Maine DOE Update – May 8, 2020

 

From the Maine Department of Education


Reporting Items

New Webinar: April Enrollment Count Report

To assist those who are responsible for the important task of reporting student data to the Maine Department of Education, the DOE Data Team will be holding a topical webinar about the new April Enrollment Count Report on Wednesday May 13th, from 11am to 12pm. | More

School Health Annual Reporting Window is Open

The Maine Department Of Education is announcing that the School Health Annual Report is now available through the Reporting Calendar.| More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |


News & Updates

MEDIA RELEASE: Maine High School Seniors Invited to Participate in National Graduation Ceremony

Maine Department of Education is pleased to partner with Council of Chiefs State School Officers (CCSSO) and XQ Institute on Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020, a one-hour primetime show, paying joyful tribute to high school seniors, their extraordinary teachers, and their families. | More

DOE Providing Office Hours to Assist SAUs in ESSER Application Preparation  

On Monday, May 4, the Maine Department of Education’s School Finance Team began hosting office hours to support School Administrative Units’ (SAUs) federal programs coordinators and business managers by providing additional information around the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding application preparations. The application will be made available via the Department of Education’s Consolidated Application and Grant Reimbursement website. | More

MEDIA RELEASE: Maine Department of Education Awarded CARES Act Funding to Support Maine Schools

On March 27, 2020 the CARES Act was signed into law, providing emergency federal funds to states for the purpose of addressing COVID-19 related impacts to education. The three funds include the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund(HEER), the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund(GEER), and the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund(ESSER). Maine’s Department of Education is pleased to announce they applied for, and been awarded, the GEER and ESSER funding.|More

Extension Granted For Food Service Program Thru June 30, 2020.

USDA has released a waiver which allows Summer Food Service Program Unanticipated School Closure operations to continue through June 30, 2020. Operations can continue through the end of June regardless of a district’s last scheduled school day.* Maine has accepted this waiver. | More

Extended Deadline: Funding Opportunity Notice for School Lighting Projects

To date, Efficiency Maine has received more than fifty applications for school lighting projects as part of this Funding Opportunity Notice. In fact, one project has already been completed. Because of the level of interest, we have extended the deadline for a second time to allow more schools to apply — Efficiency Maine has extended the deadline for the School Lighting Funding Opportunity Notice to June 1, 2020. | More

Maine DOE Announces 5th Annual Read to Ride Summer Reading Challenge  

A unique world of remote learning and creative teaching has been the norm in recent weeks, but summer vacation is right around the corner. Summer vacation will be a welcome change of pace for families and teachers, yet the importance of summer reading will be as critical as ever. Educators and families have worked tirelessly to engage and challenge students. Making reading a part of the student experience this summer will be invaluable to a successful return to classrooms in the fall. | More

MEDIA RELEASE: Maine DOE Issues Guidance on High School Graduation Ceremonies

On Wednesday, the Maine Department of Education issued guidance to Maine’s education leaders regarding high school graduation ceremonies amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance was issued at the request of superintendents and other school leaders who are making extremely difficult decisions about graduation ceremonies, as the 2019-2020 school year comes to a close. | More

Registration is Open for the MLTI Virtual Student Conference

The Maine Department of Education is excited to share that the registration for the much anticipated MLTI student conference is open! The conference will be held on May 28th, in virtual format, and it is FREE to Maine students! | More

MEDIA RELEASE: Governor Janet Mills Kicks off Teacher Appreciation Week with a Special Message

Governor Janet Mills is helping to kick off a week-long celebration of Maine educators for Teacher Appreciation Week. Celebrated May 4th through May 8th this year, Teacher Appreciation Week is observed nationally, and is a time when all are encouraged to take a moment to thank teachers for all they do to positively impact the lives of students and families.|More

Teacher Appreciation Week: Maine DOE Staff Recognize Teachers Who Have Positively Impacted Their Lives

During a regular Maine Department of Education (DOE) conference call that hosts more than 125 staff members each week, staff were invited to share the name of a teacher who has positively impacted their lives as a nomination for a random drawing for a gift card for Teacher Appreciation Week.|More

Get to Know the DOE Team: Meet Katherine Warren

Maine DOE Team member Katherine Warren is being highlighted this week as part of the Get to Know the DOE Team campaign. Learn a little more about Katherine | More


Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |


Professional Development & Training Opportunities

PRIORITY NOTICE: Virtual Meeting Schedule: May 11 – May 15, 2020

The Maine Department of Education continues to schedule virtual office hours and professional development with Department Specialists to support educators and administrators during extended remote learning. During these meetings, our specialists are available to provide support, professional learning opportunities, and guidance regarding distance learning and school supports, as well as to facilitate networking and resource sharing between educators. | More

Professional Learning Opportunities for Education Technicians

Through ongoing efforts to support the needs of Maine schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) is responding to requests for professional learning for Education Technicians with a series of online opportunities scheduled through the month of May and early June. Based on feedback from Maine schools, offerings will consist of series (each being 1-5 parts) delivered in hour-long sessions at regular times each week. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |


Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here