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Last Call! Healthy Futures Challenge

Some schools are starting online, while others are starting in person. When students are not in school, they miss opportunities for daily movement that recess and in-person physical education class provide. The free Healthy Futures program challenges students to be active and record their activity for a chance to be awarded with fun incentives. The challenge runs September 1 – November 30.

 

 

Last Call! State Personnel Development Grants

The U.S Department of Education is inviting applications for State Personnel Development Grants. The purpose of this program is to assist State educational agencies in reforming and improving their systems for personnel preparation and professional development in early intervention, educational, and transition services in order to improve results for children with disabilities. Applications are due September 10.

 

 

Last Call! Employability Skills for Success is Available Online

Over the summer, Alaska Safety Alliance partnered with the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Management and eCampus Alaska Advantage Program to develop an online course based on their YES! Employability Skills Program. This course can help students stand out from the crowd with the skills Alaska employers are looking for. The one-credit Employability Skills for Success online course is open for secondary and postsecondary students to enroll through the end of this week.

 

 

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NEW! Sealaska Heritage Institute Hosts Culturally-Responsive Education Lecture Series

Sealaska Heritage Institute is sponsoring a free weekly lecture series in September to acquaint the public with culturally-responsive education in Southeast Alaska and delve into the educational system as perceived through the Native world view.

 

 

NEW! Registration is now open for AASB’s Virtual Fall Boardsmanship Academy    

The Association of Alaska School Boards is working hard to put together a fantastic virtual academy for school districts. All sessions will be related to issues that school districts are grappling with, and there will be ample opportunities to share and learn from other districts. The conference will take place September 19-20.

 

 

NEW! USDA Extends Free Meals for Kids Through December 31, 2020

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will extend several flexibilities through as late as December 31, 2020. The flexibilities allow summer meal program operators to continue serving free meals to all children into the fall months. This unprecedented move will help ensure – no matter what the situation is on-the-ground – children have access to nutritious food as the country recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic

 

 

NEW! Awareness Materials on Family and Youth Homelessness

As a result of the pandemic, and without the usual methods of outreach and identification, many families and youth experiencing homelessness may be even more disconnected from school and early childhood programs. The SchoolHouse Connection created PSAs and a social media toolkit to help raise awareness and provide information around educational rights. 

 

 

NEW! UAS Education Grad Awarded Grant from the NEA

University of Alaska Southeast education graduate Robyn Capp has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the National Education Association Foundation for her project on COVID-19 Rapid Response. The program goal is to support educator-led initiatives that increase educational equity and opportunity in response to student needs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

 

NEW! Virtual Anchorage College and Career Fair

Given the cancellation of in-person college fairs in Alaska, UAA is partnering with StriveScan to produce a virtual program for all Alaska students this fall. With support from the school districts and communities across the state, all organizations who typically participate in the Alaska college fair circuit are encouraged to participate. Student registration opens September 28, the virtual Fair will take place October 13-14.

 

 

NEW! Latest COVID-19 Response Resources from the REL Program

In response to COVID-19, the 10 Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) have collaborated to produce a series of evidence-based resources and information about teaching and learning in a remote environment, as well as other considerations brought by the pandemic.

 

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Alaska’s COVID-19 ECHO Informational Sessions

Keep informed about COVID-19 in Alaska with DHSS, the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development (DEED) and Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) through the UAA Center for Human Development. These videoconferences create virtual learning communities by connecting Alaska’s COVID-19 experts with specific audiences on specific topics.

Saturdays at 10:00-11:00 am.

 

 

Ty Mase of LPSD named Alaska’s 2021 Superintendent of the Year

Superintendent Ty Mase of Lake and Peninsula Borough School District (LPSD) has been named Alaska 2021 Superintendent of the Year by the Alaska Superintendents Association. Superintendent Mase will be honored at the upcoming ASA Fall Conference and at The School Superintendent Association 2021 AASA National Conference on Education in February and will be a candidate representing Alaska for the 2021 National Superintendent of the Year.

 

 

Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with Disabilities

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) is pleased to publish an updated Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with Disabilities (August, 2020), to advance our efforts in ensuring that all students and youth with disabilities are equipped with the skills and knowledge to achieve their post-school and career goals.

 

 

Save These Dates for the Association of Alaska School Boards!

 

 

AASB Call for Resolutions

Attention all Board Presidents, Superintendents, and Board Secretaries! The Alaska Association of School Boards is soliciting resolutions, resolution amendments, and comments from local school boards for consideration by the 2020 Resolutions Committee. Resolutions are due to AASB Tuesday, October 6.

 

 

Local Museums Snag Federal, State Grant Dollars

Regional museums are reeling from closures and the loss of ticket revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic. Upper Lynn Canal institutions received some federal and state relief dollars to soften the blow.

 

 

Learning Computer Science While Schools are Closed

Code.org want to support teachers, students, and families while students are learning from home. They’re offering resources for parents and teachers. Plus, options for smartphones for anyone who doesn’t have a computer at home.

