- Cama-i, quyana tailuci!
- (Central Yup’ik)
- "Greetings, thank you for coming!"
Information Exchange: Vol. 46 No. 6
Newsletter of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
February 16, 2018
Last call! PLAAY Day 2018 is February 22
PLAAY stands for Positive Leadership For Active Alaska Youth and is an initiative of the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame. The inspiration behind PLAAY Day is to galvanize communities and our state as a whole around the importance of living a physically active lifestyle. See attached info flyer for details.
Last call! Register Now for the 2018 PLAAY Summit Happening February 23-24
The conference is a great resource for teachers, coaches, nurses, and anyone else working with active youth. The Alaska Sports Hall of Fame is providing continuing education credits and a $50 discount to school district employees. Continuing nursing education (CNE) certification also available. If you don't live in Anchorage, they provide very affordable rates and quality technical services for remote groups wishing to participate via remote conferencing. Contact PLAAY Director Wally Wilson with any questions.
Last call! Engage students in career exploration and job shadowing in Juneau: Registration open for Career Connections
There is space available in Career Connections' April 22-27 session. Career Connections is a week-long residential camp in Juneau that introduces students grades 9-12 to career opportunities, teaches invaluable employment skills and offers hands-on experience in a variety of fields. Some students may qualify for $400 tuition reimbursement. Letters of intent are due Feb. 23, 2018. For more information email careerconnections@serrc.org or call 907-586-6806 for Linda Kadrlik or Pat Bock.
Last call! Secretary DeVos Seeking Public Comment on Rural School & District Needs
In accordance with Section 5005 of the ESSA, Secretary DeVos is seeking information from the public regarding how the Department can improve upon its consideration of the unique needs of rural schools and districts as it develops and implements policies, programs, and procedures (see preliminary report and blog post). The Secretary intends to use this information in issuing a final report, as required under ESSA, describing the steps the Department will take to increase the participation of rural schools and districts in the development and execution of its initiatives. Comments must be received no later than February 20.
NEW! U.S. ED Hosting Webinars February 21 & 22 for LEAs re: Student-Centered Funding Pilot
The U.S. Department of Education will host two webinars regarding a new pilot to afford local educational agencies (LEAs) flexibility to create equitable, student-centered funding systems Wednesday, February 21 from 2:00 to 3:30 PM Eastern Time and Thursday, February 22 from 12:30 to 2:00 PM Eastern Time. The intended audience is LEAs, though other interested parties are also welcome. The webinars will include identical information, and the Department will take questions using the chat feature.
NEW! Governor Walker announces 20 scholarships for Alaskan students to study in China
20 scholarships have been made available for Alaskans to study abroad in China through the Chinese Consulate. Recipients will explore higher education through a variety of academic programs in science, engineering, agriculture, medicine, law, economics, management, education, liberal arts, philosophy, history, and fine arts. Scholarships from the Chinese Consulate include tuition, accommodation, stipend and medical insurance. The deadline to apply is April 1, 2018.
NEW! DEED Seeks Extended Availability of 2013 SIG Funds
DEED is planning to request a waiver to extend the availability of federal School Improvement Grant (SIG) funds awarded to the state in 2013. These funds are currently being used by DEED to fund grants to six schools in the state that have applied for, and have been awarded, funding to implement multi-year SIG interventions through June of 2021. The sought after waiver, if approved, could extend the availability of these FY13 funds to September 30, 2018. The public is invited to submit comments to DEED by March 19, 2018.
NEW! Free Summer Professional Development from NEH
Each year, more than 900 schoolteachers and 400 college professors from across the country receive free professional development thanks to NEH Summer Programs. K-12 teachers and college professors from your district can study Thomas Jefferson at Monticello, Civil Rights in Selma and Montgomery, Shakespeare at the Folger Library, or the American West at the Hoover Dam, among many other topics. The deadline for applications is March 1.
NEW! State Board to Hold Work Session on February 28
The meeting will begin at 2:00 p.m. The purpose of the work session is to receive an update from Commissioner Dr. Michael Johnson on department activity. 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 the access code 16107.
NEW! FAI Recruiting for Summer Interns and Employer Partners
First Alaskans Institute is currently recruiting for their Summer Internship program. They are also recruiting Employer Interest from across the state to host a summer intern. If you'd like more information, please contact First Alaskans Institute at 907-677-1700. Intern application deadline is March 2, 2018.
NEW! Registration Open for UAF's Middle and High School Academy
The Alaska Summer Research Academy at the University of Alaska Fairbanks is accepting applications through April 15 for its middle and high school programs. The academy will be held each day from July 23-Aug. 3, 2018. 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 middle school program is for students who will be in grades six to eight in fall 2018. The high school program is for students who will be in grades nine to 12 in fall 2018. Financial aid may be available for qualified students.
Reminder: CACREP Grants Accreditation to Two UAF School of Education Programs
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), has granted accreditation to the following programs in the UAF School of Education: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.Ed. degree) and School Counseling (M.Ed. degree). For further information contact Jane Monahan at (907) 474-5362.
Reminder: Building a Safer Alaska Student Poster Contest Closes March 10
All Alaskan youth from kindergarten through high school are eligible to participate. Home schools, alternative, and traditional schools are all welcome.
Reminder: Calling all High School Students Interested in a Maritime Career
Interested in fast tracking yourself into a lucrative and exciting maritime career? Funding available for eligible high school students and high school CTE instructors! Registration open now! See attached flyer for more info.
