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Information Exchange Vol. 47 No. 05

Newsletter of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
February 8, 2019

Last call! UAA/ADN 36th Annual Statewide Creative Writing Contest Closes February 12

This statewide contest is back with $800 in cash prizes. Entries are open to all ages, ranging from kindergarten students to senior citizens, and the categories include poetry, fiction, non-fiction as well as story writing. Submission deadline is February 12 at 5 p.m.

Last call! One-Day AdvancED Training Opportunity Happening in Anchorage February 15

More and more schools are asking how they can better measure student engagement in classrooms.  Join the AdvancED Alaska Effective Learning Environments Workshop to gain an understanding of classroom conditions and teacher practices that inspire students to learn and grow. Through a guided review of seven effective learning environments, participants will discuss observable indicators of student engagement. Teams are encouraged to attend. Register with a team of four participants and receive the fifth participant's registration for free!

Last call! Nominations Sought for Special Education Administrator of the Year Award

The Alaska Council of Administrators of Special Education is seeking nominations for an outstanding Special Education Administrator to be recognized at the upcoming State Special Education Director’s Meeting. Please send any questions or the completed nomination form (attached) and a letter containing no more than 2 pages, detailing the Special Education Administrator’s strengths, to Tracy Culbert by February 15.

Last call! Alaska Council of Administrators of Special Education Offering Scholarship Opportunity

The Alaska Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) is pleased to offer a $1000 scholarship to provide support for students currently enrolled in UAA, UASE, UAF, or an online program and pursuing a career in special education. Deadline to apply is February 12. See attached notice for details.

Last call! Fairbanks Arts Association’s 24th Statewide Poetry Contest Seeking Entries

Fairbanks Arts invites participation from authors of all ages elementary school and up. As a celebration of National Poetry Writing Month, this contest aims to encourage, publicize, and reward the writing of high quality poetry in Alaska. Entry deadline is February 15.

Last call! The Alaska Staff Development Network (ASDN) Code.org Fundamentals (K-6) Curriculum Training

Contact Cheryl Bobo with questions.

NEW! Two New Members Join the State Board of Education

Governor Michael J. Dunleavy appointed to the State Board of Education and Early Development Bob Griffin of Anchorage and Sally Stockhausen of Ketchikan, and reappointed Tiffany Scott of Kotzebue. The two new members and Ms. Scott were sworn into office at the board’s meeting in Juneau on February 4.

NEW! State Board Approves UAA Initial Educator Preparation Programs for 2019 Spring and Summer Graduates

The State Board of Education and Early Development, meeting February 4 in Juneau, approved the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) initial educator preparation programs for graduates in Spring 2019 and Summer 2019 only. The board’s decision allows the Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) to recognize UAA’s recommendations for initial licensure for these graduates.

NEW! FEMA Seeks Alaska Youth for First Disaster Preparedness Camp

FEMA Region 10 is seeking 40 youth in grades 8 through 12 representing Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska to be selected to attend a Youth Preparedness Camp in Stanwood, Wash., in August. This will be an engaging and empowering way for teens to learn about and practice emergency preparedness. There will be a variety of exciting leadership and team-building opportunities as well as traditional camp activities to ensure a fun week for all. Applications will be accepted through March 15, 2019.

NEW! Alaska Students Named to U.S. Senate Youth Program

Avram Salzmann, a student at Homer High School in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, and Sadie Sands, a student at Dillingham Middle/High School in the Dillingham City School District, have been named as Alaska’s delegates to the U.S. Senate Youth Program by Alaska Education Commissioner Dr. Michael Johnson. Alaska students interested in applying for the 2020 program should visit U.S. Senate Youth.

Reminder: High School Juniors and Seniors Sought for Outer Coast Summer Seminar

Happening June 29 – August 3 in Sitka, the Outer Coast Summer Seminar is a five week residential academic and service summer program for current high school sophomores and juniors from Alaska and around the United States. The Summer Seminar will welcome up to 32 students to Sitka to immerse themselves in two fast-paced, college-level academic courses; participate in meaningful, work-based service projects in the community; and explore the powers and responsibilities of self-governance. Admitted students and their families set their own cost of attendance for the program. Outer Coast is committed to meeting all demonstrated financial need, inclusive of travel to and from Sitka. Student applications will be accepted through February 22. Student nominations are also encouraged.