 

 

Alaska Staff Development Network Shares Code.org Regional Partner Impact Report

ASDN is thrilled to report that it nearly doubled their goal for providing professional development on the highly rated, proven Code.org computer science curriculum to Alaskan educators. This means that 3,615 new students will have access to computer science curriculum to advance their skills!

 

 

Free Virtual Author Visits

Author J. Scott Savage is offering free virtual author visits this year. Savage, author of nineteen novels including the Farworld middle grade fantasy series, The Case File 13 middle grade horror series, the Mysteries of Cove steampunk dragon series, and The Lost Wonderland Diaries, will be hosting virtual assemblies starting in September. Spots fill up fast, so interested parties should contact Jennifer Aspley at events@jscottsavage.com.

 

 

U.S. Department of Education Launches Space Mission Challenge

The U.S. Department of Education launched CTE Mission: CubeSat, a national challenge to inspire students to build technical skills for careers in space and beyond. High school students from across the country are invited to design and build CubeSat (cube satellite) prototypes, or satellites that aid in space research, bringing space missions out of the clouds and into the classroom. Interested schools should form a team and submit a mission proposal by October 16.

 

 

Statistics in Schools for the New School Year

As the 2020-2021 school year gets underway, the U.S. Census Bureau’s Statistics in Schools (SIS) program is here to support educators, parents, and caregivers with easy-to-use resources for classroom lessons or at-home learning.  Using these resources, you can empower students to learn how the once-in-a-decade count impacts and shapes their communities.

 

 

Meet-a-German Speaker Opportunity

Meet-a-German offers American schools the wonderful opportunity to have a native speaker or someone with first-hand experience of German culture join their classroom. It also provides speakers with the chance to connect with local communities and to contribute to international understanding.

To mitigate the spread of COVID-19, this year all Meet-a-German events will take place online via video conferencing platforms.

 

 

Masks for Kids Across America Program

The Masks for Kids Across America Program is donating 4.25 million face masks to schools in low income communities across the country. The masks are 100% cotton (breathable) face masks and can be ordered in different sizes. Sign up to see if your school qualifies.

 

 

Hero Elementary

This summer, a new children’s show funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Ready to Learn Television program debuted on PBS.  “Hero Elementary” is about a school for up-and-coming superheroes, where students learn to master such powers as flying and teleportation while exploring science along the way.  The series -- watch a preview episode available on YouTube -- pushes children ages 4 to 7 to think like scientists to solve problems and touches upon social issues like kindness and empathy.

 

 

USDA Approves Program to Feed Kids in Alaska

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced Alaska has been approved to operate Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer, a new program authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, signed by President Trump, which provides assistance to families of children eligible for free or reduced-price meals dealing with school closures. 

 

 

CDC Releases New Resources and Schools to Support Opening Schools

On July 23 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is releasing new science-based resources and tools for school administrators, teachers, parents, guardians, and caregivers when schools open this fall. The CDC released an audio recording and transcript of its July 24 media telebriefing.

 

 

COVID-19 and Early Care and Education: Considerations Before Reopening

Explore the latest research- and science-informed resources and practices for caring for children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Early care and education directors and staff, and training and technical assistance staff, can use this tool as a guide to prepare programs to reopen.

 

 

UAS Coaching/Mentoring New Teachers Flyer Fall 2020

This course will provide opportunities to explore and apply effective coaching/mentoring practices including: creating coaching plans, using effective language stems for coaching conversations, and direct practice in coaching experiences. Offered through the University of Alaska Southeast. Alaska College of Education will pay tuition for any current host teacher. For more information contact Lisa Richardson or Beth Hartley.

 

 

Physical Activity During the Pandemic: Recess and Activity in Schools

As schools use Alaska’s Smart Start 2020 Framework to create these new models for learning, finding different ways to support students’ and staff’s physical, mental, and social-emotional health is more important than ever. Participating in physical activities can improve all of these types of health.

 

 

USDA Ensures Food, Funding During Pandemic

This is a challenging time for many Americans when access to food is more essential than ever. Thankfully, USDA’s vital partners are helping feed those in need during the coronavirus pandemic. And for that, we couldn’t be more grateful. To support these important efforts, USDA is stepping up to provide over $6 billion worth of food and administrative resources in response to the crisis.

 

 

Guidance for Assessing Cardiac Issues in High School Student-Athletes with COVID-19 Infection

An expert medical task force appointed by the National Federation of State High School Associations and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine has issued guidance for assessing potential cardiac issues in high school student-athletes with COVID-19 infection.

 

 

US ED Launches Competition to Advance Student-Centered Technology Education

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced a challenge to advance high-quality technology instruction in rural communities. The Rural Tech Project, with a total cash prize pool of $600,000, invites high schools and local educational agencies to develop competency-based, distance learning programs that enable students to master skills at their own pace with the goal of preparing them for the well-paying, in-demand jobs of today and tomorrow. Proposals are due October 8.

 

 

Families Can Make Playground Visits Safer During the Pandemic

After months of closing or being too snow-covered to use, playgrounds at schools and public parks reopened in most communities for the summer. Families are definitely returning to play. Parks departments across Alaska are putting in extra time to clean playgrounds. Even so, you can help set expectations for your family to prevent the spread of illness.