DEED Recruiting for Tribal Education Liaison
The Tribal Education Liaison will work closely with department leadership, school districts, tribal organizations, and representatives from Alaska’s 229 federally recognized tribes statewide to ensure equity in the public education system in Alaska, ensure the Alaska Native perspective is included in policy decisions, and to promote opportunities for students in rural communities to become educators in Alaska. Deadline to apply is March 1.
February is Teen Dating Violence Prevention & Awareness Month
Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Month is a national effort to raise awareness about abuse in teen and 20-something relationships and promote programs that prevent it. February provides a unique opportunity to engage your students in a national effort which can serve as a catalyst for reinforcing the education under Bree’s Law as a part of the Alaska Safe Children’s Act which went into effect on June 30, 2017.
Senator Murkowski Seeking High School Interns
Senator Murkowski hosts an internship program for just-graduated high school seniors each summer. A total of 20 students are selected to participate in one of two, 4-week sessions in the Senator’s Washington, D.C. office. Interns have the opportunity to shadow the Senator for a day, attend briefings and committee hearings, perform special projects for staff, and generally learn how the Senate works and participate in a professional work environment. A stipend is paid to the interns, which helps defray the cost of transportation and housing. Deadline to apply is March 15.
ALASBO is Offering Two $1,000 Scholarships to Graduating Seniors
The Alaska Association of School Business Officials (ALASBO) is offering two $1,000 scholarships for graduating high school seniors. The scholarship program is named for former school business official McClain J. "Mack" Easton. The application deadline is March 31.
RurAL CAP Offering Experiential-Based Learning and Cultural Activities Opportunity to Schools
RurAL CAP is offering an opportunity for all rural schools in Alaska to apply for an AmeriCorps member who will work with students by replicating the evidence-based, data-informed Project Venture model, which will engage primarily Alaska Native youth using experiential-based learning and cultural activities in 15 predominantly remote, rural communities across Alaska. Interested schools can contact Leilani Luhrs at (907) 529-0606 or lluhrs@ruralcap.com.
Request for K-12 Talent Pool Nominations
DEED is looking for educators, relatively new to the profession, who demonstrate outstanding instructional and leadership abilities that impact students, colleagues, and the community. Do you know an educator relatively new to the field that exemplifies Alaska’s best? One who goes above and beyond? This is your opportunity to give something back to the educators who are of great value to your district, community and state. Nominate someone you know – today! Completed forms must be submitted by March 15, 2018. For questions, please contact Cecilia Miller at cecilia.miller@alaska.gov 907-465-8703.
Third-Party Comment Period Open Regarding the UAF School of Education Initial Licensure Programs
UAF's educator preparation programs in the School of Education have been nationally accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) since 2011. NCATE has merged with another accrediting agency, and now those two organizations make up CAEP: the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. As part of UAF’s re-accreditation process, the School of Education is required to solicit third-party comment on the quality of its programs. All interested parties are invited to submit third-party comments to the visiting CAEP team. Comment deadline is March 12, 2018.
Alaska Humanities Forum Seeking Students for Youth Advisory Council
The Alaska Humanities Forum is looking for students currently in the 9th-11th grades to serve on their Youth Advisory Council. This council will have an in-person orientation in Anchorage and will meet virtually bimonthly. Adult mentors will provide support and guidance to council members. They are looking for students who are motivated to strengthen their communities, connect with new friends and mentors from other parts of the state, and feel like they have something to say. If you know of any young people who might be a good fit, please encourage them to apply. February 28, 2018 application deadline.
Attention 2017-18 Grads! Do you know about the National Youth Science Camp?
The NYSCamp is a broad science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) experience that incorporates both creative and performing arts as well as an outdoor adventure series including opportunities for rock climbing, mountain biking, spelunking, whitewater kayaking, and overnight backpacking. The delegation also travels to Washington, D.C. are able to tour museums on the National Mall, attend a Science Policy panel discussion at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and are hosted at a luncheon in their honor with members of the United States Senate. Nov. 1, 2017 – Feb. 28, 2018 application window.
Pathfinders Summer Institute 2018 Seeking Teachers
Infosys Foundation USA will host the Pathfinders Summer Institute 2018, an intensive week of in-person professional development in Computer Science and Making, at Indiana University Bloomington from July 15-20, 2018. Over 800 US K-12 US public school teachers will convene at #InfyPathfinders for high-quality hands-on training.
Subscribe to DEED Early Learning Updates Newsletter
The DEED Early Learning team puts out a bi-weekly newsletters on news and resources around Alaska and beyond. This issue features the Best Beginnings Impact Report, Day of PLAAY, Ready to Read, and Valentine’s Day resources.
Nominate a Student for the 2018 Billy Michael Student Leadership Award
Nominees should have a strong record of volunteerism, school and/or community activism, or implementing creative solutions to recognized problems. Selected awardees will be flown (along with a chaperone) to New Orleans to participate in the Museum's American Spirit Awards celebration, June 7 –June 8, 2018. Nominations must be received by March 2, 2018.
2018 Justice for All Art Contest Now Open
Alaskan students are invited to interpret the importance of three concepts (fairness, diversity, equality) of our justice system in two-dimensional art forms and submit them by March 15, 2018. Winning entries and selected submissions will be displayed at courthouses statewide.
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.
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.
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. Contacts: Sandy Schoff, state coordinator for mathematics or Joey Jigliotti, state coordinator for science.
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.
Contact Us
- Erin Hardin: (907) 465-6535