Maine Department of Education Announces Maine School Safety Center!

The Maine Department of Education is pleased to announce the creation of The Maine School Safety Center(MSSC)! Although the MSSC is newly created, it is quickly adding staff and the ability to assist all Maine schools with their emergency planning. The primary role of the MSSC is to provide training, guidance and technical support for all things school safety and security-related. The MSSC will initially provide six lanes of service:

Training
Mental Health and Threat Assessment
Site Assessment/climate assessment
Emergency Operations planning/exercise
School Resource Officer (policy and training)
Legislation and police review and recommendation

The MSSC will work closely with your local, county and state EMA Directors to assist you in your planning and school’s safety needs. The current pandemic crisis has accelerated our operational time line, so we are quickly getting staff into place to be able to offer you services immediately.

Our staff consists of the following:

Jonathan J. Shapiro is our School Safety and Security Coordinator, and leads this team and supports their collaborative efforts. Contact information: Jonathan.J.Shapiro@Maine.gov, or (o) 207-624-6694 Cell 207-441-0725

Robert Susi is our School Safety and Security Specialist and is currently leading our effort to develop policy, procedures and training for our SROs. Robert also has an expertise in school emergency planning and site assessment and is able to provide support to our Planning Officer Melissa Condon. Contact information: robert.w.susi@Maine.gov or 207-441-8321.

Melissa Condon is our Emergency Operations Planning Officer and she is ready to work with you to provide training and review and/or develop your planning in response to this current ongoing pandemic crisis. She is also developing guidance for the short and long term future of schools returning to some level of operational normalcy. Working with our EMA partners we will provide training, assistance, guidance and technical support for your planning needs. Contact information: Melissa.A.Condon@Maine.gov or (207) 446-0862.

Dr. Karen Barnes is our Threat Assessment/Mental Health Officer, and is available to address any questions you may have regarding Threat Assessment. Karen is developing a threat assessment model for Maine, and is working with experts in this field to assure the best model possible is developed for our schools. Karen is our Mental Health liaison coordinating efforts between the Maine DOE and the various other mental health providers in the state. Contact Information: Karen.A.Barnes@maine.gov or Cell (207) 446-0713.

We look forward to working with you! Please feel free to contact us with questions or concerns.

Supporting Schools – Protecting our Future!

Next Week’s Virtual Office Hours

With many schools taking a well-deserved vacation from remote learning next week for April break, the Maine Department of Education will not be sending out daily notifications about the virtual office hours, meetings, and professional development opportunities occurring from Tuesday, April 21st through Friday, April 24th.

Next week’s schedule is available at all times on the Maine DOE website. Below is a listing of sessions being held next week as well, for your convenience.

Please note that due to the need to heighten security for online conference sessions, the Department is requiring password protection or pre-registration for most of our virtual sessions. Thank you for your patience as we work to continue providing these opportunities in the safest way possible.

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

FOCUS AREA	SPECIALIST	TIME	MEETING INFO	HOST CONTACT INFO
Brain Centered Emotional Support	Kellie Bailey/ Bear Shea	8:30 AM	Join this session.	bear.shea@maine.gov or kelley.bailey@maine.gov
Health Education and Physical Education	Susan Berry and Jean Zimmerman	10:00 AM	Register	susan.berry@maine.gov
School Nursing: Mental Health	Emily Poland with guest host Bear Shea	11:00 AM	Registration required. Register HERE	emily.poland@maine.gov
Digital Learning – TBA	Jonathan Graham & Emma-Marie Banks	11:00 AM	Register Here	jonathan.m.graham@maine.gov or emma-marie.banks@maine.gov
Music, K-6 Office Hour	Jason Anderson, Visual and Performing Arts Specialist	2:00 PM	Register here	jason.anderson@maine.gov
Visual Art, K-6 Office Hour	Jason Anderson, Visual and Performing Arts Specialist	3:00 PM	Register here	jason.anderson@maine.gov
Brain Centered Emotional Support: YOGA	Kellie Bailey/ Bear Shea	3:30 PM	Join this session.	bear.shea@maine.gov or kelley.bailey@maine.gov
ELA Happiness Hour: Emphasis on happy!	Morgan Dunton/Dee Saucier	7 PM	Contact meeting host for link and password	morgan.dunton@maine.gov or Danielle.M.Saucier@maine.gov

