Month: May 2020

Lyseth Wins ‘School of the Year’ Award for Spanish Immersion Program

Lyseth Elementary School, home of the only public Spanish immersion program in Maine, has won the Ministry of Education, Embassy of Spain’s School of the Year 2020 Award in the elementary school category.

The Portland Board of Public Education and Superintendent Xavier Botana honored Lyseth for the achievement at the Board’s April 28 meeting. Lyseth Principal Lenore Williams; Carlos Gómez, the district’s Director of Language Development; World Language Specialist Annemarie Orth, Spanish immersion program teachers and students and families were all recognized for helping to foster and grow the program.

The school learned about the award earlier this month. A ceremony was planned for early May in Washington D.C., but now is postponed to the fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A total of 30 schools from across the country applied for the award and two schools emerged as winners. Lyseth is the recipient at the elementary level. A school in Florida, the Coral Way K-8 Center, was the middle school selection.

In announcing Lyseth’s award, the Ministry of Education congratulated the school for its “outstanding immersion program.” The ministry said Lyseth was selected for a variety of reasons, among them “the administrative team’s and staff’s enthusiasm and dedication to the Spanish language and culture.”

The immersion program was begun at Lyseth in 2014 with one kindergarten cohort, spearheaded by Grace Valenzuela, now the district’s Executive Director of Communications and Community Partnerships, and former superintendent Emmanuel Caulk. A new class was added each year. There is now an immersion classroom at each grade level from kindergarten through fifth grade.

Superintendent Botana said, “The Portland Public Schools is proud that Lyseth Elementary School has been recognized for its unique immersion program. Spanish is the second most-spoken language in the United States and biliteracy in Spanish and English is an important skill that makes students attractive to college admissions offices and future employers. We’re very grateful for all the work by dedicated staff, students and families that have made this program such a success.”

The Ministry of Education said the “school is working hard so their students meet the state requirements to earn the Seal of Biliteracy on their diplomas, once again showing their commitment to bilingualism.” Also, the ministry said, there are “multiple samples of the presence of the Spanish language throughout the school. Its library stands out with plenty of resources for bilingual learning and education, classroom decorations, and the Museums of Mexican and Spanish Art, which foster an interest in the culture of Spanish-speaking countries. Spanish signs and posters are visible throughout the school’s common areas.”

The ministry added, “The jury was impressed by the quality of the audiovisual information provided about the projects and educational programs they carry out in their Spanish immersion program.”

MEDIA ADVISORY: Maine DOE to Announce the 2020 Maine County Teachers of the Year on Facebook Live Thursday, May 14 at 2pm

What: 16 Maine teachers will be announced and honored as part of the Maine Department of Education’s annual Maine County Teachers of the Year awards. The teachers were nominated by a member of their school community, and through a rigorous application process were selected by a panel of teachers, principals, and business community members.

Maine County Teachers of the Year serve as ambassadors for teachers, students, and quality education state-wide. The Maine County Teachers of the Year are available to make presentations to local and regional organizations. Throughout the summer, they will continue to participate in an intensive State Teacher of the Year selection process.

Who: 16 Maine teachers, representing each county in Maine; Maine Department of Education Commissioner, Pender Makin; Executive Director of Educate Maine, Jason Judd; State Board of Education, Martha Harris; 2018 Maine Teacher of the Year, Kaitlin Young; and 2020 Maine Teacher of the Year, Heather Whitaker.

Where: The virtual announcement will be streamed live on the Maine Department of Education Facebook Page. The pictures and a recording of the presentation will also be available after the announcement.

When: Thursday, May 14, 2020 from 2:00pm – 3:30pm

For more information contact Rachel Paling (Maine DOE) at rachel.paling@maine.gov or Dolly Sullivan (Educate Maine) at dolly@educatemaine.org.

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

 

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.  

XQ is partnering with The LeBron James Family Foundation, The Entertainment Industry Foundation, and a broad coalition of education, philanthropic, and corporate partners to develop this commercial-free special, airing on ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC on Saturday, May 16, at 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. CT/MT. The show will also be available through partners such as Complex Networks, Facebook, Instagram, PEOPLE, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube. #GraduateTogether also offers a robust website and multiple opportunities for students, educators, and families to engage digitally.  

