Kailua Elementary teacherand Technology CoordinatorGreg Kent is one of 58teachers selected nationwidefor the Ultimaker EducationPioneers program. Ultimakerdevelops open source 3Dprinters and tools.

“Greg and his team at KailuaElementary are making greatstrides in creating anenvironment where our studentscan be future ready learners,”said Supt. Kathryn Matayoshi“They have done a tremendousjob working with education andcommunity partners to makethis possible, and we lookforward to seeing the students’creations come to life and

shared on a national level.”Ultimaker established the

Pioneers program to spark adialogue in the educationcommunity about developingand sharing lessons as well asbest practices when it comes tointegrating a 3D printer intoclassroom curriculum. Its site(ultimaker.com/en/education)offers stories from educators,

tips and advice, frequentlyasked questions and answers,as well as other resources on3D printers. “I want totransform education. The bestway to do that is to collaboratewith other passionate peoplethat want to change the world,”Kent said. “My mission is toempower students to create theworld they want to live in.”

The annual report releasedby ACT shows an increase inHawai‘i’s public schoolstudents meeting collegereadiness benchmarks. TheCondition of College andCareer Readiness 2016 reportincludes information on juniorstaking the ACT test in everystate, including Hawai‘i.

Hawai‘i’s public high schoolgraduates in the Class of 2016 —10,525 students who took theexam in 2015 — who met ACT'scollege readiness benchmarksover the year before:

• Up two points inMathematics;

• Up one point in Englishand Science;

• Unchanged in Reading.

All of Hawai‘i’s publicschool juniors now take theACT test as part of a range ofrecent transformational effortsto boost students’ college andcareer readiness. (Learn more:bit.ly/expectcollege .) Theseefforts have produced strongincreases in college enrollmentand enrollment in early college

programs at the high schoollevel, as well as significantdeclines in college-levelremediation in English andMathematics.

The ACT includes a studentsurvey to gauge their plans forlife after high school. For theClass of 2016, 80 percentindicated a desire to earn a two-or four-year college degree.

“We are encouraged bysteady gains in our students'college preparation andenrollment. However, werecognize the need for more ofour students to be ready for therigors of work and study afterhigh school,” said Supt.Kathryn Matayoshi.

Press release: bit.ly/ACTHI2016

Superintendent’s

EDUCATION UPDATEHAWAII STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION | SEPTEMBER 2016

/HIDOE808/HIDepartmentofEducationHawaiiPublicSchools.org /HIDOE808 doe_info@hawaiidoe.orgCONNECT

OpportunitiesEDUCATORS

Join the effort to connectclassrooms at home and aroundthe globe with the MālamaHonua Worldwide Voyage viaWa‘a Talks. In its third year, freeWa‘a Talks continue to supportteachers, administrators andcommunities that want to learnthrough the global journey of theHōkūle‘a. Next session: Sept.15, 3-6 p.m., Farrington HighSchool Library. Learn more:https://intranet.hawaiipublicschools.org/offices/superintendent/MH

Submit a proposal to theFarmers Insurance Thank aTeacher program for a $2,500grant toward classroom-basedmaterials; 180 teachers acrossthe country to be awarded. Applyby Sept. 29. Details:https://www.farmers.com/thank-americas-teachers/submit-a-proposal/2500

Free Code.org workshops forK-5 teachers taught byMomilani El technologist ShaneAsselstine coming to Kahalu‘u ElOct. 10 and WaipahuIntermediate Oct. 11. Register:http://www.shaneasselstine.com/code

The 4th annual EdCampHonolulu is a free, partcipant-driven professional developmentevent where the attendees setthe schedule and lead thesessions. EdCamp Honolulu willbe an event full of richdiscussions, cool demonstrations,plenty of hands-on learning! Register: http://www.edcamphi.org/registration

ACT — CLASS OF 2016

Hawai‘i public school students ascendingACT TREND DATA

Over three years, HIDOEstudents are up:4 percentage points inEnglish3 percentage pointseach in Mathematics,Reading and Science

INNOVATION

Kailua El teachernamed to national3D educators team

Greg Kent with his students in his Kailua El makerspace classroom, which now includes a new Ultimaker 3D printer.

STRATEGIC PLAN REVIEW AND EXTENSION TIMELINE

PAGE 2 › EDUCATION UPDATE

Phase II commu-nity outreachmeetings at KailuaHigh, top, and Kanuo Ka ‘Āina Schoolin Waimea. Pleaseencourage yourschool communitiesto participate inthese meetings tohone objectives forthe Strategic Plan,to be held throughSept. 15. — bit.ly/SPCommMtgs

Phase II of the Strategic Planoutreach effort is under way throughSeptember. Communities are turningout to help refine objectives andoutcomes that support a newcommunity driven definition ofstudent success.

