Maine DOE Launches Website Updates!

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is excited to announce some updates to our website! This week we launched a new homepage, an updated navigation menu, and a brand-new set of DOE office web pages to streamline your ability to get the resources and support you need from the DOE.

To elevate educator voices, news and programs you need, and professional learning resources, our new homepage features content from Maine DOE’s social media sites, the Maine DOE Newsroom, Maine DOE’s professional event calendar, and Maine DOE’s YouTube channel. The new homepage also features good news stories from Maine schools. Check out our new homepage here.

In addition to the homepage, we’ve streamlined the menu and included a new set of pages based on the Maine DOE’s external facing offices. These webpages start with a landing page showcasing the many overarching offices within the DOE and the work they do, including the teams, resources, and functions within each office. We hope this provides an improved, more organized path to find our resources and a more efficient way to connect with the different teams that work at the Maine DOE: Find the new office pages here.

We are excited about these changes and hope they create a more user-friendly experience for you! Please be on the lookout for further website changes and content updates in the future.

MaineCare in Education: New Resources and Updated MaineCare in Education 2023 Guide

The Office of MaineCare Services has updated the MaineCare in Education web page. This webpage provides information and important updates about policy and billing changes to MaineCare-covered services that are provided in an educational setting.

Available on this page are the following services:

Sign up for MaineCare’s E-Messages and Bulletins.
Review the newly updated 2023 MaineCare in Education Billing Guide- Revised August, 2023.
Access Joint Resources Developed by MaineCare and the Maine Department of Education.
Sign Up for Virtual Meetings and Trainings.
Participate in New MaineCare in Education Courses developed specifically for Parents, Guardians, MaineCare Providers, School Administrators, and other stakeholders.

Educational resources for Parents and Guardians  

My Student and MaineCare   – an online course created with parents and guardians in mind. It provides an overview of what MaineCare is and how students can get MaineCare services in schools. This course takes about forty-five (45) minutes to complete.

Educational Resources for School Administrators and MaineCare Providers  

MaineCare 100:  Introduction to MaineCare
MaineCare 101:  Introduction to School Health-Related Services
MaineCare 102:  Advanced School Health-Related Services for Providers

As a reminder, all providers who deliver services pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) must ensure all services are documented in accordance with the Department of Health and Human Services/Maine Department of Education Joint Guidance on Individualized Education Plan (IEP) documentation.

For technical assistance regarding the billing and processing of MaineCare claims, please email MaineCareinEducation.DHHS@maine.gov or Pamela.Grotton@maine.gov.

For all other questions related to the provision of School Health-Related Services, please email Trista.Collins@maine.gov.

Webinar: Quarterly Reporting – September 12, 2023

Join the data team for a webinar about quarterly state reporting requirements – Attendance, Truancy, Behavior, and Bullying.

This webinar will be recorded and posted to the DOE Data YouTube playlist. It may take a few days for the recording to be posted, however, it will be available as soon as possible. Additional information about this webinar can be found on the Maine DOE Data Webinar webpage of the Helpdesk Website.

If this webinar is canceled, there will be a notice posted on the Helpdesk Website at the top of the page.

Alternate Economic Status Form Webinar:

September 12th at 10:00 am
Join the live event here

For questions about data reporting webinars please contact Alexandra.Cookson@maine.gov

Celebrating Summer Food Service Programs Providing Free, Healthy Meals for Students Across Maine

(Pictured: part of the lunch spread provided at an MSAD 33 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) meal site this summer.)

Portland’s Munjoy South playground filled with people as meals were distributed to students through the USDA Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) recently. The Munjoy South playground site, which is one of 12 summer meal sites throughout the city and over 400 across the state, is operated through Portland Public Schools. The site serves 20 to 30 students a day on average and on this particular day, was serving sandwiches, chicken drumsticks, cornbread, fruits, vegetables, milk, and more.

The SFSP is a federally funded and state-administered program that provides free, healthy meals and snacks to children, youth, and adolescents in low-income communities. Local sponsors, like Portland Public Schools, operate the meal program throughout Maine.

At the Munjoy South summer meal site were volunteers from the Maine Celtics and the Locker Project. The Maine Celtics volunteers help run summer day camps Mon-Fri for students and also enjoy playing quick games of soccer and basketball with anyone who wants to join in. Also present was The Locker Project, which helps fight food insecurity in Cumberland County by providing students and families with surplus local produce and other foods, in addition, the Book Fairy Pantry Project was there with a free book stand with ample children’s books for the taking.