Reminder: LearningExpress Offers Assistance to Students of All Ages and Adult Learners

LearningExpress provides a comprehensive selection of educational resources—including interactive tutorials, practice exams, flashcards, articles and e-books—for basic skills mastery, academic success, job preparation, and career advancement. The Alaska Library Network has bought a statewide online subscription to LearningExpress. Learning center resources include School Center, Student Success Skills, High School Equivalency Center, College Admissions Test Preparation, College Students, Adult Core Skills, Compute Skills Center, Career Preparation, and Jobs and Career Accelerator.

Reminder: February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month

Stand Up Speak Up Alaska is inviting all schools and youth serving organizations across Alaska to take action and raise awareness about teen dating violence.

TAKE ACTION & GET INVOLVED

Let’s Be Real Week: February 11th – 15th

  • National School Announcements: Monday 2/11
  • Wear Orange 4 Love Day: Tuesday 2/12
  • Chalk About Love: Thursday 2/14

Reminder: New Trauma-Engaged Resource Available for Alaska Schools

DEED and the Association of Alaska School Boards are pleased to jointly announce the release of a new resource for Alaska schools entitled “Transforming Schools: A Framework for Trauma-Engaged Practice in Alaska”. This innovative framework provides schools with a detailed roadmap illuminating the steps that can be taken to better address students’ needs.  

Reminder: Alaska Humanities Forum Seeking High School Students for Youth Leadership Program

The Alaska Humanities Forum is seeking high school students to participate in AK|Next, a youth leadership program. Three sessions to choose from in early summer will bring together youth from across Alaska to learn about leadership, cultures, and build community in Juneau or Washington, D.C. Applications due by February 28.

Reminder: 2019 Library of Congress Literacy Awards Application Period Now Open

The Library of Congress invites organizations committed to the advancement of literacy to apply for the 2019 Library of Congress Literacy Awards. Organizations may submit applications for one of three major prizes: the David M. Rubenstein Prize ($150,000), the American Prize ($50,000) and the International Prize ($50,000). Applications in all categories will also be considered for Best Practice awards of $5,000 each. Applications are due March 8.

Reminder: IMLS Accepting Applications for the Native American Library Services Basic Grants Program

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is now accepting applications for the Native American Library Services Basic Grants program through Monday, April 1. Native American Library Services Basic Grants are one-year grants of $6,000 to $10,000, which can include $3,000 in eligible education and assessment activities or travel. The grants are available to federally recognized Native American tribes and Alaska Native villages, and are designed to support existing operations and maintain core services of tribal and Native village libraries.

Reminder: Professional Teaching Practices Commission Winter 2019 Newsletter Available

This newsletter highlights all the recent language revisions to the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession. Districts may request copies of the newsletter from the PTPC office. Contact Melody Mann for more information.

Reminder: Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship Seeking Grant Applicants

The Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship (PAYA) is seeking applicants for their new grant initiative to support the launch of youth apprenticeship programs within states/regions/cities. The 4-8 grants are valued around $200,000 each along with technical assistance. Applications are due March 8.

Reminder: Limited Space Remaining for the PLAAY Summit

The conference provides teachers, parents, coaches, medical professionals, administrators, and others with more tools to better address physical, emotional, and mental health issues facing Alaska's youth. The PLAAY Summit will be held in Anchorage from Feb 22-23, and there is an option for quality remote video conferencing. Continuing education credits and nursing contact hours available.

Reminder: U.S. Census Bureau Offering 2020 Census Statistics in Schools Program

The Statistics in Schools (SIS) program aims to increase awareness of, and overall public response to, the decennial census by engaging administrators, teachers, students, and their parents/guardians in public conversations about the census. The program provides materials that use Census Bureau data for students in pre-school through 12th grade such as lesson plans, data tools, fun facts, and more.

Reminder: FREE Webinar Series: Creating a Culturally Responsive Classroom offered by SERRC

SERRC will offer a five-part webinar series providing a framework for instruction that emphasizes experiential, active, and student-centered learning. The webinar series will be taught by Gerry Briscoe and Martha Gould-Lehe, senior associates with the Center for Culturally Proficient Educational Practice. The webinar sessions will take place from 4-5 p.m. on Feb. 20, March 4 and April 3 and 17. Sessions will be recorded and made available for those unable to attend. For more information, email Gerry Briscoe or call 907-349-0651.

Reminder: Senator Murkowski Offering 2019 Summer Internship Opportunity

The internship is for just-graduated Alaska high school seniors. Deadline to apply is March 15. Applicants are strongly urged to submit their applications via fax (202-224-5301 Attn: Intern Coordinator) or e-mail Krystal Edens as the Senate’s mail screening procedures can significantly delay delivery and late applications will not be considered. 

