- Cama-i, quyana tailuci!
- (Central Yup’ik)
- "Greetings, thank you for coming!"
Information Exchange: Vol. 46 No. 18
Newsletter of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
May 25, 2018
Last call! The Anchorage Festival of Music announces the 2018 Young Alaskan Artist Award Competition
The Young Alaska Artist Award competition is open to any Alaskan who is pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree or program in music at an accredited institution. Winners receive a monetary award and are presented in a full-length solo recital. The application deadline is May 30, 2018.
Last call! 2018 Innovative Educator Prize Application Now Open
Are you a teacher or school leader with an idea to close learning gaps, drive engagement, and personalize learning for your students? Apply for FoundationBOL's 2018 Innovative Educator Prize through May 31.
Last call! ASHRAB Seeks Institutional Grant Applications for Digitization Services
The Alaska State Historical Records Advisory Board (ASHRAB) is sponsoring a Digitization Archivist Program Grant during summer/fall 2018: a grant venture that will fund a Digitization Archivist’s travel to an Alaskan repository and offer six weeks of hands-on digitization services and training, and assist the institution in becoming a new contributor to Alaska’s Digital Archives. Small to medium-sized Alaskan institutions, such as museums, libraries, tribal organizations, and other non-profit organizations holding archival materials are encourage to apply. Institutions interested in applying should contact Zachary Jones at zachary.jones@alaska.gov for an application. Applications are due May 30, 2018.
Last call! 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.
Last call! ACPE is Hiring!
The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) is seeking an Audit and Review Analyst to perform agency internal audit activities, agency-wide efficiency analyses or related special projects, management consulting to the senior leadership team and agency Internal Audit committee, and advising and supporting the agency-wide Lean initiative. Apply by June 4.
NEW! State Board to Meet May 31 by Audio Conference
The State Board of Education and Early Development will meet on May 31 by audio conference, originating from the first-floor board room at 801 West 10th Street in Juneau.
NEW! U.S. Department of Education Launches New Website Accessibility Technical Assistance Initiative
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced this week it is launching a new technical assistance initiative to assist schools, districts, state education agencies, libraries, colleges and universities in making their websites and online programs accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Through webinars, OCR will provide information technology professionals with vital information on website accessibility, including tips for making their online programs accessible. OCR will offer the first three webinars on the following dates:
* Webinar I: May 29, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Webinar II: June 5, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Webinar III: June 12, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. EDT
NEW! “Titanic of the North” opens at the Alaska State Museum June 1
In recognition of the 100th year anniversary of the tragic event, the Alaska State Museum, in the Father Andrew P. Kashevaroff building, will open its summer exhibit on June 1. Titanic of the North: The 1918 Wreck of the S.S. Princess Sophia, chronicles the worst shipwreck ever in the Pacific Northwest. Over 350 passengers lost their lives in the wintry waters off the Alaskan coast when the SS Princess Sophia hit Vanderbilt Reef near Juneau, and sank with all aboard. During the 4:30-7:00 opening reception, museum admission is free and the Friends of the State Library, Archives, & Museum will offer light refreshments. Following the reception, at 7 p.m. in the lecture hall, underwater archaeologist Jacques Marc and local diver Annette Smith will present a lecture entitled, "Life Aboard the Princess Sophia."
NEW! U.S. Department of Education announces student-centered pilot program
The purpose of this pilot is to provide an LEA with the flexibility to combine state, local, and eligible federal funds that it will allocate to schools using a formula that provides additional funding for students from low-income families, English learners, and other disadvantaged students. Applications are due July 15, 2018, for the 2019-2020 school year. To support LEAs interested in applying this summer, the Department is hosting two webinars.
NEW! College Board Hosting Counselor Workshop at UAS Sept. 7, 9 am to noon
Open to all counselors and educators, this free workshops provides updates on College Board programs, as well as tools, tips, and resources designed to make it easier for you to clear a path to college and career success for your students. Take advantage of this FREE opportunity to network with colleagues and share best practices. Complimentary continental breakfast. Registration for the Juneau workshop will open soon.
Reminder: Save the Date: Alaska School Safety & Well-Being Summit Happening September 18-19, 2018
DEED will be hosting a comprehensive statewide School Safety & Well-Being Summit, September 18-19, 2018 at the Egan Center in Anchorage. Each district will be provided funding up to $4300 to bring in a team that may include administrators, teachers, school counselors, parents, students, community members, and school board members. DEED has planned the Summit to accommodate teams of up to six from each district. More information to come. DEED Contact: Sharon Fishel, sharon.fishel@alaska.gov.
