Submitted by Ryan McDonald, Public Relations Coordinator, Maine School of Science and Mathematics.
Maine School of Science and Mathematics (MSSM) graduate Gordon McCulloh, Class of 2016, has been selected as a Schwarzman Scholar and will undertake a one-years master’s program at Tsinghua University in Beijing upon graduation from the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) in 2020.
A highly selective international program, Gordon is the first student from Maine, and only the third from the USAFA, to become a Schwarzman Scholar whose programmatic focus is designed to prepare the next generation of global leaders for the challenges of the future.
Gordon studies astronautical engineering, applied mathematics, and Arabic at USAFA. He earned the 2019 USAFA cadet of the year award and held various leadership positions that focused on building others, such as managing the academic performance of over 1,400 cadets. A proponent of commercial and international collaboration in the space environment, Gordon interned at Ad Astra Rocket and SpaceX. His intent to study in China is to inspire peaceful space policies and technological solutions as an engineer and acquisitions officer in the United States Air Force.
Submitted by Trina Schroeder, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent & Communications Director at Five Town CSD / MSAD #28.
The Hatchery at the Five Town CSD invites you to SAVE THE DATE for our Innovation Conference: The Intersection of Education and Industry, July 1-2, 2020 at Camden Hills Regional High School in Rockport, Maine.
This exciting two-day conference will bring educators and students interested in innovation together with entrepreneurs, business owners and industry leaders who are interested in education. Featuring a wide variety of presenters covering 15 sessions, Design Sprint, Open Minis, and countless networking opportunities.
The Five Town CSD, serving students in grades 9-12 from Appleton, Camden, Hope, Lincolnville and Rockport is widely known as a top-notch secondary school district. This well deserved reputation is made possible by the considerable support of all of the member communities, and strengthened by the strong effort and talent of the students, staff, and administration.
The Maine Department of Education is pleased to announce that Maine is joining the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools initiative to inspire and promote effective school sustainability and collaboration. The award highlights sustainability practices undertaken at the school, district, or post-secondary institution level that are cost-saving and health promoting. | More
Alcohol is the most frequently used substance by adolescents in Maine. Almost one of every four Maine high school students used alcohol in the past 30 days, and more than one third of those students reported binge drinking (2017 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey). Alcohol consumption by students is impacted by factors such as low perception of harm, low perception of getting caught, and ease of access. | More
Educators from across the state gathered at Orono High School recently for their Modern Band 102 lesson, a second professional learning opportunity available through the Maine Kids Rock Program. Delivered by Little Kids Rock Educator Spencer Hale, the class gave educators the opportunity to fine tune their technique, and to build upon what they had learned in the previous modern band lessons they’ve been participating. | More
Maine DOE team member David Emberley is being highlighted this week as the part of a Get to know the DOE Team campaign! Learn a little more about David in the brief question and answer below. | More
Taking care of the health and well-being of staff and students has become more and more critical given the many stresses of the world in which we all live. Register today for the Maine School Winter Wellness Summit, Life is Good, Wellness Makes It Better! being held January 30 & 31, 2020 at The Samoset Resort, Rockport, to bolster your school wellness program. | More
This professional learning opportunity is specifically designed for Pre-K-5 mathematics educators, including classroom teachers, special education teachers, Title 1 teachers, math or instructional coaches, and math support staff. | More
As the most requested support topic from the field, we at the Department of Education hear of the extensive impact that trauma, mental health and the opioid crisis are having on our schools. We are taking action to support educators in addressing the increased needs of our students through the use of trauma informed practices. To begin this partnership and support, we will be hosting an interactive conference on Trauma Informed Readiness and Response Planning. | More
Join us for an interactive session on the educational provisions designed to promote the educational stability of highly mobile students. Please complete this survey to register and share with us what you would like to get out of the training. | More
Educators from across the state gathered at Orono High School recently for their Modern Band 102 lesson, a second professional learning opportunity available through the Maine Kids Rock Program. Delivered by Little Kids Rock Educator Spencer Hale, the class gave educators the opportunity to fine tune their technique, and to build upon what they had learned in the previous modern band lessons they’ve been participating. Through the Maine Kids Rock program, each of these educators accepted $5,000 worth of modern band instruments, along with resources and hands-on learning opportunities to help them run modern band programs in their schools, an opportunity they would otherwise not be able to give to their students.
