Vol. 48 No. 9

DEED Spotlight on Teachers: Marnita Coenraad, 4^th grade, Riverbend Elementary in Juneau.

Ms. Coenraad has had the pleasure of working with her students for the past two years, as she is teaching a 3/4  loop.  When her students were in third grade she employed Artful Teaching practices and routines to deepen her students’ understanding of works of art, text, and the world. Now that they are fourth graders, Ms. Coenraad focuses on using routines to make thinking visible through various writing projects and improving metacognition – thinking about thinking. This helps transfer critical thinking skills developed through arts integrated lessons into reading and writing in the classroom.

On a recent trip to the Alaska State Museum, students practiced the skill of "close looking."  Afterwards they wrote a reflection on how close, detailed looking helped them better understand the art and artifacts. Ms. Coenraad sees her students apply close looking skills to reading everyday as they make inferences and assertions based on evidence they read in a text. Learning can be an arduous task, but through the use of the arts and thinking routines, she hopes to demystify the process of thinking about text, so students' natural curiosity can take over and they feel confident in their ability to express their ideas. Then a true love of literacy can flourish.

Ms. Coenraad, thank you for your artful approach toward inspiring reading and writing!

Want to share how you support reading? Why you love reading? Or why you think reading is important? Tell us by tagging @alaskaDEED on social media, using #akreads, or emailing rochelle.lindley@alaska.gov.

Last Call! AK|NEXT Statewide Youth Leadership Program

Do you know a high school student who would like to spend a week in Juneau this summer as part of a free youth leadership program? Applications are now open for AK|Next. The program is seeking students who want to make a positive impact in their community and connect with other youth from different cultures and communities across Alaska. Applications are due February 29.

Last Call! National School Breakfast Week

March 2-6 is National School Breakfast Week! This year’s theme is “School Breakfast: Out of this World.” Check out the marketing and PR resources available to promote National School Breakfast Week in your school or district.

Last Call! SIS Week: Everyone Counts!

March 2-6 is the U.S. Census Bureau’s Statistics in Schools (SIS) Week: Everyone Counts! This occurs just days before the majority of households across the country are invited to respond to the 2020 Census in mid-March. SIS Week is a chance for educators and schools across the nation to play an active role in ensuring that everyone in their community is counted. Check out the partner resources folder  (Password: sLTisw33) and K-12 Take Home Flyers.  

Last Call! Initial FY22 Attendance Area Report for District Review

District requests for changes to the attendance area report utilized to determine space eligibility for FY2022 school construction projects are due by March 1. Contact Sharol.Roys@alaska.gov for more information.

Last Call! 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.

Last Call! Annual DNA Day Essay Contest

The American Society of Human Genetics is proud to support National DNA Day through the Annual DNA Day Essay Contest. The contest is open to students in grades 9-12 worldwide and asks students to examine, question, and reflect on important concepts in genetics. Prizes offer grants for genetics materials. Submission deadline is March 4. 

Last Call! 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.

• Ketchikan – March 7
• Wrangell – CS Deep Dive – April 10

NEW! Professional Teaching Practices Commission (PTPC) Spring 2020 Newsletter

The PTPC spring newsletter is available for distribution to all Alaska’s educators. The newsletter has practical information for all certified educators.

NEW! Registration is open for AASB’s 2020 Spring Boardsmanship Academy and Legislative Fly-In

Join School board members and district leaders from around the state to learn more about current legislation, connect with school board members, develop strategies, and come together as a unified voice of Alaska School Board members. The Spring Academy/Legislative Fly-In will take place March 28-31 in Juneau. Early bird registration ends March 21.

NEW! Save the Date: Our Cultural Landscape Education Conference

The Sealaska Heritage Institute will sponsor its third education conference for teachers and administrators in Southeast Alaska in an effort to promote culturally responsive pedagogy in schools. The goal is to provide educators with a deep understanding of culturally-responsive education. The conference will take place August 3-8 in Juneau. Watch for registration information.

NEW! Applications open for ASDN/s Summer Code.org Computer Science Professional Learning Program

Middle and High School teachers are invited to participate in 5-day Code.org workshops this June and August in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Bethel. There is no cost to participate, and travel scholarships are available. Contact Cheryl Bobo with questions cbobo@alaskaacsa.org.

• CS Discoveries (Grades 6-10), June 1-5 in Anchorage or June 8-12 in Fairbanks
• CS Principals (Grades 9-12 and AP), June 1-5 in Anchorage or August 1-5 in Bethel

NEW! Earn Credits, Have Fun, and Learn to Integrate with the Arts!

The Alaska Arts Education Consortium has opened registration for four unique Arts Institutes. Educators from all districts are invited to attend. For more information contact Barbara Short, AAEC Executive Director, bshort@akartsed.org.

