An update on yesterday's COVID-19 case and distance learning

We have prepared a Distance Learning plan for this school year in the event of a pivot based on conditions.

Aug. 13, 2020

Contributed by Shaundor Chillingworth

Aloha nui kākou e ko Kamehameha Hawaiʻi,

Mahalo nui loa for your support and resilience following yesterday’s announcement about our transition to distance learning. We extend our sincere gratitude for the messages of aloha we have received about the care taken in prioritizing the health, safety, and well-being of our haumāna and each other.

With the benefit of more time and information gathered by Kamehameha Schools’ COVID-19 Response Team, we wanted to provide an important update regarding the Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi student that tested positive for COVID-19. According to the Hawaiʻi Department of Health, and confirmed by the student's physician, the student is not an active case, was not in a contagious period, and was not a risk to others yesterday. If you have any questions, please contact the COVID-19 Response Team at COVID19Help@ksbe.edu.

While the news and better understanding of the circumstances of this case are welcome and gladly received, it does not alter Kamehameha Schools’ plans to transition to distance learning across all of our K-12 campuses and preschools. The decision made yesterday was not based solely upon this positive case, but does reflect the larger concerns of the surge in cases throughout the state and extra care and precaution Kamehameha Schools is taking in dealing with COVID-19.

We have updated our Roadmap to Reopening webpage with information specific to our School Year 2020-2021 Distance Learning Plan for ʻOhana. We will continue with distance learning through at least August 31.

We understand this is a challenging and stressful time for everyone and value your partnership in navigating these uncharted waters. We will learn together and adapt quickly to overcome the challenges of this pandemic with aloha and continued support for all of our haumāna, faculty and staff and their ʻohana.