The Healthy Futures Elementary Spring Challenge starts on the first of February across the state. If you are looking for an opportunity to champion physical activity and preventative health measures for students, this program is for you!
How does the Challenge work? It’s simple!
Students who are active for at least 60 minutes a day, 15 days a month, and record their activity on the Healthy Futures Activity Log are awarded fun incentives when their school representative submits the information to Healthy Futures via the online app.
The Healthy Futures Challenge is for ALL Alaska elementary school kids, whether they are learning in-school or at-home. The spring challenge will run from February through April. Let’s keep moving together through the New Year!
Check out HFC Registered Schools to find out which elementary schools have already signed up for the spring challenge. Registration is quick and easy online HERE.
Questions? Contact Kayla Williamson, Healthy Futures Coordinator 907-299-7248 kayla@healthyfuturesak.org
 February is Teen Dating
Violence Awareness Month
Please click here for Free Resources and Supplies for youth and those who work with or support them, to promote healthy relationships, healthy coping skills, and build knowlege and skills to prevent teen dating violence and related issues.
 Head of Library Development, Valarie Kingsland (left) and Director of Alaska State Libraries, Archives and Museums, Dr. Amy Phillips-Chan (right) pose with award recipient Kate Enge, Grants and Continuing Education Librarian with the Alaska State Library.
Grants and Continuing Education Librarian Kate Enge recognized with the Francis Keppel Award
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has awarded the Alaska State Library the Francis Keppel Award for the timely submission of the 2023 Public Library Survey. This award recognizes the exceptional work of Grants and Continuing Education Librarian Kate Enge who serves as the state data coordinator and works with approximately 80 Alaska public libraries each year to complete the extensive survey.
Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED), Child Nutrition Programs Seeks Sponsors for 2025 Summer Food Service Program
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Each year, states are required by U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations to issue a press release calling for sponsor organizations for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). |
This program provides nutritious meals during the summer break for children 18 years of age and younger during periods when they do not have access to school meals. Children with disabilities and approved individualized education programs may participate through age 21. Sponsors provide nutritionally balanced meals and/or snacks at eligible schools, colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, parks, camps, community centers, swimming pools, libraries, and low-income housing complexes at no cost to the child or family. The USDA provides program funding and DEED administers the program and provides sponsors with SFSP training and technical assistance. Sponsors receive reimbursement for meals and snacks that meet the USDA program requirements.
A sponsoring organization must be:
- A public or nonprofit private school;
- A public or nonprofit private residential summer camp;
- A unit of local, municipal, county or state government;
- A public or nonprofit college or university; or
- Any other type of private nonprofit organization, which develops a special summer program providing foodservice for children 18 years of age and under.
Meal service locations must meet eligibility requirements.
To learn more, please visit the Summer Food Service Program website or contact DEED's SFSP program staff by emailing eed.cnp.summer@alaska.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider. View USDA’s nondiscrimination statement.
Alaska Society for Technology in Education (ASTE) Conference 2025
ASTE 2025 will be at the Hotel Captain Cook on February 15-18, 2025. The ASTE Board for 2024-2025, under the direction of President Anthony White, has selected "StoryBytes" as the theme:
“At ASTE 2025, dive into a unique educational technology experience designed to enhance your skills and inspire new ideas. Explore a range of registration options to fit your goals. Register now and embark on a journey of storytelling, innovation, and transformation.”
Registration will open after the schedule is finalized so participants can register and sign up for sessions at the same time. Please visit www.aste.org/conference for more information.
Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century
 GRANT PURPOSE
The purpose of this RFP is to solicit proposals for Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century (referred to as Perkins V) Postsecondary Grants targeting one of nine priority workforce areas (shown above) identified by the Alaska Workforce Investment Board as important to the current and future state economy.
These grants will deliver high-quality CTE programs targeting:
1. Postsecondary students studying in a CTE field;
2. Professional development of CTE instructors; or
3. CTE instruction of secondary students at the postsecondary level (dual credit/dual
enrollment).
Grants are expected to facilitate smooth transitions from secondary education, through
postsecondary training, and into the workforce. They will prioritize offering multiple entry and
exit points, including stackable courses and/or credentials for maximum participation and
effect.
DEED/CTE expects to make up to six (6) awards of $50,000 to $150,000 per year for three (3) years. Total grants shall not exceed $753,000 per year. Exceptional proposals may be granted a larger annual budget, or longer grant term, upon request. Grants will be awarded to eligible organizations seeking funding to operate Perkins Postsecondary CTE program in Alaska only.
