Category: Newsroom Articles

Community Regional Charter School Spreads Holiday Cheer Through First-Ever ‘Giving Room’

The holiday season is often filled with joy and celebration, but it can also bring added worry for some families, as they work to maintain cherished traditions during the darker, colder days of winter. Recognizing the financial pressures that many families face during this time of year, Community Regional Charter School (CRCS) came up with a new initiative, designed to uplift its community through support, connection, and generosity.

Through thoughtful conversations among CRCS staff about how best to support families, the idea for “The Giving Room” was born. On Friday, December 5, 2025, CRCS staff organized and hosted the school’s first annual Giving Room event, led by Casie Guillow, CRCS Outdoor Learning Facilitator. The event transformed CRCS Overman Academy in downtown Skowhegan into a joyful holiday market where families could “shop” for gifts at no cost.

In the weeks leading up to the event, donated items were collected across CRCS’ three campuses. Families, staff, and community members generously contributed new or gently used clothing, accessories, home décor, holiday decorations, books for children and adults, toiletries, bikes, craft supplies, and toys—ensuring there were gift options for every member of the family.

While children enjoyed festive crafts, games, and cookie decorating upstairs, guardians were invited to fill reusable bags with as many items as they wished. A gift-wrapping station allowed families to wrap presents on site or take supplies home, making the experience both practical and celebratory.

The Giving Room event was held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and was intentionally scheduled to coincide with the SKOW-Whoville Parade, giving families the opportunity to continue the evening by participating in the town’s broader holiday celebration.

In addition to The Giving Room event, CRCS Facilitator Kareen Sparrow organized a companion initiative focused on generosity and connection called “Gift of Giving,” a virtual angel tree. CRCS families were invited to anonymously submit holiday wishes and needs, which were then shared with staff, families, and community members who volunteered to fulfill them.

“I encouraged CRCS to start the Gift of Giving because I want families to know that we provide more than an education; we care,” Sparrow shared. “We offer opportunities, support, and meaningful connections within our community.”

Together, The Giving Room and the Gift of Giving fostered a strong sense of togetherness and highlighted the compassion and generosity that define the CRCS community. As an uncompromisingly learner-focused school, CRCS is proud to create opportunities that support families and reflect the true spirit of the holiday season.

This story was submitted by Community Regional Charter School, a comprehensive, free, public charter school serving learners from pre-K through grade 12 across three campuses in central Maine. To submit a good news story to the Maine DOE, please fill out the good news submission form.

Submit a T-Shirt Design to Represent the 2026 MLTI Student Conference – ‘Full STEAM Ahead’

The Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI), an initiative of the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning, is excited to announce a T-shirt design competition for the 23rd annual MLTI Student Conference, to be held on May 21, 2026. The conference theme this year is “Full STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Ahead.”

This competition is open to all students in MLTI schools. Students who wish to participate are invited to create a design for the official conference T-shirt, which will be distributed to all participants at the in-person event at the University of Maine at Orono. Last year’s conference T-shirt design came from a student at Brunswick High School. Previous winners have been from Maranacook Community Middle School, Gray-New Gloucester High School, Waterville Junior High School, Auburn Middle School, and Southern Aroostook Community School.

The Maine DOE is looking forward to selecting a student design for these T-shirts (which will be available in youth sizes again this year). You can review eligibility and submission guidelines for the T-shirt design competition here. Please submit your entry using the 2026 MLTI Student Conference T-shirt design competition submission form.

Competition Timeline

  • January 2026: competition opens
  • March 2, 2026: T-shirt designs due (no late entries accepted)
  • April 6, 2026: finalists selected and winner notified

If you have questions about this competition or need assistance, please contact MLTI Project Manager Bethany Billinger at bethany.billinger@maine.gov.

For more information about the MLTI Student Conference, please email the Maine DOE Learning Through Technology Team at doe-ltt@maine.gov.

