Superintendent’s EDUCATION UPDATE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION | MARCH 2018

AWARDS Keolu’s Yanuaria named counselor of the year Opportunities Keolu El counselor Bianca EDUCATORS Yanuaria represented Hawai‘i in Washington, D.C. at the Ameri - The Ezra Jack Keats Founda - can School tion , which fosters children's Counselor As - love of reading and creative ex - sociation’s pression in our diverse culture, 2018 Coun - celebrates the 30th year of its selor of the Mini-Grant program. Approxi - Year ceremony Ken Kang addresses a surprise award assembly at which he was mately 60 grants of up to $500 last month named Hawaii’s Milken Educator for the 2017-18 school year. each will be awarded to qualify - Yanuaria which featured ing teachers and librarians in keynote speaker Michelle public schools and libraries Obama. “It’s humbling to be Kang wins ‘Oscar of Teaching’ across the country. Apply by recognized for doing what I’m Ken Kang, an ‘Aiea High After working in the engi - March 31. www.ezra-jack- passionate about, which is help - graduate who returned to teach, neering field, Kang was asked keats.org/faq/faq-mini-grants ing students realize their poten - has become the latest recipient by his former teacher and men - tial and to make sure they are of the coveted Milken Educator tor, Wayne Tokuhama, to assist The Hawai‘i Council for the Humanities and The Gilder ready to face any challenge life Award, which honors outstand - ‘Aiea High’s Career and Tech - Lehrman Institute of American throws their way,” she said. ing excellence in education and nical Education department. He History seek nominations for the Yanuaria has implemented a comes with an unrestricted got his teaching degree and National History Teacher of recess program aimed at teach - $25,000 cash prize. started as a part-time teacher in . The national ing conflict resolution, an atten - the Year Award Kang’s work with students in 2004. “I realized that this warm winner will receive a $10,000 dance program that has helped STEM courses and his leader - feeling of working with stu - prize and attend a ceremony in to reduce chronic absenteeism ship in developing the techno - dents, being able to help them their honor in New York City. A from 17 percent to 6 percent, logical infrastructure at ‘Aiea focus on their futures, was so winner selected from each state and an Aloha Committee to High and six other schools in much more rewarding that just will receive $1,000 and will be - help build relationships among the ‘Aiea Complex impressed finishing up my project or my come a finalist for the national the school’s faculty. the Milken Family Foundation. design,” said Kang. award. Apply by March 31. https://www.gilderlehrman.org /content/national-history-teacher- 'AINA PONO FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM year

Jack Johnson and friends eat local, play concert at Mililani High Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams™ The Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation are comprised of high school wrapped up a two-week waste audit at students, educators, and Mililani High. Foundation co-founder mentors that receive up to Jack Johnson, with Kawika Kahiapo $10,000 each to invent and Paula Fuga, marked the occasion technological solutions to real- with a mini-concert during lunch, which world problems of their own featured spaghetti with Big Island beef choosing. STEM educators from meatballs, fresh pineapples, and the continental U.S., Alaska, local greens and cucumbers from Hawai‘i, and territories of the Mari’s Gardens in Mililani. U.S. may apply. Apply by April 9. Schools will be serving Hawaiian http://lemelson.mit.edu Kim and Jack Johnson and Mililani High seniors Hunter Gentry breadfruit (‘ulu) in March for our ‘Aina /inventeams and Bryson Shishido get ready to enjoy a lunch of local foods. Pono Harvest of the Month program.

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Profile: Kea‘au Elementary SCHOOL DESIGN | STUDENT VOICE | TEACHER COLLABORATION

