Maine Forum on Outdoor Learning

December 2nd, 2020, 3:00 – 4:15pm: Join the Nature Based Education Consortium and other Maine co-hosts to hear from Maine schools about their experience of Outdoor Learning this fall and beyond, and share about your own challenges and solutions. Learn from the Maine Department of Education about the new $17 million ‘Rethinking Remote Education Ventures’ (RREV) grant program. Connect with other schools and organizations who are building support for life-changing outdoor learning opportunities in Maine. Build your network, gain new resources, and be inspired!

Participation is free and registration required.

Co-hosted by Maine Science Teachers Association, Maine Environmental Education Association, University of Maine at Farmington, Maine Department of Education, Inside/Outside Network – Antioch University, Cathance River Education Alliance, Center for an Ecology Based Economy, Chewonki, Environmental Living and Learning for Maine Students, Juniper Hill School, Kennebunkport Climate Initiative, Maine Audubon, Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance, Maine Outdoor Coalition, Maine Outdoor School, Teens to Trails, The Ecology School, The Nature Conservancy, White Pine Programs, WinterKids

Developing Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) preK-12 101 Train-the-Trainer (TtT)

An overview of recommended planning processes and key considerations for creating, revising, or enhancing school emergency operations plans (school EOPs)

The REMS TA Center is excited to offer the NEW Developing Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) preK-12 101 Train-the-Trainer (TtT) Training, Virtual Training by Request (VTBR) created in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Supportive Schools (OSSS). This 2.5-hour training presents important Federal guidance on school emergency management
planning.

TRAINING DESCRIPTION

Each school day, our nation’s schools are entrusted to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for approximately 55 million elementary and secondary school students in public and nonpublic schools. In June 2013, the Obama Administration released the Guide for Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans (School Guide) which provides an overview of Federal guidance on school emergency management planning.

The School Guide, produced by the U.S. Departments of Education; Justice, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Homeland Security, led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and Health and Human Services, incorporates lessons learned from events, like the school shooting in Newtown and the tornadoes in Oklahoma, as well as years of emergency planning work by the Federal government, to present a recommended process, important content elements, and key considerations for school emergency operations plan (EOP) development.

In collaboration with their local government and community partners, schools can take steps to plan for these potential emergencies through the creation of a high-quality school EOP. With this preK-12 101 TtT VTBR, an expert team will train potential master trainers on the recommended six-step planning process to create a high quality school EOP, which includes the following:

Step 1: Forming a Collaborative Planning Team
Step 2: Understanding the Situation
Step 3: Determining Goals and Objectives
Step 4: Plan Development
Step 5: Plan Preparation, Review, and Approval
Step 6: Plan Implementation and Maintenance

Pre- and -post training activities will provide guidance on how this training is relevant to emergency operations planning and assist with the implementation of what is learned.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Potential master trainers from participating schools and districts responsible for training site-based planning teams interested in creating, revising, or enhancing school EOPs; school staff who serve, or will serve, on their school or school district’s EOP planning team; and other interested community stakeholders, including first responders, emergency medical services personnel, law
enforcement, and others.

TRAINING DETAILS

When: Monday, November 30, 2020
Time: 9:30 a.m. ET to 12:00 p.m. ET
Training Link: https://seiservices.zoom.us/j/99674882570
Cost: NO CHARGE
Register for this virtual training session online at: https://www.remstacenter.org/TBR/TrainingRegistration.aspx?trainingsid=5354
Registration for this event closes on Friday, November 27, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. (ET).

If you have questions or need additional assistance, please contact REMS TA Center at (855) 781-REMS (7367) or info@remstacenter.org.

Two Maine Educators Honored with 2020-2021 Financial Educator of the Year Award

The Maine Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy has awarded two Maine educators for their outstanding work in financial education. The Maine Jump$tart Financial Educator of the Year Award, established in 2012, was created to recognize an individual who has distinguished themselves through their efforts to improve the financial capability of the students and families they serve. The Maine Jump$tart Coalition is pleased to honor Sheree Inman and Joe Schmidt as the 2020-2021 recipients of the Financial Educator of the Year Award for their leadership and accomplishments in personal finance education.

Sheree Inman is a teacher at South Portland High School, where she wears many hats as the Career Prep Teacher, School to Work Coordinator, and Career Fair Coordinator. Sheree is a leader in her school, and consistently pursues professional development opportunities in personal finance education.

Sheree has played an active role in trainings and events held by Maine Jump$tart, as well as participated in weekly conversations with other Maine personal finance teachers during the transition to distance learning this past spring.

