Information Exchange Vol. 47 No. 46

Newsletter of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
December 20, 2019

NEW! North Pole Teacher Rebecca Missler Receives Milken Educator Award

Rebecca Missler, a science teacher at North Pole High School in North Pole, received the 2019-20 Alaska Milken Educator Award, a prestigious national recognition. Missler, who was honored in a surprise ceremony on December 17 at her school, will receive a $25,000 award.

NEW! Paid Internship Opportunities at Alaska Museums

The Alaska State Museum is recruiting graduate student interns to work at three small Alaska museums during the summer of 2020. These paid internships will focus on collections management activities. Interns should be enrolled in museum studies programs or affiliated graduate degree programs. Applications are due January 17.

NEW! Cornell High School Summer Engineering Academy

Cornell University is seeking high school students who excel in science and math and want to learn more about engineering! There are two different one-week summer residential programs – the Curie and Catalyst Academies. Target populations include junior and senior women students of all backgrounds; and junior and senior male and female students from underrepresented backgrounds and/or first generation college students. Tuition waivers may be available. For questions email dpeng@cornell.edu. Applications are due March 2.

NEW! Summer Leadership and Character Development Academy

The United States Marine Corps is offering an immersive leadership experience for high school students June 15-20. Students are selected from a variety of backgrounds to attend the week-long Academy at the Marine Corps Base in Virginia. Students will be introduced to the Marine Corps mission, core values, military culture, and leadership principals. Application deadline is January 31.

Reminder: Alaska Students Selected for United States Senate Youth Program

Alaska high school students Ezra Adasiak of Fairbanks and Stella Tallmon of Juneau will join Senator Lisa Murkowski and Senator Daniel Sullivan in representing Alaska in the nation’s capital during the 58th annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) Washington Week, to be held March 7-14, 2020.

Reminder: Two Alaska Schools Named National ESEA Distinguished Schools

Evergreen Elementary School in the Wrangell School District and Tustumena Elementary School in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District have been named National ESEA Distinguished Schools.

Reminder: Alaska State Council on the Arts Grant Opportunities

The Alaska State Council on the Arts has multiple grant categories open for application, including: organizations, individuals, and art education. Artists in Schools, and Cultural Collaboration grants have a deadline of January 15. Cultural Collaboration Excursion grant applications are available on a rolling deadline, with applications due 30 days prior to the planned arts excursion. Information on all available grants can be found on the website.

Reminder: KidWind Challenge 2020 Training Workshop

KidWind Challenge is an engineering design competition that allows students to design and test model wind turbines. Participate in the free training on January 11 to learn about the basics of wind energy in Alaska, activities about wind you can incorporate into your classroom, and how to get a team together for the KidWind Challenge. Participants who attend the training and bring a team to the Challenge have the opportunity to earn a free continuing education credit.

Reminder: Alaska Arts Education Consortium Seeking Teacher-Leaders for Summer of 2020

The Alaska Arts Education Consortium is seeking experienced teachers with any art experience including cultural, digital, and all the traditional arts.  They are also looking for applicants with experience in arts and science, multicultural education, and social-emotional learning. The application deadline is January 6.

Reminder: Nominate your Champion of Arts in Education

The Alaska Arts Education Consortium is looking to honor your teachers, students and community members. This is a great opportunity to recognize someone in your district, schools or community who has gone the extra mile to make the arts happen. Categories include: Arts Leader, Arts Educator, Arts Advocate, or Arts Student. The application deadline is January 31.  

Reminder: 2020 Justice for All Art Contest

Students are invited to interpret the importance of Fairness, Diversity, and Equality to our justice system in two-dimensional art forms (drawings, paintings, original prints, photographs, etc.) and then submit them to the 10^th Annual Justice for All Art Contest. Deadline is March 16.

Reminder: EPA Announces Funding to Reduce Emissions from Diesel Engines

The EPA announced the availability of grant funding to implement projects aimed at reducing emissions from older diesel engines. Public school districts, regional, state, local, or tribal agencies are eligible to apply. Eligible diesel vehicles include school buses. Application deadline is February 26.

