Skip to content Back to Top

Information Exchange Vol. 46 No. 40 Oct 26, 2018

Newsletter of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
October 26, 2018

Last call! Nominate Students for Presidential Scholars Award - Academic and CTE

The Department of Education and Early Development is seeking applications for the 2019 Presidential Scholars program. The state may nominate up to 10 male and 10 female exemplary high school seniors in academic areas, and up to 5 exemplary high school seniors pursing Career & Technical Education (CTE) coursework for the CTE Presidential Scholars Program. The Presidential Scholars will be chosen by a commission on the basis of outstanding scholarship, as well as artistic achievement, leadership, and community service. The program is open to seniors graduating between January and June 2019 and who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. Students at public, private, and home schools are eligible. This is not a scholarship program; it is a recognition program. Presidential Scholars will receive a medallion at an expenses-paid ceremony in Washington, D.C. Applications are due by 4 p.m. November 1, 2018. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Only two scholars per school may be nominated. See. The Alaska contact for academic nomination is Sharon Fishel at 907-465-6523 or sharon.fishel@alaska.gov.

Last call! Applicants Sought for the U.S. Senate Youth Program

The United States Senate Youth Program has begun its statewide selection process. In March 2019, two Alaska students will join 104 other delegates for Washington Week - an intensive educational program about the workings of the Senate and the federal government overall. Each delegate receives a $10,000 undergraduate scholarship and an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. Alaska's eligible students must be high school juniors or seniors, an elected student officer for the entire 2018-2019 academic year, and state residents. Students must be enrolled in a public or private school. Only one scholar per school may be nominated.  Applications are due by 4 p.m. November 1, 2018. The Alaska contact is Dr. Bjorn Wolter at 907-465-6542 or bjorn.wolter@alaska.gov.

Last call! Applications are open for the Alaska ACT College and Career Readiness Champions Awards

Do you know either a high school senior, a K-12 professional, a postsecondary professional, and/or a workforce professional making a positive impact on their communities through their various efforts to advance college and career readiness?
The ACT College and Career Readiness Champions are individuals across the country who support ACT's mission of education and workplace success. The ACT State Councils serve as the selection committee and select one Champion per category for each participating state.  All Champions receive individual certificates and recognition by the STATE ACT Council. Additionally, Student Champions receive a $500 non-renewable scholarship.  State Champions will be notified on or before January 31, 2019. Applications and questions may be directed to kacey.miller@alaska.edu.  Application period closes October 31, 2018.

Last call! Conrad Challenge Competition Seeks Alaska Entrants

The Conrad Challenge is an annual, multi-phase innovation and entrepreneurial competition that encourages young adults to leave their mark on the world. Each year, teams of 2-5 students, ages 13-18, from around the globe create products and/or services that address some of the most pressing global challenges.  The deadline is Nov 2, 2018.

NEW! Register for the Alaska Afterschool Conference

The Alaska Afterschool Conference is designed to support the professional development of Alaska's out-of-school time providers. Featuring more than 40 workshops, this conference is a partnership between the State of Alaska Department of Education & Early Development and the Alaska Afterschool Network. We look forward to hosting 200 participants November 28-30, 2018 at the Anchorage Sheraton. Information about the Preconference Institute, program site visits, hotel accommodations, travel scholarships, workshop proposals, and sponsorship opportunities. For questions, please contact Jessica Paris at jessica.paris@alaska.gov or 907-465-8716.

Reminder: Registration is now open for ALASBO Annual Conference

Registration is now open for the Alaska School Business Officials (ALASBO) Annual Conference, December 1-5, 2018 at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage.  This "must-attend" conference for school business officials is packed with informative sessions and networking opportunities.  This year's conference includes a weekend pre-conference with sessions for new school business officials and superintendents, and also providing in-depth training for all attendees on a variety of topics.  Early bird discounted registration runs through October 31.

Reminder: 2019 National Missing Children's Day Poster Contest Seeks Alaska Submissions

The 2019 National Missing Children’s Day poster contest of open to any Alaskan fifth grader, with entries due January 15, 209 at 5pm.  The Alaska State Troopers are coordinating this year’s Alaska state contest.  Send submissions and any questions to Lt. Paul Fussey paul.fussey@alaska.gov.

Reminder: Register for the AASB 65th Annual Conference & Youth Leadership Institute

The AASB Annual Conference is an opportunity for Alaska’s education leaders to come together for training opportunities, relationship building, and to experience a variety of dynamic events, talks, and sectionals. AASB looks forward to hosting over 350 school board members, students attending the Youth Leadership Institute, speakers and guests November 8-11, 2018 at the Anchorage Hilton Hotel. Exciting keynote speakers this year include Nick Hanson the “Eskimo Ninja” from Unalakleet, and transformational leadership facilitator Bentham Ohia from New Zealand. 

Reminder: Register for the AASB 65th Annual Conference & Youth Leadership Institute

The AASB Annual Conference is an opportunity for Alaska’s education leaders to come together for training opportunities, relationship building, and to experience a variety of dynamic events, talks, and sectionals. AASB looks forward to hosting over 350 school board members, students attending the Youth Leadership Institute, speakers and guests November 8-11, 2018 at the Anchorage Hilton Hotel. Exciting keynote speakers this year include Nick Hanson the “Eskimo Ninja” from Unalakleet, and transformational leadership facilitator Bentham Ohia from New Zealand.

