- Cama-i, quyana tailuci!
- (Central Yup’ik)
- "Greetings, thank you for coming!"
Information Exchange Vol. 47 No. 36
INFORMATION EXCHANGE
Newsletter of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
September 27, 2019
Last call! Back to School Town Hall: Bullying in Schools; Kids with Disabilities Tell Their Stories
The Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education will be hosting their community fall forum on September 30 at 4:00pm at the Atwood Building in Anchorage. Participation is also available by Zoom. The forum will include an opportunity for public testimony. See attached flyer for details.
Last call! AKRISE! Rural Educators Network Opportunity
The Alaska Rural Innovation & Student Engagement Network (AKRISE!) is having their first face-to-face gathering on October 24th in Anchorage. They are recruiting 30-50 teachers from across rural Alaska to:
- Engage in joint work and collaborative learning about authentic questions that matter to teachers working in rural Alaska and their students
- Benefit from sustained collaboration with their job-alike peers through both in-person and virtual gatherings
- Build collective capacity through sharing expertise and the cross-pollination of ideas and effective practices
- Collaborate using strategies such as action research, lesson study, co-curricular projects and video reflection.
A flyer with more information is attached. Register by October 1.
Last call! FIRST LEGO League & FIRST Tech Challenge Team Registration Closing October 1
FIRST LEGO League (grades 4-8) and FIRST Tech Challenge (grades 7-12) team registration closes on October 1. Coach training and support available for new coaches. Robotics "season" runs from September through December, with championship events in January and February. Virtual tournament options available to remote sites. In-person tournaments in Ketchikan, Juneau, Anchorage, Kenai, Bethel, and Fairbanks. Contact firstak@jedc.org to learn more.
NEW! Save the Date: Alaska Digital Citizenship Week October 14-18, 2019
DEED, with the support of Common Sense Education, BrainPOP, GoogleEdu, and ISTE, is pleased to sponsor Alaska Digital Citizenship Week from October 14-18, 2019. This dedicated week is part of an ongoing effort to teach students how to make safe, smart, and ethical decisions in the digital world. On this page you will find lessons and resources to empower students, parents and educators to be informed and responsible online. Please share your Digital Citizenship Week on social media with tags of #aklearns and #AKDigitalCitizenship. Please contact Daniel Cornwall with any questions.
NEW! U.S. ED Releases New District Guide in Developing School Emergency Operations Plans
The Role of Districts in Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans (District Guide) delivers on an interagency recommendation from the Federal Commission on School Safety's final report to provide resources to assist schools and school districts in developing customized school EOPs with their community partners, such as first responders. The District Guide serves as a complement to the Guide for Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans (School Guide) and provides information that can assist school districts in fulfilling both their individual and shared emergency planning responsibilities.
NEW! Registration Open for AASB’s Annual Conference & Youth Leadership Institute
Registration is now open for AASB's Annual Conference & Youth Leadership Institute - November 7-10 at the Anchorage Hilton. This is the largest annual gathering of school board members, district leaders, and education advocates in the state. Session topics include school law, ESSA & Alaska Implementation, youth engagement, advocacy, and family engagement. Pre-Conference options include New Board Member training and Experienced Board Member training on family engagement with Michele Brooks, Educator & Advocate, Transformative Solutions in Education.
NEW! Statewide Initiative Launches to Educate Alaskans before Historic 2020 Census
Alaska Counts invites partners to start planning now for awareness activities about the 2020 Census and the importance of a full and accurate count. Resources for organizations and local Complete Count Committees are now available for use at http://alaskacounts.org/.
NEW! U.S. ED Seeking Public Comment on Proposed Changes to Office of Civil Rights Data Collection
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) published a notice and comment request related to proposed changes to the Civil Rights Data Collection. The Department proposes to add some questions and retire others. Questions should be addressed to Rosa Olmeda at (202) 453-5968 or via email at Rosa.Olmeda@ed.gov. The comment period closes on November 18.
Cognia (formally AdvancED | Measured Progress) is hosting a one-day work session on Friday, October 25, 2019 (the day before the Principal’s Conference) in Anchorage, Alaska. Come learn the steps to strengthen/promote a culture of continuous improvement through a dynamic four-step strategic thinking and planning process facilitated by eProve™ strategies. Questions, please email Tim Cline at tim.cline@cognia.org.
NEW! U.S. ED Seeking Public Comment on Plan to Extend Maintenance of Effort Waiver Requests Form
The U.S. Department of Education published a notice inviting public comment on their plan to extend the use of the current form used to request waivers of the Maintenance of Effort requirement for Title I and other programs. Comments must be submitted by November 25.
Stone Soup Group is a statewide 501(c)3 non-profit that provides information, support, training and resources to assist families caring for children with special needs. SSG is offering a number of upcoming trainings in-person or online for families and professionals involving communication skills for parents, self-advocacy, bullying prevention, and more.
