Maine DOE Update – July 2, 2020

 

From the Maine Department of Education


Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |


News & Updates

PRIORITY NOTICE: Invitation to a Conceptual Conversation Regarding Rule Chapter 124: Basic Approval Standards for Public Preschool

Since July 1, 2017, school approval standards governing implementation of public preschool programs in Maine have been in effect, as authorized by Title 20-A, Maine Revised Statutes, Chapters 203 and 206. Now that these rules, incorporated in Rule Chapter 124, have been in effect for several years, and in preparation for continued expansion of public preschool programming, the Maine Department of Education (Maine DOE) invites interested stakeholders to attend a conceptual conversation related to the rule on July 14, 2020 from 1pm-3pm via Zoom. The conceptual conversation will be an opportunity to provide feedback on current implementation of the Rule. If you are interested in being part of the conversation | More

Report Released on Maine’s State and Local Initiatives to Improve Outcomes for Children

On June 24, New America released a report describing efforts to expand and improve early education in Maine: Building Systems in Tandem – Maine’s State and Local Initiatives to Improve Outcomes for Children by David Jacobson. | More

Department of Education to Release Statewide Survey to Inform Framework for Returning to Classroom Instruction

Maine Department of Education continues to work with educators and health experts from across the State to develop health markers and corresponding plans to ensure the safe return to classroom instruction.  As this work develops, the Department is seeking input from additional stakeholders from across the State, and will release a survey on July 6. | More

Get to Know the DOE Team: Meet Margaret Harvey

Maine DOE team member Margaret (Meg) Harvey is being highlighted this week as part of the Get to Know the DOE Team Campaign. Learn a little more about Meg. | More


Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |


Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Pre-K for ME Curriculum Training

The Early Learning Team at the Maine Department of Education is pleased to host this free training for public Pre-K teachers, ed techs and administrators. Together with four Pre-K teachers from RSU 57, we’ll provide a two-day training for those interested in implementing the newly developed, whole-child, comprehensive curriculum, Pre-K for ME. Access to curriculum units is free and available now | More

Find an Array of Virtual Support Sessions Crafted Just for Maine Educators and School Staff on the Maine DOE Website

The Maine Department of Education’s content specialists along with partnering educational leaders from the field continue to schedule, provide, and record a wide variety of virtual support sessions, professional development, and continued and engaging conversations over the summer | Find a schedule of upcoming sessions here | Find recorded sessions here.

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |


Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here


 

Maine DOE Update – June 26, 2020

 

From the Maine Department of Education


Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |


News & Updates

Engage Young Readers with Resources from the Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival

Indigo Arts Alliance launched the Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival across the State of Maine in Summer 2020 and shines a spotlight on the Black artists and writers who create children’s books featuring characters of the African Diaspora. Named in honor of Maine’s own Ashley Bryan, this inaugural event presented in partnership with I’m Your Neighbor Books, Diverse Book Finder, and the Maine Association of School Libraries honors roots, identity and resiliency of Black people across the world. | More

DOE Begins the Work of Creating Maine Learning Platform

Created by Maine educators for Maine educators and students, the Department of Education is proud to announce that the work of creating the Maine Learning Platform has begun. To provide anytime, anywhere learning options and resources for educators, students and their families, the Maine Department of Education, in collaboration with curriculum coordinators, Maine educational community organizations, museums, learning centers, and Maine educators, is creating a library of asynchronous learning modules that are aligned to Maine’s Learning Results. | More

Get to Know the DOE Team: Meet Jen Robitaille

Maine DOE team member Jen Robitaille is being highlighted this week as part of the Get to Know the DOE Team Campaign. Learn a little more about Jen in the question and answer | More


Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

Our Remote Learning Journey: Thriving Not Just Surviving

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |


Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Find an Array of Virtual Support Sessions Crafted Just for Maine Educators and School Staff on the Maine DOE Website

The Maine Department of Education’s content specialists along with partnering educational leaders from the field continue to schedule, provide, and record a wide variety of virtual support sessions, professional development, and continued and engaging conversations over the summer | Find a schedule of upcoming sessions here | Find recorded sessions here.

