In this issue… 
- SAYL News in Brief
- Scholarships, Grants and Awards Opportunities
- Employment Opportunities
- Training and Continuing Education Opportunities
- Almanac
Pardon Our Mess!
1964 Earthquake Collection, Seward Community Library Association
SAYL Mail is undergoing some changes in formatting that may not look quite right on your monitor. Hopefully everything will be ship-shape by next issue.
SAYL News in Brief
DEED Finalizes State Plan to Implement the Every Student Succeeds Act
The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) has completed the final draft of the state plan to implement the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). ESSA was signed into federal law on December 10, 2015, replacing the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).
The final draft was submitted to the Governor’s office for a 30-day review period before the submission deadline, as required in the law. States must submit plans to the U.S. Department of Education by Sept. 18, 2017, to show how they will implement ESSA.
Alaska’s state plan for ESSA is informed by over a year’s worth of stakeholder input and engagement. The elements of Alaska’s state plan are designed to work within Alaska’s unique context to improve our schools.
“Our goal is that ESSA will support and nourish our state’s public education mission to provide an excellent education for every student every day,” said Alaska Education Commissioner Dr. Michael Johnson.
To ensure that Alaska’s state plan is aligned with what Alaskans value, DEED is seeking additional public comment on the final draft.
DEED will gather public comment on the final draft through September 15, 2017.
Similar to previous drafts, DEED has created a feedback form that addresses the plan’s various sections. Members of the public may comment on the entire plan or only on the sections that interest them. DEED encourages the public to read the plan’s section(s) before commenting. The plan, an executive summary, and feedback form are available
here.
Alaska Digital School Library Available for your School or District
“If we want to create a more just and equitable world, library staff must not only support teens facing racism and oppression, but also show teens who come from a place of power and privilege how and why they must embrace diversity and respect others who do not look like them. So what can we do?”
“In the wake of the tragic events in Charlottesville, VA, this past weekend, educators around the country are grappling with how to address current events in the classroom and create space for meaningful discussions about racism, bigotry, and violence. As the start of a new school year looms, teachers are faced with an educational—and moral—obligation to help young people process what’s happening in the news and within their own neighborhoods and cities.”
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Scholarship, Grant, and Award Opportunities
The Alaska State Library, through the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Library Services and Technology Act (Federal Source CFDA 45.310) has generously provided funding for grants to attend conferences and other Professional Development opportunities.
Those interested, can apply for grants to attend (and travel to) a variety of conferences, classes, and workshops for professional development, including the Alaska Library Association annual conference, American Library Association national conference, and online webinars.
AkASL Professional Development Grant Deadlines:
Out-of-state travel: 80 days prior to conference
In-state travel: 60 days prior to conference
Online events: 7 days prior to event
Closing September 1st –ALAN CART/CAMPBELL Grant for Librarians. $500 funding plus complimentary registration toward attendance at the annual two-day ALAN Workshop which is held at the annual convention of the National Council of Teachers of English.
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Training and Continuing Education Opportunities
The following webinars are no cost and run approximately one hour unless otherwise noted. Opportunities not fitting your schedule? Many of these webinars will later be available as archives.
Monday, August 28th. Noon – Literacy: More than Lexiles – Engaging the Hearts and Minds of All Students (edWeb)
Tuesday, August 29th. 10 am – Back to School (Booklist)
Tuesday, August 29th. 11 am – Get Recognized for Advancing Digital Teaching and Citizenship (edWeb)
Tuesday, August 29th. 3pm – AASL Best Websites for Teaching & Learning (AASL)
Wednesday, August 30th. 11am – Engaging Reluctant Readers in Your Library (LJ)
Thursday, August 31st. 11am – Cardinals, War, and an Accordion: Fall Titles for Elementary Readers (JLG)
Thursday, September 7th. 11am – Sharing eBooks Across Schools & Districts: How Educators Make It Work (SLJ)
Additional and up-to-date opportunities at the Library Development Training and Continuing Education Calendar
SAVE THE DATES
November 9 – 11: AASL Conference and Exhibition. Phoenix, AZ
February 17-20: ASTE Conference. Anchorage
March 8- 11: AkLA Conference. Anchorage
Check It Out Next Time!
To share news, success stories, resources, and opportunities, please contact Jared Shucha. To get SAYL Mail updates sent to your inbox, request a subscription to the AkASL listserv and ask a colleague to do the same!
[su_frame]Jared Shucha
Alaska School Library Consultant
jared.shucha@alaska.gov
(907) 885-0660[/su_frame]