Maine high school seniors, their families, and educators are invited to participate and provide content to the show.  XQ’s message to our students: 

The Class of 2020 is redefining high school graduation with a first-of-its-kind national ceremony. So get ready to go big while you’re at home—because this one-hour primetime national graduation celebration is all about YOU. 

Tell us what you want to see during your graduation ceremony. Submit your own story and tell us about others whose stories need to be told. 

Learn more about how you can participate by sending in your photo, story, speech, words of wisdom and more!  Be sure to watch the show, and look for where to access special messages, created just for Maine graduates.  

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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.

Once again, this year, the Maine Department of Education is collaborating with the Freemasons of Maine to sponsor the Read to Ride Summer Reading Challenge for students in grades PK-8.  The Maine Freemasons have generously donated 48 bikes with helmets as prizes for the Read to Ride Summer Reading Challenge.  During the first four years of this initiative, thousands of Maine children completed the challenge of reading 500 minutes during summer vacation.  Maine DOE hopes to see this number grow even higher during the summer of 2020.

Any school with students in the PK-8 grade span may register to participate. Participating schools will collect documentation from students who have completed the challenge. They will hold school level drawings to select two students whose names will be entered into the state level drawing to be held on September 25, 2020.   Schools are encouraged to participate in this challenge, to coordinate it with any other summer reading challenges/programs they offer, and to consider soliciting their own local level prizes for students who complete the challenge.  Find details and the link to register your school at the Read to Ride Challenge website.

Summer slide can be prevented or greatly reduced when students continue to read on a regular basis. By encouraging children to read for enjoyment from a variety of resources and to explore topics of interest, they continue to practice applying the skills they have learned, build their vocabulary, and widen their knowledge of the world.  For students who are not yet reading independently, or just beginning to read, reading to and with parents is equally beneficial.

Questions may be directed to Maine DOE’s Elementary Literacy Specialist, Danielle Saucier at danielle.m.saucier@maine.gov.

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.

It is advised to check the schedule in advance. Many of the virtual meetings now require pre-registration or the need to email the host for a link and password, these measures help to prevent inappropriate interruptions.

Virtual Meeting Schedule:

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 in the brief question and answer below.

What are your roles with DOE?

I am the Education Data Systems Manager. As EDSM I am a member of the School Finance and Operations Team and the Data Team. I oversee the operations of our MEDMS Help Desk, our Quality Assurance Staff and our education data systems, primarily NEO & Synergy, but also other systems DOE has that use the data we collect form our schools.  In addition to that I manage DOE’s relationship with our DOE OIT (Office of Information Technology) Application Development group and our Student Information Systems vendors. It is my responsibility to prioritize the IT work being done for the Department and to see that our data systems are meeting the needs of the Department.

What do you like best about your job?

My favorite aspect of my job is getting things to “run right”. 😊 I am really happy to combine my experience with information systems with my passion for education. Prior to joining DOE I spent 20 years as the School Business manager for RSU 8 – Vinalhaven.

I love the opportunity to support and design systems that support us working together for families, schools & communities and the most responsible and effective use of taxpayer dollars. It’s also amazingly fun to get to join folks here at DOE that I have worked with from the field for all these years. I really enjoy having the chance to interact with all different teams across DOE and OIT and to work with so many other people to align all of our work.

How or why did you decide on this career?

Education is the thing that, if you do it right for people, it will  bubble up positively through every other aspect of our lives, our families, communities, culture & world so I am grateful for the opportunity to be involved in changing the world for good every day and supporting people who are doing the same thing (and no I’m not exaggerating 😊 my team will tell you I really AM that much of an optimist !)

I began my career as a Deposit Operations manager for KeyCorp here in Augusta and had the opportunity to do a great deal of project management, business analysis, and call center-customer service work. After that I spent a short time as the Admissions, Billing and Switchboard Operations Manager for Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington. When my family and I moved to Vinalhaven in 1998, during the Ice Storm 😊, they were looking for a School Business Manager and my career in education began. I come from a family of teachers, and married to one, so Education has always been the “family business”. For 15 years I got to go to school everyday with my husband and both my kids!

What do you like to do outside of work for fun?

I love to spend as much time as possible with my kids and my family and friends, reading good books, enjoying good food, and making music. I have been involved in choral singing my whole life and always enjoy the opportunity to make music and enjoy music in as many ways as possible. I also love to explore, not necessarily far away, to see new things, follow new roads, try new foods or new experiences and just learn new stuff.

