LIVE STREAM: Superintendent Kishimoto briefs the Senate Special Committee on COVID-19
The Hawaii State Department of Education announced Tuesday that school facilities will remain closed to students through April 30. Traditional, in-school instruction is on hold until schools reopen.
Superintendent Christina Kishimoto appeared before the Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 shortly after the announcement was made.
HSTA is relieved and grateful that the HIDOE is following state and federal guidelines and county-directed stay-at-home, work-at-home orders.
“Teachers in Hawaii have always said that we should not open our schools until we can make sure it’s a safe and healthy environment, so we’re happy that the department has made this decision and allows more time to make sure that before any of our keiki come back, that it’s a conducive learning environment,” said HSTA President Corey Rosenlee. “Right now teachers are working to make sure that we can provide enrichment activities for our keiki.”
Pushing back the potential reopening of schools to April 30 at the earliest “gives everyone a little breather and doesn’t create as much anxiety among the teachers and parents in the state,” Rosenlee added.
Bargaining Unit 05 members will continue to work remotely, and are still expected to follow the guidelines outlined in our recent letter of agreement.
The HSTA continues to work with the HIDOE to iron out more details, including transfer assignments, third- and fourth-quarter grades, and special education. We will send those updates to members as soon as they are finalized with the HIDOE.
The following communication was sent by the Hawaii State Department of Education:
Dear HIDOE parents and guardians,
We know these are uncertain and anxious times for everyone in our communities and we sincerely appreciate your patience and aloha as our response to this health crisis continues to evolve and we make the needed adjustments for health and safety.
Based on the latest guidance and information from health officials and our elected leaders, the Hawai‘i State Department of Education (HIDOE) will be aligning with the emergency orders directing residents statewide to remain at home and work from home through April 30. This means school facilities will be closed to students until at least April 30 and traditional in-school instruction is on hold until schools reopen.
HIDOE and charter schools will be sending out information about enrichment opportunities, including online resources and instructional packets. We encourage you to look out for information from your child’s school and teachers.
Please know that our public school system is still operating during this crisis. We are using alternative methods as we maximize our telework approach and find ways to remain connected with students. The HIDOE team is actively engaged in providing much-needed, modified services during these unprecedented times, including thousands of meals for children and enrichment opportunities.
We are focused on minimizing disruption for students and supporting their emotional well-being. For tips and tools to navigate and support your child’s continuous learning, please visit bit.ly/HIDOEVirtualLearningParentResource.
By the end of this week, we will be sharing specific plans for our 10,000 eligible graduates. We will also be sharing out next-level information based on the planning work accomplished by our teachers and principals to guide us through the end of the school year.
The Department of Education remains focused on and committed to our educational mission and we look forward to resuming instruction and a sense of normalcy as quickly as possible. Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation.
Sincerely,
Dr. Christina Kishimoto
Superintendent
The following news release was issued by the HIDOE following Tuesday's briefing:
School facilities closed to students through April 30 with the exception of grab-and-go meal sites
The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) announced today school facilities will remain closed to students through April 30, based on the latest guidance and information from health officials and elected leaders. Traditional, in-school instruction is on hold until schools reopen.
“I want to thank each and every one of the Department’s 44,000 employees for working in new ways during these unprecedented times,” Superintendent Dr. Christina Kishimoto said. “These are uncertain and anxious circumstances for everyone in our communities and we sincerely appreciate your patience as our response to this health crisis continues to evolve and we make the needed adjustments for health and safety.”
The Department, along with charter schools, will be sending out information about enrichment opportunities, including online resources and printed material resources such as instructional packets. Parents and guardians are encouraged to look out for information from their child’s school and teachers. Tips and tools gathered by HIDOE’s Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design are also available for the public at bit.ly/HIDOEVirtualLearningParentResource.
Special education services
Schools will ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to the same enrichment opportunities as their peers. Schools are working toward providing the most appropriate modifications and accommodations under the circumstances. Related services that can be provided via telepractice will be considered on a case-by-case basis for students who have qualified for these services. When school resumes in its traditional manner, Individualized Education Program (IEP) and Section 504 teams will meet to determine if there was a loss of skills as a result of the extended school closure, and the need for compensatory education.
Grab-and-go meal school sites
Nine additional sites will begin breakfast and lunch service Wednesday, March 25. Parents and caregivers who come to pick up a meal must be accompanied by a child. Meals will not be served Thursday, March 26, which is Prince Kuhio Day. For the complete list of sites, click here.
By the end of this week, the Department will be sharing specific plans to ensure its 10,000 eligible high school graduates can earn diplomas. The Department will also provide next-level information based on the planning work accomplished by schools, complex areas and state offices for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.
“We remain focused on and committed to our educational mission and we look forward to resuming instruction and a sense of normalcy as quickly as possible,” Kishimoto added.
HIDOE COVID-19 updates will continue to be posted on the Department’s website at hawaiipublicschools.org.