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

FOCUS AREA	SPECIALIST	TIME	MEETING INFO	HOST CONTACT INFO
Brain Centered Emotional Support	Kellie Bailey/ Bear Shea	8:30 AM	Join this session.	bear.shea@maine.gov or kelley.bailey@maine.gov
PK-8 Science Earth Day part 2 and Lesson Menus	Shari Templeton	12:00 PM	Contact meeting host for link and password	shari.templeton@maine.gov
World Language K-12	Lavinia Rogers	1:00 PM	Register	lavinia.m.rogers@maine.gov
Music, 7-12 Office Hour	Jason Anderson, Visual and Performing Arts Specialist	1:00 PM	Register here	jason.anderson@maine.gov
CED and Middle School CTE Staycation Conversations	Diana Doiron & Meg Harvey	2:00 PM	Contact meeting host for link and password	diana.doiron@maine.gov & margaret.harvey@maine.gov
Visual Art, 7-12 Office Hour	Jason Anderson, Visual and Performing Arts Specialist	2:00 PM	Register here	jason.anderson@maine.gov
Brain Centered Emotional Support	Kellie Bailey/ Bear Shea	3:30 PM	Join this session.	bear.shea@maine.gov or kelley.bailey@maine.gov

Thursday, April 23, 2020

FOCUS AREA	SPECIALIST	TIME	MEETING INFO	HOST CONTACT INFO
Brain Centered Emotional Support	Kellie Bailey/ Bear Shea	8:30 AM	Join this session.	bear.shea@maine.gov or kelley.bailey@maine.gov
School Nursing	Emily Poland	8:30 AM	Pre-Registration Required	emily.poland@maine.gov
Health Education and Physical Education	Susan Berry and Jean Zimmerman		Register	susan.berry@maine.gov
Pre K Open Office Hours	Nicole Madore	10:30 AM	Pre-Registration is required	nicole.madore@maine.gov
Digital Learning – TBA	Jonathan Graham & Emma-Marie Banks	11:00 AM	Register Here	jonathan.m.graham@maine.gov or emma-marie.banks@maine.gov
World Language – language specific	Lavinia	1:00 PM	Register	lavinia.m.rogers@maine.gov
PK-12 Mathematics Office Hour	Michele Mailhot & Jen Robitaille	2:00 PM	Pre-Register Here	michele.mailhot@maine.gov & jennifer.r.robitaille@maine.gov
Digital Learning – TBA	Jonathan Graham & Emma-Marie Banks	3:00 PM	Register Here	jonathan.m.graham@maine.gov or emma-marie.banks@maine.gov
ELA 6-12 Office Hour	Morgan Dunton	3:00 p.m.	Contact host for URL and password	morgan.dunton@maine.gov
Brain Centered Emotional Support: YOGA	Kellie Bailey/ Bear Shea	3:30 PM	Join this session.	bear.shea@maine.gov or kelley.bailey@maine.gov

Friday, April 24, 2020

FOCUS AREA	SPECIALIST	TIME	MEETING INFO	HOST CONTACT INFO
Brain Centered Emotional Support	Kellie Bailey/ Bear Shea	8:30 AM	Join this session.	bear.shea@maine.gov or kelley.bailey@maine.gov
PK-12 Science Networking	Shari Templeton	12:00 PM	Contact host for link and password	shari.templeton@maine.gov
CED and Middle School CTE Staycation Conversations	Diana Doiron & Meg Harvey	2:00 PM	Contact host for URL and password	diana.doiron@maine.gov & margaret.harvey@maine.gov
Maine Seal of Biliteracy Roundtable	Lavinia Rogers	2:30 PM	Register	lavinia.m.rogers@maine.gov
Brain Centered Emotional Support	Kellie Bailey/ Bear Shea	3:30 PM	Join this session.	bear.shea@maine.gov or kelley.bailey@maine.gov

Locker Project Joins in To Feed PPS Families During COVID-19 Crisis

In addition to the meals being provided to students by the Portland Public Schools (PPS), the nonprofit Locker Project is offering free bags of food to families at school meal distribution sites on Wednesdays and Thursdays on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Locker Project takes a whole-family approach to child hunger by providing healthy foods to take home for evenings and weekends, the times youngsters are most likely to experience hunger.