Reminder: Office of Migrant Education Offers Programs to Assist Migratory Children

The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Migrant Education, released a Notice Inviting Applications (NIAs) for two separate programs to assist migratory children: High School Equivalency Program (HEP) and College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP). Eligible applicants for both programs are institutions of higher education (IHE) or private nonprofit organizations. If a private nonprofit organization other than an IHE applies for either grant, that agency must plan the project in cooperation with an IHE and must propose to operate the project with the facilities of that IHE. Application deadline is January 28.

Reminder: AmeriCorps NCCC

Young adults age 18-24 can sign up for a ten-month service term to join a team and complete projects across the country that meet crucial community needs. After successful completion of their term, Corps members may be eligible to receive an award to be used to finance higher education or pay off student loans.

Special Feature: Calling all teachers – DEED needs your help!

We have some exciting new plans for the New Year! One of our resolutions for 2020 is to revamp our department’s communication strategy. We want to be sure that the information we distribute is interesting, informative, and meets the needs of parents, educators, administrators, leaders, and policy makers. As part of this mission, we want to start a DEED Spotlight Series to highlight Alaskans making a difference in education. Our first Spotlight Series will feature TEACHERS!

Teachers – we want to know how you support reading in your classroom! We are interested in hearing a quick description of any strategies, activities, or materials that you use with your students to promote reading. As you know, children who excel at reading are more likely to experience academic success. Our first priority in Alaska’s Education Challenge is to support reading at grade level – and this is a great opportunity to showcase the literacy efforts in schools across our state.

If you would like to participate, please email Rochelle Lindley at Rochelle.lindley@alaska.gov or call (907) 465-6535.

Seeking Public Review and Comment on State Content Standards

DEED is seeking review and comment on state content standards. We encourage parents, educators, and communities to take a few minutes to provide input on Alaska's current English Language Arts and Mathematics standards adopted in 2012.

2019 Statewide Summer Reading Program Results

At the end of each summer, participants of the Statewide Summer Reading Program are asked to complete a report and evaluation of their summer reading program. The statistics and information received is included in a final grant report, and used to create a Summer Reading infographic.

Distinguished Special Education Administrator of the Year Nominations

The Alaska Council of Administrators of Special Education are seeking nominations of outstanding Special Education Administrators. The winner of the Distinguished Special Education Administrator of the Year will be announced at the Alaska Statewide Special Education Conference. Nomination packet components should be emailed to jtowarak@bssd.org. Nominations are due by January 10.

Save the Date for the 6^th Annual Alaska CAN! Conference

Representatives from Alaska agencies, institutions, school districts, industries, businesses, and Alaska Native organizations will meet in Anchorage on February 27–28 for the 6^th annual Alaska CAN! Conference. The theme of the Conference will be Educational Equity.

How Will 2020 Census Data Be Used?

The results of the 2020 Census are critically important because this once-a-decade census data helps businesses, researchers, and communities make decisions. Learn how census data helps inform funding for things that impact communities.

Alaska Counts Mini-Grants

Alaska Counts is working to prepare Alaska for Census 2020, and is offering mini-grants to organizations wanting to raise awareness and help local Census outreach efforts. Nonprofits, government organizations, regional housing authorities, schools, tribal organizations, or tribes are welcome to apply for up to $250. Groups are encouraged to apply early, as funding is limited!

Register Now for the 52^nd Annual AKSNA Conference

Registration is open for the Annual Alaska School Nutrition Association Conference. The early bird discount ends December 31. The conference will be January 27-30 in Anchorage.

• January 27, 2019 – Preconference – Nutrition 101:  A Taste of Food & Fitness with ICN Instructor Laura Thomas, MED, RD, LD, and ServSafe Certification and Exam with Theresa Wilson.
• January 28-30, 2019 – Regular Sessions with keynote presenter Chef Garrett Berdan

2020 ACSA Legislative Fly-In

The Alaska Council of School Administrators will host its 2020 Legislative Fly-In on March 15-18 in Juneau. This is a valuable opportunity to meet with colleagues from around the state to receive policy updates on relevant topics, engage in professional development in leadership and to have unified efforts to reach legislators on important education matters during the legislative session.