Job Posting: VISTA Maine Green Schools Network Coordinator

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Innovation is seeking a full-time VISTA member to help organize and build the new Green Schools Network (GSN), as established in Title 20-A, Chapter 335: Maine Green Schools Network.

Join the Maine Green Schools Program by playing the central coordinating role in the development of the newly established GSN. This role is perfect for those seeking to help address climate change, while working daily with some of Maine’s most recognized environmental players!

Find yourself in the center of an exciting new consortium of Maine school educators, administrators, community partners, and youth to strengthen sustainability practices, improve the environmental conditions of Maine school facilities, and expand access to climate-ready curriculum. 

You can find additional details about the job at either of the links below:

With questions, please contact Sol Carpenter of Goodwill Northern New England at sol.carpenter@goodwillnne.org.  

FedPoint Accepting Applications from High School Seniors for Nursing Scholarships

FedPoint, a federal benefits administrator and marketplace operator, is accepting applications for its annual nursing scholarships program. Four $5,000 scholarships will be announced in early May. Applications must be submitted by Sunday, March 20, 2026.

To be eligible for the merit-based scholarships, candidates must be graduating high school seniors who reside in Maine, New Hampshire, or Massachusetts and who will be attending an accredited nursing program in the fall of 2026. Additional details about the scholarship, eligibility requirements, decision criteria, and important dates are available here.

FedPoint employs several dozen registered nurses who work with thousands of claimants insured through the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) and their family members to provide care coordination and planning services. The company introduced this nursing scholarship in 2023 to promote nursing as a highly rewarding career and to help bolster the future nursing workforce in northern New England and beyond.

Again, the application submission deadline for the 2026 FedPoint Nursing Scholarship is Sunday, March 20, 2026. The scholarship review panel will include members of FedPoint’s care coordination team, as well as nurses from the Cornerstone Visiting Nurse Association.

For further information, please visit the FedPoint Nursing Scholarship webpage.

Register for the Second Annual Maine Inclusive Education Conference on April 8

Registration is now open for the second annual Maine Inclusive Education Conference, scheduled for Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at the Augusta Civic Center.

This year’s conference theme is, “Reimagining Education: We Are Better Together!” The event will provide school communities (i.e., educators, administrators, families, and students) with the tools necessary to collaborate to support every student—particularly those with disabilities—to ensure that all students have the support they need to build inclusive, meaningful futures.

Hosted by the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education, in collaboration with the University of Maine at Farmington, the conference will feature keynote speaker Paula Kluth. Kluth is a consultant, author, advocate, and scholar who works with teachers and families to provide inclusive opportunities for students with disabilities and to create more responsive and engaging schooling experiences for all learners. She is the author of more than 15 titles, including Universal Design Daily, 30 Days to the Co-Taught Classroom, Don’t We Already Do Inclusion?, and You’re Going to Love This Kid!: Teaching Autistic Students in the Inclusive Classroom.

Please gather a team of your school colleagues and join the Maine DOE in Augusta this spring! The cost of the day-long conference (8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) is $185 for early-bird registration and $210 after March 1, 2026. Lunch will be included.

You may register for the second annual Maine Inclusive Education Conference here.  

Are you engaged in inclusive work in your school or community? If so, the Maine DOE welcomes you to share your experiences at the conference! Please contact Tracy Whitlock, Maine DOE Special Projects for Inclusion Coordinator, at tracy.w.whitlock@maine.gov to learn more.

2026 MLTI Student Conference – Full STEAM Ahead: Call for Session Proposals

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning is pleased to issue a call for session proposals for the 2026 MLTI Student Conference. This annual event is organized by the Maine DOE Learning Through Technology team as part of the Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI). This year’s conference will be held in person on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the University of Maine campus in Orono and is open to students in grades 5-10 from all MLTI school administrative units (SAUs).

