Reminder: FEDES regional grant proposals due Nov. 7

The Maine DOE is reminding interested parties that proposals for grant funding offered through the Fund for the Efficient Delivery of Education Services (FEDES – RFP#201806118), are due on November 7, 2018.

Proposals must be submitted to the State of Maine Division of Procurement Services, by email, to Proposals@maine.gov, no later than 4:00 pm, local time. Proposals not submitted to the Division of Procurement Services’ email address by the deadline will not be considered for the grant award.

This is the third round of regional grant opportunities offered as part of the Maine DOE’s EMBRACE Regionalized Programs and Services initiatives.

The RFP, amendment, questions and responses from the Information Session, and questions and their responses received during the Question and Answer period can be downloaded from the State of Maine Division of Procurement Services website under RFP# 201806118.

For more information, contact Regionalization Project Manager and FEDES RFP Coordinator Jennifer Pooler at 624-6783 or Jennifer.g.pooler@maine.gov.

Nominate Students for the U. S. Presidential Scholars Program

The Maine Department of Education invites school districts to nominate graduating high school seniors for the U. S. Presidential Scholars Program.

Each district may nominate one senior who is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent U.S. resident and has scored exceptionally well on either the SAT of the College Board or the ACT of the American College Testing Program. In addition, a district may nominate a high school senior who has demonstrated excellence in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. Application materials will be sent directly to Superintendents and CTE Directors by Friday, October 5th. Application are due to the Maine DOE by Friday, October 26th.

Students chosen as U.S. Presidential Scholars receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, D. C. in June and are presented the U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion at a ceremony sponsored by the White House, in commemoration of their achievements. During their visit to Washington, Scholars have access to important national and international figures, including government officials, educators, authors, musicians, scientists and other accomplished people.

For more information please contact Beth Lambert, Coordinator of Secondary Education or Dwight Littlefield, Coordinator of Career and Life Education.

BrightBytes Technology and Learning Fall 2018 Workshops

The Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) has partnered with BrightBytes for the sixth year to facilitate the administration of the Technology and Learning Survey to students and educators. The survey helps districts assess how technology is used for teaching and learning in its schools, and provides research-based insights to assist districts with planning for better technology integration.

Staff from BrightBytes and the Department will host another series of on-site data and action planning workshops this Fall. During these full day workshops, participants will analyze school or district BrightBytes results in order to create an action plan for better implementation of technology for learning that is grounded in best practice and linked to the mission and vision of the district.

A team is ideal for this full-day workshop. School principals, district administrators, technology directors, curriculum directors, teachers, and students are all welcome to join.

All workshops will take place from 9am-3pm.

Monday, 10/22, Ellsworth Elementary Middle School, Ellsworth.
Tuesday, 10/23, The Forum/Mt. Blue Campus, Farmington.
Wednesday, 10/24, Maine Department of Education, Room 103, Augusta.
Thursday, 10/25, Gorham Municipal Center, Gorham.
Friday, 10/26, Virtual Workshop (more info to be sent upon registration).

Cost: There is no registration cost.

Lunch: Please plan to bring your own lunch and snacks for the day.

Registration: Click here to register.

Contact Hours: Educators can earn up to six contact hours

Note: Districts have typically used BrightBytes survey results to inform the development of district technology plans. During the 2018 – 2019 school year, there is no requirement for districts to submit technology plans to the Department for review or approval, however, schools that are participating in the MLTI Apple and HP opt-ins are still required to complete the survey by November 30, 2018.

If you have questions, contact Amanda Nguyen, Digital Learning Specialist at Amanda.Nguyen@maine.gov

Reports That Impact the ED 279 Subsidy Printout or Other GPA Funding

There are certain data points collected by the Maine DOE that have a direct impact on the calculation of subsidy. The Department has prepared a chart that shows the data that impacts the ED 279 subsidy printouts, when that data is due, and when any required revisions must be submitted in order to be included in the FY 20 EPS Funding Calculation.