2020 National Youth Science Camp Competition is Open

The 57^th annual National Youth Science Camp (NYSC) competition is now open to Alaskan high school students who will graduate by June 30, 2020. NYSC is a great opportunity for seniors with a dedicated interest in scientific and engineering research. The application deadline is February 28. For more information contact Bjorn Wolter at bjorn.wolter@alaska.gov

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 run through April 29. 500 level credit offered through UAA Pace. Check out the upcoming December events.

2020 Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship Applications are Now Open

Students can apply for a $40,000 college scholarship plus a guaranteed paid software engineering internship at Amazon. All high school students who have taken or are currently enrolled in AP computer science and intends to study computer science in college are eligible. The application period closes January 17.

League of Women Voters Provides Elizabeth Peratrovich Book to Alaska Schools and Libraries

The League of Women Voters of Juneau, in partnership with the Alaska State Library and the League of Women Voters of Alaska, has mailed each middle school library and public library in Alaska: Fighter in Velvet Gloves: Alaska Civil Rights Hero Elizabeth Peratrovich. More information can be found in the attached press release.

Alaska Library Association Graduate Studies Scholarships

AkLA has established a scholarship program to provide financial assistance to worthy students pursuing graduate studies leading to a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Studies and to encourage graduates to return to Alaska to work in professional library positions. Scholarships may be awarded for both on-campus and/or distance education programs. Applications must be received by January 15.

Literature and Reading: Supporting Readers at all Levels

The University of Alaska Southeast is offering the course “Literature and Reading: Supporting Readers at all Levels”. All certified teachers are eligible to register. This is an exciting opportunity to engage with educators and think deeply about how to support students. Please see the attached flyer for more information, or email Lisa Richardson: lrichardson3@alaska.edu. Registration opens November 25.

2020 Alaska Response to Intervention/Multi-Tiered System of Support Effective Instruction Conference Registration is Open

Join your colleagues and explore themes of social emotional learning, math and ELA instructional practice, school leadership and early childhood and special education instructional practice. The conference will be held January 24-26 in Anchorage. Contact Sam Jordan sjordan@alaskaacsa.org with questions.

Alaska Society for Technology in Education 2020 Conference 

It is the 40th anniversary of the ASTE! The 2020 conference will take place in Anchorage at the Captain Cook Hotel, February 22-25th.

Upcoming Workshops for teachers presented by Alaska Staff Development Network and Code.org

Elementary school educators are invited to join in one-day Computer Science Fundamentals workshops. No computer science background is needed! Scroll down to the “Upcoming K-6 Workshops” section on their webpage for more information.

• Anchorage – CS Fundamentals- K-6 - December 20-January 10
• Anchorage – CS Deep Dive- K-6 - January 17
• Anchorage (statewide) – CS Fundamentals K-3, 4-6 and Deep Dive Workshops at the RTI/MTSS Effective Instruction Conference - January 25-26
• Delta Junction, CS Deep Dive – February 8
• Anchorage (statewide) CS Fundamentals and Deep Dive at the ASTE Conference – February 22-25
• Wrangell – CS Deep Dive – April 10

The Alaska Society for Technology in Education presents the 20^th Annual iDidaContest

ASTE recognizes the best photos, movies, documentaries, podcasts, music, books, apps and things through its annual digital media contest. Entries for Movies, Documentaries, Photos, Podcasts, Drone/FPP Videos, Tunes, Books, Apps and Things can be submitted to aste.submittable.com by January 31.

Apply Now Alaska

The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) invites interested individuals to become Site Coordinators for one of its Alaska College & Career Advising Consortium initiatives – Apply Now Alaska. Apply Now Alaska is a part a nationwide effort to increase the number of low-income and first-generation students applying to postsecondary institutions. Events will be held November through February. For more information, please contact Dominika Szpotanska, ACAC Coordinator, at dominika.szpotansk@alaska.gov, or at (907) 269-7971.

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. Transition Series: Supported Decision-Making Agreements and Alternatives to Guardianship            includes 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 at 5:30-7:00 pm, through March 19.

Career Connections Registration is now open

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

Alaska Close Up Registration is open

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.

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.

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.

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 Alaska State Libraries, for more information at marthak@brainpop.com.

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.

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.