- Cama-i, quyana tailuci!
- (Central Yup’ik)
- "Greetings, thank you for coming!"
Information Exchange: Vol. 46 No. 11
Newsletter of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
April 6, 2018
Last call! Professional Development for Educators: Accessible Computer Science Principles
AccessCSforAll will be holding an AP Computer Science Principles (CSP) Professional Development for teachers of the blind and visually impaired in Austin, TX this July. AP CSP helps students understand how computing and technology influence the world around them. AP CSP is intended to be taken by a wide range of high school students. The AccessCSforAll AP CSP curriculum, based on the code.org curriculum, will be the only accessible version of CSP. This professional development event will be held at no charge to participants. Travel expenses will be covered. In addition, participants will receive a $500 stipend and a certificate of completion. The deadline to apply has been extended until April 13.
Last call! Registration Closes April 15 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.
NEW! Register now for the 2018 Spring Leadership Working Conference: Leveraging ESSA for Alaska’s Three Commitments
This session, held April 26 in Anchorage, will provide information on the current status of the ESSA plan for Alaska, and its practical implications for district and central office leaders. The Alaska’s Education Challenge initiative will also be featured, as action steps are developed to implement project recommendations.
NEW! GCI to Award $140,000 in Scholarships to Alaska Students
The 2018 GCI Scholarship Program will award $2,000 scholarships to 70 students for the 2018-2019 academic year. The funds can be used for tuition and books. The application includes information about the student’s academic and work history, a short essay question, and a brief questionnaire to be filled out by the student’s high school or college counselor or advisor, an instructor, or a work supervisor. Applications must be received by April 30, 2018.
NEW! Native American and Alaska Native Children in School (NAM) Program Grants Seeking Applicants
The purpose of the NAM program is to award grants to eligible entities to develop and enhance capacity to provide effective instruction and support to Native American and Alaska Native students who are identified as English learners. The deadline is May 7, and applicants are strongly encouraged to submit an intent to apply by April 12. These grants average $287,500 per year, over five years. Previous grantees in Alaska include Fairbanks Native Association and Lower Kuskokwim.
NEW! Free Mask Activity for Youth in Juneau on April 28
Local art educator Daniel Todd will lead a free mask activity for youth at the Father Andrew P. Kashevaroff State Library, Archives, and Museum on Saturday, April 28. The morning session, from 10:00 am to noon, is designed for children ages 6-9. The afternoon session, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, is geared for youth ages 9-12. Using a papier-mâché base, students will have the opportunity to design and create a mask of their own using strong art elements, principles of design, and a variety of materials. Inspiration will be found by looking at the history and purposes of different cultures where mask making was important to the expression of the people.
Reminder: Sealaska Heritage Institute to Sponsor Second Cultural Education Conference
Sealaska Heritage Institute will sponsor its second education conference, happening August 1-3, 2018 in Juneau, for teachers and administrators in an effort to promote culturally responsive pedagogy in schools. SHI’s first cultural education conference was held in 2017 and drew about 140 educators from as far away as Nome and Fairbanks.
Reminder: USDA Seeking Applications for Funding to Increase Access to E-Connectivity/Broadband in Unserved Rural Areas
USDA is accepting applications for grants to fund broadband infrastructure projects in unserved rural communities. USDA is accepting applications through May 14 in the Community Connect program. Grants from $100,000 to $3 million are available to state and local governments, federally-recognized tribes, nonprofits and for-profit corporations. Applicants must be able to provide a 15 percent match on the desired grant amount. See page 11494 of the March 15 Federal Register for details.
Reminder: Three New Members Join the State Board of Education
Governor Bill Walker appointed to the State Board of Education & Early Development Lorri Van Diest of Palmer, Sandy Kowalski of Fairbanks, and Tiffany Scott of Kotzebue, and reappointed James Fields of Glennallen. The three new members and Chair Fields were sworn into office at the board’s meeting in Juneau on March 19.
Reminder: State Board Approves World Language Expert Limited Teacher Certificate, Amends Regulations Regarding Uniform Chart of Accounts
The State Board of Education and Early Development, meeting March 19-20 in Juneau, approved a regulation to create a world language expert limited teacher certificate and amended regulations regarding the Uniform Chart of Accounts for school districts. The board approved ten-year renewals of charters for Anvil City Science Academy in the Nome Public School District and Winterberry Charter School in the Anchorage School District.
Reminder: Alaska Arts Education Consortium 2018 Summer Arts Institutes Open for Registration
The Alaska Arts Education Consortium is holding three arts institutes this summer and all educators are invited to attend. All Alaska Arts Education Consortium Institutes are focused on giving educators the knowledge, confidence and practice to become comfortable, creative and adventurous teachers when integrating the arts into their classrooms.