Data that impacts the ED 279 subsidy printouts (PDF) »

Please contact Paula Gravelle at Paula.B.Gravelle@maine.gov with any questions.

MEDIA RELEASE: National Blue Ribbon School Honors for Three Maine Schools

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos today recognized three Maine schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2018. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

“I’m pleased to celebrate with you as your school is named a National Blue Ribbon School,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos in a video message to the honorees. “We recognize and honor your important work in preparing students for successful careers and meaningful lives. Congratulations on your students’ accomplishments and for your extraordinary commitment to meeting their unique needs.”

“Congratulations to the students, educators and school leaders at Dr. Levesque Elementary School, Falmouth High School, and Yarmouth Elementary School for their unwaivering commitment to education and student achievement,” said Maine Department of Education Commissioner Robert G. Hasson, Jr.

The coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content.

Now in its 36th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed recognition on more than 8,800 schools. On November 7 and 8, the Secretary and the Department of Education will celebrate with all honorees at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

All schools are honored in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates:

Exemplary High Performing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s subgroups and all students over the past five years.

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites National Blue Ribbon School nominations from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by The Council for American Private Education (CAPE).

Photographs and brief descriptions of the 2018 National Blue Ribbon Schools are available at http://www.ed.gov/nationalblueribbonschools.

School Name and City

Dr. Levesque Elementary School, Frenchville
Falmouth High School, Falmouth
Yarmouth Elementary School, Yarmouth

Public PreK Funding FY20 – Estimate Counts Required

Beginning in FY19, the Essential Programs and Services(EPS) funding formula added an allocation for PreK programs’ estimate student count. The PreK program estimate count allocation is intended to provide funding for PreK programming in advance of actual student enrollment, helping to offset the upfront costs associated with expanding or starting PreK programs. This PreK program allocation was first authorized into law on July 1, 2018 to begin in FY19.

If an SAU is opening or expanding a PreK program and the SAU would like to receive an FY20 estimate PreK allocation they must notify the Maine DOE’s finance team by completing the FY20 Estimate PreK Count Survey before October 31, 2018. SAUs completing this survey must also complete the PreK Program Application by April 30, 2019 and obtain program approval.

This FY20 Estimate PreK Count Survey is meant to capture the overall FY20 statewide obligation for estimate new and expanding PreK programs, but does not guarantee funding. This estimate count allocation will be used to provide funding on the FY20 ED279. SAUs must enroll the number of children included in the projected estimate count by October 1, 2019. After October 1, 2019 an audit adjustment, based on actual enrollment reported in NEO on October 1, 2019, will be made to the PreK allocation assigned on the FY20 ED279.

For more information please contact Deb Lajoie at 624-6613 or deborah.j.lajoie@maine.gov

Maine DOE Launching a New Website on Friday, September 28, 2018

The Maine Department of Education will be launching a new website on Friday, September 28, 2018. Over the course of the summer months, Department staff have been working on updating and re-writing website content for a new website that features an improved search function, a user-friendly interface, and a content management system which will allow Department staff to keep content updated and timely.

The new website will replace the current website found at maine.gov/doe. It will have a similar, yet new, look and feel.

It is important to note that those who have bookmarked links to the Department’s current website may need to re-save their bookmarks when the new website is released because there will be some pages that have a different website address.

To ensure that the field and the public can find information on the new website on Friday and going forward, please send all inquiries, comments, concerns, and questions related to the website to doe.webmaster@maine.gov.

For further questions about the launch of the new website, please contact Maine Department of Education Director of Communications, Rachel Paling at rachel.paling@maine.gov.

Implementation of New IEP Form to be Further Postponed

Administrative Letter #17 announced an implementation date of October 1, 2018 for Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) designed to meet requirements for documenting certain services that are both educationally and medically necessary in accordance with both IDEA and Section 65 and Section 28 of the Maine Care Benefits Manual.

