Information Exchange: Vol. 45 No. 47

Newsletter of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
December 8, 2017

#aklearns because…of coding! #AlaskaWeekofCode

DEED staff have enjoyed sharing out all the amazing coding activities happening in schools across the state this week on social media. We’d like to give a shout out to North Slope Borough School District and their huge enthusiasm for coding from students in their district. “I've been working with our 5th graders here in Barrow and the skills they've gained and the interest they've shown is awe-inspiring. 100% engagement around the board, push for reading comprehension as they go through the directions, elements of math, we talked about the history of programming and that the first programmer was a 17 year old woman in 1832... the looks that I got me gave me new life.” Brittnay Bailey, Educational Technology Specialist, NSBSD

#aklearns because….. 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! DEED is Hiring!

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

NEW! Steven R. Nelson Native Educator Scholarship Program Seeking Applicants

This scholarship program strives to increase Native representation in the field of education by providing financial support, mentoring, and internships for Native students in the Northwest who are pursuing a master’s degree in education policy, leadership, technical assistance, research, or a closely related field. Application window is open and closes March 31, 2018.

NEW! Better Business Bureau Seeking Student Applicants for Integrity Scholarship

BBB Foundation is offering a $10,000 scholarship to a student who personifies and communicates ethics in the real world, as demonstrated through community service, personal integrity, and academic accomplishments. The scholarship money can be used toward any university, community college or trade school of the student’s choice. February 13, 2018 application deadline.

Reminder: UA Seeking Executive Dean for the Alaska College of Education

The position will be based in Juneau and will have statewide responsibilities for coordinating and aligning UA Education programs at all three UA universities. The recruitment is open now and will remain open until filled.

Reminder: Bond Reimbursement and Grant Review Committee Meeting Happening Dec. 12

The Bond Reimbursement and Grant Review Committee will meet via teleconference on Tuesday, December 12, from 1:30 - 4:30 PM. The primary agenda items are to review the FY2019 capital improvement project (CIP) initial grant rankings and to hear subcommittee updates on recommendations for establishing cost-effective school construction standards.

Reminder: Eagle Eye Citizen Project Takes Flight

Eagle Eye Citizen engages middle and high school students in solving and creating interactive challenges about Congress, American history, civics, and government with Library of Congress primary sources in order to develop students’ civic understanding and historical thinking skills.

Reminder: AAEC Seeking Nominations for Statewide Champions of Arts Education

If you know of someone in your region doing an outstanding job increasing the arts, please nominate him/her for this award. Nominations due Feb.14, 2018, winners announced March 2018.

Reminder: Speak Up Survey on Leveraging Technology open through January 19, 2018

Since 2003, Speak Up has helped education leaders include the voices of stakeholders in annual and long-term planning. More than five million participants have made Speak Up the largest collection of authentic, unfiltered input one education, technology, schools of the future, math and science instruction, career exploration, and professional development. There is no charge for schools and districts to participate. Participants will receive local data results with state and national comparisons.

Notice of Proposed Changes to the Code of Ethics, Moral Turpitude, and Definitions in the Regulations of the PTPC

The Professional Teaching Practices Commission invites the public to submit written comments during the written comment period, which is currently open and ends on December 20, 2017, at 4:30 p.m.

National World War II Museum 2018 Summer Teaching Institute

A free professional development program for social studies teachers. Both high school and middle school teachers are eligible to apply. Program participants receive six hours of graduate credit upon successful completion, not to mention free travel to the Museum in New Orleans AND Pearl Harbor, Hawaii!

Registration Now Open for the 2018 Alaska Statewide Special Education Conference

The pre-conference begins February 3, 2018. Visit the Alaska Statewide Special Education Conference website for more information on the conference.

Attention Graduating Seniors - 2018 Spike Jorgensen Scholarship Seeking Applications

The Coalition for Education Equity of Alaska (CEE) will award two scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each to two deserving graduating seniors that reflect the need for financial assistance to further their academic goals. March 28, 2018 deadline for new scholarship applications. See attached flyer for details.

AASL Launches National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, & School Libraries

The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) launched the new, student-centered National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries at the AASL National Conference in Phoenix, November 9th - 11th. Six shared foundations - Inquire, Include, Collaborate, Curate, Explore, and Engage - serve as an easy-to-understand framework that applies across all curricula.

DEED Initial FY19 Capital Improvement Project Grant Rankings Available

DEED’s initial priority lists of district-submitted CIP grant applications for school construction and major maintenance projects are now available. Priority lists are used by the department, governor, and legislature to determine school construction and major maintenance projects for capital budget funding.

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 issue features the Alaska Early Childhood Council (AECCC), Best Beginnings survey, new DHSS guidelines on Childhood Wellness, and professional development opportunities.

2018 Alaska RTI/MTSS Effective Instruction Conference Registration is Now Open

Maximize your impact on student learning – with a focus on personalized learning, effective instruction, and evidence-based practices. The conference will be held at the Dena'ina Center in Anchorage January 26-28. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn from nationally recognized experts without the expense of out-of-state travel. Sign up now for the best choice of sessions. See the attached flyer for details.

Enhanced Learning Maps Conference Happening January 29-30 in Anchorage

The target audience is teachers of grades 2-8 in Focus and Priority Schools. This conference will take place on Monday and Tuesday following the RTI/Effective Instruction conference. Nationally-known educators Margaret Heritage and Karen Karp are on the Advisory Board for this project and will be presenting. There are travel stipends for this conference and opportunities for free credit as well.

Call for Student Entries – Letters about Literature

The Library of Congress invites students in grades 4 through 12 to enter the 25th Annual Letters about Literature Writing Competition. January 12, 2018 deadline.

AVTEC Offering Maritime Courses for High School Students

Introduction to Nautical Skills, HS Basic Training, HS Basic Shipboard Culinary Training, and more. Funding available for eligible high school students and high school CTE instructors. Registration open now! See the attached flyer for more info.

PAEMST Award Nomination Period Now Open

Nominations for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching are open for teachers of grades K-6 through April 1, 2018. Contact: Sandy Schoff, state coordinator for mathematics. See attached letter for more info.

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.

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.

Info Exchange Housekeeping:

This newsletter is available weekly and in archived form. To submit news items, call Erin Hardin at 907-465-6535 or email erin.hardin@alaska.gov.