November 7, 2019
HAIS e-news
New at HAIS
HAIS Programs
HAIS Learning Walks: Register by Nov. 8
LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!
The goal of the Learning Walks is to improve practice through observation and reflection, while building collaboration among colleagues from HAIS member schools. Participants will spend a day at a host school observing student learning, teaching and learning strategies, and learning environments. This experience is also intended to give participants the opportunity to reflect on their own practice.
Want to Go on a Learning Walk?
Sign up today to visit:
  • Nov. 22 - Hanahau'oli School
  • Dec. 12 - Le Jardin School
(Please Note: Participants may register for multiple learning walks but space is limited to 12 participants per learning walk). Each visit will run from approximately 8am-1pm (5 hours) & lunch will be provided.
Please click on the buttons below to register for the three available Learning Walks!
Early Childhood Learning Workshop Series
The day will be led by 3 Hawai'i-based early childhood learning experts, each offering a breakout session that will explore one of the topics. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the role of each of these themes in early childhood development and will leave with tools that can be implemented in their own classrooms.
Dates, Locations and Times:  
· November 23 - Oahu, Mid-Pacific Institute. 8:00 am - 1:30 pm - limited space remaining
· January 18 - Maui, Montessori School of Maui. 8:00 am - 1:30 pm
· February 8 - Hawai'i Island, Kamehameha Schools. Exact time TBD
· February 29 - Kauai, Island School. Exact time TBD
Cost:  $20 (snacks, beverages, & lunch included)
NEW! Critical Thinking Workshop: Register by Jan. 17, 2020
Critical thinking should not be thought of as something additional to content, but rather as integral to it. This workshop, therefore, focuses on teaching students to learn not random bits and pieces of information, but systems, organized networks of concepts, active modes of thinking. The session will begin with a general introduction to critical thinking and to its significance, not only to the academic, but also to the vocational and personal success of students. Participants can also expect hands-on learning opportunities during which small group activities are used to illustrate the application of various dimensions of critical thinking strategies to instruction as well as to personal life.
This workshop will introduce the basic components of critical thinking, ways to build those components into the design of what you teach, and ways to make that design effective.
Dates of Workshop: Jan. 28 & 29, 2020
Location: St. Andrew's Schools
Cost: HAIS Members - $375
Non-HAIS Members - $425
Unlocking Learner Variability Workshops
Helping educators develop a deeper understanding of learner variability, this workshop covers everything from theory to classroom implementation. Rooted in critical thinking and using design thinking strategies, participants will create an action plan for unlocking differentiated, personalized and individualized learning for their own learning environments. 
Dates & Location:
  • Feb. 6, 2020 - Oahu, Location TBD
  • Feb. 13, 2020 - Hawai'i, Location TBD
Cost: Free
HAIS News
Updated Transportation Exemptions and Forms
The HAIS Board of Directors has approved the use of a Transportation Exemption form, Private Vehicle Exemption form, and Parent Authorization form, which allow HAIS member schools to transport students in accordance with the State Law. The forms along with a full explanation of their purpose is available on the  HAIS Transportation Guidelines Webpage .
SOTF in the News:
Khan Academy Founder Inspires Hawai'i Teachers at Conference
Salman Khan, founder and CEO of the nonprofit Khan Academy, was a keynote speaker Oct. 3 at the Schools of the Future Conference at the Hawai'i Convention Center. The Star Advertiser's article goes into detail on Khan and Khan Academy, and the reception he received in Hawai'i. Photo credit: Mark Marabeti.
SOTF in the News: Why Nearly Half the Kids in an Island State Can't Swim
Ohana Ocean Safety, a presenter at the SOTF Conference, is mentioned in this article exploring the statistics and background of Hawai'i's kids and their swimming abilities. Ohana Ocean Safety highlights the need for ocean safety and awareness education.
HAIS Meetings
HAIS Admissions Meeting : Nov. 12
The next HAIS Admissions Meeting will be held on Nov. 12.
Time:  11:00am - 1:00pm
Location:  TBD
Contact: If you are interested in hosting the upcoming admissions meeting, or have any questions regarding the Admissions Listserv group, please email Megan Polak.
