Updated Maine DOE Home Instruction Portal Release

In March of this year, the Department of Education (DOE) released the online Home Instruction Portal. Since then, home instruction parents all over the state have begun to utilize the new portal, and have reported that the new process is less burdensome than the former paper-only process, which required double-reporting and greater expense and time due to mailing and requesting proof of receipt.

Many have also provided valuable feedback about what was confusing, or concerning, from a parent perspective. As a result, the DOE revisited the online forms to make some technical improvements, and has released an updated Home Instruction Portal as of July 9, 2019. If you submitted your Notice for 2019-2020 prior to this date, please be assured that it is still properly filed, and there is no need to repeat the submission.

If you have not yet filed your Notice, please check out the updated online portal. Other ways to file include submitting the revised Notice of Intent to Provide Home Instruction, or other form or letter, to either the Superintendent of Schools in the public school administrative unit where you reside, or to the DOE. You no longer need to file paperwork in both places. You may provide Notice in a different format, provided it contains all required information:

Applicable School Year
Parent/Guardian Full Name
Physical Address, City, Zip Code; and Mailing Address (if different)
Child’s Full Name
Child’s Date of Birth
Indicate First or Subsequent Year of Home Instruction
Date Home Instruction Will Begin (if First Year)
Assurance (if First Year): FIRST YEAR HOME INSTRUCTION PARENT ASSURANCE : The home instruction program will provide at least 175 days annually of instruction and will provide instruction in the following subject areas: English and language arts, math, science, social studies, physical education, health education, library skills, fine arts and, in at least one grade from grade 6 to 12, Maine studies. At one grade level from grade 7 to 12, the student will demonstrate proficiency in the use of computers. The home instruction program will include an annual assessment of the student’s academic progress that includes at least one of the forms of assessment described in 20-A M.R.S. § 5001-A (3)(A)(4)(b).
Prior Year Assessment (if Subsequent Year)
Statement of Intent to Continue Providing Home Instruction (if Subsequent Year): SUBSEQUENT YEAR HOME INSTRUCTION PARENT STATEMENT: I intend to continue providing home instruction and enclose the prior year annual assessment of the student’s academic progress as outlined in 20-A M.R.S. 5001-A(3)(A)(4)(b).
Signature
Date of Signature
A valid email address if parent would like an acknowledgment

As a reminder, the updated process will allow parents to provide first/subsequent year notice “simultaneously to the school officials of the administrative unit in which the student resides and to the commissioner” in one of three ways:

Enter information once annually directly on the new Home Instruction Portal, uploading any required prior year assessment information;
Complete the form or letter on paper once annually and take it, with any required prior year assessments, to the resident superintendent’s office; or
Complete the paper form or other form/letter once annually and mail it with any required prior year assessments to the Department of Education or to the Superintendent’s Office.

Submission using any of the methods described will result in the automatic generation of an acknowledgment to the parent/guardian via email, provided a valid email address is provided.

More information is available at https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/schoolops/homeinstruction.

Please direct any questions or concerns to Pamela Ford-Taylor at pamela.ford-taylor@maine.gov or 207-624-6617.

Casco Bay High School Students Named BOA Student Leaders

Submitted by Tess Nacelewicz, Communications Coordinator, Portland Public Schools.

Pictured (from left) are Portland Superintendent Xavier Botana; Casco Bay High School students and BOA Student Leaders Imti Hassan and Gabriel Gomez; BOA representatives Rose Parsons and Bill Williamson; and Portland Board of Public Education Chair Roberto Rodriquez.

Two students from Casco Bay High School have been named 2019 Bank of America (BOA) Student Leaders: Gabriel Gomez and Imti Hassan. The BOA Student Leaders program helps connect community-minded high school students to jobs, skills development, and service.

The students were honored by the Portland Board of Public Education and Superintendent Xavier Botana at the Board’s June 18 meeting.

The Bank of America Student Leaders Program is a paid eight-week Internship and leadership Conference program fully funded by Bank of America. In 2019, BOA has increased the hourly pay from $10 to $15 per hour.