During the pandemic crisis, the district’s Food Service Department is serving free breakfast and lunch meals for anyone age 18 and under. Both can be picked up together anytime between 10 a.m. and 12 noon, Monday through Friday, from the bus loops at each participating school. No I.D. is necessary and youngsters do not need to be present or to qualify for free or reduced-price lunch or be PPS students to receive these meals.

The nine school distribution sites are: Deering High School, East End Community School, King Middle School, Lyman Moore Middle School, Peaks Island Elementary School, Portland High School, Presumpscot Elementary School, Riverton Elementary School and Rowe Elementary School.

The Locker Project is offering free food bags from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesdays at Presumpscot, King, Rowe, and East End schools and on Thursdays at PHS, DHS, Riverton, and Lyman Moore schools.

“We are very grateful to the Locker Project for joining us to help families experiencing food insecurity during this crisis,” said PPS Food Service Director Jane McLucas. “We don’t want any students or families to go hungry.”

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine is offering additional dinner Grab & Go meal options for those 18 and under and their family members at their clubhouses. However, beginning Monday, April 13, the meals will be offered only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, instead of each weekday, in order to protect staff by limiting time spent in the kitchen. Families can pick up additional meals for Tuesdays, Thursdays and weekends during the new three-day schedule.

The clubhouses are currently closed for regular use but families can pick up the dinner meals at those sites from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The clubhouses are in Portland, South Portland, Riverton Park, Sagamore Village and Auburn/Lewiston.

Anyone who wants to help students and families coping with hunger in this crisis can donate to the PPS Food Fund. The fund is a collaboration by the Foundation for Portland Public Schools and Food Fuels Learning to help ensure food security for PPS students. Learn more: https://foundationforpps.kindful.com/?campaign=1046737

For a full listing of schools and locations offering meals to students visit: https://www.maine.gov/doe/meals

This story was submitted by Tess Nacelewicz, Communications Coordinator for Portland Public Schools 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.

MSSM Student and Faculty Member Use 3D Printers to Create Medical Equipment

Maine School of Science and Mathematics (MSSM) has two community members working toward being part of the solution in the Covid-19 pandemic. Eli Wales, a sophomore from Mount Desert Island and Dr. Greg Hamlin, Computer Science Instructor at MSSM, have been using 3D printers to create full-face shields and ear strap holders for local hospitals. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) designates full-face shields as preferred Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Eli joined a team of about 5 members with skills in 3D printing and an interest in helping the situation. Prior to the Governor’s edict to stay home, Eli and his team went around to schools in the Mount Desert Island area and borrowed Flashforge Finder 3D printers that have been donated to many Maine schools by the Perloff Family Foundation. Eli said, “each member of the team has created a small production line where we make as many ear strap holders as possible.” The purpose of the ear strap holder is to keep the face shield’s elastic band off the ears, which can hurt after wearing it for a number of hours. Eli has personally produced around 700 of the strap holders and other members have made about the same. He noted they have only made about 3 face shields and taken them to local hospitals to make sure they will be acceptable.

Dr. Hamlin, using 3D printers and materials from Maine School of Science and Mathematics, has been producing protective face shields for use by local healthcare providers. He has been running two of the school’s printers 24/7 producing plastic frames, which are then fitted with a transparent front panel made from overhead transparencies or similar material. An initial set of 40+ units has been provided to Cary Medical Center in Caribou. Dr. Hamlin said, “We were fortunate that the school had the supplies and equipment on hand for the project, so it was just a matter of setting things up in my guest room and keeping the printers supplied with filament.

This article was submitted by Ryan McDonald, Public Relations Coordinator for Maine School of Science and Mathematics 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.

Bath Tech Center Students Partner With Community Organizations to Build Low Income Housing

On March 25, 2020, Bath Housing Development Corporation undertook a project to move a newly constructed house, built by local students, to 57 Chestnut Street in Bath, Maine. This unique project is the result of a partnership between Bath Housing, the Bath Regional Career and Technical Center (BRCTC), Bath Rotary Charitable Trust, and Vaillancourt Construction.

Video credit: Keegan Denery.

