Using Genealogy to Teach Inclusive History Pilot Program

The Maine DOE is accepting applications for a pilot program with the American Ancestors/New England Historic Genealogical Society. Help students think like a historian and learn how to trace families back in time. Receive inquiry-based lessons that incorporate authentic methodologies used by professional genealogists. Lessons guide students through conducting family history research, and students will hone their research skills using primary sources and case studies from local Native American and African American history. Go beyond family trees and help students make real-world, personal connections to history.

Lesson Plans that Support Students to:

Plan and carry out research
Analyze and evaluate genealogical sources
Draw conclusions and support claims with evidence
Provide guided practice with primary sources (census records, vital records, photographs, etc.)

Case Studies

Martin Luther King, Jr.
Figures and events from Maine Indigenous and African American history

Inclusive Teaching Strategies

Make genealogy accessible to all students
Navigate sensitive topics with students

Address common misconceptions about genealogy

This year-long pilot begins with an in-person workshop in June. During the 2023-2024 school year, the American Ancestors/New England Historic Genealogical Society will provide two virtual sessions to support teachers using these resources in their classrooms. Additionally, the DOE will conduct a monthly virtual PLC to provide a space for teachers to collaborate.

Application Deadline: June 1 , 2023, Click to Apply

For Teachers of Grades: 4-8 Cost: Free

In-person workshop

Virtual Follow-Up Sessions

Virtual PLC

Date: Monday, June 26, 2023

Time: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Location: Maine DOE

Augusta, ME

Date: October & March

Time: TBD

Location: Zoom

Date: Once a month beginning in November

Time: TBD

Location: Zoom

For more information about this program, please contact Jaime Beal, aine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist.

Additional Support for 2023 Summer Learning and Enrichment Programming

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is excited to announce that $2 million dollars of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding will support additional summer learning and enrichment programming for PreK – grade 12 students this summer. This follows the recent award of $2.1 million to 63 school administrative units (SAUs) to support summer enrichment programming through the Title I Summer Reallocation Grant.

The ARP Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding can provide broad support for summer learning and enrichment programs. SAUs should consider a variety of options for summer learning and enrichment programming such as an SAU run program and/or partnerships with non-profit or community organizations to address students’ academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs through a combination of activities. SAUs should maximize enrollment in summer learning and enrichment programs, with a particular focus on underserved students and students most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic while addressing the needs of students of all ages. Evidence-based summer learning and enrichment programs are further described in Volume 2 of the U.S. Department of Education’s COVID-19 Handbook available at: https://www2.ed.gov/documents/coronavirus/reopening-2.pdf.

The application for the ARP ESSER summer learning and enrichment programming competitive grant is now OPEN within the GRANTS4ME platform.

The ARP Summer Learning and Enrichment Application will utilize the Title I Summer Reallocation Grant template. Please navigate to the Grants4ME platform 2023 dropdown menu – titled “Title I Summer Reallocation Grant”.

As with any application on Grants4ME, be sure to click “Draft Started” to begin completing the application.
Within the needs, goals, and outcome section of the application, please describe how the summer learning and enrichment programming will prevent, prepare for and/or respond to COVID-19.
In addition, please ensure that the SAUs business manager and superintendent have enough time to review and approve the application in order to meet the deadline.

The application deadline is May 19, 2023, at 5 PM EST. If you have any questions about the ARP ESSER Summer Learning and Enrichment Programming grant opportunity, please reach out to mary.herman@maine.gov or renee.a.reilly@maine.gov.

View the list of SAUs already awarded funded here.

Regional School Calendars Due June 1, 2023

This notification is a reminder that Regional School Calendars are due by June 1, 2023, for school administrative units (SAU) and private schools, approved for tuition purposes, in coordination with their local secondary career and technical education (CTE) school. This requirement is part of Public Law 2011, Chapter 686 to promote collaboration among local school administrative units that may benefit from inter-administrative unit collaboration beyond CTE.

For the school year 2023-24, both regional school calendars and individual calendars for each school administrative unit must be submitted by the director of the local CTE Center/Region to the Department of Education (DOE) no later than June 1, 2023, for a decision on approval by July 12, 2023. Guidance and templates can be accessed electronically at www.maine.gov/doe/regionalcalendar/.

Given the coordination required for the fulfillment of this law, the Maine DOE recommends that SAUs initiate discussions as soon as possible, including representatives from all affected secondary schools and their associated career and technical education center or region.

For more information, including guidance, instructions, templates, a waiver process, and a link to the complete law, please visit www.maine.gov/doe/regionalcalendar/. Further questions should be directed to Emily Doughty emily.doughty@maine.gov at 207-592-0314 or Dwight Littlefield dwight.a.littlefield@maine.gov at 207- 441-8927.

