Maine DOE Update – December 8, 2023

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

EF-M-39B Adult Education Subsidy Report Due Soon

The EF-M-39B Adult Education report is due on December 15, 2023. All public school administrative units (SAUs), excluding public charter schools, must report even if there are no pupils to report. Data entered into this report is based on the number of Resident Students from SAUs who are attending Regional Adult Education Programs.   | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Apply Today for the 2024 Maine Outdoor Learning Initiative. Applications Due By January 12

Apply Now! Schools and community-based organizations can now apply for the 2024 Maine Outdoor Learning Initiative grants through the Maine Department of Education (DOE). These grants support hands-on, engaging, interdisciplinary outdoor learning and career exploration opportunities that connect students with Maine’s amazing natural environments and landscapes.  | More

Volunteer Maine Celebrates New and Retiring Community Service Leaders

The Maine Commission for Community Service (MCCS), also known as Volunteer Maine, recently celebrated the contributions of five community service leaders who completed terms on the Commission. At the same time, the Commission welcomed five new members appointed by Governor Janet Mills and witnessed the swearing-in of two leaders reappointed for three-year terms. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development, Training, and Events

First 10 Community School Informational Session

Has your elementary school and its community partners been interested in collaborating to support children and families in your community? Have you wondered about the positive outcomes such partnerships can afford? If so, the First 10 Community School model may be just such an opportunity to consider. | More

Registration is Now Open for the 2024 Maine School Winter Wellness Summit, Give Roots to Wellness!

By mid-school year school personnel are ready for a pick me up that provides information, experiences, resources, and tools to care for one’s self and others. The Maine Department of Education, Office of School and Student Supports, Employee Health Promotion and Wellness Program is pleased to be able to offer the 2024 Maine School Winter Wellness Summit, Give Roots to Wellness! School leaders and employees from across the State are invited to register for this event. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities:

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here

EF-M-39B Adult Education Subsidy Report Due Soon

The EF-M-39B Adult Education report is due on December 15, 2023. All public school administrative units (SAUs), excluding public charter schools, must report even if there are no pupils to report. Data entered into this report is based on the number of Resident Students from SAUs who are attending Regional Adult Education Programs. Students attending Adult Education Programs under Superintendent Agreements are reported by the attending SAU. This report is only intended to include students aged 16-20 years old who have exited regular education and are alternatively taking Adult Education courses. This report covers the reporting range from July 1st to December 30th of adult education students, courses, and credits/hours.

Reporting Period: 7/1-12/31
Open Date: 12/1
Due Date: 12/15

If you have questions about this report please contact MEDMS.Helpdesk@maine.gov or call 207-624-6896

Volunteer Maine Celebrates New and Retiring Community Service Leaders

(Pictured: Dedimus Justice Heather Priest administers the oath of office to three Commission appointees. Pam Proulx-Curry of Old Town [L], Necole Janczura of Cushing [C], and Diane Lebson of Camden [R])

The Commissioners are a diverse, bipartisan group of citizens, who represent at least one of the 25 volunteer service sectors named in the Commission’s statute. The board is charged with ensuring Maine’s community and volunteer service sector can effectively tackle critical local needs. The Commission awards AmeriCorps grants and oversees training and technical assistance for community volunteer leaders.

The following have been reappointed for 3-year terms:

Pam Proulx-Curry of Old Town (left in the photo), Executive Director of Maine Multicultural Center in Bangor. Proulx-Curry is the Chair-elect of the Maine Commission for Community Service.
Diane Lebson of Camden (right in the photo), CEO and Co-founder of Evergreen Philanthropic Solutions. Lebson is the Chair of the Communications Task Force.

The following are newly appointed to the Maine Commission for Community Service by Governor Janet Mills:

Necole Janczura of Cushing Business Development Officer for First National Bank
Kelly Day of Westbrook, Director of Volunteer Services for Catholic Charities Maine
William Sedlack of Scarborough, Executive Director of the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust
Matthew Williams of Ellsworth, City Planner for the City of Ellsworth
Michael Williams of Greenbush, County Manager for Piscataquis County

Honored for their service on the Maine Commission for Community Service:

Phil Bosse of Winthrop, a retiree from U.S. Senator Susan Collins staff
Nate Rudy, now a foreign service officer with the State Department
Zakk Maher, Community Development Manager for the City of Auburn
Ed Barrett of Lewiston a retired City Administrator in Lewiston
Robert Meinders of Benedicta, a retiree from USDA

Volunteer Maine, the Maine Commission for Community Service, builds capacity and sustainability in Maine’s volunteer sector by funding service programs, developing volunteer managers and service-learning practitioners, raising awareness of the scope and the impact of the volunteer sector, and encouraging an ethic of service.

First 10 Community School Informational Session

Has your elementary school and its community partners been interested in collaborating to support children and families in your community? Have you wondered about the positive outcomes such partnerships can afford? If so, the First 10 Community School model may be just such an opportunity to consider. Join the Maine Department of Education for an informational session to:

learn more about the First 10 Community School model,
consider being part of an ongoing First 10 Community School pilot, and
obtain answers to questions you have about the model.

An informational session will be held on December 14 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. A link to register for the session can be found below. The session will be recorded and shared if you are unable to attend the live presentation.

December 14 Registration – 3:30-4:30 pm

Developed by Education Development Center, First 10 Community Schools bring together school systems, early childhood programs, and community partners/agencies to improve care and education for young children and their families throughout the first 10 years of children’s lives. This model works to improve teaching and learning, deepen partnerships with families, and provide comprehensive services for children and families. Typical First 10 practices include, but are not limited to:

fostering engagement of families with schools and community partners,
providing play and learn groups linked to elementary schools,
coordinating connections to health and social services,
connecting child care providers with elementary schools,
improving the quality of early childhood programs,
coordinating the transition to kindergarten,
conducting joint professional learning among early childhood, pre-k and elementary teachers, and
aligning and improving elementary grade curriculum and instruction.

Information about First 10 Community Schools can be found on the Maine Department of Education’s First 10 webpage and on Education Development Center’s First 10 webpage. For more information, reach out to Lee Anne Larsen, Director of Early Learning, at leeann.larsen@maine.gov or Sue Gallant, First 10 Community School Consultant, at Sue.Gallant@maine.gov.

Registration is Now Open for the 2024 Maine School Winter Wellness Summit, Give Roots to Wellness!

Thursday, January 25 and Friday, January 26
The Samoset Resort in Rockport

This event is open to individuals and teams in schools interested in worksite health promotion and wellness as well as community members supporting schools.

The goal of the Winter Wellness Summit is to inspire and empower participants to take care of their personal health, and to create healthier, more supportive, and safer school environments for all. The Summit agenda supports the promotion of health improvement to enhance well-being and academic achievement.

This year’s agenda includes three educational and inspirational keynote presentations, engaging workshops on personal wellness practices and positive and healthier school environments, worksite wellness program planning, and network opportunities with colleagues and professionals from across the State who value health promotion and wellness.

The cost of the two-day event is $150/person for early bird (through December 22nd) and $175/person for standard registration (after December 22nd) inclusive of five meals. Accommodations are on your own, but we have secured a block of rooms at an excellent rate below the State per diem rates! All the details can be found on the Winter Wellness Summit webpage.

See the agenda.

Direct questions to susan.berry@maine.gov.