- Cama-i, quyana tailuci!
- (Central Yup’ik)
- "Greetings, thank you for coming!"
Information Exchange: Vol. 45 No. 17
Inside This Edition:
- Twenty-nine Teachers Honored as 2017 BP Teachers of Excellence
- Pam Orme to Receive Award from the Alaska Bar Association
- Deadline is May 1 for Teacher of the Year Nominations
- Webinars Inform About Draft of Alaska’s ESSA State Plan
- Workshop Set for FY2019 Capital Improvement Project Grant Application
- Bond Reimbursement and Grant Review Committee to Meet on May 2
- Openings Still Available at Summer Arts Institutes for Teachers
- Seminar about Resilient Educators set for June in Girdwood
- State Museum Begins Summer Hours on May 15
- Register for DTi Network Conference in Soldotna by May 8
- DEA and Discovery Education Offer Free Drug-Prevention Resources
- Opportunity to Comment on Draft of State Plan to Implement ESSA
- Allakaket Community Publishes Digital Picture Book of an Athabaskan Legend
- Committees in Alaska’s Education Challenge Convened in Anchorage
- SLAM Building Honored for its Terrazzo Floor
- Department is Recruiting for Two Positions
- State Board to Hold Work Session on May 3
- Sixth-grade Classrooms Invited to Submit Names for Two K9s
- School Leadership Institute Set for May 22-24
- E-rate Filing Deadline is May 11
- State Board Seeks Comments on Three Proposed Regulation Packages
- Opportunity for Title IIA Subgrants to Eligible Partnerships
- State System of Support Seeks Alaska Teachers as Coaches
Contact Us
- Eric Fry: (907) 465-2851
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Twenty-nine Teachers Honored as 2017 BP Teachers of Excellence
The Alaska BP Teachers of Excellence program recognizes teachers from throughout Alaska for their dedication to teaching and for inspiring students. Since the program launched in 1995, hundreds of remarkable teachers have been recognized by their peers, students, parents and community members as BP Teachers of Excellence. View a list of the 29 winners of the 2017 award.
Pam Orme to Receive Award from the Alaska Bar Association
Pam Orme, the Anchorage School District’s Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator, will receive the Layperson Service Award from the Alaska Bar Association at its convention May 10-12 in Juneau. Ms. Orme has taught social studies in Utah, Okinawa, Hawaii, Fairbanks and Anchorage. She spent 10 years as the We the People Constitutional Law coach and teacher at West High School, which participated and won 10 consecutive state competitions and received seven national titles. She has won many teaching honors including from MIT, Stanford, the Anchorage Education Association, the Anchorage School district, BP, the University of Chicago, and the Alaska Legislature.
Deadline is May 1 for Teacher of the Year Nominations
The Alaska Teacher of the Year 2018 nomination process is open through May 1. Alaska has many outstanding teachers who are worthy of the award. The Alaska Teacher of the Year Program gives us an opportunity to identify Alaska’s best teachers. Any interested Alaskan may nominate a teacher for the award. Teacher of the Year is an excellent way to acknowledge the expertise, skills, accomplishments, and professionalism of teachers in your school. Contact: Cecilia Miller at AlaskaTOY@alaska.gov or 907-465-8703. The nomination form is available at education.alaska.gov/RecognitionPrograms/TOY/.
Webinars Inform About Draft of Alaska’s ESSA State Plan
The Department of Education and Early Development is making available ESSA State Plan-related presentations via webinar for those who weren’t at the recent Spring Leadership Working Conference: Building the ESSA State Plan. The four conference presentations will be repeated via four webinars scheduled from 2:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. each day May 2 through May 5. These webinars will be recorded and made available for future viewing.
Webinar access information to join each webinar and the topic to be covered is listed below:
- Tuesday, May 2, 2:00-3:15 p.m.: Accountability System Design
- Join WebEx meeting.
- Meeting number (access code): 802 722 646.
- Meeting password: ESSA2017
- Join by phone: 1-855-244-8681 Call-in toll-free number (US/Canada);
1-650-479-3207 Call-in toll number (US/Canada).
- Wednesday, May 3, 2:00-3:15 p.m.: School Support and Improvement
- Join WebEx meeting.
- Meeting number (access code): 802 805 662.
- Join by phone: 1-855-244-8681 Call-in toll-free number (US/Canada);
1-650-479-3207 Call-in toll number (US/Canada).
- Thursday, May 4, 2:00-3:15 p.m.: Educator Quality
- Join WebEx meeting.
- Meeting number (access code): 804 431 097.
- Join by phone: 1-855-244-8681 Call-in toll-free number (US/Canada);
1-650-479-3207 Call-in toll number (US/Canada).
- Friday, May 5, 2:00-3:15 p.m.: Other Application Elements
- Join WebEx meeting.
