The state program provides relief supplies to 8,000 students in Hawaii public schools
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As 8,000 students at 20 Hawaii public schools started the new school year last week, they found their pencils, crayons, notebooks and many other school supplies already purchased by their school and waiting for them, thanks to grants from a new government pilot project.
Law 142, passed by the state Legislature this spring, earmarked $806,000 for free school supplies for families from schools composed entirely of students eligible for Title I funding, which provides low-income families income helps. The aim is to promote educational success.
“Owning these school supplies gives students confidence that they have the tools and are ready to learn,” said Wilma Roddy, principal at Naalehu Elementary School, a Hawaii school benefiting from the program. “They say, ‘I’m here, I’m ready to go! I don’t have to worry if my parents can get these (supplies) for me.’ ”
Many of Naalehu’s 430 students live in rural and remote areas throughout Kau. “It takes our ‘ohana over an hour to drive to a Walmart, Target or Costco to buy school supplies or whatever we need, even groceries,” Roddy added in a press release. “The benefit of this program helps ease our ‘ohana’s financial burden and allows Keiki to focus on learning since they have the necessary supplies to get started right away.”
Each eligible school received $100 per student and did its own shopping and distribution of school supplies, said Nanea Kalani, communications director for the state education ministry.
Title I is the federal education program that funds schools with a high proportion of children from low-income families. Title I schools have a minimum poverty threshold of 47.2%, meaning that approximately half of the student population comes from low-income families.
The pilot program is a one-off facility and whether it will be repeated depends in part on measurable results. The DOE must report to the Legislature in 2024 on findings, recommendations, and proposed additional legislation.
State Senator Dru Kanuha had taken action over the past four years to set up a school supplies subsidy program at Naalehu Elementary School. That year, an amended version of the original bill, which included all qualifying schools in Hawaii, supported by an improved economic outlook, passed the legislature and was signed into law by Governor David Ige. Kanuha said he hopes to make the program permanent for Title I schools.
The induction was celebrated Monday at an outdoor ceremony in front of students at Naalehu Elementary School.
“I was so happy that not only was this pilot program started here in Naalehu, the bill was originally for Naalehu Elementary School and because of the work of my fellow Sen. (Michelle) Kidani and the members of the House of Representatives, they changed it to making it a national program,” said Kanuha at the ceremony. “It’s up to you kids, you teachers and this community that this will have a nationwide impact.”
State Board of Education member Kaimana Bacarse, who represents the island of Hawaii on the board, urged students to “take these supplies that have been set aside for you and do what’s best for your education and become the leaders that.” take care of our community in the future.”
State schools superintendent Keith Hayashi also traveled to Hawaii to speak at the celebration and said many families from the participating schools were “overwhelmed with emotion upon receiving the school supplies for their children and they are so grateful.” “.
The 20 schools in the pilot program represent approximately 7% of the 258 regular public schools and 37 charter public schools in the Hawaii statewide system.
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