MEDIA RELEASE: MDI and Camden Hills High Schools Named Green Ribbon Schools by U.S. DOE

Green Ribbon Schools are honored for reducing environmental impact and costs, improving health and wellness, and offering effective sustainability education.

The U.S. Department of Education today released the names of the 2020 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools, District Sustainability Awardees, and Postsecondary Sustainability Awardees.  Camden Hills Regional High School in Rockport and Mount Desert Island High School in Bar Harbor are among the 2020 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS).

Camden Hills Regional High School and Mount Desert Island High School were nominated by the Maine Department of Education based on their accomplishments in the three pillars of the ED-GRS program: 1) reducing environmental impacts, such as waste, water, energy, greenhouse gases, and transportation in the areas of facilities, grounds, and operations; 2) improving health and wellness through coordinated school health, with consideration to air quality, contaminant control, acoustics, daylighting, thermal comfort, school nutrition, and outdoors physical activity; and 3) offering effective environmental and sustainability education that emphasizes hands-on, real-world learning, civic engagement, STEM connections, and green career preparation.

“With a deep appreciation for the beautiful natural resources of our great state, environmental sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint are priorities of Governor Mills and her administration, including the Department of Education,” said Maine Department of Education Commissioner Pender Makin. “Our schools are leading the way by providing their students with opportunities for environmental education and innovation. These students will be the future leaders and stewards of our planet, and are learning about their role, responsibilities and impact as global citizens.”

Camden Hills Regional High School (CHRHS) is a public high school located in coastal Rockport, Maine, serving 720 students in grades 9 through 12. CHRHS policies, budgeting, and its people all focus on ensuring systems that will promote and support healthy students, a healthy school, and a healthy planet. Over 77 percent of teachers incorporate sustainability education in courses.

A student sustainability group, Windplanners, with overwhelming support from district administration and the community, has worked to reduce the environmental impact of the school. Their initiatives include a major study and capital campaign to install the 100-kw wind turbine, working through one of the first power purchase agreements for high school installations in the state for a 159-kw solar array. These two installations provide 30 percent of electricity needs from on-site renewables. Working with the facilities director, students helped initiate several energy-efficiency projects that have reduced demand by another 20 percent.

CHRHS’ newest initiative involves several staff members and the Windplanners in building an organic waste management system. CHRHS installed a terraced garden on some marginal land that was considered a mowing hazard. Each year, the school designs and plants the school garden with the goal of the harvest maturing when school begins in the fall. The school is also home to an orchard and asparagus patch that produce when school is in session. Both of these initiatives have been focused on helping increase the amount of local produce that supplies the school cafeteria. Whenever possible food is locally sourced, or even comes from the school garden.

Students have access to people and resources that support their emotional growth and well-being. Camden Hills actively works to create a safe and open space for its students. The library has become a wellness area providing resources like massage chairs, therapy dogs, animal cams to view nature in action, adult coloring pages, and board games. A nature trails follows the circumference of the CHRHS campus and allows students and staff to go on walks and enjoy the beautiful woods on the campus while unplugging from the stress of school and getting exercise.

Mount Desert Island High School (MDIHS) is a rural public high school in Maine that draws 542 students from 10 K–8 schools in and around the Mt. Desert/Bar Harbor. Green and sustainability efforts are supported by school and district administrators, school board members, the school’s Environmental Concerns (Eco) team, teachers across departments, and staff, including counselors, custodians, and cafeteria staff. There is widely shared interest in the health and wellness of students and staff, support for educational experiences that prepare students to be active informed citizens interested in the changing world, and an increasing emphasis on environmental sustainability.

Decisions for the past decade have been made with environmental health and efficiency in mind. Most obvious are the 1400+ solar panels on the roof of the high school. MDI High School was the first high school in Maine to generate all of its electricity needs from on-site solar in the fall of 2019. Soon, everyone will be able to see the new electric bus parked outside with its diesel counterparts. There is an electric vehicle charging station in the parking lot for staff and students to use.

