Category: Newsroom Articles

Get to know the Maine DOE Team: Meet Kelley Heath

Maine DOE team member Kelley Heath is being highlighted this week as part of the Get to know the Maine DOE Team Campaign. Learn a little more about Kelley in the question and answer below.

What are your roles with DOE?

I work for the Adult Education Office at Maine DOE.  I am the High School Equivalency/ Data Coordinator for Adult Education.

What do you like best about your job?

I like working with the local adult education programs throughout Maine to help them collect and make the most out of their adult education data.  Each data point represents a real person who needs our support, and when programs use data to improve the lives of those adults, it is very gratifying.

How or why did you decide on this career?

Initially, I studied theatre, but always knew I wanted to teach.  When I moved back to Maine, I started teaching part-time for my local adult education program.  In 2013, I had the opportunity to begin working with the state adult education team and I am thankful every day that I get to work with such great people!

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

I enjoy traveling (when I can) and spending time on Sebago Lake.

Read to ME Challenge Student Video Reading, “The Bridge Home”

To help kick off the Read to Me Challenge this month, the Maine DOE is posting videos of Maine students reading a book of their choosing each day in the first week of February. Some of the first set of videos are brought to you from members of the Maine DOE Student Cabinet along with other students from across Maine.

Today we are sharing a video created by Leela Hidier, a Cumberland County representative on the Maine DOE Student Cabinet. She is reading The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman.

Reading aloud to children is one of the most cost effective and highly beneficial methods of building children’s literate abilities. The simple act of reading aloud to a child 15 minutes a day for five years results in 27,375 minutes of language exposure which can put children on the path to high literacy achievement. Reading aloud exposes children to the world around them, helps them see reading as an enjoyable and valuable activity and often strengthens bonds with trusted adults.

The remaining student video readings will be released in the Maine DOE Newsroom an on the official Maine DOE Facebook and Twitter pages each day this week.

The Read to ME Challenge will run for the month of February, leading up to Read Across America Day on March 2, 2021. Learn more about the Read to ME Challenge on the Maine DOE Website, which includes a heat map of participants and an opportunity to submit your Read to ME story for the heat map!

If you would like to request the videos be sent to you directly, please complete this form. If you would like to submit a video or for more information, contact Dee Saucier, Elementary Literacy Specialist for the Maine DOE.

Maine DOE Child Nutrition Team Announces Initial Transition to New Software Program to Streamline Claiming, Ordering, Applications, and Review

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Child Nutrition Team is excited to announce that a new software program called CNPWeb will launch this week and begin to replace NEO for all School Nutrition functions. CNPWeb will streamline the claiming, ordering, annual application and review process for all of the Child Nutrition programs: School Nutrition, Food Distribution, Summer Food Service and Child & Adult Care Food Program.

The new CNPWeb software will transition over, starting with the Food Distribution Program (FDP), also known as USDA Food on 2/4/2021.

  • All districts will need to submit a FDP application for approval and locations of delivery in CNPWeb.  A webinar will be offered Tuesday, February 9th at 9:30am (register here) – This webinar will be recorded and available on Child Nutrition Training Webpage.  Additional material and resources will be on the CNPWeb web page and in our weekly Child Nurtition listserv updates.  This is in preparation for completing the annual USDA Foods order opening February 12, 2021. Applications must be in and approved to get a fair share of the USDA Food money before February 12th.  All orders must be placed for SY22 food by February 22, 2021 to meet the USDA purchase deadline.

The remaining Child Nutrition programs are anticipated to transition to the new CNPWeb system during the spring of SY22.

Please make sure your School Department’s Food Service Director is aware of this message.  It is important to meet the deadline for the federal food service programs so that all schools to get their fair share of money. More information can be found on the Maine CNPWeb web page https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/nutrition/programs/fd or by contacting the Maine DOE Child Nutrition Office.

FEMA Seeking Student Applicants for National Youth Preparedness Council

Do you know a teen who has a passion for preparedness? The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is accepting applications for its 2021 Youth Preparedness Council (YPC). Since 2012, FEMA has brought youth from across the Nation together to serve on the YPC. Each year, teens apply to the YPC for an opportunity to join FEMA in encouraging emergency preparedness. YPC members are selected for two-year terms. Applicants should be between 8th grade and 11th grade.

As part of the YPC, members can build leadership skills and represent their schools and communities. They also share their perspectives, feedback, and opinions with FEMA. The YPC gives youth the chance to meet peers from across the country and work on projects with the fellow members, such as preparedness fairs for their communities, building emergency preparedness newsletters, and training programs for school aged kids. A virtual summit in July gives members a chance to meet each other and hear from FEMA experts.

This opportunity is open to youth in grades 8-11. The application period is open to teens in grades 8-11 until March 7, 2021. Learn more on Ready Kids and apply here!

