important, to listen and engage in conversations about top-of-mind issues for the people of East Hawaii. Date: Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016 Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Place: University Campus Building (301) room 100, UH Hilo Breakout sessions will provide an opportunity for us to focus on the following areas of interest to teachers and students: Department of Land and Natural Resources: UCB Building (301), Room 100 Agriculture/Department of Health: Campus Center Building, Room 301 Department of Transportation: UCB Building (301), Room 127 Homelessness: Campus Center Building, Room 306     Hope you can attend. Mahalo, Dawn Raymond, President HSTA Hilo Chapter

HSTA:  United in the pursuit of excellence for Hawaii’s public schools.

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

WIS School Climate Survey update, 7-30-2016

To: WIS Colleagues

Re: WIS School Climate Survey results and Action Plan
From: Joy Grabar
Date: 7-30-2016

Hello, Colleagues,
Many of you have inquired about the School Climate Survey (SCS) results and ensuing Action Plan. As of today, I am still waiting to hear from Rae Yamanaka regarding sharing the SCS and Action Plan with you, our colleagues.

As you may recall, in Spring 2016, the APC requested a School Climate Survey in order to obtain a better sense of the working climate at Waiakea Intermediate School. Uniserve Director Rae Yamanaka administered the SCS. Soon after, your APC (Chad, Kim, Joy, and Tabitha) and administrators (Lisa, Gregg, and Casey) met with Rae on several occasions to review and discuss the SCS results, and draft an plan of action. Targeting the concerns raised by teachers, this Action Plan would serve as a guiding document for SY 2016-2017 regarding APC matters.  At this time, final copies of these documents are forthcoming.

The School Climate Survey and Action Plan will be shared with the WIS faculty as soon as possible. The Action Plan will guide us--teachers and administrators--in the spirit of continuous improvement for this school year.

Please check this blog regarding updates on this matter.

Sincerely,
Joy Grabar

Phone Banking for Kai Kahele, 7-30-2016

Hilo Chaper President Dawn Raymond's
photo will be updated asap!

To: WIS Faculty
Re: Phone Banking for Kai Kahele
From: Dawn K. K. Raymond, Hilo Chapter President
Forwarded by: Joy Grabar
Date: 7-30-2016

This message is going out BCC to All HFR's. Please forward to your teachers.

Hi All,

On behalf of your Hilo Chapter Government Relations (GR) Committee, we are looking for volunteers to help with phone banking for Senator Kai Kahele on Aug.11, 2016 from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm at Kahele's Headquarters (next to Verna's in Keaukaha). 

Please inform Hope McKeen, GR Chair (pualanimckeen@gmail.com) whether or not you are able to volunteer ASAP. Should you have any questions regarding phone banking for Kahele, feel free to contact Hope.

Thank you,

Dawn K. K. Raymond

President, HSTA Hilo Chapter

A Message from HSTA President Corey Rosenlee, 7-30-2016

Teachers are deeply committed to the success of every student. Aloha Colleague, Welcome back to school!  I hope your summer was productive, yet restful, and I thank you for the commitment you have made to improving the lives of children and our society.  If you are a new teacher, this is a great time to join HSTA and take full advantage of the myriad benefits available to members. Get to know a veteran member at your school to find out more about your union and be sure to complete an HSTA membership enrollment form. This is going to be a big year for education and teachers. There are several activities and issues that will affect teachers and public schools: ESSA.  The Governor's ESSA task force is very active and looking for teacher input. There is a survey for teachers and many town hall meetings being held across the state. You can access everything here. Please attend the meetings and complete the survey. Doing so means you are shaping the future direction of education in Hawaii. Contract Negotiations. This year HSTA will negotiate a new contract. The current contract expires on June 30, 2017. In October and November 2016, HSTA leaders will be conducting listening tours to hear what you would like to have addressed in your contract. Keep reading Members Matters, our weekly email, for more details. Learn more about your contract here. Lobbying and Building the Future. On the government relations front we will continue to advocate for Schools Our Keiki Deserve. This includes ensuring that all students have a qualified teacher, learning environments that are conducive to learning, and adequately funding our public schools. These are huge battles, but we had victories last year and we hope to be even more successful this year. See our Schools Our Keiki Deserve blueprint here. Elections. It is also important to elect leaders who will advocate for education. To ensure this, your HSTA teacher leaders have spent many hours reviewing records, reading questionnaires and interviewing candidates who have sought HSTA's recommendation. After careful analysis, HSTA proudly announced its slate of candidates. You can download the entire list here.  Have a great school year and remember HSTA is here to support you. If you need help or have any questions please call 833-2711. Aloha Corey Rosenlee HSTA President

HSTA:  United in the pursuit of excellence for Hawaii’s public schools.

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