First 10 Community Schools Request for Applications (RFA)

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is accepting applications from school administrative units (SAUs) and Education in the Unorganized Territory (EUT) to be part of a 3-year First 10 Community School pilot project funded through Maine’s Preschool Development Grant. 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.

Through this opportunity, pilot sites will be supported in developing and implementing First 10 Community School models. To learn more about the model and the pilot opportunity, interested applicants are encouraged to view this recorded First 10 Community School information session. Additional 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.

Eligible schools that are interested in the First 10 Community School grant opportunity may access the application through the First 10 Community School Request for Applications (RFA).

A timeline for the RFA process is provided below.

May 1, 2023–RFA released
May 8, 2023—RFA question submission deadline
May 19, 2023—RFA submission deadline

All questions about the First 10 Community School RFA should be submitted to the First 10 Community School Grant Coordinator identified on the Grant RFPs and RFAs webpage.

Additional questions regarding this announcement should be directed to:
Lee Anne Larsen, Director of Early Learning, leeann.larsen@maine.gov.

Maine DOE Update – April 28, 2023

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items & Webinars

Webinar: ESEA Demographics Report – May 2, 2023

The ESEA Demographics Report will be opening on May 15th. In preparation for this report the MDOE Data Team will be hosting a webinar on May 2nd specific to reporting requirements for this collection. | More

Webinar: Data Entry of Students Experiencing Homelessness

Join the Maine Department of Education (DOE) McKinney-Vento Specialist Amelia Lyons Rukema and Data Quality Training Alexandra Cookson, for an interactive webinar about ensuring accurate reporting of students experiencing homelessness. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Maine DOE Invests $9 Million to Increase School-Based Mental Health Staff and Services

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) announced a $9 million investment, funded through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, to increase school-based mental health staff and services in Maine. Expanding Access in School Environments (EASE) Maine will provide grants to nine high-need school administrative units (SAUs) to support efforts to recruit and retain mental health providers and expand services to students. | More

Shields Up Maine! Ten Maine School Units Participate in a Cybersecurity Cohort for Maine Schools

Maine Teacher of the Year Matt Bernstein Honored at White House Ceremony

Maine’s 2023 Teacher of the Year Matt Bernstein joined state teachers of the year from across the country at the White House yesterday for a recognition ceremony with President Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, and US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. | More

The Early Learning Team Releases New Public Pre-K Self-Assessment and Continuous Quality Improvement Tool

The Maine Department of Education’s Early Learning Team is excited to offer a new resource to help facilitate the continuous quality improvement of high-quality and inclusive public Pre-K in Maine.| More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

‘Connections Classes’ Making Headway at Bath Middle School

A special team of educators has been working quietly and efficiently behind the scenes at Bath Middle School (BMS) in RSU 1 this year, on a new way of thinking, working, and collaborating – a recipe for innovative change. This year, teachers and students alike have had the opportunity to participate in something called, “Connections Classes” taking them out of their regular routine to try something new and rewarding. | More

Telstar High School ELO Program Connect Students with Post-Secondary Goals and Opportunities

At Telstar High School, Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) Coordinator Carrie Lynch helps students engage in authentic, self-directed educational experiences that support their career aspirations. Her work in the ELO program also supports the curriculum development and implementation of 7Peaks, Telstar’s Career Education program along with classroom-based group experiences that can help shape deeper interest in particular subject areas. | More

Oak Hill & Madison Area High School Athletic Teams Partner to Raise Money for Shriner’s Children

The Raiders of Oak Hill High School took it upon themselves this past winter to raise money for an honorable cause. Both girls’ and boys’ basketball programs in conjunction with adjoining programs from Madison Area Memorial High School hosted “Shriners Children’s” night at Oak Hill. | More

Noble Middle School Teacher Nominated for National Patricia Behring History Teacher of the Year

Teachers from 47 National History Day (NHD) Affiliate programs across the nation have been nominated for the Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year award. The award is sponsored by Patricia Behring in recognition of the pivotal role teachers play in the lives of students. Maine teacher, Christa Boeykens-Bui has been nominated for the Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year award. Ms. Bui is a gifted and talented teacher for Noble Middle School in Berwick. | More

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development, Training, and Events

Spring/Summer Book Study Opportunities: ‘Social Emotional Playbook,’ and ‘This Is Your Brain On Stereotypes’

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Social Emotional Learning Implementation Specialist, Sarah Norsworthy is offering, Read Them Your Way book studies on two different titles this spring and summer. | More

Reminder – 2023 Spring Wellness Workshops offered by StrengthenME

Are you feeling burnt out and/or looking for support? StrengthenME, Maine Department of Education Schoolsite Wellness, and Workforce EAP have partnered to provide educators and school staff with free wellness workshops and confidential coaching sessions. | More