Food provided by The Locker Project at the Munjoy South Playground Summer Meal Site

Books provided by the Book Fairy Pantry Project

On this day, also visiting the meal site were representatives from Maine Equal Justice, Good Shepherd Food Bank, the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council, AmeriCorps VISTA, Preble Street, Full Plates Full Potential, and the offices of Governor Mills, Senator Collins, Senator King, and Representative Pingree. These organizations were brought together by Anna Korsen, Full Plates Full Potential, Policy and Program Coordinator to showcase all that Portland Public Schools (PPS) has done to provide food for local youth and to witness the success and joy of so many community partners coming together to benefit the community.

Maine DOE Assistant Director of Child Nutrition Adriane Ackroyd speaking with state leaders at the Munjoy South Playground Meal Site.

State partners gather for a group picture at the Munjoy South Playground Summer Meal Site recently.

Maine has good reason to celebrate all that has been accomplished this summer and recently in the way of providing nutritious food to youth both during the summer and the school year.

Maine is one of the first states to provide meals at no charge to public school students during the school year. Starting with the pandemic-related waiver that allotted funds for schools across the United States to provide free meals for students in the 2021/2022 school year, this past year a new Maine-specific law went into effect that provides funds to Maine schools through its annual budget, specifically to provide school meals to all students, regardless of their family’s income. Maine is one of less than 10 states to continue with free meals for all students beyond the pandemic.

Maine is incredibly proud of its many partnerships between both federal and state-level partners, Maine school nutrition programs, and countless community partners across our state who have worked tirelessly to feed Maine’s youth through school-administered programming all year long.

We want to celebrate school nutrition champions like Dawn Hilton the Director of Food Services for PPS and Jim Hanna, Executive Director, Cumberland County Food Security Council for their ongoing work to organize local partners within their community at sites like the Munjoy South playground. In addition to Hilton, there are 106 other districts across Maine with countless school nutrition champions that partner with organizations within their communities to offer summer meal sites at 400 sites throughout Maine.

Special thanks to Kittery School Department, MSAD 33/27, RSU 54, and Belfast Soup Kitchen for providing pictures from some of their summer meal sites this summer:

Kittery School Department

MSAD 33

MSAD 27

RSU 54

Belfast Soup Kitchen Summer Meals site, a partnership with SNAP-Ed.

For Portland’s efforts, Hilton would like to thank her Summer Meal Team for their continued help in fighting food insecurity along with the Maine Celtics, Cumberland County Food Security Council, Full Plates Full Potential, and the Locker Project for their endless support in their work during the summer. It is because of community partnerships like these, that exist in every corner of Maine, Maine DOE can leverage federal programs like Maine’s Summer Food Service Program to direct funding to communities across our state to help fight food insecurity throughout the summer.

To learn more about the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) in Maine and how to get involved, visit the Maine Department of Education’s website.

Info Sessions: Conceptual Classrooms & Educational Programs for Teachers (ConCEPT)

On August 31st and September 7th, the Interdisciplinary Instruction Team is offering informational webinars on “Conceptual Classrooms & Educational Programs for Teachers” (ConCEPT), an innovative approach aimed at enhancing your teaching practices and student engagement through concept-based inquiry strategies. This program offers a comprehensive learning experience grounded in evidence-based research that will equip you with valuable tools and knowledge to transform your classroom approach.

What does ConCEPT offer?

Connection to Research: Discover evidence-based strategies and practices that support effective concept-based inquiry in the classroom.
Mapping and Planning: Learn how to design curriculum and instruction using concept-based frameworks, empowering your students’ learning journey.
Collaboration: Engage in collaborative activities and discussions with fellow educators, fostering a community of shared ideas and experiences.
Customization: Tailor your learning experience to suit your team’s unique pathway, ensuring maximum impact on your teaching practices.

Why should you participate in ConCEPT?

Enhanced Curriculum Design: Develop concept-based inquiry curriculum and instruction design skills that align with the latest educational standards.
Strengthened Pedagogical and Content Knowledge: Deepen your understanding of pedagogy and content across various subject areas.
Active Learning Strategies: Discover dynamic and engaging active learning strategies to invigorate your classroom environment.
Take Away Ideas and Materials: Gain valuable resources, ideas, and materials to enrich your teaching practices.
Integrated SEL Strategies: Learn how to integrate Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) effective strategies to create a nurturing and inclusive classroom atmosphere.
Learning from National Experts: Benefit from the expertise of renowned national educators who will guide and inspire you throughout the program.