More than halfway through the first school year of an updated Strategic Plan and a state plan for federal funding under the Every Stu - dent Succeeds Act (ESSA) law, there’s a lot of discussion about putting more control of edu - cation into the hands of teachers, schools and communities. Kea‘au Elementary is testing what that looks like — one idea at a time. That started with getting everyone to believe that it was okay to try new things. First-year principal Janice Ochoa Blaber is still working on developing that trust, she says. “We should be focusing on figuring out what our students need,” said Blaber, who was vice principal at Kealakehe Elementary in the five Students and the school's leadership team discuss an Education World article, "50 Signs Your School years prior to her new post, and a teacher before Is a Great School!" Feedback was collected for the school's Comprehensive Needs Assessment. that. “And I get questions back like, ‘Can we Breaks” on her students’ learning and well-being need to use to create a school for them,” Blaber change what we know is not working?’ And of — taking them outside, doing rounds of jumping said. “We need to have the personalities of our course we can. But it’s tough, because that’s jacks, making movement a regular part of class. students in those documents.” not what the culture has been.” “My message to teachers is: You have the Students also took over the February edition At its core, the approach is to have teachers, power to transform the lives of the kids in your of the school’s newsletter, The Nene, to feature staff and stakeholders collaborate to design les - classroom. You don’t have to ask if I’m going interviews with teachers, bus drivers and ad - sons and activities that strengthen academics, to like it. You do have to ask, How is this going ministrators about their work. health, and community, backed by research and to change the learning in a positive, optimal The monthly Parent Coffee Hours are seeing documented to track its effectiveness. way for students?” Blaber said. “But I can’t just stronger life with the help of Parent-Community “It’s opened doors and opened my mind to say all that and then close the door to my office. Networking Center coordinator Sally Deryke, the power a classroom teacher has,” said Brynn I have to model it, I have to teach, they have to with about 15 parents and other community Alcain, a 5th grade teacher in her fifth year at see me taking the risk.” regulars in attendance. School walkthroughs, Kea‘au El. This has been key in helping those first teach - normally the purview of teachers and adminis - ers take the leap, Alcain said. “She’s building NEW IDEAS trators learning from each other, are open to with us — incorporating student voice, teaching anyone from the community who’s interested The team launched Action Research in Edu - alongside teachers, hosting Socratic Seminars in discussing ideas, needs and improvements. cation this year to help stir teacher leadership with students. She’ll jump into classrooms to There’s also a literacy push that applies to in designing effective lessons that resonate for select student exemplar work, talk about what more than the students. In addition to monthly their goals are.” Kea‘au’s students, but which are backed by in - literacy reviews to track student progress, a lit - Kelly added that the Action Research Hui, quiry, research and results. A sample of efforts eracy night has been created to showcase stu - with the principal’s guidance and modeling, is under way: dent learning and pull in parents and the com - providing the framework teachers need to work • Kindergarten teacher Blake Ann Antida is munity, including Kea‘au High students who within so there’s organization behind the drive trying new curricula based on dinosaurs. Ob - read to students. Blaber also encourages teach - to try new things, not a free for all. servationally, it’s well suited for students at a ers to read books on promising new educational “It gives us the flexibility to try the things range of learning levels: the more proficient trends in order to have open discussions with we know have great promise for kids while are learning and using terms like “herbivore” their colleagues and share ideas. documenting whether they’re effective for our and “predator,” and others who are still learning “The expectations we have of students she kids,” Kellee said. words and letters are engaged and the joy of also puts on us,” Alcain said. “We can read whatever we want based on our school’s focus learning is there because of the subject matter. BUILDING VOICE • Vice Principal Jason Britt is identifying areas: differentiation, place-based learning, practices to build trauma awareness, empathy, The school finds all kinds of ways to bring multicultural education. It’s improving our col - and mindfulness. He’s gathering data from their student voice into the design of the school. laboration in our PLCs.” students to help design professional develop - Kelly brought her students into a leadership Blaber said she’ll keep working to expand ment with Team Resilience for the teachers and meeting to add their input to the school’s Com - trust. “I’m still learning how to be an effective staff to create whole child learning environments prehensive Needs Assessment, an exercise leader. We’re all learners, and I’m learning with that are informed by conditions in the commu - schools do annually to inform their academic the teachers and the students,” she said. “As nity, which is high poverty and high needs. plans and financial plans. trust is being built, we see how much stronger • Special education inclusion teacher Lynn “We asked them questions about who they we can be as a community.” Nagata is documenting the effects of “Brain are. The answers they give are the answers we Full profile online: bit.ly/KeaauEl MARCH 2018 ‹ PAGE 3