If applicants are unsuccessful in their bid for National YPC this year, they can join the Region 1 New England YPC. In Region 1. the program also has a robust YPC program with members representing communities across New England. They have members working on building emergency response data applications, facilitating disaster recovery scenarios, instructing school aged kids on preparedness and readiness, and creating readiness and recovery graphic novels for school aged kids. This year we are very excited about a new YPC Leadership Program that we are offering to our members. The Leadership Program will consist of a series of trainings and workshops that highlight professional development skills and relevant emergency preparedness and disaster recovery issues.

For further information reach out to Jed Fiato (jedidiah.fiato@associates.fema.dhs.gov ) or Arlene Magoon (Arlene.Magoon@fema.dhs.gov ).

Read to ME Challenge Student Video Reading, “Henry and the Yeti”

To help kick off the Read to Me Challenge this month, the Maine DOE is posting videos of Maine students reading a book of their choosing each day in the first week of February. Some of the first set of videos are brought to you from members of the Maine DOE Student Cabinet along with other students from across Maine.

Today we are sharing a video created by Graham Stoughton, a Knox County Representative on the Maine DOE Student Cabinet. He is reading, “Henry and the Yeti” by Russell Ayto.

Reading aloud to children is one of the most cost effective and highly beneficial methods of building children’s literate abilities. The simple act of reading aloud to a child 15 minutes a day for five years results in 27,375 minutes of language exposure which can put children on the path to high literacy achievement. Reading aloud exposes children to the world around them, helps them see reading as an enjoyable and valuable activity and often strengthens bonds with trusted adults.

The remaining student video readings will be released in the Maine DOE Newsroom an on the official Maine DOE Facebook and Twitter pages each day this week.

The Read to ME Challenge will run for the month of February, leading up to Read Across America Day on March 2, 2021. Learn more about the Read to ME Challenge on the Maine DOE Website, which includes a heat map of participants and an opportunity to submit your Read to ME story for the heat map!

If you would like to request the videos be sent to you directly, please complete this form. If you would like to submit a video or for more information, contact Dee Saucier, Elementary Literacy Specialist for the Maine DOE.

Art Educator Bridges Divide Between Remote and In-person Students Through Digital Communications Artist Showcase

13 Series of 7’s 

A Remote Digital Communications Artist Showcase

An educator reflection written by Melanie Crowe, Visual Arts Educator at Hampden Academy.

This school year has presented some unique challenges, engaging students who are remote with the in person school community has been a central focus for me as an educator. The journey to find ways to showcase remote student work and learning has created wonderful collaborations between departments and spaces here at Hampden Academy. Working in conjunction with Leslie Rosenblatt, HA’s Library Media Specialist, she and I have found a way to bridge the spatial divide between the remote students and the in person students. Using the Library’s garage as a “gallery” space, the quarter 3 remote Digital Communications students created a movie of their digital photography that will be on presentation for the month of February.

Students in the Digital Communications course curated their work and selected, what they believed to be, their most visually engaging and compositionally successful photographs. Over the course of the semester, students in the remote Digital Communications course learned how to use their cameras on their phones like a digital SLR camera. They learned how to manipulate and control settings beyond the typical point and shoot of a phone camera. Students focused on how to manipulate and change their depth of focus, shutter speed, and ways to enhance their work using photo editing software on the web.

The students chose their best seven works from the quarter, used vocaroo (a web based voice recorder) to record an artist statement reflection. The video is shown during the day on a loop at HA for those interested to view during their study hall or during their visit to the library. This opportunity provides students in the building a way to hear and see the work created by students who are learning remotely. We hope that students will engage with the work and enjoy the works created by their peers.

Future collaborations are in the makings to showcase more of the amazing artwork our students create here at Hampden Academy. The featured thirteen student photographers are: Nikyla Bidler, Graceann Brinkworth, Madison Burns, Owen Cross, Isaac Cruz, Rebecca Demmons, Ryan Dudley, Tesa Kneeland, Gabriella Moore, Sophia Pereira, Sara Reynolds, Cameron Robichaud, and Zachary Robichaud.

Bangor High School Student Recognized as a Regeneron Science Talent Search Finalist

The Bangor School Department is proud to announce that Vetri Vel has been recognized as a Regeneron Science Talent Search Finalist! #RegeneronSTS is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. Only 40 young scientists are selected as finalists. The 2021 finalists were selected from 1,760 highly qualified entrants based on their projects’ scientific rigor and their potential to become world-changing scientists and leaders.

Vetri’s project is titled: Real-Time Fall Detection System for the Elderly Using Thermal Imaging and Deep Learning.

Finalists’ projects span a diverse range of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) related topics, including diagnostic imaging to help assess the severity of COVID-19, examining the impact of e-cigarettes on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) development, and creating a new way to filter toxins more effectively from wastewater.

The finalists will participate in a virtual competition from March 10-17, 2021, where they will undergo a rigorous virtual judging process to compete for more than $1.8 million in awards. They will also have an opportunity to interact with leading scientists and display their projects to the public during a virtual event on March 14. Usually held in person in Washington, D.C., the 2021 competition will take place virtually in order to keep the finalists and their families safe during the ongoing pandemic.

