Page 8 - MidWeek Windward - March 24, 2021

8 MARCH 24, 2021
UH Awarded $2.3 Million To Help Windward O‘ahu Students
University of Hawaiʻi received $2.3 million from the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation to aid in beefing up the number of low-in- come and first-generation middle and high school stu- dents in Windward Oʻahu participating in postsecond- ary education.
through a two- or four-year degree. But it’s still far too difficultforyoungpeopleto get to and through college. We hope this four-year in- vestment will double the number of public school graduates in Windward Oʻa- hu that earn a degree or cer- tificate,” states Alex Harris, vice president for programs at Harold K.L. Castle Foun- dation.
The Soar Higher grant will support activities to build college and career goals, advance academic preparedness, and help for students in planning their education.
Under the Soar Higher grant, the Windward com- munity will use a coordi- nated, regional grades “6- 16” approach to provide students with assistance to successfully complete high school, then enroll and re- main in college.
Its goal is to diminish achievement gaps among those who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education.
This grant follows up on GEAR UP Hawai‘i, a state- wide grant from the U.S. Department of Education to increase educational access and success in higher educa- tion at high-poverty middle and high schools across the state. GEAR UP Hawai‘i has been serving Hawaiʻi’s low-income youth since 2000, affecting more than 35,000 students in the state.
Windward area high schools will work with their feeder middle schools and Windward Community College to provide counsel- ing and support for students.
The Soar Higher grant helps Windward students with their educational goals. PHOTO COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I
better tomorrows for our children, but also grows the dreams of our children, which are the dreams of what we will become as communities,” states Wind- ward CC chancellor Ardis
in partnership with GEAR UP Hawai‘i, the competi- tive federal grant of $28.8 million awarded to Hawai‘i over seven years starting in 2018, which is also led by Hawai‘i P-20.
“We are committed to working with partners to advance educational equi- ty in the Windward Oʻahu community,” states Stephen Schatz, executive director of Hawaiʻi P-20 Partner- ships for Education. “This is going to be a team ef- fort, and we will focus on students who need help the most.”
Guidelines For Athletics Resumption Released
“We know the best path to household stability runs
“Through Soar Higher, Harold K.L. Castle Founda- tion has brought us togeth- er to support our ʻopio, this
• The school’s athletic activity needs to coincide with where their respec- tive island falls within DOH’s learning model matrix, based on daily average cases and positivity rate.
thoroughly before and after use.
• All students must bring their own
“Our goal is to empower our students with the knowl- edge and skills they need to create their own postsec- ondary plan,” states Bernie Tyrell, principal of Castle High School. “We are grate- ful for the generous support of the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation to continue this work that we have started in building career pathways and we will use these funds to support the implementa- tion of our plans so that our students can succeed after high school.”
This not only leverages the strengths of our Koʻolau communities, where we all work together to create
ships for Education serves as the lead for the Soar Higher grant. This project is jointly funded by Harold K.L. Castle Foundation and
next generation, to achieve their career goals through education.
Eschenberg.
Hawaiʻi P–20 Partner-
Take note, Windward residents: the state Department of Education has released guidelines for safely resum- ing student athletic programs for high schools meeting specific criteria.
starting of activities to secure the safety and wellness of students and staff.
• Pre-workout/practice screenings must take place.
“It is essential to the physical and mental well-being of students that they be able to return to athletic activities,” states deputy superintendent Phyllis Unebasami. “This is the first step in our gradual approach to restarting high school athletics in Hawaiʻi.”
High schools need to meet two cri- teria in order to be eligible to resume athletic practices and workouts:
• Gathering limitations must be in alignment with state and county orders. • Adequate cleaning schedules of facilities should be created and imple- mented for all athletic facilities to miti-
The guidelines are in alignment with the state Department of Health’s Guid- ance for Schools COVID-19 Learning Model Parameters.
water bottle; no hydration stations. The HIDOE plan applies to athletic
• The school must be providing ei- ther an in-person or blended learning model of instruction.
gate any communicable diseases.
• Equipment should be wiped down
It is meant to be a framework for schools to utilize in gearing up athletic activities as appropriate. Schools have the discretion to plan for a phased re-
titions remains at the discretion of each island’s respective league association.
For all phases, besides standard health and safety procedures, the fol- lowing guidelines need to be adhered to:
workouts and practices only.
The status of interscholastic compe-
• Social distancing and mask wear- ing guidelines must be followed at all times.
For more information, the complete guidelines can be viewed at hawaiipub- licschools.org.