LIHU‘E — With state workers ratifying contracts that call for unpaid days off, it won’t just be public schools that will be closed Fridays — starting tomorrow. State Department of Education workers in the State Office Building here are off
LIHU‘E — With state workers ratifying contracts that call for unpaid days off, it won’t just be public schools that will be closed Fridays — starting tomorrow.
State Department of Education workers in the State Office Building here are off and that office will be closed, but the building will remain open because other state offices will be open, said Bill Arakaki, Kaua‘i complex area superintendent.
Parents left scrambling for child-care options for school-aged children will find some choices at certain public schools. Many people who responded to the newspaper’s online poll said they have no idea what they are going to do with their children on the 17 “furlough Fridays.”
In the unscientific poll, which started Oct. 14 and ended Oct. 21, some 468 people responded to the question, “As a parent, what will you do with your children on furlough Fridays?”
Some 153 people, or 33 percent of respondents, said they would leave their children at home, while another 154 people, also 33 percent, said they had no idea what they would do with their children on Fridays when the public schools will be closed due to budget constraints.
A full 93 people, or 20 percent of the respondents, said they would stay home from work. Another 31 people, or 7 percent, said they would bring their children to work with them, and another 37 people, or 8 percent, were opting for paid day care.
Arakaki said he is confident that, working together, parents, teachers, administrators and others will be able to survive furlough Fridays.
“We’ll go through this. I want to make sure schools operate as best as can,” he said.
“Parents and guardians should ensure that child-care arrangements are made for the supervision of our children on the designated furlough days,” he said in a press release.
“During these challenging times as we prepare for the upcoming furlough days, the support from Mayor Bernard Carvalho and the County of Kaua‘i, state agencies, students, parents, teachers, faculty, administrators, businesses and the community in working with our schools is truly appreciated,” he said in the release.
The DOE Web site, hawaiidoe.org or doe.k12.hi.us, has revised school calendars, and frequently asked questions about furloughs, school programs and operations.
A list of other impacted state agencies is available at Gov. Linda Lingle’s Web site, www.hawaii.gov/gov.
A list of private providers offering programs on furlough Fridays follows. They have applied for use of school facilities on furlough Fridays.
Parents and guardians should double check with each individual provider since some programs are dependent on the number of participants registered to begin their services, Arakaki said.
The Hanalei School Parent/Teacher/Student Association program features a variety of activities such as music, art, creative writing, yoga, tutored study sessions, foreign language, physical education and film production. Priority is given to students enrolled at the school in grades kindergarten through six, with a maximum capacity of 100 students.
The programs are offered on all furlough Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at a cost of $325 per child and $170 for each additional sibling, or a daily rate of $25 for PTSA members and $30 for non-members. Call Danette Andrews, 635-7019, or Jadah Sellner, 635-0445, for more information.
Several programs are offered at Lihu‘e’s Wilcox Elementary School:
— The Kaua‘i Academy of Creative Arts program features 10 classes in visual and performing arts. Classes are open to all students ages 5 (and currently enrolled in kindergarten) to 13, with a maximum capacity of 80 students. Dates are most furlough Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 4:40 p.m., at a cost of $250 per student for 10 classes. Contact Mary Nakamura, 346-7586 or info@kauaicreativearts.org, for more information;
— The Kama‘aina Kids program offers academic enrichment, arts and crafts, drama and physical activities for students in grades kindergarten through five. This program is contingent upon a sufficient number of participants submitting applications. Programs are planned on all furlough Fridays from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and the cost is $25 per child per day. For more information, contact Millie Johnston at 274-3158 or Millie@kamaaianakinds.com;
— The Boys and Girls Club of Hawai‘i program features fun educational activities for all youth ages 7 to 17. This program is contingent upon a sufficient number of participants submitting applications. Programs will run on all furlough Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at a cost of $340 (17 days at $20 a day) per child. For more information, contact Lihu‘e outreach at 632-0009.
Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School in Puhi hosts a Boys and Girls Club of Hawai‘i program with fun educational activities for all youth ages 7 to 17. This program is contingent upon a sufficient number of participants submitting applications. The program will run on all furlough Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at a cost of $340 (17 days at $20 a day) per child. For more information, contact Lihu‘e Outreach at 632-0009.
The ‘Ele‘ele School PTSA is offering a program including a variety of activities such as math, reading, writing, crafts and music, for students enrolled at ‘Ele‘ele School in grades K-5, with a maximum capacity of 100 students. Dates are all furlough Fridays except Dec. 18, from 8:05 a.m. to 2 p.m., at a cost of $160 per child ($10 per day). For more information, contact Michelle Correa, 652-1424.
Additional programs are expected to be offered at the county neighborhood centers and other county facilities, though a list of those programs was not available by press time.
• Paul C. Curtis, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or pcurtis@kauaipubco.com.
