School Year 2018-2019 News
hurricane olivia
September 10, 2018
Dear Parents and Guardians,
The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) is working closely with state and county agencies statewide to monitor Hurricane Olivia. The initial effects of the storm are expected to reach the islands by early Tuesday morning. As a precaution, all afterschool activities for Hawaii Island and Maui County will be canceled starting tomorrow, Sept. 11. Hana High and Elementary will be closed tomorrow as well.
As the situation evolves, HIDOE will continue to provide updates about afterschool activity cancellations and school closures.
Updates on school closures will be posted on HIDOE's website, www.hawaiipublicschools.org, and on social media - Twitter and Facebook, @HIDOE808. Please ensure that your child’s school has the most up-to-date contact information for your household.
Families are encouraged to have an emergency plan in place and prepare ahead of the storm's anticipated impacts. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) recommends individuals and families prepare an "emergency kit" with a minimum of 14 days' worth of food, water and other supplies. For other tips and for more information, please visit http://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/.
As with any emergency-type situation, we are striving to balance the need for safety with our overall commitment to provide students and families with every sense of normalcy. Thank you for your support as we work together to ensure the safety of our students, staff and school communities.
Sincerely,
Dr. Christina M. Kishimoto
Superintendent
Dear Parents and Guardians,
The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) is working closely with state and county agencies statewide to monitor Hurricane Olivia. The initial effects of the storm are expected to reach the islands by early Tuesday morning. As a precaution, all afterschool activities for Hawaii Island and Maui County will be canceled starting tomorrow, Sept. 11. Hana High and Elementary will be closed tomorrow as well.
As the situation evolves, HIDOE will continue to provide updates about afterschool activity cancellations and school closures.
Updates on school closures will be posted on HIDOE's website, www.hawaiipublicschools.org, and on social media - Twitter and Facebook, @HIDOE808. Please ensure that your child’s school has the most up-to-date contact information for your household.
Families are encouraged to have an emergency plan in place and prepare ahead of the storm's anticipated impacts. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) recommends individuals and families prepare an "emergency kit" with a minimum of 14 days' worth of food, water and other supplies. For other tips and for more information, please visit http://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/.
As with any emergency-type situation, we are striving to balance the need for safety with our overall commitment to provide students and families with every sense of normalcy. Thank you for your support as we work together to ensure the safety of our students, staff and school communities.
Sincerely,
Dr. Christina M. Kishimoto
Superintendent
momo challenge
OFFICE OF THE COMPLEX AREA SUPERINTENDENT
February 27, 2019
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We are committed to safeguarding the physical and emotional well-being of our students. As such, we want to inform you of the latest series of online challenges targeting youth and teens called The Momo Challenge.
It is essentially "played" over a digital social media platform, where contact is initiated by searching for a phone number online and sending a message. The player then enters into a conversation that involves directions to complete challenges that can include self-harm and even suicide. There have been reports that bullies have been posing as Momo - a nightmarish character with bulging eyes and a chilling smile - on platforms to bully others into harming themselves or others.
Recently, the trend has been covered extensively in the news and over social media. While evidence of the disturbing behaviors of the game are limited, the coverage has understandably caused concern for parents and staff.
According to experts, although the challenge appears to be more fear than fact, it's important for parents to talk to their children about it. Parents can ask their child whether they have seen anything online that has upset or worried them, and explain that there are often things that happen online that can be misleading or frightening and that some things are solely designed to get a lot of attention.
It's also recommended that parents review the online safety and security features on their child's devices. With many students having online access on their own devices, parents are encouraged to be proactive and foster an atmosphere of openness and transparency about their child's online activity.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. It takes a collective community to be vigilant in ensuring student safety.
Sincerely,
Chad K. Farias
Complex Area Superintendent
East Hawaii Complex Area
February 27, 2019
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We are committed to safeguarding the physical and emotional well-being of our students. As such, we want to inform you of the latest series of online challenges targeting youth and teens called The Momo Challenge.
