Category: Maine DOE Update

Maine DOE Update – April 10, 2020

 

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Statement Regarding Recommendations for Extended Remote Learning

On Tuesday evening, April 7, 2020, Commissioner of Education Pender Makin, with the support of Governor Mills, made the recommendation to Maine schools to extend their remote learning plans until the end of the current school year. “School classrooms are closed, but schools are not,” said Commissioner Makin.| More

Rural Aspirations Launches Website to Support Teachers & Families in Community-Based Learning

Rural Aspirations, in collaboration with many other cross-sector organizations, has developed a tool for teachers and families to support and highlight community-based learning opportunities in Maine.| More

Maine DOE Delivers Donated Devices to Piscataquis County Schools

The Maine Department of Education delivered wifi enabled Samsung Tab A’s with a 12 month Verizon service to Piscataquis county schools yesterday afternoon, in a effort that is helping students in the area with their school work while they are engaged in remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of this pilot program, the Maine DOE surveyed building principals across Maine to identify needs, and are working to procure device and hotspots for all students that need them as quickly as possible. | More

Expanded Authority of Reserve Funds

An Act Regarding the Reserve Funds of Certain School Organizational Structures was signed by Governor Mills on March 12, 2020 and will become effective on June 16, 2020.  | More

Commissioner Updates Regarding Covid-19 Response

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

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Virtual Meetings Will be Available Again Next Week

The Maine Department of Education will continue to schedule virtual office hours to support educators and administrators during extended school closures. We are working on further security measures for our virtual meetings and will have an updated schedule ready on Monday. | Check the schedule here next week

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here

 

Maine DOE Update – Week of April 3, 2020

 

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

EF-S-214 Data Entry Deadline Extended to May 15.

The Department’s School Finance Team needs the EF-S-214 data in order to calculate and apply any adjustments to the ED 279s prior to year-end. The EF-S-214 was opened to Maine School Administrative Units (SAUs) on March 1st for data entry.  We are providing as much time as we can to SAUs to get this data entry completed, but it MUST be entered no later than May 15th. This timeline will allow us to apply eligible adjustments to the current year High Cost Out-of-District allocation prior to the end of the fiscal year. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

PRIORITY NOTICE: Public Notice Emergency Declaration FEMA-344-EM-ME

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is giving public notice of its intent to provide financial assistance to the State of Maine, tribal and local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations under the national emergency declaration issued by the President on March 13, 2020, as a result of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”). FEMA is also giving public notice that, in some cases, it may provide financial assistance for activities that may affect historic properties, may be located in or affect wetland areas or the 100-year floodplain, and/or may involve critical actions within the 500-year floodplain.| More

Virtual Office Hours: A Preview of Next Week

The Maine Department of Education continues to schedule virtual office hours with Department Specialist to support educators and administrators during extended remote learning. Here is a preview of the schedule for next week. Please note that additional meetings will be added. | More

NOTE TO SELF: Remember to Breathe

During this Difficult Time Filled With Great Uncertainty- Please remember to take moments each day and Breathe On Purpose. A note from Kellie D. Bailey, Maine DOE SEL Specialist and Bear Shea, Maine DOE Mental Health / School Counselor Specialist | More

Maine DOE Increases Flexibility to School Meal Programs Feeding Children in Need

With the approval of yet another waiver to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and additional bulk packaging options, the Maine Department of Education has been able to add significant flexibility to its school food service programs, enabling schools to provide meals to students all over Maine, increasing the potential to reach even more hungry children in a more meaningful way. | More

PRIORITY NOTICE: Update and Guidance From Commissioner Makin: April 1, 2020

As we close in on the third week of remote instruction, please know that your resilient leadership and ongoing efforts are making a huge difference for Maine students and families. While everything is so suddenly chaotic and unfamiliar to everyone, our schools continue to shine like a beacon of hope. | More