Joe Schmidt is the Social Studies Specialist at the Maine Department of Education, where he provides technical support and professional development to Maine teachers. Joe also led the review of the social studies standards, which includes personal finance and economics, within the Maine Learning Results.

Prior to his role at the Maine DOE, Joe spent nine years as a high school social studies teacher in Wisconsin and three years as a teacher leader for social studies curriculum and instruction for the Madison, Wisconsin public school district. Joe currently serves on the national advisory boards for iCivics and Teaching Tolerance, chairs the National Council for the Social Studies Government and Public Relations committee, and has completed multiple fellowships and leadership opportunities.

Joe’s support, knowledge, and expertise has been an invaluable resource to Maine social studies teachers, particularly this past spring. Mary Dyer, president of the Maine Jump$tart Coalition, says, “Joe’s work in support of Maine educators, particularly during the transition to distance learning as a result of COVID-19, was simply extraordinary. Joe has served as an important voice for personal finance and economics educators in Maine and we are truly blessed to have him in our ranks.”

As recipients of the Financial Educator of the Year Award, Ms. Inman and Mr. Schmidt will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the National Jump$tart Educator Conference in 2021, where they will network with financial educators from across the country. Ms. Inman and Mr. Schmidt will also be formally honored at the 2021 Fostering Financial Education in Maine Schools Conference.

MEDIA RELEASE: Yarmouth Superintendent Named 2021 Superintendent of Year

The Maine School Superintendents Association (MSMA) has named Yarmouth School Department Superintendent Dr. Andrew Dolloff as the 2021 Maine School Superintendent of the Year.

“I have had the privilege of knowing and collaborating with Andrew Dolloff for many years, and am thrilled that he is being recognized by his peers for his leadership and dedication to Maine schools,” said Commissioner of Education Pender Makin. “He has been a trusted advocate, adviser and leader for many during his career, and he leads with professionalism and grace.”

Dolloff has served Maine’s public schools for more than 30 years. More recently by leading Yarmouth’s public schools since 2014, and prior to that he was Superintendent of Maine RSU 21 in Kennebunk.

His leadership at the State level as an advocate for public education, his willingness to support new administrators, and his collegiality are among the reason he was selected by MSMA for this tremendous honor.

As an active member of Cumberland County Superintendents Association, Dolloff worked with his colleagues not only in Cumberland County but also at the State level to help ensure sound decision-making around schools’ closing and reopening. He has a keen understanding of the complexity of a superintendent’s work, but leads with patience, humor and humility.

In a media release from Portland Public Schools earlier this week, Chris Howell, Superintendent of RSU 14 was quoted as saying, “During this unprecedented time, Andrew has served as a model for all of us in navigating the difficult decisions around learning during COVID-19 while keeping everyone safe, and demonstrating how to do that in a way that is mindful and respectful of all students, staff and families. This recognition is highly deserved.”

Dolloff began his career as a chemistry teacher and basketball coach in central Maine before moving into school administration in Greater Portland in 1996. He has served as a superintendent, assistant superintendent, high school principal, high school assistant principal, and athletic administrator. Among his accomplishments was being named Maine’s Outstanding High School Principal in 2004. He has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Southern Maine since 2009.

Dolloff completed his Ph.D. in Public Policy with a concentration in Educational Policy and Leadership at the Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine. He also holds a master’s degree in educational administration from USM and a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Maine at Farmington. He’s a graduate of Medomak Valley High School in Waldoboro.

Learning Facilitator Program- Great Resource for Schools, Free for Trainees!

In order to be responsive to critical staff shortages in Maine schools as a result of the pandemic, Governor Mills created additional flexibilities and opportunities for educators in Executive Order #7. Based on the Executive Order, the Maine Department of Education, in collaboration with Maine Community College System and Eastern Maine Community College, has developed the Learning Facilitator Program, a fast-track training program for paraprofessional level educators to expand, strengthen and support a high quality educator workforce.

The program, which is offered at no cost to the participants, is completed in two phases in one academic year with the ongoing support of Eastern Maine Community College faculty.

A week-long 3-credit course “boot camp” with foundational elements of classroom management and school culture. Additionally, the core boot camp curriculum includes training in COVID readiness, bloodborne pathogens, suicide awareness and prevention, mandated reporter training, and fingerprint clearance in order to address both substitute teacher and long-term support staff preparedness.
The second phase of the program consists of a combination of online work, professional learning community meetings, and a structured teaching apprenticeship (315 hours).