There are currently 35 Maine schools offering modern band programs through the Maine Kids Rock program. To be eligible for participation, districts agreed to offer modern band – taught by a certified music teacher, with priority given to schools who serve 50% or more free or reduced meals to eligible students.
During introductions at Modern Band 102, educators in attendance shared their name, school, the age group they are teaching, and the music the kids are working on. Their students were learning a wide-range of modern music selections, of their choosing, like Lost Boy by Ruth B., Count on Me by Bruno Mars, Best Day of My Life by American Authors, Ho Hey by The Lumineers, and Happy People by Little Big Town, on a variety of modern band instruments provided through the Maine Kids Rock Program.
Orono High School Music Teacher and Band Director Jen Acosta, who has been hosting the modern band professional learning in her music room for the past 3 years as a central location in Maine, only recently joined the program and currently offers modern band programming and instruments to her students.
Jen Acosta and Jason Anderson
“This is revitalizing [music] programs,” said Acosta. “It gives people the opportunity to use whatever resources they have to get kids playing music,” she added. Acosta went on to explain that it also serves as a gateway to music education in general. Being able to play and sing the songs they are listening to on the radio and on TV gets so many more students interested in music education than otherwise would be. Once they learn how to play one instrument, they most likely will pick up another she explained.
“The approach is so open it gives teachers a lot of autonomy,” added Maine DOE Visual and Performing Arts Specialist Jason Anderson. New to the Department, Anderson recently came from his long-time position as Vocal Music Director at Houlton High School, one of the original 10 pilot schools awarded instruments and modern band resources when Maine Kids Rock was created.
Developed between the Maine Department of Education and national nonprofit Little Kids Rock in 2017, the Maine Kids Rock program is funded through a combination of Little Kids Rock donors and a portion of the State of Maine’s education budget, which is approved each year by the Maine State Legislature.
“I think the biggest standout – from top down – is that it represents the ‘do’ approach. Getting them [the kids] to do something,” said Acosta. “I’ve never seen anything like it.” She went on to explain that music education like this is going to change music culture. While students are still in the midst of learning modern band right now, they will eventually graduate and move on to post-secondary options and careers, having learned modern music at a much earlier age than students have been able to previously. This will more than likely result in new and innovative music creations and performances to come from our next generation of musicians.
Alcohol is the most frequently used substance by adolescents in Maine. Almost one of every four Maine high school students used alcohol in the past 30 days, and more than one third of those students reported binge drinking (2017 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey). Alcohol consumption by students is impacted by factors such as low perception of harm, low perception of getting caught, and ease of access.
It is important for schools, families, and community organizations to work together to address alcohol use issues. In alignment with Maine statute, schools across Maine are encouraged to raise awareness about alcohol use, misuse and abuse through an Alcohol Awareness Day. This has traditionally been in December. Schools are encouraged to focus studies on alcohol use awareness in elementary through secondary schools as part of health education class and other disciplines. Resources to help enhance instruction on the harms and consequences of alcohol misuse and the impact on individuals, families, and society are included below.
Alcohol Awareness resources include:
Provides students with scientific facts about the effects of alcohol on the brain and body along with lesson plans to build on critical-thinking skills.
Encourages parents/caregivers to have early conversations with children about alcohol.
Beyond an Alcohol Awareness observance day, it is important for Maine students to receive education and awareness about alcohol, tobacco and other drug use throughout the year. This is done as part of comprehensive school health education, Pre-K through High School, and in alignment with the Maine Learning Results: Parameters for Essential Instruction, Health Education Standards. Selecting Evidence-Based Substance Use Prevention Programs: A Guide for Maine Schools Grades K-12 may help you determine the most appropriate program for a school community.