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |


Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here


 

Maine DOE Update – June 19, 2020

 

From the Maine Department of Education


Reporting Items

MaineCare Seed Adjustments to be Made, Review Q3-20 Reports by July 15, 2020

The recovery of Q3-20 MaineCare Seed will occur in the July 2020 subsidy payment and the Maine Department of Education (DOE) is asking School Administrative Units (SAUs) to review their reports by July 15, 2020 to ensure accurate adjustments to subsidy. Please review student by student claims on both the public and private MaineCare reports for Q3-20 by July 15, 2020. | More

2020-2021 NEO Maine Schools for Private Schools and School Approval Process Now Open for Completion

In accordance with 20-A M.R.S. Chapter 117, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) requires private schools seeking approval status to be approved annually. | More

End of School Year 19’-20’Checklist for Completing Reports

The following checklist is designed to assist school administrative units (SAUs) with publicly funded students in completing required end of year reports.  The dates listed after each report are when the report is open for entry and due for certification, if required. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |


News & Updates

DOE Statement & Resources for Juneteenth

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally-celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, honoring African American freedom and highlighting education and achievement. Today, we join others in our community for a Day of Solidarity to promote greater racial justice and equality. We invite you to take action and join us.In accordance with 20-A M.R.S. Chapter 117, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) requires private schools seeking approval status to be approved annually. | More

Maine DOE Launches New Professional Development Calendar and Video Library

The Maine Department of Education has launched a new and improved calendar system that will house all the of its professional learning, virtual office hours, and training opportunities in one place on the DOE Website. The Department has also created a new video library that accompanies the calendar as a place where educators and school staff can browse recorded webinars and office hours for additional professional learning opportunities. | More

Message from Kellie D. Bailey SEL Specialist Maine DOE

It has been such a pleasure to collaborate with you over the past few months. You are Educational Warriors. Your passion, strength, ingenuity and resilience overwhelms me. I’m beyond grateful to work for Commissioner Makin who clearly supports and honors the emotional wellbeing of our Maine educators and support staffs. When I accepted this position as the first SEL specialist for the Maine DOE in January 2020, I could never have foreseen that in just 10 short weeks, Maine educators would be faced with such sadness, grief and concern for their students and the world. | More

Maine Students Create Innovative Solutions to Real-World Problems in 2020 MLTI Prototype Challenge; Winners Announced

The Maine Department of Education held a Prototype Challenge this year. An educational activity for students involved with the MLTI (Maine Learning Technology Initiative) Student Conference, the post conference prototype challenge offered students the opportunity to work in teams to develop an innovative product that solves a real-world problem defined in Maine DECDs 2030 report. | More

Maine DOE Welcomes 5 Student Interns for the Summer

The Maine Department of Education today announced five student interns have joined the team for the summer. Throughout the summer, the students will assist in the daily operations of the Maine DOE while working remotely due to COVID-19. The interns will be working for a variety of Department of Education teams including the Department of Assessments, the Volunteer Maine Commission, the Commissioner’s Office, and the Office of Special Services. | More

Get to Know the DOE Team: Meet Brenda Vigue

Maine DOE Team member Brenda Vigue is being highlighted this week as part of the Get to Know the DOE Team Campaign. Learn a little more about Brenda in the brief question and answer below. | More


Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |


Professional Development & Training Opportunities

NEW: Remote Learning 101 with Maine DOE Digital Learning Specialists

Digital Learning Specialists at the Maine Department of Education are hosting a Remote Learning 101 professional learning series. The series is currently underway and consists of three modules total. Sessions are being recorded and will be posted to the Maine DOE website and YouTube Channel as they happen. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |


Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here


 

Maine DOE Update – June 12, 2020

 

From the Maine Department of Education


Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |


News & Updates

MEDIA RELEASE: Draft Framework for Return to Classroom Instruction Released

The Maine Department of Education released a draft framework to assist schools in planning for return to school scenarios in the fall. The framework was developed with input from multiple stakeholder groups, including the Department of Education’s Student Cabinet, community health experts, and educators representing the many roles in schools. | More

Child Nutrition Programs Continue to Feed Children Beyond School Year with Summer Food Service Program

