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

Public Service Manager II – Due Process Coordinator

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 3^rd, 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 2^nd, 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!

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

EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION TECHNICAL ADVISOR ( Public Service Coordinator II)

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

| 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

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

Casco Bay High School Teacher, Students Winners in Engineering Contest

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development & Training Opportunities

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

Professional Learning Opportunities for Education Technicians

| 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

Maine Community College System Students Honored

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development & Training Opportunities

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here

Maine DOE Update – April 24, 2020

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Priority Notice: Seeking Public Comment to Waive Requirements Related to Carryover Limitation, Period of Allowability, Title IV, Part A of the ESEA, and Professional Learning Definition

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is seeking a waiver pursuant to section 3511 of Division A of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), P.L. 116-136 (H.R. 748), 34 Stat. 281 (Mar. 27, 2020 from the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE). | More

Commissioner Makin Does a Reading in Celebration of National Poetry Month

In celebration of National Poetry month, Maine Department of Education Commissioner Pender Makin wrote and recorded a reading of one of her own poems, Kintsugi in a Pandemic. | More

Maine Teachers to Host New Educational Program Called “The Learning Space” on Maine Public Television

Maine Public, the Maine Department of Education, and Educate Maine have joined forces to create original, educational programming for grade school students in Grades 3 to 5. | More

Nominations Open for 2020 Maine Instructional Coach of The Year

Maine Curriculum Leaders Association (MCLA) Coaching Co-Op, a collaborative that provides a range of support and advocates for instructional coaches and learning communities across the state through networking and professional development, is currently accepting nominations for 2020 Maine Instructional Coach of the Year. | More

Nominations Open for 2020 Maine Curriculum Leader of the Year

Maine Curriculum Leaders Association is currently accepting nominations for 2020 Maine Curriculum Leader of the Year | More

SAVE THE DATE: MLTI Student Conference – May 28th

Save the date for May 28, 2020 to attend the MLTI (Maine Learning Through Technology) Student Conference! That’s right, the MLTI Student Conference is ON!! We’re going virtual. Further details about the virtual student conference are coming soon. | More

MDI and Camden Hills High Schools Named Green Ribbon Schools by U.S. DOE

The U.S. Department of Education today released the names of the 2020 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools, District Sustainability Awardees, and Postsecondary Sustainability Awardees. Camden Hills Regional High School in Rockport and Mount Desert Island High School in Bar Harbor are among the 2020 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS). | More

McKinney-Vento Subgrants: COVID-19 Emergency Mini-Grant

The Maine Department of Education is offering Maine schools a unique opportunity to apply for McKinney-Vento Mini-Grants. The Mini-Grants are to be specifically dedicated to supporting the needs of students experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Maine school administrative units (SAUs) may submit one application for multiple schools for the mini-grants with a $5,000 cap per school. Resources and services can be delivered at sites other than at the SAU’s schools and can be provided by subcontractors, but the applications may only be submitted and administered by Maine SAUs. | More

NAMI Maine Launches Teen Peer Support Text Line

Maine’s chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Maine) has announce the launch of the Teen Text Support Line, a new mental health program for youth 14 – 20 years of age living in Maine. | More

Public Notice of Task Force Meeting

The Task Force on Kindergarten Readiness for Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing will meet on April 30, 2020 starting at 1pm. In compliance with current guidance for physical distancing, the Task Force will meet virtually. | More

Get to know the DOE team: Meet Tracy Whitlock

Maine DOE team member Tracy Whitlock is being highlighted this week in the Department’s Get to know the Maine DOE Team Campaign. Learn a little more about Tracy in the brief question and answer.. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Preview of Next Week’s Virtual Sessions

The Maine Department of Education continues to schedule virtual office hours, meetings and PD! For a preview of next week’s sessions please visit the meeting schedule listing on our website: https://www.maine.gov/doe/covid-19/contentmeetings. As a reminder, due to the need to heighten security for online conference sessions, the Department is requiring password protection or pre-registration for most of our virtual sessions. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here

Maine DOE Update – April 17, 2020

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

NEO will be unavailable as of April 16th at 3PM

NEO will be unavailable as of Thursday, April 16th at 3:00 pm due to a system upgrade. NEO is expected to be back online on Tuesday April 21st. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Maine Department of Education Announces Maine School Safety Center!

The Maine Department of Education is pleased to announce the creation of The Maine School Safety Center(MSSC)! Although the MSSC is newly created, it is quickly adding staff and the ability to assist all Maine schools with their emergency planning. | More

PRIORITY NOTICE: Spotting Signs of Child Abuse and Neglect During the COVID-19 Emergency: An Updated Guide for Educational Professionals and Others who Care for Maine Children

In our great state of Maine, we are fortunate to have many talented professionals who positively impact the lives of children on a regular basis, and who continue to do so during this time of intense challenge. Teachers, principals, social workers, mental health providers, and countless other professionals have quickly transitioned to supporting youth and families virtually via phone, video, text, email, and other online resources. Maintaining contact with children and their caregivers is critical to supporting our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. | More

College Board Releases Free Parent Resources for Upcoming AP Exams

The College Board has released the new AP® Exam (Advanced Placement) schedule, which includes optional free, online AP classes and take-at-home AP Exams to support the challenge

UPDATE: PAEMST 2019-2020 Awards

The PAEMST Team decided to delay the application deadline from May 1 to October 26 due to COVID-19. To qualify for the October deadline, teachers must complete the eligibility component of the application by May 1. Teachers can begin an application for PAEMST by going to http://www.paemst.org. The eligibility component consists of seven easy questions and only takes a few minutes to do. | More

Reminder – April is Month of the Military Child

April is designated nationwide as Month of the Military Child. Maine honors the sacrifices made by military families statewide by encouraging school districts to engage in a variety of activities of their own choosing to celebrate Month of the Military Child. | More

Maine Educators Win $400 Each in First Drawings of Bicentennial Curriculum Sharing Initiative

The Maine Department of Education (DOE), in collaboration with the Maine Bicentennial Commission (maine200.org) and the Maine Historical Society launched the online resource in February as a way to help Maine teachers integrate Maine’s Bicentennial into their lessons. | More

Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act: Education Information

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law by President Trump on March 27, 2020. The relief promised by the CARES Act is desperately needed statewide, and the Maine Department of Education is eagerly waiting for the US Department of Education (USDE) to issue a notice inviting applications from State Education Agencies to apply for the funding. | More

Get to know the DOE team: Meet Lori Freeman

Maine DOE team member Lori Freeman is being highlighted this week as part of the Get to know the DOE team. Learn a little more about Lori in the question and answer.. | More

Commissioner Updates Regarding Covid-19 Response

April 7th – Updated Recommendations and Guidance from Commissioner Makin for Remainder of 19-20 School Year
April 3rd – Executive Order and School Personnel
April 1st – CARES Act, Remote, Instruction, Budget

| See All Recent Covid-19 Updates from Commission Makin |

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Early Child Care and Public Preschool Providers Caring for Children Birth-5 – No Cost Professional Development Training

Maine Resilience Building Network (MRBN) will once again offer free professional learning opportunities focused on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and resilience building. | More

Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Next Week’s Virtual Office Hours

With many schools taking a well-deserved vacation from remote learning next week for April break, the Maine Department of Education will not be sending out daily notifications about the virtual office hours, meetings, and professional development opportunities occurring from Tuesday, April 21st through Friday, April 24th. Next week’s schedule is available at all times on the Maine DOE website. |More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities