New:

FDA Food Science Professional Development Program Accepting Applicants

The FDA has a Professional Development Program in Food Safety and Nutrition that can be of great benefit to you and your students. The training (held virtually) is based on the Science and our Food Supply curriculum that was developed under a partnership between the FDA and the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA).

Teachers are each provided with a $500 STEM stipend to purchase needed materials to perform the experiments in their classrooms and in their peer workshop. Upon completion of the in-service workshop, participants’ pre- and post-assessments, a final report, and submission of receipts, teachers ;will receive a final $500 honorarium from FDA.

To view the curriculum, please visit: www.fda.gov/teachsciencewithfood

Program information and online application are available at: www.teachfoodscience.org

Applications are due by May 27, 2022; notification will be made via email on or before June 6, 2022.

Reminder:

SERRC Hiring Rural Empowerment Specialist for Successful School Improvement

A cohort of five schools is working with DEED, R16CC, and SERRC on a new three-year school improvement plan process. The Rural Empowerment for School Improvement engages the school and community in addressing student needs within the local context. Next school year, more schools will have the opportunity to also work through the new school improvement plan process. If you are interested in becoming an Empowerment Specialist supporting schools on their path to improvement please reach out to Julie Staley, SERRC Executive Director, julies@serrc.org and apply here Empowerment Specialist

Smithsonian K-12 Science Education Action Planning Institute

The Smithsonian K-12 Science Education Action Planning Institute will be held online July 25-27, 2022. This institute will bring together subject matter experts, formal and non-formal educators, school administrators, and educational researchers to dive deeply into three timely, important topics facing STEM education:  

• What does innovation look like in K-12 STEM education in 2022?  
• How do we meet the needs of our students and educators by elevating diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion (DEAI) in STEM education?  
• How can STEM Education for Sustainable Development (STEM4SD) prepare our students for a changing planet?   

The Smithsonian Science Education Center will convene experts in each of these areas to explore actionable approaches, backed by research and best practices in science, engineering, and education. Through this institute, participants will engage with the Smithsonian’s action planning process, and build out a plan to take action in their own context on one or all of these topics.   

This institute is designed for educators, parents, community members, and industry stakeholders dedicated to providing high quality K-12 teaching and learning for all. Participants can attend as individuals or teams with members of their school, district or organization.  

For more information and to register, visit https://eventactions.com/eareg.aspx?ea=Rsvp&invite=gsgy0s99jzf7esgjs54f4njymas5nnv6txzkabn526zz3y6y1j17.

Alaska Academic Decathlon and Pentathlon secures $49,000 in scholarships for School Year 2022-2023

The Alaska Academic Decathlon and Pentathlon - programs of SERRC, Alaska's Educational Resource Center - recently partnered with Alaska 529 and the University of Alaska to award $49,000 in scholarships to students participating in this program. Scholarships are awarded by merit and by coach recommendations with specific allocations for rural students. The program also offers college credit to high school students and free curriculum to new teams!

Aligned with National Standards and Alaska's Educational Challenge, the  Academic Decathlon (high school) and Pentathlon (middle school)  provide small group learning opportunities where students challenge themselves as individuals and as an integral part of a team. Both programs engage students of varying skills and GPA levels, both as individuals as they study five (Pentathlon) and ten (Decathlon) subjects based on a yearly theme (2022-2023 Theme: The American Revolution: A Birth of a New Nation). High school students will immerse themselves with the Social Science, Science, Math, Economics, Literature, Art and Music for this time period along with writing essays, engaging in mock interviews and writing and delivering prepared and impromptu speeches. Middle School students will explore the Literature, Math, Science, Social Science and Fine Arts of the time period along with writing an essay based on this year's book, Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson.

2022 Alaska Academic Decathlon State Champions: Lathrop High School in Fairbanks.

2022 Alaska Academic Pentathlon State Champions: Watershed Charter School in Fairbanks.

Both teams will represent Alaska at the United States Academic Decathlon and Pentathlon National Competitions. 

For more information, please contact Joan Pardes at joanp@serrc.org

Alaska School Leadership Academy (ASLA) Accepting Applications for 2022-2023 School Year 

The Alaska School Leadership Academy (ASLA) is seeking lead and assistant K-12 principal applicants for the next cohort to begin fall 2022. The program includes mentoring, networking, and professional support for principals in their first and second years in Alaskan schools. Applications opened April 15th and will close September 1st, 2022. Please find more information and the application link at: https://forms.gle/PfR5KxgC5cr9kCSe7 Contact Nicole O’Donnell nsodonnell@alaskaacsa.org with any questions.

REAP Hiring Educator for Part-Time Summer Contract

Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP) is seeking an educator to join its clean energy education and training team as a Contractor on a part-time basis for the summer of 2022 (between May 31 and August 5). The Energy Education (EE) Contractor will assist with REAP’s education and outreach efforts to K-12 educators and students through curriculum development and review, and support of REAP’s summer outreach activities. The EE Contractor will primarily be a virtual position. However, preference will be given to candidates who can also assist in person with one or more of the following summer camps: June 20-24 (Palmer), June 27-July 1 (Fairbanks), July 11-15 (Anchorage).

