The Maine DOE has released data provided by Maine schools and other educational settings about the use of physical restraint and seclusion during the 2012-13 school year.
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Category: Health and Safety
Message to administrators on superintendents’ agreements
Dear Superintendents,
Last fall, former Commissioner Stephen Bowen sent you a letter on the topic of superintendents’ agreements. In that letter, he explained why he has tended to overturn the superintendent transfer decisions that are appealed to him by Maine families more often than not, in the hope that it would make his thinking on the issue clearer to you.
Since then, the issue of superintendents’ agreements has emerged again, and two bills were passed during this last legislative session that amend the current law in important ways, effective Oct. 9. Continue reading “Message to administrators on superintendents’ agreements”
New Maine law requires suicide prevention training for all school personnel
A new law, signed by Governor Paul R. LePage in April, requires all school personnel to complete Suicide Prevention Awareness Training beginning in the 2014-15 academic year. In addition, all school administrative units (SAUs) must have at least two staff members trained as suicide prevention “gatekeepers.” SAUs with more than 1,000 students will need to add (at least) one gatekeeper for every additional 500 students. Continue reading “New Maine law requires suicide prevention training for all school personnel”
State Farm now accepting grant applications from schools
Maine schools are invited to apply for State Farm’s 2014 Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants program, which offers programmatic support to U.S. schools in two focus areas: education and safety. The application for 2014 funding is open from Sept. 3 through Oct. 31.
State Farm believes creating better educated communities includes providing access to personal financial education and job training. Funding for education grants is directed toward: Continue reading “State Farm now accepting grant applications from schools”
Online training available for reporting abuse, neglect
Teachers, guidance counselors, administrators, bus drivers and others responsible for student welfare in schools are required by Maine law to report to their supervisors or to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services whenever they have reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect has occurred.
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All districts and schools must train staff in Global Harmonization System
Department of Labor responds to federal mandate with free online training video
AUGUSTA – All employees in the state of Maine—in both the private and public sectors—must be trained in the federal Occupation Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) new Global Harmonization System Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) by Dec. 1. As part of this federal mandate, schools and districts are responsible for training their staff on GHS and must be able to demonstrate compliance upon inspection.
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Restraint and Seclusion updates available
Non-regulatory guidance
The Department has posted non-regulatory guidance to help schools and other covered educational programs understand the requirements and limitations contained in Rule Chapter 33: Rule Governing Physical Restraint and Seclusion. The guidance document, which is available online, provides information about the rule, describes student behavior scenarios and analyzes potential responses to those scenarios, and provides links to additional resources including tools for managing student behavior.
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New pest management requirements for schools
The State of Maine has revised its integrated pest management (IPM) and pesticide regulations pertaining to all public and private schools serving any grades kindergarten through 12. These changes were made to improve communication and provide training and tools for IPM coordinators. There are three important changes. Continue reading “New pest management requirements for schools”
Free webinar on school mold, moisture control
A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency webinar on mold and moisture control in schools this Wednesday will be headlined by two Mainers.
Alyce Swann, facilities supervisor for RSU 21, and Steven Caulfield, senior vice president for Turner Building Science and Design and president of the Maine Indoor Air Quality Council, will be the featured speakers for the webinar Mold and Moisture Control in Schools: Potential Health Effects and Safe Clean-Up Practices. Jennifer Lemon, of EPA’s Indoor Environments Division, will facilitate the free webinar, which will be held Wednesday, Aug. 7 from 1 to 2:15 p.m. Continue reading “Free webinar on school mold, moisture control”
Free webinar series supports healthy school environments
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is offering a free webinar series to help school communities take sensible, low- or no-cost steps to create healthier environments in their buildings. Each webinar will feature school district personnel from across the country presenting their real-life examples and solutions.
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Maine DOE Newsroom 