BOA Student Leaders participate in paid internships at a local nonprofit organization where they learn firsthand about the needs of the community and the critical role nonprofits play. BOA Student Leaders learn valuable civic, social and business leadership skills. In addition to the paid internship, each BOA Student Leader will attend the Student Leader Summit held in Washington, D.C. where they will explore how government,business and the nonprofit sectors work to address critical community needs.

Gabriel Gomez, who will be a senior at CBHS this fall, will intern this summer at United Way of Greater Portland.

CBHS Principal Derek Pierce described Gabe as “an excellent student and an equally impressive human being. Gabe’s self-effacing wit and impish grin are immediately charming, but his intelligence and integrity are what hold your respect. Academically, Gabe is one of our top students. He was in the first cohort of students to earn a Seal of Biliteracy, and he has achieved with honors in every discipline from art to math. He has earned an “A” in a college math class, and completed an internship in a music studio. Music has become a deep passion of Gabe’s in recent years. True to character, Gabe excels whether he’s playing solo or supporting others in an ensemble. Gabe is well regarded by adults and peers and will be a bridge-builder in any group.” Imti Hassan graduated from CBHS in June and will intern this summer at the Boys & Girls Club of Southern Maine.

Principal Pierce said, “Last summer, Imti Hassan was given the position of “Paradigm Shifter” at the renowned Seeds of Peace Camp. She is one of few 17-year-olds worthy of this daunting label. There is not a program (or community) on earth that would not benefit deeply from her exceptional, buoyant, inclusive and, yes, paradigm-shifting leadership. Imti’s experience as a leader is as deep as it is wide. Her relentless, affable positivity is matched by profound skills in facilitation, listening, making connections and problem solving. Imti was the first chairperson of CBHS cabinet and was voted as one of her class speakers at graduation. She will be attending Bates College this fall.”

Every year, through the Student Leaders program, BOA helps connect more than 200 community-minded high school juniors and seniors to employment, skills development and service.

This year, Bank of America will connect 280 community-minded high school juniors and seniors from 80 of their markets throughout the country to employment, skills development and service. This promising group will convene in Washington DC for a week for the Student Leader Summit built around three themes: Serve. Inspire. Change. As part of this, Bank of America is providing more than $4 million in funding this year to support nearly 3,000 summer jobs for youth and young adults through the Student Leaders program, as well as summer internships for young people from underrepresented communities across the country.

Student Leaders is part of BOA’s ongoing commitment to preparing young people for a brighter future. BOA looks for the next generation of community leaders – those with a passion for improving their community, and turning that passion into action.

At the Board’s meeting, Botana noted that “last year – for the first time ever – the Portland, Maine Market was designated a Student Leaders site. Bill Williamson, BOA Market President for Maine, is to be credited for advocating for this opportunity for Maine students.”

Botana continued, “All public and private schools in Portland are eligible to apply – and I’m thrilled that both last year and this year the honor and opportunity has been given to students from the Portland Public Schools! This is a tribute to our amazing students, but also to their schools – counselors, teachers and principals, for preparing them and supporting them in their applications.”

Also present at the meeting were Gabe’s parents, Carlos Gomez & Melissa McStay; Imti’s mother and father, Sadia Abdirahman and Mohmamed Hassan; Bill Williamson, BOA Market President for Maine, Senior Vice President, Senior Client Manager, Commercial Banking; and Rose Parsons, BOA Vice President, Market Manager, Maine.

School Renovation Funding Available

The Maine Department of Education is accepting applications to receive funding for school renovation projects through the School Revolving Renovation Fund (SRRF). The application deadline is September 30.

The Department will be able to approve approximately $25 million in SRRF loans. A portion of each loan will be considered a grant, and will be forgiven. The remaining portion will be paid back over either five or ten years with no interest. The maximum loan amount is limited to $1 million per school building, per priority, in any five-year period.

Applications for Priority One and Priority Two projects will be accepted. Priority One projects include indoor air quality improvement, structural roof repair, hazardous material abatement or removal, ADA compliance upgrades, and other health, safety and compliance renovations. Priority Two SRRF projects include school building structures, windows and doors, and water and septic systems. Eligible Priority One projects will receive funding preference over Priority Two projects.

The SRRF application and additional information are available on the Maine DOE’s SRRF website. For more information or technical assistance, please contact Ann Pinnette at 624-6885 or email ann.pinnette@maine.gov.

