Teacher shortage area identification input sought

The Maine DOE has been notified of the requirement to submit Maine teacher shortage areas by Dec. 15 for designation by the U.S. Department of Education (U.S. DOE) for the 2014-2015 school year.  The U.S. DOE annually designates teacher shortage areas for purposes of deferment of loan repayments or reductions of teaching obligation under the following student loan programs:  Continue reading “Teacher shortage area identification input sought”

Maine Safe Routes to School grants available

Grants are now available to Maine schools through the Maine Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program, a federally-funded partnership of the Maine Department of Transportation, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine and communities throughout the state working to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety and encourage more students to walk and bike to school. Continue reading “Maine Safe Routes to School grants available”

Superintendent feedback needed on school security

The Maine Legislature recently passed L.D. 905, a resolve directing the Maine DOE to examine school security and work with security experts.  As part of our efforts, we have developed a short survey and request that each superintendent offer feedback on this important topic by completing it at http://tinyurl.com/meschoolsecuritysurvey. Your response is requested no later than Friday, Dec. 13 so a nationally-recognized security consultant can analyze the results for a report to the Legislature. Continue reading “Superintendent feedback needed on school security”

Bonny Eagle Robotics Team step ahead in national competition

BERTrobotics2013STANDISH – Bonny Eagle Robotics Team (A.K.A. BERT) announced today that they are currently in second place in a national competition for their team’s “First Foot” engineering concept about a shoe that collects and stores energy.

Continue reading “Bonny Eagle Robotics Team step ahead in national competition”

Note to NEO Transportation Module users

The Maine DOE is planning a routine update to its NEO Transportation Module on Tuesday, Nov. 26 starting at 9 a.m. and lasting approximately 30 minutes. If you attempt to login during this time frame, it is likely you will be presented with an error page that reads: ” Offline.  This NEO module is offline for maintenance. Check back soon.”

We thank you in advance for your patience as we upgrade the site during this brief offline period to ensure it better serves you.

Notice to MaineCare providers from DOE/DHHS Commissioners

Over the past several years,  the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Department of Education (DOE) have been working together to identify possible improvements to the processes involved with billing for MaineCare reimbursable, medically necessary services provided in a school based setting. Continue reading “Notice to MaineCare providers from DOE/DHHS Commissioners”

Kennebec Valley public school successes showcased

The Kennebec Valley Superintendents Association (KVSA) celebrated the great things happening in the region’s public schools at a special showcase held earlier this month at Thomas College in Waterville.  Instructional programming to help bolster Kindergarten students’ literacy skills as they enter school, opportunities for teachers to engage in ongoing professional learning related to mathematics instruction, student choral and instrumental musical performances , dual enrollment  opportunities and robotics club offerings for high school students were just a few of the examples of innovative educational programming shared during the event.    Continue reading “Kennebec Valley public school successes showcased”

Unum partners with Portland school on reading program

Pairs of Unum employees visited every class at Presumpscot Elementary School in Portland this week to read a children’s book, discuss it and participate in a related activity as part of the Scholastic R.E.A.L. program.

The program aims to get students excited about reading and to build their literacy skills.  Continue reading “Unum partners with Portland school on reading program”