As educators it often feels like we’re in the business of addressing problems, so it’s important that we also celebrate the solutions – as we try to do in our weekly Updates. This week we can point to three schools that are doing it well: Maine DOE has nominated Longfellow Elementary School in Portland, Williams-Cone Elementary School in Topsham and Yarmouth Elementary School to be 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools.
Each of the three nominated schools has student achievement in the top 15 percent in Maine for both reading and math. The federal Education department will announce awardees in September 2013. Good luck to all our nominees, and thanks for the work you are doing to raise student achievement.
— Stephen Bowen
ACTION REQUIRED
Notices
- Report educator data to avoid federal non-compliance
- Final draft of Next Gen Science Standards to be released in January
- Prepare for NAEP’s 2014 technology and engineering literacy assessment
- Smarter Balanced drafts of initial achievement level descriptors available
Reporting
- School Facility Management System Building Surveys, due March 31
More Notices
Reporting Calendar
Administrative Letters
NEWS & VIEWS
Three Maine schools nominated for national distinction
AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Education nominated three schools – Longfellow Elementary School in Portland, Williams-Cone Elementary School in Topsham and Yarmouth Elementary School – to be 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools. | More
Competitive USM scholarship opportunity for STEM students
The University of Southern Maine Pioneers Program, a college learning community bringing together Maine’s best and brightest students in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields, is accepting applications for the 2013-14 academic year. | More
Join webinar on new Common Core skills report
Achieve will host an informational American Diploma Project Network webinar on the release of its new report, “Understanding the Skills in the Common Core State Standards.” | More
Portland students learn American Sign Language
Lyman Moore Middle School is the first middle school in Maine to offer American Sign Language classes. | More
Community spirit award open to grades 5 through 8
Maine students in grades 5 through 8 who have volunteered over the past year may apply for a Prudential Spirit of Community Award and inspire other young people to follow their example. | More
Call for nominations for two science competitions
The Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation is now accepting nominations for four Agriscience Awards and four Life Science Awards to be awarded in July 2013 in Washington, D.C. | More
Communities invited to explore local Civil War history
The Maine Historical Society and Maine Humanities Council are offering 10 Maine communities the opportunity to explore their local Civil War history through a new joint program, “Local & Legendary: Maine and the Civil War.” | More