Maine school personnel have been leading the country in their offering of in-person instruction since September. They have been teaching and reinforcing the safety requirements for keeping schools open and have demonstrated amazing flexibility, adaptability, and ongoing quick thinking, ensuring that schools can continue serving students through the many vital services that schools provide to our communities. As we continue to make progress in this ongoing battle against the pandemic, Maine schools and the staff who make them run continue to serve students.
A few of Maine’s students joined Commissioner Makin recently to help craft a special message, thanking schools staff for their amazing work in ensuring the health and safety of everyone at school.
A very special thank you to students Brooklyn, Calvin, Molly, Sada-Lynn, Ruby, and Francis, and to Torry Verrill; Educator, St. George Elementary School, Alison Babb-Brott; 2020 Knox County Teacher of the Year, Jessica Gregory; 2020 Piscataquis County Teacher of the Year, Jennifer Mull-Brooks; Principal, Congin Elementary School, and Patrick (and the staff) at Westbrook’s Awesome After School Program for the help in creating footage for this video.
The Maine Department of Education is pleased to announce a new program for Maine teens. The WAVES (Wilderness Activities and Virtual Engagement for Students) initiative connects teens from throughout the State of Maine and invites all Maine teens to browse our website and join one (or more!) of the WAVES Virtual Communities.
Virtual Communities, hosted by current Maine educators, are designed to connect teens across the state who share a common interest or passion. Teens are invited to connect with peers through WAVES to join an environmental activism group, a mindfulness session, practice Yoga, explore poetry and creative writing, join a Boston Bruins Fan Club, and even go inside a music recording studio! These are just a few examples of current Virtual Communities! There are many other offerings, and more will continue to be added. Please find one that excites you! All of these opportunities can be accessed on the WAVES website directly from your home, or from any other place you can get online. Plus, you will you be able to spend time with Maine teens across the state who share similar interests and passions. This opportunity transcends geographic boundaries, helping all Maine teens increase connections with peers and caring adults throughout the state.
BE SURE TO REGISTER for all the communities that you are interested in. The first meeting will give you an idea of whether the group is right for you. We will only send meeting invites to folks who are registered, so please register and give it a shot!
WAVES will continue to build on these offerings so if you do not find a community with which you’d like to connect, please complete the Virtual Community request form (also featured on the website) to let us know what you’re looking for. We’ll get right back to you and do all we can to ensure WAVES programming meets the needs of all Maine teens. If you are a current Maine educator, and are interested in hosting a Virtual Community, please see our FAQ page, which includes a link to the host application.
To everyone- teens, educators, guardians and mentors- please share this important opportunity with all the teens you know, particularly those with whom you have a special relationship. We are all aware of the impact of isolation due to Covid-19 and we encourage you to nudge those teens you know who have been missing meaningful social connections during the pandemic. We hope this opportunity will provide meaningful connections for all Maine teens!
Please reach out to WAVES Project Director Sarah Woog (sarah.woog@maine.gov) with questions or feedback. Thank you for all you do. Looking forward to connecting soon!
The list of observances that happen in the month of March is long and varied – the first day of Spring, Women’s History Month, National Foreign Language Week, Deaf History Month – and included in that list is the opportunity to celebrate arts education in our schools for the entire month! In Maine and across the nation we take time throughout the coming month to recognize the value of the arts in the education of the whole child.
The National Association for Music Education (https://nafme.org/programs/miosm/) has adopted the theme of “Music: The sound of my heart” for the month
Recently, at a celebration of and for arts education advocacy throughout Maine, Governor Janet T. Mills delivered remarks celebrating the rich traditions and history that arts, artists, and arts education continue to play in the social fabric of Maine’s citizenry.
She, as well as the Maine Department of Education, encourage you to safely celebrate the role that the arts and arts education play in your local communities by encouraging and supporting the efforts of students at all levels. Without their dedication and determination to explore their artistic selves, many of Maine’s youth would miss out on opportunities to build a strong foundation of 21st-Century skills with which to be successful in a post-secondary school world. We, at the Maine Department of Education, are proud of our steadfast arts educators for their perseverance during this difficult time, and applaud their attitudes toward innovation and adaptation so that students have opportunities to continue exploring the artist within each one of them.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, Maine will be celebrating “Arts Education in Our Schools Month” a bit differently than in past years. But rest assured that celebrations are happening in the form of virtual art shows, concerts, and performances of all kinds. Contact your local school to see how you can support the students and arts educators throughout the month of March – and how you can see, hear, feel, and experience the amazing works of art that come in all forms from students of all ages.
For more information on “Arts Education in Our Schools Month”, and how you can celebrate with your local community, contact Jason Anderson, Visual and Performing Arts Content Specialist at the Maine Department of Education (jason.anderson@maine.gov; 207-592-3524).