Reminder: How Are You Creative?

How Are You Creative? began as a discussion of collective approaches to teaching and learning in and through arts and cultures in Alaska. For the past two years, groups of arts and cultural advocates, educators, and community leaders from across Alaska have been sharing and learning artistic, cultural, and creative experiences with one another. Learn more at How are you Creative?.

Special Feature: Arts Education Grant Opportunities

The Cultural Collaborations and Arts Educator Fellowship Grants are Arts Education grants available through the Alaska State Council on the Arts, and funded by Rasmuson Foundation. These grants are for a variety of purposes in support of student, teacher and community engagement in arts education activities across all disciplines—brief descriptions are below:

Cultural Collaborations Excursion Grants

Deadlines are rolling: at least 30 days prior to the planned activity | funds still available for activity in the 2018-19 school year!

  • Excursion Grants, bringing KIDS to ARTS, are awards of up to $600 ($1,000 for eligible Title I schools,) to support transportation and admission costs incurred in attending arts and cultural events. Public or private nonprofit schools in Alaska may apply.

Cultural Collaborations Access Grants

Deadlines are rolling: at least 30 days prior to the planned activity | funds still available for activity in the 2018-19 school year!

  • Access Grants, bringing ARTS to KIDS, are awards of up to $1,000 to support high-quality, arts and cultural activities of less than two weeks’ duration for grades K-12 at a school site during the school day. Public or private nonprofit schools in Alaska may apply.

Arts Educator Fellowships

Deadline: March 15th (most AEF activities occur during the summer, and must be completed by August 31 of a given fiscal year)

  • Arts Educators Fellowships are awards of up to $3,000 to support the artistic professional development for teachers whose teaching assignment includes visual, performing, media and cultural arts in public or private schools.

Artists in Schools Individual School and Multi-Site, School District Residency Grants | Application Open for the 2019-20 School Year

Deadline: April 15 and November 1, 2019

  • Artists in Schools (AIS) residencies should provide arts experiences and training for students, teachers, and the greater community. Successful applicants will demonstrate how a residency will augment the arts curriculum and the Alaska State Content Standards for Art, connect to other core curricula, include a professional development opportunity for teachers in integrating the residency discipline into future teaching, and create engagement between the school and community.

2019 KidWind Challenge

The 2019 Alaska KidWind Challenge will be held on Saturday, March 2nd in the Mat-Su area, hosted by the Renewable Energy Alaska Project. Students work in teams to design and build a model wind turbine at home or school and bring it to the competition to measure the energy output in a wind tunnel as well as present their design to a panel of judges. It is open to 4th-12th graders and there will be Middle School (4th-8th grade) and High School (9th-12th grade) divisions. If you are interested in the training and/or competition and would like more info, email Colleen Fisk.

AAESP/NAESP National Distinguished Principal of the Year

The Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals (AAESP) invites you to nominate an outstanding elementary principal for the 2019 National Distinguished Principal Award.

Steven R. Nelson Native Educator Scholarship Program Seeking Applicants

This scholarship program strives to increase Native representation in the field of education by providing financial support, mentoring, and internships for Native students in the Northwest who are pursuing a master’s degree in education policy, leadership, technical assistance, research, or a closely related field. Awardees will receive a maximum of $5,000 each year. March 31 application deadline.

DEED Offering Competitive Grant Application for Suicide Awareness, Prevention, & Postvention Funds

The purpose of the grant is to provide an opportunity for schools to support programs, practices, and policies that focus on areas that are related to the State Suicide Prevention Plan Goals and Strategies. Under this competition, DEED intends to award approximately 10 grants. Grants up to $25,000 per year will be awarded to Alaska school districts only. Letters of Intent to Apply are encouraged by February 1. The closing date is 4:00 p.m. AST on Friday, March 15, 2019. If you have any questions concerning the program or the application process, please feel free to contact Sharon Fishel, 465-6523 or Sharon Fishel.

Associated General Contractors of Alaska Offering Postsecondary Scholarships

The objective of the AGC Scholarship Program is to provide Alaskans, who intend to stay or return to Alaska, with monetary assistance to pursue a degree leading to a career in the construction industry. Scholarship applications must be submitted no later than 11:59pm March 31st, 2019.

