Category: Newsroom Articles

REMINDER: How to use Sara Alert™ COVID-19 Monitoring System Safely and Effectively

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) contact tracing team uses Sara Alert (844) 957-2721 to monitor students and staff in PK-12 schools who have been in close contact to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Sara Alert is a public health system that supports the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to monitor for symptoms amongst the school population.

In an effort to ensure that Maine schools and their communities have all of the information they need to use Sara Alert™ safety and to ensure their personal information is safe while enrolled in Sara Alert™. Please disperse these helpful informational flyers to school communities statewide:

For more information email sarasupport@aimsplatform.com or visit www.saraalert.org.

RSU 54 Administrative Assistant Appointed Board Chair of National Association of Educational Office Professionals 

Vivian Champagne has been an Administrative Assistant in Skowhegan’s RSU #54/MSAD #54 School District. She has been working there since 2005, where she has been part of both high school athletics and adult education.

Vivian is a member of the National Association of Educational Office Professionals (NAEOP), a national association which aims to provide professional growth through leadership, education, achievement, recognition, and networking opportunities for educational office professionals.

As a dedicated member of NAEOP since 2012, and a past president of Maine’s state association, Maine Educational Office Professionals (MAEOP), Vivian recently completed NAEOP’s Professional Standards Program certification program and earned her Certified Educational Office Employee (CEOE) distinction.

“Professional Development is an important piece of my career,” said Vivian. “Searching for new things to learn took me from the state association to the national association which offered the CEOE distinction, which is the only nationally recognized certification program, credentialed for educational office professionals.”

Shortly after obtaining her CEOE, Vivian was appointed by the national president of the NAEOP to serve as Chairman of the 2021-2022 Administrative Council., an honor in which she was installed during this year’s NAEOP Annual Conference in July 2021.

The Administrative Council is comprised of education office professionals who work at the district or central office level, State Department of Education, School Boards Association, or any service unit that serves a number of school districts in a specified area in the state.

“I now represent any NAEOP member who is an administrative assistant that works in the office of education from K-12, college, and state level across the nation,” Vivian explained excitedly.

The one-year appointment will allow Vivian to be the connection between the administrative NAEOP members and the NAEOP board of directors, which she is energized to do through regular communication and workshops.  She is looking forward to elaborating and sharing more details during her term.

When not juggling her professional demands, Vivian is dedicated to her family. Happily married for 37 years, she has two adult children and two wonderful twin granddaughters.

To learn more about the NAEOP visit: https://www.naeop.org/

To learn more about the MAEOP visit: https://www.maine-association-educational-office-professional.com/

This article is part of the Maine Schools Sharing Success Campaign. To submit a story or a story idea, email Rachel at rachel.paling@maine.gov.

Apply for Federal Funds to Support Remote Learning – Application Window 9/28-10/13

The Emergency Connectivity Fund is a $7.17 billion program funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to help schools and libraries support remote learning. The Program provides funding to schools and libraries for the reasonable costs of eligible equipment and services that can be provided to students, teachers, and library patrons who lack connected devices, such as laptop or tablet computers, and/or lack broadband access during the pandemic.

Who Is Eligible to Receive Funds Through the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program?

  • Schools, libraries, and consortia of schools and libraries that are eligible for support under the FCC’s E-Rate program, are eligible to request and receive support through the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program.
  • In addition, the Order clarifies that Tribal libraries, which are eligible for support under the Library Services and Technology Act, are also eligible for the Emergency Connectivity Fund.
  • Schools and libraries eligible for the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program do not need to be current E-Rate participants. Eligible entities that have not applied for E-Rate support should be prepared to demonstrate eligibility as a school or library under the Program rules during USAC’s application review.

What Equipment and Services Are Covered by the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program?

  • The following types of equipment purchased for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons who would otherwise lack sufficient connectivity to engage in remote learning are eligible for support:
    • Laptop and tablet computers
    • Wi-Fi hotspots
    • Modems (including air cards)
    • Routers
    • Devices that combine a modem and router.
  • Schools and libraries can also receive funding for commercially available broadband internet service that provides a fixed or mobile broadband connection for off-campus use by students, school staff, or library patrons who would otherwise lack access to connectivity sufficient to engage in remote learning.
  • In limited circumstances where a school or library can demonstrate that there are no available service options sufficient to support remote learning for its students, school staff, or library patrons, the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program may support the construction of new networks and the equipment needed for datacasting services.
  • Review the Eligible Services List for additional guidance on the equipment and services eligible for funding under the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program.

How Can Schools or Libraries Apply?