PRIORITY NOTICE:  Unified Guidance Regarding Executive Orders and School Personnel:  All School Services and Employees are Essential

As our state and nation face unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 state of emergency, it is more critical than ever that Maine schools and school employees work together to provide the deeply needed services of continuity of education, communications, connectivity, payroll, other administrative activities, custodial services, transportation/deliveries,  and student nutrition. | More

Broadening the Path: Design Principles for Middle Grades CTE

The middle grades have become the agreed upon starting point for high-quality Career Technical Education (CTE) programs, as this represents a critical time for students making important decisions that may have a lasting impact on their careers. Yet, there remains a lack of consensus among state and local leaders on what makes up a high-quality middle grades CTE program or policy. | More

Celebrating National Poetry Month

The Maine Department of Education is celebrating National Poetry Month throughout the month of April. Find resources for accessing poetry, prepared lessons, and activities for educators and parents to supplement remote learning, and to celebrate and appreciate the beauty of poetry all month. | More

Get to know the DOE Team: Meet Erin Frazier

Maine DOE team member Erin Frazier is being highlighted this week as part of the Get to know the DOE team campaign. Learn a little more about Erin.  | More

Commissioner Updates Regarding Covid-19 Response

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

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Virtual Meetings Available Again Next Week

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

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here

 

Maine DOE Update – Week of March 27, 2020

 

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

April 1 Enrollment Count, as Required by Statute

As we are all aware, these are unprecedented times with unique challenges, however the Maine Department of Education is asking schools to submit and have their superintendents certify their April Enrollment Count Report. While many Maine state reporting requirements have been suspended, there is need for these data for purposes of calculating public school tuition rates. | More

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 webinar on Tuesday April 7th, from 1pm to 2pm. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Maine Receives Approval to Waive Assessment, Accountability and School Identifications

The Maine Department of Education  is excited to announce that the request submitted to the U.S. Department of Education to waive assessments, accountability and school identifications (SY 20-21) has been granted with formal written approval to be received in the coming weeks. | More

PRIORITY NOTICE: Urging States to Continue Educating Students with Disabilities, Secretary DeVos Publishes New Resource on Accessibility and Distance Learning Options

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced today the Department has released new information clarifying that federal law should not be used to prevent schools from offering distance learning opportunities to all students, including students with disabilities. This new resource from the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) explains that as a school district takes necessary steps to address the health, safety, and well-being of all its students and staff, educators can use distance learning opportunities to serve all students. | More

PRIORITY NOTICE: Meals-to-You: Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Policy

Meals-to-You is an alternative method available to school districts to provide meals during unanticipated school closures. Originally started as a pilot program, Meals to You is a collaboration between the United States Department of Agriculture and Baylor University wherein eligible students unreached by traditional Summer Food Service Programs (SFSP) receive shelf stable, nutritious meals right at their door step that children can prepare on their own. This program is directed towards rural families, for whom traditional SFSP options are a challenge due to distance and transportation. The program is at no cost to the district. | More

Open Invitation for Maine School Staff: Brain Centered Emotional Support Sessions Available Twice Daily

All Maine school staff (admins, educators, bus drivers, nutrition staff, nurses, ed techs, and support staff) invited to join Maine Department of Education Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Specialist Kellie D. Bailey and Mental Health/School Counselor Specialist Bear Shea for virtual mental wellness sessions bookending the beginning and end of each day. | More

Maine DOE Stays Connected with Educators Through Daily Virtual Office Hours

In an otherwise isolating time, Maine Department of Education (DOE) staff have never felt more connected to Maine’s education field. Through daily virtual office hours, Maine DOE staff have been hosting content specific and mindfulness online meetings with school staff in an effort to answer questions, connect teachers and other school staff with one another… | More

Virtual Meetings Available Again Next Week

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

Mitchell Scholarship for Maine High School Seniors Extends Deadline

Given the current circumstances, the Mitchell Institute is extending the Mitchell Scholarship application deadlines by one month. | More