- Meeting number (access code): 809 023 582.
- Join by phone: 1-855-244-8681 Call-in toll-free number (US/Canada); 1-650-479-3207 Call-in toll number (US/Canada).
Workshop Set for FY2019 Capital Improvement Project Grant Application
The Department of Education and Early Development, Facilities section, is offering a free workshop on the FY2019 CIP Grant Application on May 17 at the Westmark Hotel in Anchorage. This full-day workshop will review the FY2019 application, discuss the changes from prior-year applications, offer tips to assist districts in submitting an application that reaches its full scoring potential, and provide an opportunity to ask specific questions on current or upcoming projects. The workshop is open to school district or municipal personnel and interested members of the public. More information.
Bond Reimbursement and Grant Review Committee to Meet on May 2
The Bond Reimbursement and Grant Review Committee of the Department of Education and Early Development will meet from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. May 2 by audio conference. This meeting was rescheduled from April 25. The agenda and meeting packet are available at education.alaska.gov/Facilities/BRGR/. The topic is developing a strategy for establishing school construction standards.
Openings Still Available at Summer Arts Institutes for Teachers
The Alaska Arts Education Consortium still has some open spaces in the dynamic Arts Summer Institutes. Study arts and culture with teachers from throughout Alaska. Earn credits and return to teaching invigorated.
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Summer in the Juneau Rainforest
- July 24-August 4
- four credits
- two weeks of arts and study of local culture
Very reasonable housing available at the university. In partnership with Sealaska Heritage Foundation, Juneau School District, and the University of Alaska Southeast. Registration fee $495 (member) and $600 (non-member). Scholarships for Juneau, Angoon and Hoonah teachers.
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Arts, Culture and Technology in Sitka
- June 5-16
- four credits
- two weeks of arts, technology, and Alaska culture
Housing available at Sitka Fine Arts Camp. In partnership with Sitka School District and a Sitka committee representing a number of organizations. Registration fee $495 (member) and $600 (non-member)
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Arts are Exceptional in Anchorage
- July 31-August 4
- three credits
- one week of building knowledge of working with special education students in the arts
In partnership with Anchorage School District and Kennedy Center VSA. Registration fee $249 (member) and $350 (non-member). Twenty $100 scholarships available to the first 20 teachers signing up.
For more information or registration, go to the AAEC website or contact: barbshort@gmail.com.
Seminar about Resilient Educators Set for June in Girdwood
Brightways Learning is presenting a seminar about resilient educators. It is set for June 12 & 13 at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood. The registration fee is $249. One continuing education credit is available from the University of Alaska Anchorage; the fee must be paid by the participant. Visit the Brightways Learning website for more info.
State Museum Begins Summer Hours on May 15
The Alaska State Museum in Juneau will begin summer hours on May 15. The museum will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week, except holidays. Summer hours will remain in effect through mid-September. Summer admission at the museum is $12 for adults, $11 discounted senior rate, and visitors age 18 and under are admitted free. An annual pass that allows unlimited visits to the Alaska State Museum and the Sheldon Jackson Museum in Sitka is available for $25. Please contact visitor services at 907-465-2901 for any questions or to arrange assistance for visitors with special needs.
The State Library reading room and the State Archives research center hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Staff at the library and archives are available by phone or e-mail Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Register for DTi Network Conference in Soldotna by May 8
The DTi Network Conference offers the opportunity to get training in blended learning, designing personalized professional development programs, paper circuitry and data literacy, conductive materials and STEAM in any classroom, and UAS/UAV piloting. The strand fees range from $150 to $330. The conference takes place June 5-7 in Soldotna. The registration deadline is May 8. Get the full details and registration information from: smore.com/wqqrs. If you have additional questions, please contact Nicole Fuerst at nfuerst01@kibsd.org.
DEA and Discovery Education Offer Free Drug-Prevention Resources
To combat America’s rapidly growing opioid and heroin epidemic, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and Discovery Education, a provider of digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms, have partnered on a nationwide education initiative called Operation Prevention.
Designed for middle and high school students, educators, and parents, Operation Prevention educates students about the science behind drug addiction and its impact, and includes resources that help initiate lifesaving conversations in the home and classroom. The no-cost initiative offers standards-aligned digital classroom resources including lesson plans and a parent toolkit.
In addition, Discovery Education has over 30 partnerships in traditionally under-resourced areas such as STEM, health and wellness, and college and career readiness that are standards-aligned and available to schools and communities at no cost. Visit discoveryeducation.com/featured-programs/.
Opportunity to Comment on Draft of State Plan to Implement ESSA
The Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) is seeking public comment on the first draft of the state plan to implement the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the new federal education law. ESSA provides states with greater flexibility than the No Child Left Behind Act it replaces. States must submit plans to the U.S. Department of Education by Sept. 18 to show how they will implement ESSA.