The 2026 conference theme, “Full STEAM Ahead,” highlights the areas of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM). While sessions are encouraged to align with this theme, it is not required. There are many possible session topics; however, all sessions should be technology-centered and may include traditional technology use, computer science, or unplugged activities.

Session Proposal Requirements

  • Platform Agnostic: Sessions should not be device-specific.
  • Free Tools and Apps: Sessions should use only free tools and applications that are accessible to all participants and, when possible, have a Student Data Privacy Agreement in place.
  • Age Appropriate: Sessions must be suitable for students in grades 5-10.

Sessions will be 60 minutes long. They should actively engage students in exploration, creation, and collaboration through technology and/or computer science. Presenters should plan to deliver their session twice, unless scheduling constraints prevent them from doing so.

Sessions may be led by educators or students. Last year, 40 students led or supported sessions, and the Maine DOE hopes to see a similarly strong level of student leadership this year. For inspiration, please review information from the 2025 event and 2024 event.

To submit a session proposal, please click here to complete the 2026 MLTI Student Conference Presentation Proposal Form. Individuals must register to present before March 20, 2026. The Learning Through Technology team will notify you about presenting by March 27, 2026.

2026 MLTI Student Conference Schedule:

  • 8:15-9 a.m.: Check-In (45 minutes)
  • 9-9:30 a.m.: Welcome and Opening (30 minutes)
  • 9:4510:45 a.m.: Session 1 for everyone (60 minutes)
  • 11 a.m.-noon: Lunch or Session 2A (60 minutes)
  • 12:15-1:15 p.m.: Lunch or Session 2B (60 minutes)
  • 1:30-2:30 p.m.: Global Session and Closing (60 minutes)

With questions, please contact the Maine DOE Learning Through Technology team at doe-ltt@maine.gov.

Blending Indigenous Knowledge and Modern Science: Maine DOE Releases “Maple Bytes” Interdisciplinary Instructional Program

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning has released a new, innovative interdisciplinary instructional program called “Maple Bytes,” which provides Maine educators with the opportunity to engage students in a unique, hands-on learning experience that blends computer science, Wabanaki studies, and earth sciences.

Developed by Maine DOE Computer Science Specialist Allison Braley, Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist Erik Wade, and Wabanaki Studies Specialist Brianne Lolar, Maple Bytes invites students to explore the rich cultural, historical, and environmental story of maple syrup. Through this instructional program, students learn about the traditional significance of maple syrup to the Wabanaki people; examine historical methods of sap collection and processing; and apply modern computer science tools to gather and analyze Earth science data related to tree health, environmental conditions, and sap yields.

The learning experience culminates with students tapping maple trees and producing their own maple syrup, connecting classroom learning to real-world practice and deepening understanding of both Indigenous knowledge systems and scientific inquiry.

“Maple Bytes offers an exciting way to integrate cultural heritage, environmental science, and computational thinking,” Braley explained. “Students don’t just learn about these subjects; they experience them, collect real data, and see the results of their efforts in a meaningful, hands-on project.”

Maple Bytes reflects the true spirit of interdisciplinary learning in Maine, offering students an authentic, community-rooted experience that weaves together tradition, science, and technology.

Educators interested in using Maple Bytes in their classroom can access it through the Maine DOE Learning Through Technology webpage: Technology & Learning: Maple Bytes.

For more information or with questions about Maple Bytes, please contact Allison Braley at allison.braley@maine.gov.

2026 For ME Instructional Programs Overview and Summer Training Opportunities; Informational Overview Rescheduled for February 9

The informational overview of the For ME programs, initially scheduled for January 26, has been rescheduled for Monday, February 9, from 3-4:30 p.m.

Since 2018, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) has adapted and piloted the For ME Instructional Programs for early elementary grades (pre-K to grade 2), based on the Boston Public Schools’ evidence-based Focus Curricula. These open-source, developmentally appropriate instructional programs are interdisciplinary and align with Maine’s learning standards.