Success Stories MORE AT HAWAIIPUBLICSCHOOLS.ORG

the “best in show” of the selected Central Middle works. The school’s last nomina - connects students tion was in 2013. Arianne said she was astonished to learn of the with royal past honor. “I couldn’t breathe right. The pillars of Central Middle My parents were really excited School’s main building showcase about it.” an architectural style from long This generation of Javiers is ago, and its foundation still has something of an artistic dynasty: remnants of the site’s royal past. her two older sisters are also ac - Commuters on their way to down - complished artists and one has town may not realize the earned a degree in graphics de - significance of the area. A hint can sign. The best artistry tip they be seen walking along Kukui ever gave their little sister? Street, where the name Keʻe - “Don’t be lazy,” Arianne said. likōlani is etched into the side of A mural of Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani graces one of the walls at Central Middle — a connection to the culturally rich past of its campus. Having that work ethic is as the school building. Keʻelikōlani important as root talent when it was the granddaughter of King comes to professional level Kamehameha I and a powerful artistry, Fujimoto agreed, which ali‘i. She was well educated and is what he sees in Arianne’s work. had a firm grasp of the English “It’s pretty rare to see this level language, however, she chose to of skill in a freshman,” Fujimoto only speak and write in Hawaiian. said. “But she really put in the “Ruth Luka Keanolani time and energy.” Kanāhoahoa Keʻelikōlani was the epitome of Hawaiian strength, generosity and resilience,” said Dr. MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS Kalehua Krug of HIDOE’s Office EXPLORE CAREER PATHS of Hawaiian Education. “Her dedi - Students from Central, Dole, cation to the native language and Jarret, Kalakaua, Nānākuli, culture of Hawaiʻi was second to Waimānalo, Wai‘anae, Waipahu none and it continues to inspire the and Washington middle schools role of the Hawaiian language in visited with more than 65 ex - today’s society.” hibitors and learned about career The legacy of Keʻelikōlani is pathways at the 3rd annual perpetuated through the work of Hawai‘i P-20’s Middle School the Princess Bernice Pauahi High freshman Arianne Javier with “Creator,” an American Career Industry Fair at the Bishop Estate. At the time of her Visions nominee in the Hawaii Regional Scholastic Art Awards program. Hawaii Convention Center. death, Keʻelikōlani was Hawaiʻi’s “By starting this dialogue when Her surrealist and whimsical il - largest landowner. Before her ARTIST’S VIBRANT ‘CREATOR’ they’re in middle school, it will EARNS TOP AWARD lustration, Creator , earned her the passing, she had willed all of her give our students a sense of pur - land and possessions to her fa - prestigious American Visions During the second quarter of pose when it comes to their high vorite cousin, making Bishop the this school year, teacher Jeffrey nomination in the 2018 Hawaii school educational experiences,” largest landholder in Hawaiʻi and Fujimoto gave his fine arts stu - Regional Scholastic Art Awards. said Supt. Christina Kishimoto. laying the foundation for what has dents at Moanalua High an as - This year, more than 1,500 stu - Prior to attending, students become . signment: a self portrait. dent artworks were submitted for took the RIASEC quiz to assess “As the largest landowner in the As she mulled over the assign - consideration and 233 were se - , she was a ment, freshman Arianne Javier lected for the awards program their skills and interests; they proud woman who was also hum - was contemplating her ability to and an exhibit at the Hawaii State were given a “Passport” and ble, resilient and extremely loyal to bring alternate worlds to life Art Museum to run Feb. 16 to tasked with visiting five ex - her people and culture. These are when her pencils touch paper. April 13. Nominated works are hibitors aligned with results. qualities we want our students to Fleshing the images out, these eligible for national recognition In celebration of Career and learn, practice, and promote worlds seem more brilliant and and scholarships to be awarded in Technical Education Month in throughout their time at Central enchanting than the one we all the spring. February, the event features ex - Middle School and through the rest occupy. Only five artworks in Hawai‘i hibitors from UH programs, com - of their lives forward,” said Princi - “I just get immersed in these are nominated for the American panies and industry partners rep - pal Anne Marie Murphy. worlds I’m creating,” she said. Visions award, meant to reflect resenting the nine CTE pathways. EDUCATION UPDATE › MARCH 2018 › BACK PAGE