Title III Immigrant Children & Youth Subgrant

Each year, one Maine LEA is awarded the Title III Immigrant Children & Youth Subgrant. The purpose of the subgrant is to provide supplemental programs to enhance the education of immigrant students. The subgrant is awarded to the LEA that has experienced the greatest increase in the enrollment of immigrant students, based on the average immigrant enrollment of the two prior years as compared to the current year. For school year 2019-20, the Department will notify the subgrant recipient of its award once October 1 student enrollment counts are finalized. The LEA will then have the remainder of the grant period to expend these funds. The anticipated amount of the FY20 Immigrant Children & Youth Subgrant is $5949. If you have any questions related to Title III, please contact April Perkins at april.perkins@maine.gov.

Employee of the Week: Eric Buckhalter

Assessment Team Office Associate, Eric Buckhulter is being highlighted this week as the Maine DOE’s Employee of the Week! Learn a little more about Eric in this brief question and answer:

What are your roles with DOE?

I am the Office Manager, Management Analyst, and Web Content Editor for the Assessment team. I perform admin duties, process contracts, and manage the content available on the assessment team’s web pages.

What do you like best about your job?

I enjoy assisting teachers and superintendents when I’m given the opportunity. Anything I can do to make their day run a little smoother has the potential to have a positive impact on students, and that’s who we’re all here to serve.

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

Spending time with my family and friends, singing, travelling, acting, cooking, drawing, and looking for any unique opportunities to socialize.

Free School Safety Presentation

I Love You Guys Foundation School Safety Presentation Coming to Maine

What: Standard Response Protocols and Standard Reunification Method for schools and districts, and an After Action Review of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting.

When: 31 July 2019- William Cohen Middle School, Bangor. 8:00-12:00

2 August 2019- Windham High School, Windham. 8:00-12:00

Audience: Maine school superintendents, principals and staff; local first responders; county emergency management agency staff.

Presenter: Scott Parker, Scott Parker, “I Love You Guys” Certified Trainer for the Standard Response Protocols and Standard Reunification Method; National school safety subject matter expert; supported the development of the Maine Model plan in 2007; certified SRP and SRM Train the Trainer in 2013; has worked with over 20 school districts and academies in Maine; currently working with 8 school districts in Maine.

Cost: Free, supported by National School Safety Organization, “I Love You Guys Foundation”

Registration: Advance registration will be required. Contact: ScottParker.preparedness@gmail.com

Technical Assistance: A new Update Standard Response Protocol and Standard Reunification Method will be available for attendees after this training.

Save the date!

Professional Development Opportunity: Creative Assessment- Teacher as Curator

Description:

For Visual and Performing Arts teachers, or those looking to more robustly intertwine the arts into their curriculum: The Maine Department of Education invites you to be part of its upcoming professional development opportunity, Creative Assessment: Teacher as Curator. This session will explore the use of the arts as creative assessment strategies where participants explore artistic approaches to demonstrate academic learning and devise ways of gathering and presenting evidence of learning through documentation. Renowned facilitator and arts specialist, Dr. Lisa Donovan will provide an in-depth view of how the processes and products of the creative process can fuel a feedback loop for teaching and learning. We will wrestle with the question of “How do you tell the story of learning?” Participants will leave with a wide range of strategies for authentic, performance-based formative and summative processes for assessing learning in arts integrated work.

Participants will:

Explore their role as a curator, intentionally selecting, organizing and presenting information, strategies for teaching and learning as well as presenting evidence of student understanding.
Demonstrate how documentation and creative assessment strategies and processes utilizing the visual and performing arts to provide a holistic view of teaching and learning.
Explore a variety of models that can be adapted and used by educators across content areas and grade levels.
Engage in an experiential exploration of an arts integrated progression
Learn and apply several creative assessment strategies to their own work
Design documentation of their learning as models that can be used in their classrooms.

Participant Responsibilities:

Attend two day-long professional development training, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Senator Inn, 284 Western Ave., Augusta, ME 04330.
Dates for training are: Thursday, July 18^th and Friday, July 19^th.
Arrive at the first workshop with an arts lesson, in writing, in order to apply the concepts addressed throughout the sessions practically.

