Hawai'i State PTSA

The deadline to apply is Tues., 11/12!

Is your PTA a diversity superstar or advocacy ace? 🌟 Nominate for National PTA's 2025 Awards! All levels welcome - state, district, local, and individual advocates. Don't sleep on this chance! ⏰ Deadline: Nov 12. Apply: PTA.org/Awards

Check out the Digital Voter Guide to view candidate statements and photos, and learn more about the ballot questions. Find the guide at elections.hawaii.gov.

In the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, many PTA communities are facing unprecedented challenges. The National PTA Disaster Relief Fund is working tirelessly to support affected families and schools. Your donation can make a real difference in helping these communities recover and rebuild. Join us in showing that the PTA family stands together in times of need. Donate now and share this post to spread awareness.

National PTA and AASA, The School Superintendents Association are accepting nominations for the Excellence in Family Engagement Award. The award honors a superintendent who has shown a commitment to improving student outcomes by engaging families and investing in family-school partnerships. Learn more and submit a nomination at https://bit.ly/3XJ4Kgl.

During National Bullying Prevention Month, we encourage everyone to wear orange next Wednesday for Unity Day.

Join us this Sunday, October 6, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, as we celebrate Hawai'i Children & Youth Day at the Frank F. Fasi Civic Center, Kalanimoku, and Punchbowl Street. This free, family-friendly event honors the keiki (children) and ʻōpio (youth) of Hawai'i with a day filled with engaging activities, live entertainment, and delicious food.

🌟 Join us for a FREE Webinar! 🌟

📅 Wednesday, October 30, 2024 🕔 5-6 PM via Zoom

SMART STRATEGIES: Centering Your Child in the IEP Process
This session is designed to help parents and families of children with special needs navigate the Individualized Educational Program (IEP) process. Learn how to strengthen your voice in the decision-making process and advocate for your child’s needs!

✨ Featuring Andrea K. Alexander, Family, School & Community Liaison for Hawai‘i Statewide Family Engagement Center.

🔗 Register now by scanning the QR code or clicking the link below!

🗣🗣🗣Calling all Hawai'i State local unit PTAs and PTSAs! TODAY at 11:59 p.m. PDT is your last chance to apply for 2024 Program Funding from National PTA.

Grow your PTA by offering engaging programs that help meet the needs of your school community. National PTA has program funding available to support transportation, materials, food and more so all families can participate. Keep in mind that funding is not needed to host PTA programs! Apply now! ➡️ PTA.org/Grants

🗣🗣🗣Calling all Hawai'i State local unit PTAs and PTSAs! Two (2) days remain to apply to get funding for engaging PTA programs! While National PTA programs are free to all PTAs, funding can help cover expenses like food and transportation, so every family (all families in the school) benefits and can join in! Applications close Oct. 1 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. Apply now! ➡️ PTA.org/Grants

🗣🗣🗣Calling all Hawai'i State local unit PTAs and PTSAs! Especially...high school and middle school PTAs! You have THREE (3) more days to apply for funding to host a PTA program to engage your families in digital safety. 💻🤳📱 It's easy to do. Applications close Oct. 1 at 11:59 PDT! ➡️ PTA.org/Grants

Yesterday, the Biden Administration announced a new executive order to help reduce gun violence and save lives. Read the full statement from National PTA President Yvonne Johnson on the Administration’s executive actions: https://bit.ly/3N3PHsM

🗣🗣🗣 Hawai'i State local unit PTAs and PTSAs! Big ideas, easy funding! Your PTA can get funding from National PTA to host an engaging program for your school! National PTA programs like PTA Connected, STEM + Families, Healthy Lifestyles and Reflections show the value of PTA and boost student success. It’s easy to do! Applications close Oct. 1 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. ➡️ PTA.org/Grants

Let’s develop the whole child at school—with education and building healthy habits! Equip your PTA with resources to promote mental and physical health through the Healthy Lifestyles program. Applications for program funding close at 11:59 p.m. PDT Oct. 1. PTA.org/Grants.

Mahalo (Thank You), Koloa Elementary School PTA, for sharing this timely and beneficial information with all 'Ohana across Kaua'i!

Hawaii Food Bank is here to help over fall break with food assistance. Click the link below to sign up.
https://hawaiifoodbank.org/KAUAI/

Ho'omaika'i 'ana (Congratulations), Red Hill Elementary PTSA President and Teacher, N’mmah Kanu, on your Hawai’i News Now segment highlighting your creative approach to teaching. Teachers are the essential "T" in PTA. Hawai'i State PTSA National Parent Teacher Association

TikTok helps Hawaii teacher make over classroom

Calling all Hawai'i State local unit PTAs and PTSAs! The annual Grants portal is now OPEN to apply for funding from National PTA to host an enriching PTA program in STEM, the arts, digital safety, healthy lifestyles and more. It’s easy to do! Applications close Oct. 1 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. ➡️ PTA.org/Grants

Ka‘ū High & Pāhala Elementary School and Nā‘ālehu Elementary School will be closed to students and staff tomorrow, Monday, August 26, due to hazardous road conditions. Highway 11 has been shut down by emergency crews, making both campuses inaccessible to families and staff.

