New - Reminder - Last Call

Last Call! 2020 ACSA Legislative Fly-In

The Alaska Council of School Administrators will host its 2020 Legislative Fly-In on March 15-18 in Juneau. This is a valuable opportunity to meet with colleagues from around the state to receive policy updates on relevant topics, engage in professional development in leadership and to have unified efforts to reach legislators on important education matters during the legislative session.

Last Call! The U.S. Department of Education Indian Education Formula Grants Deadline Extended

The Indian Education Formula Grants to Local Educational Agencies (Formula Grants) program provides grants to support local educational agencies, Indian Tribes and organizations, and other eligible entities in developing and implementing elementary and secondary school programs that serve Indian students. Part I of the application is due March 12. 

Last Call! Easter Egg design project to represent the State of Alaska

In preparation for the annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House, DEED is soliciting interest and will select a school to design an egg decoration for submission and display at the national event.  Any school that is interested to produce a design should contact brad.billings@alaska.gov by Tuesday March 10, 2020.  State Egg Decorating Guidelines are attached and the final product must be completed by March 31.

NEW! Interim Guidance to Plan, Prepare, and Respond to COVID-19

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided interim guidance for administrators of U.S. childcare programs and K-12 schools to plan, prepare, and respond to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

NEW! Remembering Sharon Sue Sears Russell

Sharon Sue Sears Russell, longtime Alaskan educator, passed away on February 26. Ms. Russell taught for 51 years in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. At the time of her passing, Ms. Russell’s tenure in Mat-Su represented the longest continuous service to a single Alaska school district.

NEW! Proposed Perkins V State Plan out for Public Comment

DEED has completed the final state plan draft of the new federal law for career and technical education - Alaska’s State Plan for the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V).  Please review and submit comments here through March 31, 2020.  Contact brad.billings@alaska.gov with any questions. 

NEW! 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.

NEW! 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.

NEW! 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.

Reminder: Professional Teaching Practices Commission (PTPC) Spring 2020 Newsletter

The PTPC spring newsletter is available for distribution to all Alaska’s educators. The newsletter has practical information for all certified educators.

Reminder: Registration is open for AASB’s 2020 Spring Boardsmanship Academy and Legislative Fly-In

Join School board members and district leaders from around the state to learn more about current legislation, connect with school board members, develop strategies, and come together as a unified voice of Alaska School Board members. The Spring Academy/Legislative Fly-In will take place March 28-31 in Juneau. Early bird registration ends March 21.

Reminder: 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.

Reminder: 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

Reminder: 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