Who is ConCEPT designed for?

ConCEPT is open to teams of 3-6 members from K-12 schools. Participants may include Classroom Teachers, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Coordinators, and other Administrators (Superintendent/Principal). Teams must include at least one Classroom Teacher and at least one Administrator (e.g., Coach, Coordinator, building/district Supervisor, etc.). The rest of the team may be made up of any combination of participants.

Program Details:

Cost: Participation in ConCEPT is entirely free!
Contact Hours: You can earn up to 24 contact hours during the program.
Reimbursement: Districts/schools are eligible for reimbursement of costs associated with planning, such as substitutes or after-contract hours, up to $5000.

To learn more and register for the informational webinar, please visit the ConCEPT web page.

For further information, please contact Kathy Bertini, the Interdisciplinary Instruction Team Coordinator, at (207) 816-0294 or kathy.bertini@maine.gov.

Join us in this exciting educational journey that will empower you to create enriching concept-based learning experiences for your students. We look forward to seeing you continue to thrive as educators and positively impact your classrooms and school communities.

The ConCEPT program is supported as part of the Maine Online Open-Source Education (MOOSE) project. MOOSE is funded entirely (100%) through Federal money under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA) and American Rescue Plan (ARP), totaling $4,598,000 for the current 2023-2024 funding cycle.

Media Release: Maine DOE’s Career Advancement and Navigation Specialists Build Workforce Skills Across Maine

The Maine Department of Education (DOE)’s Adult Education team recently launched a Career Advancement and Navigation Specialist initiative to build workforce skills across Maine. The four state Career Advancement and Navigation Specialists work in different regions of Maine and serve people with the next steps in their careers. They help people explore career options, create impactful resumes, apply for positions, seek further career and skills training, obtain translator services, and connect them with community support resources.

Through Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan (MJRP) funding, Career Navigators have already helped more than 450 workers across the state with their career goals, including a new Mainer who sought a second shift position to support his family. The Career Navigator was able to help him find a position that fit his experience and needs and supported him in the process of getting translation services, applying, interviewing, onboarding, and orientation. Another worker was able transition from a food delivery position to a new job in the court system through his work with a Career Navigator.

Maine’s Career Navigators support workers in their communities, at Adult Education sites and through community-based organizations, by partnering with other agencies including the Career Center and FedCAP Rehabilitations Services, and through a network of relationships with employers in manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and hospitality. To learn more about the Career Navigators, click here.

Career Navigators share their experiences:

“I spoke with a local recovery group about the ways I can help them when they’re ready for employment.  At the end of the conversation, the facilitator said, ‘Normally when we talk about employment, the conversation feels stressful and difficult.  This is the first time it feels hopeful.’ The best part of this job is being able to help people see hope and help them work towards a different future,” said Kate Points, Career Navigator for York County.

“The work of the Career Navigator in local communities means being able to meet people where they’re at, personally and sometimes even physically. Many of our potential clients have access barriers, both physical and mental. They lack transportation, communication skills, technology access, or not only the knowledge, but the tools or the executive function required to access those resources. Many have experienced shame in asking for help previously and they need an advocate who can provide the kind of high touch service and support that puts them and their needs first when it comes to accessing education and employment. In this way, the impact of Career Navigator services are immeasurable,” said Cassie Robichaux, a Career Navigator for Waldo, Knox, Sagadahoc and Lincoln counties.

“The diversity of the people coupled with how resilient they are in my community amazes me. Although the amount of people I serve is high, I’m driven to help more people because getting to know more wonderful people in my community has been so meaningful,” said Karen Morin, a Career Navigator for Kennebec County.

“Sometimes things get in the way and what was once a clear track becomes riddled with obstacles. Career Navigators help people overcome the obstacles encountered when they are looking for employment and the next step in their career journey. That, to me, has always been a great distinction and huge benefit of career navigation through adult education: we can still support you, even after you’ve graduated and whether you’re affiliated with an educational institution or not,” said Frank Spurr, a Career Navigator for Androscoggin and Oxford Counties.