That definition, culled from Phase Ioutreach in the spring, resulted inthese key tenets. Students are:3 Giving back to the community,

environment, and world.3 Discovering and pursuing their

passions so they can reach their fullpotential.3 Demonstrating strong academic

and soft skills, and showing an abilityto think critically, solve problems,and apply knowledge to newsituations or contexts.3 Being prepared for life after high

school, including setting clear goalsand developing short- and long-termengagement in learning.3 Exhibiting strength, confidence,

and resilience in their everyday lives,and being generally healthy andhappy.3 Gaining strong cultural

understanding and appreciation forHawai‘i.

Hawai‘i’s updated and extendedStrategic Plan will be completed byDecember 2016, and will inform thestate plan for the federal EveryStudent Succeeds Act, BOE policies,budget cycles and more. It will:

• Support all of our youth so theycan achieve their goals;

• Support student, classroom andschool-level innovations to improvequality education and state officeinnovations to better support schoolsand student learning; and

• Support a positive path forwardthat builds on growth and lessonslearned.

PHASE I REPORT ›››

The statewide listening tour in spring 2016provided an opportunity to hear from communities.Focus group coordinators made a particular effortto talk with a diverse range of students, providingan opportunity to learn about how students withdifferent experiences define success, and the typesof support that will help them meet their goals. Theindependent analysis of focus group and surveyinput found a great deal of common ground for adefinition of student success. bit.ly/SPphaseI

April-June: Broad community input to definestudent success and how to support it.June-August: Comprehensive report withdefinitions of student success: bit.ly/SPphaseIAugust-September: DOE/BOE communitymeetings to gather input on state strategies toensure they support the updated definition ofstudent success, school and communityinnovations, professional development, etc.

Align key conce pts within planning & policy:ESSA, BOE policies, biennium budget cycle .

October: Draft of Strategic Plan updatepresented to Board, public comment periodbegins.

November: Summary of public comments,final alignment.

December: Present final plan to BOE.

In Focus STRATEGIC PLAN REVIEW & EXTENSION

Do you remember that firstday of high school? The nervesabout how big the school was?Worries about how much harderit would be, where you’d fit in?

Fortunately, upperclassmen atmany high schools in Hawai‘ikākou the newbies throughmentoring. At McKinley High,for example, the IgnitionProgram recruits juniors andseniors to make those firstcrucial connections withfreshmen, provide neededsupport, and be a friend.

The Hawai‘i DOE as a wholeis refocusing on major studenttransitions, from elementary tomiddle to high school, and alsofrom grade to grade. Ninth gradehas been a particular focus,because many students shiftinginto the final phase of secondaryeducation struggle with thechange, resulting in increasedabsences, dropouts anddisciplinary incidents. Schoolshave ramped up their grade 9supports, from schools creatingsmaller learning environmentssuch as 9th Grade Academiesand peer mentoring programslike Ignition.

The effort is paying dividends.

Student misconduct incidentsand suspensions are down acrossall grades statewide, as well asin the challenging 9th. (See box.)

Junior Kenny Son said theIgnition program gave him afoundation when he needed itand he wanted to give back. “Ididn’t come from this district, Ididn’t know anyone," he said.“Now, I’m really good friendswith my Ignition class.”

Program coordinator LisaPanquites rained about 60students the Friday before schoolstarted. While it’s not complextraining, it resonates in our light-speed world.

“Mentors cannot be seen as‘don’t talk to me’ kind of people.When you wear your earphonesor you’re buried in your phone,

that’s the message you’resending.” ... “SMILE.” ...“When they reveal somethingimportant about themselves,remember it. That builds trust.”

Trainees learn how to crowdcontrol, remove distractions andget energy levels up. They’regiven protocols if they encounterstudents who may be seriouslyhurting to refer them to adultswithout violating that safeavenue of concern and care withtheir peer mentor.

Student mentors are pairedwith seven or eight freshmeneach. Every month, during ascheduled half-hour of school,the freshmen and their mentorscontinue to meet for informaltalks about their shared passionsand interests, especially thoseactivities they can join at school— band, chorus, ROTC, footballgames — to help get theminvolved in campus life. Mentorsalso meet one-on-one with theirfreshmen, either at lunch or afterschool, to see how they’re doingand continue to build trust.

The key to being a goodmentor? Patience. “Everythingtakes time,” Panquites said.

Full story: bit.ly/IgnitionHI

NakamitsuMesina

SEPTEMBER 2016 ‹ PAGE 3

Success Stories “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.” — Walt Disney

President Barack Obamarecognized four Hawai‘iteachers as recipients of thePresidential Award forExcellence in Mathematics andScience Teaching (PAEMST).

They will receive $10,000from the National ScienceFoundation and a trip toWashington D.C. to attend aseries of recognition eventsand professional developmentopportunities.

Congratulations to ElizaAkana Yoshida (Pu‘u KukuiEl), Stan Mesina (AugustAhrens El), Alicia Nakamitsu(Aiea High), and Bryan Silver(Kalani High).

“We are proud of theseeducators and commend themfor providing our students withrigorous science and mathcurriculum and opportunities,”said Supt. Kathryn Matayoshi.“These teachers bring theirinnovative skills to teachingstudents not only the subjectmatter but also expanding theirstudents’ sense of curiosity.This recognition is welldeserved.”

