Senate panel approves bill that would end HIDOE’s COVID-19 secrecy
A bill requiring the Hawaii Department of Education to publish a weekly report naming the public schools that have COVID-19 cases among students and staff unanimously passed the Senate Education Committee Wednesday.
Nominations open for HSTA’s 2021 Pono and Friend of Youth awards
The Hawaii State Teachers Association’s Human and Civil Rights Committee is seeking nominations for its 2021 Pono and Friend of Youth Awards. Nominations must be submitted by Feb. 22, 2021.
TATP will likely be delayed about one month
A delay in the TATP schedule and deadlines would allow additional time for the department to consider restored reductions to the weighted student formula (WSF) and special education per pupil allocation (SPPA) and reduce the need for schools to cut teacher and other staff positions for the next school year.
NEA to conduct vaccination survey with HSTA members
The National Education Association will soon conduct a national survey on the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. Only some Hawaii State Teachers Association members, chosen randomly, will be emailed a link to participate.
Teachers receiving COVID-19 vaccinations in first phase of distribution
Educators will begin to get access to COVID-19 vaccines on a regular basis toward the end of January and early February, state officials said, while Kauai public school employees will get vaccinated starting Monday.
CompuGirls Hawaii accepts applicants for free spring virtual cybersecurity, info tech program
Hawaii girls in grades 8-12 are invited to apply for the CompuGirls Hawaii Spring Camp 2021, a free virtual program aimed to introduce and educate Hawaii girls underrepresented in STEM (Science, Technology, Education and Science) education to cybersecurity and information technology (IT).
City and County of Honolulu expands free COVID-19 testing to educators
The City and County of Honolulu, through an agreement with the National Kidney Foundation of Hawai‘i Consortium, has expanded free COVID-19 testing to O‘ahu educators at testing sites at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport and in Waikīkī.
Local AlohaSafe Alert app aims to slow COVID-19 spread
Health officials urge the public to download a local app that was developed to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. AlohaSafe Alert is a free exposure notification app approved by the state of Hawai‘i.
HSTA holds live briefing, Q&A session on furlough threat
On Dec. 28, HSTA held a live briefing to inform members on furlough threats, our response, and other COVID-19-related updates and actions. Several developments have occurred relating to the governor’s threat of furloughing state employees.
HIDOE allows employees up to 2 hours off to get vaccine
After the HSTA advocated for its members to receive paid time to get their COVID-19 vaccines, School Superintendent Christina Kishimoto sent a memo Friday authorizing that to Hawaii Department of Education employees.