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!
Registration for the 2020 MLTI Virtual Student Conference is open until 5/22/20. The Conference will take place online on Thursday, May 28th from 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM.
Conference sessions have been developed for students in grades 6-12, although students from non-MLTI grades can attend the conference and are welcome to register/attend. Teachers are encouraged to register to observe sessions and/or attend with their students.
Complete a registration form here. Confirmation is returned when the registration form is successfully submitted. Conference log in and session information, along with preparation requirements, will be emailed directly to registrants no later than 5/27/20.
For more information and the registration link, please visit: https://www.maine.gov/doe/learning/ltt/conference or for questions don’t hesitate to reach out to the Conference planning team at mlti.project@maine.gov, and we look forward to seeing you.
Please be sure to register by Friday, May 22nd! Pass this exciting news along.

Virtual Student Conference Schedule

  • May 25th – May 27th Pre-Conference Activities – Looking Backward
  • May 28th – Conference Day Activities
    • Live Presentations/Interactive Sessions via an online platform 11:30AM-4:00PM
    • Session Categories
      • Create
      • Learn
      • Video
      • Social Media
      • Podcasts
    • Uber Session
  • May 28th – June 1st – Post-Conference activities – Looking Forward

Registration Form: https://mainedoe.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6L89v59Eijx8HpX

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.  

Based on feedback, the Department has restructured the office hours to meet the needs of the field. The ESSER funding office hours will be structured in the following manner, starting on May 6th: 

  • Tuesday and Thursday at 10:00am will focus on programmatic support 
  • Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10:00am will focus on fiscal/financial support 

 Please email Tyler Backus at tyler.backus@maine.gov to receive an office hour invite.   

The Department’s CARES Act webpage, located here, contains a recorded training, policy guidance, waivers, and links to federal resources.

To date, the following releases have been shared by the Department regarding Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act:  

  • Maine awarded funding, found here.
  • CARES Act information and FAQ documents, found here.
  •  Questions for SAUs to consider in preparation of application, found here. 

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.

The drawing normally goes to a DOE staff member as part of the Maine DOE’s weekly all staff meetings but instead this week, the Department is awarding an educator from the names that were nominated by staff members. We would also like to the opportunity to acknowledge all of the teachers that were nominated.

In addition to deeply impacting the lives of their students, teachers also have a tremendous impact on the adults around them, whether it is the family and extended family of their students or through the mentorship and encouragement of their colleagues, administrators, and their own friends and family members. That is why we felt it was important to acknowledge the group of educators listed below for positively influencing the lives of Maine DOE staff members either where they currently teach or a previous setting. #Thanks4TeachingME

The Maine DOE also recognizes and thanks all teachers in Maine for their tireless efforts and dedication to educate Maine’s students.

Susan (Muzzy) Martin – DOE Teacher Appreciation Raffle Winner!
formerly of Gilbert School, now at Cornville Charter School

Beatrice Stevens, former educator
Once taught at Mt. Vernon Elementary School, Maranacook Area Schools/RSU #38

Susan Dana, Spanish Teacher
Cape Elizabeth Middle School, Cape Elizabeth Schools

Janice Smith, English Teacher
Brunswick High School, Brunswick School Department

Lawrence Peters, RTI Behavior Teacher
Greely High School, MSAD 51

Caitlin Keating, Special Education
Coastal Ridge Elementary School, York School Department

Sue Whitney, 5th Grade Teacher
Manchester Elementary School, Maranacook Area Schools/RSU #38

Paige Fournier, Special Education Teacher
Freeport Middle School, RSU 5

Jenna Zemrak, 2nd Grade Teacher
Belgrade Central School, RSU 18

Patty Mullis, Classroom Teacher
Nokomis Regional High School, RSU 19

Linda Vitale, former educator
Once taught at Albion Elementary School, MSAD 49

Andrea Wilson, 3rd Grade Teacher
Harriet Beecher Stowe School, Brunswick School Department

Heidi Corliss, Choral Educator
Hampden Academy, RSU 22

Elizabeth Ross, Math Teacher
Monmouth Academy, RSU 2

Jennifer Lagasse, 3rd Grade Teacher
Ellsworth Elementary School, Ellsworth School Department

Margaret Corral, Spanish Teacher
Greely High School, MSAD 51

Marshalyn Baker, former educator
Once taught at Messalonskee Middle School, RSU 18

