MSAD 13 Moscow and Bingham Students Hike Pleasant Pond Mountain

It was a cold but clear day with a bit of snow falling when twenty Upper Kennebec Valley High School students and seven chaperones boarded a bus that would bring them on a day of adventure to Pleasant Pond Mountain, which is a short hike on the Appalachian Trail located in The Forks, Maine. Thirteen high school students and seven junior high students were ready to go. Everyone carried a backpack with a breakfast and lunch prepared by our wonderful kitchen staff, wearing warm clothes, and off they went.

They arrived at the foot of the mountain on the Appalachian Trail at about 9 am, and after some safety warnings and a cut off time to make it to the top, they set off. Students were instructed to stay with a group or partner, and everyone was wearing orange. Starting off with a reasonably easy climb, the path became steeper and steeper until both hands were needed to climb. Two nimble students took the lead with a teacher following them who made it to the top around 10 am, where they found it was cold and windy and icy.

Students ate their lunch in between the trees a bit lower than the top because it was so cold. After 45 minutes of waiting for more climbers, they decided to go back down. Because of the rain from the previous day, that was not an easy task, for it was quite slippery! As they continued our descent, they met more people climbing to the summit and taking pictures on their way up.

Fortunately, everyone made it down safely. Some of the students even had some time left before the bus came to check out Pleasant Pond. At about 12:30 pm, everyone made it down, with some making a little detour. With no incidents and the students actively engaged, there were lots of smiles and personal challenges overcome as they boarded the warm bus.

It was a great and satisfying day!

This story was submitted by MSAD 13 Moscow and Bingham as part of the Maine Schools Sharing Success Campaign. To submit a story or an idea, email rachel.paling@maine.gov.

Video Article: Teaching World History Through Gaming

In celebration of National Game Design Month, check out this video article that MLTI Ambassador Erik Wade created about how Piscataquis Community Secondary School Social Studies Teacher Ryan Botting and how he used the game civilization to revolutionize the teaching of his history class.

National Game Design Month started in 2010 to celebrate game designers and draw new people into game design. For the past 11 years, people have celebrated National Game Design Month by creating digital and physical games and using games in unique ways. It is a group of like-minded people who are “joined by a love of games and a desire to share their creativity with others.”

Resources for National Computer Science Education Week Dec. 6-12

Next week (Dec. 6th-12th) is National Computer Science Education Week. To help teachers and parents get prepared, we’ve put together an infographic with some great ways to get students involved in CSEdWeek events, activities, and initiatives. We are encouraging all schools in Maine to participate in CSEdWeek. Be on the lookout next week for additional resources, events, and updates each day and don’t forget to share the awesome work you are doing to support Maine students in learning computer science! @mdoenews #CSEdWeek #CSEverywhere #MaineTeachesCS.

Click on the infographic to learn more and to explore ways to get involved during CSEdWeek.

For more information on computer science education, contact Emma-Marie Banks at Emma-Marie.Banks@maine.gov.

Early Childhood Text Study: Free Professional Development for Educators

Specialists from the Maine Department of Education’s Early Learning Team are excited to offer a web-based professional development opportunity for early childhood educators in the Pre-K and Kindergarten grade span.

The text study will take place virtually on Mondays in four, 75-minute sessions on a bi-weekly basis.

Intentional Teaching in Early Childhood is set to begin on Monday, January 10, 2022. The proposed schedule is outlined below.

January 10^th 3:30-4:45 Part 1 (chapters 1 & 2)
January 24^th 3:30-4:45 Part 2 (chapters 3 & 4)
February 7^th 3:30-4:45 Part 2 (chapters 5 & 6)
February 28^th 3:30-4:45 Part 3 (chapters 7, 8, & 9)

Registration will be limited to 30 participants and together we’ll work to reflect on three big questions:

What about teaching young children sparks your passion?
What unique skills and interests do you bring to your job?
What valuable lessons have you learned in your career so far?

The answers to these will help you identify where you are on your teaching journey and guide you in taking control of your own professional development.

Those interested are encouraged to register. Participants will receive a copy of the book and up to 14 contact hours at the end of each text study.

Registration is free and can be completed here. Registration closes December 15^th at 11:59pm. Participants will be selected on a first come, first served basis.

For further information, please contact Nicole Madore, Early Childhood Specialist at Nicole.madore@maine.gov.

Maine DHHS Announces Winners of Kids COVID-19 Vaccination Video Contest

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), in partnership with the Maine Department of Education (DOE), today announced the winners of the video competition for Maine children to encourage COVID-19 vaccination.

