Category: Early Childhood

Pre-K for ME, K for ME and 1st Grade for ME Professional Learning Communities Offered  

The Maine Department of Education (DOE), along with public school teachers from across the state, are teaming up to offer monthly professional learning communities (PLCs) for educators implementing Pre-K for ME,  K for ME, and 1st Grade for ME in their classrooms.  

These PLCs are provided to promote understanding of program design and to support successful program implementation.  Program components will be explored in greater depth and teachers will be encouraged to share examples of practice/student work.  Lead teachers and ed techs using the programs are strongly encouraged to attend, whether you are new to using the programs or have been using them for a while.  

This year’s PLC opportunities will be held virtually from 3:30-4:30 pm on the first Tuesday of the month:   

  • October 3 
  • November 7  
  • December 5  
  • January 2  
  • February 6 
  • March 5    
  • April 2   

Although it is highly encouraged, teachers and ed techs do not have to commit to attending every session. Details about how to access the sessions will be provided after registration is completed. Registrations for the PLCs should be received by September 29, 2023.  

Register here. 

For additional information contact Nicole.Madore@maine.gov, Danielle.M.Saucier@maine.gov, or Marcy.R.Whitcomb@maine.gov.  

 

Focus on Challenging Behaviors in the Classroom – A Community of Practice (CoP) Opportunity

The Maine Department of Education’s Early Learning Team is pleased to announce a new Community of Practice (CoP) focusing on supporting challenging behaviors in the classroom.  We are excited to bring together pre-k-2nd grade educators across our state in a virtual platform to build a community of support, resources, and learning.

This no-cost professional learning experience will focus on current developmentally appropriate practices and share resources to build social and emotional foundations. Sessions will run for one hour, take place virtually via Zoom, and will consist of group discussion of a previewed resource and time for large or small group problems of practice discussions.

The Community of Practice will be held from 3:30 – 4:30 PM. on the following dates:

  • September 26th
  • October 24th
  • November 28th
  • January 23rd
  • February 27th
  • March 26th
  • May 23rd

Register here.

For more information, please contact Marcy Whitcomb, Public Pre-K Consultant: marcy.r.whitcomb@maine.gov

Early Childhood C.O.A.C.H. Opportunity

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Early Learning Team is excited to announce a new opportunity for Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers to network during the 2023-2024 school year.

Continued Outreach to Assist ChildHood (C.O.A.C.H.) Educators will meet with Early Learning Team members once a month to discuss topics related to research-based high-quality early childhood classrooms, Pre-K through Kindergarten.

Who might be interested in attending?

The focus audience for this training is educators who are new to the early childhood field in pre-k and K classrooms. This might include teachers, ed techs, assistant teachers, and childcare providers. Additionally, those who may have shifted into Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms from older grades could benefit.

When will C.O.A.C.H. Educators meet?

Virtual kickoff meeting on August 24th from 3:30-4:30 PM

Virtual one-hour meetings on the second Thursday of each month from 3:30-4:30 PM

  • September 14, 2023
  • October 12, 2023
  • November 9, 2023
  • December 14, 2023
  • January 11, 2024
  • February 8, 2024
  • March 14, 2024
  • April 11, 2024
  • May 9, 2024

Possible discussion topics

  • Implementing play strategies and interdisciplinary instruction
  • Formative assessments
  • Classroom environments
  • Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
  • Student inclusion
  • Building relationships with students
  • Family engagement
  • And more….

How can you sign up?

Complete this registration form by August 17, 2023.

Additional questions can be directed to Early Childhood Specialist, nicole.madore@maine.gov

Maine DOE Announces 8th Annual Read to Ride Summer Reading Challenge

(Pictured: Past Read to Ride Summer Reading Challenge bike recipient, Brooke from Whitefield)

Summer vacation is right around the corner. It is almost time to wave farewell to students and send them off to sunny days, sandy beaches, video games, and relaxation. Summer vacation is a welcome change of pace for families and teachers, yet the importance of summer reading remains critical. Making reading a part of the student experience this summer will be invaluable to a successful return to classrooms in the fall.

Once again, this year, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) is collaborating with the Freemasons of Maine to sponsor the Read to Ride Summer Reading Challenge for students in grades PK-8.  The Maine Freemasons have generously donated 48 bikes with helmets as prizes for the Read to Ride Summer Reading Challenge.  During the first seven years of this initiative, thousands of Maine children completed the challenge of reading 500 minutes during summer vacation.  The Maine DOE hopes to see this number grow even higher during the summer of 2023.

Any school with students in the PK-8 grade span may register to participate. Participating schools will collect documentation from students who have completed the challenge. They will hold school-level drawings to select two students whose names will be entered into the state-level drawing in October 2023.   Schools are encouraged to participate in this challenge, coordinate it with any other summer reading challenges/programs they offer, and consider soliciting their own local-level prizes for students who complete the challenge.  Find details at the Read to Ride Challenge website and register your school at this link.

Summer slide can be prevented or greatly reduced when students continue to read on a regular basis. By encouraging children to read for enjoyment from a variety of resources and to explore topics of interest, they continue to practice applying the skills they have learned, build their vocabulary, and widen their knowledge of the world.  For students who are not yet reading independently, or just beginning to read, reading to and with parents is equally beneficial.