Reminder: Register for the AASB 2019 School Climate and Connectedness Survey (SCCS)

Join over 30 Alaska school districts who collect and use school climate data each year to improve and strengthen school environments, relationships, and connections between students, staff, & families. SCCS’s interactive survey platform makes survey administration, reporting, and analysis interactive and user-friendly. Participating districts also receive free webinars and training on overseeing survey administration and using the interactive platform. Additional support on how to use survey results includes on-site workshops or video conferences led by AASB staff. Districts choose a two-week window between January 18- March 22 to take the SCCS survey.

ASTE Leadership Award Nominations are OPEN

The Alaska Society for Technology in Education seeks nominations to honor educators doing amazing things that demonstrate true technology integration that has a positive impact on teaching and learning in Alaska. The nomination must be submitted by an individual planning to attend/register for at least one day of the ASTE 2019 conference. Nominations close on December 14, 2018. For questions, please contact: Amanda Adams amanda.adams@aste.org

The 2019 ASTE iDidAContest is Now Accepting Submissions

ASTE recognizes the best photos, movies, documentaries, podcasts, music, books, apps and things through its 19th annual digital media contest. Deadline is January 31, 2019

ALASBO School Business Official of the Year Award Seeks Nominations

The Alaska Association of School Business Officials (ALASBO) is accepting nominations for the School Business Official of the Year award, through October 31. Recipients of this award must be an ALASBO member.  Nominations are accepted from ALASBO members, immediate supervisors of the nominee and local school boards. Nominees will be evaluated based upon their recognized outstanding service, innovative plan design and implementation, and the use of exemplary business practices within school business management. The award recipient is announced at the ALASBO Annual Conference in December, and the recipient will receive two tickets on Penair, a $500 check, an engraved plaque, and well-deserved accolades from ALASBO colleagues and the general public.

RFP 190000024 for Child Nutrition Programs Reviewer Issued

The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) is seeking a Contracting Agency to conduct Program Reviews (PRs) for the Child and Adult Care Food Programs administered in Alaska as required by DEED. Contracting agencies will be required to conduct complete PRs, including off-site, onsite, closing review, data entry into required PR forms, and all other associated work for a PR, including the gathering and reporting of pertinent information. This RFP provides an outline of DEED's specific needs for a pilot year, and requires the respondent to provide information about their viability, experience and capability to deliver the requested services.

RFP 190000026 for Geographic Cost Factors Update to the DEED Cost Model Issued

The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) is seeking a contractor or team of contractors to update the DEED Cost Model-Geographic Cost Factors for school construction. This project requires consulting services from experienced cost professionals. Qualified consultants must have experience accurately estimating construction costs in various regions and locations in Alaska. They must have an understanding of cost variables that are impacted by geographic locations. For more information please contact the DEED Procurement Officer, Rob Roys, at rob.roys@alaska.gov or (907) 465-8654.

The Alaska Staff Development Network (ASDN) Code.org Curriculum Training Enrollment Now Open

Contact Cheryl Bobo at cbobo@alaskaacsa.org with questions.

StudentCam National Video Documentary Competition Seeks Alaska Student Entries

StudentCam is C-SPAN's annual national video documentary competition that encourages students to think critically about issues that affect our communities and our nation. Students in grades 6-12 are asked to create a short (5-6 minute) video documentary on a topic related to the new 2019 competition theme, "What does it mean to be American?”  Cash prizes are awarded to 150 student documentaries, and over 50 teacher advisors.  Email educate@c-span.org with questions. Submission deadline is January 20, 2019.

The Alaska Staff Development Network (ASDN) Seeks Full Time Grants Administrator

Send a letter of interest and resume to Heather Johnson-Smith at acsa@alaskaacsa.org, or mail your documents to ACSA/ASDN, 234 Gold Street, Juneau AK 99801. Priority date for the application is October 21, position open until filled.

Kaleidoscope Connect Academies Professional Learning Opportunity

Brightways Learning is offering professional development opportunities for educators in Anchorage, November 12-13.   Kaleidoscope Connect Academies will equip you with the social and emotional teaching tools you need to work alongside youth to amplify their strengths and self-activate their complex systems of support resulting in reduced detrimental behaviors.  CEUs through UAA are available.  See attached flyer for details.

DEED Issues Pre-K Grant Program Applications  

A onetime increment of 6 million dollars to be expended over two fiscal years (FY18-19 and FY19-20) has been added to the statewide Pre-K program. Any public school district is eligible to apply for the Alaska Pre-Elementary Grant for planning, implementation or support for district pre-elementary programs serving 3 through 5-year-old children. Please contact: earlylearning@alaska.gov for further information.

USDA Grant Awarded to State Child Nutrition Programs

Child Nutrition Programs received a $100,000 grant from the USDA to provide training to child care centers on culinary skills to meet the USDA meal pattern requirements.  This is a 2-year grant and will provide travel stipends for program sponsors to attend training in Anchorage or Fairbanks. Information on the training opportunities will be provided to CACFP program sponsors in the spring 2019.  For more information, please contact Ann-Marie Martin at annmarie.martin@alaska.gov

Info Exchange Housekeeping:
This newsletter is available weekly and in archived form at https://education.alaska.gov/news/infoexch. To submit news items, call Sam Jordan at 907-465-6469 or email samuel.jordan@alaska.gov.