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Information Exchange Vol. 47 No. 40

Newsletter of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
October 25, 2019

Special Note: DEED is pleased to welcome a new Public Information Officer to the team! Rochelle Lindley will be overseeing the weekly Information Exchange newsletter. To submit news items, please contact Rochelle Lindley at (907) 465-6535 or rochelle.lindley@alaska.gov. As a reminder: To be added or removed from distribution visit http://list.state.ak.us/mailman/listinfo/info_exchange.

Last call! CCSSO Accepting Nominations for Recipient of the 2020 Distinguished Service Award

The Distinguished Service Award is the Council’s highest honor, and recognizes an individual, or individuals whose contributions have given strength to pre K-12 public education in the United States. Please take a moment to complete the Nomination Form. Nominations must be submitted no later than November 1 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Last call! Alaska Comprehensive Literacy State Development Program Request for Applications

The Alaska Comprehensive Literacy State Development Program (AK-CLSD) will award competitive sub-grants to local agencies to advance literacy skills, pre-literacy skills, and reading and writing for children from birth through grade 12 with a focus on economically disadvantaged children. Grants will be awarded to programs with a strong focus on evidence-based instructional strategies and interventions with a high-quality comprehensive literacy plan. DEED will prioritize awards based on the results of a comprehensive application review process. Note: A letter of intent to apply is required. REVISED: Letters of intent are due by October 28. Grant applications are due November 6. Contact: Director Van Wyhe, tamara.vanwyhe@alaska.gov or (907) 269-4583.

Last call! 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.

NEW! DEED Seeking Public Review and Comment on State Content Standards

Alaska’s English Language Arts and Mathematics Standards were adopted in 2012 in response to the need for a more rigorous set of standards for kindergarten through grade 12. The purpose of this survey is to provide an opportunity for educators, communities, and parents to review the standards and provide comments. You can review all of the standards, the standards in each content area, or content standards by grade level.

NEW! Governor Dunleavy Announces Tribal Compacting of Education

During an address to the Alaska Federation of Natives 2019 Convention in Fairbanks, Alaska Governor Michael J. Dunleavy announced his support of tribal compacting of education and his intent to introduce legislation to make tribal compacting of education a reality. Governor Dunleavy, Alaska Education Commissioner Dr. Michael Johnson, and the state are committed to working with Tribal governments, the Alaska Legislature, and school districts to create an optional tribal compacting pathway and system for the delivery of public education across the state, and to achieve this objective through robust and innovative partnerships. Additional information on tribal compacting of education can be found here. For more information on Alaska’s Education Challenge, click here.

NEW! Nominations Sought for Life Changer of the Year Awards

Life Changer of the Year is an annual program recognizing K-12 educators and school employees across the country. We all know teachers and school district employees who inspire us and go above and beyond for their students. The National Life Group helps celebrate those who are making a significant difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence, and leadership. December 31 nomination deadline.

NEW! FREE Health Career Connections Programs for High School Students

Each week-long session takes place at Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau and includes classroom work, site visits to a variety of health care facilities, and presentations by health care professionals. Health Career Connections is offered in association with the Southeast Alaska Area Health Education Center - a program of SERRC tasked with creating future health care professionals. Districts are accepted on a rolling basis. Early registration is encouraged. For more information, call Joan Pardes at 907-523-7246 or email joanp@serrc.org.

NEW! UAS College of Education Spring 2020 Course: Effective Coaching of Interns and Early Career Teachers

This one-credit course will provide you with opportunities to explore and apply effective coaching/mentoring practices including: creating coaching plans, using effective language stems for coaching conversations, and direct practice in coaching experiences. You’ll engage in reflection and resource sharing with colleagues from across the state, as well as develop a toolbox to increase your confidence and capacity as a mentor and a coach. AKCOE will cover tuition for current host teachers. Others: $92 for one credit. Fees may apply. Contact either Lisa Richardson lrichardson3@alaska.edu or Beth Hartley eahartley@alaska.edu. See attached course informational flyer for more information.