Questions may be directed to Maine DOE’s Inclusive Education Literacy Specialist, Dee Saucier at danielle.m.saucier@maine.gov.

Registration for Maine’s 2023 Statewide Early Childhood Education Conference is open!  

This year’s Statewide Early Childhood Education Conference has an incredible lineup of keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities planned for October 27 & 28 in Portland.  Keynote speakers will be Denisha Jones, Executive Director of Defending the Early Years, and Angela Hanscom, author and founder of TimberNook. 

How to Register:  

  • Step 1: Go to maineaeyc.org/conference 
  • Step 2: Click the BIG PINK BUTTON at the top of the page that says “REGISTER” 
  • STEP 3: Follow the directions on the registration page 

Each guest must register separately and will need to have a credit/debit card number to put into the form. Administrators will only be able to register their staff one at a time, and they must have their staff’s personal contact information (i.e. home address, home email, home phone, etc.). Alternatively, administrators can email the registration form to their employees and have them each register separately. Participants will select breakout sessions for the conference at a later date.  

If you would like to book a room to stay at the Holiday Inn where the conference is being held, click on this link. When you input the conference dates at the link, you will automatically be given the room discount for conference attendees.  

If you have any questions about the conference or registration, please contact MaineAEYC at conference@maineaeyc.org 

Leading Early Learning—A Professional Learning Series for Elementary School Administrators

“Participating in the series has helped me to look at the decisions we make about our instructional programming and school community through the lens of early learning and what is developmentally appropriate for our youngest learners.”  –Quote from Cohort 1 participant

As Maine elementary schools have added preschool programming and are promoting whole student approaches across the Pre-K -Grade 3 span, elementary principals have requested professional learning to support their work as educational leaders.  The Maine Department of Education (DOE) and several Maine educational organizations (listed below) have collaborated to design an exciting professional learning series to address identified needs and support professional growth.  The Leading Early Learning series has supported cohorts during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years.  We are pleased to announce the third cohort for this series will launch during the 2023-24 school year.

The series will not only provide participants with opportunity to deepen their knowledge of early learning pedagogy and best practices related to supporting students and teachers across Pre-K-3, but it will also provide a professional learning network, opportunity to design a concept for an implementation project, and be supported through facilitated discussions.  Participants will engage in a variety of modes of learning, from asynchronous modules to professional learning communities to attendance at a statewide early learning conference.

If this opportunity interests you, please review the details for the series in the informational guide.  A link to apply for the series is included in the informational guide.  The series will support up to 30 participants.  Applications will be received through July 10, 2023. Once spaces are filled, a waiting list will be generated.

For additional information, please contact Lee Anne Larsen, Director of Early Learning at Maine DOE, leeann.larsen@maine.gov.

Leading Early Learning Partner Organizations

  • Maine Department of Education
  • Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network
  • Maine Association for the Education of Young Children
  • UMaine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies

Registration Opens June 5th for Maine’s 2023 Statewide Early Childhood Education Conference

Save the Date for Maine’s 2023 Statewide Early Childhood Education Conference! The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is proud to collaborate with the Maine Association for the Education of Young Children to provide this professional learning opportunity geared to educators working across the birth to grade 3 spans. This year’s conference has an incredible lineup of keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities planned for participants gathering in Portland on October 27 & 28. Keynote speakers will be Denisha Jones, Executive Director of Defending the Early Years, and Angela Hanscom, author, and founder of TimberNook.  

The call for proposals is currently open through May 31st at 5:30pm. Those interested in offering a breakout session can learn more and submit their ideas at https://maineaeyc.org/conference 

A link to register will be available on Monday, June 5th 

How to Register on June 5th:  

  • Step 1: Go to https://maineaeyc.org/conference 
  • Step 2: Click the BIG PINK BUTTON at the top of the page that says “REGISTER” 
  • STEP 3: Follow the directions on the registration page 

We can’t wait to see you in October! If you have any questions about the conference or registration, please contact MaineAEYC at conference@maineaeyc.org. 

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.

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.

The Public Pre-K Self-Assessment Tool will assist public schools in reviewing their current progress in implementing high-quality pre-k programming while also highlighting areas for future growth. The tool also includes a variety of elements that offer guidance for developing and implementing inclusive public pre-k programs that align with state requirements.  This resource will support not only school administrative units planning new programs but also existing programs, with continuous improvement efforts.

An informational session will be offered and recorded on Tuesday April 25th from 11:30-12:30. Please register to attend here. A link to the recording will be provided to those who register but cannot attend. Time will be provided during the session for questions and answers.  Following the informational session, the tool will be accessible digitally on the Public Preschool homepage and downloadable as a PDF document for use.

In the self-assessment tool, you’ll find detailed information related to the following topics:

  • Student Recruitment and Enrollment
  • Student Instruction
  • Student Assessment and Ongoing Progress Monitoring
  • Staff Development and Certifications
  • Program Environments and Operational Elements
  • Family and Community Engagement

Any questions can be directed to the following team members:

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 upcoming First 10 Community School pilot, and
  • obtain answers to questions you have about the model.

Informational sessions will be held on April 13 from 9:00-10:00 a.m. and on April 27 from 3:00-4:00 p.m. Links to register for the sessions (same content in each) can be found below. One of the sessions will be recorded and shared if you are unable to attend the live sessions.

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.