Students to Participate in the First Online Program and to Receive $10,000 Scholarship
The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) announces that high school students Mr. Iann Leigh and Mr. Hilton Scott Petersen will join Senator Susan M. Collins and Senator Angus S. King in representing Maine during the 59th annual USSYP Washington Week, to be held March 14 — 17, 2021. Iann Leigh of Bangor and Hilton Petersen of Nobleboro were selected from among the state’s top student leaders to be part of the 104 national student delegation who will each also receive a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate study. Due to the pandemic, the 2021 program will break ground as the first-ever fully virtual Washington Week, and is designed to be a highly interactive and exciting education and leadership forum for the nation’s most outstanding student leaders. During the program week, the student delegates will attend online meetings and briefings with senators, the president, a justice of the Supreme Court, leaders of cabinet agencies and senior members of the national media, among others.
Iann Leigh
Iann Leigh, a junior at Bangor High School, serves as a representative to the Student Council and secretary of the Class Council. He started his leadership career as a Boy Scout senior patrol leader where he organized multiple service projects for area causes. Iann has served as manager of a state senate campaign and has interned for political campaigns for the Maine Republican Party. A member of his school’s debate team where he won the junior varsity state champion award in 2020, Iann has successfully coached new members to ensure their success. (Photo curtesy of Bangor School Department)
Scott Peterson
Scott Petersen, a senior at Lincoln Academy, serves as president of the Senior Class, was appointed co-captain of the debate team for both the state champion 2019 team and State runner-up 2020 team, and has been an individual debate national qualifier. In addition to debate activities, Scott is an award-winning speaker with his local Rotary organization, leads the Alpha Gamma service fraternity as co-president, serves as a member of the National Honor Society, and is a three-time recipient of Lincoln Academy’s English Award. Scott volunteers at local food pantries, the town of Nobleboro’s summer festival, and at a local nature preserve. He has studied Spanish abroad, plays five instruments, has starred in past musical productions and has played varsity tennis. Scott plans to continue his studies of economics, politics, and policy at Brown University next year. (Photo curtesy of Aria Tan)
Chosen as alternates to the 2021 program were Mr. Joseph Labrie, a resident of Cape Elizabeth, who attends Cape Elizabeth High School and Mr. Zachary Whiting, a resident of Cumberland, who attends Greely High School.
The USSYP was created by Senate Resolution 324 in 1962 and has been sponsored by the Senate and fully funded by The Hearst Foundations since inception. Originally proposed by Senators Kuchel, Mansfield, Dirksen and Humphrey, the Senate leadership of the day, the impetus for the program as stated in Senate testimony is “to increase young Americans’ understanding of the interrelationships of the three branches of government, learn the caliber and responsibilities of federally elected and appointed officials, and emphasize the vital importance of democratic decision making not only for America but for people around the world.”
Delegates and alternates are selected by the state departments of education nationwide and the District of Columbia and Department of Defense Education Activity, after nomination by teachers and principals. The chief state school officer for each jurisdiction confirms the final selection. To learn more about USSYP in Maine, check out https://www.maine.gov/doe/learning/content/social/USSYP
Jessi Wright, MBA, ATP has been named the new Director for the Maine CITE Program, the Assistive Technology (AT) program for the state of Maine. Jessi began her duties on February 1, 2021.
Jessi was previously the Director of the West Virginia State Assistive Technology Program located at the West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities.
Jessi has worked in the disability field for over 15 years, ten years of which were with state assistive technology programs. She has extensive experience in disability services program management and is recognized as a national leader in the assistive technology field with knowledge of AT services, training, data management, funding, and grant writing.
An outdoor enthusiast, Jessi is looking forward to exploring all the adventure Maine has to offer. She is excited to join the Maine CITE team, the disability community in the state of Maine, and participating in the efforts to increase independence and accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
The Maine CITE Program, located at the University of Maine Augusta, is the statewide AT program, administered by the Maine Department of Education and funded by the federal Administration for Community Living. Maine CITE provides information, training, and services about AT, manages the statewide device demo, loan, and reuse programs, and provides technical assistance to organizations and individuals. Maine CITE’s online searchable AT inventory, AT4Maine, has more than 1000 devices available for demo and loan that can be accessed at the website, AT4Maine.org.
Maine CITE also administers the Maine Accessible Educational Materials Program (Maine AEM) which provides information, training, and technical assistance to educators to ensure educational content and communications are accessible to all.
For more information about AT or AEM resources in Maine, please contact Maine CITE at 207-621-3195 or by visiting their websites:
MaineCITE.org
AT4Maine.org
Maine-AEM.org
Photo caption: Jessi D. Wright, MBA, ATP, Program Director, Maine CITE Program.
