Solomon Elementary School is located on Schofield Barracks. (Courtesy photo)
Multi-track schools moving to single-track system for first semester
Hawaii Department of Education
News Release
In an effort to support working families in our community and provide some stability, the Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) announced its three multi-track schools on Oahu will temporarily convert to a single-track schedule in the fall.
The change will be in place for at least the first semester of the 2020-21 school year. This means the first day of instruction and the dates for fall break will be the same at these schools as all other HIDOE public schools. Student instruction is scheduled to begin Aug. 4. for all schools. (See revised 2020-21 multi-track calendar here < http://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/DOE%20Forms/2020-21MTcalendar.pdf > , and 2020-21 official school calendar here < https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/DOE%20Forms/2020-21calendar.pdf > .)
Multi-track schools – Mililani Middle, Kapolei Middle and Holomua Elementary in Ewa Beach – traditionally operate with students staggered on different tracks throughout the year to accommodate growing enrollment.
“The shift to a single-track system will provide some relief for families having to plan ahead for childcare as the state starts to reopen,” Deputy Superintendent Phyllis Unebasami said. “We have heard from numerous families, especially those who have children attending a multi-track and single-track school, about the inconvenience of coordinating childcare due to the multi-track schedule.”
Teachers and staff at Mililani Middle, Kapolei Middle and Holomua Elementary have been informed of the changes and revised schedules. The Department is in ongoing discussions with labor unions representing multi-track staff to address questions and concerns.
The Department is developing plans to reopen schools for the upcoming school year. HIDOE will be taking lessons learned over the summer to inform what instructional delivery models will look like for the fall. It will likely include a blended approach, providing in-classroom learning that follows health and safety guidelines as well as distance learning opportunities for families that can and want to take advantage of that program.
Feedback from teachers, principals, students < https://twitter.com/HIDOE808/status/1262950178929160193 > and parents < http://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/Distance-learning-survey-for-Hawaii-DOE-families.aspx > gathered from surveys underway will help the Department design delivery models that are appropriate, realistic and best meet the needs of each school community.
The Department has created a resource page < http://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/school-year-2020-21.aspx > on its hawaiipublicschools.org homepage, where updates about reopening plans will be shared as key decisions are made.
About the Hawai‘i State Department of Education
Hawai‘i's public school system was founded on Oct. 15, 1840, by King Kamehameha III. It is the oldest public school system west of the Mississippi. It is one of the largest public school systems in the country — 293 unique schools on seven islands, with more than 22,000 full-time and 20,000 part-time/casual employees serving about 180,000 students, their families, and the community.
Our vision: Hawai‘i’s students are educated, healthy and joyful lifelong learners who contribute positively to our community and global society. Learn more at hawaiipublicschools.org.