Information Exchange: Vol. 45 No. 43

Newsletter of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
November 3, 2017

#aklearns because… of educators like Victoria Flint!

Ms. Flint is an educational technology coordinator at Mat-Su Borough School District. Check out Ms. Flint’s recent article on personalized learning, Don’t Let Your Projects Die When Grant Funding Runs Out, featured in EdSurge. Ms. Flint was nominated to be featured in this week’s Info Exchange by DEED’s Education Technology Coordinator, Sam Jordan.

#aklearns because…

This is a new section in the Info Exchange where DEED would like to highlight an Alaskan educator, student, leader, volunteer, etc. each week who’s helping to ensure an excellent education for our students. Do you have someone in mind in your school district you’d like us to feature? Send Erin an email with the details!

Last call! 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! November Social Media Campaign

During the month of November, DEED encourages schools across Alaska to share pictures of our beautiful Alaskan schools on Twitter using the hashtags #SchoolWithAView and #aklearns. Show us the amazing, diverse settings where learning happens! Let see how many schools we can get involved.

NEW! Alaska Week of Code is Coming Soon!

December 4-9, DEED is encouraging Alaskan students, teachers, and communities to take one hour and try computer coding. Learn why here: https://youtu.be/nKIu9yen5nc. Learn how here: Great coding and professional development resources at http://www.code.org/.  

NEW! ESSA and AP Funding for Low Income Students

The College Board can provide you with the number of low income exams for your district for the past three years. 

Special Feature:

On October 5 in Anchorage, over 100 Alaskans gathered to present their transformative recommendations to improve Alaska’s public education system. Their presentations and 13 recommendations were captured on video by Governor Walker’s office. On October 5, the State Board reviewed and approved the recommendations. Commissioner Johnson and DEED staff are currently developing a report and proposal to implement the recommendations, which will be submitted to Governor Walker and the Alaska Legislature in December.

Reminder: State Board Held Work Session Nov. 2 on Alaska’s Education Challenge

The State Board of Education and Early Development held a work session by audio conference to receive an update from Commissioner Dr. Michael Johnson and DEED staff on Alaska’s Education Challenge. The meeting packet materials and audio are available online.

Reminder: Registration Now Open for the Alaska Assoc. of School Business Officials Annual Conference

The conference is taking place December 3-6 at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage.

Reminder: National History Day’s 2018 Normandy Institute Seeking Alaska Applicants

High-school sophomores or juniors passionate about WWII history can apply to National History Day's 2018 Normandy Institute - the organization wants participants from all 50 states. Along with an educator, students will travel to Normandy, France and participate in exciting primary source resource - all expenses paid.

Reminder: Comment Period on Proposed Criteria for Cost-Effective School Construction

DEED’s Bond Reimbursement & Grant Review (BR&GR) Committee is working to complete an initial effort in developing criteria for cost-effective school construction in Alaska. Three subcommittees have proposed draft recommendations for public comment in the areas of Commissioning, Design Ratios, and Model Alaska School. Submit written comments to Tim.Mearig@alaska.gov on or before November 15.

Reminder: DEED is Hiring!

Director to lead the Professional Teaching Practices Commission. Apply by December 15.

Librarian III to serve as our School Library Coordinator. Apply by November 6.

Subscribe to DEED’s Early Learning Updates Newsletter

The DEED Early Learning team puts out a bi-weekly newsletter featuring news about early learning inside and outside Alaska. This month, we feature: the Alaska Head Start Association Awards, ACES Trainings, Best Beginnings, PEEPs, DHSS’s Healthy Drinks for Healthy Kids Project, and new books for the Baby Raven Reads program.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. November 15 application deadline.

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.  

Please note: Next week’s Info Exchange will be published on Thursday, Nov. 9 due to the State holiday observance on Friday, Nov. 10. 

Info Exchange Housekeeping:

To submit news items, call Erin Hardin at 907-465-6535 or email erin.hardin@alaska.gov.