Shortly after the Hawaii State Teachers Association announced that there were COVID-19 cases among teachers or staff at five schools–including Hilo Intermediate–the State Department of Education said neighbor island schools will start online, not in person, for four weeks.

HSTA President Corey Rosenlee said the union is alarmed by the lack of transparency and public notification about coronavirus cases at Hawaii’s public schools.  Teachers were notified, but parents were not, less than a week before students were supposed to return for face-to-face learning and testing on school campuses.

Apparently principals were given the responsibility for notifying those who were in contact with people who had tested positive for COVID-19, because the State Department of Health was “busy with an increased caseload.”  Rosenlee noted that principals have not been trained to be contact tracers.

Rosenlee said the actual amount of positive cases is not known, and the DOH has not provided information on “triggers” for when cases would dictate closing schools.  Rosenlee said Hilo Intermediate’s positive case has occurred since August 6, and there are 8 schools on O’ahu with reported cases.   Click here for the HSTA detailed report.

Just hours after the HSTA held a video press conference, School Superintent Christina Kishimoto announced that public schools on Kaua‘i, Hawaiʻi Island, and in Maui County – with the exception of Moloka‘i schools and Hāna High & Elementary – will have full distance learning  for the first four weeks of the 2020-21 school year.

The Department of Education’s detailed plan:

First phase, in-person training (Aug. 17-20)

During the first week of school, students will physically return to campus on a coordinated and scheduled basis, determined by each individual school, to connect with their teacher, receive training on the distance learning platforms, and address issues with connectivity and access to technology. Special considerations will be given to vulnerable students and their families for more in-person access to the school and teachers.

Starting on Aug. 17, School cafeterias will be serving only grab-and-go meals for their enrolled students; in-person dining will not be allowed. After-school programs will be suspended until students return to in-person blended learning models.

Second phase, ready to learn (Aug. 24-Sept. 11) 

For the remainder of the four week period, full distance learning will be implemented. Staff will report to their designated work sites for continued distance learning instruction. Special education services that cannot be provided in a distance learning format will be available in person. Supervised in-person learning labs at schools will be available for students who do not have WiFi access.

Third phase, transition to blended learning or continue distance learning (Sept. 14) 

HIDOE will continue to closely monitor the situation and work with the Governor’s Office and the Hawai‘i State Department of Health to assess whether or not students can safely return to in-person blended learning models. If distance learning will continue for the remainder of the first quarter of school, an announcement will be made on Sept. 8 by each complex area superintendent.

Click here for the full DOE press release.