- Cama-i, quyana tailuci!
- (Central Yup’ik)
- "Greetings, thank you for coming!"
Information Exchange: Vol. 45 No. 6
Inside This Edition:
- State Board Opens Survey About Education Reform
- Documents About Elizabeth and Roy Peratrovich are Now Online
- February 6-10 is School Counseling Week
- Library of Congress Offers Presidential Podium Video Challenge
- Arts Education Consortium Releases Summer Institute Schedule
- Two Early Learning WebEx’s Take Place on February 27
- Juneau Teachers Host a Read Across America Celebration
- UAF Elementary Education Program is Highly Ranked
- Short Video Introduces Energy Literacy and Related Curriculum
- Certified Food Protection Manager Training is Offered by Videoconference
- Seeking Volunteers for After-school Programs in Fairbanks
- Curriculum Combines Science and Inupiat Culture
- Nominations Open for Principal Awards
- Bond Reimbursement and Grant Review Committee to Meet on February 28
- 2017 Alaska PLAAY SUMMIT Set for February 24-25
- Request for Proposals to Operate a Gift and Book Store at APK Building in Juneau
- UAF Presents Summer Research Academy for Middle and High School Students
- Alaska Court System and Bar Offer Art Contest for Grades K-8
Contact Us
- Eric Fry: (907) 465-2851
Subscription
State Board Opens Survey About Education Reform
Alaskans are encouraged to express their priorities for public education reform in an online survey at https://gov.alaska.gov/education-challenge. The survey closes on February 28. The survey is the first step in the State Board of Education’s participatory process to meet Governor Bill Walker’s Alaska Education Challenge: to establish an efficient, sustainable, and comprehensive system that will provide an excellent education for every student every day.
“We must do a better job of preparing our youth for the challenges of the future,” Governor Walker said. “To meet this challenge, we need to rethink our entire system of public education. Alaskans must be at the heart of this effort.”
The ultimate goal is to graduate students ready for career training and college, whether in the workforce, the military, apprenticeships, technical education courses, or associate degree and bachelor’s degree programs.
The State Board of Education will lead a process of listening, gathering input, and reporting information that will shape recommendations to improve Alaska’s public schools. The board will present its final report to the Governor and Legislature by December 29, 2017.
Alaska Education Commissioner Dr. Michael Johnson will establish five committees to gather input from a broad range of Alaskans regarding: 1) student learning, 2) educator excellence, 3) modernization and finance, 4) tribal and community ownership, and 5) safety and well-being. Students, parents, educators, business leaders, tribal representatives, community leaders, and legislators will be invited to serve on the committees, co-chaired by members of the State Board of Education.
The public will be able to follow the process and participate through the Alaska Education Challenge website: https://gov.alaska.gov/education-challenge. All meetings will be open to the public, and meeting documents will be made available online.
Documents About Elizabeth and Roy Peratrovich are Now Online
The Alaska State Archives has digitized and placed online historic documents related to the lives and work of Elizabeth and Roy Peratrovich, who are often remembered for their actions toward the passage of the Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945. The State Archives has placed these documents online for Elizabeth Peratrovich Day (February 16), which the Alaska State Legislature established in 1988 to honor Ms. Peratrovich “for her courageous, unceasing efforts” to confront discrimination and bring about equal rights laws in Alaska.
The material placed online comes from Governor Ernest Gruening’s papers and amounts to 65 pages of correspondence and documents concerning Elizabeth and Roy Peratrovich between 1943 and 1946. During this time, Elizabeth and Roy Peratrovich served as Grand Presidents of the Alaska Native Brotherhood and Alaska Native Sisterhood. These materials document their general work as Native leaders, but also their efforts to address civil and human rights for Alaska Natives.
One document includes the Territorial Attorney General’s 19-page legal opinion about the practice of segregated schooling in Alaska, which existed at that time. This and other responses from the Attorney General came about from Roy Peratrovich writing the attorney general and requesting a legal explanation about segregated schooling.
Correspondence and papers concerning Elizabeth and Roy Peratrovich as held by Gov. Ernest Gruening, 1943-1946, can be viewed here: http://vilda.alaska.edu/cdm/ref/collection/cdmg41/id/973.
