From the Maine DOE

On Saturday, many of us paused to remember the courage of so many in the face of the evil of one on the anniversary of the senseless school shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary.  Just one day before, a  17-year-old senior was critically injured by a classmate, who later shot himself, in a shooting at Arapahoe High School in Centennial, Colorado, just 10 miles away from Columbine, another tragic reminder of our need to always be prepared even for the most unthinkable.

Here in Maine, schools have always taken the safety and security of their students and staff seriously, but even more so since Newtown.

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News & Views

Literacy for ME releases community literacy resources

The Maine DOE has developed new informational brochures and videos designed to help community literacy teams across the state educate parents and the public about literacy development and empower them with simple ways in which they can support literacy education. | More

Maine Youth Health Survey data now available

The results of the 2013 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS) are now available. | More

Certification of superintendent election or reelection due to Maine DOE

The Maine DOE is reminding administrators and school board members of the approaching deadline for annual certification of employment of Superintendent of Schools and related forms to be completed and submitted to the Department. | More

Dine and Discuss workshops to focus on fractions

The Association of Teachers of Mathematics in Maine (ATOMIM) is offering Dine & Discuss: Fractions Edition sessions focused on building developmental understanding of fractions from kindergarten through high school. Sessions, which run from 4 to 6:30 p.m., are planned for Portland (Jan. 16), Waterville (Jan. 16), Pittsfield (Jan. 22), Kennebunk (Jan. 23), Limestone (Jan. 24) and Rockland (Feb. 11).  | More

Districts reminded of IDEA’s excess costs and MOE requirements

All school administrative units (SAUs) that receive funding under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) are reminded to review two important requirements governing those funds to ensure compliance with them. | More

FIRST LEGO League crowns state champions

AUGUSTA- Sixty two teams descended on the Augusta Civic Center to finish up their FIRST LEGO League Season on Saturday.  Teams from all over the state competed with their LEGO robots on this year’s “Nature’s Fury” playing field. | More

Collaborative conversations vehicle for building knowledge

Imagine yourself observing a rich dialogue between students about an article they have been reading.  The students, seated in small groupings, are actively asking questions, expressing opinions, posing hypotheses and returning to the text for evidence to support their ideas.| More

Responsibilities for special education students placed in out-of-state residential programs

School administrative units (SAUs) sometimes become aware that a student in their district identified as needing special education services is being considered, with involvement by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, for residential placement out of Maine as a result of problems being experienced in the student’s home (i.e., for non-educational reasons).| More

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

• Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey Services
• Assessment and Accountability Coordinator
• State Director – NCLB Title I
• Education Specialist III – Higher Education

More

Dispatches
Press Releases
From the Commissioner

From the Maine DOE

Earlier this week, I was proud to join Governor Paul R. LePage in honoring the important role computer science has in our state’s classrooms and growing economy by recognizing Computer Science Education Week (CSEDdWeek).

This national awareness week (Dec. 9-15), founded by our Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) partner Microsoft and also sponsored by Apple, our longest-running MLTI partner, seeks to engage more students in computer science.

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News & Views

Governor LePage, Acting Education Commissioner Rier recognize Computer Science Education Week

AUGUSTA – Maine Governor Paul R. LePage and Acting Education Commissioner Jim Rier are recognizing the important role computer science has in the state’s classrooms and growing economy. | More

Downeast students partner to engineer new fishery

Students from seven coastal Maine high schools began designing an alternative fishery for Downeast Maine this week as part of the Eastern Maine Skippers Program. The 45 students  will work with researchers from Penobscot East Resource Center and the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) to begin engineering a trap-based winter flounder fishery. | More

Fairview Elementary wins $25,000 in U.S. Cellular’s Calling All Communities contest

AUBURN – Students, teachers and administrators at Fairview Elementary School are $25,000 richer after being named this week as a 2013 Champion in U.S. Cellular’s Calling All Communities campaign. The Auburn school was one of 20 nationwide that garnered the most community votes and the money to use as they wish to enhance their educational experience.  | More

Maine CDC offers teachers youth tobacco training

Teachers who want to learn how to better talk to youth tobacco users may benefit from free trainings offered throughout the state in December and January by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Comprehensive Cancer Control Program.  | More

QZAB Tax Credit Bond applications due Feb. 14

The Department will accept applications for the Federal Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB) Program through Feb. 14.   Maine DOE currently has $2,924,000 of QZAB issuing authority to distribute to qualifying schools units. | More

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

• Early Childhood Intervention Management System
• Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey Services
• Assessment and Accountability Coordinator
• State Director – NCLB Title I
• Education Specialist III – Higher Education

More

Dispatches
Press Releases
From the Commissioner