DOH: Masking optional in updated school guidance; quarantine, social distancing will also ease

2022-07-12T18:26:25-10:00July 12, 2022|Categories: COVID-19, News|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

HSTA recommends that all Bargaining Unit 05 members continue to practice mitigating strategies whenever possible, which includes staying up to date with vaccines and boosters, and masking indoors to minimize the chances of catching COVID, especially given the ongoing shortage of substitute teachers.

HSTA advises caution for those considering ‘distance learning’ positions in TATP

2022-03-04T13:51:26-10:00March 4, 2022|Categories: News|Tags: , , , , |

HSTA cautions all teachers applying for any position listed as “distance learning” to approach the opportunity with a full understanding of the expectations and possible consequences of accepting a transfer into such a position.

BOE pauses permanent virtual school plan until it creates a new distance policy

2022-02-18T09:49:43-10:00February 18, 2022|Categories: News|Tags: , , , , , |

BOE Chair Catherine Payne raised several concerns “that we’re trying to rush to get this going but we are not really fully prepared with the curriculum in place and the teachers trained and the real understanding of how we’ll have some hybrid opportunities in addition to the full-on digital learning for some students.”

BOE directs HIDOE to share COVID-19 guidelines with school staff, communities

2022-01-21T16:46:13-10:00January 21, 2022|Categories: News|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |

The Hawaii Board of Education (BOE) Thursday called for the Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) to share specific guidance and parameters with Hawaii public school staff and school communities as to when schools will need to move to distance learning because of high COVID-19 case counts on campus. The board said missing guidelines from the department has led to confusion, frustration and anger amongst educators, students and their families.

HIDOE offers few specifics on when school-based testing will begin

2021-09-10T17:14:58-10:00September 10, 2021|Categories: COVID-19, News|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

The Hawaii State Department of Education’s plans for free COVID-19 testing at public schools statewide are eagerly awaited by students, staff, and parents, but at a legislative hearing this week, school officials did not answer key questions about when the program will be available at all schools.

Hiring remote teachers out of state violates state law, despite BOE discussion

2021-09-07T10:58:06-10:00September 3, 2021|Categories: COVID-19, News|Tags: , , , , , , , |

The Hawaii Board of Education last week asked the Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) whether there were ways to allow new teachers from the continental United States to reside there and be able to teach remotely. However, Hawaii law prohibits this type of employment by state or county government workers.

‘Enough is enough’: HSTA issues official demand for impact bargaining

2021-08-18T19:15:44-10:00August 18, 2021|Categories: COVID-19, News|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

In a news conference Wednesday, HSTA President Osa Tui, Jr. outlined the stark discrepancy between what officials are telling the public and what’s really happening in Hawaii’s public schools.

Senate education chair says HIDOE ‘had no plan B’ for distance learning

2021-08-06T14:24:36-10:00August 6, 2021|Categories: COVID-19, News|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

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.

HIDOE continues reckless plans despite COVID-19 transmission surge

2021-08-02T20:51:31-10:00August 2, 2021|Categories: COVID-19, News|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

“With the Delta variant spreading COVID-19 in our communities like never before, this head-in-the-sand mentality jeopardizes all of us.”

Back-to-school message from HSTA President Osa Tui, Jr.

2021-07-28T21:12:55-10:00July 27, 2021|Categories: COVID-19, News|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |

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.

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