It is essentially "played" over a digital social media platform, where contact is initiated by searching for a phone number online and sending a message. The player then enters into a conversation that involves directions to complete challenges that can include self-harm and even suicide. There have been reports that bullies have been posing as Momo - a nightmarish character with bulging eyes and a chilling smile - on platforms to bully others into harming themselves or others.
Recently, the trend has been covered extensively in the news and over social media. While evidence of the disturbing behaviors of the game are limited, the coverage has understandably caused concern for parents and staff.
According to experts, although the challenge appears to be more fear than fact, it's important for parents to talk to their children about it. Parents can ask their child whether they have seen anything online that has upset or worried them, and explain that there are often things that happen online that can be misleading or frightening and that some things are solely designed to get a lot of attention.
It's also recommended that parents review the online safety and security features on their child's devices. With many students having online access on their own devices, parents are encouraged to be proactive and foster an atmosphere of openness and transparency about their child's online activity.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. It takes a collective community to be vigilant in ensuring student safety.
Sincerely,
Chad K. Farias
Complex Area Superintendent
East Hawaii Complex Area
letter from principal gomes - re: lockdown
May 3, 2019
Dear Keaau Middle Parents and Guardians,
At Keaau Middle School, the safety of our students and staff are of highest priority. This letter is to inform you of an incident that occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. this morning. Our campus was placed on lockdown status as a safety precaution after an unidentified adult male entered our campus with a machete. School staff and Hawaii Police officers responded immediately, secured all students in safe locations and swept the campus as a precaution. The lockdown was lifted at approximately 9:30 a.m.
The safety of our students is a major priority and we are committed to providing a secure campus. I would like to commend our students, parents, teachers and staff for their cooperation. We ask that you remain vigilant while on or near campus and report any suspicious or illegal activity to administrators during school hours or to police after hours.
Thank you for your continued support. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our administration at (808) 313-4800.
Sincerely,
Elna Gomes
Principal
Dear Keaau Middle Parents and Guardians,
At Keaau Middle School, the safety of our students and staff are of highest priority. This letter is to inform you of an incident that occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. this morning. Our campus was placed on lockdown status as a safety precaution after an unidentified adult male entered our campus with a machete. School staff and Hawaii Police officers responded immediately, secured all students in safe locations and swept the campus as a precaution. The lockdown was lifted at approximately 9:30 a.m.
The safety of our students is a major priority and we are committed to providing a secure campus. I would like to commend our students, parents, teachers and staff for their cooperation. We ask that you remain vigilant while on or near campus and report any suspicious or illegal activity to administrators during school hours or to police after hours.
Thank you for your continued support. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our administration at (808) 313-4800.
Sincerely,
Elna Gomes
Principal
6th & 7th grade summer enrichment program
Kea’au Middle School, in joint collaboration with Hawaii Community College and Teaching Change, will be offering a variety of courses for our students to explore. This free program provides meals as well as bus transportation. It will run from June 17-28, 2019, 8:00am to 1:00pm. Enrollment is limited and on a first come, first serve basis. For more information click on the above link or call Kea’au Middle School at (808) 313-4886.
national children mental health awareness month
The Hawaii State of Education(HIDOE) encourages all staff and students to raise awareness about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and build a broad recognition around the role of mental health to overall health. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced the National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day for 2019 will be on Thursday, May 9.
project vision hawaii
All students currently enrolled at Kea'au Middle will be given the opportunity to have their vision screened, no registration needed
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2019 and Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Time: 8:30am - 2:00pm
Place: Kea'au Middle School - Public Library Humanities room
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2019 and Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Time: 8:30am - 2:00pm
Place: Kea'au Middle School - Public Library Humanities room
hawaii college guide
The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) received a generous donation of 2017 College Guides from HONOLULU Magazine. College and career counselors and career learning centers are highly encouraged to make the digital edition accessible to students via this website: http://honolulumagazine.com/search/college+guide
free public health initiative class
The UH Hilo Pharmacy School is currently involved in a research project in which they are holding short (around 20-60 minute) classes on various health topics to see the effect of the lectures on adult volunteer's knowledge. The following classes are available:
Immunizations & Cancer - Tuesday, April 9 at 5PM
Diabetes & Antibiotics - Tuesday, April 16 at 5PM
Classes are held at the Kea'au Public Library. No RSVP needed
Immunizations & Cancer - Tuesday, April 9 at 5PM
Diabetes & Antibiotics - Tuesday, April 16 at 5PM
Classes are held at the Kea'au Public Library. No RSVP needed
bay clinics mobile health unit will be on campus friday march 29,2019
Bay clinic representative has been in contact with parents/guardians about this upcoming scheduled visit.