In 2011, energy efficient boilers were installed when replacement of the old boilers was necessary. Two years ago, the school completed a conversion to LED lights inside school and LED “night-sky” compliant lighting in parking areas. Composting in the cafeteria started at the end of 2018–19. The school contracted with Agri-Cycle to efficiently convert food waste into electricity, fuel, fertilizer, and other beneficial products. Cafeteria staff participated in the Smarter Lunchroom program to learn additional ways to cut down on food waste. During the building renovation in 2017, filtered water bottle filling stations were installed throughout the school to reduce plastic waste and promote hydration.

An active staff wellness program is led by two teachers who challenge their colleagues each month to improve their physical and mental health through water challenges, movement challenges, morale boosters, and other activities. For many years, the nurse at MDI High School coordinated a small Wellness Fair once a year for high school staff. This has turned into a districtwide biennial Health and Wellness Professional half day held at MDIHS in March to build community, emphasize wellness, and help staff relax and rejuvenate.

During the 2019–20 school year, more than 50 percent of MDIHS students will be in at least one course that includes a focus on climate change, human impacts on the environment, and/or proposing and designing solutions for problems they identify and research.

Across the country, 39 schools, 11 districts, and five postsecondary institutions are being honored for their innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, improve health and wellness, and ensure effective sustainability education.
The honorees were named from a pool of candidates nominated by 27 states. The selectees include 28 public schools, including three magnet schools and four charter schools, as well as 11 nonpublic schools. Forty-five percent of the 2020 honorees serve a disadvantaged student body.

The list of all selected schools, districts, colleges, and universities, as well as their nomination packages, can be found here. A report with highlights on the 55 honorees can be found here. More information on the federal recognition award can be found here. Resources for all schools to move toward the three Pillars can be found here.

Nominations Open for 2020 Maine Curriculum Leader of the Year

Maine Curriculum Leaders Association is currently accepting nominations for 2020 Maine Curriculum Leader of the Year

Curriculum Leader of the Year Selection Criteria

  1. Has successfully served as a curriculum leader (designated curriculum director, assistant superintendent, or teacher leader) in public education for at least five years.
  2. Is an MCLA member at the time of nomination.
  3. Is a proven champion of curriculum, instruction, and assessment policies and practices that enhance learning both within and outside the district, who also: promotes and provides opportunities to learn and to share learning, and develops partnerships and networks with other districts and organizations to support learning.

Nominations Due April 30, 2020

Send a recommendation letter describing how the nominee is a champion of learning (criteria 3 above) both in and outside the district. Provide details about how the nominee’s curriculum, instruction, and assessment leadership impacts teachers and students in the district and the nominee’s leadership activities outside the district.

Please include email and phone contact information for you and your nominee. Send recommendation letters to: MCLA CLOY Selection Committee and email as a pdf or Google document to director@mainecla.org

The CLOY Selection Process

  • The selection committee includes previous curriculum leaders of the year and MCLA board members.
  • April 30, 2020 Nominations close.
  • April 30 –May 31 Selection Committee reviews nominations and invites nominees to complete a written interview if needed
  • June 1 , 2020 The Curriculum Leader of the Year is announced
  • July 1, 2020 The 2020 CLOY joins MCLA’s board of directors for a one-year term.

Submit recommendation letters by April 30, 2020 in pdf or Google Docs to director@mainecla.org

Nominations Open for 2020 Maine Instructional Coach of The Year

Maine Curriculum Leaders Association (MCLA) Coaching Co-Op, a collaborative that provides a range of support and advocates for instructional coaches and learning communities across the state through networking and professional development, is currently accepting nominations for 2020 Maine Instructional Coach of the Year.