Register now for the 2019 ASCA Legislative Fly-In

Please join the Alaska Council of School Administrators (ACSA) at their 2019 ACSA Legislative Fly In, which will be held in Juneau, March 24-27, 2019. This is an excellent opportunity to meet with colleagues from around the state to receive policy updates on relevant topics, engage in professional development in leadership, and to have unified efforts to reach legislators on important education matters during the legislative session.

Alaska State Library Accepting Applications for Summer Internships

The Alaska State Library is accepting applications for two summer internships in public libraries. Interns will receive travel reimbursement, per diem ($60/day for 50 days), an honorarium, and free housing during the eight-week internship. The internship is sponsored by the Alaska Library Network.

Educator Cross-Cultural Immersion Program Accepting Applications

The Alaska Humanities Forum's ECCI program is currently accepting applications from educators (teachers and staff) in urban Alaska interested in building stronger relationships with their students and families from different cultural backgrounds. The program takes place from May-September 2019, earns three graduate-level credits, and includes one week of travel to a culture camp in rural Alaska over the summer. All costs are covered. Apply by Feb. 28, 2019.

AASB’s 28th Annual June Nelson Scholarship Competition Now Open

Attention High School Seniors: Don't Wait! Apply Now! The Association of Alaska School Boards (AASB) is proud to announce its 28th Annual June Nelson Scholarship Award Competition. This 2018-2019 school year, AASB will award fifteen $1,500 scholarships to apply toward post-secondary education. Thirteen of these scholarships are available for graduating seniors, and two may be awarded to returning college sophomores. The scholarship may be applied toward the student's choice of a business, trade, or a college institution. Application Deadline: Midnight, March 25, 2019. Winners Announced: Saturday, April 6, 2019. 

2019 National Youth Science Camp (NYSC) Competition Now Open

The 2019 National Youth Science Camp (NYSC) competition is now open to Alaskan high school students who will graduate by June 30, 2019. It is a residential science education program that honors and challenges two graduating high school science students from each state and others from selected countries around the world. NYSC is offered at NO COST to its participants so that selected delegates may attend regardless of their financial status. The application window closes at 11:59pm on February 28th.

Free CE Credit for High School Science Teachers

Are you a high school science teacher who wants to teach a unit on energy in your Environmental Science, Physics, or other advanced class next semester? UAF Bristol Bay Campus is offering an opportunity to teach their Home Energy Basics class to high school students. The students can earn 1 college credit (as long as they are 16 or older) and the teacher can also earn one continuing education credit through UAF. Better yet, UAF has a grant to cover the cost of the credits so it’s completely free for you and your students! If you are interested in this opportunity, contact Colleen Fisk at Renewable Energy Alaska Project or Mark Masteller at UAF.

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) is Seeking Alaska Nominees

Anyone may nominate exceptional STEM teachers teaching grades 7-12. (Awards alternate between elementary and secondary teachers.) Teachers may also self-nominate. The President bestows up to 108 awards each year. Since the program’s inception, over 4,800 teachers have been recognized for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession. Nomination period closes March 1, 2019. Contact Ms. Joey Jigliotti with questions.

2019 Alaska Statewide Special Education Conference (ASSEC) Registration Now Open

Join the largest gathering of special educators in Alaska at ASSEC for high quality professional development relevant to the cultural, rural, and remote characteristics of our great state. February 25-27, 2019 in Anchorage. 

Applications Now Open for Summer Computer Science Workshops for Grade 6-12 Teachers

Applications are now open for the 2019 Code.org Summer Workshops in Alaska. Middle and high school teachers can apply for scholarships to participate in the 5-day CS Discoveries (Grades 6-10) or CS Principles (Grades 9-12 and AP) summer workshops in Anchorage, Fairbanks, or Juneau. Contact Cheryl Bobo with questions.

Register for the AASB 2019 School Climate and Connectedness Survey (SCCS)

Join over 30 Alaska school districts who collect and use school climate data each year to improve and strengthen school environments, relationships, and connections between students, staff, and families. SCCS’s interactive survey platform makes survey administration, reporting, and analysis interactive and user-friendly. Participating districts also receive free webinars and training on overseeing survey administration and using the interactive platform. Additional support on how to use survey results includes on-site workshops or video conferences led by AASB staff. Districts choose a two-week window between January 18 - March 22 to take the survey.

Info Exchange Housekeeping: This newsletter is available weekly and in archived form at DEED Information Exchange. To submit news items, call 907-465-6535 or email Erin Hardin.