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Information Exchange Vol. 47 No. 41

Newsletter of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
November 1, 2019

Special Note: As a reminder, Rochelle Lindley, DEED’s new PIO, 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. To be added or removed from distribution visit http://list.state.ak.us/mailman/listinfo/info_exchange.

Last call! 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.

Last call! 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.

Last call! AASB’s Annual Conference & Youth Leadership Institute

Register now 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.

Last call! 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 and winners will be chosen in December. Want to learn how contestants will be judged? Check out the full rubric for more info.

NEW! 2019 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Results Highlight Opportunities to Improve on Alaska Student Achievement

Nationwide, state, and subgroup level results from the 2019 NAEP were released October 30. 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. Compared to the nation, Alaska performed below the national average for grade 4 reading and mathematics and grade 8 reading and mathematics. Results for The Nation’s Report Card: 2019 Mathematics and Reading are available in an interactive online format at www.nationsreportcard.gov.

NEW! Alaska’s Stone Soup Group Offers Trainings relating to Special Needs Children

Stone Soup Group provides information, support, training, and resources to assist families caring for children with special needs.

Learn about special education, discipline, and the law. November 5 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm.

A series of lectures on what you need to know as you and your student with disabilities prepare for adulthood. Also available via webinar. Every third Thursday through 3/19/20, next session on November 21 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm.

At December’s Lunch and Learn the different waivers available will be discussed. Brought to by the Developmental Disabilities Resource Connection (DDRC) program. Available via webinar. December 10 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm.

NEW! Carrs Safeway Alaska Education Grant Program

Carrs Safeway and the Alaska Council of School Administrators are proud to support innovative teaching practices across the state by sponsoring a grant program for public school teachers. Forty teachers across Alaska will each receive a one-time $5,000 scholarship. Any public school Pre-K-12 grade teacher, librarian or counselor holding an Alaska teaching certificate may apply. Educators can apply for grants individually or as part of a collaborative team. The application deadline is November 16.  

NEW! Reassess – Recharge – Reunite!

Registration for the 2020 Alaska Response to Intervention/Multi-Tiered System of Support (RTI/MTSS) Effective Instruction Conference is now open. Come join educators from across the state at the largest education conference in Alaska, January 24-26 at Anchorage’s Dena’ina Center. Early bird registration ends December 15. Contact Sam Jordan sjordan@alaskaacsa.org with questions.

NEW! STEM Grant Program as Part of BP Classrooms of Excellence

Through a partnership with BP and the Alaska Principals Foundation (APF), APF is accepting proposals for STEM grants, helping fund programs or technology needs in Alaskan schools. Every Principal in Alaska may submit one proposal. There are three $10,000 grants, seven $4,000 grants, and one $2,000 grant available. The deadline to submit proposals is December 13.

NEW! Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) Seeking a Director of Communications and Outreach

ACPE is seeking a Director of Communication and Outreach Programs. This Anchorage-based position is a member of the agency senior manager team, and would oversee the staff and activities of ACPE’s Communications and Outreach Division. Interested applicants should apply through Workplace Alaska. This recruitment is open until filled.

NEW! Project Jukebox – Recovering our Past – The Struggle for Women’s Suffrage

In honor of the upcoming 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment in 2020, The Digital Branch of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Oral History Program presents “Recovering our Past – The Struggle for Women’s Suffrage”. The highlight of this Jukebox Project is its slideshow, which is a compilation of audio and images tracing the struggle for women’s suffrage through history.

Reminder: 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 November 22. Grant applications are due December 6. Contact: Director Van Wyhe, tamara.vanwyhe@alaska.gov or (907) 269-4583.

Reminder: 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.

Reminder: 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.

Reminder: 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.

Reminder: 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: Amy Gallaway of Fairbanks Named Teacher of the Year

Amy Gallaway was been named the 2020 Alaska Teacher of the Year by Alaska Education Commissioner Dr. Michael Johnson in a surprise ceremony at West Valley High School on October 25. The Alaska Teacher of the Year is the state’s nominee for National Teacher of the Year, and serves as a member of Commissioner Johnson’s Teacher Advisory Council. Ben Griese of New Stuyahok was named Alternative Teacher of the Year.

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.

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 closes December 20.

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. 

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.

Final Month: 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.