With the assistance of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Maine public schools have long offered a nutritious breakfast and lunch meal program to thousands of children in Maine during the school year. This year, many flexibilities were put into place to ensure children still had access to meals while learning remotely from home. We applaud everyone who worked hard to provide food to children during a challenging school year. With summer right around the corner, that important service must continue. The Summer Food Service Program, a U.S. Department of Agriculture program, operates at hundreds of sites across Maine to ensure children get the nutrition they need. | More

Department of Education: Our Commitment and Shared Resources to Combat Racism

During the recent weeks we have seen the very best and the very worst in humanity, and this is a time of deep divides, fear, and anger. The murder of George Floyd is only the most recent example in a long and tragic pattern. There are glaring injustices faced by members of our communities, rooted in a long history of systemic racism and violence. We at the Department of Education (DOE) share in the outrage and frustration, and stand with those who are peacefully protesting and demanding a change. We believe in the basic human dignities that should be afforded to all people in our country. We stand with and for our many colleagues, students, and their families who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) around the state, and will do all that we can to fight racism and inequities, and to ensure they are safe and welcomed in the State of Maine. We affirm with you that Black Lives Matter. | More

Get to Know the DOE Team: Meet Amelia Lyons

Maine DOE Team member Amelia Lyons is being highlighted this week as part of the Get to Know the Maine DOE Team campaign. Learn a little more about Amelia | More


Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |


Professional Development & Training Opportunities

DOE Virtual Professional Learning Available Through Summer

The Maine Department of Education continues update a robust schedule of virtual professional learning, office hours and meetings through the summer months to support school and district staff with their professional learning needs as they prepare for the possible scenarios we will face in the 2020-2021 school year. | See the Virtual Meeting Schedule or try browsing in our new Calendar.

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |


Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here


 

Maine DOE Update – June 5, 2020

 

From the Maine Department of Education


Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |


News & Updates

Governor’s Executive Order #56, School Budget Process

On June 3, 2020 Governor Janet Mills issued Executive Order #56, An Order to Further Facilitate the State of Primary and Local Elections Within Public Health Restrictions Due to COVID-19.  | More

Twenty-four School Administrative Units Awarded McKinney-Vento Mini Grants

The Maine Department of Education is happy to announce that the McKinney-Vento Subgrants: COVID-19 Emergency Mini Grants have been selected. Twenty-four districts applied for the funds and all twenty-four requests are conditionally awarded. | More

Maine Department of Education’s Guidance for Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten Child Find Screening

Maine Department of Education Rule Chapter 101 includes federally mandated Child Find requirements, including timely screening procedures for incoming Pre-K and Kindergarten students.  While some Maine schools engage in screening for Child Find in late August or early September, many typically screen in the spring of the year.  With the current precautions in place to address the transmission of COVID-19, schools that typically screen in the spring have likely postponed in-person screening. | More

Free Resources to Help Keep Children Safe From Cyber-Crimes

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is the investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. Among their investigative priorities are cyber-crimes which includes child sexual exploitation. In partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, HSI has developed its Project iGuardian. | More

REMINDER: Register for the 5th Annual Read to Ride Summer Reading Challenge

A unique world of remote learning and creative teaching has been the norm in recent weeks, but summer vacation is right around the corner. Summer vacation will be a welcome change of pace for families and teachers, yet the importance of summer reading will be as critical as ever. Educators and families have worked tirelessly to engage and challenge students. Making reading a part of the student experience this summer will be invaluable to a successful return to classrooms in the fall. | More

Get to Know the DOE Team: Meet Stephanie Stambach

Maine DOE Team member Stephanie Stambach is being highlighted this week as part of the Get to Know the Maine DOE Team Campaign. Learn a little more about Stephanie in this brief question and answer. | More


Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |


Professional Development & Training Opportunities

PRIORITY NOTICE: DOE Virtual Professional Learning Now Available Through Mid-June!