PAEMST

Four HIDOEteachers honoredby Obama

Ready towelcomeyou! Ignitionprogrampeer-mentortrainees atMcKinleyHigh.

YoshidaSilver

Creating a safe space for incoming freshmenON THE RIGHT TRACKStatewide data show from2011-12 to 2015-16:

STUDENT MISCONDUCT(Class A, B, C & D incidents )• 20% decrease, all grades• 13% decrease, 9th grade

SUSPENSIONS• 39% decrease, all grades• 29% decrease, 9th grade

Education Update is a monthly newsletter by the Department’s Communications Office, distributed to schools, the first Board of Education meeting of the month, and posted toHawaiiPublicSchools.org. We encourage submissions! Send to: 1390 Miller Street, Rm 312, Honolulu, HI 96813. Phone: (808) 586-3232; Email: doe_info@hawaiidoe.org.

EDUCATION UPDATE › SEPTEMBER 2016 › BACK PAGE

/HIDOE808/HIDepartmentofEducationHawaiiPublicSchools.org /HIDOE808 doe_info@hawaiidoe.orgCONNECT

Don’t Miss This! EVENTS, DEADLINES & FUN STUFF

It’s been a busy start of anew school year! As schoolsstart to settle in, the Departmentis gathering information andgearing up to deliverannouncements including officialenrollment numbers, assessmentresults and performance reports.

We’re also building our budgetrequest to present to the Board ofEducation. We are pleased thatGov. Ige has made education apriority and the budget we arebuilding aims to increase theWeighted Student Formula,increase resources to schools,firm up initiatives such asHawaiian Education in ourschools, close the achievementgap among all students, and

improvefacilities.

(Learn more:bit.ly/DOEbudget.)

We are also continuing ourcommunity engagement effortsto cast a wide net in gatheringpublic input on ideas for studentsuccess (bit.ly/SPCommMtgs).I’ve seen a number of educatorsparticipating in their communitysessions and we’re very gratefulfor your additional feedback.

Communicating all of themoving parts within HIDOE ischallenging both internally andexternally. As we review andupdate our Strategic Plan, it’simportant to note that theoriginal plan made

communication effectiveness akey area of focus. Here’s asnapshot of just a few updatessince then:

• Public website overhaul thatallows for easier public inquiries;

• Launch of staff Intranet;• Access to more reports;• Launch of two enewsletters

that showcase Hawai‘i’seducational stories and progress;

• A focus on success stories(bit.ly/HIDOEsuccess) topromote what’s working inschools and programs;

• Launch of social media(Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest,most prominently).

Notably, we communicatewith transparency in mind.

We’ve made it a point tohighlight our internal audits(bit.ly/HIDOEaudit) so thepublic can see how we areholding ourselves accountable.

While the amount ofinformation about the publicschool system is large,HawaiiPublicSchools.org is theeducation resource in Hawai‘i.We encourage you to visit often.

If there is additionalinformation you’d like to see,please reach out to theCommunications Office: 808-586-3232 ordoe_info@hawaiidoe.org.

Supt.’s Corner

SEPT 7, 8, 14 & 15

YOUR VOICES NEEDEDPhase II outreach on the Strategic Planseeks your input on honing objectivesdesigned to support community-drivendefinitions of student success. Pleaseencourage your parents/students toattend! Remaining meetings (5-6:30 pm):• Sept. 7, Hilo District Office• Sept. 8, Aiea Public Library• Sept. 14, Kamakahelei Middle, Lihue• Sept. 15, Waianae Public LibraryLearn more: bit.ly/SPCommMtgs

SEPT 19-24

NATIONAL GEARUP WEEKThis is the time to shout out about thepositive impact that GEAR UP is havingin our communities, and engage all yourstakeholders to share the progress thatstudents in the program aremaking towardsachieving their collegedreams. Learn more:www.edpartnerships.org/national-gear-up-week

SEPT 30

SUBMIT YOUR HEALTHY RECIPEKeiki ages 8-17 can participate in thisHawaii Food & Wine Festival contest:http://hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com/hawaiigas-healthy-lunchtime-challenge

SEPT 15

GLOBAL COLLABORATION DAYGlobal educators will designcollaborative projects in which otherstudents and teachers may participateduring the course of the 2016-2017school year as part of the Great GlobalProject Challenge. These can beprojects you’re already working on forthe school year. Register by Sept. 11 toadd your project to the CollaborationDay event, or by Oct. 1 to join themovement for this school year.www.globalcollaborationday.org

OCTOBER

THANK A PRINCIPALJoin the National Association ofSecondary School Principals, theNational Association of ElementarySchool Principals, and the AmericanFederation of School Administrators aswe honor the hard work and dedicationof America’s principals all month long.National Principals Month is youropportunity to say “thank you” toprincipals everywhere and to share withthe community all the great things thatprincipals do. www.principalsmonth.org

Connect with local #F2S resources on the Kohala Center’s site:kohalacenter.org/hisgn/hisgn-resources/farm-to-school-resources