- Cama-i, quyana tailuci!
- (Central Yup’ik)
- "Greetings, thank you for coming!"
Information Exchange: Vol. 46 No. 7
Newsletter of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
February 23, 2018
Last call! 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.
Last call! 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.
Last call! 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.
Last call! 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.
Last call! 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.
Last call! Nominations for the Governor’s Denali Peak Performance Awards Due March 1
The Governor's Denali Peak Performance Awards program is an outstanding way to recognize excellence in public service. Thousands of state employees have been recognized since the program's inception for their dedication to excellence in their jobs. We encourage you to nominate a state employee or team of state employees who exhibit peak performance in their service to the people of Alaska.
Last call! 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.
NEW! DEED Publishes Annual October 1 Enrollment Reports
The 2017-2018 enrollment reports are now available! These annual reports include the count of students enrolled on October 1 by district, school, grade level, and race/ethnicity. The reports are located on the Data Center page under Statistics & Reports.
NEW! AdvancED Improvement Network Offering Free Membership for Spring 2018
If your school district or one of the schools within is considering joining AdvancED, now is the time to act. AdvancED wants to help those looking to join AdvancED next school year by granting full access to all the AdvancED services at no cost for the remainder of this school year (see attached flyer). Give Tim Cline a call at 888-413-3669, ext. 5775 or email him at tcline@advanc-ed.org with your questions.
NEW! Summer Food Service Program Looking for Local Sites
DEED’s Child Nutrition Programs unit is looking for school districts, parks and recreation departments, non-profit organizations, and churches to operate Summer Food Service Program feeding sites for children and youth in low-income areas in Alaska. Sponsors are reimbursed with federal funds for each eligible meal served at approved feeding sites. All sponsors receive training and technical assistance from DEED’s Child Nutrition Programs unit prior to starting their Summer Food Service Program, and throughout the program’s duration. Download the training registration, applications are due May 15, 2018.
Reminder: 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.
Reminder: 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.
Reminder: 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.
Reminder: 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.
Special Feature: Sealaska Heritage Institute Baby Raven literacy program gains national award
Congratulations to our friends at the Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) for the selection of the Baby Raven Reads literacy program for the Library of Congress' 2017 Best Practice Honoree award. Baby Raven Reads is one of only 15 programs in the world to receive the honor this year.
Baby Raven Reads is a culturally-based program that promotes early literacy, language development and school readiness of Alaska Native children. The program focuses on children age 5 and under because research indicates that children who are fluent readers by the end of third grade are likely to do well in school and go on to higher education.
The Library of Congress Literacy Awards honor organizations that have made outstanding contributions to increasing literacy in the United States or abroad and encourage the continuing development of innovative methods for promoting literacy and the wide dissemination of the most effective practices. The program was founded by philanthropist David M. Rubenstein in 2013.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2019 Alaska Teacher of the Year Nomination Period Open
Alaska has many outstanding teachers that are worthy of this award. Any interested Alaska citizen may make nominations for the Alaska Teacher of the Year (TOY). The Alaska TOY Program is an excellent way to acknowledge the expertise, skills, accomplishments, and professionalism of teachers within your school. Nominations are due by Monday, April 2, 2018. Contact Cecilia Miller at AlaskaTOY@alaska.gov or 465-8703 for more info.
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.
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 newsletter featuring stories about early learning in and outside of Alaska. This issue features upcoming events such as: CLASS Reliability Training, TSG WebEx on Kindergarten Readiness, upcoming SE-AEYC Conference, and Shanyaak'utlaax: Salmon Boy with artwork by Alaskan Artist Miachela Goade wins Best Picture Book of the Year!
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 online 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