Weather Related Cancellations:
This school year, Maine has already experienced a number of weather-related school day cancellations. As in other recent years, this may cause some districts to exceed the number of storm days that were originally planned for in the school calendar. The Department would like to send this reminder of previous guidance related to school day cancellations, makeup days, and instructional day waiver requests, as well as a link to Frequently Asked Questions on the topic. Waiver requests will be accepted in the Spring, when the danger of cancellations has lessened.
Updated Guidance for Anytime-Anywhere Learning (a.k.a. remote school days):
There has been much discussion within and outside of the Department this year on the topic of Anytime-Anywhere learning days. The Department is pleased to announce that in an effort to promote and encourage innovative practices in districts and schools, districts may pilot one Anytime-Anywhere learning day in the 2019-20 school year. The piloted Anytime-Anywhere learning day may count as one of the 175 instructional days required by law.
Districts that are interested in participating in this pilot will need to complete a short application, attesting to the assurances below:
- access and equity for all students in implementation of the day;
- provision of FAPE for students with disabilities;
- provision of free breakfast and lunch for qualifying students;
- school board approval, and staff, family and community support:
- honoring of all other existing legal requirements, including regional school calendar requirements under 20-A M.R.S. 4801 2-A
The application to participate in the pilot may be found here (corrected 2/27/19).
The Department strongly encourages feedback and communication on the experiences learned in developing and implementing innovative practices in schools and districts.
Please contact Pamela Ford-Taylor, Maine DOE School Enrollment Specialist at 207-624-6617 or Pamela.Ford-Taylor@maine.gov with questions.