NEW! State Board Adopts Revisions to School Facility Planning, Construction, and Commissioning
The State Board of Education and Early Development, meeting September 18 and 19 in Anchorage, adopted amendments to regulations regarding school facility planning and construction and school facility commissioning. These amendments were previously reviewed and approved by the Bond Reimbursement and Grant Review Committee.
Reminder: Nunalleq: Stories from the Village of Our Ancestors
Nunalleq: Stories from the Village of Our Ancestors is a free interactive educational resource for Mac and PC, which invites children to explore the story of the archaeological excavations of the Nunalleq sod house. This multi-vocal resource was co-designed by the Nunalleq Archaeology Project and local Quinhagak community. It brings together narratives from archaeologists, Elders, Alaska Native artists and young people within the village.
Special Feature: National Blue Ribbon School Honors for Three Alaska Schools
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos yesterday recognized three Alaska schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2019.
School Name District
Aurora Elementary School Anchorage School District
Fred and Sarah Machetanz Elementary School Matanuska-Susitna School District
O'Malley Elementary School Anchorage School District
The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. The coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content.
Registration Open: 2019 Alaska IDA Conference: Raising Reading Rates for All
This 13-hour conference includes 2 tracks: an educator track ($100 + optional UAA credit $104) and a parent track ($50). The educator track is for all educators teaching (or responsible for) reading instruction K-6. Focus will be on foundational knowledge in the science of reading, reading profiles, identification of struggling readers, dyslexia, and an introduction to teaching Tier 1 phonological awareness in the general classroom. The parent track will cover foundational knowledge, identification, support, and advocacy for struggling readers of all ages. Dates: Friday, November 1 (4pm-8pm) and Saturday, November 2 (8:30am-5:30pm, lunch included) at APU campus in Anchorage.
National Archives Holding Youth Art Competition
The National Archives is holding a youth art competition for students in grades 4, 5, and 6 in conjunction with their Rightfully Hers exhibit commemorating the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage and the 19th Amendment. Winners will receive free gifts from the National Archives Store and the Grand Prize is a free trip, including travel, to the National Archives Sleepover in the spring. Submissions close November 5, 2019 and winners will be chosen in December. Want to learn how contestants will be judged? Check out the full rubric for more info.
Alaska State Museum Call for Entry: Alaska Positive and Solo Artists Exhibitions
Alaska Positive: A juried biennial photo exhibit, a series meant to encourage photography as an art form in the state. Alaska Positive will open at the Alaska State Museum on December 6, 2019 and run through February 15, 2020. A statewide tour will follow. Alaska State Museum Solo Artists Exhibitions Series: All visual artists who live in Alaska, and who have not had a solo exhibit at the Alaska State Museum in the past 6 years, are welcome to apply. Artists may use existing work in their application but are strongly encouraged to develop new work for this opportunity. Both of these calls will close on October 12, 2019.
Alaska Close Up Early Bird Registration by Nov. 15
Alaska Close Up, a program of SERRC - Alaska's Educational Resource Center, has opened registration for 2020 dates. The sessions will take place Feb. 9-14, 2020, and Feb. 23-28, 2020, in Juneau. Alaska Close Up brings 7th-12th grade students and chaperones into Juneau to instill a sense of civic duty and to inspire them to participate effectively as informed, responsible citizens of our state. The program teaches participants about state government through hands-on activities and arranged field trips that include meeting with legislators, visiting various government sites, and holding their own mock committee and legislative simulations.
Career Connections Early Bird Registration by Nov. 15
Career Connections, a program of SERRC - Alaska's Educational Resource Center, has opened registration for 2020 dates. The sessions will take place Mar. 29-Apr. 3, 2020, and Apr. 19-24, 2020, in Juneau. Career Connections is a week-long, hands-on career exploration program held in Juneau, open to all 9-12th graders. Students who attend will:
- Visit exciting job sites in diverse career fields
- Visit and explore a university campus and post-secondary training sites
- Use AKCIS to explore future careers
- Develop a realistic, workable plan to obtain a job they are passionate about
- Practice employability skills
WCFH Seeking Parents for Family Engagement Training Opportunity
Are you a parent of a young child and want to make a difference in your home, school, and community? Parent Engagement Training housed at the Section of Women, Children, and Family Health (WCFH) is developing 20 short, 15 minute, self-paced online learning modules based upon proven advocacy trainings, to promote parent engagement and expand parent confidence in advocating for their children. See attached flyer for details. Please contact John Cartwright at john.cartwright@alaska.gov or at 907-334-2420 if you or someone you know is interested and available to participate.
Save the Date: Alaska Book Week October 6-12, 2019
Alaska Book Week is a statewide event that annually celebrates the many ways that we all appreciate books, from readings, to panels, lectures, discussions, exhibits and youth activities. This year it will be held from about October 6 to October 12. Participants may include schools, libraries, universities, publishers, authors, bookstores, individuals, and organizations that want to join this educating, entertaining, and event-filled week.
