Notice of proposed rule changes to Chapter 81: Uniform School Bus Standards for Pupil Transportation in Maine

The Maine Department of Education is proposing to repeal and replace Chapter 81: Uniform School Bus Standards for Pupil Transportation in Maine in order to modernize the rule.

The proposal involves four major changes:

Change the format of the rule to separate the rule into shorter and cleaner regulations.
Remove forms from the rule making it easier to adapt to national changes and align with the federal medical examination regulations.
Update the bus specifications to meet current bus technology, standards, and specifications.
Clarify safety, training, and program language to make the rule easier to interpret.

Proposed language of rule Chapters 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, and 86 can be found on the Department’s website. Written comments should be mailed to: Maine Department of Education, Attn: Pat Hinckley, 23 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0023, or emailed to pat.hinckley@maine.gov. The comment deadline is Friday, Jun. 16, 2017 at 5:00 p.m.

Delay in implementation of new grant management system

The State of Maine is in the process of implementing a new grant management system for all state agencies, including the Department of Education. In prior communications, we have noted that the system was expected to be available starting this spring.

However, as we approach the FY 18 grant cycle, please note that there will be a delay in the implementation of the new system which means that you should continue to use the current GEM system for application and management of education grant opportunities. For grant opportunities that are not available in GEM, management will be manual as it has been in the past.

The Department of Education is working closely with the Office of the State Controller and as we move closer to implementation of the new Grant Management System, communication will be forthcoming.

Thank you for your patience. If you have questions, please contact denise.towers@maine.gov or 624-6863.

Changes to School and District IDs for 2017-18 school year

Since 2004, the Maine Department of Education has issued school and school administrative unit (SAU) IDs generated by the Maine Education Data Management System (MEDMS). The MEDMS system is being decommissioned and will no longer be used to generate or maintain these codes. School and SAU information is now maintained in the NEO Maine Schools module, which has its own set of IDs known as Organization (Org) IDs. Starting with the 2017-18 school year, schools and SAUs will need to use the NEO Org IDs for their schools and districts when communicating data to the Maine DOE. This includes uploading data to the new student information system (Synergy).

The Department will be communicating these ID changes to all student information systems (SIS) vendors that are on file as operating in Maine. Please ensure that your SIS vendor information is up to date in the NEO Maine Schools module so we will communicate with your vendor.

Crosswalks from the old MEDMS codes to the new NEO Org IDs are located on the Department’s Infrastructure website.

If you have any questions about these code changes, please contact Maine DOE’s Education Data Manager Charlotte Ellis at charlotte.ellis@maine.gov or 624-6696.

Yarmouth takes grand prize in Farm to School Cook-off

Whole grain crepes, a wild blueberry kelp smoothie, granola encrusted French toast and fish tacos were featured on the menu as the top two teams of school food service staff faced off at Freeport High School on April 26. This was the final round of the 2^nd Annual Maine Farm to School Cook-off, sponsored by the Maine Department of Education, Child Nutrition department. The cook-off aims to promote local products in school meals while showcasing the skills of school food service staff.

Pictured L to R: Stephanie Stambach (Maine DOE), Nikki Dovoren, Blaire Currier (Yarmouth School Department Food Service)

Each team prepared a breakfast and lunch meal that was presented to a panel of judges including a culinary arts student, chef and school nutrition director. The judges scored the dishes based on presentation, taste, creativity and food cost, as well as food safety and time management.

For breakfast, Yarmouth whipped up whole grain crepes with a strawberry topping and Maine maple syrup. This was paired with a wild blueberry kelp smoothie. The judges were impressed by the flavor and texture of the smoothie and commended the team for introducing a less common food to students in an appealing way. RSU 52 created a granola encrusted French toast and wild blueberry compote paired with a strawberry smoothie. Each team was tasked to incorporate wild Maine blueberries as a challenge ingredient in their breakfast dishes.

