Maine DOE Update – July 3, 2019

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

News & Updates

ADMINISTRATIVE LETTER: Guidance regarding The Credentialing of Education Personnel requirements

The Legislature recently authorized a series of changes to Chapter 115 through Public Law 2019 Chapter 101 Resolve, that is scheduled to go into effect on September 19, 2019. Until then, the Department will continue to apply the pre-existing language of Chapter 115. The Department will notify you when changes become effective. | More

School Renovation Funding Available

The Maine Department of Education is accepting applications to receive funding for school renovation projects through the School Revolving Renovation Fund (SRRF). The application deadline is September 30. The Department will be able to approve approximately $25 million in SRRF loans. A portion of each loan will be considered a grant, and will be forgiven. The remaining portion will be paid back over either five or ten years with no interest. The maximum loan amount is limited to $1 million per school building, per priority, in any five-year period.| More

Title III Immigrant Children & Youth Subgrant

Each year, one Maine LEA is awarded the Title III Immigrant Children & Youth Subgrant. The purpose of the subgrant is to provide supplemental programs to enhance the education of immigrant students. The subgrant is awarded to the LEA that has experienced the greatest increase in the enrollment of immigrant students, based on the average immigrant enrollment of the two prior years as compared to the current year. | More

Maine DOE Employee of the Week: Eric Buckhalter

Assessment Team Office Associate, Eric Buckhulter is being highlighted this week as the Maine DOE’s Employee of the Week! Learn a little more about Eric | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

Casco Bay High School Students Named BOA Student Leaders

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Free School Safety Presentation

Scott Parker, Scott Parker, “I Love You Guys” Certified Trainer for the Standard Response Protocols and Standard Reunification Method; National school safety subject matter expert; supported the development of the Maine Model plan in 2007; certified SRP and SRM Train the Trainer in 2013; has worked with over 20 school districts and academies in Maine; currently working with 8 school districts in Maine. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – June 27, 2019

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Certification Reminder- July 1 Renewals are Due!

We have now received 52% of renewal applications for the July 1 expiration date. The process is all online, so please don’t delay!. | More

Maine DOE Employee of the Week: Faith McLaughlin

Faith McLaughlin, Office Associate from the Career and Technical Education team, is being highlighted this week as the Maine DOE’s Employee of the Week! Learn a little more about Faith | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Professional Development Opportunity: Creative Assessment- Teacher as Curator

For Visual and Performing Arts teachers, or those looking to more robustly intertwine the arts into their curriculum: The Maine Department of Education invites you to be part of its upcoming professional development opportunity, Creative Assessment: Teacher as Curator. This session will explore the use of the arts as creative assessment strategies where participants explore artistic approaches to demonstrate academic learning and devise ways of gathering and presenting evidence of learning through documentation. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – June 20, 2019

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

Public Preschool Annual Report Due July 31, 2019

We are grateful to our school districts who are addressing the need for public preschool programming in their communities, and we are committed to fostering partnerships and increasing early intervention and educational opportunities for our youngest learners. As you are likely aware, all public preschool programs are required to complete the Public Preschool Annual Report. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

New School Nurse Orientation Registration Now Open!

If you have hired or will be hiring a new nurse for your school over the summer, be sure to include THIS workshop in their new hire work plan. The New School Nurse Orientation is a specialized program, designed to help nurses transition into the educational setting which is very different than hospital, urgent care, or other medical settings. | More

Registration now open for the 2019 state Custodial and Maintenance Conference

Registration is now open for the 51^th Custodial and Maintenance Conference for Maine school custodians and facilities directors. | More

Maine DOE Employee of the Week: Scott Brown

Scott Brown, Maine DOE Director of School Construction, School Security, and Student Transportation is being highlighted this week as the Maine DOE’s Employee of the Week! Learn a little more about Scott | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development & Training Opportunities

NOTICE: Maine School Wellness Summit POSTPONED, New Dates TBD

Regretfully, due to low registration, the 2019 Maine School Wellness Summit planned for June 25 & 26 has been postponed. The Maine Schoolsite Health Promotion Program (MSHPP) Planning Committee is committed to hosting the planned two-day agenda in the 2019-20 school year. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – June 13, 2019

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

MaineCare Seed Adjustments to be Made, Review Q3’19 Reports by July 8, 2019

The recovery of Q3’19 MaineCare Seed will occur in the July 2019 subsidy payment, and the Maine Department of Education is asking SAUs to review their reports by July 8, 2019 to ensure accurate adjustments to subsidy. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Maine Department of Education Shares Vision, Mission, and Strategic Goals

During the transition of a new leadership team to the Department of Education, Commissioner Makin has actively sought input and guidance from the expert staff at the department, and from education professionals and other stakeholder groups, to inform our Vision, Mission and Strategic Priorities. In hearing the hopes and dreams of so many, and understanding the immensely important work that is being done in classrooms across our state, our Vision, Mission and Strategic Priorities will serve as a continually evolving guide for the work of the Department of Education. | More

ADMINISTRATIVE LETTER: Amendments to Educator Evaluation Requirements

On April 11, 2019, Governor Mills signed a law that makes important changes to Performance Evaluation and Professional Growth (PEPG) systems. The new law will go into effect 90 days after the current legislative session ends. Chapter 27, An Act to Amend Educator Evaluation Requirements, includes a number of changes. | More

Certification Update- Are YOU Due July 1, 2019?