Alaska’s first draft was shaped by over 4,000 stakeholder comments from nearly 1,000 Alaskans at 40-plus meetings conducted across the state over the last year. DEED now is seeking additional public comment to strengthen the first draft, ensuring that the plan takes full advantage of expanded state and local options and addresses the state’s unique educational needs and priorities.
DEED will gather public comment on this first draft through 8 p.m. on May 21. For the public’s convenience, DEED has created eight feedback forms that address the plan’s various sections. Members of the public may comment on the entire plan or only on the sections that interest them. DEED encourages the public to read the plan’s section(s) before commenting. The plan and all eight feedback forms are available at education.alaska.gov/akessa/#c3gtabs-stateplan.
Allakaket Community Publishes Digital Picture Book of an Athabaskan Legend
During two days in February, 37 students, teachers and elders gathered at Allakaket School to participate in a digital publishing workshop that resulted in the creation of Tobaan Utsuh, a digital picture book adapted from a traditional Athabaskan legend that goes back for generations. Tobaan Utsuh was originally an oral story and now for the first time the story has been captured into a modern digital format that can be easily shared for everyone to enjoy. Read more at aasb.org.
Committees in Alaska’s Education Challenge Convened in Anchorage
The Alaska’s Education Challenge committees — developing recommendations to transform Alaska’s public schools — began their efforts on April 20 at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center in Anchorage.
The videotaped introductory remarks from the meeting have been posted at gov.alaska.gov/administration-focus/alaskas-education-challenge/. Speakers include Sue Hull, First Vice-Chair of the State Board of Education, Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott, Education Commissioner Dr. Michael Johnson, and Brian Laurent, the Data Management Supervisor for the Department of Education and Early Development.
Also available from Alaska’s Education Challenge website are the slides by which Mr. Laurent summarized relevant data on Alaska’s schools.
Governor Bill Walker introduced Alaska’s Education Challenge in his State of the State Address in January. He challenged Alaskans to establish an efficient, sustainable, and comprehensive system to provide an excellent education for every student. The ultimate goal is for students to graduate high school ready for career training and college, whether in the workforce, the military, apprenticeships, technical education programs, or associate degree and bachelor’s degree programs.
Alaska’s Education Challenge builds on the work of the State Board of Education and Early Development, which identified five priorities for public education: improve student learning, ensure excellent educators, modernize the education system, inspire tribal and community ownership of educational excellence, and promote safety and well-being. For each of the priorities a committee of up to 20 parents, students, educators, tribal members, legislators and others — co-chaired by State Board of Education members — will meet periodically into September. The committees will submit their recommendations to the State Board of Education, which will prepare a report for the Governor and Legislature by year-end.
After the meeting on April 20, committee meetings will be held by audio conferences open to the public. Alaskans can follow the process on the Alaska Education Challenge webpage.
SLAM Building Honored for its Terrazzo Floor
The National Terrazzo & Mosaic Association, an industry group, has given an Honor Award to the new State Library, Archives and Museum (SLAM) building in Juneau for its 10,000-square-foot epoxy terrazzo installation.
The atrium’s terrazzo floor includes a detailed and accurately scaled map of Alaska and part of Russia, incorporating three contrasting colors of recycled concrete aggregate and zinc and brass divider strips. ECI/Hyer Inc. of Anchorage was the architect, and Corradini Corp. of Fountain Valley, Calif., was the terrazzo contractor. See the terrazzo floor online.
“When visitors enter the Andrew P. Kashevaroff Building, their eyes are drawn upward by the eagle tree located at the end of the atrium. As their eyes drift downward, they see the map of Alaska at their feet,” said Patience Frederiksen, Director of the Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums. “These visitors are immediately drawn into the grandeur of this state, from abundant wildlife to meandering rivers, a huge ocean coastline, and our proximity to Russia. This terrazzo floor sets the mood for what visitors will learn as they tour the State Museum or do research at the State Library and State Archives.“
The legislature named the SLAM building, which opened in June 2016, the Father Andrew P. Kashevaroff State Library, Archives and Museum to honor the Alaska Territory’s first museum curator and historical librarian. Father Kashevaroff, a descendant of Russian explorers and the Alutiiq people of the Kodiak area, served in those positions from 1919 until his death in 1940.
Department is Recruiting for Two Positions
The Department of Education and Early Development is recruiting for two positions:
- a Project Assistant in the Child Nutrition Programs team
- the Assessment Administrator position
See descriptions at Workplace Alaska.
State Board to Hold Work Session on May 3
The State Board of Education and Early Development will hold a work session on May 3 by audio conference originating at the Commissioner’s Office boardroom, second floor, 801West 10th Street, in Juneau. The meeting will begin at 2 p.m. The board will not take public comment. The public is invited to listen to the audio conference, which is expected to last one hour, by calling 1-800-315-6338 and using access code 16107. The purpose of the meeting is to hold a work session to receive an update from Commissioner Dr. Michael Johnson on department activity. The board’s meeting packet is available online.