• Science and the Arts for Elementary Classroom Teachers – May 26-29, Anchorage Summer Academy, 2 credits
• Social Emotional Learning and the Arts – June 1-5, Soldotna, 3 credits
• Multicultural Arts Institute – June 15-20, Fairbanks, 3 credits
• Cultural Arts Institute – July 20-31, Juneau with trip to Klukwan, 4 credits

Reminder: DEED releases 21^st Century Community Learning Centers FY21 Request for Applications

DEED is seeking applicants for competitive 21^st Century Community Learning Centers (21^st CCLC) funding that would begin providing programming in the fall of the 20-21 school year. The goal of the 21st CCLC program is to raise student academic achievement by providing students engaging out-of-school-time academic assistance and educational enrichment opportunities.  Applications are due April 17.  For questions, please contact Jessica Paris at jessica.paris@alaska.gov or 907-465-8716.

Reminder: Alaska’s Heart through Student Art

Call for student art! Showcase your student art at the 5^th Annual Alaska’s Heart through Student Art show. Art will be on display at the Father Andrew P. Kashevaroff Library, Archives and Museum building in March.

Reminder: USDA Food and Nutrition Services Seeking Public Comment on Proposed Regulations

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service is seeking public comment on two proposed regulations related to the Summer Food Service Program, and the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. The comment period ends March 23.

Special Feature:  Grow with Google in Alaska

 

Google announced this month that it is coming to Anchorage as part of the tech company’s “Grow with Google” initiative, which aims to help create economic opportunity in communities across the U.S. by providing free training, tools, and expertise for people to grow their skills, careers, and businesses.

Public libraries have been natural and valuable partners in bringing “Grow with Google” resources to communities. The “Grow with Google” event in Anchorage will be hosted at the Z.J. Loussac Library on March 5

Patience Fredrickson, Alaska State Librarian, feels that the recent partnership with Google is an example of libraries’ relevance in today’s digital world. “It’s true, a library is still the best place to feed your hunger for books, but we’ve put a lot of effort into expanding our offerings, staying current with our times and, more to the point, into answering the needs of modern Alaskans. The average library in our state is a tech-savvy source of information, education and fun.”

Register for the Anchorage “Grow with Google” event, or download the free tools and resources available.

New Per-Pupil Expenditure Data Available to the Public

In September 2019 DEED released a new online data portal for Alaska’s families entitled The Compass: A Guide to Alaska’s Public Schools. As of February 2020, DEED has added data relating to per-pupil expenditures of federal, state, and local funds to the online portal.

DEED FY2022 Capital Improvement Project Grant Application Workshop

DEED is offering free workshops on the FY2022 Capital Improvement Project grant application and utilizing department-provided tools for capital project administration processes. The workshop will be held May 7 and 8 at the Anchorage BP Energy Center. Registration on the Facilities CIP webpage.

Summer Food Service Program Looking for Local Sites

Too many children who rely on school meals do not have access to meals in the summer. Are there children in your community who will go hungry this summer? DEED’s Child Nutrition Programs is looking for school districts, parks and recreation departments, non-profit organizations, and churches to operate Summer Food Service Program feeding sites for children and youth in low-income areas in Alaska. All sponsors receive training and technical assistance from DEED/CNP prior to starting their Summer Food Service Program, and throughout the program’s duration. Applications are due April 15. For questions or to register contact Jennifer Cherian at jennifer.cherian@alaska.gov or (907) 465-4969. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

• Distance Delivery for All Sponsors – Training Delivered via WebEx

March 18, 2020 - 9:00 AM to 3:30PM - All SFSP Administrators

• Distance Delivery for School Food Authorities - Training Delivered via WebEx

March 19, 2020 - 1:00PM to 4:30 PM - School District SFSP Administrators ONLY

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.

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training

The Alaska Training Cooperative is offering Youth Mental Health First Aid training. This 8-hour public education program is intended for adults, and introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents. One professional development credit is available through UAA PACE with additional study and papers. The training will take place in Juneau on April 3. Contact Wendi Shackelford at (907) 264-6224 or wendis@alaskachd.org for more information.

SchoolSafety.gov Provides Resources to Create a Safer School

The SchoolSafety.gov website was created by the federal government to provide schools and districts with a one-stop shop of resources to address various threats related to safety, security, and support in schools.

President’s FY2021 Federal Budget Proposal

President Trump’s FY2021 Federal Budget Proposal is now available. You can also read the Congressional Budget Justification from the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE). USDOE issued a press release outlining the impacts on education.

Steven R. Nelson Native Educator Scholarship Program

The Steven R. Nelson Native Educator Scholarship Program strives to increase Native representation in the field of education by providing financial support, mentoring, and internships for Native students in the Northwest who are pursuing a master’s degree in educational policy, leadership, technical assistance, research, or a closely related field. Awardees can receive up to $5,000 per year. Application deadline is March 31.