Laurie Stiles, Classroom Teacher for Grades 6-8
Nobleboro Central School, AOS 93

Melissa Allen, Art Teacher
Spruce Mountain Middle and High School, RSU 73

Claudette Brassil, former English Teacher
Mt. Ararat High School, MSAD 75

Tara DiVincenzo, 4th Grade Teacher
Coastal Ridge Elementary School, York School District

Edwin “Barry” McLaughlin, former educator
Once taught at Katahdin High School

Arlo Smith, former educator
Once taught at Perry Elementary School

Theresa Cerceo, District Art Teacher
MSAD 33

Erica St.Peter, Principal
James Bean Elementary School, RSU 18

Mark Stubbs, Functional Life Skills Teacher
Edward Little High School, Auburn School Department

Gary Clendening,
Hall-Dale High School, RSU 2

Mildred Brown, former educator
Once taught at a one room school house on the Frenchville Road outside of Patten

Kayanne Nadeau, Classroom Teacher
Fort Kent Elementary, MSAD 27

Kellie Irving, Preschool special education teacher
PATHS in Portland

Sue Perkins, Science Teacher
Brunswick High School, Brunswick School Department

Craig Borgerson, former educator
Once taught at Owls Head Central School, Owls Head

Cindy Williams, Adult Education Instructor
RSU 6

Pat Jacobs, educator
Turner Elementary School

Jennifer Poulin, Pre-K Teacher
Saco School Department

Allison Desjardins, 1st Grade Teacher
Governor John Fairfield School, Saco School Department

Helen Beesley, Middle School ELA Teacher
Windsor Elementary, RSU 12

Dot Bowie, Kindergarten Teacher
Williams-Cone Elementary School, MSAD 75

Eric Brown, Science Teacher
Lawrence High School, MSAD 49

Larry LaPointe, English Literature Teacher
Gardiner Area High School, MSAD 11

Karen Mayo, 4th Grade Teacher
Williams Elementary, RSU 18

Kristie Houghton, 2nd Grade Teacher
Great Salt Bay School, AOS 93

Heidi Bourgeois, Literacy Coach
RSU 3

Karen Magnusson, Physical Education Teacher
Maranacook Community Middle School, RSU 38

Laurie Dale, Science Educator
Cony, Augusta Schools

Crystal Cyr, Classroom Teacher
Tripp Middle School in Turner, MSAD 52

Lisa Weeks, PreK Program
Somerville Elementary School RSU 12

Carly McKeil, PreK Program
Somerville Elementary School, RSU 12

Tara Morse, PreK Program
Somerville Elementary School RSU 12

Rick Wilson, Community Outreach and Extended Learning Coordinator
Brunswick High School, Brunswick School Department

Amy Gammon, educator
Dirigo Elementary School, RSU 56

Whitney Williams, Science Teacher
Central Aroostook Middle School, MSAD 42

Jeanna Carver, PreK Teacher
Jonesport Elementary School, Union 103

Alison Hinkley, educator
Lyman Moore Middle School, Portland Public Schools

Andrea Levinsky, Extended Learning Coordinator
Portland High School, Portland Public Schools

Jen Dearborn, Special Education Teacher
Gardiner Middle School, MSAD 11

Judy Mank, Music Teacher
Monmouth, RSU 2

Paige Fournier, Special Education Teacher
Freeport Middle School, RSU 5

Ashley LaCroix, Technology Integrator
Brunswick School Department

Dr. Carol Russell, former educator

Sarah Lucas, former educator
Once taught at TC Hamlin School

Hannah Boss, Kindergarten Teacher
Leroy H. Smith School, Winterport, RSU 22

Maria Cyr, Grade 6 Teacher
Oxford Elementary, Oxford Hills School District

Johanna Bridges, Spanish Teacher
William S. Cohen Middle School, Bangor Public Schools

Anne Mourkas, Math and Science Teacher
James F. Doughty School, Bangor Public Schools

Kelly Horton, Pathways
Falmouth High School, Falmouth Public Schools

Megan Cociou, educator
Augusta School Department

Karyn Bussell, Health Education Teacher
Madison Area Memorial High School, MSAD 59

Samantha Person, Physical Education Teacher
Waterboro Elementary School, RSU 57

Christine Rasmussen, Special Education Teacher
Waterville Senior High School, AOS 92