Since the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan took effect in October 2021, the Mills Administration has delivered direct economic relief to nearly 1,000 Maine small businesses, supported more than 100 infrastructure projects around the state to create jobs and revitalize communities, and invested in workforce programs estimated to offer apprenticeship, career and education advancement, and job training opportunities to 22,000 Maine people. For more about Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, visit maine.gov/jobsplan.

Pre-K for ME, K for ME and 1st Grade for ME Professional Learning Communities Offered 

The Maine Department of Education (DOE), along with public school teachers from across the state, are teaming up to offer monthly professional learning communities (PLCs) for educators implementing Pre-K for ME,  K for ME, and 1st Grade for ME in their classrooms. 

These PLCs are provided to promote understanding of program design and to support successful program implementation.  Program components will be explored in greater depth and teachers will be encouraged to share examples of practice/student work.  Lead teachers and ed techs using the programs are strongly encouraged to attend, whether you are new to using the programs or have been using them for a while. 

This year’s PLC opportunities will be held virtually from 3:30-4:30 pm on the first Tuesday of the month:  

October 3
November 7 
December 5 
January 2 
February 6
March 5   
April 2

Although it is highly encouraged, teachers and ed techs do not have to commit to attending every session. Details about how to access the sessions will be provided after registration is completed. Registrations for the PLCs should be received by September 29, 2023. 

Register here.

For additional information contact Nicole.Madore@maine.gov, Danielle.M.Saucier@maine.gov, or Marcy.R.Whitcomb@maine.gov.

What Holds Us Together. Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin’s Back-to-School Message

It’s time to celebrate the start of a bright new school year! Maine students, teachers, and school staff members are transitioning into familiar rhythms and routines, reconnecting with classmates and colleagues, and forging new micro-communities on the bus, in the classroom, in the cafeteria, and on the playground. Maine’s public schools are outstanding and unique in many ways. For example, we are the only state offering access to Computer Science labs in all schools and for all grade levels, and Maine was one of the first two states in the nation to make the school lunch program free for all students. Highly skilled and exceptionally caring educators are ready to engage, challenge, and support their students, and courageous school and district leaders are encouraging innovative, student-centered practices.

Maine students have daily opportunities to gain knowledge, practice new skills, and develop competencies as self-directed learners. This year, they will discover new interests and hone new strengths as they learn how to thrive as unique individuals within a diverse community of other unique individuals. Our schools provide critical contexts for students to strive boldly, to fail safely, to learn, persevere, and recommit—and to glean early sparks of wisdom from those experiences to light their paths through adulthood.

Reflecting our collective investments and commitments, Maine’s local schools provide shape, cohesion, and definition for our communities. Our schools also stand out, especially in times of stark social and political division, as places where people come together to do the most important work of any free society.

It’s easy to take public education for granted as it’s woven so tightly into the fabric of our lives. So, during this back-to-school season of fresh starts and unlimited hope, it’s important to pause and recognize what a precious and profound common good we share.

Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin

Maine DOE Update – August 25, 2023

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

Webinar: Alternate Economic Status Form – September 5, 2023

Join the Maine DOE Data, Child Nutrition, ESEA, and School Finance Teams for a webinar about the various tracks for reporting economic status for EPS Funding, and specifically how to utilize the Alternate Economic Status form. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

2024 Maine Teacher of the Year State Finalists Announced

Four Maine teachers were announced today as the State Finalists for the 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year program. Second-grade teacher Joshua Chard from Cumberland County, sixth-grade writing and social studies teacher Edith Berger from Lincoln County, fifth-grade science teacher Lacey Todd from Oxford County, and high school science teacher Colleen Maker from Washington County were all selected to move forward in the Teacher of the Year process and were chosen from the 2023 Maine County Teachers of the Year. | More

Second Annual ELO Conference Sparks Learning, Collaboration, and Celebration of Career Exploration Programs in Maine Schools

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) and Jobs for Maine Graduates (JMG) partnered to host the 2nd Annual ELO (Extended Learning Opportunities) conference at the University of Maine at Orono (UMaine) recently. The event brought together more than 75 ELO coordinators, mostly from different school administrative units, across three days. | More