Please enjoy the most recent Hardware Science Hawaii, a Hawai’i State PTSA supporter, newsletter!!

For more information about their programs (including a Camp during Fall Break 2024), please send an email to [email protected] or call (808) 380-2988, or DM their Instagram . You can also visit them at hardwaresciencehawaii.com.

**PARTIAL BUS SHORTAGE RESTORATION** The Hawai‘i State Department of Education (HIDOE) announced today that 34 previously suspended school bus routes across three islands will be reinstated starting Monday, Aug. 12, thanks to ongoing efforts to address the statewide bus driver shortage. Service is being restored for approximately 1,200 student riders enrolled at 23 schools.

In partnership with its contractor, Ground Transport Inc., the HIDOE has secured additional drivers and buses through a new direct contract with Roberts Hawaii. This week-to-week arrangement, enabled by Gov. Josh Green’s emergency proclamation, will continue until Ground Transport can fully restore services on all impacted routes.

The following school bus routes in Central Oʻahu, Central and Upcountry Maui, and East and South Hawaiʻi Island will resume service, effective Monday, Aug. 12. Twenty-nine of the 34 restored routes will be serviced by Roberts and five restored routes will be serviced by Ground Transport.

See the restored bus route list online at:

Hawaii DOE | HIDOE restores 34 suspended school bus routes on O‘ahu, Maui and Hawai‘i Island, service resumes Monday, Aug. 12 HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i State Department of Education (HIDOE) announced today that 34 previously suspended school bus routes across three islands will be reinstated starting Monday, Aug. 12, thanks to ongoing efforts to address the statewide bus driver shortage. Service is being restored for appr...

The 31st annual Children and Youth Day will be held Sunday, October 6, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Frank F. Fasi Civic Center and Kalanimoku Grounds.
Punchbowl street, between King and Beretania Streets, will be temporarily closed for the event from 7:00 AM until 4:00 P.M. that day

Hawai'i Public Schools Parent Involvement Survey - Special Education School Year 2024-25 Link: http://www.hiparentsurvey.com/

To meet the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA), the Hawaii State Department of Education (Department) is required to report annually to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), the "percent of parents with a child receiving special education services who report that schools facilitated parent involvement as a means of improving services and results for children with disabilities” enrolled in Hawaii public schools (20 U.S.C. 1416(a)(3)(A)).

In 2023-2024, the Department, in collaboration with community, state, district, and school-level partners developed a new survey to promote an increase in participation, feedback, and parental engagement. The new survey consists of 11 items in family-friendly language.

The Parent Involvement Survey:
-Is multiple choice and takes less than ten (10) minutes to complete.
-Collects responses that are reported anonymously and cannot be personally linked to you or your child.
-Is available either online or at your child's public school in a paper format that includes a postage-paid envelope.
-Ensures objectivity by being collated, aggregated, and analyzed independently outside of the Department by the current contractor, Piedra Data Services LLC.
-Provides you with the opportunity to complete one (1) survey per child receiving special education and related services.
-Is offered by your child's public school after the initial or annual IEP meeting.
-Is available to be completed from July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025.

The Department values your involvement in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings and other school activities/events relating to your child's education and would like to hear about your experience with your school's efforts to partner with you. Your participation in this survey will help the Department to improve parental involvement in the special education process and improve outcomes for our students with disabilities and families.

The fourth Saturday in July is proclaimed Kūpuna Recognition Day in Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes Section 8-15.

Treat your kūpuna special on July 27th with an easy slipper craft for kūpuna or special senior in your keiki’s life.

For instructions click here: https://go.hidoe.us/Beebusy-8

Very creative and akamai (smart) approach to membership, Kainalu Elementary School and PTA!⭐️⭐️⭐️

Join the PTA! Volunteer with us! Donate to Kainalu! All proceeds from memberships benefit our students and school. Help us reach our goal! 🤩

It's almost time to head back to school! Are you trying to decide if your child is ready for a digital device? Use the Ready, Tech, Go! tool from National PTA and AT&T to help determine if they are ready, and find tips for promoting safety online too. Get started at PTA.org/ReadyTechGo.

National PTA's virtual 2023-2024 Outstanding Interpretation Reflections Winner Celebration will premiere next week, Wednesday, July 31 at 7 p.m. EDT at YouTube.com/NationalPTA. The showcase will feature the seven student artists who achieved the Award of Outstanding Interpretation for their interpretation of the theme I am Hopeful Because... and recognize all national winners from the 2023-2024 Reflections program. Can't wait until next week? You can find all the national Reflections winners at PTA.org/ReflectionsAwards.