An open letter regarding ‘The Safety Our Students Deserve’
The first weeks of the 2021–22 school year have been incredibly alarming as COVID-19 case counts skyrocket to record levels.
Please submit testimony ahead of Thursday’s BOE meeting
The Board of Education will be meeting this Thursday, Aug. 19. On the agenda for the general business meeting is discussion item VI-A: Presentation on opening schools for the 2021-2022 school year.
‘We cannot allow this type of thoughtlessness to continue’
“Yesterday, Gov. David Ige issued an executive order that prohibits indoor social gatherings of more than 10 people. Schools and classrooms were not included. Many of you reached out, frustrated at the hypocrisy of this order, and I agree completely.”
Resources to ensure ‘The Safety Our Students Deserve’
Safety is at the top of everyone’s minds as coronavirus cases in Hawaii hit record levels and infections by minors make up an alarming proportion of those new cases. Despite these facts, the Hawaii State Department of Education assures the public that there is nothing to be worried about while they have no metrics to determine when it is no longer safe to continue with full classes.
Senate education chair says HIDOE ‘had no plan B’ for distance learning
State senators complained Thursday that the Hawaii State Department of Education did not have an adequate plan to scale up distance learning this school year and failed to adequately support teachers and principals during the coronavirus pandemic.
Governor announces state employee vaccine mandate
While HSTA continues to encourage members to get vaccinated, there are individuals who cannot be vaccinated for medical or religious reasons, and will therefore be subject to additional requirements. As their employment could be in jeopardy, their rights need to be protected.
HSTA joins other unions in demanding bargaining on key vaccination questions
“The public-sector unions reached out to the governor’s office earlier this week to initiate discussions about the vaccine mandate, but our request was denied. We will continue to fight for open discussions about these important decisions that affect public employees, our government operations, and our community.”
HIDOE continues reckless plans despite COVID-19 transmission surge
“With the Delta variant spreading COVID-19 in our communities like never before, this head-in-the-sand mentality jeopardizes all of us.”
Some Hawaii schools holding unsafe in-person staff meetings
Educators who reported back to work for the new school year this week said that some principals are insisting on holding in-person meetings with large numbers of staff in school libraries and other school facilities, risky behavior that goes against HIDOE's own guidance.
Back-to-school message from HSTA President Osa Tui, Jr.
As you are gearing up for the new school year, a lot of uncertainty remains as we await the transition from Superintendent Dr. Christina Kishimoto to Interim Superintendent Keith Hayashi. This transition, coupled with the guidance from DOH released Monday, has further delayed our official meeting with the department to discuss critical issues that are arising.