- Cama-i, quyana tailuci!
- (Central Yup’ik)
- "Greetings, thank you for coming!"
Information Exchange: Vol. 46 No. 13
Newsletter of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
April 20, 2018
Last call! 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.
Last call! 2019 Alaska Teacher of the Year Nomination Period Closing 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.
Last call! 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.
Last call! AK CASE Offering Scholarship for High School Seniors Receiving Special Education Services
The Alaska Council of Administrators of Special Education (AK CASE) is pleased to offer a $500 scholarship to support post-secondary educational costs during the 2018-2019 school year. This scholarship is for a current Alaska high school senior receiving special education services. The intent of this scholarship program is to encourage and assist students with disabilities who will be pursuing post-secondary college or career education. Please submit all required materials electronically via a single email to Clayton Holland by April 24, 2018. See attached flyer for details.
NEW! Free Alaska Dinosaurs Twitter Event Happening May 3
The Alaska BLM (@blmalaska) is hosting the 2018 DinoChat on Alaska Dinosaurs on Thursday, May 3, from 9-11 a.m. Alaska time. They are seeking questions in advance from educators, librarians, and schools. This is an opportunity to learn the latest discoveries and knowledge on Alaska dinosaurs and join the conversation – three renowned paleontologists will be joining the conversation! Questions and comments can be posted using the hashtag #alaskadinosaurs during the event. To submit questions in advance, send them to blmalaska@blm.gov.
NEW! Public Comment Sought on Life Cycle Cost Analysis Handbook
DEED has prepared a revision to the Life Cycle Cost Analysis Handbook. The publication provides guidance in utilizing a life cycle cost analysis for analyzing options in a capital improvement project.
NEW! Registration Open for Physical Education training at Anchorage School District Summer Academy
Re-invigorate your Physical Education classes with Quick Games for Fun and Fitness: Strategies for Improving Student Achievement, led by national Physical Education presenter and trainer John Jones. This high-energy session explores the essential components of a quality physical education program and supports the implementation of research-based strategies for improving students' achievement in healthful behaviors, motor skills acquisition, and critical thinking in K-12 settings. One UAA credit is available for this 2 day workshop held May 29-30th at Dimond High School in Anchorage. ASD Summer Academy courses are open for all of Alaska’s educators to join.
NEW! Sister School Exchange Program Accepting Applications for Cross-Cultural Exchange in Alaska
The Sister School Exchange Program (formerly Rose Urban Rural Exchange) is currently accepting applications for secondary educators who want to lead students on a cross cultural exchange in Alaska next school year. The program operates throughout the school year, matching a teacher and five students from a rural system community with a teacher and five students from urban Alaska. These teams work through a 6-8 week curriculum on cross-cultural understanding, and then take turns visiting and hosting each other. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Alaska Native Education Program, the Sister School Exchange has engaged in cross-cultural exchanges in Alaska for the last seventeen years.
NEW! UA Teach for Alaska Presidential Scholarship Application Period Is Now Open
For the second year, the University of Alaska is offering its President’s Teach for Alaska Scholarship. The scholarship is open to all incoming undergrads enrolled to attend any of UA’s campuses. It is a 4-year academic scholarship, offering $12,000 or $1,500 per semester! Entries must be submitted by May 1, 2018.
NEW! Special Milk Program Looking for Sponsors
DEED’s Child Nutrition Programs unit is looking for school districts, private schools, residential child care institutions, youth shelters, and non-profit camps to participate in the Special Milk Program. Sponsors are reimbursed with federal funds for each ½ pint of milk served to eligible students (age 0-18) that do not have access to any other federally funded meal program (National School Lunch/Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Food Program or the Summer Food Program). For more information please contact Debbie Soto at debbie.soto@alaska.gov or (907) 465-8712.
Reminder: State Board to Meet April 25 by Audio Conference
The State Board of Education and Early Development will hold a special meeting on April 25 by audio conference, originating from the first-floor board room at 801 West Tenth Street in Juneau. The meeting will begin at 3:00 p.m. The work session and business meeting will focus on proposed regulations to go out for public comment regarding the implementation of Alaska’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan.
Reminder: The Nation’s Report Card Highlights Opportunities to Improve Alaska Student Achievement
Nationwide, state, and subgroup level results from the 2017 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) are now available online. The assessment provides one piece of information to educators, policymakers, elected officials, and parents across the country about how states are performing in reading and mathematics.
