Last Call - New - Reminders

Last Call:

Last Call! Governor’s Denali Peak Performance Awards Program

The Governor's Denali Peak Performance Awards program is an outstanding way to recognize excellence in public service. Thousands of state employees have been recognized since the program's inception for their dedication to excellence in their jobs. Please consider nominating a state employee or team of state employees who exhibit peak performance in their service to the people of Alaska. Nominations are due April 2.

Last Call! Steven R. Nelson Native Educator Scholarship Program

The Steven R. Nelson Native Educator Scholarship Program strives to increase Native representation in the field of education by providing financial support, mentoring, and internships for Native students in the Northwest who are pursuing a master’s degree in educational policy, leadership, technical assistance, research, or a closely related field. Awardees can receive up to $5,000 per year. Application deadline is March 31.

Last Call! Outer Coast Summer Seminar 2020

Outer Coast is seeking curious, community-minded students for two upcoming programs: The Outer Coast Summer Seminar (for current high school sophomores and juniors, deadline April 1) and the Outer Coast Year (for students who will have graduated high school before August 2020, deadline May 15 for Fall Semester). Both programs are intended to support students in their understanding of themselves, their role in community, and their abilities to effect positive change in the world. If you have any questions please email johnny@outercoast.org.

New:

NEW! 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. 

NEW! ACPE Offers Resource to Prevent Default During Outbreak of COVID-19

In this unprecedented environment, one of the primary concerns for the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) is ensuring meaningful relief is available for the state student loan borrowers impacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. To mitigate adverse economic impacts, the Commission has implemented a number of strategies to support borrowers.

NEW! ASDN’s Live Remote Teaching Support Sessions

Looking for ideas? Feeling isolated? Under quarantine? Join Alaska Staff Development Network for free, high quality 1-hour ZOOM professional development sessions on moving the traditional classroom off-site or online. Sessions available now on math, literacy, rural reaching and meaningful connections online.

NEW! ASDN’s Jumpstart Your Online Classroom

The Alaska Staff Development Network‘s new four-week class covers building a base for teaching online, adjusting curriculum, employing online survival strategies, and developing online teaching skills. One 500-level credit - Pass/No Pass. Sections starting Mondays for the next two weeks, 3/30/20 and 4/6/20.

NEW! AKCIS.org – Alaska Career Information System

This online personal learning and career planning system is offered to everyone in Alaska for FREE by the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE).  Students assess their interests and values to focus exploration of 16 National Career Clusters and over 570 occupations.  AKCIS activities are relevant from grades 3 through 12.  For information and assistance in sharing this resource with your students, contact the ACPE team at akcis@alaska.gov

NEW! GCI Offers Free Internet Upgrades Through May 31

In response to COVID-19, many Alaskans are working from home, adopting new social-distancing behaviors and managing students who are home from school due to closures. To support this new way of living and doing business, GCI announced special packages to support Alaskans’ expanding need for connectivity at home.

NEW! 2020 Census Resources for Students at Home

The Census Bureau is carefully monitoring the situation and working with national, state, and local health authorities as the 2020 Census is underway. They are adapting their operations where needed, but the goal is the same - to ensure a complete and accurate count of everyone, including children. 

NEW! Cancelled - Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Institute + Child, Adolescent, & Family Behavioral Health Conference

The IECMHI+CAFBHC Conference schedule for March 30-April 3 in Anchorage has been cancelled.

NEW! Cancelled – Career Connections

Career Connections, a program of SERRC - Alaska's Educational Resource Center, has cancelled their spring 2020 sessions.

Reminder:

National History Academy Seeking Applications

National History Academy is seeking applications from Alaska high school students for this summer. Based in Middleburg, Virginia, the Academy inspires students to learn about the foundations of our country, visiting more than 35 defining historic sites such as Monticello, Gettysburg and Washington, DC, and learning from 30 national leaders. Plus, all 2020 students will also have the special opportunity to see Hamilton: The Musical at the Kennedy Center. The Academy has scholarship funding specifically set aside for Alaska students, so please encourage students to apply.

USDA Food and Nutrition Services Extends Public Comment Period on Proposed Regulations

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service is seeking public comment on two proposed regulations related to the Summer Food Service Program, and the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. The comment period has been extended to April 22.

Riverbend Elementary creates a YouTube Channel for Students

Riverbend Elementary in Juneau is setting up a YouTube Channel for its students to watch during the time away from school. It is still in the beginning stages, but it will have a variety of activities, lessons, and messages. Their goal is to stay connected to students and families and provide options for learning and playing. Their first video is of Kindergarten teacher Mr. Savikko with a song writing challenge for students.

2020 Ninth Circuit Civics Contest: The Right to Vote

The Ninth Circuit is hosting its 2020 Civics Contest, and the theme is Right to Vote. The essay and video contest is for high school students in the western United States and Pacific Islands. Alaska high school students won first place in 2017 and 2019! The deadline has been extended to April 15. 