Maine Department of Education is proud to share that our certification team continues to process a number of new certificates for those joining the education profession or who are seeking new endorsements. | More

Still Time to Register for 4th Annual Read to Ride Summer Reading Challenge

Summer vacation is a welcome break from the daily school routine for children and parents alike, but the summer months can be detrimental to students’ learning if young minds do not remain active. Summer learning loss is a well-documented phenomenon, particularly with respect to reading achievement. | More

Successes Shared by Districts at Closing Event of 4-Year Preschool Expansion Grant

The Maine Department of Education hosted a closing event of the 4-year Preschool Expansion Grant (PEG) that was awarded to Maine DOE in December 2014 by the US Department of Education. Eighteen states were awarded grants to support local school districts in the development of new preschool classrooms, and to expand access to high-quality, full-day pre-k programs for children whose families were at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level. | More

Julie Meltzer Named 2019 Curriculum Leader of the Year

Julie Meltzer, Director of Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction for the Mount Desert Island Regional School System (AOS #91) is Maine’s 2019 Curriculum Leader of the Year. | More

School Safety Bulletin-June: Preparation and Response for Bomb Threats

Throughout the 2018- 2019 school year, the Maine Department of Education, State Fire Marshal’s Office, Department of Health and Human Services, Maine State Police, Maine Sheriffs Association, Maine Chiefs of Police Association, and the Maine Emergency Management Agency will provide tips and resource information to Maine schools to help provide some guidance for identifying signs and preventing school violence. | More

Maine DOE Employee of the Week: Michele Bisbee

Maine DOE Child Nutrition Consultant, Michele Bisbee is being highlighted this week as the Maine DOE’s Employee of the Week! Learn a little more about Michele | 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

Maine DOE Update – June 6, 2019

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Maine FFA Officers Joined by Vermont in Presque Isle Leadership Training

Student State Officers of the FFA (formerly known as “Future Farmers of America”) from Maine and Vermont gathered at the University of Maine, Presque Isle on May 31-June 2, 2019 for a start-up leadership training conducted by Alex Morrissey, National FFA facilitator from Oregon. | More

Six Summer Interns Descend on the DOE

The Department of Education officially welcomed six summer student interns on May 28th. The students were selected for internship positions with the Department by the University of Maine’s Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center through their Maine Government Internships program. Throughout the summer, the students will assist in the daily operations of the Maine DOE at the Augusta headquarters. | More

Seeking Innovative Educational Leaders to join Maine’s Leadership Development Program

The Maine Department of Education is excited to announce the launch of Maine’s Leadership Development Program (Maine LDP), an initiative designed to build and strengthen instructional leadership skills among Maine’s educational leaders at the school, district, and state levels. In our ongoing efforts to support and foster the educational expertise in Maine, educators who aspire to do the same are invited to take advantage of this high impact opportunity! | More

FREE Facilitated School Team Problem Solving Opportunity!

We are very excited to announce that the Maine Teacher Leadership Committee (Teach to Lead® Maine), in collaboration with the Maine Department of Education, United States Department of Education, and the University of Maine Farmington, will be hosting the second annual Powered By Teach to Lead® Summit on August 16, 2019. This event encourages teams of teachers and administrators to identify a problem of practice or area of need in their school/district and develop a concrete plan to solve the identified problem/issue at their school. | More

Educational Plant Maintenance Association of Maine’s A. Burleigh Oxton Award for Excellence

The Educational Plant Maintenance Association (EPMA) of Maine is pleased to announce that they are seeking nominations for the A. Burleigh Oxton Award for Excellence.Nominations will be accepted until June 14, 2019. | More

Maine DOE Employee of the Week: Susan Berry

Maine DOE Health Education and Health Promotion Coordinator Susan Berry is being highlighted this week as the Maine DOE’s Employee of the Week! Learn a little more about Susan| 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

Maine DOE Update – May 30, 2019

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

Quarter 4 Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism Webinar

The final quarter of attendance reporting for school year 2018-2019 is coming soon. Quarter 4 attendance (end of year attendance certification) will finalize data for federal reporting of Chronic Absenteeism data to EDFacts, and for the calculation and reporting of the ESSA non-academic indicator of Chronic Absenteeism. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

1200+ Students Attend Annual MLTI Student Conference at UMaine Hosted by Maine DOE

More than 1200 middle and high school students from schools across Maine gathered today at the University of Maine at Orono for the Maine Department of Education’s Annual Maine Learning Through Technology Initiative (MLTI) Student Conference. | More

Regional Think Tanks – Maine Department of Education Wants to Brainstorm With YOU!

