From Maine Education Commissioner Jim Rier
Last week, some Maine educators traveled to Dallas, Texas to participate in an assessment conference. Given the national attention currently on that city because of the three confirmed cases of Ebola there, some have raised concerns in the districts these educators are returning to.
We all share a commitment to the health and safety of everyone in our school communities. While it is important we always take precautions to protect ourselves and our students from infectious diseases, it is also important to make sure communications by officials and the media increases awareness rather than anxiety.
As your Commissioner of Education, I’ve been hesitant to reach out to you about Ebola because I did not want my doing so to create more concern about a disease for which Maine has had no reported cases or contacts. However, because of the multiple inquiries our Department has received from school leaders, I did want to provide some basic information from our State and federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that will hopefully help you communicate more effectively with parents and the public.
Notices and Reporting
- Statement of Assurance and MEDMS Financial Reconciliation, due Nov. 1
- School Bus Purchase Program Application (NEO Transportation) (EF-T-17), due Nov. 25
More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar
News & Views
Reminder to superintendents of surveys due
Two surveys that will greatly inform the work of the Commission to Strengthen the Adequacy and Equity of Certain Cost Components of the School Funding Formula are due. | More
Maine DOE offers strategies to help ELLs demonstrate proficiency
All students in Maine, including English language learners, will need to demonstrate proficiency of both State learning standards and the Guiding Principles in order to graduate beginning in 2018. | More
Governor LePage and First Lady to host 4th Annual Blaine House Food Drive
The First Family invites the public to visit the Blaine House once again this year in an effort to help fellow Mainers who are less fortunate. | More
Notice of proposed rule changes to Chapter 13
The Maine DOE and the State Board of Education are proposing changes this fall to the rules regarding the qualifying examinations for credentialing purposes for teachers, educational specialists and administrators. | More
Maine DOE showcases student artwork
The work of student artists from three Maine schools will be displayed at the Maine DOE’s office in Augusta throughout the coming year. | More
Maine celebrates Farm to School with local Harvest Week menu contest
Maine schools showed culinary creativity in their entries to the state’s inaugural Harvest Lunch Week menu contest, sponsored by the Maine DOE. | More
Community spirit awards open to grades 5 through 12
Maine students in grades 5-12 who have made meaningful contributions to their communities through volunteer service in the past year are invited to apply for a Prudential Spirit of Community Award. | More
Scholarship opportunity for Maine students
Maine students are invited to apply for the 2015 Horatio Alger Association Scholarship Program. | More
Educator resources available through The Boston Globe
The Boston Globe News in Education (NIE) program is offering access to educational resources free of charge to Maine teachers and their students in grades K-12. | More
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow call for submissions
Maine middle and high schools are invited to enter the annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest for a chance to win a share of $2 million in technology and prizes for their school. | More
More Dispatches | Press Releases | From the Commissioner