The Inquiry Based Learning (IBL) process provides a model for educators to help make deeper connections to health education or physical education curriculum in the classroom. It is a strategic instructional process meant to produce and ignite questioning. Through this process, students gain deeper knowledge about the topic at hand and become more proficient with the skills involved.
Continue reading “Inquiry Based Learning applied to health and physical education”
In June 2015, LD 556 was passed which amended Maine DOE statute Sec. 20-A MRSA § 6304, An Act To Require Public Schools To Offer Instruction Related to Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and the Use of an Automated External Defibrillator. The new law states, “In accordance with rules adopted by the department, public schools shall offer training to students on how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use automated external defibrillators.”
The following is a joint notice from Acting Commissioner of Education William H. Beardsley and Director of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services in the Department of Health and Human Services Sheldon Wheeler. Please share this with school principals and classroom teachers.
Community groups and schools across the state will be conducting activities to raise awareness about alcohol use and abuse on Monday, Dec. 7, Alcohol Awareness Day and throughout Maine’s Alcohol Awareness Week.
The Maine DOE is undertaking two rulemakings related to health.
Continue reading “Notice of proposed rule changes: Chapters 40 and 45”
Educators are encouraged to register now for the annual Maine Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (MAHPERD) conference on Nov. 1-3 at the Samoset Resort in Rockport. For this 70-year anniversary of the conference, New England Patriots former tight-end Jermaine Wiggins will join as special guest.
Maine schools are invited to participate in Fuel Up to Play 60 (FUTP60), a wellness program with numerous benefits including empowering students, with the support of adults, to take the lead in making healthy changes and to have a positive impact in their communities. The next application deadline is Nov. 4.
Continue reading “Apply now for Fuel Up to Play wellness program”
The Maine Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (MAHPERD) Annual Conference, 70 Years Going Strong…Still Making a Difference, will be held Nov. 1 – 3 at the Samoset Resort in Rockport.
The following Priority Notice was distributed to school superintendents today in advance of the 104th Annual Commissioner’s Conference for Superintendents:
Dear Superintendents,
We look forward to working with you next week during the 104th Annual Commissioner’s Conference for Superintendents, scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 28 at Sunday River’s Jordan Hotel in Newry.
Continue reading “Materials released in advance of Commissioner’s Conference”
LD 131 “An Act To Amend the Laws Related to Public Funding of Charter Schools” was signed May 8, 2015 by Governor LePage. Under the new law Maine DOE will make monthly payments directly to approved public charter schools starting in FY16, the same way the Department has long distributed funds to traditional public school districts.
Currently, districts that lose students to public charter schools are billed directly by the receiving charter school. The Maine DOE will provide financial relief to traditional school units since they no longer must include these payments in their annual budgets.
The new funding method will relieve the unpredictable financial impact of charters to individual (sending) districts and was overwhelmingly supported by leaders of Maine’s school districts, including the 100 or so that now have at least one student enrolled in one of the state’s five bricks-and-mortar charter schools or the virtual Maine Connections Academy. The change also allows Maine to move beyond the divisive debate about charter school funding and refocus on how to create opportunities for students to be most successful at Maine public schools, whether they be charters or traditional.
More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar
First Lady Ann LePage and Acting Education Commissioner Tom Desjardin marked Teacher Appreciation Week by announcing the top teacher from each Maine county. | More
The Maine Department of Education is committing over $150,000 to continue the work of the state’s first autism institute. | More
The Maine DOE is seeking feedback on Maine’s proposed Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Waiver Renewal application. | More
The deadline to submit the National Center and State Collaborative Alternate Assessment (NCSC), used to assess students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in mathematics and English language arts is this Friday, May 15. | More
Last week the Maine DOE was represented along with hundreds of library supporters in Washington, D.C. to speak with their legislators about the importance of libraries. | More
If your school submitted an application for the 30th Annual Maine Schoolsite Health Promotion Program “Wellness” Conference to the Maine DOE but has not yet received a confirmation please contact the Department. | More
More Dispatches | Press Releases | From the Commissioner
If your school submitted an application for the 30th Annual Maine Schoolsite Health Promotion Program “Wellness” Conference to the Maine DOE but has not yet received a confirmation email with a congratulatory letter, team registration form and Spring Team Leaders’ Meeting information, please contact the Department’s Susan Berry at susan.berry@maine.gov.
Maine DOE Newsroom 