Community News, Events, and Workshops
Hawai'i Youth Sustainability Challenge: Submit by Nov. 7
This Challenge supports students as they design and implement their own innovative conservation and sustainability ideas and projects for their schools and communities. Please see their website to see their FAQs and to learn more about the program and past projects.  Then, individually or as a student team, develop a Hawai'i specific sustainability or conservation project or idea (see the website for guidelines).
Submission Deadline: Extended to Nov. 7, 11:59pm HST (originally Oct. 31)
Location:  submit applications via the Kokua Hawai'i Foundation Grant Portal
Optimizing the Value of Operations Workshop: Nov. 12
Presented by Edison Energy, with featured guest speaker from Hawai'i Energy, this webinar offers a holistic approach to capturing energy savings in facilities, and will explore the challenges and key components necessary to successfully execute an operating cost management plan and reduction strategy in a K - 12 facility. Drawing on technical examples, lessons learned, and best practices, join this webinar to: 
  • Better understand facility energy and operating cost reduction;
  • Quantify financial & operational benefits;
  • Leverage the benefits of utilizing incentive funding (in addition to other financing options), 
  • Maximize your savings by getting rebates for your projects from Hawaii Energy, and;
  • Sustain the results of implementing cost reduction opportunities for k-12 facilities.
Date/Times: Nov. 12, 10:00am - 11:00am HST
Location: Online Webinar
Cost:  Free
Calendar Contest: Submit by Nov. 13
The 80th Anniversary Calendar Contest Celebrating Hawai'i's Labor Past, Present, and Future, is being held by the Hawai'i State Dept. of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR). This contest is available statewide to both public and private education institutions and students, 18 and under. Entries are limited to one per person. The winning artwork and photo image will be reproduced in a DLIR calendar that shall be distributed statewide, displayed in the Hawai'i State Capitol, and featured on the DLIR’s website. For full details on contest rules and requirements, please see the contest letter from the DLIR.
Submission Deadline: Nov. 13, 6:00pm
Physical Art Mail-in Location: Mail in artwork to the Hawai'i State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, ATTN: Director's Art Contest
830 Punchbowl St, Room 321
Honolulu, HI 96813
Digital Art Mail-in: email to DLIR Director
Upcoming HSTE Events
HSTE Meet & Greet Screening of "She Started It:" Nov. 15
A screening of "She Started It," a documentary following 5 female founders towards start-up success, followed by dinner and a post-movie activity/discussion.
Time: 5:30pm - 8:00pm
Location: ImpactHUB Honolulu
Cost: Free (includes dinner)

Hawai'i Education Technology Survey
Ka'ana Solutions, HawaiiKidsCAN, and HSTE are distributing the first Hawai'i Education Technology Survey for Educators. This survey is designed to gather information about current education technology usage in Hawai'i, and the data will be synthesized into a free report that will be distributed back out to the community. All responses will be kept private, and those who provide email addresses will be emailed a copy of the final data report and be eligible to win one of 3 $50 gift cards. Winners will be chosen randomly.
Philosophy for Children (P4C): Nov. 18
In this workshop, participants will learn about p4c Hawai'i from UH Uehiro Academy faculty and become part of an intellectually safe professional community of inquiry. Engage in p4c Hawai'i's hallmark activities and reflect on ways to apply the classroom strategies to diverse teaching contexts. This workshop is designed for K-12 educators, higher education faculty, community educators interested in exploring how p4c Hawai'i can be applied outside of the regular classroom setting, teachers interested in interdisciplinary and integrated approaches to education, and teachers who want to apply the practice to traditional subject areas and coursework.
Time:  9:00am - 4:30pm
Location:  Hanahau'oli School Professional Development Center
Cost:  $160
Learner Variability Webinar: Nov. 18
In this edWebinar, Ximena Dominguez, Ph.D, presents research from several collaborative projects on early childhood teaching and learning, focusing on math and computational thinking. She offers lessons learned and shares activities and resources that resulted from co-design efforts. Alison Shell, Ph.D, will showcase how the Learner Variability Navigator can be useful when identifying target learning goals, attempting to integrate various domains of learning, and involving families in a child's learning process. 
While this webinar focuses on early childhood, teachers in the upper grades can also apply the information and strategies to their classrooms. 
