On August 4, 2021, the Hawaii State Department of Education (Department) issued a memorandum outlining “new safety guidelines with vaccination requirements for athletes, adults to participate in sports” (Memorandum). In relevant part, the Memorandum states that all student-athletes, athletic staff, and volunteers will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by September 24, 2021, to participate in school- sanctioned athletic activities for the 2021-2022 school year. Full vaccination is defined as two weeks after the second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after a single- dose vaccine.
 
The Department’s Civil Rights Compliance Branch (CRCB) will be responsible for fielding requests for Religious Accommodations regarding the new vaccination requirement from student-athletes, athletic staff, and athletic volunteers.
 
Please find attached a form entitled, Request for Exemption from COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement (for Student Participation in Athletics) on Religious Grounds, specifically for student-athletes seeking religious accommodations related to the vaccination requirement under the Memorandum.
 
Students may submit a completed request form to the applicable CRCB Equity Specialist for their Complex Area.
 
The CRCB Equity Specialist will review the request, and shall contact the student’s parent to ask follow-up questions regarding the student’s religious beliefs/practices/observances.
 
The CRCB Equity Specialist will issue a written determination to the student’s parent.
 
Should you have any questions, please contact Title VII Specialist Toby Yamashiro via phone at (808) 586-3322 or email at toby.yamashiro@k12.hi.us.
 
  Phyllis Unebasami,
​Deputy Superintendent

Aloha PHIS Parents and Families,

We hope that your family is in good health and your child(ren) are adjusting to school.

Our school is part of a new program called Operation Expanded Testing which will help us get a more accurate understanding of the spread of COVID-19 in our community. We will have free, weekly COVID-19 testing available on our campus for students. If your child is showing symptoms of covid-like illness, or have been identified as a close contact of a covid-positive individual, do not come to school. Seek testing at an alternative location.

Who can participate: Participation is open to all school staff, students, contracted workers,
and volunteers. Participation is completely voluntary and students may test every week for as long as the program runs if they choose, but they are not required to test every week.

Registration: Families can register their students to participate in advance at
https://home.color.com/covid/sign-up/start?partner=hhs-787-300-Students. By registering online, parents/guardians will be providing consent for their child to participate. We will also provide the same link at pahoahis.org. If you do not register in advance at the link, your student will have to come with the attached forms signed.

Testing: The test is simple and painless, and is conducted with a nasal self-swab. Samples are then collected for processing without any physical interaction between students and staff.

Results: After the testing is complete, all samples are shipped to a lab for processing. Parents will be able to find their child’s test results in about 48 hours by visiting the Color COVID Testing link on our homepage at pahoahis.org. Test results are also shared with the school administrator and the Department of Health, for the purposes of contact tracing. These agencies are expected to adhere to all HIPAA confidentiality (privacy) requirements.

Scheduling: Student testing will happen 7:30-7:55 AM, 10:00-10:20 AM, and 12:30-1:00 PM on Wednesdays in front of the health room at our school. No appointment is necessary.

Kim Williamson
Principal, Pahoa High and Intermediate School

PHIS' Virtual Open House recorded on Thursday August 19, 2021

​OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
 
August 4, 2021
 
Dear Parents and Guardians,
 
The Hawai‘i State Department of Education (HIDOE) has developed new safety protocols for student-athletes and coaches to participate in fall sports for the 2021-22 school year. You are receiving this letter because your child is involved with athletics at school.
 
We opened the new school year this week with in-person learning and our highest priority is to ensure all students, including your child, can continue to attend school safely.
 
Effective Sept. 24, 2021, all HIDOE student-athletes, athletic staff and volunteers participating in school-sanctioned athletic activities will need to be fully vaccinated. Full vaccination is defined as two weeks after a second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine.
 
In the meantime, due to the state's high positivity rate, the Department is delaying the start of the fall athletic season until Sept. 24 to allow for anyone unvaccinated or not yet fully vaccinated to get inoculated.
 
