Maine DOE Update – January 30, 2020

From the Maine Department of Education


Reporting Items

Principals and Health Teachers- Please Complete Your School Health Profiles

The amount of time young people spend in school provides an excellent opportunity to help improve the health status of children and adolescents. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention developed the School Health Profiles (SHP) as a tool to measure progress in the implementation of school policies and practices. Principals and Lead Health education Teachers in middle and high schools are given the survey every even year. The last survey was conducted in 2018. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |


News & Updates

Clarification on Proposal of MaineCare Benefits Manual Section 106, School-Based Services 

On Tuesday, January 21, 2020, MaineCare filed the proposed Section 106, School-Based Services rule (Chapters II and III) with the Secretary of State’s office. At that time, a version of the proposed rule was shared publicly, although the rulemaking documents will not be available online until January 29, 2020, as per the standard Administrative Procedure Act (APA) process. | More

Reminder and Updated Guidance for Scheduling / Rescheduling Instructional Days and Requesting Waivers

For those school administrative units (SAUs) that experience unplanned emergency or weather-related school closures, this guidance outlines the process of scheduling or rescheduling school days in order to meet the required number of instructional days, and for requesting Commissioner waivers. The Department encourages SAUs to build extra snow days into their calendar in advance. | More

Commissioner Makin will Kick off Read to ME Challenge Monday, January 3.

To kick off the 5th annual Read to ME Challenge, Maine Department of Education’s Commissioner Pender Makin will read to kindergarten-2 students at Lincoln School in Augusta.  Joining the Commissioner will be Senator Matthew Pouliot and Representative Donna Doore.| More

Model Concussion Policy Revision

Pursuant to Title 20-A MRSA§254(17) , all public schools, and private schools enrolling more than 60% of its students at public expense, are required to adopt and implement a policy on the management of concussive and other head injuries in school activities and athletics that is consistent with the model policy developed by the commissioner. | More

Aquaculture me! Hosts Conference to Connect Research, Education, and Industry

Aquaculture me!, an initiative created by Yarmouth educator, 2016 Cumberland County Teacher of the Year, and Miliken recipient Morgan Cuthbert, to get classroom teachers connected to the science and industry of aquaculture, held a professional development conference at the University of Maine’s Darling Center near Damariscotta last week. | More

Application Process Open for Student Position on Maine State Board of Education

Student voice is critically important to the Maine State Board of Education, and they are seeking applications for the newest student member to join the Board. Applications are being accepted February 3 – 24, 2020. | More

Maine to Join National #LoveTeaching Campaign February 14 – 21

The Maine Department of Education (DOE), along with the Maine Teacher of the Year (TOY) Program, and Maine State Teacher of the Year Association (MSTOYA), are joining the national #LoveTeaching campaign, a grassroots effort started by teachers in 2015 as an opportunity to celebrate teaching, leading, and learning in a way that unites and invigorates educators and those they inspire all around the world. | More

Get to know the DOE Team: Meet Dede Gilbert

Maine DOE team member Dede Gilbert is being highlighted this week as the part of a Get to know the DOE Team campaign. | More


Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

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Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Professional Development Opportunity: Maine Learning Results for Social Studies – Emphasis on Maine Native Americans

On April 3, 2020, Maine educators are invited to join the Western Maine Education Collaborative and the Department of Education at Winthrop High School for another session of the Social Studies standards roll out and training related to teaching about Maine Native Americans. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |


Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities