HSTA-Leeward Chapter

Welcome Back Everyone,

I hope that all of you enjoyed your summer.  By now, you have met your students and, like me, are ready for the challenge.  As true honu, you should be up for the adaptations you'll make as we move forward through the year.

In recent days, the media has been so negative about our schools and our kids that many of you may want to give up now, but let's stick together.  We have a lot of work to accomplish.  Our focus this year is one of ACTION because we care about what happens to the future for our students and our schools.  Former NEA President, Reg Weaver stated at the NEA Representative Assembly, "...never remain silent, because quality public education is so very, very important."  Remember, "...if your mind can conceive it and you believe it, you can achieve it...."

Together we will elect a candidate for President that supports public education.  Recently several of our colleagues interviewed our local candidates and will recommend those who support us for the Fall election.

We will be visiting in our schools this Fall to be sure that we're all working together since we no longer can remain silent.  As educators we know that "Great Public Schools for Every Child to Succeed" matters!

So get ready Leeward!  Get ready to be PROACTIVE...your Leeward Executive Board will help lead the way---with your support we can do this.  Our first PROACTIVE step we need to do is to REGISTER to vote....then VOTE.  We need to elect those who truly understand the importance of Global Education; from our President, Congressional representatives, our Legislators and members of our Board of Education.

We need to make sure that we hold fast to our NEA/HSTA goal of Great Public Schools, a Basic Right...  The right for students to have qualified teachers in every classroom, adequate and equitable funding, standards and accountability that makes sense, adequate time and resources to complete all requirements placed on teachers and smaller class size.

It is my wish that HSTA Leeward will take on this task together and that everyone have a safe and great school year!

Gail Kono
Teacher, Kalei`opu`u Elementary School

Gail.Kono@members.hsta.org

HSTA Leeward President