Student Opportunity: MAIER Hosts ‘Cosmic Colors’ at the Planetarium

Please join MAIER at the Versant Power Astronomy Center and the Maynard Jordan Planetarium on March 18th from 1:00 – 2:00 pm for the Cosmic Colors program in the planetarium. The planetarium staff will guide attendees on a journey that explores how northern lights to garden flowers, and color fills our lives and “Cosmic Colors” explains how we use the rainbow to see, understand and explore our universe. Attendees will learn more about the electromagnetic spectrum, the Northern Lights and get a tour of the night sky! If you or someone in your family is differently abled or neurodiverse (no official diagnosis are necessary) please feel free to join MAIER and the Versant Power Astronomy center for this amazing opportunity to explore science and our spectacular universe.

This is an hour long program (doors will open 30 min prior to the program start time) for those with sensory sensitivities please note that the sound will be turned down, and although there is aisle lighting at all times, the program will take place in the dark and the planetarium visuals are overhead in a dome like structure, so it might feel different or uncomfortable to some attendees.

Please register HERE. for this free program. Please reach out to MAIER at maier@maine.edu if you have any questions.

Seeking Applications for the Maine Outdoor Learning Initiative 2023: Forestry Stewardship and Career Pathways

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is seeking applications to provide funding for a second year of the Maine Outdoor Learning Initiative. Through this application process, the DOE, will provide funding to Maine nonprofit organizations specializing in forest ecology and sustainability, wildlife habitat protection, and/or associated career experiences for Maine youth during summer, 2023. Programming must provide students with opportunities to engage in authentic, interdisciplinary wildlife/forest ecology experiences in the Maine woods and be held outside as much as practical. Incorporating innovative design processes, leadership opportunities, and career development are strongly encouraged.

A copy of the RFA, as well as the Question & Answer Summary and all amendments related to the RFA, can be obtained at: https://www.maine.gov/dafs/bbm/procurementservices/vendors/grants.

Proposals must be submitted to the State of Maine Division of Procurement Services, via e-mail, at: Proposals@maine.gov. Any questions must be submitted by e-mail to the Grant Coordinator (identified on website above) by Wednesday, 03/22/23 at 11:59 p.m. local time. Application submissions must be received no later than 11:59 p.m., local time, on Friday, 04/07/23. Proposals will be opened the following business day. Proposals not submitted to the Division of Procurement Services’ aforementioned e-mail address by the aforementioned deadline will not be considered for contract award.

State of Maine
Department of Education
RFA# 202302033

Maine Regional Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) Workshops

Jobs for Maine Grads (JMG) is hosting three upcoming opportunities to learn about Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) in Maine. JMG Coaches will be available and presenting to participants during the workshop along with Maine Department of Education ELO Specialist, Rick Wilson.

“I am proud to be a part of their work and respect their team approach,” said Wilson. “This collaboration is transformative for Maine schools, teachers, students, and communities. Empowering learners and changing lives!”

March 27th, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm – UMaine Orono
March 28th, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm – Augusta Civic Center
April 3rd, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm – Holiday Inn by the Bay, Portland

Register here

Extended Learning Opportunities (ELOs) are hands-on, credit-bearing courses outside of the traditional classroom with an emphasis on community-based career exploration. These opportunities are personalized for students and help them explore options for their professional lives. They help students engage in learning through instruction, assignments, and experiential learning. The Maine Department of Education (DOE), along with state-wide partner Jobs for Maine Graduates (JMG), have made a concerted effort to provide working models, support, and funding opportunities for Maine schools to set up ELO programs within their school communities. To learn more about Maine’s initiatives with extended learning opportunities, visit: https://www.maine.gov/doe/index.php/learning/elo or reach out to Maine DOE ELO Coordinator Rick Wilson at rick.wilson@maine.gov.

Resources for Celebrating SEL International Day on March 10th

Maine educators and school staff dedicate their lives towards the betterment of youth, equipping each child, Pre-K through 12th grade, with the necessary tools and supporting students each day to meet their goals for a successful future.

March 10, 2023 is International SEL (social emotional learning) Day. Developing and practicing healthy Social and Emotional Teaching and Learning has been researched to show benefits in:

Teaching and Learning Academic Content
Protecting Mental Health
Fostering a Sense of Belonging
Growing Curiosity
Deepening Collaborative and Individual Problem-Solving Skills
Strengthening Our Knowledge Of Ourselves And Others

The Maine Department of Education has resources for educators on SEL4ME. SEL4US offers free registration (link below) for a full day of professional development and additional SEL offerings.

Application Deadline Extended to March 10 for Student Position on Maine State Board of Education

The Maine State Board of Education is currently seeking applications for the newest student member to join the Board. Applications are being accepted from February 1, 2023, through March 10, 2023. The deadline for applications has been extended from March 1st to March 10th.

“Student voice is critically important to the State Board of Education’s decision-making process,” said Fern Desjardins, State Board of Education Chair. “We are pleased to open applications to public high school sophomores in Maine’s First Congressional District and look forward to hearing from the incredible student leaders in Maine schools.”

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 public school in the First Congressional District (Cumberland, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, York, 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 mailed application materials to all First Congressional District high school principals and school counselors. Completed applications, both hard copy and digital copy, should be sent to:

Sandra Bourget
Office Specialist
Maine State Board of Education
23 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0023
Phone: (207) 624-6616
Sandra.A.Bourget@maine.gov

After applications close on March 10, 2023, 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 2023, 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 Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs of the Maine State Legislature interviews the nominee in a public hearing and makes a recommendation about the nominee to the Maine Senate. The Maine Senate is charged with confirming the appointment.