Digitized copy of the Anti-Discrimination Act, known as House Bill 14, Chapter 2 can be viewed here: http://vilda.alaska.edu/cdm/ref/collection/cdmg41/id/543.
February 6-10 is School Counseling Week
Governor Bill Walker proclaimed February 6-10 as Alaska School Counseling Week. The Governor cited the role of school counselors in helping students reach their full academic potential. See https://gov.alaska.gov/newsroom/2017/02/alaska-school-counseling-week/.
Library of Congress Offers Presidential Podium Video Challenge
On President's Day (February 20) the Library of Congress will host an open house in The Young Readers Center to honor past presidents. Students in Washington, D.C. will have a chance to give their remarks from a presidential podium in person. But the Library of Congress is also taking the presidential podium digital. Students in grades K-12 who record a one-minute video answering the presidential speaking prompt may their video selected to be aired at the President's Day Open House and on www.Read.gov. Students Learn More. Parents and Educators Learn More.
Arts Education Consortium Releases Summer Institute Schedule
The Alaska Arts Education Consortium has announced plans for the 2017 Summer Arts Education Institutes. The consortium has been offering various trainings since 2004 and as many past participants agree: “Oh man! This was the most fun ever! I want to go to an Arts Institute every single year! .... Please don't ever stop doing this. It's so important, so useful and will make students so happy, enriched.” See www.akartsed.org.
Two Early Learning WebEx’s Take Place on February 27
Alaska Developmental Profile Fall Reports. Monday 2/27 10 a.m.- 11 a.m. Join WebEx meeting. Meeting number (access code): 809 144 571.
Join by phone. 1-855-244-8681 Call-in toll-free number (US/Canada). 1-650-479-3207 Call-in toll number (US/Canada).
DEED Early Learning Updates. Monday 2/27 3 p.m.-4 p.m. Join WebEx meeting. Meeting number (access code): 809 223 925.
Join by phone. 1-855-244-8681 Call-in toll-free number (US/Canada). 1-650-479-3207 Call-in toll number (US/Canada). Toll-free calling restrictions.
Juneau Teachers Host a Read Across America Celebration
You know the joy and excitement reading a book can bring to a child. The Juneau Education Association is hosting a community-wide Read Across America Celebration on March 4, 10 a.m. to noon, at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library in Juneau. The event will include activities, guest readers, entertainment, birthday cake, and a free book for all kids who attend.
UAF Elementary Education Program is Highly Ranked
The National Council on Teacher Quality has ranked the elementary education program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks among the best in the United States. The Washington D.C.-based think tank ranked UAF in the 99th percentile among undergraduate programs that prepare elementary teachers, weighing factors such as admissions, content knowledge and quality of practice opportunities. The council looked at more than 800 undergraduate programs, with an average of 28 hours spent reviewing each program. See www.nctq.org/teacherPrep/2016/findings/home.do.
Short Video Introduces Energy Literacy and Related Curriculum
The Renewable Energy Alaska Project and the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation have created a video on energy literacy. This three-minute video was designed to inspire teachers, administrators, and parents to teach about energy so that Alaskans can continue to address the issues of energy in the state, while creating an informed youth. Watch the video and learn more about an Alaska energy literacy curriculum called AK EnergySmart.
Certified Food Protection Manager Training is Offered by Videoconference
The deadline is February 20 to register for a certified food protection manager training that will be offered March 6 by videoconference in six communities. The Cooperative Extension Service will host the food safety workshop, which will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., in Fairbanks, Palmer, Sitka, Juneau, Valdez and Bethel.
State regulations require that all food establishments have at least one certified food protection manager to ensure compliance with food safety regulations. Register at http://bit.ly/2iY0x7X to receive a study guide before the class, which will be taught by Palmer extension agent Julie Cascio. The $200 fee includes one certification exam. For more information, go to www.uaf.edu/ces or contact Ms. Cascio at 907-746-3677 or jmcascio@alaska.edu.