DHHS and DOE announced the contest on November 3, inviting Maine youth ages 5 to 17 to submit 30-second videos that they believed would encourage other children, along with their parents, to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

The winners are:

1st place: Renée Morin (sophomore), Olie Saywell (sophomore), Hunter Roberts (junior, created original score), Ian Kruger (senior, camera operator); The New School (high school), Kennebunk
2nd place: Spencer Michalski (8th grade), homeschooled, Columbia
3rd place: Natalie Waters (6th grade), Lincoln Middle School, Portland

The winning entries can be viewed here:

“Congratulations to the winners of our Maine Kids COVID-19 Vaccination Video Contest, who displayed creativity, conviction, and courage in their submissions,” said DHHS Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew and Maine CDC Director Nirav D. Shah. “We’re grateful to every Maine child and teenager who submitted an entry – they are all public health champions. Thanks to people like them, Maine is quickly getting enough students vaccinated to begin returning to more normal ways of learning and having fun.”

“Getting back to normal and doing our part to end the pandemic inspired us to submit to the contest,” said the first-place team from The New School. “By spreading awareness and empowering fellow young people with facts about vaccination, helping younger Mainers to not be afraid, and using skills we learned in video production, we hoped to contribute to positive public health messaging.”

“My plunge into the frigid water was worth the sacrifice for the greater good,” added Olie Saywel.

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is promoting the winning videos on social media.

Additionally, first-place winner The New School will receive $50,000; second -place winner Spencer Michalski selected Downeast Audubon as the nonprofit to receive the $25,000 second-place prize to fund summer camp scholarships; and third-place winner Lincoln Middle School will receive $10,000.

Schools can use the winnings to supplement school meals with healthy treats; purchase playground, classroom, gym, sports, or music equipment; enhance a special school activity; or support a school field trip for all students.

Over 50 submissions were reviewed, without identifying information, by a committee comprised of DHHS, CDC and DOE staff members. The selection criteria included originality and clarity of the message, consistency with public health information on youth vaccination, and potential to reach unvaccinated groups, among others.

Children could produce the video submissions on their own or as part of a school activity. Participation was limited to Maine residents.

The prize winnings are supported by the Federally funded Coronavirus Relief Fund at Maine DHHS, which was the source of funds for previous COVID-19 vaccine incentive programs in Maine.

The video competition is part of Maine DHHS and Maine CDC’s broader plan to support vaccination of children ages 5 to 11. Nearly 29% of Maine children ages 5 to 11 have received at least a first dose of vaccine, nearly double the national average of 14.7 percent and ranking Maine third in the nation, according to the U.S. CDC.

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is available for children 5 to 11 years old in a two-dose series, and is administered in a lower dose than the vaccine for adolescents and adults.

COVID-19 vaccines are available at no charge at sites across the state. For information on getting a vaccine, please visit Maine.gov/covid19/vaccines or call the Community Vaccination Line at 1-888-445-4111.

Maine Virtual Career Fair Coming in March 2022

The Maine Community Coordinators Collaborative (C3) in partnership with the Maine Department of Education and the Association of Computer and Technology Educators (ACTEM) will host its second annual statewide Virtual Career Fair the week of March 21 – 25 with the live sessions happening March 22 – 23, 2022. Last spring, C3 connected thousands of high school students with more than 100 Maine companies, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits. Regardless of their geographic location, the students were able to explore the numerous career offerings throughout the state. This year, the ME Virtual Career Fair will be open to ALL middle schools, high schools and CTE schools throughout the state.

“It is never too early to help students explore the exciting career possibilities that await them, and the new innovative use of virtual experiences for a career fair means connecting more students with more opportunities,” said Commissioner of Education Pender Makin. “I encourage all middle and high school students, with support from their schools and families, and all businesses who are looking to expand their workforce and tap into the talents that exist in our classrooms, to get involved with this exciting event.”

Made possible with a generous grant from Unum, the ME Virtual Career Fair will be available free of charge to students or schools requiring financial assistance.

“The students participating in the ME Virtual Career Fair will soon be an active part of the workforce. Providing an early look into careers and professional connections can help them choose a field they are passionate about,” said Cary Olson Cartwright, Unum’s assistant vice president of corporate social responsibility. “Unum is glad to relieve some of the financial barriers and provide equitable pathways to success for students across our state.”

Sign-up to join the ME Virtual Career Fair mailing list and be notified when school registrations open in January 2022. Please email Sheree Inman and Justine Carlisle, Event Co-Chairs at mevirtualcareerfair@gmail.com with any questions.

A Reminder: Annual Audit Reports Due December 30th

Annual audit reports are due within six months after the end of the audit period (e.g., reports for the fiscal year ending June 30th are due on or before December 30th).

Per statute, the auditor is required to review the audit with the school board.
Per statute, it is the school board’s responsibility to submit the annual audit document unless it is stated in the engagement letter that the audit firm will submit the audit to the Department on behalf of the school board.
Municipal school units are required to submit either a combined (school and municipal as one document) annual audit or a school department audit and a municipal audit to the Department. The municipal annual report (a.k.a. town report) cannot be accepted in lieu of the complete municipal annual audit.
Per statute, Maine DOE must receive a Schedule of Expenditure of Federal Awards(SEFA), which includes federal award expenditures for all reporting entities, even if a Single Audit (formerly A-133 audit) is not required to be conducted. The SEFA provides information needed by Maine DOE to conduct sub-recipient monitoring as required by the US Department of Education and is due at the time of the annual audit.