While Maine schools are responsible for purchasing the materials needed to support the implementation of the For ME programs, lesson plans and other instructional resources are available at no cost through the Maine DOE website. The Maine DOE also provides initial professional learning to support effective use of the programs.

Informational Overview

An informational overview of the For ME programs will be held on Monday, February 9, from 3-4:30 p.m. This session will provide an introduction to the program structure and review the materials required for implementation. It will be recorded and posted for those unable to attend live.

Educators and school leaders who are unfamiliar with the For ME programs are strongly encouraged to attend the live overview or view the recording. Please join using this Zoom link. (There is no need to register in advance.)  

Summer Training

Educators, schools, and early learning programs interested in implementing the For ME programs during the 2026-2027 school year at any grade level from pre-K through grade 2 are encouraged to participate in the initial implementation trainings offered during the summer of 2026.

These trainings are designed to deepen understanding of program design and support successful implementation. School administrators are strongly encouraged to attend alongside their pre-K, kindergarten, first- and/or second-grade teachers. Special educators, education technicians, instructional coaches, and curriculum leaders who work with pre-K through grade 2 educators are also encouraged to participate.

There is no cost to attend these summer trainings.

Training Format and Schedule

All trainings will be held in person, from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.:

  • The Pre-K for ME training is a two-day training.
  • The K for ME, 1st Grade for ME, and 2nd Grade for ME trainings are three-day trainings with one day in June and two days in July.

Participants should plan to attend all required days for their respective grade-level training.

Training Dates (Locations TBD)

  • Pre-K for ME Initial Training:

Week of July 27-31, 2026 (exact dates and location[s] TBD)

  • K for ME Initial Training:

June 24 and July 27-28, 2026

Augusta/Waterville area (exact location TBD)

  • 1st Grade for ME Initial Training

June 24 and July 29-30, 2026

Augusta/Waterville area (exact location TBD)

  • 2nd Grade for ME Initial Training

June 24 and July 29-30, 2026

Augusta/Waterville area (exact location TBD)

Registration Information

Schools interested in registering educators for these trainings should have a principal or instructional leader complete the training registration on behalf of all participants by May 11, 2026. The registration form allows schools to enroll educators in the Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and/or 2nd Grade For ME trainings. After registration closes, all participants will receive confirmation of participation, along with training locations and preparation details.

For additional information regarding:

State Activities funds received from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) support the implementation of this project. The project has an award totaling $50,000 of which 50% is federally funded and directly attributed to project implementation. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, ED or the U.S. government.

Maine Students Invited to Contribute to National Youth Artifact for the 250th Anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence

Image courtesy of the MY AMERICA website.

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to share a new civic learning opportunity for Maine educators and students: MY AMERICA: From Ground Zero to Common Ground, a nationwide, youth-driven art and civic engagement campaign taking place during a period of national reflection in 2026.

Through this initiative, Maine students will have the opportunity to contribute directly to a national commemorative artifact, a large-scale mosaic of an American flag composed of thousands of individual student-created tiles from across all 50 states. Each tile will feature a student’s original message, artwork, or poem reflecting their perspective on unity, democracy, and what it means to live together in the United States today. When assembled, the mosaic is expected to measure approximately 150 feet by 80 feet, creating a powerful visual representation of youth voice and collective expression.

MY AMERICA invites young people to engage thoughtfully with the nation’s past, present, and future during a moment that includes both the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001. The campaign acknowledges that while these anniversaries hold significance in the nation’s civic history, they also sit within a much longer and more complex narrative, one that encompasses the histories and cultures of Indigenous peoples whose presence on this land predates the formation of the United States.

Building on the legacy of the original United We Stand for America youth flag created after 9/11, MY AMERICA centers youth voice as a means of reflection, dialogue, and shared meaning-making. The project affirms that democracy is not static or complete but rather an ongoing practice shaped by many perspectives, experiences, and histories.