Upon completion of the 3-credit course “boot camp,” participants will have the foundational skills necessary to fill short- and long-term substitute educator roles, as well as all paraprofessional positions. They can support instruction and provide guidance to learners in the classroom under the supervision of a mentor teacher or teaching team. Mentor teachers or teaching teams may be working remotely or in-person. Special coding for Learning Facilitators has been created within NEO for schools, so that subsidy will not be impacted.

Educators who complete all elements of the Learning Facilitator Program, as outlined above, will qualify for an Educational Technician III certification.

For more information related to the program, please visit the EMMC website, here.

Free Inclusive Practices Training & Technical Assistance for Public Preschool Programs

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to announce a professional development opportunity designed specifically for Public Preschool Programs. This initiative will support a third cohort of public preschool educators and administrators in providing inclusive practices within high quality preschool environments for 4-year-olds.

This offering is available to any district in Maine with a Public Preschool Program. The 2020-21 cohort will consist of 3 classrooms of 6 participants each. Teams must include the preschool teacher, ed tech, principal, special ed director, elementary special ed teacher and a regional CDS consultant or teacher. The purpose of team participation is to ensure consistent understanding and application of the course content so that high quality inclusive practices will be supported and sustained.

The DOE Inclusive Initiative is a collaboration with Child Development Services (CDS) and Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network (MRTQ PDN), a University of Maine System partnership between University of Southern Maine (USM) and University of Maine (UMaine). The partnership includes the University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies (CCIDS) which has expertise in providing training and technical assistance around inclusion, equity and access.

The project faculty will deliver a continuum of learning and support activities through a blended learning model that equips teams to learn about, reflect on, practice and apply the information and strategies to build and strengthen instructional practices that promote high quality preschool environments. Each team will participate in and have access to:

Online training covering a range of topics with the objective of helping early educators develop a deeper understanding of how to promote inclusion in the classroom.
Consultation to expand on the training content and use the materials to personalize learning within your own setting.
A facilitated professional learning community (PLC) with other peers as “thinking partners” to share and explore topics and application strategies.
A suite of resources and tools to support this work.

Benefits of Participation for Maine Schools

Opportunities for administrators, teachers, educational technicians and CDS staff to:

Devote dedicated time as a team to focus on preschool pedagogy.
Develop a shared understanding of the components of high quality inclusive preschool classrooms.
Identify, plan and work toward a common goal to continue to support equity and excellence.
Receive certificates of contact hours which support certification renewal and/or local professional development requirements.
Gain access to other early care and education professional development opportunities.
Enhance teacher recruitment, retention and quality.

Please visit here to hear from past participants about their experiences in this initiative.

Districts are asked to apply by November 30, 2020 to take advantage of this exciting professional development opportunity. The tentative timeline is outlined in the table below.

The project requirements include:	Projected timeline:
Completing the On-demand training: Inclusive Environments in Public Pre-K.	By December 11, 2020.
Participating in a half-day virtual orientation session.	Mid December 2020
Completing an 18 hour online training: Creating Inclusive Preschool Settings Classrooms.	January – March 2021
Participating in 2 PLC’s scheduled as follow-up support during the online training (is there a better way to say this?)	January – March 2021
Participating in consultation 2 (1-2 hour) classroom based consultations (onsite or technology-based). 2 (1-2 hour) administrative consultation (onsite or technology based)	February – April 2021
Participating in wrap up meeting hosted by the DOE to evaluate the project and short district team presentations to showcase their learning.	May 2021

The application is available at this link. For more information, view the FAQ or contact Nicole Madore at Nicole.madore@maine.gov .

Meet the 2020 National Teacher of the Year

NTOY Tabitha Roy with students Tabatha Rosproy, a 10-year veteran teacher from Kansas, is the first early childhood educator to be named National Teacher of the Year. She teaches preschool for Winfield Early Learning Center (WELC) in Winfield, Kansas. The preschool is housed in Cumbernauld Village, a local retirement community and nursing home. Her classroom was highlighted in a video that can be seen here.

Maine Department of Education is very excited about the opportunity to host Tabatha in a meet and greet session that will be moderated by Nicole Madore, Early Childhood Specialist. We will discuss important early childhood topics including inclusion, family engagement, transitions, and other best practice strategies. There will also be time for participants to ask their own questions to gain further insight from Tabatha’s experience as an early childhood educator.

All early childhood (birth-3rd grade) educators, administrators, childcare providers, Head Start staff and higher-education students are welcomed and encouraged to join!

The two-hour event will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 from 3pm-5pm. Pre-registration is required.