  • A second ECF application filing window will open on September 28, 2021 and close on October 13, 2021. During this second filing window, eligible schools, libraries, and consortia of eligible schools and libraries can submit requests for funding to purchase eligible equipment and services between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022.
  • The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) is the administrator of the ECF Program and will review applications.
  • Interested schools and libraries can find more information and apply at emergencyconnectivityfund.org
  • The initial ECF Program application filing window opened on June 29 and closed on August 13.

Apply Now

 

Resources and Information about Protecting Student Privacy

Federal and state laws regulate the privacy of student education records. These laws apply to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). With this in mind, the Maine DOE has put together a toolkit of links to information, resources, and training for district administrators and school employees to use as a quick reference for information and contacts related to student data privacy.

In addition to having links to information about the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other federal and state laws that protect student privacy, there are also training videos, resources and guidance from U.S. DOE about understanding what student privacy is as well as other more in-depth tutorials about everything from virtual learning to integrated data systems.

The toolkit also features state level resources such as the Maine Student Privacy Alliance (MSPA), in addition to more student privacy resources from U.S. DOE, both specifically for district administrators but also for early childhood educators, education technology vendors, parents and students, postsecondary school officials, and researchers.

Access the Maine DOE Student Data Privacy Toolkit here.

For further questions about student data privacy, contact U.S. DOE Student Privacy Help Desk (Toll-Free): 1-855-249-3072

Working with Community Partners to Provide State-Funded Pre-K

Recently, members of the Early Learning Team at the Department of Education (DOE) partnered with the Maine State Head Start Collaboration Office and the Governor’s Office of Innovation and the Future to provide a three-part professional learning series aimed at supporting school administrative units (SAUs) in navigating formal partnerships with licensed community providers. The series examined common myths and facts about partnering, explored the benefits and barriers of forming partnerships, and reviewed a roadmap for beginning conversations between partners. Representatives from existing public Pre-K and community partnerships also joined for a one-hour panel highlighting their own unique experiences in providing high-quality public Pre-K programs through formal partnerships.

All three, one-hour sessions were recorded and are now available on the Maine DOE’s Early Childhood website on the Professional Learning & Resources page. Additionally, links to individual sessions are provided below.

As SAUs in Maine continue to start and expand their public Pre-K offerings, partnerships are highly recommended to support the growing number of children that would like to attend as well as the needs of families. The Early Learning Team is prepared to support these conversations as needed. Those interested in more resources should reach out to one of the following specialists:

Early Education Team Coordinator, Leeann.larsen@maine.gov

Early Childhood Specialist, Nicole.madore@maine.gov

Early Childhood Monitor, Marcy.r.whitcomb@maine.gov

State Head Start Collaboration Director, Nena.m.cunningham@maine.gov

Senior Policy Analyst & Children’s Cabinet Coordinator, Ana.hicks@maine.gov

WEBINAR SERIES: Deeper Learning Through The Arts

Join the Maine Department of Education (DOE) for for a free Professional Learning Series for educators of all content areas and grade levels!
Students are more likely to make meaning and gain understanding when they link new information to prior knowledge, relate facts to “big ideas,” explore essential questions, and apply their learning in new contexts. Where does arts integration fit in this process? By bringing the best practices of artists into the classroom as learning tools, students and teachers identify what quality work is and how to produce it in each subject area. Working together to craft meaning, teachers, artists and students become powerful partners in search of understanding.

This workshop series will provide strategies that empower teachers and artists to collaboratively design meaningful learning experiences for all students.
Teachers will explore how integrating arts into education can help students:

  • cultivate life-long habits of mind.
  • foster deep and personal understandings of standards-based math, science, social studies, language arts and fine arts.
  • develop powerfully articulate voices for expression.

Four Sessions – 2 hours each session:

  • Oct 13, 2021 03:30 PM
  • Oct 20, 2021 03:30 PM
  • Oct 27, 2021 03:30 PM
  • Nov 3, 2021 03:30 PM

Register here

Contact Jason Anderson, Maine DOE VPA Specialist, for more information: jason.anderson@maine.gov

Maine FrontLine WarmLine Available to Support School Staff

The Maine FrontLine WarmLine is a phone support service that provides Maine’s essential health care workers, first responders, and school staff with help in managing the stress of providing essential services during our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.  The volunteers on the other end of the line are available to help callers address concerns with anxiety, irritability, poor sleep, grief or worry and, if needed, connect them with additional supports.

The FrontLine WarmLine is available from 8 AM to 8 PM, 7 days a week by calling (207) 221-8196 or Text the word “frontline” to 898-211 for support.

