School’s out through April

LIHU‘E — Schools around Kaua‘i will remain closed until at least April 30 in response to the ongoing battle to control the spread of the COVID-19 disease in Hawai‘i.

“In place of traditional in-person instruction, teachers are utilizing an instructional enrichment approach that will continue to engage students in a modified approach to learning until school buildings reopen,” states a guidance booklet issued by the state’s Department of Education, Tuesday. “This enrichment will involve a mixed methodology approach such as independent projects, study packets, distance learning, and e-conferencing with an increased utilization of technology to the extent possible.”

The 30-page guide, “HIDOE Guidance for Long-Term School Closures: Graduation, Promotion and Grading” can be found in its entirety at the Hawai‘i State Department of Education website at www.hawaiipublicschools.org.

The Kaua‘i Complex Area released its bit.ly/kauaipublicschools website for the 15 Department of Education public schools on the island.

Kaua‘i Complex Area Superintendent William Arakaki explained that the website has a listing of the Kaua‘i schools, the school logo, the name of the school, a telephone number, and email contact information.

Once a logo is selected, the website takes you to the selected school’s website with information and updates for the continuation of learning, device/packet distribution information, and other DOE matters for the selected school.

On the top right, a click on COVID-19 brings up a listing and route maps for the Grab and Go Meals pickup that will see Koloa Elementary School joining the list of Grab and Go sites starting with breakfast pick up from 7:30 to 8 a.m., April 13. Other Grab and Go sites include Kekaha Elementary School, Waimea High School, the Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School, and Kapa‘a High School.

High school sports and practices remain “suspended” until at least April 30. More detailed plans for commencement will be forthcoming after April 15.

Other schools coping with the extended closures include the Hawai‘i Catholic Schools — St. Catherine School, and St. Theresa School — engaging in distance learning programs with regular instructional packet pickups and drop offs in compliance with the emergency rules during the emergency period.

“Island School has put together a resource page for our island community,” said Nathaniel Evslin, the Dean of Students at Island School. “Basically, this is a curation of great resources available online that Kaua‘i families can use to enrich their child’s day. This page, located at www.ischool.org/covid-19—-resources, is in addition to all the work that our faculty is doing to continue our school year, remotely. These times call for us all to work together, and we want to put this page together for families across the island, whether or not they are students at Island School.”

Alaka‘i O Kaua‘i charter school, offering a email enrichment tip on organizing schedules, has an “online enrichment” tab on its alakaiokauai.org website for guiding learning during the closure caused by the emergency.

The Kawaikini New Century Public Charter School refers COVID-19 updates in Hawai‘i to the Department of Health, or the new Hawai‘i COVID website, and the Kanuikapono Public Charter School offered device pickup, Tuesday according to its Facebook page.

Olelo Christian Academy, a private PreK through Grade 12 Christian school in Lihu‘e, started its distance learning program, Tuesday with the promise of updating its website (olelochristianacademy.org) with the latest information based on the developing situation with COVID-19.