If you have any questions or would like to consult with Bay clinic mobile health coordinator please call John Saplan at 464-3410.
If you would like to cancel your childs scheduled appointment on Friday please call Keaau Middle Schools health room at 313-4816.
If you have any questions or would like to consult with Bay clinic mobile health coordinator please call John Saplan at 464-3410.
If you would like to cancel your childs scheduled appointment on Friday please call Keaau Middle Schools health room at 313-4816.
bay clinic mobile health van is cancelled for friday february 8, 2019
All students that previously received a letter to take home can disregard the letter.
bay clinics mobile health unit will be on campus
- January 11, 2019 for medical care to students who already submitted a Bay Clinic consent form.
- January 15, 2019 for dental care to students who already submitted a Bay Clinic consent form.
Students that are scheduled for clinics will receive a reminder note sent home on January 9, 2019.
important message - national day of mourning
All Hawaii public schools will be open on Wednesday, Dec. 5, and operate on normal class schedules. Federal offices will be closed for the National Day of Mourning for President George H.W. Bush. The United States flag and the Hawaii state flag will be flown at half-staff at all state offices, agencies and schools through Dec. 30, 2018.
Flu Vaccination Clinic
Stop Flu at school Vaccination clinic held on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 in Shipman gym from 9:15 to 11:15am.
Students will need to bring a picture ID and be present on the day of clinic.
There will be no make up dates.
Please call the health aide at 313-4816 if you have any questions.
Students will need to bring a picture ID and be present on the day of clinic.
There will be no make up dates.
Please call the health aide at 313-4816 if you have any questions.
Book Fair (Oct. 26 - Oct. 31)
Our Scholastic Book Fair is a reading event that brings kids the books they want to read. We'll receive a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level, and all purchases benefit our school!
Parent's Right to Request Teacher Qualifications
HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ESSA Hawaii Qualified Teacher
Parent's Right to Request Teacher Qualifications School Year 2018-2019 Dear Parents and Guardians:
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provides parent(s)/guardian(s) of a HIDOE student, the right to know the professional qualifications of the classroom teacher(s) and if the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so their qualifications. Federal law allows you to ask for certain information about your child's classroom teacher(s) and paraprofessional(s) and requires us to give you this information in a timely manner upon request.
You have the right to ask for the following information about each of your child's classroom teacher(s).
If you would like to receive any of this information, please contact our school office at 313-4800
Mahalo,
Mrs. Elna Gomes
Principal
Parent's Right to Request Teacher Qualifications School Year 2018-2019 Dear Parents and Guardians:
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provides parent(s)/guardian(s) of a HIDOE student, the right to know the professional qualifications of the classroom teacher(s) and if the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so their qualifications. Federal law allows you to ask for certain information about your child's classroom teacher(s) and paraprofessional(s) and requires us to give you this information in a timely manner upon request.
You have the right to ask for the following information about each of your child's classroom teacher(s).
- Whether the teacher has met State qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which he/she provides instruction.
- Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which State qualification or licensing criteria have been waived.
- Whether the teacher is teaching in the field of discipline of their teacher certification.
- Whether any teachers' aides or similar paraprofessionals provide services to your child and, if they do, their qualifications.
If you would like to receive any of this information, please contact our school office at 313-4800
Mahalo,
Mrs. Elna Gomes
Principal
School closure due to hurricane lane
All Hawaii public schools statewide and Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) offices will be closed Wednesday, August 22 - Friday, August 24. Schools and HIDOE offices will reopen Monday, August 27, unless otherwise noted.