Instructional Coach of the Year Selection Criteria:

  1. Has successfully served as an instructional coach (working at least .5 time as a designated coach) in public education for at least two years.
  2. Is an MCLA Coaching Co-Op member at the time of nomination.
  3. Is a leader who promotes instructional quality through learner-centered coaching practices: modeling effective instructional practices, work with teachers to make evidence based decisions, actively works to promote coaching, encourages and promotes reflection for teaches
  4. Is a highly effective coach focused on collaboration and student growth.

Nominations Due April 30, 2020

Send MCLA’s ICOY selection committee a nomination letter answering the following questions to MCLA ICOY Selection Committee (please email as a pdf or Google document to director@mainecla.org)

  1. Describe the structure and organization of the nominee’s coaching program/practice and how it impacts student learning.
  2. Describe how the nominee contributes to your school/district’s culture of continuous improvement.
  3. Explain the nominee’s impact on the school/district community.

The ICOY Selection Process:

  • April 30, 2020 Nominations close.
  • April 26 –May 31 Selection Committee reviews nominations and invites nominees to provide additional references if needed.
  • June 1, 2020 Instructional Coach of the Year is selected.
  • July 1, 2020 The 2019 ICOY joins the CoOp Council for a one-year term and fulfills the following
    – Hosts 2 Hot Topic Zoom Sessions during the 2020-2021 School Year
    – Supports planning and facilitation of one MCLA Coaching CoOp event

Submit recommendation letters by April 30, 2020 in pdf or Google format to director@mainecla.org

Bonny Eagle Middle School Challenges You for Earth Day! #QuarantineRoadsidePickup    

Ethel Atkinson, 2019 York County Teacher of the Year and Bonny Eagle Middle School (BEMS) Reading Specialist/Instructional Coach and Pathfinders Director is helping her school issue a challenge to schools across the state for earth day.

“WE CHALLENGE YOU!” Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22nd. (But EVERY day is Earth Day, Right?) Got Trash? Join in a roadside cleanup!

Make a 10-second video of you and your family and pass on the challenge.  Upload pics and videos to https://flipgrid.com/quarantineroadside

See Ethel’s video:

Get Outside, Take Care of the Earth, and Pass On the Challenge. We are Maine Strong!

****Please exercise caution.  Wear protective gloves.****

Maine DOE Update – April 17, 2020

 

From the Maine Department of Education


Reporting Items

NEO will be unavailable as of April 16th at 3PM

NEO will be unavailable as of Thursday, April 16th at 3:00 pm due to a system upgrade. NEO is expected to be back online on Tuesday April 21st. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |


News & Updates

Maine Department of Education Announces Maine School Safety Center!

The Maine Department of Education is pleased to announce the creation of The Maine School Safety Center(MSSC)! Although the MSSC is newly created, it is quickly adding staff and the ability to assist all Maine schools with their emergency planning. | More

PRIORITY NOTICE: Spotting Signs of Child Abuse and Neglect During the COVID-19 Emergency: An Updated Guide for Educational Professionals and Others who Care for Maine Children

In our great state of Maine, we are fortunate to have many talented professionals who positively impact the lives of children on a regular basis, and who continue to do so during this time of intense challenge. Teachers, principals, social workers, mental health providers, and countless other professionals have quickly transitioned to supporting youth and families virtually via phone, video, text, email, and other online resources. Maintaining contact with children and their caregivers is critical to supporting our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. | More

College Board Releases Free Parent Resources for Upcoming AP Exams

The College Board has released the new AP® Exam (Advanced Placement) schedule, which includes optional free, online AP classes and take-at-home AP Exams to support the challenge

UPDATE: PAEMST 2019-2020 Awards

The PAEMST Team decided to delay the application deadline from May 1 to October 26 due to COVID-19. To qualify for the October deadline, teachers must complete the eligibility component of the application by May 1. Teachers can begin an application for PAEMST by going to http://www.paemst.org. The eligibility component consists of seven easy questions and only takes a few minutes to do. | More

Reminder – April is Month of the Military Child

April is designated nationwide as Month of the Military Child. Maine honors the sacrifices made by military families statewide by encouraging school districts to engage in a variety of activities of their own choosing to celebrate Month of the Military Child. | More