October 10 Economic Impact Summit: No Small Matter
thread invites you to join the business community, government officials, industry experts, and thought leaders from across the state on October 10 in Anchorage for a meaningful conversation about the economic impact of early care and learning in Alaska. For more information on this event contact thread at marketing@threadalaska.org or call 907-265-3100.
Free Book Bundles for Communities without access to Imagination Library
Best Beginnings currently has a grant to support a statewide Book Bundle project. This project allows them to send a year's worth of Imagination Library books to children (birth to age 5) in communities that do not have an Imagination Library program. This is a free program that mails books to Alaskan children who do not have access to Imagination Library. The project is funded through the end of January 2020.
Join the Alaska Education Network – Project ECHO
Project ECHO is a statewide initiative focused on uniting Alaska’s educational leaders with the intention of building a support network. They offer 75-minute sessions via Zoom every other week with three themes to choose from: Educational Leadership, Instructional Development, and Positive Behavior, Safety, & Well-Being. All educators at any level are encouraged to join! There is no cost to participate! Sessions start October 2 and run through April 29. 500 level credit offered through UAA Pace.
American Rocketry Challenge 2020 Registration Now Open
The contest provides students in 6th -12th grades the opportunity to design, build, and launch model rockets, gaining hands-on experience solving engineering problems. Now in its 18th year, nearly 5,000 students from across the country participate annually. The 100 top-scoring teams are invited to the national finals in Washington, D.C. next May, where they'll compete for over $100,000 in cash prizes and the chance to win an all-expenses paid trip to represent the United States in the upcoming 2020 International Rocketry Challenge in London. *Financial Support Offered for Title I Schools*
ASTE 2020 Call for Proposals is OPEN!
The Alaska Society for Technology in Education will hold its 40th conference February 22 - 25 at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage. ASTE invites you to submit a proposal for the annual conference. The submission deadline is October 14. Accepted presenters are eligible for ASTE conference fee discounts as stated in the Presenter Guidelines.
Nominations Sought for 2019 School Counselor and Advocate of the Year Awards
The Alaska School Counselor Association is seeking nominations and applications for the 2019 School Counselor of the Year and the 2019 Advocate of the Year. October 7 submission deadline.
Registration Open: Fall Healthy Futures Challenge
The 3-month activity log challenge helps elementary-aged students learn to build the habit of daily physical activity. Kids receive incentives for each successful log and grand prizes are rewarded to students and schools for outstanding participation. Elementary schools (usually a PE teacher or interested teacher wanting to champion the cause) can register here. There is no cost and the program is designed to support and enhance existing curriculum.
“Growing Stronger Together 2019”, the only statewide conference dedicated to professional development of Career Technical Education (CTE) professionals in Alaska will be held on October 13- 16, 2019 at the Hotel Captain Cook in downtown Anchorage. The keynote speaker this year will be Dr. Kevin Fleming, creator of the "Success in the New Economy" video and national author on career and technical education in the 21st Century. Other featured speakers will share latest research in student success, post secondary CTE trends, and the economic trends in Alaska.
Registration Open: 14th Annual School Health and Wellness Institute
Registration is now open for the 14th Annual School Health and Wellness Institute occurring Oct. 28-30, 2019, in Anchorage at the BP Energy Center. View the robust agenda! Multiple “4th R=Relationships Curriculum” and general scholarship opportunities available! Contact Emily Fairbanks at emily.fairbanks@traveletm.com or 786-0132.
Alaska Student Delegates Sought for U.S. Senate Youth Program
The United States Senate Youth Program has begun its statewide selection process. In March 2020, two Alaska students will join 104 other delegates for Washington Week – an intensive educational program about the workings of the Senate and the federal government overall. Each delegate receives a $10,000 undergraduate scholarship and an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. Alaska’s eligible students must be high school juniors or seniors, an elected student officer for the entire 2019-2020 academic year, and state residents. Students must be enrolled in a public or private school. Only one scholar per school may be nominated. Applications are due November 1, 2019. The Alaska contact is Bjorn Wolter at bjorn.wolter@alaska.gov.
Coming this Fall: Google Student Contest to Develop Open Source Software
Google Code-in is a contest to introduce pre-university students (aged 13–17) to open source software development. In the fall, Google chooses more than a dozen open source organizations to participate. The organizations create an extensive list of three- to five-hour tasks for students to work on. The tasks are categorized as Code, Documentation/Training, Outreach/Research, Quality Assurance, and Design. Competition begins in the fall; check the website for details.
To submit news items, please contact Erin Hardin at (907) 465-2803 or erin.hardin@alaska.gov. To be added or removed from distribution visit http://list.state.ak.us/mailman/listinfo/info_exchange. This newsletter is available weekly and in archived form at https://education.alaska.gov/news/infoexch.
This newsletter contains hyperlinks to information created and maintained by other public and private organizations. These links are provided for the reader’s convenience. DEED does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. Furthermore, the inclusion of links is not intended to reflect their importance, nor is it intended to endorse any views expressed, or products or services offered, on these sites, or the organizations sponsoring the sites.