Reminder: Professional Learning Opportunity - Resilient Educators: Growing Your Best Self
Brightways Learning is offering workshops in June at Alyeska Resort focused on nurturing skills to see beneath the surface and move to the core of what students need to thrive, while helping raise professional satisfaction for teachers and other school staff. One Continuing Education Credit (via UAA) per workshop is available.
Reminder: Request for K-12 Talent Pool Nominations Extended Till April 16
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 (see attached) must be submitted by April 16. For questions, please contact Cecilia Miller at cecilia.miller@alaska.gov 907-465-8703.
Reminder: 2019 Alaska Teacher of the Year Nomination Period Extended Till April 30
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 April 30. Contact Cecilia Miller at AlaskaTOY@alaska.gov or 465-8703 for more info.
Call for Applications for the Alaska State System of Support Coaching Program
DEED is seeking responses from qualified and experienced Alaskan educators for the State System of Support (“SSOS”) Coaching Program. DEED is seeking experienced Alaskan educators who are interested in applying their education skills in a coaching setting to increase the capacity of low performing schools and districts to increase student achievement. Offerors must have knowledge of current research and practices in the six effective school domains of curriculum, assessment, instruction, supportive learning environment, professional development, and leadership. Coaches work as independent contractors. Applications are due May 2, 2018 by 4:00 pm.
UAF Offering Summer Teacher Workshop in Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve
This course involves a field component at Coal Creek and three classroom sessions available via web or in person in Fairbanks. Limited number of scholarships may be available. See attached flyer for details.
Special Feature: April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month
School staff, teachers, and administrators all play important roles in preventing and responding to child sexual abuse and promoting the social and emotional well-being of children and families in our communities. April provides a unique opportunity to engage school staff, parents, and students to reinforce the education required under Erin’s Law as a part of the Alaska Safe Children’s Act. For information and resources available to help raise awareness, encourage engagement, and prevent abuse please review the resources below.
Prevent child sexual abuse
Talking with your kids about sexual abuse
Healthy communications with kids
Child abuse prevention month kit
Everyday consent
Understanding sexual violence
New eLearning course: Narcan Administration for an Opioid Overdose
DEED partnered with DHSS’s Office of Substance Misuse and Addiction Prevention to create the eLearning course, Narcan Administration for an Opioid Overdose. This is a secondary course to accompany the recently released, Opioids and the Opioid Epidemic 101. This is a short course providing a brief overview on overdoses related to opioids and how to properly administer Narcan, a medication used to reverse an opioid overdose. Users will also learn the appropriate actions to take in the event of an overdose at school.
DEED Releases 21st Century Community Learning Centers FY19 Request for Applications
DEED is seeking applicants for competitive 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) funding that would begin providing programming in the fall of the 2018-19 school year. The goal of the 21st CCLC program is to raise student academic achievement by providing students engaging out-of-school-time academic assistance and educational enrichment opportunities. Any Alaska school district, community-based organization, tribal organization, or other public or private entity located in Alaska and working in partnership with their school and community is eligible to apply. Applications are due April 27, 2018. For questions, please contact Jessica Paris at jessica.paris@alaska.gov or 907-465-8716.
New Exhibition Open at the Alaska State Museum
The exhibition, Ebb and Flow by the Anchorage-based Alutiiq artist, Linda Infante Lyons, has opened at the Alaska State Museum. Lyons’ paintings imagine scenes of hushed stillness, devoid of human presence and inhabited by flora and fauna. Her painting series, Ebb and Flow, includes medium and large format oil paintings of Alaska-inspired landscapes. Lyons’ is one of eight artists selected for the Alaska State Museum 2017-2019 Solo Artist Exhibition Series. The exhibit will be up through May 5th, 2018.
DEED Accepting Non-Profit Profiles for Inclusion in Alaska 21st CCLC External Organization Partner Pool
In order to increase the capacity of Alaska’s communities to offer high-quality 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) afterschool programs, DEED is assembling a list of Alaska non-profit organizations with relevant afterschool expertise that 21st CCLC grantees may be interested in partnering with when building their out-of-school-time applications and programs. Please note: DEED plans to release a 21st CCLC Request for Applications very soon, but an organization is not required to be included in the Alaska 21st CCLC External Organization Partner Pool in order to be eligible to apply for an Alaska 21st grant as a main applicant or to serve as a formal or informal partner on a grant application.
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 soon, applications are due May 15, 2018.
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.
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.
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