Maine Educators Win $400 Each in First Drawings of Bicentennial Curriculum Sharing Initiative

The Maine Department of Education (DOE), in collaboration with the Maine Bicentennial Commission (maine200.org) and the Maine Historical Society launched the online resource in February as a way to help Maine teachers integrate Maine’s Bicentennial into their lessons. | More

Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act: Education Information

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law by President Trump on March 27, 2020. The relief promised by the CARES Act is desperately needed statewide, and the Maine Department of Education is eagerly waiting for the US Department of Education (USDE) to issue a notice inviting applications from State Education Agencies to apply for the funding. | More

Get to know the DOE team: Meet Lori Freeman

Maine DOE team member Lori Freeman is being highlighted this week as part of the Get to know the DOE team. Learn a little more about Lori in the question and answer.. | More


Commissioner Updates Regarding Covid-19 Response

| See All Recent Covid-19 Updates from Commission Makin |


Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |


Early Child Care and Public Preschool Providers Caring for Children Birth-5 – No Cost Professional Development Training

Maine Resilience Building Network (MRBN) will once again offer free professional learning opportunities focused on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and resilience building. | More

Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Next Week’s Virtual Office Hours

With many schools taking a well-deserved vacation from remote learning next week for April break, the Maine Department of Education will not be sending out daily notifications about the virtual office hours, meetings, and professional development opportunities occurring from Tuesday, April 21st through Friday, April 24th. Next week’s schedule is available at all times on the Maine DOE website. |More 

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |


Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here


 

Maine Department of Education Announces Maine School Safety Center!

The Maine Department of Education is pleased to announce the creation of The Maine School Safety Center(MSSC)! Although the MSSC is newly created, it is quickly adding staff and the ability to assist all Maine schools with their emergency planning.  The primary role of the MSSC is to provide training, guidance and technical support for all things school safety and security-related. The MSSC will initially provide six lanes of service:

  • Training
  • Mental Health and Threat Assessment
  • Site Assessment/climate assessment
  • Emergency Operations planning/exercise
  • School Resource Officer (policy and training)
  • Legislation and police review and recommendation

The MSSC will work closely with your local, county and state EMA Directors to assist you in your planning and school’s safety needs.  The current pandemic crisis has accelerated our operational time line, so we are quickly getting staff into place to be able to offer you services immediately.

Our staff consists of the following:

Jonathan J. Shapiro is our School Safety and Security Coordinator, and leads this team and supports their collaborative efforts. Contact information: Jonathan.J.Shapiro@Maine.gov, or (o) 207-624-6694 Cell 207-441-0725

Robert Susi is our School Safety and Security Specialist and is currently leading our effort to develop policy, procedures and training for our SROs.  Robert also has an expertise in school emergency planning and site assessment and is able to provide support to our Planning Officer Melissa Condon. Contact information: robert.w.susi@Maine.gov or 207-441-8321.

Melissa Condon is our Emergency Operations Planning Officer and she is ready to work with you to provide training and review and/or develop your planning in response to this current ongoing pandemic crisis.  She is also developing guidance for the short and long term future of schools returning to some level of operational normalcy. Working with our EMA partners we will provide training, assistance, guidance and technical support for your planning needs. Contact information: Melissa.A.Condon@Maine.gov or (207) 446-0862.

Dr. Karen Barnes is our Threat Assessment/Mental Health Officer, and is available to address any questions you may have regarding Threat Assessment. Karen is developing a threat assessment model for Maine, and is working with experts in this field to assure the best model possible is developed for our schools. Karen is our Mental Health liaison coordinating efforts between the Maine DOE and the various other mental health providers in the state. Contact Information: Karen.A.Barnes@maine.gov or Cell (207) 446-0713.

We look forward to working with you! Please feel free to contact us with questions or concerns.

Supporting Schools – Protecting our Future!