Reminder: GEEO Offering Teacher Travel Abroad Programs
Global Exploration for Educators Organization (GEEO) is a 501c3 non-profit organization that has sent over 2,000 teachers abroad on adventurous travel programs. With GEEO, educators can earn professional development credit while seeing the world. GEEO's trips are 7 to 23 days in length and are designed and discounted to be interesting and affordable for teachers. GEEO is offering the following travel programs for 2018: Argentina and Brazil, Bangkok to Hanoi, Tibet, Camino de Santiago, Eastern Europe, The Galapagos Islands, Greece, Iceland, India and Nepal, Madagascar, Ireland, Armenia and Georgia, Paris to Rome, Multi-Stan, Sri Lanka and The Maldives, Morocco, Peru, Vietnam/Cambodia, and, The Balkans.
Reminder: 2018 FBOL Scholarship Program Supports High School Students Graduating from Blended and Online Learning Programs
The Foundation for Blended and Online Learning (FBOL) has opened the application process for its 2018 Student Scholarship Program. Up to 30 scholarships for graduating high school students are available to support post-secondary academic pursuits in two- and four-year colleges or vocational programs. Applicants must have taken a minimum of five blended or online courses to qualify. The deadline for application submission is April 30, 2018.
Reminder: Registration Now Open for the 2018 School Library Leadership Academy
The School Library Leadership Academy is a week-long, for-credit intensive workshop for school librarians who are established education leaders in their school or district. It is open to currently employed (SY17-18) Alaska Certified School Librarians, with at least .25 FTE in a school librarian/media role. The Academy will take place July 23rd – 27th in Juneau. The 2018 theme is “Picking up STEAM” and will focus on STEAM collaboration and integration within the context of American Association of School Librarians’ new National School Library Standards.
Reminder: AOGA Offering Scholarship Essay Contest to UA
The Alaska Oil and Gas Association is pleased to offer a $2,500 scholarship to the University of Alaska, honoring an Alaska high school junior or senior with a winning essay. Students must write a 500-1,000-word essay on the following topic: In addition to heating our homes and fueling our cars, what role does the oil and gas industry play in your life today, and what role can oil and gas continue to play in the future? Entries must be received by May 5, 2018. See the attached flyer for contest details.
Reminder: Public Comment Sought on Draft Preventive Maintenance & Facility Management Handbook
DEED has prepared a draft to the Preventive Maintenance Handbook. The publication will provide guidance regarding school district preventive maintenance programs required by statute. Interested parties are welcome to participate in a series of teleconferences; contact Tim.Mearig@alaska.gov for details.
Reminder: Coaching Boys into Men Spring Training Happening June 4-5 in Anchorage
Coaching Boys into Men (CBIM) is a comprehensive violence prevention curriculum for coaches and their athletes developed by Futures without Violence. All coaches of male high school athletic teams are welcome to submit an application. Coaches who have attended in the past and who would like to attend again may submit an application. The training is also open to athletic directors and school administrators. Scholarships to attend the training are provided and include-travel, lodging and per diem. Applications for the training are available by contacting Ann Rausch, Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, at ann.rausch@alaska.gov.
Special Feature: Juneau Head Start Teacher Receives Award
We are pleased to offer congratulations to Juneau Head Start teacher Kayla Tripp who has been named the 2018 Early Childhood Educator of the Year by the Association for the Education of Young Children Southeast Alaska! Kayla was nominated by Tlingit & Haida Head Start for her creativity and excellence in teaching. Kayla has been teaching with the Head Start program since September 2013. Currently, Kayla is the lead teacher in the Taashukaa I classroom serving 20 children and supervising two teacher assistants.
Subscribe to DEED Early Learning Updates
The latest issue features the Parents as Teachers RFA, the upcoming National P-3 Institute, Sesame Street E-books available through SLED, and Early Childhood Resources from ADFG.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
Sustaining Best Practices: Steppin’ Into the Arts, Wasilla, Mat-Su Career and Technical High School, May 22 – 25, 2018, 2 credits
Arts are Exceptional: Special Education and the Arts, Anchorage, Diamond High School, May 28 – June 1, 2018, 2 credits
Bethel Multicultural Arts Institute, Bethel Regional High School, July 30 – August 3, 2018, 3 credits available
Last Chance to register for the Final Round of HS Maritime Classes at AVTEC this school year
Eligible HS students and HS CTE instructors qualify for full tuition, room, and board waivers. See attached flyer for details.
USCG APPROVED HIGH SCHOOL BASIC TRAINING (BT) June 4-8, 2018
BASIC SHIPBOARD CULINARY TRAINING (BSCT) June 11-15, 2018
For more information contact Deb Burdick-Hinton at debra.burdick@avtec.edu or at (907) 224-6140.
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.
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.
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.
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. Training registration can be found here. Applications are due May 15, 2018.
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.