Date/Time: Nov. 18, 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST
2020 Localicious Art & Poetry Contest: Submit by Nov. 29
The Hawai'i Agricultural Foundation's 6th Annual Localicious Art & Poetry Contest presented by Hawai'i Gas is coming up soon. This year, students are able to submit an original illustration or poem that depicts the theme, "My Favorite Dish Created with a Locally Grown, Caught or Raised Product." Students in grades K-8 have a chance to win a $100 gift card, an exclusive class party with a local celebrity chef, and have their entry featured prominently within the 2021 Localicious Hawai'i calendar.
For more info and entry forms once the contest is underway, please visit www.hawaiiagfoundation.org
Hawai'i LifeSmarts Competition: Online Competition Closes Dec. 6
LifeSmarts is a free educational program that teaches students critical life skills in five key areas: Personal Finance, Consumer Rights & Responsibilities, Health & Safety, Environment, and Technology. Students can get a team and register today to play the online competition quizzes for a chance to qualify for the in-person, gameshow-style State Competition.
Online Competition: open from Oct. 21 - Dec. 6, 2019
In-person Competition: Feb. 8, 2020 at UH Manoa - Campus Center Ballroom
National Competition: April 25 – 28, 2020 in Washington D.C.
Questions: contact Gloryana Aka
Grant Opportunity: Apply by Dec. 12
T he U.S. Dept. of Commerce, through the NOAA Hawaii Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program, seeks to assist in the development of new programs, encourage innovative partnerships among environmental education programs, and support geographically targeted programs to advance environmental education efforts that complement national and state school requirements.
Grant funds range from $25,000 - $150,000.
Questions: contact Jim Foley, B-WET Hawai'i Coordinator
Leaders of Social Justice in Education Course: Apply by Jan. 21, 2020
The Hanahauʻoli School Professional Development Center and the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa College of Education are holding a cohort of social justice education leaders this spring in a course that will empower participants to enact social justice through their educational practice. The Leaders of Social Justice in Education course will provide a general overview of theory and research behind social justice education, explore Teaching Tolerance resource materials and Social Justice Education Standards, and will help bridge connections to local organizations that do social justice work.
The course takes a hybrid format with online assignments beginning on March 20 and ending on November 20, and includes  3 in-person classes  on the following dates:
Date/Times: 8:30am - 4:00pm
April 3, 2020
June 1, 2020
November 6, 2020
Location: Hanahau'oli School Professional Development Center 
Cost: Free (travel subsidies are available for neighbor island participants)
MathWorks Math Modeling (M3) Challenge 2020: Register by Feb. 21, 2020
The M3 Challenge is an Internet-based applied math competition for high school juniors and seniors known for inspiring them to pursue STEM majors and careers. Working in teams of 3 - 5, participants solve an open-ended, math-modeling problem focused on a realistic issue in 14 hours. Extra credit awards are available to teams that employ technical computing/code in their solutions. The contest is open to all U.S. students and will award top teams this year with $100,000 in scholarships toward the pursuit of higher education.
Registration Deadline: Feb. 21, 2020 by 4:00pm EST
Challenge Weekend Dates: Feb. 28 - Mar. 2, 2020
Cost: Free
2019 - 2020 ESU National Shakespeare Competition: Feb. 29, 2020
The Hawai'i segment of the English-Speaking Union (ESU) National Shakespeare Competition is a performance-based education program which provides high school students with the opportunity to practice essential skills, such as critical thinking and close reading, by reading, analyzing, performing, and reciting Shakespearean monologues and sonnets.
The competition progresses through 3 qualifying stages.
  1. 9 - 12 graders are eligible to participate in a school-wide competition (provided they have not been paid for performing during the current school year). 
  2. The school winner advances to a competition held at the local ESU Branch.
  3. Branch winners will travel all expenses paid to New York City for the national competition, tentatively set for Apr. 27, 2020.
If your school plans to participate, please fill out and submit the School Participation Form.
Date of Hawai'i ESU Branch Competition: Feb. 29, 2020
Location: Luke Auditorium, Punahou School's Wo International Center
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Featured Video and Articles
Rethinking Assessment
Features: Rethinking Assessment with educators and students from Hawai'i.
Lydia Saad, Oct. 2019.
Jennifer Breheny Wallace, Sept. 2019.
Visit the HAIS Video Library and the Links & Resources page for additional articles and videos.
Upcoming & Ongoing