Next Week’s Virtual Office Hours

With many schools taking a well-deserved vacation from remote learning next week for April break, the Maine Department of Education will not be sending out daily notifications about the virtual office hours, meetings, and professional development opportunities occurring from Tuesday, April 21st through Friday, April 24th.

Next week’s schedule is available at all times on the Maine DOE website. Below is a listing of sessions being held next week as well, for your convenience.

Please note that due to the need to heighten security for online conference sessions, the Department is requiring password protection or pre-registration for most of our virtual sessions. Thank you for your patience as we work to continue providing these opportunities in the safest way possible.

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

FOCUS AREA SPECIALIST TIME MEETING INFO HOST CONTACT INFO
Brain Centered Emotional Support Kellie Bailey/ Bear Shea 8:30 AM Join this session. bear.shea@maine.gov or kelley.bailey@maine.gov
Health Education and Physical Education Susan Berry and Jean Zimmerman 10:00 AM Register susan.berry@maine.gov
School Nursing: Mental Health Emily Poland with guest host Bear Shea 11:00 AM Registration required. Register HERE emily.poland@maine.gov
Digital Learning – TBA Jonathan Graham & Emma-Marie Banks 11:00 AM Register Here jonathan.m.graham@maine.gov or emma-marie.banks@maine.gov
Music, K-6 Office Hour Jason Anderson, Visual and Performing Arts Specialist 2:00 PM Register here jason.anderson@maine.gov
Visual Art, K-6 Office Hour Jason Anderson, Visual and Performing Arts Specialist 3:00 PM Register here jason.anderson@maine.gov
Brain Centered Emotional Support: YOGA Kellie Bailey/ Bear Shea 3:30 PM Join this session. bear.shea@maine.gov or kelley.bailey@maine.gov
ELA Happiness Hour: Emphasis  on happy! Morgan Dunton/Dee Saucier 7 PM Contact meeting host for link and password morgan.dunton@maine.gov or Danielle.M.Saucier@maine.gov 

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

FOCUS AREA SPECIALIST TIME MEETING INFO HOST CONTACT INFO
Brain Centered Emotional Support Kellie Bailey/ Bear Shea 8:30 AM Join this session. bear.shea@maine.gov or kelley.bailey@maine.gov
PK-8 Science Earth Day part 2 and Lesson Menus Shari Templeton 12:00 PM Contact meeting host for link and password shari.templeton@maine.gov
World Language K-12 Lavinia Rogers 1:00 PM Register lavinia.m.rogers@maine.gov
Music, 7-12 Office Hour Jason Anderson, Visual and Performing Arts Specialist 1:00 PM Register here jason.anderson@maine.gov
CED and Middle School CTE Staycation Conversations Diana Doiron & Meg Harvey 2:00 PM Contact meeting host for link and password diana.doiron@maine.gov & margaret.harvey@maine.gov
Visual Art, 7-12 Office Hour Jason Anderson, Visual and Performing Arts Specialist 2:00 PM Register here jason.anderson@maine.gov
Brain Centered Emotional Support Kellie Bailey/ Bear Shea 3:30 PM Join this session. bear.shea@maine.gov or kelley.bailey@maine.gov