More information about the National Teacher of the Year process, as well as Tabatha’s bio, is available here:

Any questions can be directed to Nicole Madore, Early Childhood Specialist, at nicole.madore@maine.gov.

Additional Cloth Face Masks Available for SAUs

The Department of Education is thrilled to notify School Administrative Units (SAUs) of the availability of an additional 1 million cloth face coverings, to be distributed immediately.

As COVID-19 cases continue to spread across Maine and the country, schools are keenly focused on ensuring the six health and safety requirements for in-person instruction are being implemented. Cloth masks should be the primary option for face coverings in schools. Cloth masks can and should be cleaned between uses, and are now readily available, with over 1 million in stock, through the collaborative efforts of DOE’s Maine School Safety Center (MSSC), Maine Emergency Management Association (MEMA), Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services (DAFS), and other agencies.

A reminder, emergency funds have been utilized for procurement of supplies for SAUs, and those supplies that have been provided by MSSC should be used specifically for the purposes and by the people for whom they were designated as part of the distribution process.

For example, highly sought-after medical gowns, allocated for staff who must have close contact with students or those who are sick, should not be instead repurposed for use in art class. For most staff and students, surgical grade disposable masks should not be used in place of reusable cloth masks.

To order additional cloth masks for your school, please follow the directions below:

Using a browser such as Chrome or Firefox (please do NOT use Internet Explorer, as it is not compatible) please log into the portal https://stateofmaine.lp4fb.com/index.php?route=account/login and place your order for cloth masks.

For additional questions or information, please contact Melissa Condon at Melissa.A.Condon@maine.gov.

US Department of Education Approves Waiver for Maine DOE to Allow 21st CCLC Programs to Operate During School Hours

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) has received federal approval on its request to waive section 4201(b)(1)(A) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Approval of this waiver grants Maine DOE the temporary authority to allow 21st CCLC programs to provide supplemental services to students during school hours, provided that such services do not supplant, conflict with, or compete with classroom instruction or other services provided by school personnel. This waiver is meant to offer significant flexibilities to 21st CCLC program providers in addressing challenges brought on by COVID-19 through the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year.

Local 21st CCLC program providers who wish to take advantage of this waiver opportunity must submit a waiver request to the Maine DOE for consideration. Please note that waiver requests will be reviewed on a rolling basis, in the order in which they are received. Additionally, a 21st CCLC program provider may not begin using 21st CCLC funds for services during school hours until such time as the Maine DOE has provided an approved waiver to that provider.

How to Apply: Interested parties should contact Travis Doughty at travis.w.doughty@maine.gov to obtain a copy of the Waiver Request Form and then return the completed form with all required signatures.

Contact: For more information on this waiver opportunity, please contact State Coordinator, Travis Doughty at travis.w.doughty@maine.gov or 624-6709.

MEDIA RELEASE: Bonny Eagle Middle School Nurse Named 2020/2021 School Nurse of the Year

The Maine Association of School Nurses (MASN) recently announced that Donna Jordan from Bonny Eagle Middle School is the 2020/2021 Maine School Nurse of the Year. This award acknowledges a member of the MASN who demonstrates excellence in school nursing practice, and leadership in the profession.

“Our School Nurses are true heroes, and work tirelessly to ensure the health and safety of everyone in their school community,” said Maine DOE Commissioner Pender Makin. ” Congratulations to Mrs. Jordan on this tremendous honor, in a time that is so very demanding of school nurses in particular.”

Mrs. Jordan started her school nursing career 15 years ago at Bonny Eagle Middle School and continues to work there today. She is a trusted medical figure within her middle school community – not just among students, but also among staff. She has been described by one colleague as the “staple health professional” in a building of over 800 students and 100 staff members. Her school principal describes her as “a true professional who brings all she is to her position.”

In her career at Bonny Eagle Middle School, Mrs. Jordan has worked tirelessly as a champion for multiple causes. Her influence at the school and within the district is seen through committee appointments at the local and state level, in her training and educational roles, and as the recipient of several funded grants. She maintains professional membership in both the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) and the Maine Association of School Nurses (MASN) and has served on the board of MASN for the past five years as treasurer. As one supporter stated, “she is a natural born leader…perceptive, caring, extremely bright, and always willing to go the extra mile for her school children and for her peers.”

“I am so proud of the way school nurses have taken on the incredible challenges of the Coronavirus,” added Makin. “Their knowledge, experience, and grace has been vital to the emergency preparedness partnerships in Maine schools across the state.”

For more information about past School Nurses of the Year, or how to nominate someone in your school community, visit the MASN website.