OPENING OF SCHOOL COVID LETTER TO PARENTS

Aloha Parents/Guardians,
 
I want to first thank you for your patience and understanding as we go through another difficult time together, the COVID19 pandemic.  Pahoa has been challenged with many natural disasters and have proven our resiliency time and time again.  As Puna has always worked collectively together, we will get through this as we have with all other disasters.
 
If you have been following the news, things change on a daily basis whether it comes from the CDC guidelines, Governor Ige’s proclamations, Mayor Kim or DOE Superintendent Dr. Kishimoto’s messages.  They have worked collaboratively to provide the safest guidelines for the schools to follow to ensure that when we return to school we do it with the best and safest plan that meets the needs of our students, faculty/staff and our community.  Rest assured that the priority of Pahoa High & Intermediate is “SAFETY FIRST”. 
 
At this time, based on options provided to the Principals on opening of the new school year, Pahoa High & Intermediate has selected a Hybrid Model that incorporates both distance learning and face-to-face learning.  Within this Hybrid Model, we have selected the A/B/C/D rotational model for the following reasons:

1. SAFETY is our number one priority
2. An average of 7 to 12  students per classroom per period for safe social distancing (6 ft. apart)
3. Students will be able to hear the lesson at least 4 times during the week when they attend virtually and will be able to master the information
4. If they have mastered the information before the four days, teacher is able to move the student along at a faster pace when needed
5. On Fridays when students are all on distance learning, they can meet virtually with teachers to get additional help or get ahead
6. Navigating through campus will be easier to ensure social distancing during passing times, recess and lunch
7. Less students on the bus would support social distancing
8. Students with special needs will be accommodated based on their individual plans 

The other two options were Face-to-Face Model with all students on campus or half of the students on campus at a time.  Both of these options would not ensure 6 ft. social distancing in the classroom, during passing times, recess or lunch.  Again, SAFETY must be the priority.
 
On July 17, 2020, the Registrar’s Office will be sending out your child(ren)’s class schedule along with our bell schedule.  It will reflect the first 8 days from August 5 to August 14 in which students will attend from 7:55 am to 11:30 am.  Students are scheduled alphabetically to attend certain days.  These 8 half days were set by the DOE to provide teachers the opportunity to plan, acquire training and educate students on the behavioral expectations as they navigate the campus, following safety guidelines, health guidelines, etc.  Starting August 17, 2020, students will attend full days based on their rotation schedule.
 
This letter and the Registrar’s information will be posted on our website www.pahoahis.org
 
It is our goal to have all students return to campus on a daily basis, however, this is the safest option at this time that we can provide to our students.  I again ask for your patience, understanding and support moving Onward and Upward.  We will get through this together as we are Puna resilient. 
 
Respectfully,
Darlene Bee
Principal