COVID-19 Archives - Page 3 of 24 - Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association

HSTA demands bargaining as omicron surge triggers school closures, teacher reassignments
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HSTA demands bargaining as omicron surge triggers school closures, teacher reassignments

Terri Inefuku2022-01-12T18:09:17-10:00January 12, 2022|Categories: COVID-19, News|Tags: collective bargaining agreement, contract violations, coronavirus, COVID-19, demand for bargaining, grievance, impact bargaining, Keith Hayashi, school closures, superintendent, teacher reassignments|

This week, the Hawaii State Teachers Association submitted a new demand for impact bargaining to interim Schools Superintendent Keith Hayashi and Hawaii Board of Education Chair Catherine Payne over recent changes by the Hawaii State Department of Education to members’ working conditions without appropriate negotiation or a consult-and-confer process, which are violations of our contract, HIDOE policy, and state law.

Schools scrambling without direction from HIDOE as omicron cases surge
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Schools scrambling without direction from HIDOE as omicron cases surge

Terri Inefuku2022-01-11T16:14:45-10:00January 11, 2022|Categories: COVID-19, News|Tags: coronavirus, COVID-19, guidance, Hawaii State Department of Education, health and safety, isolation, Keith Hayashi, Omicron, quarantine, superintendent|

Unfortunately, with omicron cases soaring, the HIDOE still appears woefully unprepared to manage staffing and COVID-19 response with entire classes moved to cafeterias, gyms, or auditoriums given teacher absences and substitute shortage.

HIDOE updates return to school/work criteria to reflect quarantine changes
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HIDOE updates return to school/work criteria to reflect quarantine changes

Terri Inefuku2022-01-11T16:26:23-10:00January 11, 2022|Categories: COVID-19, News|Tags: boosted, coronavirus, COVID-19, COVID-19 test, fully vaccinated, isolation, quarantine, return to school, return to work, vaccine|

The two major areas that have changed include definitions for being boosted or fully vaccinated recently, for purposes of quarantine requirements, and a reduction in the number of days someone would need to quarantine from 10 to five.

Financial assistance, loan options available to HSTA members
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Financial assistance, loan options available to HSTA members

Evan Kumasaki2022-01-10T15:20:16-10:00January 10, 2022|Categories: News|Tags: coronavirus, COVID-19, emergency loan, financial assistance, financial support|

The coronavirus pandemic has taken a heavy financial toll on many Hawaii families, our members included. With all that is going on, bills still need to be paid, groceries purchased, and basic needs met. Many individuals and families may also experience changes to employment that can affect household income.

HSTA’s Government Relations Committee spotlights priorities for the 2022 Legislature
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HSTA’s Government Relations Committee spotlights priorities for the 2022 Legislature

Jill Meinecke2022-01-08T12:36:39-10:00January 7, 2022|Categories: News|Tags: 2022 Legislative session, COVID-19, government relations, hawaii state legislature, legislative priorities, legislative reception, pandemic, salary compression, teacher shortage crisis|

The Hawaii State Legislature will convene on Jan. 19. Here are the priorities we will be advocating at the Legislature. HSTA members are encouraged to attend their chapter’s legislative reception to share these priorities with their area lawmakers.

Hawaii public schools experiencing staffing shortages due to omicron variant
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Hawaii public schools experiencing staffing shortages due to omicron variant

Jill Meinecke2022-01-05T18:00:36-10:00January 5, 2022|Categories: News|Tags: coronavirus, COVID-19, education, HGEA, HIDOE, keiki, Keith Hayashi, Omicron, Osa Tui Jr, safety, sean bacon, staffing shortages, UPW|

With the recent surge in omicron-variant COVID-19 cases in the islands, Hawaii public schools saw 1,600 staff absences Wednesday, the Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) revealed in a press conference.

HIDOE, DOH failed to plan for school reopening in a responsible way
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HIDOE, DOH failed to plan for school reopening in a responsible way

Terri Inefuku2021-12-29T17:22:39-10:00December 29, 2021|Categories: COVID-19, News|Tags: contingency plans, coronavirus, COVID-19, data, Department of Education, Department of Health, DOE, DOH, Hawaii State Department of Education, HIDOE, Omicron, reopening, variant|

The Hawaii State Department of Education and the Hawaii Department of Health had time to make better plans for situations such as this and failed to act in a responsible way.

At HSTA’s request, HIDOE shares COVID-19 response update with Omicron data ‘yet to come’
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At HSTA’s request, HIDOE shares COVID-19 response update with Omicron data ‘yet to come’

Terri Inefuku2021-12-16T18:12:55-10:00December 16, 2021|Categories: COVID-19, News|Tags: Board of Education, coronavirus, COVID-19, Delta, Hawaii Board of Education, Hawaii State Department of Education, health and safety, Keith Hayashi, Omicron, variant|

The Hawaii Board of Education placed the update on its Dec. 16 general meeting agenda at the request of the Hawaii State Teachers Association. HSTA firmly believes regular updates to the board and the public help to improve concerns about transparency and accountability.

HIDOE asks governor to restore funding for 21 hours of job-embedded professional development
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HIDOE asks governor to restore funding for 21 hours of job-embedded professional development

Jill Meinecke2021-12-16T16:28:03-10:00December 16, 2021|Categories: News|Tags: 21 hours, Board of Education, COVID-19, education, ESSER, Governor Ige, Hawaii DOE, HSTA, Keith Hayashi, pandemic, pandemic funds, professional development, teachers|

At a Board of Education meeting Thursday called to hear the Hawaii Department of Education (HIDOE)’s plan to use federal funds in the second and third rounds of the Educational Stabilization Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds, education department officials said they do not plan to use federal funds to restore 21 hours of job-embedded professional development (PD) for Hawaii educators.

Submit testimony to BOE about using ESSER funds to restore 21 hours
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Submit testimony to BOE about using ESSER funds to restore 21 hours

Terri Inefuku2021-12-10T19:04:24-10:00December 10, 2021|Categories: COVID-19, News|Tags: Board of Education, BOE, coronavirus, COVID-19, ESSER, federal funds, Hawaii Board of Education, meeting, testimony|

HSTA members are encouraged to submit written testimony to the Board of Education in advance of its meetings Thursday when the board will discuss how to use federal pandemic relief funds and look closer at COVID-19’s effects on schools.

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