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NEW! Registration for Healthy Futures Elementary School Fall Challenge still open

Registration is still available for the  Fall Healthy Futures Challenge at https://healthyfuturesak.org/the-challenge/elementary-schools/.  The three month fall Healthy Futures Challenge began September 1st but it's not too late to join. 

Active kids become healthy adults: Kids that grow up with good habits around physical activity are more likely to grow up to be healthy adults. They also perform better academically and have fewer behavioral problems. Our program is designed to support and enhance existing health and PE curriculum. There is no cost. We are a resource for you. The past year during Covid-19 showed us the activity log is a valuable tool for schools, kids, and families no matter what the learning setting is, in providing self care and some structure around physical activity habits. 

There are prizes!  A student from each participating school wins a grand prize at the end of the year. Every student that turns in a completed log will earn a monthly incentive.  As a way of showing our appreciation for our partner schools, participating teachers will also be eligible for a prize drawings. Top participating schools and those hitting longevity marks will win Healthy Futures banners to hang in the gym! 

NEW! Creating Resilient Youth Workshops from Brightways Learning

Want to change the trajectory of the lives of children and youth? Then don’t miss these 2-day professional development workshops! Join us October 22-23 in-person in Anchorage, Alaska or virtually for these unique hybrid events.

• Resilient Youth: Connection Matters
• Fortifying Student Resilience with Full-Color Web Coaching

These workshops will enable you to help youth to thrive socially, emotionally, and academically. The strength-based principles and practices of the Full-Color Web of Support Framework™ will equip you with tools to support students so they can recognize, appreciate, and amplify their unique talents and characteristics while decreasing negative behaviors. Don’t miss this opportunity to empower youth to reach their potential and achieve their dreams!  Learn more and register. 

NEW! U.S. Department of Interior to host National Tribal Broadband Summit

The US Dept of the Interior is going to host a 3 day National Tribal Broadband Summit, to take place virtually on Sept 17, Sept 24, and Oct 1. You can find more information and register here: https://www.doi.gov/tribalbroadband      

This conference is FREE and the highlighted topics are:

• Implementing the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Grant
• Planning for long term success and developing a local tribal workforce
• Technical Solutions for middle mile
• Broadband Use and Adoption

NEW! REGISTRATION NOW OPEN: AlaskaCAN Quarterly Convening – September 2021

The Alaska Postsecondary Access & Completion Network (AlaskaCAN) will be hosting its Quarterly Convening on September 27, 2021 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM AKST. The theme of the Convening is Equity & Access: Removing Barriers to Postsecondary Education with three guiding objectives: (1) Exploring the barriers specific to Alaska students; (2) Highlighting success stories of barrier-breaking initiatives in Alaska; and (3) Expanding advocacy networks.

Guest presenters will include Timothy Murphrey with UAF Rural Student Services; Amanda Metivier with Facing Foster Care in Alaska; Renee Fredericks with CITC's Youth Empowerment Services; and Tiffany Jackson with Association of Alaska School Boards.

To register for this Convening, please click HERE. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Convening.

AlaskaCAN Quarterly Convenings are free to attend for AlaskaCAN Members. Not a Member yet? You can easily become one at no cost by filling out the 2021-2022 AlaskaCAN Membership Application.

For more information about AlaskaCAN, visit www.65by2025.org.

Reminder:

Nominations open for K-6 cycle for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST) is now accepting nominations for the K-6 cycle. Anyone may nominate exceptional science, technology, math, and/or computer science teacher. Awardees receive a citation signed by the President of the United State, a trip to Washington, D.C. to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities, a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation, and access to a network of award-winning teachers from across the country. To nominate or apply, visit www.paemst.org. The nomination deadline is Jan. 7, 2022.

Anonymous Reporting Systems and Wellness Programs available to districts AT NO COST

SERRC is partnering with STOPit Solutions, one of the nation’s leading experts in school safety, to bring its Anonymous Reporting System (ARS) and SEL & Compliance Training Center (SCTC) to 65,000 students across Alaska for three years at no cost. STOPit delivers their programs to over 6,000 districts nationwide and serves millions of students and staff. Their programs have helped save and change the lives of thousands. Their CEO and school teams are from Sandy Hook Promise – so they understand the needs of schools and constraints they face.