Thursday, April 23, 2020

FOCUS AREA SPECIALIST TIME MEETING INFO HOST CONTACT INFO
Brain Centered Emotional Support Kellie Bailey/ Bear Shea 8:30 AM Join this session. bear.shea@maine.gov or kelley.bailey@maine.gov
School Nursing Emily Poland 8:30 AM Pre-Registration Required  emily.poland@maine.gov
Health Education and Physical Education Susan Berry and Jean Zimmerman Register susan.berry@maine.gov
Pre K Open Office Hours Nicole Madore 10:30 AM Pre-Registration is required nicole.madore@maine.gov
Digital Learning – TBA Jonathan Graham & Emma-Marie Banks 11:00 AM Register Here jonathan.m.graham@maine.gov or emma-marie.banks@maine.gov
World Language – language specific Lavinia 1:00 PM Register lavinia.m.rogers@maine.gov
PK-12 Mathematics Office Hour Michele Mailhot & Jen Robitaille 2:00 PM Pre-Register Here michele.mailhot@maine.gov & jennifer.r.robitaille@maine.gov
Digital Learning – TBA Jonathan Graham & Emma-Marie Banks 3:00 PM Register Here jonathan.m.graham@maine.gov or emma-marie.banks@maine.gov
ELA 6-12 Office Hour Morgan Dunton 3:00 p.m. Contact host for URL and password morgan.dunton@maine.gov
Brain Centered Emotional Support: YOGA Kellie Bailey/ Bear Shea 3:30 PM Join this session. bear.shea@maine.gov or kelley.bailey@maine.gov

Friday, April 24, 2020

FOCUS AREA SPECIALIST TIME MEETING INFO HOST CONTACT INFO
Brain Centered Emotional Support Kellie Bailey/ Bear Shea 8:30 AM Join this session. bear.shea@maine.gov or kelley.bailey@maine.gov
PK-12 Science Networking Shari Templeton 12:00 PM Contact host for link and password shari.templeton@maine.gov
CED and Middle School CTE Staycation Conversations Diana Doiron & Meg Harvey 2:00 PM Contact host for URL and password diana.doiron@maine.gov & margaret.harvey@maine.gov
Maine Seal of Biliteracy Roundtable Lavinia Rogers 2:30 PM Register lavinia.m.rogers@maine.gov
Brain Centered Emotional Support Kellie Bailey/ Bear Shea 3:30 PM Join this session. bear.shea@maine.gov or kelley.bailey@maine.gov

 

Locker Project Joins in To Feed PPS Families During COVID-19 Crisis 

In addition to the meals being provided to students by the Portland Public Schools (PPS), the nonprofit Locker Project is offering free bags of food to families at school meal distribution sites on Wednesdays and Thursdays on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Locker Project takes a whole-family approach to child hunger by providing healthy foods to take home for evenings and weekends, the times youngsters are most likely to experience hunger.

During the pandemic crisis, the district’s Food Service Department is serving free breakfast and lunch meals for anyone age 18 and under. Both can be picked up together anytime between 10 a.m. and 12 noon, Monday through Friday, from the bus loops at each participating school. No I.D. is necessary and youngsters do not need to be present or to qualify for free or reduced-price lunch or be PPS students to receive these meals.

The nine school distribution sites are: Deering High School, East End Community School, King Middle School, Lyman Moore Middle School, Peaks Island Elementary School, Portland High School, Presumpscot Elementary School, Riverton Elementary School and Rowe Elementary School. 

The Locker Project is offering free food bags from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesdays at Presumpscot, King, Rowe, and East End schools and on Thursdays at PHS, DHS, Riverton, and Lyman Moore schools.

“We are very grateful to the Locker Project for joining us to help families experiencing food insecurity during this crisis,” said PPS Food Service Director Jane McLucas. “We don’t want any students or families to go hungry.”

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine is offering additional dinner Grab & Go meal options for those 18 and under and their family members at their clubhouses. However, beginning Monday, April 13, the meals will be offered only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, instead of each weekday, in order to protect staff by limiting time spent in the kitchen. Families can pick up additional meals for Tuesdays, Thursdays and weekends during the new three-day schedule.

The clubhouses are currently closed for regular use but families can pick up the dinner meals at those sites from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The clubhouses are in Portland, South Portland, Riverton Park, Sagamore Village and Auburn/Lewiston.

Anyone who wants to help students and families coping with hunger in this crisis can donate to the PPS Food Fund. The fund is a collaboration by the Foundation for Portland Public Schools and Food Fuels Learning to help ensure food security for PPS students. Learn more: https://foundationforpps.kindful.com/?campaign=1046737

For a full listing of schools and locations offering meals to students visit: https://www.maine.gov/doe/meals

This story was submitted by Tess Nacelewicz, Communications Coordinator for Portland Public Schools as part of the Maine Schools Sharing Success Campaign. To submit a story or an idea, email it to Rachel at rachel.paling@maine.gov.

