Hawaii’s future lies in our keiki. As resilient as they are, we still must make sure we continue to nurture and support them, especially in these delicate times. While schools and childcare centers are closed, we all are adapting and learning a new more resilient normal. Today we focus on caring for our keiki: district schools and distance learning tools, essential worker childcare sites, organizations offering free internet to students, an updated Grab-and-Go free meal schedule, and tips for parents on teachable moments to nurture their own emotional health as well.
The State Department of Education (HIDOE) is continuing enrichment and distance learning through May 28, the last day of the 2019-20 school year. Each school has adopted a different approach to distance learning to fit the needs of their students so if you have students in our public schools you should go to your respective school website or you can phone the school if you are not connected via distance learning. Also see AT HOME LEARNING BOARDS for additional enrichment resources. HIDOE COVID-19 updates will continue to be posted on the Department’s website at hawaiipublicschools.org. Below are the contact information for the schools in our district:
THE HAWAII EXECUTIVE OFFICE ON EARLY LEARNING shares their new resource website for families and early care and education providers to help young children during the COVID-19 pandemic. The site contains resources specifically tailored to children under kindergarten age and who may have unique developmental needs. It includes how to apply for child care subsidies and where to find emergency care for essential workers.
STUFF TO DO WITH YOUR KIDS AT HOME
The nerf ball bounced off your head a few times while you were making those work calls or during your videoconference with an important client your 4-year old jumped on your shoulder without a stitch of clothing on. What to do to harness that keiki energy? Below are some resources to help you:
The Honolulu Theatre for Youth in partnership with the Department of Health brings the magic of THE HI WAY. Educational stage performances can be viewed on any digital device. See HTY’s website, or email manager@htyweb.org, or call 808 839-9885 x 703 or 808-221-3007.
For younger keiki, keiki, the Hawaii Executive Office of Early Learning provides a number of resources at WHAT TO DO WITH THE YOUNGER ONES
CONDOMINIUM COVID RESOURCE FROM THE REAL ESTATE COMMISSION: The Commission produced a flyer for your use combining the various state and county COVID-19 resources. It is also working remotely but you can contact them at hirec@dcca.hawaii.gov or browse through their website at www.hawaii.gov/hirec
HAWAII AGRICULTURAL FOUNDATION is supporting our farmers by supporting restaurants with its Food-a-GO-GO program to market the 1,200 restaurants statewide open for takeout, delivery and/or curbside pickup. See https://foodagogo.org
SENATE COMMITTEE MEETING: The meeting on Wednesday covered a lot of topics from the federal relief package coming to the state; the contact tracing/testing and coordination of health and medical services between the Department of Health and the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA); and the status of state employee deployment to assist the labor department – few answers but you can gauge for yourself when the meeting notes are posted on the Senate Committee’s web page.
THE NEXT SENATE COMMITTEE MEETING is Friday (4/24) beginning at 11am. We’ll hear updates from the department of transportation-airports and department of education.