For lunch, Mexican fare was featured by both teams. RSU 52 cooked up chicken quesadillas with a fresh fruit salsa and grilled potatozana. Yarmouth prepared fish tacos using Gulf of Maine fish with a side of roasted potatoes and apple salsa. The judges commended the teams for a creative twist on a traditional salsa. Maine potatoes were used as the challenge ingredient for lunch.

Congratulations to Yarmouth who took the grand prize and was named the 2017 Maine Farm to School Cook-off Champion! All recipes from the cook-off will be shared in a Maine farm to school cook-off recipe book to be compiled this summer.

For information on how you can be part of next year’s Farm to School cook-off, contact Maine DOE’s Child Nutrition Consultant Stephanie Stambach at Stephanie.stambach@maine.gov.

Improving the Success of Career and Educational Development (CED)

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is looking at the Career and Educational Development (CED) standards within the Maine Learning Results system to understand how schools are meeting the requirements of this content area. In examining this we are asking all school *principals, or a designated staff member focused in this content area to take a few moments to fill out this brief survey:

CED Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3WHX828
(All surveys should be completed by Friday, June 9, 2017.)

Our goal is to get a snap shot of current implementation trends, discover challenge areas, and determine what supports may be useful for schools to best ensure the successful application of this content area within their curriculum.

College and career readiness development begins in elementary school and is reinforced and expanded as students move toward the attainment of their high school diploma. As such, we want to ensure that all schools at every level have the resources necessary as they work to meet the CED standards.

For questions contact Danielle Despins at danielle.r.despins@maine.gov or 207-624-6608.

*Administrators, please forward this message to the principals in your district.

Public Preschool Annual Report due July 31

The Maine DOE is reminding school administrative units that have created or expanded a public preschool program within the past two years (2015-16 or 2016-17) to complete the Public Preschool Annual Report by July 31, 2017. The report can be found here.

This year’s report has been shortened to gather only the most pertinent information from Maine’s public preschool programs.

Please note this report is not required from SAUs with programs existing prior to 2015 or those who completed the Public Preschool Application by the March 31 deadline.

If you have questions about the survey or to inquire if your SAU is required to complete it, please contact Maine DOE’s Early Childhood Program Monitor Nicole Madore at nicole.madore@maine.gov or at 624-6677.

Applications now being accepted for Health Education and Physical Education Teacher Leader Cadre

The Maine DOE Health Education (HE) and Physical Education (PE) programs are seeking quality, motivated applicants to join the Maine Health Education and Physical Education Teacher Leader Cadre (HEPEC). Participants of this initiative are charged with leading the way in ensuring high quality proficiency-based HE & PE in all Maine schools. Cadre participants will work together to provide Maine HE & PE professionals with curriculum, instruction and assessment resources and tools; professional development that supports effective proficiency-based education teaching strategies; and skills and resources to educate about and advocate for quality HE & PE. Successful applicants will:

receive training in facilitation and leadership skills and formative assessment;
develop and deliver professional development at local, regional and statewide events; and
develop a website for the field, as well as, establish other effective modes of communication to share resources and materials.

Administrators are asked to identify potential teachers (pre-K through high school) and encourage them to join the HEPEC for teacher leaders. Enthusiasm and a desire to learn and to lead are more important than the current years of experience. Interested individuals need to complete an online application and submit at least one letter of support from a colleague. Successful applicants will need written approval from administration to participate in the project including permission to attend all the trainings. Maine DOE has grant funding to reimburse substitute pay, mileage and lodging for training days as well as to pay stipends for the Summer Institute. To apply, click here.

For more in-depth information contact Maine DOE’s Health Education & Health Promotion Coordinator Susan Berry at susan.berry@maine.gov or Maine DOE’s Health Education & Physical Education Consultant Jean Zimmerman at jean.zimmerman@maine.gov.

Important Title VI Small Rural Schools Achievement (SRSA) program update

The US Department of Education will be sponsoring a series of webinars now through June 28 to assist eligible Title VI SRSA districts with the online application process. The webinars will provide a walk-through designed to take applicants from the start to the finish. An information sheet, including dates, times and links for registration can be found here. Register early as space is limited to 350 seats for each webinar session. For questions, please contact Maine DOE’s Title VI Director Daniel Weeks at Daniel.r.weeks@maine.gov or 624-6749.