Senator Murkowski’s 2020 High School Intern Program

Senator Murkowski is seeking high school seniors for her 2020 High School Intern Program. Twenty students will be selected from across Alaska to participate. Independent, inquisitive, and mature young Alaskans should apply. The first session will occur June 1-26. The second session will occur July 6-31. Senator Murkowski is also seeking Summer Intern Coordinators who will supervise the High School Interns in their daily activities. Coordinator applicants must be at least 21 years of age. Applications for both programs are due March 16.

NCCER for Teachers Professional Development

Prince William Sound College was recently awarded a DEED grant to support teachers and paraprofessionals with a direct role in teaching CTE to become National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) certified instructors. Scholarships will provide tuition, NCCER certification, lodging, travel expenses, and stipends. Contact Woody Woodgate at wawoodgate@alaska.edu for more information. Training will occur May 24-30.

Alaskans Honored with Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

Zoe Nelles of Palmer and Caleb Song of Anchorage were named Alaska’s top youth volunteers for 2020 by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. As State Honorees, each will receive a $1,000 scholarship, an engraved silver medallion, and a trip to Washington D.C. for the program’s national recognition events. Anna Devolld of Soldotna and Natalie Fraser of Anchorage were named Distinguished Finalists and will receive bronze medallions at local ceremonies.

The U.S. Department of Education invites applicants for Indian Education Formula Grants

The Indian Education Formula Grants to Local Educational Agencies (Formula Grants) program provides grants to support local educational agencies, Indian Tribes and organizations, and other eligible entities in developing and implementing elementary and secondary school programs that serve Indian students. Part I of the application is due March 9, Part II of the application is due March 21. 

Interior Agricultural Institute Professional Development Opportunity

Alaska Gateway School District invites you to apply to attend a week-long training workshop. Participants will gain working knowledge of greenhouse and hydroponic operation and utilize a culinary art curriculum with students. The workshop will take place May 26-30 in Tok. Contact Jane Teague at jteague@agsd.us or (907) 940-5031 for more information. 

2020 AIA Frank Maier High School Design Competition

The American Institute of Architecture (AIA), Alaska, is seeking entries for its 2020 AIA Frank Maier High School Design Competition. This year’s competition is titled “Equality Exchange” and challenges students to think about the rights of Alaska’s citizens. Submissions are due April 18. Please see the attached flyer for more information, or contact Richard Rearick at Richard.rearick@uiccs.com or (907) 273-1824.

2020 Ninth Circuit Civics Contest: The Right to Vote

The Ninth Circuit is hosting its 2020 Civics Contest, and the theme is Right to Vote. The essay and video contest is for high school students in the western United States and Pacific Islands. Alaska high school students won first place in 2017 and 2019! Entries are accepted from February 15 through March 25. 

New Application Process for Small, Rural School Achievement (SRSA) Program

The U.S. Department of Education closely evaluated the SRSA application process and determined that the applicant burden could be significantly reduced while maintaining appropriate accountability in our grantmaking procedures. The Department will conduct webinars for school district staff on March 19 and April 2 to demonstrate the new process for submitting the SRSA application. More information is detailed in the attached letter from the Department.

Creative Coding is now included in BrainPOP Subscription

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? And now, BrainPOP is offering Creative Coding to teach coding and computer science to students and educators. Contact Martha Ketsdever, BrainPOP Account Manager for Alaska State Libraries, for more information at marthak@brainpop.com.

Spring 2020 AK-CASE Scholarship

Alaska Council of Administrators of Special Education (AK-CASE) is offering a $1,000 scholarship to provide support for students currently enrolled in UAA, UAS, UAF, or an online program and pursuing a career in special education or related service field. For more information please see the attached letter. Applications are due March 17.

Education Programs Affected by the 2020 Census

Census responses drive decisions on the allocation of more than $675 billion in federal funds to states and communities. The data from the census could impact funding formulas used by these programs as soon as the 2021-22 school year, and will continue to impact school funding for the next decade. In March 2020 households will receive a notice in the mail to complete the 2020 Census. The public can begin responding to the census online at 2020census.gov, or by mail or phone. Learn more about how the 2020 Census can affect schools by visiting www.census.gov/schools or by reviewing the attached flyer.  

Presidential Primary Sources Project

Register for PPSP to learn about presidents like Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, and George Washington directly from National Park Service rangers and presidential historians. This free, live, interactive web series for grades 4-12 runs January through March.

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Institute + Child, Adolescent, & Family Behavioral Health Conference

Registration is now open! The IECMHI+CAFBHC Conference will be held March 30-April 3 in Anchorage at the Dena’ina Convention Center.

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.

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.

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 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. 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.

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.

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.