Category: Newsroom Articles

Resources to Support Schools Following Today’s Active Shooter Threats

School leaders, educators, and public safety officials worked heroically today to keep students, staff, and schools safe, provide clear communication to families, and follow emergency preparedness plans in response to the active shooter threats that occurred at multiple schools across Maine.

Today’s school threats caused fear and uncertainty across our state, and we know that many students, staff, and school communities may need additional supports to help process the experience. Reassuring students, staff, and families that school is a safe and supportive environment is an important step after any event like this.

The Maine Department of Education continues to offer support and resources to promote the safety and wellbeing of students, families, and educators and we urge you to reach out to us for assistance.

  • The Office of School and Student Supports (O3S) understands that as parents, educators, students, and concerned community members, the intensity of emotions related to these incidences can become obstacles in engaging in everyday activities. O3S offers resources and trainings to bolster connectedness and safety. You can contact DOESchoolandStudentSupports@maine.gov for assistance.

Resources for Parents:

Resources For Educators:

  • The Positive Behavioral Intervention System (PBIS) Team has a collection of resources for supporting schools during and after crisis, coping tips for traumatic events, and materials to support educators and parents in supporting students after an incident of violence and talking to children about violence. You can find those resources here.
  • The Maine School Safety Center (MSSC) can support schools with their emergency planning needs to address preplanning, response, and recovery. The MSSC is available to assist with behavioral threat assessment and mental health trainings. You can learn more about MSSC’s services and contact staff here.

We are grateful to all of you for your efforts today, and every day, to make all Maine schools the safe and supportive environments our students need to thrive.

Collection of Resources for Supporting Maine Schools During and After Crisis

The Maine PBIS (Positive Behavioral Intervention System) Team acknowledges the difficulties that may arise for schools, families, and communities in response to the threats of violence in Maine schools today. We recognize that individuals will respond to these events differently, and some may require additional supports to process the experience. Reassuring students, staff and families that school is a safe, predictable, positive, and supportive environment is an important first step. Below are several recommended resources that may be consulted to support administrators, teachers, and families as they work to return to normalcy and re-instill a sense of security for themselves and their students in the coming days.

Comprehensive Resources

This comprehensive guide provides guidance to state, district, school, and classroom leaders on how to recover and return to school following a crisis. Specific guidance on practices that can be used immediately can be found within the guide targeted to specific levels.

Supporting Schools During and After Crisis

  • Critical Practices Overview p. 9
  • Critical Practices for Districts p. 26
  • Critical Practices for Schools p. 29
  • Critical Practices in the Classroom p. 36

This page provides links to a variety of resources for schools and families to use when supporting students after incidents of community violence.

Resources for educators supporting students after an incident of violence

Quick References

This guide helps parents and teachers to discuss violence and threats of violence with students, and to help re-establish a sense of safety.

Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers

This resource provides concrete strategies for coping with increased stress after difficult situations.

Coping Tips for Traumatic Events and Disasters

This resource offers suggestions for family members when talking with youth after a crisis or unexpected events. It provides predictable youth reactions, how to support, and examples of things to do and say.

Parent Tips for Helping School-age Children

If you need additional support for your school or district, please contact pbis@maine.edu.

 

Nominations and Applications Open for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) 

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is currently accepting nominations and applications for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). PAEMST is the highest recognition that a Kindergarten through 12th grade science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science educator may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. Since 1983, more than 5,100 teachers have been recognized for their contributions to mathematics and science education. Up to 108 awardees may be recognized each year.  Maine is proud to have honored over 80 exceptional educators for their contributions! 

Marshalyn Baker, Secondary Mathematics Awardee (1994) shared the value of accepting the nomination and the impact on her life, “Receiving this award took me on a professional and personal journey of a lifetime. I took on leadership roles with ATOMIM and NCTM Affiliate Services and the Board of Directors, met and worked with NASA scientists, and leveraged classroom resources and knowledge to better teach my students. I traveled extensively to speak at conferences and share and collaborate with a fabulous professional community. I felt valued and honored to be a mathematics educator from a rural state.” 

This current cycle will recognize educators teaching grades 7-12.  Anyone—principals, teachers, parents, students, colleagues, Higher Education partners, association members, or members of the general public—may nominate a teacher by completing the nomination form. To submit a nomination, you’ll need the teacher’s name, email address, and school contact information. Teachers may also initiate the application process themselves at www.paemst.org. 