New Series: Co-Teaching for Inclusion in Maine

Maine Access to Inclusive Education Resources (MAIER), a collaborative between the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education and the University of Maine, has a variety of professional learning opportunities for the field and is pleased to announce a new series of co-teaching supports for inclusive classrooms and schools. | More

Family & Caregiver Effective Dispute Resolution Information Session

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education and the Maine Parent Federation will host a Family & Caregiver Effective Dispute Resolution Information Session on May 9 from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm. The session will provide information about procedural safeguards, facilitated IEPs (Individualized Educational Plans), and dispute resolution options. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities:

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here

MEDIA RELEASE: Maine DOE Invests $9 Million to Increase School-Based Mental Health Staff and Services

Eastport Public Schools, Jefferson Public Schools, Lewiston Public Schools, RSU 12, RSU 24, RSU 54, RSU 73, RSU 79, and RSU 85 will receive funding over the duration of this 5-year grant. These SAUs were identified as high need because they had low student to mental health provider ratios relative to the rest of the state and nation. Through the EASE Maine grants, the Maine DOE will partner with these SAUs to develop and implement whole student-focused strategies to meet the unique needs of each community, increase student access to much-needed mental health services, and recruit, retain, and re-specialize staff to support the mental health and wellbeing of students, staff, and families. The funding will enable SAUs to collaborate with one another and with community organizations, state agencies, and other partners to confront growing mental health needs following the pandemic by increasing the number of highly qualified mental health services providers in schools.

“Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our students is essential to making sure they thrive in the classroom and in their lives. Thanks to the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, these grants will help schools hire and retain the social workers, counselors, and mental health providers they need to address student mental health needs, which have only grown during the pandemic,” said Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin.

“We at RSU 12 are pleased to partner with the Maine Department of Education through the Expanding Access to Supportive Environments in Maine Schools (EASE) grant. This grant will allow us to build our capacity to hire, retain, and develop professionally qualified school-based mental health teams that reflect our community and provide us with much-needed professional development opportunities and technical assistance. Given the mental health challenges many of our students face, this grant couldn’t have come at a more crucial time. We are truly excited about the possibilities and the positive impact this grant will have on our students and community,” said RSU 12 Superintendent Howard Tuttle.

“We appreciate the conversation and opportunity to help support our students’ social and emotional wellbeing and look forward to making the most of this opportunity,” said RSU 54 Superintendent Jon Moody.

EASE Maine SAU Allocations (Annually for 5 Years):
Eastport Public Schools – $65, 541/year
Jefferson Public Schools – $67,947/year
Lewiston Public Schools – $248,644/year
RSU 12 – $92,698/year
RSU 24 – $88,251/year
RSU 54 – $141,655/year
RSU 73 – $110,560/year
RSU 79 – $121,496/year
RSU 85 – $63,208/year

The Maine DOE’s Office of School and Student Supports provides support and resources for all schools in Maine related to student and staff mental health and wellbeing. Learn more here.

Webinar: ESEA Demographics Report – May 2, 2023

The ESEA Demographics Report will be opening on May 15th. In preparation for this report the MDOE Data Team will be hosting a webinar on May 2nd specific to reporting requirements for this collection.

No registration is required to join. The Join Live event link below will be active on the date and time indicated by the webinar.

The webinar will be recorded and posted to the Webinars page on the Helpdesk Website. It may take a few days to get the recording posted, however, it will be available as soon as possible.

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

ESEA Demographics Webinar:

May 2 at 10:00 am
Join the Live event here on May 2nd
Report opens: May 15

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

Shields Up Maine! Ten Maine School Units Participate in a Cybersecurity Cohort for Maine Schools

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Maine Learning Through Technology Initiative (MLTI) 2.0 program recently engaged ten Maine school administrative units (SAUs) in a cohort to explore relevant cybersecurity topics. The cohort was comprised of both small and large school SAUs from the northern tip of Maine to the southern coast. Participating were technology directors and network administrators; the group met biweekly for four months and will culminate with a panel discussion at this year’s annual ACTEM Spring Leadership Conference at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland on May 1st.

“This program has been extremely helpful as we all try and find our way in the new responsibilities that we find necessary to protect our school districts. Most of us are learning as we go in the world of cybersecurity and protecting our school district’s data and networks.” – Shields Up Maine! participant

Graphic Source: CISA’s K12 Report to Education (see this graphic larger)

The Shields Up Maine! cohort focused on CISA recommendations for education (see graphic) and covered topics that include the National Cybersecurity Review (NCRS), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security K12 Best Practices (CISA’s CSA), Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS -ISAC), the Center for Internet Security (CIS) services, CISA’s- Protecting Our Future Report, Maine School Library Network/Network

Maine (MSLN/NWM) Internet Service Provider (ISP) history and NWM Umbrella Services, Legalities of Information Technology, Maine Government CISO Best Practices, and Incident Response Plan (IRP) Training.