The Maine Department of Education has posted an updated and robust schedule of virtual professional learning, office hours and meetings through mid-June to support school and district staff with their professional learning needs as they conclude emergency teaching plans and prepare for the possible scenarios we will face in the 2020-2021 school year. | Virtual Meeting Schedule

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |


Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here


 

Maine DOE Update – May 29, 2020

 

From the Maine Department of Education


Reporting Items

New Webinar: 2020-2021 Special Education Exit Report

To assist those who are responsible for the important task of reporting Special Education Exits to the Maine Department of Education, the DOE Data Team will be holding a topical webinar about the Special Education Exit Report on Wednesday June 3rd, from 2 pm to 3 pm. | More

New Webinar: 2020-2021 NEO Maine Schools and School Approval Process

To assist those who are responsible for the important task of reporting district and school organizational data as well as school approval information to the Maine Department of Education, the DOE Data Team will be holding a topical webinar about the Maine Schools and School Approval (Public and Private) process on Tuesday June 2nd, from 11 am to 12 pm. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |


News & Updates

U.S. DOE Names Two Maine Students as 2020 U.S. Presidential Scholars

Graduation Reporting Phase 1 provides schools the opportunity to review and make any necessary changes to student data. This phase focuses on ensuring accuracy of start and exit statuses for students who are part of the 2020 cohort. The cohort is comprised of any student who entered grade 9 for the first time in the 2016-2017 school year.  | More

Requests for Applications for McKinney-Vento Sub-Grant Program

The Maine Department of Education is requesting applications for the Department’s McKinney-Vento Sub-grant program to support the education of students experiencing homelessness.  Proposals will be accepted from school administrative units (SAUs) seeking to develop, implement, or expand programs that improve the success of students identified as homeless under the McKinney-Vento Act. | More

6th Annual Count ME In Multimedia Contest Promoting School Attendance, Learning and Community

Count ME In is broadening its annual contest to include multimedia submissions that promote learning and being part of a school community. Students age 6 through high school are invited to create a poster, sculpture, song, poem, story or video for the 2020 celebration in September and October 2020. | More

Innovative Educators Sought for Maine Learning Modules!

The Maine Department of Education invites all interested educators, curriculum leaders, and Maine educational community organizations to join us in designing an a-synchronous library of learning modules in a Maine Learning Results-aligned scope and sequence. These project-based modules will be integrated to ensure that learning is synthesized across traditional subject areas and learning experiences are designed to be mutually reinforcing. | More

Maine AmeriCorps Virtual Recruitment Fair – June 4, 2020

Are you someone who takes the lead? Runs to take on a challenge while others wait for a solution? Do you want to help Maine communities get back up and running after the pandemic? AmeriCorps programs in Maine are looking for the next class of individuals to get things done! Are you ready to accept the challenge?| More  


Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |


Professional Development & Training Opportunities

PRIORITY NOTICE: DOE Virtual Professional Learning Now Available Through Mid-June!

The Maine Department of Education has posted an updated and robust schedule of virtual professional learning, office hours and meetings through mid-June to support school and district staff with their professional learning needs as they conclude emergency teaching plans and prepare for the possible scenarios we will face in the 2020-2021 school year. | Virtual Meeting Schedule

FREE TRAINING for Comprehensive Emergency Operations Planning: A Framework for Fall 2020

Maine Department of Education is proud to announce that our Maine School Safety Center Team will be hosting a series for all School Administrative Units (SAUs) and their Collaborative Planning Team members to create or review their Emergency Operations Plans.| Virtual Meeting Schedule | More

Combating Child Sexual Abuse, Exploitation, and Trafficking: June Zoom Meeting Series Schedule

Our Maine School Safety Center (MSSC) will be hosting an important series with community experts on addressing sexual abuse, exploitation and trafficking. The virtual series will run through the month of June, each Thursday at 10:00.| More

Professional Learning Opportunity: Identifying Where Your Students are, in Order to Adjust Instruction

COVID-19 has created unique challenges in education as students finish the year with distance learning. The Maine Department of Education, in collaboration of guest presenter Beth Ratway, is pleased to offer two sessions to examine how to look at this “gap”. How do teachers figure out where their students are at and plan for next year? | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |


Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here


 

Maine DOE Update – May 22, 2020

 