We are thrilled to share a very special and heartfelt message with our colleagues in the field. The Department of Education joins Governor Mills and Dr. Shah in thanking every member of Maine’s school communities for everything you are doing to keep our schools safe and open for learning!
This special message kicks off a month of gratitude for Maine’s educator workforce, which will include Valentine’s messages from students and families.
The Maine Department of Education joins the Maine School Counselor Association (MESCA) in celebrating National School Counseling Week Feb. 1-5, 2021. National School Counseling Week honors and celebrate the contributions of school counselors and highlights the tremendous impact they have in helping students achieve school success.
Kim Raymond
In a timely announcement by MESCA, the 2021 Maine School Counselor of the Year was recently named at a surprise virtual ceremony. Kim Raymond, the School Counselor at Leroy H. Smith School in RSU 22 was honored as the 2021 Maine School Counselor of the Year. The Maine School Counselor of the Year Award is a program of MESCA that honors school counselors who are running a top-notch, comprehensive school counseling program at either the elementary, middle or high school level.
“My goal is and always has been to help all students know how much they matter every day.” said Mrs. Raymond. “School counselors make a difference in the lives of students. I’m thankful that I have a career that I love that impacts students in a positive way.”
Mrs. Raymond graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2004 from the University of Maine and obtained her master’s degree in counselor education in 2006. She has been working as a school counselor for the last ten years, six of which have been in a Pre-K through 8th grade school in Etna before she started working for RSU 22 in 2012.
With a strong passion for working with children and helping others, Mrs. Raymond is also the advisor of Smith School’s Civil Rights team, works as a cheerleading official, and sits on the Maine School Counselor’s Association’s Board of Directors. When she not at school, she enjoys spending time outside, reading and writing stories and poetry, and spending time with her husband and two young daughters.
“What makes her an outstanding candidate for this award is her infectious enthusiasm,” said Mrs. Patterson, a Kindergarten Teacher and colleague of Mrs. Raymond. “Mrs. Raymond doesn’t hesitate to throw on a school mascot costume to engage students in an assembly or lead the school in a cheer.”
“Kim is the kind of School Counselor that all schools need,” said Melissa Davis, a parent and community member. “She makes our school a place where children feel safe, loved, and supported.”
“She is more than a school counselor, she is a change agent,” said Smith School Principal Mrs. Moore.
In the year ahead, Mrs. Raymond will have several speaking engagements, event appearances, and will be invited to a formal Gala in Washington, DC in Winter, 2022 as well as honored at the American School Counseling Conference in Austin, Texas in Summer, 2022.
National School Counseling Week is always celebrated annually the first full week in February. This year The Maine School Counselor Association has events planned From February 1 through February 5 to celebrate National School Counseling week. For more information view Maine School Counselor Week Events on their website.
Student voice is critically important to the Maine State Board of Education, and they are seeking applications for the newest student member to join the Board. Applications are being accepted February 1, 2021 – March 1, 2021.
The Maine State Board of Education has two nonvoting student members who join the Board as high school juniors and serve for two years, one enrolled in a school in Maine’s First Congressional District; the other enrolled in a school in the Second Congressional District. At all times, the State Board has one high school junior and one senior as members, with staggered appointment.
Applications are currently being accepted from students who attend school in the First Congressional District (includes Cumberland, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, and York counties, and part of Kennebec County) and are currently a high school sophomore. Application materials are available on the State Board of Education web page. The Board has also emailed and mailed application materials to all first congressional district high school principals and school counselors. Completed applications should be mailed to:
Mary Becker, Maine State Board of Education
23 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0023
After applications close on March 1, 2021, they will be reviewed according to the process described in Maine Education and School Statutes, Title 20-A, Chapter 5, State Board of Education. Semifinalists will be interviewed in March 2021, after which three finalists will be chosen. The names and application materials of the finalists will be sent to the Governor’s office for final selection. The selected student will be appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Maine State Senate.
This is an extraordinary opportunity for Maine students to practice civic engagement while serving as both a representative of Maine students and an active education leader in our state.
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to announce the kickoff of the 6th annual Read to ME Challenge today, Monday, February 1, 2021. This year, to help kick off the challenge in a virtual and COVID friendly way, students from across Maine have been invited to share video recordings of themselves reading their favorite book to encourage the love of reading across the state.
The Read to ME Challenge is a month-long public awareness campaign held in February to promote childhood literacy in Maine. The challenge is an opportunity to promote children’s literacy growth by reading aloud to one or more children for at least 15 minutes. Part of the challenge is capturing the moment via a photo or video and then posting it on social media (with the hashtag #ReadtoME and tag the Maine DOE at @mdoenews on Twitter and @MaineDepartmentofEducation1 on Facebook!)