MSSM Student and Faculty Member Use 3D Printers to Create Medical Equipment

Maine School of Science and Mathematics (MSSM) has two community members working toward being part of the solution in the Covid-19 pandemic. Eli Wales, a sophomore from Mount Desert Island and Dr. Greg Hamlin, Computer Science Instructor at MSSM, have been using 3D printers to create full-face shields and ear strap holders for local hospitals. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) designates full-face shields as preferred Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Eli joined a team of about 5 members with skills in 3D printing and an interest in helping the situation. Prior to the Governor’s edict to stay home, Eli and his team went around to schools in the Mount Desert Island area and borrowed Flashforge Finder 3D printers that have been donated to many Maine schools by the Perloff Family Foundation. Eli said, “each member of the team has created a small production line where we make as many ear strap holders as possible.” The purpose of the ear strap holder is to keep the face shield’s elastic band off the ears, which can hurt after wearing it for a number of hours. Eli has personally produced around 700 of the strap holders and other members have made about the same. He noted they have only made about 3 face shields and taken them to local hospitals to make sure they will be acceptable.

Dr. Hamlin, using 3D printers and materials from Maine School of Science and Mathematics, has been producing protective face shields for use by local healthcare providers. He has been running two of the school’s printers 24/7 producing plastic frames, which are then fitted with a transparent front panel made from overhead transparencies or similar material. An initial set of 40+ units has been provided to Cary Medical Center in Caribou.  Dr. Hamlin said, “We were fortunate that the school had the supplies and equipment on hand for the project, so it was just a matter of setting things up in my guest room and keeping the printers supplied with filament.

This article was submitted by Ryan McDonald, Public Relations Coordinator for Maine School of Science and Mathematics as part of the Maine Schools Sharing Success Campaign. To submit a story or an idea, email it to Rachel at rachel.paling@maine.gov.

Bath Tech Center Students Partner With Community Organizations to Build Low Income Housing

On March 25, 2020, Bath Housing Development Corporation undertook a project to move a newly constructed house, built by local students, to 57 Chestnut Street in Bath, Maine. This unique project is the result of a partnership between Bath Housing, the Bath Regional Career and Technical Center (BRCTC), Bath Rotary Charitable Trust, and Vaillancourt Construction.

Video credit:  Keegan Denery.

With financial support from the Bath Rotary Charitable Trust, students in the BRCTC Carpentry program are introduced to basic residential construction techniques through hands on application of theories taught in the classroom and applied in the construction of a modular home. Students experience framing the home, laying out and building risers, interior trim, sheetrock, roofing, and siding installing cabinetry, windows, and doors. At the conclusion of the two-year carpentry program, students leave with the skills to enter the field of residential construction and/or continue their education at the Community College level – along with the pride in knowing they built a house.

The home is 720 square foot with two bedrooms, one bathroom, and an open floor plan with cathedral ceilings in the kitchen/living area. The house will have a zero-step entry into the home and a simple front porch. The house will go on the market early this summer and will be sold to a family at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income.  Funds to acquire the site were provided by MaineHousing through its Land Acquisition Program.

Bath Housing purchased the BRCTC-built house from Bath Rotary Charitable Trust, and contracted with Vaillancourt Builders LLC – a long-term partner of the BRCTC Program – to oversee the sitework, building move, and finish work. Working with Dirigo Structures, the building was moved from its worksite on Congress Avenue to Chestnut Street on March 25.

This article was submitted by Julie Kenny, Director of the Bath Regional Career & Technical Center as part of the Maine Schools Sharing Success Campaign. To submit a story or an idea, email it to Rachel at rachel.paling@maine.gov.