The combined programs teach and empower students, staff, and administrators to recognize and anonymously report safety, misconduct, and compliance concerns BEFORE they escalate into a crisis while also providing curriculum to educate and help prevent such concerns from ever occurring. Funding is being provided through the Stop School Violence Act – a Department of Justice grant awarded to SERRC.

If this is something your district is interested in, contact Ryan Stanley at ryans@serrc.org or (907) 433-7444.

Nominations open for ACTE Annual Awards

Each year the Alaska Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) Board of Directors recognizes the outstanding work of the CTE professionals in Alaska through the annual award nomination process. Nominated by their peers, the recipients will be announced and celebrated at the October 4 and 5, 2021, Alaska ACTE State Professional Development Conference to be held in Anchorage at the Hotel Captain Cook. Submit nominations by September 17, 2021 through this link.

Alaska Staff Development Network hiring grants administrator

Are you interested in working on a dynamic team to support the professional growth of educators across Alaska? The Alaska Staff Development Network is hiring for a new grants administrator. Check out the full position description and application details here https://asdn.org/wp-content/uploads/V3-ASDN-Grant-Position-Description-2021.pdf Please contact Heather Johnson Smith with any questions hjsmith@alaskaacsa.org

Registration is now open for AASB’s Fall Boardsmanship Academy 

The Association of Alaska School Boards (AASB) is holding its Fall Boardsmanship Academy September 18-19 at Lakefront Anchorage   This conference, for school board members and district leaders will include topics on Mental Health Supports, Family Engagement, Special Education Services, Updates from DEED and much much more!   There will also be a Pre-Academy Day, Friday September 17th, focused on School Board & Superintendent Relations with John Sedor, Sedor Wendlandt Evans & Filippi, and Timi Tullis, AASB.

For registration and additional information:  https://web.cvent.com/event/91813941-4941-4246-8076-a5215721f183/summary 

9/11 Memorial & Museum offering free downloadable exhibition to commemorate 20^th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks

September 11, 2001: The Day that Changed the World is a downloadable educational exhibition that presents the history of 9/11, its origins, and its ongoing implications.

The exhibition explores the consequences of terrorism on individual lives and communities at the local, national, and international level, and encourages critical thinking about the legacy of 9/11.

Applications for New Awards; Expanding Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Program (CSP)-Grants for Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities

The U.S. Department of Education is issuing a notice inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2021 for CSP—Grants for Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities (Credit Enhancement). The Credit Enhancement program provides grants to eligible entities to demonstrate innovative methods of helping charter schools to address the cost of acquiring, constructing, and renovating facilities by enhancing the availability of loans and bond financing.

Peer Review Opportunities With the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE), Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), and Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) announces opportunities for individuals to participate in its peer review process by reviewing applications for competitive grant funding under the programs administered by OESE, OPE, and OSERS.

The Department seeks to expand its pool of peer reviewers to ensure that applications are evaluated by individuals with up-to-date and relevant knowledge of educational interventions and practices across the learning continuum, from early education to college and career, and in a variety of learning settings. Department peer reviewers are education and vocational rehabilitation professionals who have gained subject matter expertise through their education and work as teachers, professors, principals, administrators, school counselors, researchers, evaluators, content developers, or vocational rehabilitation professionals or interpreters. Peer reviewers can be active education professionals, in any educational level or sector, or those who are retired but stay informed of current educational content and issues. No prior experience as a peer reviewer is required.

Free Opportunity: Itinerant School Counselor Program

SERRC - Alaska's Educational Resource Center is piloting a new Itinerant School Counselor program. 

An Alaska licensed school counselor will address:

• Social-emotional support
• Mental and behavioral health and wellbeing for students
• Staff training
• Parent learning opportunities

Services will be available in one-on-one and small group sessions with virtual delivery.

Contact Emily Dwyer to apply for this grant funded opportunity. SERRC is looking for two districts to pilot this new program.