School Transportation: FMCSA Emergency Declaration and CDL Waiver-3.24.20

Questions and Answers detailing waivers and exemptions, drug and alcohol testing and medical examiner certificates.  | More

March 27th is International SEL Day

Urban Assembly and SEL4US encourage educators around the World to recognize the importance of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) on this International SEL Day. | More

Get to know the DOE Team: Meet Susan Wilson

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

Commissioner Updates Regarding Covid-19 Response

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

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| 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 – March 20, 2020

 

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Maine Schools Providing Meals to Students During Extended Remote Learning; Interactive Map Now Available

Through a waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Maine Department of Education is able to extend the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) allowing school districts and community partners to provide meals to students during extended remote learning due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. | More

PRIORITY NOTICE: Guidance for Governor’s Executive Order Regarding Employees in Maine’s Public Schools

Guidance for the Governor’s Executive in an Question and Answer format.  | More

PRIORITY NOTICE: Proposed Rulemaking for Rule Chapter 112

Chapter 112 contains procedures guiding the operations of the Professional Standards Board in its role under Title 20-A, Chapter 502-B to make recommendations to the State Board of Education and advise the Department of Education on certification issues. The rule was filed with the Secretary of State’s Office on March 13, 2020. | More

PRIORITY NOTICE: Virtual Meetings Available Again Next Week

The Maine Department of Education continues to schedule virtual office hours with Department Specialist to support educators and administrators during extended school closures. During these meetings, our specialists will be available to provide support and guidance regarding distance learning and school supports, as well as to facilitate networking and resource sharing between educators. A schedule for early next week is expected to be ready Friday afternoon (3/20). | See the Schedule

PRIORITY NOTICE: Important Message From Commissioner Makin (Originally Issued March 15, 2020)

As determined by Governor Mills’ declaration of a civil emergency, we recommend that schools cease classroom based instruction as soon as practicable and for an indefinite period of time. Local communities may manage this in different ways in terms of scheduling time and logistical support for students and families to access belongings left at school and to receive remote or distance learning materials if applicable. | More

2020 MLTI Student Conference Cancelled

Due to the rapidly evolving novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the State of Maine and across the U.S., the Maine Department of Education has decided to cancel the 2020 MLTI Student Conference, which was scheduled for May 21, 2020. | More

Federally Required State Assessment- An Update

As many Maine school districts are working proactively to protect students and educators amid the COVID-19 issue by either implementing non-traditional instruction or closing schools, the Maine DOE is actively working on behalf of Maine schools and students.  Due to school district closures at this time, the following has transpired: | More

Guidance from CDC for School-Based Operations

A message from Emily Poland, Nurse Consultant with Maine Department of Education, relaying guidance from the CDC around nutrition, health and supplies.  | More

Get to know the Maine DOE Team: Meet Deqa Dhalac

To assist those who are responsible for the important task of reporting dropout data to the Maine Department of Education, the DOE Data Team will be holding a webinar on Wednesday March 18th, from 1pm to 2pm. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| 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 – March 13, 2020

 

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

MaineCare Seed Adjustments to be Made, Review Q2 20 Reports by April 10, 2020

The recovery of Q2 20 MaineCare Seed will occur in the April 2020 subsidy payment and the Maine DOE is asking School Administrative Units (SAUs) to review their reports by April 10, 2020 to ensure accurate adjustments to subsidy. SAU staff must review student by student claims on both the public and private MaineCare reports for Q220 by April 10, 2020. | More

New Webinar: The EF-S-05 Part II Special Education Staff Certification Report

To assist those who are responsible for the important task of reporting Special Education Staff data to the Maine Department of Education, the DOE Data Team will be holding a webinar on Thursday March 12th, from 10am to 11am. | More