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.

For further information please visit the Maine State Board of Education web page or contact Sandra Bourget, Office Specialist, at 207-624-6616 or via email at Sandra.A.Bourget@maine.gov.

Register Now for Public Pre-K Technical Assistance Sessions Available March – July 2023

Members of the Early Learning Team will be providing an opportunity for new and expanding Pre-K programs to come together to learn about and discuss the components of high-quality programming.

These sessions will be offered virtually on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month, March 30th through July 13th, 2023, from 3:30-4:30 pm. You may register once to have access to all sessions. Each session will be recorded and links to the recordings will be shared.

Please feel free to share the registration link with others in your school system who may be interested.

The sessions are scheduled as follows:

March 30, 2023: Rule Chapter 124, Pre-K Guidebook & the Technical Assistance Process
April 13, 2023: Public School & Community Partnerships
April 27, 2023: Student Recruitment, Enrollment & Screening
May 11, 2023: High-Quality Environments, Curriculum & Assessment
May 25, 2023: Early Childhood Teacher Training & Maine Roads to Quality
June 8, 2023: Child Development Services: Working Relationships
June 22, 2023: Student Inclusion, SEL & Challenging Behaviors
July 13, 2023: Family Engagement & Transitions

Register here. For questions and clarifications, please contact Early Childhood Specialist Nicole Madore at nicole.madore@maine.gov.

Applications Open for Maine PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions Support) Training

Hello Maine PBIS Community! Is your district and/or school planning to apply for our Tier 1 Training Cohort beginning in August 2023? If so, please remember that applications are due on March 8th, 2023

All the details and information can be found in

our Maine PBIS Tier 1 Cohort Information and Resources document.

We look forward to supporting our next round of schools to become more positive, predictable, and equitable for everyone!

Reach out with questions to:

Anne-Marie Adamson: Anne-Marie.Adamson@maine.gov

Courtney Angelosante: courtney.angelosante@maine.edu

Karen Robbie: karen.robbie@uconn.edu

Students Compete in Marketing & Hospitality Skills at Annual Maine DECA Conference

Maine DECA (formerly Distributive Education Clubs of America) held its annual Career and Development Conference in Auburn at the Hilton Garden Hotel on February 28th. DECA is an association of marketing, hospitality, finance, and entrepreneur students.

During the Conference, 30 students from Oxford Hills Regional Technical Center competed in marketing and hospitality categories and FOCUS training conducted leadership activities and team-building exercises.

Maine Department of Education Maine School Safety Center’s Wendy Robichaud was one of five judges that helped out at the conference.

“Even though it was a snow day, these students still showed up,” said Robichaud. “Congratulations, to these amazing students!”

Get to Know the Maine DOE Team: Meet Wendy Robichaud

Maine DOE team member Wendy Robichaud is being highlighted this week as part of the Get to Know the Maine DOE Campaign. Learn a little more about Wendy in the question and answer below.

What are your roles with DOE?

I head the School Safety Specialist program as part of the Maine School Safety Center. I organize school cohorts to take part in the program as well as maintain coursework and liaison with Eastern Maine Community College. I also assist my colleagues with tracking training and maintaining data.

What do you like best about your job?

I love the team I work with. Everyone is highly motivated and we accomplish a great deal. I also like making a difference and helping schools learn more about safety.

How or why did you decide on this career?

I worked with the Maine School Safety Center while I was employed with EMCC. I really enjoyed the people and the work, so decided to make it full-time

What do you like to do outside of work for fun?

I enjoy hiking, traveling, and spending time with my family. My husband and I have hiked New England’s 67 highest peaks. We also converted a van into a camper to travel the US and hike in other regions. Of course, I adore spending time with my new granddaughter, as well.

Seizure Management & Resource Guide

School nurses and staff can be prepared to recognize and treat seizures in the school setting. Seizures may occur for many reasons, including infection, fever, traumatic brain injury, neurological disorder, or related to a drug or medication. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 0.6% of children aged 0 to 17 are estimated to have seizure conditions. One of the most prevalent neurological illnesses affecting children and young people is epilepsy, a condition characterized by recurrent seizures with no other identifiable cause. An epilepsy diagnosis extends beyond having seizures; it can impact many areas of a child’s life, including education. It is approximated that about half of the children with epilepsy struggle academically. The purpose of this resource guide is to assist school nurses and school staff in providing a safe and supportive environment for individuals with seizures and epilepsies to maximize educational and developmental opportunities.

The Department is happy to release the Maine Guide to School Health Services: Seizure and Epilepsy Resource Guide for school nurses to utilize within their schools. The purpose of this resource guide is to assist school nurses, educators, and all school staff members to help students with a seizure disorder participate fully and meet goals pertaining to academics, physical education, and extracurricular activities. This can be accomplished through clinical assessments, monitoring, nutrition, exercise, staff/student education and risk reduction measures. This document provides relevant, up-to-date information collected after review and collation of the most current content available from several national organizations. The Office of School and Students Supports Coordinated School Health team is pleased to provide this resource in order to support the evidence-based best practices for students with seizures in Maine schools.

The full Guide and other resources can be downloaded here. You may contact DOESchoolandStudentSupports@Maine.gov with any questions.