Reminder: Alaska’s Every Student Succeeds Act Plan Approved by the U.S. Department of Education
Alaska’s plan (https://education.alaska.gov/akessa/stateplan) to implement the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was approved May 16 by U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. Approval of the state plan is required for Alaska to continue to receive approximately $80 million annually in funding from the federal government to support the state’s public schools.
Reminder: Alaskan Families Can Continue Learning All Summer With BrainPOP and Sesame Street eBooks
DEED and the Alaska State Library have provided all Alaskan families with unlimited access to BrainPOP and Sesame Street eBooks through the SLED database. Please share the attached flyer with specific directions on BrainPOP with students and families.
Special Feature: Kenai student Natalie Marlowe receives top United States Distance Learning Award
Governor Walker Announces Alaska K-12 Broadband Initiative
On May 10, Governor Bill Walker announced the Alaska K-12 Broadband Initiative – a partnership between the State of Alaska and EducationSuperHighway to expand high-speed internet in Alaska schools. As a part of meeting Alaska’s Education Challenge, DEED will partner with the national non-profit to increase broadband access for schools across the state who often face the most challenges providing equitable educational opportunities.
DEED Announces Updated eLearning Course: Equity Training for Educators
DEED partnered with the Western Educational Equity Assistance Center, the Association of Alaska School Boards, and the Juneau School District to update the existing eLearning course, Gender and Race Equity. In the revised course, now titled Equity Training for Educators, participants will learn about the extent of inequities in Alaska and the United States, become familiar with federal and state equity and civil rights laws, and learn how to identify inequities in schools. Resources and recommended strategies are available to help schools evaluate their school equity and remedy inequities that may be present. This course satisfies the required training elements under AS 14.18.060(b).
Melody Mann Selected as the next Director of the Professional Teaching Practices Commission
Melody Mann will be the next Executive Director of the Professional Teaching Practices Commission beginning June 1, 2018. The current Executive Director, Jim Seitz, is retiring. Ms. Mann has 30 years of education experience in Alaska having taught in Kivalina and then in the Mat-Su Borough School District as an art teacher at Colony High School. She has served on the Commission for five years and has been the chair for the last three years.
National Geographic Offering Grant Opportunity for Educators
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and National Geographic Fellow Paul Salopek is retracing the first humans’ migration on foot out of Africa and across the globe. Part of his journey will take him through Alaska in the coming years. The goal of this RFP is to expand the impact of Out of Eden Walk for children and youth by supporting a global network of educators who can use the initiative as a catalyst for teaching about the topics addressed by Paul Salopek’s journey.
2018 Professional Teaching Practices Commission Annual Newsletter Now Available
The PTPC Annual Newsletter for 2018 is now available. Included is the Code of Ethics Quiz as well as a listing of all educators who were sanctioned by the Commission in 2017. The PTPC is required to publicize sanctions on a regular basis [20 AAC 10.300(d)].
Public Comment Sought on new Professional Services for School Capital Projects Guideline
DEED has drafted a new publication, Professional Services for School Capital Projects, Guidelines for School Districts. The publication will provide guidance for procuring and managing the professional services of planning and design professionals (construction manager, architect, engineer) according to Alaska statute and regulations for school construction and major maintenance projects.
Alaska Communications Seeking Nominations for Youth Summer of Heroes Scholarship
The 2018 Summer of Heroes scholarship program honors Alaska’s youngest heroes, individuals ages 6-18, who are making a difference in their communities through acts of generosity, courage, or achievement. Five winners will be selected and awarded a $1,500 scholarship. Nominations due July 20 by 5pm.
AVTEC Offering Summer Training for CTE Educators
Full tuition, room and board waivers available. Professional development credits available.
USCG APPROVED BASIC TRAINING (BT), June 4-8, 2018
Practical Applications of Construction Trades Mathematics, 2 or 3 days, June 11-12 or June 11-13
BASIC CULINARY TRAINING FOR RURAL EDUCATORS - June 11-15, 2018
3-Day Introduction to Renewable Energy 3 days, June 13-15
For more information contact Deb Burdick-Hinton at debra.burdick@avtec.edu or at (907) 224-6140.
Ordering Window for Fall 2018 SAT and PSAT/NMSQT Materials Now Open
Order your PSAT and SAT® School Day materials by June 29 and be ready for testing in the fall. After this date, requests for additional low-income benefits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. For assistance contact Nancy Potter at npotter@collegeboard.org.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Info Exchange Housekeeping:
This newsletter is available weekly and online in archived form on DEED's Information Exchange page. To submit news items, call Erin Hardin at 907-465-6535 or email erin.hardin@alaska.gov.