New Webinar: New Dropout Certification and Details Reports

To assist those who are responsible for the important task of reporting dropout data to the Maine Department of Education, the DOE Data Team will be holding a webinar on Wednesday March 18th, from 1pm to 2pm. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Comments Sought on Maine’s IDEA Part B Application

The Maine Department of Education is seeking comments from the public on its annual application for federal funds under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which covers services to children with disabilities, ages 3-20. | More

Registration is Open for the 17th Annual MLTI Student Conference

Registration for the 2020 MLTI Student Conference will be open from Monday, March 11th  until Friday, April 10th. The Conference will take place on Thursday, May 21st at the University of Maine campus in Orono. | More

County Teachers of the Year Meet with Legislative Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs

The 2019 County Teachers of the Year and the 2020 State Teacher of the Year met with the Legislative Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs last week. An annual event of the Maine State Teacher of the Year Program, the educators spent over an hour discussing relevant topics from their region with Maine legislators. | More

USDA Approves Waiver from Maine DOE to Allow Schools Flexibility in Meal Services During School Closures

The Maine Department of Education’s Child Nutrition Team today received approval for a waiver from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services. The waiver will allow schools the ability to provide meals offsite to students, if the school or community currently has, or qualifies for, a USDA Summer Food Service Program(SFSP). The Department of Education applied for the waiver as they continue to assist Maine schools in the proactive planning for a disruption to schools in the face of the concerns of COVID-19. | More

Reconvening and Implementation of ESSA Advisory Work Groups – Members Wanted!

The Maine Department of Education is excited to announce the reconvening and expansion of  the ESSA Advisory work groups to four (4) regional locations. The ESSA Advisory work groups will meet with the specific goal of being a collaborative thought partner, providing feedback regarding the development and refinement of Maine’s Model of School Supports (formerly known as the accountability model) to ensure the model is in the best interest of Maine schools and students, while ensuring compliance with federal requirements.  | More

TechHire Maine Grant Underway! Training to Join Maine’s Information Technology Workforce!

In July 2016, Coastal Counties Workforce, Inc. (CCWI) was awarded $4,000,000 through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration to highlight Maine’s Information Technology (IT) industry and create a pipeline of skilled workers. TechHire Maine a five-year grant, recruits, assesses, trains and places individuals in occupations in Maine’s IT industry. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| 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 – March 6, 2020

 

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Oakhurst Donates $300,000 for Maine Students!

Today at Westbrook Middle School, Oakhurst Dairy President John Bennett announced that the company will be donating $300,000 over the next three years to feed Maine’s students. The donation will be in partnership with Full Plates, Full Potential to fund the Oakhurst After School meal grant program.   An initial $30,000 in grants will go to two school districts and seven nonprofits to get their programming underway. | More

RECOGNIZING GREAT EDUCATORS: Department of Education Talent Pool!

The Maine Department of Education believes that by promoting the excellence that exists in classrooms and schools across Maine, we will increase the trust and respect given to educators, and encourage and support others in an outstanding career working with Maine’s students.| More

Get to know the Maine DOE Team: Meet Tammy Ranger

Maine DOE team member Tamara (Tammy) Ranger is being highlighted this week as part of the Get to know the Maine DOE Team Campaign. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |
Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Maine DOE Seeks Applicants for Paid Professional Learning Opportunity

The Maine Department of Education is seeking applications from qualified individuals interested in learning more about the competitive grant process.  Selected applicants will be trained to serve as peer reviewers who assist the Department in to reviewing, assessing, and scoring competitive grant proposals for the 21st Century Community Leaning Centers (21st CCLC) Program.  The 21st CCLC program is a federally-funded education program that provides competitive funding for schools and communities to develop before-school, after-school, and summer educational programs that support students and their families. More

2020 Beyond the Basics Conference focused on Inclusive Suicide Prevention Strategies – April 10  

The theme of this year’s conference is Building Hope Across Populations. It will feature national experts on inclusive suicide prevention strategies and breakout sessions that will explore how to serve Maine’s at-risk, diverse, and growing populations. The audience is professionals, educators, clinicians, first responders, and community members from across the state looking to enrich their skills with best practice information, guidance, and resources around suicide response and prevention. | More

