Two Molokai schools pivot to distance learning

Set to open for face-to-face teaching, schools decide to switch

Molokai and Hana schools were the only ones in Maui County to have face-to-face learning options, but two Molokai schools -- Kaunakakai Elementary and Hana High -- pivoted to full distance learning prior to the start of the school year Monday.

Kaunakakai Elementary School Principal Daniel Espaniola said that the decision was made last Friday to hold off on in-class instruction and to do distance learning until at least Sept. 8.

"We wanted to get our safety protocols and measures really solid," Espaniola said Thursday afternoon. "A lot of our faculty and staff felt that we didn't have our ducks in a row, for us at least. For myself, it's really about the health and safety of everyone."

There may not be any reported active COVID-19 cases on the island, but that doesn't mean that the virus is not or could not become present, he said. The principal pointed out that there is a fear of being tested because of the stigma of bringing the virus into the small community if positive and that essential workers often travel back and forth to Molokai from other islands with the virus.

About one-third of the student population of just under 300 had already opted for distance learning anyway, so that helped the school decide to turn to distance learning for several weeks, Espaniola said.

At Molokai High School, Principal Katina Soares said in a letter to parents and students Sunday that there were some "unforeseen circumstances that made it difficult to safely continue with bringing all students back on campus on Monday, Aug. 17."

In the letter, she noted three reasons for the "last-minute change." One involved construction delays in three buildings and eight classrooms. The work also impacted phone and internet access in several other classrooms.

There also was the concern of potential interaction between students and staff and off-island construction workers engaged in repairing two large buildings on campus. The final reason was staff related with several school officials, including teachers and custodial workers, on unexpected leave.

"There would not be enough staff to safely supervise students on opening day," Soares wrote. "Substitutes for these positions would not be property trained on new safety/COVID-19 protocols in time for Monday."

Soares said the first three weeks through Sept. 4 will be distance learning. Then school officials will reevaluate the potential return to a face-to-face teaching blended model Sept. 8.

The letter said that families of students unable to learn independently will be contacted individually and provided accommodations for learning.

As for campus reaction, Soares said in an email that "we got mixed feelings from both students and parents."

"Some were relieved, others were disappointed," Soares said. "I will say there were definitely more disappointed and frustrated by not having a physical return to school."

All but 12 students have attended school virtually as of Wednesday, she said.

Espaniola said there were a few parents who were "not happy with going virtual" at his school.

"Those are the ones we are trying to address and support," he said, noting that included families where both parents work outside the home and don't have extended family for support.

But for right now, he said safety takes precedence over convenience.

This week, the school offered on-campus assistance for parents needing help with the online programs by appointment, along with kindergarten orientation with parents.

The other Molokai schools -- Kilohana and Maunaloa Elementary and Molokai Middle -- are all face to face, Complex Area Superintendent Lindsay Ball said.

"The reports from the principals are that everything has been going well, and the students are glad to be back on campus," he said Thursday.

Hana High and Elementary has stuck with its face-to-face and hybrid of distance and face-to-face instruction.

Officials in the Hana school office said Thursday that the school is implementing its plans with elementary grades receiving face-to-face instruction and secondary grades from 6th to high school having the hybrid schedule.

The majority of all Neighbor Island schools are on an online format until at least Sept. 11. Some schools have had face-to-face teacher and distance learning opportunities this week only.

* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.