Educational Opportunities for Maine Classrooms

Participation in MY AMERICA offers rich, flexible learning opportunities across grade levels and content areas. The project is well suited for:

  • Civics and social studies, supporting inquiry into democracy, civic identity, and multiple perspectives on national history.
  • Arts and humanities, emphasizing creative expression, symbolism, and storytelling.
  • Interdisciplinary learning, integrating history, literacy, visual arts, and student voice.
  • Project-based learning, engaging students in reflection that culminates in a contribution to a national public work.

Educators may adapt participation to align with local curricular goals while inviting students to grapple with complex questions about history, belonging, responsibility, and the future they hope to shape.

Maine’s Participation

Maine is a coalition partner in the MY AMERICA campaign, and the Maine DOE encourages educators to consider participating. Through this effort, Maine students will be represented alongside peers from across the country, ensuring that Maine perspectives, experiences, and values are part of a national artifact that reflects the diversity and complexity of our shared civic life.

How to Get Involved

Educators may register their classrooms to receive a free participation kit, which includes fabric tiles, markers, and classroom guidance. Kits are scheduled to be mailed at the end of January.

Completed tiles must be returned by October 1, 2026, although educators are encouraged to submit them before the end of the school year in June, if possible.

To learn more or register, visit MyAmerica2026.org. Questions may be directed to Maine DOE Chief Teaching and Learning Officer Beth Lambert at beth.lambert@maine.gov.

By participating in MY AMERICA, Maine educators and students have the opportunity to engage in meaningful civic learning while contributing their voices to a national work that reflects on where we have been, acknowledges the histories that shape us, and looks toward a more inclusive and shared future.

Maine DOE Seeks Educators to Enhance MOOSE Module Supports

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is seeking educators to support the iteration and improvement of existing MOOSE (Maine Online Open-Source Education) modules, including the development of accompanying educator resources.

The MOOSE platform provides free, interdisciplinary, project-based learning materials, created by Maine teachers for Maine students in pre-K through grade 12. The work being completed under this notice reflects the Maine DOE’s commitment to ensuring students have access to high-quality instructional materials that offer relevant, real-world context aligned with the Maine Learning Results.

The Maine DOE is seeking a variety of Maine educators (e.g., classroom teachers, curriculum leaders, museum educators, librarians, etc.) to serve on teams that will create educator resources for existing modules and update modules according to current publication standards.

  • Educator Resources Team: Members of the Educator Resources Team will create and curate resources for assigned modules. These resources will help teachers to make quick decisions about implementing a module and provide support throughout implementation.
  • Iteration and Improvement Team: Members of the Iteration and Improvement Team will update existing MOOSE modules to ensure an engaging and accessible learning experience for students. Participants will apply Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Project-Based Learning (PBL) frameworks to strengthen modules and complete basic maintenance to support long-term functionality.

Applicants must be available for active participation in weekly meetings, which will be largely devoted to synchronous activities (e.g., one-on-one peer feedback and review of materials). Participants must also be able to dedicate four to six hours per week outside of meeting time to complete their assigned work in advance of meetings. The spring 2026 MOOSE improvement planning and implementation will take place from Monday, February 23, through Friday, May 22, 2026, with weekly meetings held on Monday evenings (Educator Resources: 5-6 p.m., Iteration and Improvement: 4-5 p.m.).

Please use this link to apply for this opportunity. Applications are due on Sunday, February 1, 2026. Applicants will be notified of acceptance by Wednesday, February 4, and must attend their first meeting on Monday, February 23. Compensation of up to $3,000 will be determined based on the completion of deliverables for MOOSE design improvements.

If you are interested in applying but still have questions, the Maine DOE will host an informational session on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 4 p.m. A recording will be emailed to all registrants and posted on the Maine DOE website. Please register for that session here.

With questions or for additional information, please contact Jennifer Page, Maine DOE MOOSE Project Supervisor, at jennifer.page@maine.gov.