Seeking Volunteers for After-school Programs in Fairbanks
The University of Alaska Museum of the North and the University of Alaska Fairbanks 4-H program are looking for volunteers to work with students in community after-school programs. UAF credit is available. After-school interns will volunteer one afternoon a week to teach local children using museum kits and 4-H curriculum. All training is provided. For more information or to register for the training, which takes place February 22 & 25, email ua-museumlearn@alaska.edu. See www.uaf.edu/museum/education/staff-volunteers/volunteers/.
Curriculum Combines Science and Inupiat Culture
A new curriculum weaving together science concepts about the aurora borealis with Inupiat culture and language is now available for elementary and middle school teachers across Alaska. The Learning Through Cultural Connections curriculum was developed for elementary and middle schools in Iñupiaq-speaking areas of northern and western Alaska, but it is available online for teachers anywhere. The curriculum was created by staff in the outreach office at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute. See the curriculum at http://culturalconnections.gi.alaska.edu. See a video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb0WlrkcOak.
Nominations Open for Principal Awards
The Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals and the Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals are accepting nominations for yearly principal awards. Nominations can be made by anyone in the community or school. The Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals is accepting nominations for the 2017 National Distinguished Principal. Nominations are due February 24. Complete the nomination form attached and send it to Kim Bautista, AAESP Vice President, at bautista_kim@asdk12.org.
The Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals is accepting nominations for regional principal and assistant principal of the year. Nominations are due February 12. For the purpose of this nomination process, a secondary school includes some or all of grades 6-12. For the nomination form, see www.surveymonkey.com/r/2018RPOY. For questions, please contact Liz Lange at 907-586-9702 or llange@alaskaacsa.org.
Bond Reimbursement and Grant Review Committee to Meet on February 28
The department’s Bond Reimbursement and Grant Review Committee will meet on February 28 in Juneau at the Michael J. Burns Building (810 W. 10th Street). The meeting will be held from 9:30 a.m.to 4:00 p.m. in the state board room on the first floor. The agenda, teleconference access information, and meeting packet will be available online at https://education.alaska.gov/Facilities/BRGR/ after February 15. Topics will include department and committee reports; review of proposed changes to, and adoption of, the FY2019 capital improvement project application; and revisions to publications relating to school facilities, including the Capital Project Administration Handbook and Project Delivery Method Handbook. The public is welcome to attend in person or via teleconference.
2017 Alaska PLAAY SUMMIT Set for February 24-25
The 2017 Alaska PLAAY Summit will be held at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, 4000 Ambassador Drive, in Anchorage. See http://plaay.org/plaay-summit/. The summit features experts providing teachers, parents, nurses, coaches, administrators, and other leaders of youth with ways to address the multi-factorial areas of adolescent health. PLAAY will emphasize the importance of physical activity as a means to improving teenage health.
Request for Proposals to Operate a Gift and Book Store at APK Building in Juneau
The Division of Administrative Services of the Department of Education and Early Development -- on behalf of the Alaska State Libraries, Archives & Museums -- is seeking the best vendor to operate the gift and book store at the Fr. Andrew P. Kashevaroff Building (APK), located at 395 Whittier Street in Juneau. APK is the site of the Alaska State Museum galleries, the Alaska State Library reading room, and the research center for access to the Alaska State Library historical collections and the Alaska State Archives. The building also features a 24-seat classroom, 120-seat lecture hall, café, and grand atrium. There are approximately 30 visitor parking places under the facility and spaces for up to three full-sized motor coaches (holding up to 40 passengers each) in front of the building. For more information see http://notice.alaska.gov/184332.
UAF Presents Summer Research Academy for Middle and High School Students
The Alaska Summer Research Academy at the University of Alaska Fairbanks will accept applications from February 1 to April 15 for its middle and high school programs. The academy will be held each day on July 10-21. Students accepted into the summer program will spend two weeks with a small group and two instructors exploring a topic in science, engineering, math, or technology. The program is offered through the UAF College of Natural Science and Mathematics. Financial aid may be available for qualified students. See www.uaf.edu/asra.
Alaska Court System and Bar Offer Art Contest for Grades K-8
The 2017 Justice for All Art Contest, sponsored by the Alaska Court System and the Alaska Bar Association, is open to students in K-8; the entry deadline is March 15. Students should address the contest theme of fairness, diversity, and equality. For entry form, guidelines, and information on cash prizes, see http://courts.alaska.gov/outreach/#art.
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