- Cama-i, quyana tailuci!
- (Central Yup’ik)
- "Greetings, thank you for coming!"
Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019
Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
As Alaska’s COVID-19 case count continues to grow, last Friday, March 20, Governor Dunleavy issued a Health Mandate extending the school closure to students through May 1. Students will continue to receive instruction through distance delivery methods.
In a supplemental memo from DEED, Commissioner Johnson noted that Governor Dunleavy is providing a universal preapproval relating to school closures, and is suspending the regulatory requirement that school districts apply to DEED to receive a school calendar waiver. The suspension of the requirements are contingent upon providing distance-delivered educational services through the duration of school closures.
Social Distancing
Today, Governor Dunleavy issued Health Mandates 11 and 12. Given the increasing concern for new cases of COVID-19 being transmitted via community spread within the state, the following mandates go into effect March 28 through April 11.
Health Mandate 11 dictates that all persons in Alaska, except for those engaged in essential health care services, public government services, and essential business activities, are mandated to remain at their place of residence and practice social distancing. For the purpose of this mandate, social distancing is defined as maintaining a distance of six feet or greater from any individuals with whom you do not currently reside.
Travel
Health Mandate 12 prohibits all in-state travel between communities, whether resident, worker, or visitor, unless travel is to support critical infrastructure, or for critical personal needs.
Governor Mike Dunleavy’s Health Mandate 10 relating to travel required all people arriving in Alaska to self-quarantine for fourteen (14) days and monitor for illness. DEED understands that many district staff and families travel during school breaks. All travelers arriving in Alaska must fill out the mandatory Travel Declaration Form and participate in fourteen (14) consecutive days of self-quarantine.
Distance Learning Support
DEED continues to expand its newly launched Teaching & Learning Support website. The site provides educators and families with relevant resources as they prepare to shift to distance delivery of education as a result of COVID-19.
DEED also implemented a text message communication platform to provide important updates and helpful resources to educators and families. The text-based platform can also be used to submit questions to DEED. To subscribe, simply text “aklearns” to 22999.
School Nutrition
Forty-one school districts have been approved to provide non-congregate meals to children at 253 sites. Schools are using a variety of delivery methods including grab-and-go, drive through, and meal delivery. USDA has offered a variety of waivers which DEED has elected to participate in that support program flexibilities. Alaska is also participating in a USDA pilot to provide meals from vendors directly through the mail system for districts that do not have the capacity to provide meals-to-go in their communities. More information can be found in the “Considerations for School Meal Programs” on DEED’s COVID-19 site.
Assessments and Accountability
DEED submitted a request to the U.S. Department of Education (US ED) to waive certain requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA, section 1111) related to assessment and accountability requirements. US ED notified DEED on March 23 that the waiver will be approved. As a result, spring 2020 administrations of the following assessments have been cancelled:
- PEAKS content area assessments in Mathematics, English Language Arts, and the Alaska Science Assessment
- Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) alternate assessment
- WIDA ACCESS for ELLs and Alternate ACCESS
In addition to waiving requirements for assessments, certain requirements for school accountability and reporting will also be waived by US ED.
Special Education
DEED’s Special Education Team has been presenting informational webinars addressing questions about the implications for students with disabilities during the time of school closures. Check the event calendar on aklearns.org for upcoming webinars, or visit DEED’s COVID-19 page and find past records under “Considerations for Special Education.”
DEED continues to update its webpage specific to COVID-19 to provide schools with the most up-to-date information and resources. Please check the website often for updates and information. Information is also shared via DEED’s social media channels. You can follow @alaskaDEED on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
If you have any questions or concerns relating to COVID-19 prevention and preparedness in schools, please visit DEED’s website or contact todd.brocious@alaska.gov.