Compensation:

Each participant will receive a stipend of $150.00 (maximum: 20 participants).

To Register:

Interested parties should register HERE by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10^th. Please forward all questions to Visual and Performing Arts Specialist, Nate Menifield, at: nathaniel.j.menifield@maine.gov.

Certification Reminder- July 1 Renewals are Due!

We have now received 52% of renewal applications for the July 1 expiration date. The process is all online, so please don’t delay!

Please be sure to complete and submit your renewal application online at https://www.mymainecertification.com/SSO_PROD/Signin.aspx and use the credit card payment option.
Remember that educators who have an ed tech or teaching certificate will not have an additional CHRC clearance line listed, as the CHRC clearance is a prerequisite for the certificate, and therefor is embedded with, and expires at the same time as, the certificate.
Please refrain from sending cash in the mail with certification applications, as this does slow down the process significantly.

Mid-Maine Tech Center Students Improving Their Community, One Glass of Water at a Time

A team of chemistry students from Waterville Senior High School collected 85 water samples from different locations in Waterville, which were sent to the Dartmouth Lab for analysis. Fifteen of the samples tested positive for arsenic—so the class researched inexpensive filters called Zero Water to keep water arsenic-free and make their community safer.

The project was covered by a team of Mass Media Communications students at Mid-Maine Technical Center (MMTC) as part of the PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs. MMTC is the only school in Maine that hosts this program. It was presented on Maine Public Television and nationally on PBS Nature’s American Spring LIVE, and won third place in a national STEM Film Festival hosted by PBS.

Maine Spring Live – Clean Water from Mid-Maine Technical Center on Vimeo.

This story was written by Maine DOE Intern Emmeline Willey. If you have a story idea or would like to submit a written story for the Maine DOE Newsroom, email Rachel Paling at rachel.paling@maine.gov.

Freeport Girls Code Their Way to Finals

As the computer-savvy become a more and more heavily sought-after breed of employee, young women across the nation are getting a head start in this growing field. GirlsGoCyberStart, a competitive, multi-leveled program, is teaching them the ins and outs of cybersecurity before they even graduate. Through various games, teens are honing skills in cryptography, web vulnerabilities, Python, Linux and forensics—and learning teamwork and determination along the way.

“Cybersecurity is a growing and critical field. It is more important than ever before to train skilled experts in Maine and across the nation to defend our national and financial security,” said Governor Janet Mills at the launch of the program’s second year in February. Last year, almost 200 students from the State participated. “This program will help young women pursue the education and training they need for lifelong careers and leadership positions in cybersecurity.”

Several Clubs from Maine entered the CyberStart competition. Each group of skilled teens would code their way through three levels of increasingly tough competition. 9,500 girls from across the nation entered the ring at the first stage back in February. Two participation challenges were also run, to encourage more girls to get involved. For every five girls registered to a Club who completed at least two challenges, their school would be entered once in the running for a $1,000 prize. At the end of the ‘Assess’ stage, in which girls are evaluated for their aptitude with code and security through a series of challenges, the three Clubs in each State with the most girls registered (having completed at least one challenge) will receive prize money by place in totals of $1,000, $750, and $500. Those winners from Maine this year were, in order:

Hancock County Technical Center (1st)
Deering High School (2nd)
Sanford High School (3rd)

The top schools in each state are decided by the second round, and those then proceed onto the Championship ‘Capture the Flag’ round. The CyberGEMS of Freeport High School were among the 120 schools to make it to the Championship, placing 87th in this final round. The team was comprised of four precocious teens who were nominated by their Club: Dena Arrison, Leah Rusecki, Taylor Harris, and Rachel Packard.

Rusecki, a sophomore, commented in a press release prior to the Championship, “My class schedule is quite full, but having the chance to explore computer technology outside of regular classes is a great opportunity for us. Solving the cybersecurity puzzles and challenges has been really interesting! I hope to take a computer programming class next year.”

Each member of the CyberGEMS took home $100, as well as an additional $100 for their school. More than that, every girl who participated in some level of the competition developed skills vital to the rapidly growing cybersecurity field—and with results from last year showing that number of students interested in cybersecurity doubled after playing, these students show promise at filling more of these high-paying, challenging jobs in the future.