Commissioner’s Update – May 5, 2016

From the Maine Department of Education

Maine Department of Education staff participated in the annual Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day on Thursday, April 28. Our children learned about what we do, experienced the State House complex, and all were in awe of the healthy, creative snacks made by the Department’s nutrition specialist, Chef Andy Hutchins and his daughter.

English Language Arts Specialist Morgan Dunton put her granddaughter Meredith Adams, who is a sixth grader at Wells Ogunquit Junior High School, right to work. The two assembled a colorful paper “quilt” filled with statements from teachers about “Why I Teach.” Dunton says, “Perhaps the highlight of the day was a State House tour where Meredith was inspired to apply to be a page for the House. This is an idea she will take back to her school’s civil rights team.”

Valerie Densmore, an Educational Specialist with Maine DOE’s Special Services brought her 15 year old daughter to work. Lauren Boubel is a freshman at Morse High School in Bath. Densmore says the highlight of the day was showing her daughter what an Individual Education Plan is, its importance, why it is needed, and all the components of an IEP.

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AP4ALL – reduced costs for dual enrollment program

The AP4LL program is pleased to announce the cost through the dual enrollment program at the University of Maine at Fort Kent has decreased for eligible students for fall 2016. | More

Registration open for 2016 Summer Literacy Institute

The Maine Department of Education is pleased to announce registration is now open for the 2016 Summer Literacy Institute: High Impact Instructional Routines and Strategies. | More

MLTI Student Conference registration open

Students and educators will join together on May 26 at the University of Maine for a one-day student conference to understand the power and possibilities delivered to them through Maine’s Learning Through Technology Initiative. | More

School librarian receives award

The Maine Department of Education along with the Maine Association of School Librarians presented an award to the Old Town Elementary School Librarian recently. | More

Maine elementary physical education teacher recognized

Liz Giles-Brown, a physical education teacher at South Bristol Elementary School and Southport Central School, was honored during the Professional Excellence Awards Ceremony. | More

Social Studies Summer Symposium

The Maine Department of Education, in partnership with the Maine Council for the Social Studies, will hold the inaugural Social Studies Summer Symposium on June 29. | More

Young children’s learning topic of spring conference

Maine Department of Education’s Early Childhood Specialist Sue Reed moderated a panel at the Maine Association for the Education of Young Children spring conference. | More

Recognizing school nurses

The Maine Department of Education, in collaboration with the Maine Association of School Nurses, is hosting a tea at the Blaine House this month to honor school nurses. | More

Educational surrogate parent volunteers needed

The Maine Department of Education is seeking volunteers for the Educational Surrogate Parent Program. | More

A discussion about school withdrawals in Androscoggin River Valley

School withdrawals and the financial impact are some of the topics in this month’s two part program called, Today River Valley. | More

School Bus to Mars? Engaging students in engineering and science

We have all heard of young ones enjoying their journey on the Magic School Bus, but the magic came to life as part of the STEM curriculum showcased recently at the 2016 USA Science & Engineering Festival. | More

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