Maine DOE recommendations for dyslexia screening

In accordance with 20-A M.R.S. §4710-B, the Maine Department of Education recommends universal screening for all K-2 children. The law pertains to screening children K-2 for traits indicating that the child may be at-risk for difficulty learning to read, it is not a diagnostic assessment. The intent is to identify at-risk children so that they may receive early evidence-based intervention known to help children with SLD/dyslexia.

There is a list of suggested screening tools available on the Maine DOE website, along with other useful information about dyslexia, resources and frequently asked questions.

Maine Unified Special Education Regulations (MUSER) has long recognized dyslexia as a Specific Learning Disability [MUSER VII (2) (L)], consistent with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (20 U.S.C. 1401) and the Federal Regulations (34 CFR 300.8) which implement the IDEA Law. However, there has been confusion regarding the use of the term, dyslexia. Consequently, in 2015 Michael Yudin, Assistant Secretary, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS) issued a, “Dear Colleague” letter specifying that nothing in IDEA or the implementing regulations prohibits the inclusion of the condition that forms the basis for the child’s disability determination in the child’s IEP. https://www2.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/memosdcltrs/guidance-on-dyslexia-10-2015.pdf.

If you have further questions regarding dyslexia or 20-A M.R.S. §4710-B, please contact Lisa Whitis, MEd, JD, Maine DOE Dyslexia Coordinator at Lisa.Whitis@maine.gov or 624-6643.

Registration open for Maine School Wellness Summit

The goal of the 2017 Wellness Summit, Awaken Your Inner Superhero, is to prepare and empower participants to create and sustain healthy, positive and safe school environments for all school personnel and students. Participants will gain knowledge and skills related to establishing a school culture and climate that is committed to wellness. They will gather tools, tips and resources for implementing programs and strategies that can improve personal health and well-being; assist in establishing and promoting policies and environmental practices to build a culture of wellness; and enhance academic achievement. This summit is a component of the Maine Schoolsite Health Promotion Program (MSHPP) and is hosted by the Maine Department of Education.

This year’s summit will feature two keynote speakers from Maine. Opening the summit is Barbara Anne Cookson, a certified holistic health coach, fitness instructor, licensed massage therapist, author, and speaker. She will offer an interactive and fun presentation which will teach participants principles and practices for being better leaders, to be happier and healthier, and to reach their full potential. Her passion is motivating others to be the superheroes they were born to be.

Wrapping up the summit will be Retired United States Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills, a recalibrated warrior, motivational speaker, actor, author and an advocate for veterans and amputees. Travis lives an inspiring life as a quadruple amputee following his motto, “Never give up. Never quit.” A genuine American hero, Travis with his larger-than-life personality, sense of humor and incredible spirit for life will teach and inspire participants to overcome obstacles or circumstances.

Also coming to engage the audience in how to activate a wellness program is plenary speaker, Stacey Vannah, a certified health and wellness coach who works with adults to support their wellness visions. Before becoming a full-time coach, Stacey spent over 20 years in the classroom, advocating for change and participating on school site wellness teams here in Maine. Stacey will take summit attendees on a journey of visualizing, planning and delivering wellness ideas. Required for her session are minds open to possibility, a willingness to think a bit differently, and the courage to unleash one’s inner super wellness power.

In additional to these fabulous presentations participants will engage in multiple workshops, an idea galleria, leadership skills development, networking, and planning that supports health promotion and wellness for one’s school, district employees and students. The agenda is designed to serve new participants to the summit and returning participants. All school districts will want to have representatives attend this event, Tuesday, June 27 and Wednesday, June 28 at Bates College in Lewiston, to bring back resources and tools for developing and sustaining a successful worksite wellness program.

The Wellness Summit is open to individuals or teams; anyone interested in learning about and supporting school site wellness. It is $125/person for both days or $75/person for one day. For more information or to register, please click the following links: Maine School Wellness Summit highlights, the agenda and registration. Up to 13 contact hours can be earned.