Special Feature: AACTE Recognizes Six Outstanding Alaskan CTE Educators

The Alaska Association for Career and Technical Education (AACTE) celebrated six outstanding Alaskan educators, workforce development champions, and business and community leaders with awards at the October 2019 state conference in Anchorage:

  • CTE Teacher of the Year, sponsored by Alaska Resource Education: Brian Marvin, Northwestern Alaska Career and Technical Center, NACTEC
  • New CTE Teacher of the Year, sponsored by Alaska Business Education Compact: Adam Wood, East High School, Anchorage School District
  • Career Guidance Award: Laralinn Hill, Mat-Su Borough School District
  • Innovative Program Award, sponsored by Donlin Gold: Alaska Resource Education
  • Leadership Award, sponsored by Alaska Process Industry Careers Consortium: Julia Renfro, AKCIS, Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education
  • Community Contribution Award, sponsored by Andrews Auctions, Appraisals and Professional Services: Ben Craig, Anchorage Technology Forum

BrainPOP Accounts Available for Educators and Students

Many of you know that Alaska has a statewide license to BrainPOP, but did you know that your teachers can unlock additional features through individual accounts that can only be set up at the school level? At no additional charge to you? Contact Martha Ketsdever, BrainPOP Account Manager, for more information at marthak@brainpop.com. See attached flyer for details.

2020 Farm to School Grant Request for Applications is Now Available

Applications for the USDA Food and Nutrition Service Farm to School Grant program are now being accepted. Grants are available for training, supporting operations, planning, purchasing equipment, developing school gardens, developing partnerships, and implementing farm to school programs. December 13 deadline to apply.

FREE Reading Resource Available for 8-12 Grade Students and Educators

DEED has been offered a free Audible membership for Alaska’s 8-12 grade students and educators as part of Audible’s Student Technology Program. Through this program, students gain access to a curated library of audiobooks, and will be able to engage computer-generated text transcription, allowing them to read and listen synchronously. In addition to access to the curated bundle of titles, students will receive 12 free Audible Credits (1 credit = 1 audiobook) to be used across Audible’s broad catalog as they choose. If you are interested in providing Audible accounts to your students and educators, please email Linda Mattson with DEED at linda.mattson@alaska.gov.

Nominations Open for Inaugural Presidential Cybersecurity Education Award

Beginning in the spring of 2020, the Presidential Cybersecurity Education Award will be presented each year to two educators, one elementary and one secondary, who instill in their students the skills, knowledge and passion for cybersecurity and related subjects. Award recipients will embody the expertise and dedication of educators who are critical to strengthening the nation’s cybersecurity workforce. Anyone may nominate an educator for this honor; self-nominations are permitted as well. Nomination period closes January 31, 2020.

Alaska Retired Teachers Association Offering an Opportunity Award to Teachers

The Alaska Retired Educators Association is again offering an Opportunity Award to teachers in the Alaska public schools this fall. This is an opportunity to create a classroom project that you might otherwise not have been able to complete (may apply for up to $200 for your project). Projects should be beneficial to the school and/or community. Contact Barbara Rich for details at barbnroy@ecsalaska.com. Application window is from October 15 to December 20.

Creating Resilient Youth Workshop: The Power of Webs of Support

Based on extensive social-emotional and other research, this workshop will equip you with innovative tools to amplify each youth’s strengths and help them self-activate their complex systems of support. You’ll learn how to help youth build protective factors to mitigate trauma and decrease risk behaviors, such as bullying, drugs, alcohol, suicidal ideation, and more. November 9-10 in Anchorage. CEUs, lodging, and airfare discount available. Check out the workshop flyer.

Preparing for Lift-off Workshop: Applying Trauma-informed Practices to Launch Student Success

Using brain science and trauma-informed practices, participants will explore ways to maximize learning and develop resilience for launching youth into thriving lives. Additionally, participants will take away a handbook of information and practices for teachers and students to meet each day with the knowledge, skills, structures, and supports necessary to change the trajectory of every life. November 9-10 in Anchorage. CEUs, lodging, and airfare discount available. Check out page 2 of the workshop flyer.

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. 

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. 

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 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

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. Registration closes December 1. *Financial Support Offered for Title I Schools*

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. 

 To submit news items, please contact Rochelle Lindley at (907) 465-6535 or rochelle.lindley@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.