In municipal school units where a combined audit is not conducted, Maine DOE should receive two audits: an audit with a SEFA for the school department, and an audit for the city/town including a SEFA.

If a management letter is prepared by the auditor, a copy must be submitted to Maine DOE with the annual audit, as this letter provides us with information needed to conduct sub-recipient monitoring, as required by US DOE.

Extensions and Subsidy Payments

If an extension or exception is needed for the deadline to submit either the municipal or school department audit, the superintendent must contact the Department to request the extension.
The forms are available on the Fiscal Review and Compliance webpage, under forms on the menu bar.

Initial extension requests will be for a period of 2 months, and 30 days thereafter.
Extension requests will be considered until June 30th (six months after due date); extensions will not be valid after June 30th and all municipalities and school administrative units with overdue audits which have not submitted an extension request before May 31^thmay have a delay in subsidy release. Those who have not submitted an extension request will have subsidy withheld until addressed.

Please submit all annual audit documents, reports, information requests, questions and other audit correspondence via email to DOE.Audit@Maine.gov.

Educators Honored at Outdoor Teacher of the Year Tailgate Gala

(Pictured: 2021 County Teachers of the Year)

The Maine Teacher of the Year Program hosted an outdoor celebration last month to honor its 2021 Maine County Teachers of the Year and the 2022 Maine Teacher of the Year. This is the second year that the program has hosted the event with an outdoor afternoon celebration in lieu of a traditional indoor evening gala in an effort to gather attendees safely.

Meet the County Teachers of the Year:

Hosted in Lewiston outdoor at Geiger, a longtime supporter of the Maine Teacher of the Year Program, the celebration featured lunch provided by Lewiston Regional Technical Center’s Green Ladle Food Truck, an awards ceremony, and remarks from partners, supporters, and 2022 Maine Teacher of the Year Kelsey Stoyanova.

Event attendees included the 2021 Maine County Teachers of the Year and Maine’s 2022 Teacher of the Year Kelsey Stoyanova, who were each accompanied by friends and family members. Also in attendance were representatives from the Maine Department of Education, including deputy Commissioner Dan Chuhta who offered remarks, representatives from the Maine County and State Teacher of the Year Association (MCSTOYA), legacy County and State Teachers of the Year, and members of the Maine State Board of Education.

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows was also an honorary guest, carrying on the annual tradition of graciously presenting Maine’s signature license plate to the 2022 Teacher of the Year, Kelsey Stoyanova.

Cindy Soule, 2021 Maine Teacher of the Year

Peter Geiger, Maine State Board of Education

2022 Maine Teacher of the Year Kelsey Stoyanova (left), Maine Department of Education Deputy Commissioner Dan Chuhta (right)

2022 Maine Teacher of the Year Kelsey Stoyanova (left), Secretary Shenna Bellows (Right)

2022 Maine Teacher of the Year Kelsey Stoyanova

The event was made possible by the impeccable planning of Educate Maine, the Maine County and State Teacher of the Year Association (MCSTOYA), and the Maine Department of Education.

The Teacher of the Year Program is generously sponsored by: Bangor Savings Bank, Dead River, Geiger, Hannaford, the Maine State Lottery, Unum, and the Silvernail Family. For more information about the Maine Teacher of the Year program, visit: https://www.mainetoy.org/

Summer Institute for Elementary Teachers: Identity and Multilingualism through Picture Books

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is sponsoring a two-week summer institute designed for K-3 elementary teachers, “Identity and Multilingualism through Picture Books.” The institute will focus on pedagogical approaches to language learning through an equity lens.

All details about the application process, logistics, and program facilitators can be found on this site: https://earlyidentityandlanguage.org

For additional questions, contact co-directors Krista Aronson (karonson@bates.edu) and Margaret Boyle (mboyle2@bowdoin.edu).

Rumford Elementary Hosts Pre-Thanksgiving Day Parade

For a while, the worldwide pandemic halted much of schools’ in-person connections with families. So they learned to do it differently. They zoomed. They called. They drove to houses. They made videos. But there’s nothing like the joy of coming together as a learning community.

Recently, the Rumford Elementary School staff hosted a “Pre-Thanksgiving Day Parade,” complete with inflatables, decorations, giveaways, staff dressed as story book characters, and even an optional visit with Santa. Local community groups such as the Rumford Public Library, Team Long Run, Western Foothills Kids Association and the Greater Rumford Community Center joined in on the fun.

“It takes a village!” said Rumford Elementary School Principal, Jill Bartash.

As families walked through the “parade,” the joy reflected in their faces filled everyone with a little sense of normalcy and a great sense of love and pride, reinforcing how much our school communities matter.