The finalists are each awarded at least $25,000, and the top 10 awards range from $40,000 to $250,000. The top 10 Regeneron Science Talent Search 2021 winners will be announced during a live-streamed virtual awards ceremony on March 17. In total, more than $3 million in awards will be distributed throughout the Regeneron Science Talent Search, which includes awards to finalists as well as $2,000 provided to each of the top 300 scholars and their schools.

Barbara Stewart, Head of the BHS Science Department, has also been named a Teacher of Merit by Regeneron Science Talent Search 2021. Bangor High School will receive $2000 to use to promote student research in STEM fields. In past years, Bangor High has entered competitions at the Maine State Science Fair and to the regional competition in New Hampshire, both highlights of the year for everyone involved. This year, BHS is planning outdoor opportunities and the potential for launching satellites

“It’s an honor to welcome the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2021 finalists to the community of alumni who share a drive and passion for science,” said George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., Co-Founder, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Regeneron, and among the top winners of the 1976 Science Talent Search. “This year’s finalists represent many of our nation’s most promising young scientists who, even during a global pandemic, are using their ingenuity, resourcefulness and STEM skills to work toward a better future. I can only hope that their STS experience further inspires them to take on and help solve the biggest challenges facing mankind – from climate change to disease and future pandemics.”

“Congratulations to the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2021 finalists,” said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of Society for Science, Publisher of Science News and 1985 Science Talent Search alum. “Finalists are the top young scientists and engineers in the United States who will someday solve some of the world’s most vexing problems. They have persevered through a tumultuous year and we look forward to celebrating the students’ achievement in a special way.”

This article was provided by the Bangor School Department as part of the Maine Schools Sharing Success campaign. To submit a story or an idea, email it to Rachel at rachel.paling@maine.gov.

Read to ME Challenge Student Video Reading, “A Piglet Named Mercy”

To help kick off the Read to Me Challenge this month, the Maine DOE is posting videos of Maine students reading a book of their choosing each day in the first week of February. Some of the first set of videos are brought to you from members of the Maine DOE Student Cabinet along with other students from across Maine.

Today we are sharing a video created by Sophie Eleanor Yates-Paul, a Lincoln County representative on the Maine DOE Student Cabinet. She is reading, “A Piglet Named Mercy” by Kate DiCamillo.

Reading aloud to children is one of the most cost effective and highly beneficial methods of building children’s literate abilities. The simple act of reading aloud to a child 15 minutes a day for five years results in 27,375 minutes of language exposure which can put children on the path to high literacy achievement. Reading aloud exposes children to the world around them, helps them see reading as an enjoyable and valuable activity and often strengthens bonds with trusted adults.

The remaining student video readings will be released in the Maine DOE Newsroom an on the official Maine DOE Facebook and Twitter pages each day this week.

The Read to ME Challenge will run for the month of February, leading up to Read Across America Day on March 2, 2021. Learn more about the Read to ME Challenge on the Maine DOE Website, which includes a heat map of participants and an opportunity to submit your Read to ME story for the heat map!

If you would like to request the videos be sent to you directly, please complete this form. If you would like to submit a video or for more information, contact Dee Saucier, Elementary Literacy Specialist for the Maine DOE.

Read to ME Challenge Student Video Reading, “Miss Rumphius”

To help kick off the Read to Me Challenge this month, the Maine DOE is posting videos of Maine students reading a book of their choosing each day in the first week of February. Some of the first set of videos are brought to you from members of the Maine DOE Student Cabinet along with other students from across Maine.

Today we are sharing a video created by Nayeli Monahan, a Hancock County representative on the Maine DOE Student Cabinet and she is reading “Miss Rumphius” by Barbara Cooney.

Reading aloud to children is one of the most cost effective and highly beneficial methods of building children’s literate abilities. The simple act of reading aloud to a child 15 minutes a day for five years results in 27,375 minutes of language exposure which can put children on the path to high literacy achievement. Reading aloud exposes children to the world around them, helps them see reading as an enjoyable and valuable activity and often strengthens bonds with trusted adults.

The remaining student video readings will be released in the Maine DOE Newsroom an on the official Maine DOE Facebook and Twitter pages each day this week.

The Read to ME Challenge will run for the month of February, leading up to Read Across America Day on March 2, 2021. Learn more about the Read to ME Challenge on the Maine DOE Website, which includes a heat map of participants and an opportunity to submit your Read to ME story for the heat map!

If you would like to request the videos be sent to you directly, please complete this form. If you would like to submit a video or for more information, contact Dee Saucier, Elementary Literacy Specialist for the Maine DOE.

Get to know the Maine DOE Team: Meet Jordan Dean

Maine DOE Team member Jordan Dean is being highlighted this week as part of the Get to know the Maine DOE Team Campaign. Learn a little bit about Jordan in the question and answer below.

What are your roles with DOE?

I am the Office Specialist for the Office of Innovation.

What do you like best about your job?

I love working with everyone on my team. I really enjoy the financial piece of my position including paying invoices and putting entries into Advantage, our financial tracking system.

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

I love going up north ice fishing. I also enjoy spending time with my boyfriend and cat.