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Please join the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) School Safety Task Force on Thursday, January 30 from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST for a virtual training on assessing and responding to anonymous threats of violence in the K-12 environment.
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The training will feature a facilitated discussion with school and district leaders on their experiences with managing anonymous threats – such as hoax calls, threats received on social media or via email, and notes found on school grounds – and maintaining the safety of their communities. The discussion will explore anonymous threat trends affecting K-12 schools, the criticality of early awareness and deterrence of future threats, key partners in addressing threats, and appropriate response actions that schools and local law enforcement partners can take when threats are received.
Event Details
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When: January 30, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST
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Where: Microsoft Teams Live (access link to be provided to registrants one day in advance of the event)
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Registration: k12anonymousthreats.eventbrite.com
The subject matter covered during this event will be particularly relevant to school and district administrators, K-12 school security staff, school resource officers and school-based law enforcement personnel, emergency management professionals, state and local law enforcement, parents and guardians, and other members of the school safety community. If you have any questions, please contact the School Safety Task Force at SchoolSafety@mail.cisa.dhs.gov.
School Safety Task Force
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
CISA’s School Safety Virtual Trainings are designed to address key school safety issues facing the K-12 academic community. Each virtual training features leaders and subject matter experts from a range of public sector organizations, who share information, best practices, and resources available to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from critical school safety threats and risks. Learn more about CISA’s school safety efforts here.
If you have difficulty understanding English or have a disability, free language assistance or other aids and services are available upon request. If you require a reasonable modification to fully participate in this event, please contact SchoolSafety@mail.cisa.dhs.gov
and CISA.PACT_CRCL@mail.cisa.dhs.gov as soon as possible.
 Overview
The “One Pill Can Kill – Alaska” media campaign competition aims to recruit the help of Alaska high school students to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl to their fellow students. By getting involved, students will gain valuable experience in media and public affairs campaigns – important life experiences that will also serve their communities.
What:
We are asking students to launch a “One Pill Can Kill” media campaign to reach high school students. The campaign can reach students in a variety of ways: posters in hallways, advertisements in student newspapers, or videos on social media are a few examples. Creativity is key.
The campaigns should use the “One Pill Can Kill” messaging and highlight the dangers of fentanyl, the risks of non-prescription drug use, and the importance of staying informed and seeking help.
Who:
This competition is open to groups of high school students in Alaska. Schools are encouraged to submit one campaign per school but may submit more.
Each entry must include at least two students’ participation. Home-schooled students may also participate by launching a media campaign that reaches youth in locations other than school, including online.
How:
After launching the campaign, contestants must submit a report to Senator Sullivan’s communications team explaining their campaign, how it was executed and what they learned. Keep in mind the judging criteria below. Examples of the campaign’s media materials must be included or linked to in the report.
Reports will be submitted via a link on Senator Sullivan’s website that will become available in February.
Judging Criteria:
1. Effectiveness – Is the campaign effective?
2. Targeted Audience – Does the campaign reach the intended audience?
3. Messaging – Does the campaign incorporate the theme of “One Pill Can Kill – Alaska?”
4. Creativity – Is the campaign innovative?
5. Accuracy – Are the facts about fentanyl and its risks correct and well-researched?
6. Lessons Learned – Does the report explain what they learned from the experience?
Prize:
While all campaigns will be featured on Senator Sullivan’s website, the winning campaign will work with Senator Sullivan’s communications team to design public service announcements featured as part of the statewide “One Pill Can Kill – Alaska” campaign.
It will be shared on Senator Sullivan’s social media channels and offered for distribution to local television, radio, and print media across Alaska.
Timeline:
• Report Submission Deadline: February 28, 2025
• Winners Announced: March 14, 2025
Download media campaign one-pager here.
Students Headed to Washington, D. C. and to Receive $10,000 Scholarship
January 13, 2025, Washington, D.C. —The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) is pleased to announce that high school students Mr. Joshua Joon Pak and Ms. Adalgisa Sylvia Reigh will join Senator Lisa Murkowski and Senator Daniel Sullivan in representing Alaska during the 63rd annual USSYP Washington Week, to be held March 1 - 8, 2025. Joshua Pak of Anchorage and Adalgisa Reigh of Dillingham were selected from among the state’s top student leaders to be part of the 104 national student delegation that will attend meetings and briefings with senators, the president, a justice of the Supreme Court, leaders of cabinet agencies, and other officials throughout the week. Each delegate will also receive a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate study.