Reading aloud to children is one of the most cost effective and highly beneficial methods of building children’s literate abilities. The simple act of reading aloud to a child 15 minutes a day for five years results in 27,375 minutes of language exposure which can put children on the path to high literacy achievement. Reading aloud exposes children to the world around them, helps them see reading as an enjoyable and valuable activity and often strengthens bonds with trusted adults.
Some of the first set of videos are brought to you from members of the Maine DOE Student Cabinet along with other students from across Maine. The kick-off starts a video by Savea Lafaialii, one of the Student Cabinet’s Somerset County representatives with a reading of, “Strictly No Elephants” by Lisa Mantchev along with an another reading done by Gerald E. Talbot Community School 5th grade student Hamdi Abdullahi (pictured above) reading, “Creepy Carrots” by Aaron Reynolds.
The remaining student video readings will be released in the Maine DOE Newsroom an on the official Maine DOE Facebook and Twitter pages each day this week.
The Read to ME Challenge will run for the month of February, leading up to Read Across America Day on March 2, 2021. Learn more about the Read to ME Challenge on the Maine DOE Website, which includes a heat map of participants and an opportunity to submit your Read to ME story for the heat map!
If you would like to request the videos be sent to you directly, please complete this form. If you would like to submit a video or for more information, contact Dee Saucier, Elementary Literacy Specialist for the Maine DOE.
Franklin joins Androscoggin, Oxford, and York counties designated yellow; Cumberland joins all other counties in green designation.
AUGUSTA — The Mills Administration today released an update to its color-coded Health Advisory System that classifies counties’ relative risk of COVID-19 transmission to assist schools as they continue with their plans to deliver instruction and support to students safely.
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) continue to review evidence that indicates lower transmission of COVID-19 in schools compared to the general population. Over the last 30 days, the rate of new cases is 34 per 10,000 staff and students, compared to 116 per 10,000 people statewide. This rate of new cases in schools is less than 30% of the statewide rate for the general population.
DHHS and Maine CDC assessed COVID-19 data and trends for all counties and released the following designations:
REMAIN YELLOW: Androscoggin, Oxford, and York counties continue to exceed the statewide averages for both 14-day new case rates per 10,000 people and positivity rates.
NOW YELLOW: Franklin County has seen a significant increase in both the 14-day new case rate per 10,000 people and the positivity rate, which is now the highest of all counties in the state.
NOW GREEN: Cumberland County’s new case rate per 10,000 people has dropped by 25%, and the positivity rate is now below the statewide average.
All other counties remain in the green designation.
Under the “yellow” designation, which indicates an increased (moderate) level of community risk, schools may consider additional precautions, such as limiting numbers of people in school buildings at the same time, suspending extracurricular or co-curricular activities including competitions between schools, limiting interaction through cohorting, or other measures based on the unique needs of each school community.
These designations are made out of an abundance of caution and for the consideration of school administrative units in their decisions to deliver instruction.
The Health Advisory System categorizations are defined as follows:
RED: Categorization as “red” suggests that the county has a high risk of COVID-19 spread and that in-person instruction is not advisable.
YELLOW: Categorization as “yellow” suggests that that the county has an elevated risk of COVID-19 spread and that schools may consider additional precautions and/or hybrid instructional models to reduce the number of people in schools and classrooms at any one time.
GREEN: Categorization as “green” suggests that the county has a relatively low risk of COVID-19 spread and that schools may consider in-person instruction, as long as they are able to implement the required health and safety measures. Schools in a “green” county may need to use hybrid instruction models if there is insufficient capacity or other factors (facilities, staffing, geography/transportation, etc.) that may prevent full implementation of the health and safety requirements.
The county-level assessments are based on both quantitative and qualitative data, including but not limited to recent case rates, positivity rates, and syndromic data (e.g., symptoms of influenza or COVID-19). Those data are publicly posted every week on the Maine CDC website. DHHS and Maine CDC also consider qualitative factors, such as the presence of outbreaks that may potentially affect school-age children.
The Health Advisory System reflects ongoing analysis of evolving data, and serves as one piece of information that school and district leaders can use to make decisions about how to deliver education during the school year. The qualitative and quantitative considerations and data used by the CDC in determining community transmission risk levels for schools can be located here: How County Risk Levels for Maine Schools are Determined
The Health Advisory System can be found on the Maine DOE website in Part I of the Framework for Reopening Schools and Returning to In-Person Classroom Instruction: https://www.maine.gov/doe/framework/part-I.
The next update will be provided on February 12, 2021. Updating this advisory on a two-week basis aligns with the incubation period for COVID-19 and allows for greater stability in the trend data for small counties.
Maine DOE Newsroom 