HIDOE releases health and safety guidance for the 2022–23 school year
On July 26, 2022, the Hawaii State Department of Education updated its health and safety guidance for schools for the 2022–23 school year including some significant changes.
DOH: Masking optional in updated school guidance; quarantine, social distancing will also ease
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.
Changes in HIDOE COVID-19 protocols likely; still under review for now
The Hawaii State Teachers Association has reached out to the HIDOE and confirmed that all COVID-19 mitigation and health and safety policies remain in place for now. The HIDOE is awaiting guidance from the Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) before announcing any changes.
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.