There is also a guide to help schools create, update, and enforce a substance use policy. The guide, “Substance Use Policy: A Comprehensive Guide for School Policy Development” provides practical suggestions for a complete policy, based on research and best practices.
For assistance or additional resources, contact the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Tobacco and Substance Use Prevention and Control Program at 287-8901, TTY 711 or email: TSUP.DHHS@maine.gov. You can order a limited quantity of free alcohol use prevention pamphlets through the Prevention Store www.mainepreventionstore.org.
Join us for an interactive session on the educational provisions designed to promote the educational stability of highly mobile students. Please complete this survey to register and share with us what you would like to get out of the training. Thank you!
Intended Audience: McKinney Vento Homeless Liaisons and Foster Care Points of Contact (Please be sure your information is updated in NEO if you are the SAU contact).
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to invite the media to attend a celebration of the Maine Arts Showcase, where the selected artwork of 42 young artists from Cape Elizabeth Middle School will be recognized. Since October, these students’ work has been on exhibit throughout the Maine DOE, where it will remain until February 2020. The Arts Showcase is a long standing tradition of the Maine DOE where artwork of students from all over the state is showcased at the Department in a series of exhibits that happen throughout the year.
WHO:
42 student visual artists from Cape Elizabeth Middle School
Visual Arts Educator – Marguerite Lawler-Roher, former Maine Teacher of the Year (2004)
Cape Elizabeth Middle School Principal – Troy Eastman
Cape Elizabeth Superintendent – Donna Wolfrom
Deputy Commissioner Chuhta, Maine Department of Education
Chairman Wilson Hess, State Board of Education
Members of the Maine State Legislature have also been invited.
WHEN: Tuesday, December 10, 2019 from 10:00 A.M.
WHERE: Hall of Flags, Maine State House, 210 State Street, Augusta, Maine 04330
For further information please contact Maine DOE Director of Communications, Kelli Deveaux at kelli.deveaux@maine.gov
Submitted by Kristen Levesque, Principal at Maranacook Community Middle School.
Each year some of Maranacook Middle School’s students participate in an annual gravity experiment! Through a collaborative effort from Central Maine Power (CMP) and Acadia Team teacher, Mr. Dan Holman. This exercise was a fun, educational opportunity for students to learn about the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Students learn about Newton’s work-energy principles as they watched pumpkins drop from the CMP bucket trucks!
Lewiston school bus driver Ivy Corliss is expanding her local winter clothing drive in hopes of gathering and providing warm winter gear to give to kids across the Maine who need it. She says she hopes to help kids “stay warm so they can focus on learning and enjoying time with friends at recess.”
I love being a bus driver but sometimes we have heavy hearts when we see kids who don’t have basic winter gear to keep warm. There was a young child in tears on my bus whose hands and face were beat red because they had no winter hat, mittens or boots. So I was able to find them what was needed at home and now they are nice and warm. This is just one of the many children and young adults that don’t have warm winter gear.
By teaming up with schools nurses, local businesses, and many “big hearted” people across Maine, Ivy has created a clothing drive through her Facebook Group, Keeping Kids Warm ♥️ Hudson. She hopes to expand those efforts to more schools to help ensure that kids around the state have access to winter gear.
Any schools that are interested, can contact Ivy Corliss directly. She hopes to communicate with schools directly when winter gear is needed so that she can get the word out to potential donors.
If you would like to get in contact with Ivy Corliss she can be reached at (207) 320-9507 or ivycorliss741@gmail.com.
Submitted by Sandra J MacArthur, Superintendent of Schools MSAD 13/RSU 83.
Valley Junior High School presented The Prince and the Pauper on Nov 22nd. Approximately 50 Valley Junior High School students practiced Nov 18th – Nov 21st under the direction of Children’s Stage Adventures.
It was amazing to watch the students’ progress throughout the week. The students’ self-esteem, pride in their accomplishments, and confidence increased on a daily basis. Their week of hard work ended with them presenting their production twice on Nov 22nd to the students, staff, parents, and community members.
Maine DOE Newsroom 