With financial support from the Bath Rotary Charitable Trust, students in the BRCTC Carpentry program are introduced to basic residential construction techniques through hands on application of theories taught in the classroom and applied in the construction of a modular home. Students experience framing the home, laying out and building risers, interior trim, sheetrock, roofing, and siding installing cabinetry, windows, and doors. At the conclusion of the two-year carpentry program, students leave with the skills to enter the field of residential construction and/or continue their education at the Community College level – along with the pride in knowing they built a house.

The home is 720 square foot with two bedrooms, one bathroom, and an open floor plan with cathedral ceilings in the kitchen/living area. The house will have a zero-step entry into the home and a simple front porch. The house will go on the market early this summer and will be sold to a family at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income. Funds to acquire the site were provided by MaineHousing through its Land Acquisition Program.

Bath Housing purchased the BRCTC-built house from Bath Rotary Charitable Trust, and contracted with Vaillancourt Builders LLC – a long-term partner of the BRCTC Program – to oversee the sitework, building move, and finish work. Working with Dirigo Structures, the building was moved from its worksite on Congress Avenue to Chestnut Street on March 25.

This article was submitted by Julie Kenny, Director of the Bath Regional Career & Technical Center 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.

UPDATE: PAEMST 2019-2020 Awards – Nominate a Teacher Today!!

UPDATE: The PAEMST Team decided to delay the application deadline from May 1 to October 26 due to COVID-19. To qualify for the October deadline, teachers must complete the eligibility component of the application by May 1. Teachers can begin an application for PAEMST by going to www.paemst.org. The eligibility component consists of seven easy questions and only takes a few minutes to do.

Should you have any questions about the program or the application process, please contact the Department’s Mathematics Specialist, Michele Mailhot at Michele.R.Mailhot@maine.gov or the Department’s Science Specialist, Shari Templeton at shari.templeton@maine.gov.

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The National Science Foundation is currently accepting nominations and applications for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) program. PAEMST are the highest honors bestowed by the United States government specifically for K-12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teaching. Since 1983, more than 4,800 teachers have been recognized for their contributions to mathematics and science education. Awardees serve as models to their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of STEM education. Up to 108 awardees may be recognized each year.

The PAEMST program is open to outstanding STEM teachers in the 50 states; Washington, D.C.; the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; Department of Defense Education Activity schools; and the U.S. territories as a group.

Anyone–principals, teachers, parents, students, or members of the general public–may nominate a teacher by completing the nomination form available on the PAEMST website. To submit a nomination, you will need the teacher’s name, email address, and school contact information. If you know more than one teacher deserving of this award, you may submit more than one nomination. Teachers may also apply directly at www.paemst.org.

Presidential awardees receive a certificate signed by the President of the United States; a trip to Washington, D.C., to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities; and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation. They also join a network of award-winning teachers from across the country. The National Science Foundation administers PAEMST on the behalf of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

RSU 4 Maintains Open Communication with Community Through Bi-weekly Online Forums

Every other week, RSU #4’s Superintendent Andrew Carlton and Director of Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction, Kathy Martin, have been hosting an online community forum. In order to create two-way communication with families, students and other community members, the two district administrators have been hosting a zoom meeting to allow constituents the chance to get information, ask questions, give comments and provide feedback on various topics that have affected our students during this COVID-19 pandemic.

RSU #4 started these zoom meetings during their first phase of the continuity of education plan as part of their communication efforts. It was an opportunity to discuss food distribution, device pick-up procedures, and explain the educational plans for that phase of skills maintenance efforts. During this meeting, parents could better understand responsibilities for parents, students and teachers during each phase of the plan. The meeting also allowed parents to give suggestions on how to support the learner with creating a daily schedule, for example.

By the second meeting, the district was in the Phase II portion of the continuity education plan. Topics included questions about new learning in a remote setting, expectations for a typical school day, how to pick up personal belongings in our school buildings, and discuss what April vacation will look like. In addition to discussing topics related to the remote learning plan, it was also a chance to discuss some business as usual events. For example, there was a discussion about the budget, the budget process and how the district will proceed over the next few months.

All the zoom meetings have been recorded and shared through the district’s website and social media sites so community members could view the recording if they could not attend the actual meeting. In addition, parents and students could send questions, comments or feedback ahead of time to ensure their questions or concerns would be addressed during the zoom.

