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.
Local education nonprofit seeks educators for online focus groups
The nonprofit Hawaii Education Association seeks active and retired teachers from all grade levels (preschool through college) and all islands to participate in online focus groups about the education profession today.
Take HSTA’s English learners survey by Feb. 12
All members are encouraged to take the survey, which should take five minutes or less to complete. Those teachers who have EL responsibilities, such as classroom instruction, EL coordination, and/or support for EL services are strongly encouraged to respond.
HIDOE validates HSTA’s warnings of federal stimulus violations
The Hawaii State Department of Education’s chief financial officer told the Board of Education Thursday that the teachers' union correctly described congressional restrictions on reducing public school budgets after the state accepted hundreds of millions of dollars in federal pandemic aid.
BOE delays approving HIDOE use of federal stimulus funds
The Hawaii Board of Education Thursday tabled a controversial Hawaii Department of Education proposal to use $53 million in federal pandemic stimulus funds to hire tutors for public school students as the department contemplates laying off hundreds of teachers, education assistants, and other staff.
Share your concerns, ideas for successful post-pandemic recovery in public education
To determine exactly how this transitional learning period can lead to a safe, more just, and equitable public education for all students, the National Education Association is asking members to share their real concerns and expert ideas.
Governor restores $123M of school cuts, but layoffs, $140M in reductions still loom
While the governor's restoration of $123 million in school cuts is an improvement, the Hawaii Department of Education still faces roughly $140 million in cuts with hundreds of potential layoffs, the Hawaii State Teachers Association’s president said.