As Maine’s schools have faced multiple challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers and school staff are working tirelessly to provide education and support services to children across Maine.  The work of providing these services during the COVID-19 pandemic can take an emotional toll on those who are juggling their own families, the creation of multiple curricula, nutrition programming, providing social emotional support, cleaning and other facilities needs, and transportation to and from school, among the multiple other support services that students receive at school. It is equally imperative that these heroic education staff member are provided with support and resources to continue in their professions.

The FrontLine/WarmLine is staffed by volunteer professionals activated through Maine Responds, which includes licensed psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical counselors, social workers, and nurse practitioners. It launched in April 2020 as a joint effort of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Maine Department of Public Safety’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Maine Association of Psychiatric Physicians, Opportunity Alliance, Maine Psychological Association, the Maine Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, Maine Department of Education, the Maine Education Association (MEA), and MEA Retired.

The FrontLine WarmLine is a central component of the Maine DHHS Office of Behavioral Health’s StrengthenME program, which supports mental health and resiliency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For those who are not health care workers, first responders or school staff but are experiencing emotional distress, several other 24/7 resources are available:

  • Statewide Crisis Line: 888-568-1112
  • Intentional Peer Support Warmline to speak with staff who have lived experience with mental health conditions: 866-771-9276
  • Suicide Hotline: 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255)
  • 211 and 211maine.org can provide general COVID-19 information, including how to access behavioral health and social service resources
  • Maine DHHS Office of Behavioral Health resources guide

FY 21-22 Talent Development Applications 

In an effort to minimize the workload for our schools during the 2021-2022 school year, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) will not require a Talent Development (G/T) application for school units  continuing their programming in substantially the same format as school year 2019-2020 and 2020-2021. 

Subsidy allocations for school units with approved programs will be calculated using the same methodology, comparing budget costs to actual costs, therefore it is important that school units enter their financial data in the NEO Financial module, per the model chart of accounts for Gifted and Talented programs, available at the following link in the “Regular Instruction” box:  https://www.maine.gov/doe/funding/accounting/handbook. 

If your Gifted and Talented Coordinator is unsure of what constitutes an allowable cost or if your business office is unsure of what constitutes an allowable cost for State subsidy, please refer to Rule Chapter 104 or contact andrea.logan@maine.gov. 

If a school unit did not have an approved program in school year 2020-2021, but plans to have one in school year 2021-2022, please contact andrea.logan@maine.gov or you can visit https://www.maine.gov/doe/mtss/funding/gpa/gt for more information. 

VIRTUAL TRAINING: Suicide Prevention Curriculum Lessons Training

Join the Maine Department of Education and NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health) Maine for a 2-part virtual training!

  • Wed., Sept. 22nd, 8:00am – 12:00pm
  • Wed., Sept. 29th, 12:00pm – 3:30pm

It is a great opportunity to safely and economically attend this vitally important curriculum unit. Attendees MUST commit to both sessions. Gatekeeper Training is a pre-requisite, (may be registered in an upcoming workshop). For more Info on Gatekeeper Training access NAMI Maine’s event calendar.

School staff will be prepared to implement suicide prevention lessons through foundational information and engagement in learning content and strategies in the curriculum lessons.

No cost, and materials are provided.

The training will cover the Middle School Stress Management and Suicide Prevention Lessons and Lifelines Lessons.

Register Here

(Registration closes Friday Sept. 17 to allow time to prepare materials.)

Direct questions to Amanda Bouffard, Suicide Prevention Coordinator, (207) 622-5767, ext. 2318.

MEEA Mini-Grants Available for Outdoor Learning – 9/27 Deadline

Maine Environmental Education Association (MEEA) recently opened a new grant application for the 2021-2022 school year for their Mini-Grants for Outdoor Learning Program.

Applications from all public schools Pre-K – 12 are accepted for up to $1,500 to support their outdoor learning projects. Last year the Maine Environmental Education Association funded over 150 schools with an impact of over 10,000 students across the state.

Funding can be used for any type of project that advances outdoor learning in your classroom or school in the 2021-2022 school year.  Most commonly this funding is used to buy gear and/or supplies needed to support outdoor learning activities, but this funding can also be used for professional learning to advance your outdoor learning teaching skills, to support a collaboration with a community partner organization on a nature-based project or experience, and/or adaptive gear that supports ALL kids having access to outdoor learning in your school.

Application closes on September 27th at 11:59 PM.

For more information and to apply visit the Maine Environmental Education Association Website.

For further questions contact MEEA at (207) 619-1609 or info@meeassociation.org