2022-2023 One-Page Outreach Flyer

2022-2023 One-Page Outreach Flyer (Spanish)

Eligibility 

Applicants must: 

  • Teach science, technology, engineering, or mathematics as part of their contracted teaching responsibilities at the 7-12 grade level in a public (including charter) or private school; 
  • Hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; 
  • Be a full-time employee of their school or school district as determined by state and district policies, with responsibilities for teaching students no less than 50% of the school’s allotted instructional time; 
  • Have at least five years of full-time employment as a K-12 teacher prior to the 2022-2023 academic school year, with science, technology, engineering, or mathematics teaching duties during each of the past five years; 
  • Teach in one of the 50 states, the Department of Defense Education Activity schools, or the U.S. Jurisdictions of the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or as a group American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands; 
  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; and 
  • Not have received the PAEMST award at the national level in any prior competition or category. 

Why apply/nominate? 

Please consider nominating outstanding STEM teachers today! By nominating a teacher, you play an important role in elevating Maine’s education workforce.    

Recipients of this prestigious Presidential award receive the following: 

  • A certificate signed by the President of the United States. 
  • A paid trip to Washington, D.C., to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities. 
  • A $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation. An
  • opportunity to build lasting partnerships with colleagues across the nation. 

Important Dates 

For secondary 7-12, the nomination deadline is January 9, 2023, and the application deadline is February 6, 2023.  Secondary 7-12 educators will be eligible to apply during the current cycle.  Nominations are encouraged early so that educators have ample time to submit applications!  

Questions? Contact: 

Emily Doughty, PAEMST Coordinator, Emily.doughty@maine.gov  

To learn more about the ways in which Maine is striving to attract, support, and sustain a strong educator workforce please visit the Teach Maine plan’s webpage: https://www.maine.gov/doe/exploreeducation/teachmaine.   

Get to Know the Maine DOE Team: Meet Matt Leavitt

Maine DOE staff member Matt Leavitt is being highlighted this week as part of the Get to Know the Maine DOE Team Campaign. Learn a little more about Matt in the question and answer below.

What are your roles with DOE?

I am the Website & Technology Coordinator for the Department. I oversee, assist, and coordinate content and technical assistance for staff necessary to provide accurate, accessible, useful, and well-designed portals of information for constituents around the state. I assist with other technology and communications needs as necessary.

What do you like best about your job?

Our website is not only a resource, but a reflection of the exciting mission-based work that we are all working on. I love being a part of the process of making information accessible, interesting, and fun!

How or why did you decide on this career?

I have always been interested in technology and computers. I was making my first websites on Geocities in the late 90s which led to my higher education experience in new media. Paired with my passion for education, the opportunity to move forward the vision we have for students, educators, and school systems in Maine through my skills with technology is exciting!

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

Escape Rooms, live music, and video games are my primary hobbies. Our family has done close to 400 escape rooms (Our 9yo has done over 100!), concerts are where I feel most connected to myself, and video games help me relax and unwind.

USM to Host Special Performance of ‘The Thanksgiving Play’ By Larissa FastHorse (Sicangu Lakota Nation) for Educators w/ Post-show Talkback

The University of Southern Maine (USM) College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and the Department of Theatre invites Maine educators to join them on Friday, November 18th at 7:30pm, Russell Hall, Gorham Campus for a special performance of The Thanksgiving Play, with a post-show talkback moderated by USM Professor/Director Rachel Price Cooper featuring guests: Dr. Shannon Epplett (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians) Theatre Professor and consultant on USM’s production of The Thanksgiving Play, and Dr. Margo Lukens, University of Maine, Native American Literature & Theatre.

Educators who attend the play and talkback will receive a copy of Chris Newell’s (Passamaquoddy) elementary school text If You Lived During the Plimoth Thanksgiving (Scholastic 2021). Light refreshments will be served for the talk back event. Contact hours available upon request.

RSVP REQUIRED for all educators. Deadline to RSVP is NOV 18th at 12:00pm. **Tickets will be reserved on a first come, first served basis. The play is a little over an hour, no intermission, immediately followed by the talkback.

THE THANKSGIVING PLAY By Larissa FastHorse (Sicangu Lakota Nation) Directed by Rachel Price Cooper

Nominations Open for LifeChanger of the Year Award

Nominations are now open for the LifeChanger of the Year Award, a national program sponsored by National Life Group that recognizes and rewards K-12 educators and school employees across the country. The program celebrates those who are making a significant difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence, and leadership.

Click here to learn more about criteria and to submit a nomination. Anyone can make a nomination (by name or anonymously).

To learn more about the program, visit www.lifechangeroftheyear.com. 

Maine Professional Learning Community: The Rural Experience in America – Info Sessions Nov. 14 & 15

Funded by a grant from the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources program, NCHE (National Council for History Education) is proud to announce a 3-part colloquium for teachers focusing on Rural America. These free professional learning opportunities will help teachers develop place-based interdisciplinary units that connect students to their rural communities.  Additionally, the Maine Department of Education will be hosting a bi-weekly professional learning community to support educators through these NCHE modules.  The Professional Learning Community will incorporate the work developed by the Maine DOE interdisciplinary instruction specialists.

