Category Archives: Dispatches

Discover two pathways to an engineering degree in Maine

Posted on May 16, 2013 by | Leave a comment

The University of Maine and Southern Maine Community College have partnered to provide two unique pathways to a degree in engineering: SMCC Pre-Engineering and UMaine Brunswick Engineering, both available at the SMCC Midcoast Campus at Brunswick Landing. These programs will be hosting an information session Thursday, May 23, at 6:30 p.m. on-site at the Maine Advanced Technology & Engineering Center. Families, teachers and administrators are welcome to attend.

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Posted in Dispatches, Higher Ed, Science & Technology, Students

Maine CITE program supports adaptive technology loan fund

Posted on May 16, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Thanks to mPower Loan Fund for sharing this information with the Maine DOE for publication.

The mPower Loan Fund, which provides loans for adaptive equipment with the support of the Maine Department of Education’s Maine CITE program, announced Monday that two of their representatives participated in the RESNA Catalyst Project meeting in Washington, D.C., last week. Maine CITE was the driving force behind the mPower board obtaining $750,000 in additional federal funds five years ago.

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Posted in Dispatches, Special Populations, Technology

Four districts prepare for construction projects

Posted on May 16, 2013 by | Leave a comment

The Maine Department of Education School Facilities Services team is working with four districts on a total of six proposed construction projects.

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Posted in Administrators, Dispatches, Facilities, Oxford County, Penobscot County, York County

New Center for Best Practice videos feature RSU 16

Posted on May 16, 2013 by | Leave a comment

The Maine Center for Best Practice is pleased to announce the posting of two new videos of Maine schools working toward learner-centered, proficiency-based education. Both schools are from Regional School Unit 16.

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Posted in Androscoggin County, Elementary School, English Language Arts, Featured, High School, Middle School, Social Studies, Students, Teachers

Maine FFA Association hosts 83rd state convention

Posted on May 16, 2013 by | Leave a comment
Maine FFA State President Isaac Wortman (left) presents honorary state FFA degrees to Commissioners Bowen and Whitcomb.

Maine FFA State President Isaac Wortman (left) presents honorary state FFA degrees to Commissioners Bowen and Whitcomb.

The Maine FFA Association (formerly known as “Future Farmers of America”) held its 83rd annual state convention May 9-10 at the University of Maine.

Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen and Agriculture Commissioner Walter Whitcomb spoke at the FFA award banquet, as did visiting National FFA President Clay Sapp. Gabrielle Cyr of Ashland High School was named Outstanding Student Chapter Officer, and Kevin Marquis of Easton was named FFA Chapter Advisor of the Year. Maine FFA specially recognized Thomas Hale, Caribou Regional Technology Center agriculture teacher, who is retiring after 38 years of teaching and numerous accomplishments.

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Posted in Career & Technical, Featured, High School, Images, Middle School, Science & Technology, Students

Update on status of teacher/principal evaluation rules

Posted on May 10, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Dear Superintendents:

The Department provisionally adopted Chapter 180, the rules for implementing required teacher and principal evaluation systems, seven weeks ago today. A number of you have been asking me and other Department staff when you can expect the new rules on teacher effectiveness evaluations to go into effect. This is to update you on where that stands and why we have not been able to help you move forward with that work.

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Posted in Administrators, Featured, From the Commissioner, Instruction, Teachers

Contribute to SBAC by joining Maine’s State Network of Educators

Posted on May 8, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Maine, a member of the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, is seeking educators who have significant experience in formative assessment and deep knowledge of the Common Core State Standards to join Maine’s State Network of Educators (SNE). The Maine DOE invites K-12 teachers and administrators and higher educational professionals to apply if they have experience working with the following student populations: general education, gifted and talented, English language learners and students with disabilities. Continue reading →

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Posted in Administrators, English Language Arts, Featured, Mathematics, Professional Development, Smarter Balanced, Special Populations, Teachers

Nominate students, adults and organizations for leadership awards

Posted on May 8, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Maine Youth Action Network would like to recognize the incredible efforts underway by young people and those who support them to make a positive impact in communities across Maine. If you know a young person, adult, group or organization that has demonstrated or supported strong youth leadership and engagement, consider nominating them for the annual MYAN ImpACT Awards.

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Posted in Administrators, Featured, High School, Middle School, Students, Teachers

An open dialogue with the Commissioner in Caribou

Posted on May 8, 2013 by | Leave a comment

By Alana Margeson

With the amount of time, energy, education and pride that teachers and administrators place in our schools, it stands to reason that we welcome opportunities to share our work with others. A recent visit from Commissioner Stephen Bowen allowed for Eastern Aroostook RSU 39 to share and highlight our innovation, enthusiasm and dedication.

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Posted in Aroostook County, Featured, High School, Listening Tour, Students, Teachers, Teaching & Learning

State offers facilities, business and maintenance staff training

Posted on May 7, 2013 by | Leave a comment

The Educational Plant Maintenance Association of Maine will deliver the 45th Annual School Facilities Conference this summer. The conference will be held at Colby College June 24-26, 2013. School administrators, facilities directors, business managers, maintenance teams and custodial staff are invited to attend.  Registration is free for public school staff. This is a multi-track conference on leadership, maintenance and custodial care. This conference provides a unique venue for school staff to collaborate and learn how to manage buildings to foster positive learning environments.

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Posted in Administrators, Facilities, Featured, Professional Development, Safety