- Cama-i, quyana tailuci!
- (Central Yup’ik)
- "Greetings, thank you for coming!"
Information Exchange: Vol. 45 No. 41
Newsletter of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
October 13, 2017
- Last call! Alaska Poetry Out Loud Registration Open
- Any public or private school in Alaska with high school students is eligible to participate. The registration deadline is October 20. Contact Amanda Filori or Laura Forbes with questions.
- Last call! 2017 School Counselor of the Year and Advocate of the Year Nominations due Oct. 20
- The nomination and application period closes Friday, October 20, 2017.
- Last call! Register Now for the 2017 Alaska Principals’ Conference & Saturday Pre-Conference
- Instructional leaders, principals, and aspiring principals and teacher leaders are invited to attend the annual Alaska Principals’ Conference and Pre-Conference, happening October 21-24 in Anchorage.
- Last call! AdvancED Workshop for schools preparing for their Engagement Reviews this year and next
- The AdvancED Alaska Operations Office is hosting a one-day work session on Saturday, October 21 (the day before the Principal’s Conference) for schools and school systems to learn about the new AdvancED Continuous Improvement System (CIS), focusing on its tools and resources. Participants can earn up to two UAA credits (EDL 590 level). Please email Tim with questions.
- NEW! Ben Walker of Anchorage Named Teacher of the Year
- Ben Walker has been named the 2018 Alaska Teacher of the Year, Commissioner Dr. Michael Johnson announced yesterday in a surprise ceremony at Romig Middle School. Congratulations, Mr. Walker!
- NEW! Alaska School Counselors Conference Happening Nov. 15-18
- School counselors are invited to attend the annual Alaska School Counselors Conference happening Nov. 15-18 in Anchorage.
- NEW! Calling High School Seniors for the 2018 National Youth Science Camp
- The NYSCamp is an honors program for two high-achieving high school students from each state in the United States and others from around the world. This residential summer experience is held in a rustic setting in West Virginia’s eastern mountains. Nov. 1, 2017 – Feb. 28, 2018 application window.
- NEW! Solve for Tomorrow Contest Now Open
- This nationwide contest challenges public school teachers and students in grades 6-12 to show how STEAM can be applied to help improve their local community. Nov. 9 submission deadline.
- NEW! 2018 Educator Cross-Cultural Immersion Program Seeking Applications
- The three-credit graduate-level course is an experiential program that aims to increase the cultural responsiveness of urban Alaskan educators through a guided orientation and debrief, reflective activities, and a one-week summer immersion at a rural Alaskan culture camp. The course runs from May-October and all expenses are paid.
- NEW! DEED Publishes Revised Project Delivery Method Handbook
- The 2017 publication provides information on different approaches school districts and municipal entities can seek department approval to utilize when designing and constructing a capital project in compliance with statutes and regulations governing debt reimbursement and grant capital project funding (AS 14.11). Revisions include discussion on three additional project variants, expanded required alternative delivery directives, and new appendices with checklists and a template for options analysis.
- NEW! 150th Anniversary of the Alaska Treaty of Cession Resources
- October 18th, Alaska Day, is a State holiday that marks the ceremony that transferred Alaska from Russia to the United States. The Alaska Office of History and Archaeology developed 8 banners on Alaska during the time of the transfer that can be downloaded and printed for classroom use. A companion booklet is also available; to request copies, please email dnr.oha@alaska.gov.
- Special Feature:
- With Alaska Historical Commission grants, the Anchorage School District prepared a sesquicentennial commemoration curriculum and Triumvirate Theatre developed an activity guide. The Alaska Historical Society also has resources and an event calendar available.
- Reminder: Committees Recommendations for Alaska’s Education Challenge Available Online
- The committees presented their recommendations to transform Alaska’s public education system October 4 at the Dena’ina Civic & Convention Center in Anchorage.
- Reminder: October is School Principals and Assistant Principals Recognition Month
- A social media campaign is held during the month with the hashtag #ThankAPrincipal used to share appreciation of your principal and assistant principal via Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. The crowning event of School Principals and Assistant Principals Recognition Month is the annual Alaska Principals’ Conference, held at the Anchorage Sheraton Hotel October 21-24, 2017.
- Reminder: 2018 CTE Excellence in Action Award Now Accepting Nominations
- Do you think you have one of the best Career Technical Education (CTE) programs of study in the nation? Apply for the 2018 Excellence in Action award to showcase the amazing work of your students, instructors, and faculty at the national level.
- Reminder: ALASBO Seeking Nominations for the School Business Official of the Year Award
- The School Business Official of the Year award is a peer recognition program. Recipients of this award must be an ALASBO member. Nominations are accepted from ALASBO members, immediate supervisors of the nominee, and local school boards. Nominations due October 31.
- Strings & Stories Statewide Touring Project Heading to Rural Alaska March 2018
- Strings & Stories is a dynamic two-person show that features Alaskan violinist Linda Rosenthal and Los Angeles actor Bill Blush. They are looking to visit as many rural Alaska communities as possible within the North Slope, Northwest Arctic, Yukon-Koyukuk, and Lower Kuskokwim school districts. Contact Linda Rosenthal for more information.
- Artist in Schools Grant Application Open
- Individual schools and districts may apply for funding, and non-profit organizations and parent groups supporting schools and districts are also eligible to apply. November 1 application deadline. Contact Laura Forbes with questions.
- Registration Now Open for the 12th Annual School Health & Wellness Institute
- The 12th Annual SHWI is happening October 30 - November 1 at the Anchorage BP Energy Center. Registration is FREE. Contact Wendy Hamilton for more information.
- 2018 U.S. CTE Presidential Scholars Selection Process Underway
- Nominate an exemplary CTE high school senior from your district by November 1 at 4pm. Alaska can nominate up to five exemplary high school seniors.
- 2018 U.S. Presidential Scholars Selection Process Underway
- Nominate an exemplary high school senior from your district by November 1 at 4pm. Alaska can nominate up to 10 male and 10 female exemplary high school seniors.
- 2018 U.S. Senate Youth Program Selection Process Underway
- Alaska high school juniors and seniors are encouraged to apply for the merit-based program, which includes a paid, week-long visit to Washington, D.C. and a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship. Alaska application deadline is November 1 at 4pm.
- Please note: I will be out of the office next week so the next Info Exchange will be Friday, October 27th.
Info Exchange Housekeeping:
To submit news items, call Erin Hardin at 907-465-6535 or email erin.hardin@alaska.gov.
Contact Us
- Erin Hardin: (907) 465-6535