The program is designed to:

  • engage rural teachers in a deep examination of rural history and the impact of agricultural change on children, families, and communities in the United States:
  • connect teachers with the Library Congress’s collections on rural history and with local rural historical societies so they can situate local history in the larger human experience;
  • support teachers in the design and implementation of works of public value that connect rural students to their community’s history
  • The Right Question Institute will be leading a 4-week session on the Question Formulation Technique (QFT) with a focus on working with rural students

Educators may complete all or part of the 3-part colloquium.

  • Part A – Free, asynchronous, online modules. (Dec 1-March 31)
  • Part B – Free, synchronous, online colloquia. (Feb 25, April 15, May 6)
  • Part C – Summer Colloquium.  Details TBD

Register here for these NCHE events. When you register with NCHE, you will receive a follow-up from the Maine DOE to register into our Maine PLC.

Information Sessions with the NCHE will be held on:

For more information, please contact Jaime Beal, Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist, at  jaime.beal@maine.gov.

WEBINAR: Developing Comprehensive and Equitable School Safety Programs that Consider the Whole Child, Whole School, and Whole Community

The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Safe and Supportive Schools and its Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance (TA) Center will host a Webinar on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET. This Webinar will highlight comprehensive approaches to school safety and emergency operations plan (EOP) development that include physical and psychological safety and well-being that are rooted in equitable approaches.

The objectives of this 60-minute Webinar are to

  • Reinforce the significance of creating plans that consider the needs of the whole school community and that represent an equitable approach to emergency preparedness.
  • Describe the concept of the Whole Child, Whole School, and Whole Community and the role that it can play in enhancing school safety, security, emergency management, and preparedness efforts.
  • Share state-based approaches used by education agencies and their community partners to enhance emergency preparedness planning using the Whole Child, Whole School, and Whole Community model.

Register on the REMS TA Center Website to participate in the Webinar

Presenters:

  • Ohio Department of Education, Office of Whole Child Supports
    • Jennifer Vargo, Director of the Office of Integrated Student Supports
  • Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction
    • Bobbie Boyer, Deputy Director for Prevention Services
  • Ohio Department of Public Safety
    • Emily Torok, Executive Director, Ohio School Safety Center
  • Center to Improve Social and Emotional Learning and School Safety
    • Shaun Ali, Senior Justice Technical Assistance Specialist
  • REMS TA Center
    • Janelle Hughes, Project Director

Twitter Chat

You are invited to participate in a Twitter Chat immediately following the Webinar, where presenters will continue to answer your questions. No Twitter account is necessary to view questions, but an account is needed to pose questions and engage in tweets. Follow @remstacenter and tune in at 1:30 p.m. ET on November 16.

Questions

Contact the REMS TA Center Help Desk at 1-855-781-REMS [7367] or info@remstacenter.org from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. Can’t make the live event? This Webinar will be archived on the REMS TA Center’s Website within 7 business days.

Nominations Open for ‘Spirit of America Foundation’ School Award

Spirit of America Foundation, an Augusta based public charity established to honor volunteerism, wants to honor people, groups or projects across Maine who are helping our Maine schools. They are seeking nominations for their School Award.

Spirit of America Foundation Tribute is presented in the name of Maine municipalities – and starting in 2022, the Spirit of America Foundation School Award is presented in the name of Maine schools – to local individuals, organizations and projects for commendable community service. Community members can make suggested nominations for this award to their local schools and school principals can make the official nominations here: https://spirame.org/submit-winner/

To see past awardees or learn more about the Spirit of America Foundation, visit spiritofamerica.website.

Let’s Celebrate the School Psychologists that Live and Work in the State of Maine!

This year’s National School Psychology Week theme, “Together We Shine,” honors the hope we feel after several challenging years and emphasizes the power of our collective efforts to overcome difficulties to ensure that all our students can thrive in school, at home, and in life. Throughout the week, schools across the country will be taking part in events and activities designed to highlight how school psychologists, teachers, and other school personnel work with students and families to reestablish their sense of being valued parts of a greater whole.

National School Psychology Week 2022National Association of School Psychology (NASP) President Celeste Malone shared, “I am proud to see how our community of school psychologists have supported their students, families, and fellow educators during difficult times. School psychologists work every day to enhance the connections between students, schools, and the evidence-based practices that help them thrive.”

In Maine, despite there being a shortage of school psychologists, these caring professionals are doing everything that they can to support our students so that they can thrive.  School administrative units (SAUs) across Maine rely on school psychologists to support students who are struggling in a myriad of ways, such as clarifying treatment issues, supporting interventions for academic and functional needs, and collaborating with school staff to promote inclusive educational experiences to name a few.

So especially during the National School Psychology Week please say “thank you” to your school psychologist for all that they do each and every day!