The community forums are going to continue as one measure to open communication between the school system and community. The zoom meetings can also leverage opportunities to better support and continue the vision of “inspiring our learners for future success” even in these unprecedented times.

This article was submitted by RSU 4 Superintendent Andy Carlton as part of the Maine Schools Sharing Success Campaign. To submit a story or idea, email it to rachel.paling@maine.gov.

Get to know the DOE team: Meet Lori Freeman

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

What are your roles with DOE?

I work for Special Services of DOE. I process the EFS-04’s which are State Agency Client Reimbursement Forms. Special education costs for state agency clients.

What do you like best about your job?

I enjoy working with all the school districts, getting to know them all. My position requires quite a bit of research and organization which I truly enjoy. I work with a great team that really cares.

How or why did you decide on this career?

I am here to serve. I’ve worked in the service field for years, including working for the homeless shelter and animal shelter. I enjoy working for the greater good.

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

My passion is gardening, planting, and maintaining flowers and vegetables. I just love being outside with my two Labs, taking long walks in the woods behind my house. At the moment I am teaching myself how to play the guitar.

PRIORITY NOTICE: Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act: Education Information

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law by President Trump on March 27, 2020. The relief promised by the CARES Act is desperately needed statewide, and the Maine Department of Education is eagerly waiting for the US Department of Education (USDE) to issue a notice inviting applications from State Education Agencies to apply for the funding. USDE’s statutory deadline to release the application is April 26, 2020.

Over the past several weeks leaders from the Maine Department of Education have been engaging in national discussions and internal planning sessions to prepare for the implementation of the CARES Act stimulus funding. Maine expects to receive $95.645 million in overall education stabilization funding, with $9.3 million for the Governor’s emergency education relief fund, $43.7 million in K-12 relief funding, and $42.5 million in higher education funding. The Maine Department of Education will apply for and manage the K-12 funding. It will be allocated to districts using the Title IA funding formula, as required by statute.

Additional details regarding the CARES Act funding are included in the Department’s Frequently Asked Questions document available here.

Please send your CARES Act related questions to the Department’s Director of Policy and Government Affairs, Chelsey Fortin-Trimble at chelsey.a.fortin@maine.gov.

Early Child Care and Public Preschool Providers Caring for Children Birth-5 – No Cost Professional Development Training

Maine Resilience Building Network (MRBN) will once again offer free professional learning opportunities focused on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and resilience building. MRBN offered this training in the fall of 2019 and is now offering 6 more sessions virtually between April 21-June 2, 2020. This learning opportunity is funded through the Preschool Development Grant, a collaboration between Maine Departments of Education and Health and Human Services. These new sessions are open for Pre-K and child care educators, as well as other staff working with this population, to strengthen their role in supporting children and families.

Strong Kids, Strong Families, Strong Communities: The Impact of ACEs and Resilience Building will bring together childcare and public Pre-K professionals to learn about Adverse Childhood Experiences research, early brain development science, the effects of toxic stress on social emotional learning and protective factors including positive relationships. This training will provide an understanding of how adverse experiences at a young age can affect a person’s emotional and behavioral development. Participants will also hear suggestions for how to support the individual and family and learn classroom strategies including the practices of mindfulness, compassion and co-regulation.

In the fall of 2019, the training was offered in 12 sites across the state to early childhood educators working with children up through Pre-K. Through the evaluation, participants shared that they learned strategies to build stronger connections and relationships with children and families, to be more compassionate and less judgmental, and to be better prepared for stressful situations. They felt they had a better understanding and awareness of where children are “coming from” and to think about what happened to the child as opposed to what is wrong with the child. One participant commented that “All professionals who work with children should attend.”

Registration is required

Date/Time	Registration Link
April 23, 2020 6-8pm	https://maineresilience.org/event-3790527
April 28, 2020 9-11am	https://maineresilience.org/event-3799333
May 4, 2020 2-4pm	https://maineresilience.org/event-3799347
May 12, 2020 9-11am	https://maineresilience.org/event-3799366
May 21, 2020 6-8pm	https://maineresilience.org/event-3799397
June 2, 2020 6-8pm	https://maineresilience.org/event-3799412