On Monday I had the opportunity to attend an incredible event at the Cole Land Transportation Museum in Bangor. Three middle school and three high school students read their winning essays based on interviews with veterans, arranged by the Museum and the Cole Family Foundation.
It’s one thing to create a museum and fill it with jeeps and a locomotive and other vehicles (and don’t get me wrong – this is impressive). It’s another to actively connect people together with a strong educational component. Cole, largely through the efforts of its founder and the founder’s son, has done both.
Please note: There will be no Commissioner’s Update on Nov. 22, Thanksgiving. The next Update will be published Nov. 29.
— Stephen Bowen
ACTION REQUIRED
Notices
- MaineCare Seed payment adjustments pending; review reports by Nov. 27
- Advisory council meeting to discuss IDEA, Part C: programs for infants & toddlers with disabilities
- Apply for school bus refurbishment pilot program
- Leased space approvals posted online
- Maine teacher shortage areas identified
- Review districts’ responsibilities for homeless children with disabilities
Reporting
Reporting Calendar
Administrative Letters
NEWS & VIEWS
Science & math award finalists honored
Four state finalists for the 2012 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching were recognized at a dinner held in their honor on Nov. 9. | More
Teaching literacy through a career & technical lens
The Department is working with career and technical instructors to help them incorporate teaching of literacy skills to their students in a way that is aligned to the new, more rigorous and appropriate Common Core State Standards. | More
Health & phys. ed professionals receive field support
Supporting efforts to improve student health and address issues such obesity, the Maine Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance held its annual conference, “Let’s Move ME More,” this month in Rockport. | More
Chance for students to learn financial and life skills
High school students have the opportunity to sharpen their knowledge of personal finance and other life skills through the LifeSmarts Ultimate Consumer Challenge. | More
New approach to implementing Common Core standards for math
NoteShare Notebooks containing the complete Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, organized by grade span, have been developed by the Maine DOE to further expand professional development offerings. | More