Ready for the end of the year? Can’t wait for summer? Before you shift to the summer season, help us to reflect on the 2018/2019 School Year and keep the momentum of discussion for education in Maine. | More

Student Nutrition Continues 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. With summer right around the corner, it’s time to think about keeping children healthy while school is out. The Summer Food Service Program, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, operates at hundreds of sites across Maine to ensure children get the nutrition they need when school is out. | More

Maine FFA Convention Attracts 200 Members and Guests

This year’s Maine FFA (formerly known as “Future Farmers of America”) annual Convention included 200 middle and high school FFA members, assisting judges, helpers and guests from the education and private sectors. | More

Maine DOE Employee of the Week: Rick Bergeron

Maine DOE Federal Reporting Coordinator, Rick Bergeron is being highlighted this week as the Maine DOE’s Employee of the Week! Learn a little more about Rick | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Interdisciplinary, Exciting and Cost Effective Professional Development for Educators: Learning for the 21st Century

Join the Maine Department of Education as we explore knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for 21^st century careers as well as the intentional actions of educators that support students’ skill and will to fuel their learning. | More

Maine School Wellness Summit

Refill your wellness toolbox with tools (strategies, resources, and programs) to build an action plan for healthier staff, students and school environments starting with two outstanding educators each day | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – May 23, 2019

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

End of School Year 18’-19’Checklist for Completing Reports

The following checklist is designed to assist districts 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

PRIORITY NOTICE: Seeking Public Comment for a Tydings Amendment Waiver

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is seeking 30 days of public comment from May 22 – June 20, 2019, on a Tydings amendment waiver application (waiver from §421(b) of the General Provisions Act) to the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE). | More

Maine Educators Honored for Excellence in Mathematics and Science

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching are the nation’s highest honors for teachers of mathematics and science. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education. | More

Free Training, Technical Assistance, Equipment and Materials for Public Preschool Programs

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) has received a grant from the US Department of Education to support public preschool teachers, special educators, principals and special education directors in providing high quality classroom environments and inclusion practices for 4-year-olds. | More

CDC Notifies Public of Confirmed Measles in Maine

Maine Department of Education is sharing the notice provided by the Maine Center for Disease Control regarding a school aged student with a confirmed case of Measles. Schools that were directly involved/at risk have been contacted and have received guidance from the CDC epidemiologist. | More

Maine DOE Employee of the Week: Walter Beesley

Maine DOE’s Director of Child Nutrition, Walter Beesley is being highlighted this week as the Maine DOE’s Employee of the Week! Learn a little more about Walter | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Maine DOE Data Management Systems Summer Training

The Maine Department of Education Data Team is holding their annual summer training during the first two weeks of August. The focus of the training this year will be on tips and resources to assist districts with their data reporting, and viewing/certifying their reports. | More

Reinvigorate Your Science Classroom

Science & Technology Specialist, Shari Templeton will hosting a multi-faceted summer science lesson for PK-12 Science Teachers. This two-part summer series will consist of a book study and face-to-face training with Peter McLaren. | More

Transformational Leader’s Network Summer Conference

School principals, this is all about YOU! Join us for a great professional development opportunity that allows you to focus on goals that matter to you. Therefore, please come with two goals for your school and two goals for your personal professional development! | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – May 16, 2019

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

Accountability Certification Validation Due Date and Details

The Accountability Assessment Detail Report is currently available in NEO to allow districts to validate the detail student enrollment and demographic data that will provide the foundation for future Assessment and Accountability reporting for the 18-19 school year. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

2019 County Teachers of the Year Honored

Teachers from 15 of Maine’s counties were honored today in Maine’s State Capitol at an annual event in the Hall of Flags announcing the 2019 Maine County Teachers of the Year. | More

National Indian Education Study (NIES) WebEx Event: Wednesday, June 5 from 2 – 3 pm EDT.