 

 

Secretary DeVos Issues Rule to Ensure CARES Act Funding Serves All Students

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos issued a rule that would help to ensure all students whose learning was impacted by COVID-19 are served equitably by emergency funding authorized by the CARES Act, no matter where they attend school.  The Interim Final Rule, which becomes effective immediately, outlines how local education agencies must calculate the emergency funds available for providing equitable services to students and teachers in private schools.

 

 

New Resources for Businesses to Encourage COVID-19 Precautions

Alaska businesses now have access to a new suite of printable resources to help encourage COVID-19 precautions among employees and customers. The COVID-Conscious Business Toolkit features Alaska-themed artwork to communicate and encourage measures, such as physical distancing and mask wearing.

 

 

I, Too, Am the Dream Contest

The first ever I, Too, Am the Dream Contest seeks to engage high school seniors in describing dynamic stories that have propelled themselves and others to pursue and achieve their American Dream. Students may submit an essay, poem, spoken word, or short story for an opportunity to win $5,000 toward achieving their dreams. Submission deadline is September 14.

 

 

AASL Partners with StoryCorps to Launch StoryCorps Connect

The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) is partnering with StoryCorps to launch StoryCorps Connect. The new free platform allows Americans to conduct and record StoryCorps interviews remotely. AASL encourages school librarians to utilize the technology to support learners in connecting with others amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and, in the process, to contribute to the creation of a unique first-person historical record of this unprecedented crisis.

 

 

How Do We Read? Let’s Count the Ways

This report analyzes data from the 2017 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts (SPPA), which the National Endowment for the Arts conducted in partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau. It gives a statistical overview of how the nation’s adults engage with leisure reading and other literary activities, such as author readings, book clubs, and creative writing.

 

 

Ilisagvik College Type M CTE Teacher Prep Program

The CTE Teacher Preparation Pilot Program at Ilisagvik Colllege will help Type M teachers build upon career knowledge and combine educational practices and theories to support confident, effective classroom leaders. Ilisagvik College just released its fall course offerings. Contact Arth Brown for more information.

  • ED 194 82B – CTE: School Law, Regulations, & Compliance (starts 9/28)
  • ED 199 80B – CTE Practicum (starts 11/2)

 

 

Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program

This two-week virtual program teaches 10-12th grade girls the computer science skills they need to make an impact in their community while preparing for a career in tech. Participants will get exposure to tech jobs and join a supportive sisterhood of women in tech.

 

 

Kindergarten Readiness Opportunity for Your Students

The state of Alaska is the beneficiary of a grant received by the Waterford UPSTART program. This program provides a unique opportunity for families to participate in the Waterford UPSTART program to support home-based kindergarten readiness delivered via technology. When parents are given the tools and knowledge to support their children, everyone wins. Every parent is empowered as their child’s first teacher right in the home.

 

 

The R.E.S.C.U.E. Project – Preventing the “COVID slide”

Millions of early readers are missing school. This may have serious negative effects on their reading development. The NSF-funded RESCUE Project hopes to prevent this COVID Slide. Educational organizations have teamed up to help Kindergarteners and First Graders learn to read at home using a researcher-developed, evidence-based computer-based game called GraphoLearn. Participation is voluntary for the free 12-week reading program and progress monitoring reports. Space is limited and filling up quickly. More information including how to sign up and media attention in NPR and the World Economic Forum can be found on the website. 

 

 

Online Story Circles for Educators and Community Members

Educator Story Circles are opportunities for small groups of people (educators and engaged community members) to gather together to listen and share thoughts and stories related to a common theme. No preparation is necessary, and each participant has the option to share or simply listen to others. Story Circles aren’t about performing. Rather, the purpose is to listen and connect. Participants who want to lead Story Circles with their own students or community members will have access to a free toolkit and will be eligible for a $200 stipend from the Alaska Humanities Forum.

 

 

Ready to Read Alaska

Ready to Read Alaska is a statewide initiative for families and caregivers of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in Alaska. The program’s mission is to promote early literacy development in Alaska’s young children to create the foundations needed for when a child begins to learn to read. Ready to Read is posting training videos on YouTube, and literacy tips, book recommendations, crafts, and activities on Instagram.

 

 

ASDN Offers Sessions and Courses for Alaskan Educators During COVID-19

The Alaska Staff Development Network (ASDN) is offering many sessions and courses for Alaskan educators during COVID-19. Please see the resources page for professional development opportunities, partner resource sites, and many resources for distance learning. 

 

 

Coursera Offering Free Courses to Help Workers Displaced by COVID-19 Re-Enter the Workforce

To assist during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the Coursera community is launching an effort to help reskill unemployed workers to re-enter the workforce. Cousera will provide every government agency directly serving an unemployed population impacted by COVID-19 with free access to its course catalogue for these unemployed workers. Government organizations can sign up to provide unemployed workers with access to more than 3,800+ courses and 400 Specializations from Coursera’s university and industry partners.