Comprehensive Sexuality Education Conference – Cultivating a Culture of Consent April 3

Department of Education is providing this information to educators, students and parents as a resource. This is not a Maine DOE sponsored event.  This exciting two-day conference in the cozy seaside town of Rockport, Maine focuses on the intersection of education and innovation. Here, you can mix it up… and, yes, collide…with leading educators, students, entrepreneurs, and industry thought leaders. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here
 

Maine DOE Update – February 28, 2020

 

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

Special Education Staff Certification Opens March 1

The Special Education Staff Certification (EF-S-05 Part II) will open for verification and certification on March 1, 2020 and will close on April 15, 2020. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

PRIORITY NOTICE: Reminders for School Communities Regarding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus

The Maine Department of Education, in collaboration with, and with guidance from The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), issued information to School Administrative Unit (SAU) leaders last month about the coronavirus outbreak. This is a reminder and update of that information; we will continue to work with Maine CDC and provide updated guidance and information, as it becomes available. Schools and districts should review and keep their School Emergency Operations Plans up to date, including portions of the plan that address infectious diseases. | More

Update – Teacher Shortage Areas For 2020-2021 School Year

The U.S. DOE annually designates teacher shortage areas for purposes of deferment of loan repayments or reductions of teaching obligation.  On February 4, 2020 the Department of Education requested input regarding designated teacher shortage areas for federal reporting. The Department would like to thank all those who submitted information related to teacher shortage and, because of public input, will be proposing the following as K-12 teacher shortage areas for the 2020-2021 school year: | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Suicide Prevention Trainings Posted for School Staff this Spring

The Maine Suicide Prevention Program (MSSP) and NAMI Maine are offering a series of training opportunities for the school community over the next two months. If you have not developed or revised your suicide prevention and management protocols for your district, this may be the last chance to train a team from your school district before the deadline of June 2020. These trainings are all funded through the MSSP and offered at no or little costs. | More

G.E.A.R. Parent Network & Maine Parent Federation Peer Support Conference: It Takes A Village

Department of Education is providing this information to educators, students and parents as a resource. This is not a Maine DOE sponsored event.  This event is sponsored by G.E.A.R. Parent Network (a program of Crisis and Counseling Centers) & Maine Parent Federation. | More

Thru the EYES of INNOVATION Conference 2020

Department of Education is providing this information to educators, students and parents as a resource. This is not a Maine DOE sponsored event.  This exciting two-day conference in the cozy seaside town of Rockport, Maine focuses on the intersection of education and innovation. Here, you can mix it up… and, yes, collide…with leading educators, students, entrepreneurs, and industry thought leaders. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here

 

Maine DOE Update – February 21, 2020

 

 

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Maine DOE Launches #LoveTeaching Campaign on Valentine’s Day

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) today kicked off the national #LoveTeaching campaign in Maine. Running February 14th through February 21st, the #LoveTeaching Campaign is observed by educators around the country as an opportunity to celebrate teaching, leading, and learning in a way that unites and invigorates educators and those they inspire all around the world. | More

Call for Nominations- Honor your School Nurse!

We are pleased to share that the Maine Association of School Nurses has announced a call for nominations for the Maine School Nurse of the Year (SNOY) 2020-21! This award recognizes an outstanding school nurse for contributions to the school and community they serve. The award provides recognition to an individual who demonstrates leadership in 6 areas of practice: care provision, program management, health education, professional development, community involvement, and research. | More

IEP Team Placement Decisions

The Maine Department of Education’s Office of Special Services would like to clarify the IEP Team’s responsibility as it relates to the educational placement of a child with a disability. | More

Maine Students Encouraged to Participate in 2020 School Bus Safety Poster Contest

