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NEW! 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.

 

 

NEW! The Alaska Superintendent of the Year Nomination Process is Open

The Alaska Superintendents Association selection committee is seeking nominations for the 2021 Alaska Superintendent of the Year. Nominations can be made by education colleagues, school board members, parents/families, community members and/or anyone who has personal knowledge of an Alaska superintendent’s performance and qualifications. Nominations are due July 17.

 

 

NEW! Building the Movement: America’s Youth Celebrate 100 Years of Women’s Suffrage

The First Lady is asking students across the U.S. for submissions depicting individuals, objects, and events representing the women’s suffrage movement. The artwork will be showcased in an exhibit to honor the centennial anniversary of the 19th amendment. Submission due date is July 6.

 

 

Reminder:

 

USDA Approves Program to Feed Kids in Alaska

Alaska will be able to operate Pandemic EBT, a supplemental food purchasing benefit to current SNAP participants and as a new EBT benefit to other eligible households to offset the cost of meals that would have otherwise been consumed at school.

 

 

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.

 

 

Alaska School Counselor Association Announces 2020 Scholarship Recipients

The Alaska School Counselor Association (ACSA) provides full and partial tuition waivers to graduates enrolled in Alaskan postsecondary institutions. Students are nominated by their school counselors. Congratulations to the ASCA 2020 scholarship recipients!

  • Ashlee Schaeffer, UAF (counselor Gianna McCune)
  • Meghyn Parker, UAS (counselor Rachel Etcher)
  • Zachary Trail, AVTEC Welding (counselor Natali Jones)
  • Tristin Trozelle, AVTEC IT Security (counselor Melissa Peavey)
  • Zephrie Whitehorn, AVTEC Diesel (counselor Jenna Turner)

 

 

Relationships, Education, Advancement, and Development for Youth for Life (READY4Life)

The Department of Health and Human Services announces that it will be soliciting applications for the competitive award of grants that support “healthy marriage promotion” activities, including relationship education, parenting, and job and career advancement activities. grants will be targeted exclusively to youth. Applications are due July 1.

 

 

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.

 

 

Alaska Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association Scholarship Applications Available

AIANTA is proud to offer the Tourism & Hospitality Scholarship, which provides American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students with financial assistance towards a degree or certificate in hospitality, tourism, recreation, culinary arts or related fields. Applications are due July 3.

 

 

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 80B – CTE: Introduction to Classroom Instructional Strategies
  • ED 194 81B – CTE: Safety & Technology in the CTE Classroom
  • ED 194 82B – CTE: School Law, Regulations, & Compliance
  • ED 199 80B – CTE Practicum

 

 

Computer Science Workshops Now Offered through Zoom This Summer

Due to current health mandates and the uncertainty of the COVID-19 crisis. Alaska Staff Development Network created blended online professional development opportunities for learning to teach computer science in the fall. Provide opportunities for Alaska students to master the AK computer Science Standards and be career ready for jobs that require computational thinking, critical thinking, logic, and collaboration. For additional information please contact Cheryl Bobo.

 

  • CS Fundamentals – 2 online offerings, 1 credit. Designed for K-5 elementary educators new to teaching computer science. July 21-23, and Aug 4-6.
  • CS Discoveries – 2 online offerings, 2 credits. Designed to support middle and high school teachers before and during their first year teaching the Code.org professional learning program. Scholarships are available. July 27-31, and Aug 3-7.  
  • CS Principles- 1 online offering, 2 credits. Designed to support middle and high school teachers before and during their first year teaching the Code.org professional learning program. Aug 3-7  

 

 

Well-Rounded Education through Student-Centered Funding Demonstration Grants

The U.S. Department of Education is inviting applications for the Well-Rounded Education through Student-Centered Funding Demonstration Grants. This program provides competitive grants to LEAs to demonstrate model programs for providing well-rounded education opportunities through the development and implementation of student-centered funding systems based on weighted per-pupil allocations.  Applications are due July 10.

 

 

Computer Science Teachers Association 2020 Virtual Conference

CSTA's Annual Conference is a chance for computer science teachers to come together for learning, networking, and fun. The two-day virtual conference has over 100 sessions of education to broaden the knowledge of computer science education, inspirational keynotes and sessions to reinvigorate a passion for teaching, and countless moments of fun and connection along the way. July 13-14.

 

 

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.

 

 

Update to the 2020 Arts & Culture Institutes

Due to the pandemic, no Arts & Culture Institutes will be held in person this summer. The status of each of the planned events is listed below. For more information contact Barbara Short, AAEC Executive Director.

  • The Anchorage Science and Arts for the Elementary Classroom (May 26-29) is cancelled.  The Anchorage Academy will be open this year only for on-line classes. 
  • The Fairbanks Multicultural Arts Institute (June 15-19) is also cancelled for this year. 
  • The Kenai Social Emotional Learning and the Arts Institute (June 1-5) is postponed until next year, however the teacher-leader staff will be actively planning this fall to make the 2021 SEL and the Arts Institute better than ever!
  • The Juneau Culture and the Arts Institute (July 20-31) is presently being redesigned to see if it can be presented on-line in a shortened format. More information will be available on the website by June 1.

 

 

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.

 

 

Short-term Job Opportunity – Assessment Administrators

Westat will be seeking applicants to staff the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Work with a team to proctor digitally based assessments on tablets. Applicants must be available for online and in-person training during January 2021 and able to proctor January 25 through March 12, 2021, when work is available. NAEP offers paid training, hourly wages paid weekly, and mileage reimbursement. This is a part-time, temporary position. For more information email NAEPRecruit@westat.com or call 1-888-237-8036.

 

 

The Alaska School Leadership Academy (ASLA) Launches Recruitment for 2020-21 Cohort

ASLA is a professional development and mentoring support program for early career Alaska principals designed to provide mentoring, networking, skill building and mutual support across the state.  Applications are now open until September 1st for first- or second-year lead principals and assistant principals working in an Alaskan school and require superintendent support.  Contact Sam Jordan at ASDN with any questions.    

 

 

USDA Announces Second Application Window for Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program Funding

USDA is opening a second application window for funding under the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grant program. Electronic applications for window two may be submitted through grants.gov beginning April 14, 2020, and are due no later than July 13, 2020. Paper applications will not be accepted under the second window. Additional information on how to apply is available on grants.gov.

 

 

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. 

 

 

Should You Attend that Party or Community Event?

State of Alaska shares recommendations for summer gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

 

USDA Approves Program to Feed Kids in Alaska

Alaska will be able to operate Pandemic EBT, a supplemental food purchasing benefit to current SNAP participants and as a new EBT benefit to other eligible households to offset the cost of meals that would have otherwise been consumed at school.

 

 

USDA Announces Online Tool to Help Families Find Meals for Kids During COVID-19

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the launch of an online tool – the “Meals for Kids” Site Finder – to help families find meals for children while schools are closed during the coronavirus pandemic. This is the latest in a series of swift actions USDA has taken to keep children and low-income individuals fed during the ongoing health crisis. 

 

 

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.

 

 

COVID-19 Emergency School Nutrition Funding

Calling all Principals, School Nutrition Managers, School Nutrition Directors and District Superintendents! GENYOUth is providing grants of up to $3,000 per school to supply much-needed resources for meal distribution and delivery efforts to get food to students during COVID-19. From soft-sided coolers, bags and containers for individual servings, to protective gear for food service sanitation and safety, this equipment will help ensure our children continue to receive the nutritious meals they need.

 

 

To submit news items, please contact Rochelle Lindley at (907) 465-6535 or rochelle.lindley@alaska.gov. This newsletter is available weekly and in archived form at https://education.alaska.gov/news/infoexch.