- Cama-i, quyana tailuci!
- (Central Yup’ik)
- "Greetings, thank you for coming!"
Information Exchange Vol. 47 No. 08
Newsletter of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development March 1, 2019
Last call! SERRC Offering HEALTH Career Connections Opportunity
SERRC - Alaska's Education Resource Center, is offering a fully-funded HEALTH Career Connections for district teams comprised of high school students. This program explores a variety of health care careers via site visits, presentations from health care professionals, and classroom work. Funding covers travel to and from Juneau, accommodations, food, and instruction. HEALTH Career Connections is a one-week, residential, program that will take place in Juneau - April 29-May 3. Deadline for Letters of Intent: March 5.
Last call! 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.
Last call! 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.
NEW! FREE Introductory Coding Sessions Happening During Spring Break
DEED and the DOLWD are partnering to offer Alaskans introductory coding sessions (see attached flyer). On March 11 from 12-4pm, join us in Kotzebue at the Chukchi Consortium Library. On March 12 from 12-4pm, join us in Wasilla at Mat-Su Central School, and on March 21 from 12-4pm, join us in Juneau at the Alaska State Museum. These events are free and open to Alaskans of all ages – no prior coding experience necessary!
NEW! 2017-18 Report Cards Now Available on DEED Website
The 2017-2018 report cards are now available online. The report cards provide parents and the public with important information on state, district, and school performance and progress. U.S. ED has issued a Parent Guide to State and Local Report Cards that may be a helpful resource.
NEW! AAEC Announces Summer Arts Institutes for 2019
Engaging Students in Art & Culture: Summer Institute at Mat-Su (SAMS), May 28-31, Mat-Su Career and Technical High School, free to Mat-Su teachers, others $200 member district teachers, $300 non-member district teachers, 2 Ed 590 credits available.
Amplifying Stories through the Arts: Ketchikan Basic Arts Institute, June 3-14, Ketchikan High School, $500 member district teachers, $600 non-member district teachers, 20 Sealaska scholarships available to teachers from Ketchikan, Juneau and Yakutat, 4 Ed 590 credits available.
Liitukut Allringumi: We are all learning together: Kodiak Multicultural Arts Institute, July 28-August 2, $249 member district teachers, $350 non-member district teachers. Email Barb Short with questions.
Reminder: DEED Seeking Public Comment on Proposed Changes to Teacher Certification Regulations
The proposed regulation changes would include additions to the list of approved basic competency exams and allow teachers who have completed a basic competency exam in the areas of reading, writing, or mathematics with qualifying scores approved by another certifying state agency to use that exam to satisfy the basic competency exam requirement of AS 14.20.020(i). The proposed changes would eliminate the basic competency requirement for a Type-M limited CTE certificate and allow that initial certificate to be issued for a five-year term. DEED invites the public to submit written comments during the written comment period, which ends on March 25, 2019, at 4:30 p.m.
The proposed regulation changes would update the sub-interval scores on the Performance Evaluation for Alaska’s Schools (PEAKS) assessments for grade 9 math that are used to calculate student growth within the accountability system. Changes to the PEAKS grade 9 math assessment in 2018 required new score ranges to determine student performance. The revised score ranges require an adjustment to the sub-interval score ranges in the student growth indicator under 4 AAC 06.822 so that the sub-interval ranges are aligned with the newly adopted score ranges. DEED invites the public to submit written comments during the written comment period, which ends on March 25, 2019, at 4:30 p.m.
Reminder: Summer Food Service Program Looking for Local Sites
Too many children who rely on school meals do not have access to meals in the summer. DEED’s Child Nutrition Programs unit is looking for school districts, parks and recreation departments, non-profit organizations, and churches to operate Summer Food Service Program feeding sites for children and youth in low-income areas in Alaska. Sponsors are reimbursed with federal funds for each eligible meal served at approved feeding sites. All sponsors receive training and technical assistance from Alaska Child Nutrition Programs prior to starting their Summer Food Service Program, and throughout the program’s duration. To register for training, please contact Dan Hysell or 907-465-4969. Applications are due May 1, 2019.
Special Feature: The Octopus Project - Upcoming Youth Activity at the APK in Juneau
Help the Alaska State Museum create a Giant North Pacific Octopus for the kids' Discovery Room! Artist Tanna Peters and scientists Sherry Tamone and Riley Woodford along with Alaska State Museum staff will teach students about art, octopus, and the importance of recycling. The workshop runs on March 23 for ages 6 to 9 from 10am to noon and ages 9 to12 from 1 to 3pm. Then again on March 30 for ages 9 to 12 from 10am to noon and ages 6 to 9 from 1 to 3pm. Please call the museum at 465-2901 to sign up.
Finally, on April 5, First Friday, come back for an eight-armed octopus opening. Wear a sea-life costume and “Sea” the octopus installed in its new home at the Alaska State Museum children’s room!
2020 Alaska Teacher of the Year Nomination Process Now Open
The Alaska Teacher of the Year (TOY) program gives us an exciting opportunity to celebrate Alaska’s best teachers! Any interested Alaska citizen may submit nominations for the Alaska Teacher of the Year. The Alaska TOY Program is an excellent way to acknowledge the expertise, skills, accomplishments, and professionalism of teachers within your school. For more information contact Cecilia Miller or at 907-465-8703.
U.S. ED Releases FAQs on FERPA Responsibilities for LEAs Regarding School Safety
The FAQ document consists of 37 commonly asked questions about schools’ and school districts’ responsibilities under FERPA relating to disclosures of student information to school resource officers (SROs), law enforcement units and others, and seeks to explain and clarify how FERPA protects student privacy while ensuring the health and safety of students and others in the school community.
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.
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 United States Senate Youth Program webpage.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 the how are you creative webpage.
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. 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 or call 465-6523.
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 31, 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.
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.
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 Erin Hardin at 907-465-6535 or email Erin Hardin.