This decision was not made lightly because we know the important role athletics play in a well- rounded education, but we cannot jeopardize the health and safety of our students and communities. The alternative is canceling the season outright, which we do not want to have to do. We are implementing this layered plan that prioritizes vaccinations as the best way to protect against and reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19.
 
Students and staff who get an initial COVID vaccine dose by Aug. 20 can be fully vaccinated by the Sept. 24 deadline. Any individual who is not fully vaccinated by this date will not be allowed to participate in athletics.
 
Timeline scenario for the Pfizer vaccine, which has emergency use authorization for adolescents 12 and older and requires two shots 21 days apart. (The Moderna vaccine is recommended for people aged 18 years and older, and requires two shots 28 days apart.)

Parents and Guardians August 4, 2021
Page 2

• By Aug. 20, 2021, proof of full vaccination or administration of the first and/or second vaccination dose must be submitted to your child’s principal to initially qualify to participate in school-sanctioned athletic activities.

 

• By Sept. 24, 2021, proof of full vaccination must be submitted to your child’s principal prior to participation in school-sanctioned athletic activities.

 
Vaccination cards will be scanned by the school and a copy will be kept with other required documents and submitted to the school health assistant for input into the student’s health records. Copies of vaccination cards shall be treated as confidential health information.
 
Students and adults may seek exemption from COVID-19 vaccination requirements for religious or medical reasons, with the appropriate documentation. Medical exemptions (🔗​bit.ly/3imCg8E) must be verified in writing by a licensed physician. If an exemption is granted, the individual will be allowed to participate in athletics but will be required to submit to twice-weekly COVID-19 tests.
 
Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.

Sincerely,
Keith T. Hayashi
Interim Superintendent

​OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
 
August 3, 2021
 
Aloha HIDOE parents and guardians and welcome to the 2021-22 school year!
 
Thank you for the critical role you continue to play in supporting your child’s learning. I appreciate your dedication during these challenging pandemic-impacted school years.
 
As Interim Superintendent, my highest priority is ensuring every student has the opportunity to safely return to the classroom. Beyond instructional benefits, in-person learning contributes to the overall well-being of our keiki — from the availability of social and emotional support resources to food security provided through school meal programs.
 
Our schools have demonstrated that in-person learning is a safe mode of instruction. Nearly one third of public schools welcomed students back for full in-person learning during the final quarter of last school year, and more than 26,000 students enrolled in summer learning opportunities, with most students participating in face-to-face learning.
 
We are still in a pandemic and we continue to operate as such. Consistent adherence to safety protocols has resulted in extremely limited transmission of the virus at Department of Education facilities and we are committed to keeping it that way. Still, because schools are a reflection of their communities, we know an uptick in cases is expected as we bring more students back to campus.
 
Increasing Hawai‘i’s vaccination rate is one of the best ways we can protect against and reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. To make access as convenient as possible for students and families, we've hosted over 100 school-based clinics statewide since early May. We are partnering with the state Department of Health (DOH) and health care providers to organize additional clinics once a vaccine is approved for younger children. We’re also working to expand access to rapid testing through a federally supported program that offers weekly in-school testing or vouchers for testing.
 
Recently updated guidance from DOH continues to emphasize the importance of core essential strategies our schools have been implementing since last school year: Promoting vaccinations for staff and eligible students, staying home when ill, consistent masking (masks must be worn by all students and staff when indoors), and proper hand hygiene.
 
Reopening schools requires a shared commitment from all of us to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Mahalo for doing your part.
 
Sincerely,
Keith T. Hayashi
​Interim Superintendent

​ We are currently reviewing applications for distance learning and will be notifying families as soon as possible regarding your childʻs status.  If you are interested in distance learning for your child, please contact your studentsʻ Vice Principal:  Dr. Brandon Gallegher, VP for 7th/8th grade at ☎️313-4334 or Ms Keala Ili, VP for Grades 9-12 at ☎️313-4376.  

Please remember that if your student did not pass 6 out of 10 classes, they more than likely will not given the option of distance learning unless they have a documented pre-existing condition.

Mr. Williamson discuss the questions for School Year 2021-22
If you have more questions, please email Mr. Williamson at kim.williamson@k12.hi.us