Hōkūpaʻa Updates
Resources, community news, and bright spots.
STORIES FROM THE FIELD: PARTNERING TO HOST VIRTUAL CAREER FAIRS FOR WEST HAWAII PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Last fall, nobody knew how long distance learning would be the norm. We decided not to wait around, and talked to our partners. West Hawaii Complex Area’s awesome district office was willing to rapidly produce a pilot virtual event together.
Staying in Hawaiʻi with Remote Work
Flexible work locations and hours was already becoming a trend, but it became the norm for many professionals in Hawai’i when everyone was urged to stay home. With the vaccine rollout, many are hopeful of a return to “normalcy.” Still, at least one change is likely to persist: the way we work. The next generation may work for organizations (or themselves) across different parts of the state, the mainland United States, or even across the globe — and do it right from home (or local coffee, park, library, etc.)
VOCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY: JANUARY CAREER FAIRS
You may be thinking that people still in school wouldn’t be interested in a “job fair”. But it can be very helpful to see who’s hiring and learn what fields are in-demand.
Vocational Resource: Hawaiʻi Career Pathways Website
Career advice is plentiful, but how much of it is relevant for us here in Hawai‘i? There are so many exciting emerging fields, and Hawai‘i Career Pathways can help find what’s in-demand now and in the future.
Community Bright Spot #3: "Cup-o-Cheer" Teacher Appreciation
Distance learning hasn’t just been a challenge for students and families. When teachers told us that they were feeling overwhelmed and in need of support, we worked together to show them that the community appreciates their hard work.
FAMILY GUIDE TO TALKING TO STUDENTS IN YOUR FAMILY ABOUT THEIR FUTURE PLANS
Talking about what to do after high school can be awkward, scary, embarrassing, stressful, confusing…but it doesn’t have to be that bad.
Here are some simple tips from Hōkūpa‘a. Good luck!
Talking to ʻŌpio About What to Do After High School
But with the approach of the holiday season, another season approaches, too: application deadlines. Colleges, trade schools, spring internships, Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment, and the dreaded FAFSA are all lined up, leaving people feeling overwhelmed at a time when they would like to relax after a chaotic year.
TEACHER FEATURE #6: THE HAWK NEST AT KEALAKEHE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL
What does it look like to turn student voice into student action? At Kealakehe Intermediate School, teacher Mathieu Williams works to create student experiences that allow them to design, test, and redesign solutions that connect their learning to self, place, and others.
CAS SNELLING ON "TALK STORY WITH DR. K"
Check out this brief chat with our amazing Complex Area Superintendent Janette Snelling hosted by the state superintendent Christina Kishimoto.
Weekly Coffee and Office Hours with Hōkūpaʻa
EVER WANTED TO HAVE COFFEE WITH SOMEONE FROM HŌKŪPA’A? YOU’RE IN LUCK!
Join the Hokupa’a Program Coordinator at the dining room table/home office for informal drop-in coffee hours
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE END OF 2020
Today we’re featuring three great programs to aid in workforce and economic recovery. All are intended to promote a more diverse, resilient, and sustainable workforce by helping Hawai‘i’s displaced workers and recent graduates learn new skills and enter new fields.
BRIGHT SPOT #2: KEALAKEHE HIGH'S KOKUA CLOSET
While you can’t walk in for now, the Kōkua Closet is open for giving and taking. It was launched earlier this year to provide clothing, school supplies, food, toiletries, and more for Kealakehe High School students and families – no questions asked.
Call to action for nonprofits: Fill out the Sector Pulse survey!
Important survey for social enterprises and nonprofits to get a “pulse” on what’s happening in the social service sector.
Community Bright Spot #1: Partners in Development Foundation, Kohala
A basic need important to Hawaii’s culture is feeding one another. In March, April, and May, Partners in Development Foundation helped to distribute a portion of ~9,000 “Keiki Care Packs” of snacks, masks, and activities for students in all grade levels with the intention to feed and uplift.
Vocational Resource: Hawaiʻi is Hiring
Find information on many aspects of planning for a first or new career, including information on different fields, job outlook, necessary education, where to get training, and where to get hired. The site also compiles economic relief resources as well as upcoming opportunities like virtual job fairs.
Pursuing Parent and Community Voice
In education, parent voice refers to the values, opinions, beliefs, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds of the parents, guardians, and families of students enrolled in a school, which extends to parent groups, cultural organizations, and other entities related to a school through familial connections.
STEMS² ONLINE SYMPOSIUM. FREE JUNE 26-27
STEMS² integrates science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with the social sciences and sense of place (S²). At the heart of STEMS² is a network of individuals and community partners who seek to foster student engagement and achievement via real-world application of interdisciplinary content knowledge that supports the social emotional development required for community and civic engagement in addition to promoting skills related to college and career readiness.
College-Career Transition Resources
Sharing some resources from organizations and schools offering accessible help for students and 2020 graduates. Some deadlines are very soon (the career exploration class deadline is THIS FRIDAY), so check things out today!
Vocational Training Feature: Hawaii School of Dental Arts - Kona Classes Start June 20th
Hawai`i School of Dental Arts (HSDA) is offering programs in Clinical Chairside Dental Assisting beginning this week! Anyone 17+ can apply, so this is a great option for 2020 graduates looking for affordable job training in Kona.
Hawaii Business Interview with West Hawaiʻi CAS Janette Snelling
Janette Snelling, Honoka‘a-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena Complex Area Superintendent, sat down for an interview with Steve Petranik of Hawaii Business Magazine to talk about public education in the era of COVID-19, as well as where we’re going next.