Learn more and apply: https://alaskarenewableenergy.org/reap-is-hiring-energy-education-contractor/

Youth Nominations Sought for Summer of Heros

Alaska Communications and Boys & Girls Clubs – Alaska are seeking youth heroes who make a positive difference in their Alaska community. Up to six selected youth each will be awarded a $1,500 scholarship through Alaska 529 and given special recognition in their local communities. Anyone can nominate a young hero in their life. Tell us about a child or teen, age 6-18, who is improving life for those around them. Whether it was to support others during the pandemic or an ongoing effort. Our goal is to shine a spotlight on youth who are doing good around us. Individuals and businesses are encouraged    to nominate Alaska youth by submitting a nomination form by June 17. In addition to providing youth scholarships and recognition, the Summer of Heroes program also supports leading youth development programs. Through the pandemic, Boys & Girls Clubs – Alaska worked diligently, and creatively employed non-traditional methods, to ensure youth were getting the support they need. In appreciation of their efforts, Alaska Communications pledges to donate $25 to Boys & Girls Clubs – Alaska for every new residential or business internet connection between April 15 and June 17, 2022, up to $15,000 total.

Learn more about the Summer of Heroes program and obtain a nomination form at www.alaskacommunications.com/summerofheroes.

Book Donations Sought for Read on the Fly

Read On the Fly, an organization that provides books for children to read while traveling by air in Alaska, is seeking book donations for children from birth through age 18. Read on the Fly started in 2016 with six shelves at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and now has shelves in Fairbanks, Juneau, Ketchikan, Valdez, and Bethel, with plans to return the program to Kenai after an airport remodel. The premise is to provide children with access to books while traveling to encourage them to pick up a book to read rather than an electronic device before, during, or after a flight. Donated books are vetted, tagged, and distributed by Read on the Fly Volunteers, and children are welcome to keep their chosen book after their trip. Books can be donated in Anchorage at any Kaladi Brothers Coffee store, or directly contacting founder Erin Kirkland and e.kirkland0@gmail.com

Resilient Educators: Back to the Future!

June 10-11 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Anchorage 

K-12 Educators! Re-fuel Your Resilience!

Head into the summer with renewed balance and readiness to recharge! During this interactive PD experience, Brightways Learning's engaging facilitators will mix purposeful play with meaningful reflection and discussion. You’ll re-discover the pathways that led to your love of teaching - and add new routes that bring you joy! Join us to make connections, understand neuroscience, learn new strategies, and boost your resilience. Bringing a team is highly encouraged and team discounts are available. Learn more and register. 

Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game Hosting Workshops for Educators

Did you know that the Alaska Department of Fish & Game offers workshops specifically for educators? Currently several workshops are scheduled in Anchorage. Workshops include learning how to create science investigations or science notebook kits, making tracks and checking out scat, ecology cards and the outdoor classroom, and how to use artifacts and kits from the collection at the ARLIS library.

Explore Your Environment with Project Learning Tree's Educator Workshops in Denali National Park and Preserve!

For formal and non-formal educators

May 31-June 3: The Nature of Fire: Project Learning Tree and Fire in Alaska

July 25-28: Project Learning Tree and the Global Climate

Includes: 3 nights at Murie Science and Learning Center Field Camp at Teklanika, Meals, Project Learning Tree's Explore Your Environment K-8 Activity Guide, 2 full days of instruction with Alaska PLT coordinator and National Park Service Educators. Optional CEU's from UAA available for extra fee. 

For information and registration, See Alaska Geographic, Teacher Training Trips https://www.akgeo.org/field-courses/teacher-opportunities/

FCC Affordable Connectivity Program for Households

The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

International Dyslexia Association - Alaska Branch - Continuing Education Scholarships
Scholarships are available through the International Dyslexia Association, Alaska Branch (IDA Alaska) for professional development opportunities – good for classroom educators, advocates, or parents. Also, check out the new FREE one-year membership for teachers!

IDA branches across the nation, as well as other organizations aligned with the Science of Reading, are successfully presenting high-quality virtual conferences, webinars, certification programs, and continuing education programs. IDA Alaska compiled a list of recommended opportunities and hopes to support educators on their continuing education journey. Continuing education opportunities not on this list, if aligned with the Science of Reading, can be eligible upon approval. For more information on IDA Alaska scholarship awards (up to $500 per participant) visit: www.ak.dyslexiaida.org, or go to IDA Alaska’s 2021 Q2 Newsletter

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.

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.

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.

To submit news items, please email deed.infoexchange@alaska.gov.  This newsletter is available weekly and in archived form at https://education.alaska.gov/news/infoexch.

This newsletter contains hyperlinks to information created and maintained by other public and private organizations. These links are provided for the reader’s convenience. DEED does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. Furthermore, the inclusion of links is not intended to reflect their importance, nor is it intended to endorse any views expressed, or products or services offered, on these sites, or the organizations sponsoring the sites.