The Department of Education has continued to receive a number of questions from the field regarding this change. We are committed to giving the best answers possible and need time to continue the development of answers that are correct and timely. As a result, we will postpone the requirements of Administrative Letters #13 and #17 concerning IEP development to ensure that the field receives adequate support.

In our continuing goals of being responsive to the field, providing technical assistance, and generally supporting the development of quality IEPs regardless of pay sources, we have postponed the implementation of the new IEP form.

Answers to the questions will be published before implementation. The targeted start date is now January 1, 2019.

For further questions, contact the Maine Department of Education Office of Special Services at (207) 624-6713.

Regional PD Opportunities Based on CNAs and Provided Under ESSA #success4ME

Under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Maine has developed a differentiated model of school supports that includes statewide professional development targeted to regional needs. Upon review of submitted statewide Comprehensive Needs Assessments/SAU Consolidated Plans, the Maine DOE is providing regional professional development to address the explicit needs outlined in submitted CNAs.

The Department invites district, school, and classroom leaders, and their staff to attend the many regional professional development opportunities being offered by the Department this fall. These sessions are offered at no cost and sessions information is available on the Department’s professional development calendar.

Creating Trauma-Sensitive Schools: Using Relationships to Promote Growth & Learning

Session Description: Schools across the country are adopting a trauma-sensitive approach in order to effectively educate students who have been exposed to adverse experiences. Neurodevelopmental impacts resulting from childhood adversity hinder a student’s ability to engage in the academic setting and manifest as disruptive, and often unsafe, behavior in the classroom. Creating trauma competent schools has become an imperative for educators who work to ensure safety and promote learning for ALL students. The field of social neuroscience draws from vast disciplines to explain how we have evolved in the context of interpersonal relationships through attachment and group cohesion, and how we have subsequently developed the capacity to shape the brains of those with whom interact and connect. This presentation will describe how educators can use our knowledge of interpersonal neurobiology to create classrooms and student relationships that maximize growth and learning. Participants will understand their role in creating trauma-competent systems and be able to employ trauma-sensitive principles, practices, and procedures to address the impact of trauma on learners and increase their students ability to succeed in the school environment.

Facilitator Information: Cassie Yackley, Psy.D., has spent more than 25 years committed to understanding and effectively addressing the impact of traumatic/adverse experiences on children, caregivers/families, and systems. She brings together recent discoveries from developmental neuroscience, attachment, implementation science, and reflective practice to help audiences develop skills of relationship and self-awareness in ways that transform organizations, promote staff professional growth and wellness, and improve outcomes for the consumers they serve.

The three session dates and locations are listed below with a link to each registration. Space is limited so we recommend you register at the earliest possible opportunity. Please register no later than, October 9, 2018 for the session closest to you.

Oct. 16, 2018
Elks Lodge – Brewer
Register now »

Oct. 17, 2018
State Armory – Augusta
Register now »

Oct. 18, 2018
Elks Lodge – Portland
Register now »

Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. with each session running from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with a break for a provided lunch.

If you have any questions or need more information, please contact ESEA Federal Programs and Title I Director, Chelsey Fortin-Trimble at chelsey.a.fortin@maine.gov.

Camden Hills School Nurse Janis Hogan Named 2018-2019 School Nurse of the Year

Janis Logan The Maine School Nurse Association (MASN) recently announce that Janis Hogan from Camden Hills Regional High School is the School Nurse of the Year, 2018-2019. This award acknowledges a member of the Maine School Nurse Association who demonstrates excellence in school nursing practice and leadership in school nursing.

In her role at Camden Hills, Janis’ presence and influence can be noted everywhere. The librarian/technology director who nominated her stated that “Janis is well-informed on issues that affect our students’ health, and is aware of local, state, and national health trends for youth; she uses this to inform her decisions about student care, programming, advocacy, and outreach efforts, and she also shares this information with teachers and administrators at the building and district level.” The pervasiveness of her influence can be grouped into the initiatives that she embraces and leads.

For more information visit the Maine Association of School Nurses Website. Learn more about how to nominate your school nurse.