The National Center for Education Statistics released a follow-up report on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 to the 2015 National Indian Education Study (NIES). | More

Maine School Garden Day Brings Educators Around the State to Trenton Elementary School

The Maine School Garden Network recently convened 65 teachers from around the state at its annual “Maine School Garden Day” at Trenton Elementary School. | More

Maine DOE Employee of the Week: Mary Becker

Mary Becker, Secretary Associate for the Maine State Board of Education is being highlighted this week as the Maine DOE’s Employee of the Week! Learn a little more about Mary | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Building School Capacity Through Community Collaboration

On June 12, the Maine Department of Education (Maine DOE) is joining the Maine Resilience Building Network (MRBN) to provide a free, full-day opportunity for school and community prevention partners to learn and think about ways to collaborate to address challenging topics such as mental health, substance use, and student health. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here

Maine DOE Update – May 9, 2019

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

School Health Annual Reporting Window is Open

The Department is announcing that the School Health Annual Report is now available through the Reporting Calendar. The reporting window closes on July 31, 2019. This report contains both required reporting components for all schools, public, charter, and private, as well as an optional section. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Maine DOE to Announce Maine County Teachers of the Year May 9, 2019

15 Maine teachers will be announced and honored as part of the Maine Department of Education’s annual Maine County Teachers of the Year awards. The teachers were nominated by a member of their community, | More

Science Standards Revision-LD 283

On April 19, 2019 Governor Mills signed LD 283, which contained the revised Science and Engineering standards in the Maine Learning Results. The revised standards are an adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards, which represent significant shifts from the previous version. | More

Two Maine Students Named 2019 U.S. Presidential Scholars

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos today announced the 55^th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars, recognizing 161 high school seniors for their accomplishments in academics, the arts and career and technical education fields. Maine’s two scholars are Rohan Ben Freedman, from Cape Elizabeth High School, and Emma Hargreaves, from Old Town High School. | More

Maine DOE Announces 4th Annual Read to Ride Summer Reading Challenge

School Safety and Security Bulletin: Children Healing After Crisis

Department of Education Seeks Educators for Standards Revision Writing Teams

As a part of our regular review cycle schedule, The Department of Education is performing a review of the Maine Learning Results for English language arts, career and education development, and mathematics, and is looking for participants to serve as part of the writing teams for each content area. | More

Maine DOE Employee of the Week: Stacey Bean

Stacey Bean, Maine DOE Contract/Grant Specialist for the Office of Special Services is being highlighted this week as the Maine DOE’s Employee of the Week! Learn a little more about Stacey | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Learning for the 21st Century- a Professional Development Opportunity for Educators

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – May 2, 2019

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

2019-2020 Maine Education Financial System (MEFS) Budget Upload now open

It is school budget time of year again for each school administrative unit (SAU) and Career & Technical Regions. School district budget uploads are due within 30 days of the school budget passing, or by August 2, whichever comes later. This is in accordance with 20-A M.R.S. Chapter 606-B. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Maine DOE Kicks off Teacher Appreciation Week Early with Video Shout-outs to Maine Teachers #TeachMaine

The Maine Department of Education will be releasing short video shout-outs starting on May 2nd of Maine DOE employees thanking Maine teachers who have influenced and inspired them. Teacher Appreciation Week runs May 6th through the 10th, and it is our hope that people throughout Maine, including students, will be encouraged to thank a teacher who has inspired or influenced them and share a video message through social media with the hashtag #TeachMaine. | More

Update on Maine Department of Education’s MLTI Plan- Post June 2020

The Maine Department of Education, through the Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI), has been providing 7^th and 8^th grade students and teachers access to, and support for, educational technology since 2002. While the goal has remained constant – provide State support for access to technology-enhanced education experiences for all students – the program has changed in many ways, and will continue to grow and evolve in the future. The Department remains committed to this goal. | More

Social Studies Standards Revision- LD 283

On April 19, 2019 Governor Mills signed LD 283, which contained the revised Maine Learning Results for Social Studies. While personal finance has always been included in the standards, this bill and the subsequent revision of the standards were designed to make explicit the importance of this content area. | More

Tips for Supporting Muslim Students During Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr

Maine is home to many Muslim families, and the Maine Department of Education would like to provide some general information about Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr to schools, so they can support their schools’ Muslim community members as they enjoy this very special time of year. | 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

Maine DOE Employee of the Week: Ida Batista

Maine DOE School Finance Coordinator Ida Batista is this week’s Employee of the Week! Learn a little bit more about Ida. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development & Training Opportunities

#DigCit4ME Challenge Highlights Top-finishers and Concludes with Webinar Opportunity on May 9th, 2019

Since January 2019, educators across the state of Maine have been participating in a blended learning experience designed to support schools as they integrate Digital Citizenship concepts into various student learning opportunities. | More

Learning for the 21st Century

Join the Maine Department of Education as we explore knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for 21st century careers as well as the intentional actions of educators that support students’ skill and will to fuel their learning. During these day-long workshops, participants will delve into the principles of formative assessment as they examine strategies for building units of instruction that integrate multiple content areas. | More

Professional Learning Opportunity: Learning Design Lab at Bucksport Middle School

Bucksport Middle School is proud to host a Maine Department of Education Learning Design Lab on Wednesday, June 5th, 2019. The Learning Design Lab will focus on technologies used for project-based learning. Participants will learn from students and teachers in four different classes, spanning grades 5-8. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |