Alaska Smart Start 2020

Alaska Smart Start 2020

Now that the 2019-2020 school year has come to an end, the conversation around COVID-19 has shifted toward planning for the 2020-2021 school year.

DEED, in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Services, released Alaska’s Smart Start 2020 – Restart and Reentry Framework Guidance for K-12 Schools. This document provides guidance to and support as K-12 schools plan for the upcoming school year.

In addition to the guidance, in May DEED launched a seven-week series of workshops and expert panel discussions: From Uncertainty to Certainty – Alaska’s Smart Start 2020, to help guide school districts through the framework and strategize implementation. Over 200 education stakeholders have been attending the dynamic webinar series. The webinar series runs through July 2. It’s not too late to register! Slides and materials from past meetings can be found on the website.

Coming up in next week’s webinars:

Tuesday, June 23 @ 9:15 am

Topic: What if? The Skill of Scenario Planning – Next Steps

Guests: Anthony Taylor and Jenna Sedmak

Excerpt: In this workshop, you’ll bring your Alaska Smart Start 2020 plans to share with others to learn best practices and discuss the implications around different plans

Thursday, June 25 @ 9:15 am

Topic: Conditions for Learning

Panelists: Katherine Bassett, CEO at Tall Poppy and Co-Founder at Research and Assessment Design: Science Solution; Hall Friedlander, Co-Founder and Board Chair, The Technology for Education Consortium; Ben Walker, Science Teacher at Romig Middle School, 2018 Alaska Teacher of the Year.

Information about Alaska Smart Start 2020 and other COVID-19 resources can be found on DEED’s webpage specific to COVID-19.

If you have any questions or concerns relating to COVID-19 prevention and preparedness in schools, please visit DEED’s website or contact todd.brocious@alaska.gov.