Sixth-grade Classrooms Invited to Submit Names for Two K9s
Alaska’s sixth-grade classes are invited to submit names for two new law enforcement K9s, whose tasks will include searching for illegal drugs. Use of heroin and other opioids is a growing problem across the United States. Governor Bill Walker, who recently declared a public health crisis in Alaska, signed Administrative Order 283 to outline the state’s next steps to address the drug epidemic. The dog-naming contest is an initiative of Safer Alaska Building Strong Communities, to engage students in illicit-drug prevention.
Each sixth-grade class can submit one name for each dog. Be sure to match each name to a specific dog. K9A is a very friendly Belgian Malinois, one and a half years old, who prances like a horse when he walks. He is long and lanky. K9B, also a Belgian Malinois of the same age, pounces on his toy when he retrieves it. His fur is black from his paws to his knees, so he looks like he’s wearing socks.
Some helpful hints: Avoid cute names like Fluffy; these K9s are professional law enforcement members. Avoid scary names or the names of drugs. The names should be easy to say, preferably of one or two syllables. Names with a connection to Alaska might be strong contenders. Winning classes will receive acknowledgement from the Governor or Lt. Governor, a visit from the dog and his handler, and a plaque with a picture of the dog.
Submit names to Sharon Fishel at the Department of Education and Early Development at Sharon.fishel@alaska.gov. The deadline is May 10. If you have questions, contact Ms. Fishel at 907-465-6523 or Sharon.fishel@alaska.gov.
School Leadership Institute Set for May 22-24
Alaska School Leadership Institute 2017: Leadership to Support Instructional Excellence, Making a Positive Impact on the Culture of a School and Maximizing Student Learning, on May 22-24, at the Hilton Hotel in Anchorage. This conference is tailored to small and rural schools and districts. Topics include: cultivating the leadership dispositions that grow a positive school culture, providing effective feedback, building and supporting a highly effective system with mathematics, and the impacts and opportunities of the new ESSA for rural school systems.
More information and registration.
E-rate Filing Deadline is May 11
The filing window for all school year 2017-2018 E-rate applications opened February 27. We are in the last days of the filing window; all districts applying for E-rate discounts on Internet Connectivity or Internal Connections must file their FCC Form 471 applications by May 11. If you have questions or need assistance in the matter, please contact DEED E-rate Consultant Valerie Oliver at Valerie.oliver@alaska.gov or the USAC Client Service Bureau at 1-888-203-8100. The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) will be hosting a webinar intended to assist last-minute filers with the application process on April 27 at 9:00 a.m.-10:15 a.m. Alaska time. This webinar will walk you through the application process. Register now. If you cannot attend the live webinar, it will be recorded and posted to the USAC Online Learning Library.
State Board Seeks Comments on Three Proposed Regulation Packages
The State Board of Education and Early Development has sent out for public comment three packages of proposed regulations. One package repeals regulations that mandated college and career readiness assessments; it also clarifies which holders of a certificate of achievement are eligible for a high school diploma. The second package repeals a state requirement that school district employees undergo a physical examination once every three years. Under the third package, only pre-elementary schools operated by school districts or Head Start agencies will be required to obtain department approval; the program will be more closely aligned with the department's statutory duty to supervise pre-elementary schools that receive direct state or federal funding. See education.alaska.gov/regs/comment.cfm for more details and information on how to comment. The deadline for written comment is 4:30 p.m. May 12.
Opportunity for Title IIA Subgrants to Eligible Partnerships
The Department of Education and Early Development announces a federal partnership grant for teacher/administrator professional development. Grants will support professional development institutes using WIDA CLIMBS curricula. CLIMBS (Content and Language Integration as a Means of Bridging Success) is professional learning curriculum designed to introduce participants to the use of research-based approaches and WIDA resources to support ELL students in their classrooms.
Training may be either:
- The CLIMBS Course Trainer program (to train district staff as CLIMBS instructors).
- The CLIMBS Course (to train teachers directly at a WIDA event).
Proposals are due May 26. You may download a copy of the RFA. Please direct all questions to Bjørn Wolter at bjorn.wolter@alaska.gov.
State System of Support Seeks Experienced Alaska Teachers as Coaches
The Department of Education and Early Development is seeking responses from qualified and experienced Alaskan educators for the State System of Support Coaching Program. Coaches will apply their education skills to increase the capacity of low-performing schools and districts to raise student achievement. Offerors must have knowledge of current research and practices in the six effective school domains of curriculum, assessment, instruction, supportive learning environment, professional development and leadership. Coaches work as independent contractors. Visit notice.alaska.gov/184945 for more info.
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