It’s All About Education This Week at the Hawaii Legislature
It’s Education Week at the Hawaii state Capitol.
The next few days will be full of honorary ceremonies, talk stories and events featuring Hawaii students of all ages.
The week kicked off this morning with a discussion about the state’s three early education proposals. A group of KCAA preschoolers wrapped up the presentation with songs about the world’s continents and oceans.
Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who attended the event to reiterate his support for the statewide early learning system, admitted that he had a soft spot for KCAA because he worked there as a janitor when pursuing his master’s degree at the University of Hawaii.
Meantime, students from Kaahumanu Elementary, Kalakaua Middle, Moanalua Middle, Stevenson Middle, Kalani High School and Farrington High School are currently scattered throughout the Capitol rotunda manning robotics demonstrations.
Other highlights of the week include health presentations by UH students, Hawaii public charter school roundtable discussions, verbal testimony from high school students who’ll be expressing their support or opposition of resolutions before the Senate Education committee and an “Ask Your Senator” Q&A via social media.
Here’s the full calendar, from a Hawaii Senate press release:
MONDAY, MARCH 18
Executive Office of Early Learning
Discussion and Displays: “Education in Hawaii: What’s at Stake?”
Time: 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Place: State Capitol, Room 225
Robotics Demonstrations
Participating Schools: Kaahumanu Elementary, Kalakaua Middle, Moanalua Middle, Stevenson Middle, Kalani High School and Farrington High School
Time: 9 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Place: State Capitol Rotunda
Senate Floor Presentations:
40th Anniversary of HAEYC (Hawaii Association for the Education of Young Children), KCAA Preschools, and Dr. Robert Peters, former chair of the Early Learning Advisory Board
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Place: Senate Chamber
TUESDAY, MARCH 19
Hawaii’s Public Charter Schools
Short Roundtable discussions on a variety of topics, such as project based learning, conversion schools and individualized learning programs.
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Place: Room 224 and Room 225
Libraries and Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
Time: 11:30 a.m. (Senate) 12:00 p.m. (House)
Place: Senate/House Chambers
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20
University of Hawaii Systemwide Campuses:
Participating Programs:
Windward Community College: Veterinary Technology Program
University of Hawaii at Hilo: College of Pharmacy
John A. Burns School of Medicine: Department of Native Hawaiian Health and Native Hawaiian Center of Excellence
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources– UH Manoa: Nutrition Education
Kapiolani Community College: Health Academics Program (Nursing, Health Sciences, Emergency Medical Program)
UH Alumni Association
Cancer Center
University of Hawaii Band
Time: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Place: Capitol Rotunda
Senate and House Floor Presentations:
Principals of the Year, Blue Ribbons Schools
Time: 11:30 a.m. (Senate) 12:00 p.m. (House)
Place: Senate/House Chambers
THURSDAY, MARCH 21
Friends of the Library Book Sale
Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Place: State Capitol, Room 224
Smaller Learning Communities
Student Presentations and Displays
Time: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Place: State Capitol, Room 225
Senate and House Floor Presentations: Teachers of the Year
Karen Kutsunai, 2013 State Teacher of the Year
Tracie Higashi, 2013 Central District Teacher of the Year
Victoria Coffin, 2013 Leeward District Teacher of the Year
Marcus Pottenger, 2013 Honolulu District Teacher of the Year
Aaron Loque, 2013 Maui District teacher of the Year
Paul Holwegner, 2013 Kauai District Teacher of the Year
Amoreena (Amy) Nestman, 2013 District Teacher of the Year
Time: 11:30 a.m. (Senate) 12:00 p.m. (House)
Place: Senate/House Chambers
FRIDAY, MARCH 22
Military in the Schools – Demonstrations, Performances and Displays
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Place: Capitol Rotunda
Youth Engagement Legislative Hearing Day with the Senate Committee on Education
Time: 1:15 p.m.
Place: Room 414
Participating Schools:
- Aiea High School
- Hilo High School
- Honokaa High
- Kaimuki High School
- Kaiser High School
- Kalaheo High School
- Kauai High School
- Keaau High School
- Kealakehe High School
- King Kekaulike High School
- Konawaena High School
- Lahainaluna High School
- Mililani High School
- Pahoa High and Intermediate School
- Radford High School
- Waiakea High School
- Waianae High School
- Waimea High School
- Waipahu High School
Queen Kaahumanu Elementary School’s robotics team members present their robots.
— Alia Wong