Don’t Miss This! EVENTS, DEADLINES & FUN STUFF

MAR 9 MAR 18 ›››

HAWAII STATE SPELLING BEE GLOBAL TEACHER PRIZE The 2018 Kama'aina Kids Hawaii What makes a great teacher? A State Spelling Bee returns to The New mastery of their subject? A passion for Hope auditorium at Sand Island learning? A drive to make the world a with the top regional spellers across the better place? All of these qualities can Islands. The top finisher will compete in be found in abundance among the 10 the national competition in Washington, teachers from around the world D.C. May 27 to June 1. Even if you’re shortlisted by the Varkey Foundation for not competing, you can join the The the 2018 Global Teacher Prize and $1 Bee’s Bookshelf, the official book club million . Waialua High & Intermediate’s of the Scripps Spelling Bee — because Glenn Lee is a finalist. The world will great readers make great spellers! learn who the winner is at the Global spellingbee.com/bookshelf Education and Skills Forum in Dubai.

MAR 2830 ››› APRIL

FUTURE SCIENTISTS UNITE! TSUNAMI AWARNESS MONTH The top scientific work of students from A tsunami is a series of ocean wave across the Islands will be showcased at masses generated primarily by the Hawaii State Science and earthquakes. Underwater volcanic Engineering Fair at the Hawaii eruptions and landslides can also Convention Center — awards, generate them. If you are near the ocean scholarships and cash prizes are on the and you feel the earth shake, move to line! The best will move on to the higher ground. Schools that lie in International Science and Engineering tsunami zones practice evacuating Fair May 13-19 in Pittsburgh, PA. within 10 minutes, with designated site (Pictured: the 2017 Hawaii delegation to arrivals within 20 minutes. Resources: ISEF.) www.hawaiiacademyofscience http://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/public- .org/science-fair resources/types-of-disaster/#tsunami

Supt.’s Corner DR. CHRISTINA M. KISHIMOTO

There has been a lot of atten - perform five emergency prepared - than a dozen community effort and it takes all of tion on the safety and security of ness drills and shelter in place is threats causing disrup - us to keep all of our students safe. our public schools. In January, one of those exercises. The other tion and a strain on administra - School districts are now deal - following the false missile alert, four drills are: lockdown, evacua - tive and police resources. One of ing with a rise of student-led civic questions surfaced about HI - tion, tsunami and earthquake. the greatest challenges being engagement efforts and actions, DOE’s readiness for a nuclear at - Schools are also required to create faced by our schools and law en - including the idea of school walk - tack. Under the advisement of the and update their own safety plans, forcement are the threats that are outs. HIDOE supports students’ Hawaii Emergency Management which are reviewed by the Emer - made on social media. Constitutional rights to peaceful Agency, our schools were pro - gency Management Office. On Feb. 23, I joined the Hon - assembly and free expression. vided guidance on sheltering in In February, the security of our olulu Police Department in a Our goal in responding to walkout place. Our Safety, Security and schools came under scrutiny fol - news conference to address the plans and other forms of peaceful Preparedness Branch also met lowing the mass shooting in seriousness of these threats. Indi - assembly is to support student and with schools to assist principals Florida. The 17 lives lost in that viduals connected to a threat can staff safety and keep the focus on in locating appropriate spaces for massacre left many of our stu - face criminal charges of terroris - teaching and learning. sheltering in place. dents, staff and parents shaken. tic threatening along with school What we hope to gain from The safety and security for stu - Across the country, school dis - discipline, including suspension. these experiences are student dents and staff are top priorities tricts are dealing with rumors or Police officials reinforced the voices that help to shape how we for HIDOE schools. All of our threats being made against school fact that our schools are safe. The can better design schools with schools are annually required to campuses. HIDOE faced more well-being of our students is a safety in mind.

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Education Update is a monthly newsletter by the Department’s Communications Office, distributed to schools, the first Board of Education meeting of the month, and posted to HawaiiPublicSchools.org. We encourage submissions! Please contact us at the phone, email or social channels above.