From the Maine Department of Education


Reporting Items

Data Review for Graduation Reporting Phase One Now Available

Graduation Reporting Phase 1 provides schools the opportunity to review and make any necessary changes to student data. This phase focuses on ensuring accuracy of start and exit statuses for students who are part of the 2020 cohort. The cohort is comprised of any student who entered grade 9 for the first time in the 2016-2017 school year.  | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |


News & Updates

PRIORITY NOTICE:  2019-2020 Public Pre-K Annual Report

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) recognizes school administrative units (SAUs) across Maine are navigating new territory and have their days filled, meeting the needs of students, staff, families, and communities. To reduce workload, this year’s annual Pre-K report has been shortened significantly. | More

Maine’s Community Colleges Offer Free Summer Courses for Maine’s High School Class of 2020

The members of Maine’s high school Class of 2020 are getting an early graduation gift  – access to free summer courses at Maine’s community colleges. Maine students who graduate in 2019/2020 are invited to apply for the free online courses. A student taking two free college courses this summer at a Maine Community College can save between $2,000 and $7,000 in tuition at a four-year college or university. | More

U.S. DOE Names Two Maine Students as 2020 U.S. Presidential Scholars

The United States Department of Education (DOE) has announced that 161 high school seniors, including two from Maine, have been named U.S. Presidential Scholars. The recognition honors the students’ accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career and technical education fields. | More

Governor Mills Radio Address: Rising to meet an even greater challenge – distance learning amid COVID-19

I am the daughter of a Maine public school teacher, so I know firsthand how important the work of Maine teachers is and the many challenges they have to overcome every day. Right now, our teachers and students are rising to meet an even greater challenge – adapting to distance learning amid this dangerous COVID-19 pandemic. | Listen to Address

Nominations Open For 2020 Maine School Maintenance Custodian of the Year A. Burleigh Oxton Award for Excellence

Educational Plant Maintenance Association of Maine (EPMA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering the best practices of educational plant maintenance and custodial workmanship through education and training for school custodians, maintenance teams, and facilities directors, is currently accepting nominations for Maine School Maintenance Custodian of the Year A. Burleigh Oxton Award for Excellence. | More

Get to Know the DOE Team: Meet Colene O’Neill

Maine DOE team member Colene O’Neill is being highlighted this week as part of the Get to Know the Maine DOE Team Campaign. Learn a little more about Colene | More


Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |


Professional Development & Training Opportunities

PRIORITY NOTICE: Next Week’s Schedule of DOE Virtual Meetings

The Virtual Meeting Schedule for May 26 – May 29, 2020 has been posted. It is advised to check the schedule in advance. Many of the virtual meetings now require pre-registration or the need to email the host to obtain meeting information, these measures help to prevent inappropriate interruptions | Virtual Meeting Schedule

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |


Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here


 

Maine DOE Update – May 15, 2020

 

From the Maine Department of Education


Reporting Items

Scheduled System Upgrade: NEO Unavailable from 3pm on 5/15 through 5/17

As part of a scheduled outage, NEO will not be available to users starting at 3pm on Friday May 15th to allow the Department to complete a system upgrade to new servers. NEO will be back and open for business on Monday morning, May 18th. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |


News & Updates

Priority Notice: USDA Pandemic EBT Program

On May 5, 2020 the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that Maine, North Dakota, West Virginia and Vermont were approved to operate Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT), a new program authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which provides assistance to families of children eligible for free or reduced-price meals during the closure of classroom-based instruction. | More

Priority Notice: Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children Meeting

The next meeting of the Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children will be held on Wednesday May 27th at 9:30am. Interested parties may email Tyler Backus at tyler.backus@maine.gov to receive a meeting invite. | More

Priority Notice: Executive Order Revises Permitted Use of School Bus Flashing Lights During Remote Learning

Today Governor Mills signed Executive Order #52, An Order Regarding Certain Education Matters, found here, which included the easing of restrictions for the use of flashing red lights on school buses during the state of emergency due to COVID-19. | More

Priority Notice: Executive Order Regarding Educator Certification

Governor Mills has issued Executive Order #52, to assist educators impacted by the COVID-19 disruptions with completing their certification and/or Criminal History Record Check (CHRC) processes.  The Executive Order includes the following | More