For more information: Contact Emilyd@serrc.org

Alaska Academic Decathlon and Pentathlon Partners with UAA to Offer Coaches 500-Level Post Baccalaureate Credits

The Academic Decathlon (HS) and Pentathlon (MS) are national scholastic competitions designed to stimulate intellectual growth, create critical thinkers and create lifelong learners. Both programs are team competitions where students match their intellects with students from other schools. High school students are tested in ten categories on a common theme and middle school students compete in five categories (2021-2022 Theme: Water - A Valuable Resource).  

Next year's programs will offer college credit for both coaches (500 level) and high school students, scholarships for UAA, UAF and UAS along with scholarships that can be used at any higher education institution. Both the high school and middle school program offer medals to individual participants and trophies to the winning teams. The Alaska Academic Decathlon State Competition will take place February 17-20, 2022, on the University of Alaska Anchorage campus.

The Alaska Academic Decathlon and Pentathlon are programs of SERRC - Alaska's Educational Resource Center. 

Find out more at www.akacadeca.org.

REL Northwest Educator Retention and Turnover: 2021 Update

Updated data show that teacher turnover in Alaska has remained steady but high, while principal turnover in the state decreased this academic year. A new infographic, compiled by Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Northwest as a follow-up to their 2019 report, illustrates how rural schools continue to be hardest hit by turnover. Additionally, it suggests strategies for improving teacher and principal recruitment and retention.

FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit Outreach Toolkit

Teachers - If you have students who need broadband at home, the Emergency Broadband Benefit Outreach Toolkit provides infographics, Twitter and Facebook posts, flyers, posters and handouts to help you tell students and parents about this program to help households struggling to afford internet service during the pandemic. As of May 12, 2021, eligible households will be able to enroll in the program to receive a monthly discount off the cost of broadband service from an approved provider.

Enhanced Learning Maps Project helps students personalize path the student success

Enhanced Learning Maps provide standards-focused materials that foster the conditions for improving student achievement, including online tools deliberately designed to support and inform personalized learning.

These tools encourage interactions that elicit evidence of student thinking, leading to conversations that engage students and teachers in formative assessment processes.

Resource Manual for Transitioning from Secondary to Postsecondary Education for Students with Disabilities

Lee Waters, Ed.D. with the Anchorage School District in collaboration with the UAA Center for Human Development LEND Without Walls has created a manual to assist all those involved with the education of students with disabilities.  This manual is designed to be a helpful resource for anyone involved with the transitional needs of students with disabilities from secondary to postsecondary education.  The manual is available through ASD’s website: https://www.asdk12.org/PostsecondaryTransitionManual.

FDA Releases New Agricultural Biotechnology Curriculum for Middle and High School Students

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of Science and Our Food Supply: Exploring Food Agriculture and Biotechnology, a new, free and online supplemental curriculum for middle and high school students on the science behind genetically engineered plants. This curriculum is the latest release of the FDA’s award-winning supplemental curriculum series Science and Our Food Supply. Through labs, activities, and interactive discussions, the curriculum aims to help teachers instruct middle and high school students about traditional and modern agricultural methods, with a focus on genetic engineering and genome editing techniques that are used to produce foods commonly called “GMOs.”

The Parent’s Guide to Filling out the FAFSA Form

While the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is the student’s application, we know that parents often play a large role in the process. With that in mind, the U.S. Department of Education wanted to provide instructions for parents who are starting the FAFSA form on behalf of their child.

U.S. Department of Education Releases Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide

The U.S. Department of Education released a new Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide, a resource to help parents and guardians understand how digital tools can provide tailored learning opportunities, engage students with course materials, encourage creative expression, and enrich the educational experience.

UA Dual Enrollment Resources

Are you interested in dual enrollment opportunities at the University of Alaska? Members of the University of Alaska Transition Coalition (UATC) are available to assist with curriculum alignment, dual enrollment, and other opportunities that support the transition of secondary students to continue their training and education at the postsecondary level.

Girls Who Code at Home Activities

Girls Who Code releases free computer science activities for students, educators, and parents on Mondays. Some online, some offline, of varying levels of difficulty. Each activity features a woman in tech who pioneered innovative technology.

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. 

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.