The national 2020 School Bus Safety Poster Contest is underway and Maine is encouraging students to participate again this year.  The theme is Be Safe – Know the Danger Zone! Please share the contest information below with transportation staff and educators state-wide that are interested in helping students participate in this exciting opportunity to show off their visual arts skills and their knowledge of school bus safety! | More

Maine Department of Education Seeks Qualified Peer Reviewers for 21st CCLC Grant Proposals

The Maine Department of Education is seeking qualified peer reviewers to read, assess, and score competitive grant proposals for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Program.  This federally-funded grant program provides opportunities for schools and communities to develop “community learning centers” that serve children and youth during out-of-school time. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| 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 – February 14, 2020

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

EPS High-Cost Out-of-District Report (EF-S-214) Open for Reporting on March 1, 2020

The EF-S-214, also known as the EPS High-Cost Out-of-District Report, will be open for reporting by Maine public schools on March 1 in the Department’s NEO Portal. This report is Due April 15, 2020.

We strongly encourage users to sign into the report as early as possible to allow time for data entry and completion of the two-step submission process. To provide state subsidy support in the current fiscal year using information provided on the report, Department staff needs time to review and approve the information by April 15. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Maine Launches Innovative Bicentennial Curriculum Initiative; An Opportunity 200 Years in the Making

The Maine Department of Education (DOE), in collaboration with the Maine Bicentennial Commission (maine200.org) and the Maine Historical Society has launched an online resource designed to help Maine teachers integrate Maine’s Bicentennial into their classrooms. The Bicentennial Curriculum Initiative enables educators to share their own lesson plans, download lesson plans created by other Maine teachers, an | More

State Collaboration Helps Improve Early Childhood Programs in Maine

Through an ongoing partnership between the Maine Department of Education (DOE) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS), a subset of DHHS has been working to proactively plan for an anticipated $550 million increase in federal funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program. | More

Increase Efficiencies and Savings- Efficiency Maine Offering Financial Incentives to Maine Schools

Many Maine schools have partially upgraded to LED lighting, but many older, less efficient lighting fixtures remain. Efficiency Maine is hoping to retire those old fixtures once and for all  through this program, available only to public schools (K-12) in Maine. By upgrading to LEDs you’ll enjoy years of better lighting quality, reduced maintenance costs, energy savings, and more. | More

Calling All Teachers of Social Studies Content PK-12!

With the emphasis on teaching about Maine Native Americans as part of the revised Maine Learning Results for Social Studies, Joe Schmidt, Social Studies Specialist at Maine Department of Education, continues to gather data from educators in the field in order to best support their efforts. | More

Get to know the DOE Team: Meet Gayle Erdheim

Maine DOE Team member Gayle Erdheim is being highlighted this week as part of the get to know the DOE Team campaign! | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development & Training Opportunities

MASL Webinars Begin for Maine’s School Librarians

The Maine Association of School Libraries (MASL) is pleased to announce it will be providing a webinar series for school librarians over the coming months.  Jon Graham, Maine DOE’s Elementary Digital Learning Specialist, will be assisting with the development of the series. The webinars will include topics like Overdrive e-books and audiobooks, classroom management in the school library, and their first topic, Makerspaces in the Elementary School Library.  This webinar will be available live on Monday March 2 from 7pm to 8pm. | More

FREE Trauma Informed Readiness and Response Workshop – 2nd Location Added 

The Maine Department of Education (MDOE), in partnership with event sponsor University of New England (UNE), is holding a repeat event due to the great response and success of our January Trauma Informed Readiness and Response Workshop.  | More

NAMI-Maine offers Youth Mental Health First Aid Training to Schools at No Cost!