Maine DOE RREV Team Hosts Second Annual Coaches Summit

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Rethinking Responsive Education Ventures (RREV ) initiative is a U.S. DOE grant that provides federal funds to Maine’s educators, allowing for innovative, integrative learning opportunities to be incorporated into curriculums. Supported by the Office of Innovation at the Maine DOE, the RREV grant has been implemented for the past two years. At each RREV awardee school, the pilot implementation process is overseen by a RREV coach, who offers guidance and support to the pilot teams. This summer, these coaches met for a two-day Coaches Summit, and this is what they learned. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

South Portland ELO Coordinator Making Career Exploration Opportunities More Accessible for Students

As South Portland High School’s Extended Learning Coordinator, Sheree Inman hopes to open career exploration opportunities to as many students as possible. When South Portland received the Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) grant, Inman was tasked with uniting the school’s existing internship and co-op programs and expanding these offerings to more students. Inman has been immensely successful in implementing the school’s ELO Program with many students participating in internships, job shadows, and other career-related opportunities. | More

Meroby Elementary School Improves Student Attendance with Family Engagement Opportunities

As student absenteeism became a persistent issue at Meroby Elementary School, three school leaders worked together in a successful effort that decreased the school’s chronically absent rate by more than 40% over the course of a school year. | More

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development, Training, and Events

Focus on Challenging Behaviors in the Classroom – A Community of Practice (CoP) Opportunity

The Maine Department of Education’s Early Learning Team is pleased to announce a new Community of Practice (CoP) focusing on supporting challenging behaviors in the classroom. We are excited to bring together pre-k-2nd grade educators across our state in a virtual platform to build a community of support, resources, and learning. | More

Powerful Practices Professional Learning Community (PLC) Sessions: Reflection

Want to develop a reflective practice and need some support? Although many educators know reflection is important, it can be challenging to carve out the time to do it. This workshop series provides teachers with the resources and time to start (or restart) reflecting on their practice. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities:

School Mental Health Distinguished Educator Opportunity

The Office of School and Student Supports (O3S) at the Maine DOE is seeking a mental health professional for SY 2023-24. This opportunity is open to contracted school counselors, school social workers, or school mental health clinicians. | More

Applications Open for 2023-2024 MOOSE Instructional Designers

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is currently looking for dynamic, creative, and collaborative educators to join the MOOSE Team! Now in its fourth year, Maine’s Online Open-Source Education (MOOSE) platform continues to grow. We have been expanding our module library in areas of identified need, creating a robust resource for Maine students designed by Maine educators. These modules are student-driven and center on interdisciplinary, project-based learning experiences that are accessible, inclusive, and available for free online. | More

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here

South Portland ELO Coordinator Making Career Exploration Opportunities More Accessible for Students

Through the program, South Portland students have been able to pursue ELOs in a wide variety of career fields including banking, real estate, media, firefighting, veterinary care, and more. One of Inman’s students was interested in finance and accounting and went on to intern for Saco Biddeford Savings Bank for her ELO. Through this internship, she gained hands-on experience in bank telling, accounting, and marketing and was able to spend time in their corporate office. This is just one of the program’s many success stories in which students have been able to gain professional experience and a head start on their career path.

Another career exploration opportunity available to students through the program is the annual career fair. “This is where students can talk to employers about occupations and opportunities beyond high school,” said Inman. Several local businesses at the career fair also offer job shadows and internships for students.

“The best part of my job is when I can make a connection with a student into a field that they really want to learn more about,” said Inman. Seeing students get excited about these opportunities gives her a great sense of pride in her work.

“Without this type of programming in schools, students don’t always get to see what actually happens in various career fields,” said Inman. In the future, she hopes to continue to provide individual ELO opportunities while expanding offerings for group ELO experiences. She is also working with special education teachers to help bring ELO opportunities to their students.

Inman and the South Portland ELO Program are very thankful to their community business partners and to South Portland’s Economic Development Director William Mann.

Extended Learning Opportunities (ELOs) are hands-on, credit-bearing courses outside of the traditional classroom with an emphasis on community-based career exploration. These opportunities are personalized for students and help them explore options for their professional lives. They help students engage in learning through instruction, assignments, and experiential learning. The Maine Department of Education (DOE), along with state-wide partner Jobs for Maine Graduates (JMG), have made a concerted effort to provide working models, support, and funding opportunities for Maine schools to set up ELO programs within their school communities. To learn more about Maine’s initiatives with extended learning opportunities, visit: https://www.maine.gov/doe/index.php/learning/elo or reach out to Maine DOE ELO Coordinator Rick Wilson at rick.wilson@maine.gov.