Mills Administration Secures WiFi & Learning Devices for 100 Percent of Maine Students Reporting a Need In Face of COVID-19’s Impacts on Schools

Governor Janet Mills and Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin announced today that the Maine Department of Education has secured internet access and devices to facilitate at home learning for 100 percent of Maine school children for whom there was a reported need. The success comes as Maine educators have demonstrated extraordinary commitment and creativity in response to the suspension of classroom-based instruction as a result of COVID-19, providing invaluable and meaningful personal connection and assurance to students in a time of great uncertainty. However, it is still difficult for educators to offer equitable online learning opportunities without individual student internet access. | More

MLTI Virtual Student Conference to Feature New “Innovation Challenge” – Registration Open! 

The Maine Department of Education is excited to share that the registration for the much anticipated Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) student conference is open. The conference will be held on May 28th, in virtual format, and it is FREE to Maine students! | More

2020 County Teachers of the Year Announced in Virtual Ceremony

Teachers from all 16 of Maine’s counties were honored today in a virtual announcement that was broadcast live on the Maine Department of Education Facebook Page. | More

Nominations are being accepted for the 2020 MAHPERD Teacher of the Year Awards

Nominations are being accepted for the 2020 Maine Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (MAHPERD) Teacher of the Year awards. | More

Get to Know the Maine DOE Team: Meet Daniel Weeks

Maine DOE team member Daniel Weeks is being highlighted as part of the Get to Know the Maine DOE Team Camping. Learn a little more about Daniel in the brief question and answer. | More


Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |


Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Virtual Meeting Schedule: May 18 – May 21, 2020

The Maine Department of Education continues to schedule virtual office hours and professional development with Department Specialists to support educators and administrators during extended remote learning. During these meetings, our specialists are available to provide support, professional learning opportunities, and guidance regarding distance learning and school supports, as well as to facilitate networking and resource sharing between educators. | More

Professional Learning Opportunities for Education Technicians

Through ongoing efforts to support the needs of Maine schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) is responding to requests for professional learning for Education Technicians with a series of online opportunities scheduled through the month of May and early June. Based on feedback from Maine schools, offerings will consist of series (each being 1-5 parts) delivered in hour-long sessions at regular times each week. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |


Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here


 

Maine DOE Update – May 8, 2020

 

From the Maine Department of Education


Reporting Items

New Webinar: April Enrollment Count Report

To assist those who are responsible for the important task of reporting student data to the Maine Department of Education, the DOE Data Team will be holding a topical webinar about the new April Enrollment Count Report on Wednesday May 13th, from 11am to 12pm. | More

School Health Annual Reporting Window is Open

The Maine Department Of Education is announcing that the School Health Annual Report is now available through the Reporting Calendar.| More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |


News & Updates

MEDIA RELEASE: Maine High School Seniors Invited to Participate in National Graduation Ceremony

Maine Department of Education is pleased to partner with Council of Chiefs State School Officers (CCSSO) and XQ Institute on Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020, a one-hour primetime show, paying joyful tribute to high school seniors, their extraordinary teachers, and their families. | More

DOE Providing Office Hours to Assist SAUs in ESSER Application Preparation  

On Monday, May 4, the Maine Department of Education’s School Finance Team began hosting office hours to support School Administrative Units’ (SAUs) federal programs coordinators and business managers by providing additional information around the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding application preparations. The application will be made available via the Department of Education’s Consolidated Application and Grant Reimbursement website. | More

MEDIA RELEASE: Maine Department of Education Awarded CARES Act Funding to Support Maine Schools

On March 27, 2020 the CARES Act was signed into law, providing emergency federal funds to states for the purpose of addressing COVID-19 related impacts to education. The three funds include the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund(HEER), the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund(GEER), and the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund(ESSER). Maine’s Department of Education is pleased to announce they applied for, and been awarded, the GEER and ESSER funding.|More

Extension Granted For Food Service Program Thru June 30, 2020.