Register Now for ACPE’s Master the FAFSA Training
ACPE’s Master the FAFSA Training sessions are delivered weekly, on every Monday and Thursday, from 2:00 to 3:30 pm. ACPE’s Master the FAFSA Training provides a line-by-line overview and detailed explanation of the 2025-26 FAFSA process. Education and Workforce Development Stakeholders gain better understanding and navigation of the FAFSA form to ensure they can assist students/families and adult learners with correct and stress-free FAFSA completion!
PLEASE NOTE: This is not a series of training sessions. Weekly ACPE’s Master the FAFSA Training sessions are separate sessions that cover exactly the same material. Individuals only need to register and attend one session; however, multiple sessions are available to accommodate a variety of schedules.
Please reach out with questions to Dominika Szpotanska, ACAC Coordinator, at dominika.szpotanska@alaska.gov.
 The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) has developed a free, teacher-facilitated curriculum designed to meet the Alaska Safe Children’s Act requirements for students in grades 7-12. This comprehensive and user-friendly curriculum focuses on preventing violence and promoting healthy relationships by addressing topics like dating violence, abusive behaviors, fostering positive relationship habits, and community resources. Developed with input from school districts and national experts, the curriculum offers engaging, developmentally appropriate content through interactive learning experiences, ensuring consistent and effective education for students across Alaska.
As an added bonus--to support schools with implementing this curriculum, the 2024 ASCA Curriculum Committee developed implementation guides for teachers and schools & districts.”
“If Bree’s Law curriculum was not offered, I think many students would not be aware that they have power to stand up for themselves when someone crosses their boundaries. I think they might always be hesitant to tell someone because they may not know that this is an option. Just knowing that they have the right to do these things is powerful.” – Educator in Alaska
For more information reach out to EED.AlaskaSafeChildrensAct@alaska.gov
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Alaska Department of Education & Early Development (DEED) is excited to offer a K-3 Alaska Reads Act course. eLearning Keys to Beginning Reading, Keys to Literacy asynchronous course is now live and available on Alaska DEED’s e-learning platform.
This course is approved by the DEED to meet the regulatory statute requirements outlined in the Alaska Reads Act. Upon successful completion of this course, educators must submit their course certificate to AK Teacher Certification to add the K-3 AK Reads Act Reading Endorsement to their Teacher Certificate. This certificate can also be used for 3 CEUs when renewing teacher or administrative certification.
eLearning Keys to Beginning Reading, Keys to Literacy is a 45-hour course designed by Keys to Literacy founder Joan Sedita, and tailored specifically for Alaska educators. It is a practical course that provides the background knowledge needed to teach all the components of beginning reading instruction. The instructional practices are designed to easily transfer to classroom lessons and can be integrated with any reading curriculum or published reading program.
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Keys to Literacy Professional Development
Recruitment extended to February 15, 2025
Bond Reimbursement & Grant Review Committee Member Recruitment
The Department of Education & Early Development (DEED) is seeking three (3) interested persons to serve on the statutory Bond Reimbursement & Grant Review (BR&GR) Committee established by AS 14.11.014. Qualified applicants will have an interest in school facilities and the impact of school facilities on the education of Alaska’s school children.
The BR&GR Committee establishes the application form and ranking method utilized by DEED to prioritize capital improvement projects submitted by Alaska school districts for school construction and major maintenance grants, and reviews the priorities established under that application. The committee makes recommendations to the State Board of Education & Early Development regarding school construction projects and projects for which bond reimbursement is requested. The committee develops criteria for cost-effective school construction and sets standards for school energy efficiency. The committee meets approximately four (4) times per year. These meetings typically take place in February, April, September, and December. Additional meetings are scheduled when needed. One meeting each year is in person, typically the April meeting, other meetings are online. Members are not paid, but are reimbursed for travel, per diem and eligible expenses.
The positions are currently filled, with terms expiring on February 28, 2025. A selected applicant will meet one of the following qualifications and be appointed to a term beginning March 1, 2025:
- A professional degree and experience in school construction (preference may be given to a registered architect).
- Experience in urban or rural school facilities management (preference may be given to those with experience in rural schools).
Public at large (preference may be given to a person with a background in general construction).
The appointment terms are through February 28, 2029. A qualified applicant could be appointed for an additional four-year term.
If you are interested in one of these positions, please mail a resume and a letter describing your background, your perspective on the importance of the school facility to a child’s education, and the reason you are interested in serving on the committee to: Facilities, Division of Finance and Support Services, Department of Education and Early Development, P.O. Box 110500, Juneau, AK 99811-0500; e-mail deed.commissioner@alaska.gov and eed.facilities@alaska.gov, so that is it received no later than 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 21, 2025.
For more information, please contact Michael Butikofer at (907)-465-6906 michael.butikofer@alaska.gov.
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