The Office of School and Student Supports in the Department of Education recognizes that our schools and their staff are working hard every day to respond to the varying academic, social, physical, and emotional needs of their students. The Opioid Prevention Task Force, created by Governor Mills’ Executive Order No. 2,identified the need to broadcast and advertise resources available through the Maine Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to schools as one way to support school personnel in their work to respond to the social and emotional needs of students.   | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here

Maine DOE Update – February 6, 2020

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Maine Launches Innovative Bicentennial Curriculum Initiative; An Opportunity 200 Years in the Making

The Maine Department of Education (DOE), in collaboration with the Maine Bicentennial Commission (maine200.org) and the Maine Historical Society has launched an online resource designed to help Maine teachers integrate Maine’s Bicentennial into their classrooms. The Bicentennial Curriculum Initiative enables educators to share their own lesson plans, download lesson plans created by other Maine teachers, an | More

Input Sought for Teacher Shortage Areas

As part of a federal requirement, the Maine Department of Education submits to the U.S. Department of Education teacher shortage areas for designation, based on collected data and public input.  The U.S. DOE annually designates teacher shortage areas for purposes of deferment of loan repayments or reductions of teaching obligation. | More

Guidelines for Food Donations and Waste in Schools

A school food sharing guidance document which encourages schools and food banks to work together to collect whole and packaged school cafeteria surplus or leftover food and share it with the community. | More

Regulatory Alert Update:  Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Official Delays Entry Level Driver Training (ELD) Rule

On February 4, 2020, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) received approval to announce a two-year delay in the compliance date for all aspects of its 2016 final rule, requiring entry level driver training (ELDT) for all new commercial drivers.  Click here for a copy of the Interim Final Rule that is expected to be posted soon. | More

Changes in Statute Ease Access to Healthcare for Maine’s Homeless Youth

Changes to Maine statutes, enabling some minors to consent for health services, went into effect this year.  LD 1275, An Act to Support Access to Health Services for Homeless Youth in Maine, amended Title 22, Chapter 260 to make it easier for youth who are no longer living with or dependent upon a parent or guardian to access medical, dental, mental, and other health services. | More

Middle School Career and Technical Education: New Grant Information and Resources

Middle School Career and Technical Education (CTE) provides an opportunity for Maine middle school students to experience hands on learning, workplace skills, and career exploration. CTE empowers them to explore interests and discover activities that are inspiring. It allows students to experience potential career pathways, and gives them an awareness of the many options that are available. | More

Calling all High School Senior STEM Students! Exciting FREE Opportunity!

Each year two seniors are selected from each state to attend the National Youth Science Camp (NYSC). NYSC is a residential STEM program, designed to honor and challenge some of the nation’s rising STEM leaders. At the NYSCamp, STEM professionals present lectures and lead small-group directed studies on a broad array of STEM topics; some delegates are able to conduct research at the nearby Green Bank Observatory. | More

Approval of FY 2020 School Revolving Renovation Fund Applications

Maine Department of Education has awarded $25.2 million in School Revolving Renovation Fund (SRRF) loans to 28 SAUs. The loans will be used to complete 105 health, safety and compliance projects at 62 schools, including structural roof repairs, indoor air quality improvements, ADA upgrades, hazardous material removal, life safety renovations, and security enhancements. | More

Seeking Districts Interested in Helping with Public Service Announcements

The Maine Department of Education has begun coordinating Public Service Announcements (PSAs) for substitute (guest) teacher shortages and bus driver shortages that many Maine schools and SAUs are experiencing. | More

Get to know the DOE Team: Meet Karen Bergeron

Maine DOE team member Karen Bergeron is being highlighted this week as the part of a Get to know the DOE Team campaign! | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

Lincoln Elementary Helps Kick of 5th Annual “Read to ME” Challenge

Maranacook Community Middle School Partners with the National Alliance on Mental Illness

RSU 83/MSAD 13 Community Raises Funds for Type I Diabetes Awareness

Portland High School Partners With Lee Auto Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Service Department

Portland Adult Education Launches New Mainer Teller Training Program

MSAD1 School Nurses Among 1st to Complete Vision Certification Course

Saco’s Young School Students “Making News”

| 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