U.S. Vietnam War Commemoration Educational Resources

The United States of America's Vietnam War Commemoration is a Department of Defense office authorized by Congress. The organization's History and Legacy Branch's professional historians and educators have developed materials to aid educators and students in gaining a greater appreciation of the Vietnam War, the veteran, and their importance to U.S. history. These resources are free and can be viewed online, shipped to middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities, libraries, and museums.

U.S. Department of Education to Host Digital Equity Summits

The 2020 Regional Digital Equity Summits will engage state and local education leaders and community collaborators, and help participants identify strategies, connect with resources, and explore partnership opportunities to ensure future digital learning demands are met. Following each Summit, attendees will have access to six-months of free, ongoing technical assistance as they build community action plans to address local digital equity priorities. Several Summits are available to choose from in the Spring/Summer. The Anchorage Summit will take place August 10-11.

Prince William Sound College For Teachers Courses

Prince William Sound College is pleased to announce the Summer 2020 For Teachers professional-development offerings for Alaska teachers. The lineup will include courses in technology, environmental science, math, chemistry, and construction. Each course is based on a one-week summer experience followed by an implementation exercise during the fall. Courses will cover lesson planning focused on place-based and experiential learning, and the Alaska Cultural Standards. Teachers can earn three 500-level college credits that can be used toward teacher recertification.

Save the Date: Our Cultural Landscape Education Conference

The Sealaska Heritage Institute will sponsor its third education conference for teachers and administrators in Southeast Alaska in an effort to promote culturally responsive pedagogy in schools. The goal is to provide educators with a deep understanding of culturally-responsive education. The conference will take place August 3-8 in Juneau. Watch for registration information.

Applications open for ASDN’s Summer Code.org Computer Science Professional Learning Program

Middle and High School teachers are invited to participate in 5-day Code.org workshops this June and August in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Bethel. There is no cost to participate, and travel scholarships are available. Contact Cheryl Bobo with questions cbobo@alaskaacsa.org.

• CS Discoveries (Grades 6-10), June 1-5 in Anchorage or June 8-12 in Fairbanks
• CS Principals (Grades 9-12 and AP), June 1-5 in Anchorage or August 1-5 in Bethel

Earn Credits, Have Fun, and Learn to Integrate with the Arts!

The Alaska Arts Education Consortium has opened registration for four unique Arts Institutes. Educators from all districts are invited to attend. For more information contact Barbara Short, AAEC Executive Director, bshort@akartsed.org.

• Science and the Arts for Elementary Classroom Teachers – May 26-29, Anchorage Summer Academy, 2 credits
• Social Emotional Learning and the Arts – June 1-5, Soldotna, 3 credits
• Multicultural Arts Institute – June 15-20, Fairbanks, 3 credits
• Cultural Arts Institute – July 20-31, Juneau with trip to Klukwan, 4 credits

Upcoming Workshop for teachers presented by Alaska Staff Development Network and Code.org

Elementary school educators are invited to join in a one-day Computer Science Fundamentals workshop. No computer science background is needed! Scroll down to the “Upcoming K-6 Workshops” section on their webpage for more information. The next session is CS Deep Dive on April 10 in Wrangell.

NCCER for Teachers Professional Development

Prince William Sound College was recently awarded a DEED grant to support teachers and paraprofessionals with a direct role in teaching CTE to become National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) certified instructors. Scholarships will provide tuition, NCCER certification, lodging, travel expenses, and stipends. Contact Woody Woodgate at wawoodgate@alaska.edu for more information. Training will occur May 24-30.

Interior Agricultural Institute Professional Development Opportunity

Alaska Gateway School District invites you to apply to attend a week-long training workshop. Participants will gain working knowledge of greenhouse and hydroponic operation and utilize a culinary art curriculum with students. The workshop will take place May 26-30 in Tok. Contact Jane Teague at jteague@agsd.us or (907) 940-5031 for more information. 

Creative Coding is now included in BrainPOP Subscription

Many of you know that Alaska has a statewide license to BrainPOP, but did you know that your teachers can unlock additional features through individual accounts that can only be set up at the school level? At no additional charge to you? And now, BrainPOP is offering Creative Coding to teach coding and computer science to students and educators. Contact Martha Ketsdever, BrainPOP Account Manager for Alaska State Libraries, for more information at marthak@brainpop.com.

Join the Alaska Education Network – Project ECHO

Project ECHO is a statewide initiative focused on uniting Alaska’s educational leaders with the intention of building a support network. They offer 75-minute sessions via Zoom every other week with three themes to choose from: Educational Leadership, Instructional Development, and Positive Behavior, Safety, & Well-Being. All educators at any level are encouraged to join! There is no cost to participate! Sessions run through April 29. 500 level credit offered through UAA Pace.

To submit news items, please contact Rochelle Lindley at (907) 465-6535 or rochelle.lindley@alaska.gov. To be added or removed from distribution visit http://list.state.ak.us/mailman/listinfo/info_exchange. This newsletter is available weekly and in archived form at https://education.alaska.gov/news/infoexch.

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