The group vetted various federal resources and services, studying the practicality, affordability, and potential implementation methods of evolving services.

Participating schools in the 2023 cohort include Searsport, Yarmouth, Mount Desert Island, Glenburn, Boothbay Harbor, Fayette, Madawaska, Blue Hill, Standish, and Medomak Valley.

“Shields Up Maine! is a great example of how the DOE has listened to Technology Directors…to connect them with security professionals to better protect Maine schools from cyber-attacks.” Shields Up Maine! participant

For more information about Shields Up Maine! and other infrastructure initiatives, please check out our website. Have questions? Want to learn more? Reach out to MLTI’s Infrastructure Specialist,

Jim Chasses at james.chasse@maine.gov

Spring/Summer Book Study Opportunities: ‘Social Emotional Playbook,’ and ‘This Is Your Brain On Stereotypes’

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Social Emotional Learning Implementation Specialist, Sarah Norsworthy is offering, Read Them Your Way book studies on two different titles this spring and summer.

The Social Emotional Playbook, written by Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey and Dominque Smith is described by publisher Corwin as an “interactive playbook (which) provides the language, moves and evidence-based advice you need to nurture social and emotional learning in yourself, your students and your school.” The book is divided into six modules. This text is designed for educators.
This Is Your Brain On Stereotypes written by Tanya Lloyd Kyi and illustrated by Drew Shannon is described by publisher Kids Can Press as being, “an essential overview of the science behind stereotypes, from why our brains form them to how recognizing them can help us be less biased…This timely and hopeful book addresses the issues of discrimination, racism, sexism, ableism, and homophobia and offers concrete suggestions on how to make change. It uses scientific inquiry and loads of relatable and interesting examples to explore these uncomfortable topics in age-appropriate ways. Chapters, sidebars, and colorful illustrations break the text into manageable chunks. Besides the many ways this book could be used to inspire frank and in-depth discussions on the importance of addressing stereotypes and bias, it also links to many science and social studies curriculum topics. Backmatter includes an extensive list of sources, suggestions for further reading and an index.” This text is designed for educators and is recommended for students 11 and up.

Read Them Your Way

Choose to organize a professional community read. Maine DOE facilitation of a live, interactive, inquiry based discussion is available. Discussions of The Social Emotional Learning Playbook would be facilitated over six weeks, one week per module. Discussions of This Is Your Brain On Stereotypes would be facilitated over one session.
Read individually, at your own pace, and post your thinking on a shared jamboard with other education professionals across Maine. Comment on the thoughts of others w/ MDOE moderation.
Read on your own and join in a live discussion.
- One session LIVE, interactive, inquiry based discussions of The Social Emotional Learning Playbook will be hosted by the MDOE at 4pm on 6/1, 6/29, 7/20 & 8/17. Register here. Breakout groups will be by module, as engagement allows.
- One session LIVE, interactive, inquiry based discussions of This Is Your Brain On Stereotypes will occur at 4pm on 5/31, 6/28, 7/19 and 8/16. Register here. Breakout groups will be used depending on engagement.

Contact hours are available for all opportunities.

Questions? Please contact Sarah Norsworthy, SEL Implementation Specialist at sarah.norsworthy@maine.gov

Telstar High School ELO Program Connect Students with Post-Secondary Goals and Opportunities

“By meeting one-on-one with students, as well as with small groups, the goal is to connect students with local employment or internship opportunities that support their post-secondary goals,” said Lynch.

So far, the program has had some great successes with students. During the course of this year, Lynch has helped place six seniors in internships ranging from working with the District Attorney’s Office in Norway, to Field Electric in Fryeburg, to the National Wildlife Refuge at Lake Umbagog. This fall, she took a small group of 12th graders to York County Community College (YCCC). After touring the campus, one student, in particular, became so excited about the YCCC’s Vet Tech program that she applied to the school the next day. Also, two other students on that trip have now matriculated at YCCC for the fall of 2023.

“Taking visits to colleges is both beneficial and helpful to my post-secondary planning,” said one of the students on the trip. “I get to see where I could possibly be living for the next few years, or cross one off the list!”

Lynch says Telstar’s ELO program has also organized trips in support of science and history classes and career development programs in conjunction with the River Fund and Sunday River. Additionally, all 11th graders have participated in 20-hour job shadows in the community and will start 1-1 meetings to customize schedules and plans for next year.

“The best part of my day is working with students,” said Lynch. “Whether taking a group of students to visit a never-before-seen work site or college to guiding a student in developing a local internship, helping students realize–and become excited about–their post-secondary options is what this program is all about. In the future, I hope that an internship experience will become the norm for most of our students.”

Lynch and Telstar High School would like to extend a big thank you to Rural Aspirations for all they have done to support the work of their ELO program.