USDA has released a waiver which allows Summer Food Service Program Unanticipated School Closure operations to continue through June 30, 2020. Operations can continue through the end of June regardless of a district’s last scheduled school day.* Maine has accepted this waiver. | More

Extended Deadline: Funding Opportunity Notice for School Lighting Projects

To date, Efficiency Maine has received more than fifty applications for school lighting projects as part of this Funding Opportunity Notice. In fact, one project has already been completed. Because of the level of interest, we have extended the deadline for a second time to allow more schools to apply — Efficiency Maine has extended the deadline for the School Lighting Funding Opportunity Notice to June 1, 2020. | More

Maine DOE Announces 5th Annual Read to Ride Summer Reading Challenge  

A unique world of remote learning and creative teaching has been the norm in recent weeks, but summer vacation is right around the corner. Summer vacation will be a welcome change of pace for families and teachers, yet the importance of summer reading will be as critical as ever. Educators and families have worked tirelessly to engage and challenge students. Making reading a part of the student experience this summer will be invaluable to a successful return to classrooms in the fall. | More

MEDIA RELEASE: Maine DOE Issues Guidance on High School Graduation Ceremonies

On Wednesday, the Maine Department of Education issued guidance to Maine’s education leaders regarding high school graduation ceremonies amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance was issued at the request of superintendents and other school leaders who are making extremely difficult decisions about graduation ceremonies, as the 2019-2020 school year comes to a close. | More

Registration is Open for the MLTI Virtual Student Conference

The Maine Department of Education is excited to share that the registration for the much anticipated MLTI student conference is open! The conference will be held on May 28th, in virtual format, and it is FREE to Maine students! | More

MEDIA RELEASE: Governor Janet Mills Kicks off Teacher Appreciation Week with a Special Message

Governor Janet Mills is helping to kick off a week-long celebration of Maine educators for Teacher Appreciation Week. Celebrated May 4th through May 8th this year, Teacher Appreciation Week is observed nationally, and is a time when all are encouraged to take a moment to thank teachers for all they do to positively impact the lives of students and families.|More

Teacher Appreciation Week: Maine DOE Staff Recognize Teachers Who Have Positively Impacted Their Lives

During a regular Maine Department of Education (DOE) conference call that hosts more than 125 staff members each week, staff were invited to share the name of a teacher who has positively impacted their lives as a nomination for a random drawing for a gift card for Teacher Appreciation Week.|More

Get to Know the DOE Team: Meet Katherine Warren

Maine DOE Team member Katherine Warren is being highlighted this week as part of the Get to Know the DOE Team campaign. Learn a little more about Katherine | More


Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |


Professional Development & Training Opportunities

PRIORITY NOTICE: Virtual Meeting Schedule: May 11 – May 15, 2020

The Maine Department of Education continues to schedule virtual office hours and professional development with Department Specialists to support educators and administrators during extended remote learning. During these meetings, our specialists are available to provide support, professional learning opportunities, and guidance regarding distance learning and school supports, as well as to facilitate networking and resource sharing between educators. | More

Professional Learning Opportunities for Education Technicians

Through ongoing efforts to support the needs of Maine schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) is responding to requests for professional learning for Education Technicians with a series of online opportunities scheduled through the month of May and early June. Based on feedback from Maine schools, offerings will consist of series (each being 1-5 parts) delivered in hour-long sessions at regular times each week. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |


Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here


 

Maine DOE Update – May 1, 2020

 

From the Maine Department of Education


Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |


News & Updates

PRIORITY NOTICE: Virtual Meeting Schedule for Next Week; PL for Ed Techs Now Available

The Maine Department of Education continues to schedule virtual office hours with Department Specialists to support educators and administrators during extended remote learning. During these meetings, our specialists are available to provide support and guidance regarding distance learning and school supports, as well as to facilitate networking and resource sharing between educators. | More | See the Schedule

In Celebration of School Lunch Heroes Day, Maine’s Governor and Department of Education Release Special Thank You Video

In recognition of May 1, 2020 being designated National School Lunch Heroes Day, Governor Janet Mills and the Department of Education have created a special thank you video for school nutrition teams, volunteers and all school staff across Maine, who have stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure Maine kids have nutritious and healthy meals while learning remotely at home. More

Get to know the DOE Team: Meet Rachel Paling

Maine DOE team member Rachel Paling is being highlighted as part of the Get to know the DOE Team Campaign. Learn a little more about Rachel. | More


Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

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