Windsor Elementary School Explores Maine Seaweeds with a Little ‘Kelp’ From Their Friends

Windsor Elementary School educators Kristel Anuszewski and Jana Diket recently collaborated with Maine Sea Grant, Chef Andrew Wilkinson from North Coast Seafoods, and other Maine businesses to bring seaweed to the classroom and cafeteria.

Since the fall of 2023, both educators have been engaged in professional learning and other efforts to bring the sea inland to their community. Why seaweed? Seaweed farming and harvesting is considered to be “regenerative” and “sustainable” as it requires zero input for growth, no chemicals, fertilizers, or pesticides are needed–only providing benefits for the ecosystem and human health. It plays an important role in combating climate change by dampening wave energy and protecting coastal shorelines, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, reducing the effects of ocean acidification by raising the PH, and supplying oxygen to ocean waters. Seaweed is also locally sourced, delicious, and one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet.

Seaweed farming and wild harvest also help diversify Maine’s marine economy. It’s a great opportunity and source of income for fishermen and others during the winter season, enabling year-round employment opportunities.

On January 16th, 2024, Windsor Elementary students explored and identified a variety of seaweeds that grow in the Gulf of Maine, and engaged in pressing and other art-related activities. These activities were followed by culinary arts on January 18th with Chef Andrew and his delicious “Seaweed-ish Meat(less)balls,” containing sugar kelp from Maine’s waters. Students also explored a variety of products like seaweed salad and kelp burgers, donated by Atlantic Sea Farms (Biddeford, Maine), as well as a variety of “wild” harvested seaweed products like kelp crunch, seaweed tea, seasonings, generously donated by Maine Coast Sea Vegetables (Hancock, Maine).

Soon after trying the meatballs with Chef Andrew in the morning, Isaiah, an initially skeptical 6th-grader, raised his hand and shared “I didn’t think I would like them, but I really do; may I change my choice for lunch?!”

Chef Andrew shares the story of his recipe–an innovation for seaweed–the Seaweed-ish Meatball with students in the Windsor Learning Commons.

Chef Andrew prepares his meatball recipe.

A seaweed identification station

Keri Kaczor arrives with seaweed buckets at WES.

Keri Kaczor and Jaclyn (Jax) Robidoux from Maine Sea Grant instruct grade 7 and 8 students on how to press seaweed

Although this event primarily engaged 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, all students were offered this option for lunch on January 18th. Windsor School Chefs Missy Parsons and Kara Bailey served up Seaweed-ish Meatballs with pasta and marinara. Chef Ron Adams of Maine Farm and Sea Cooperative, and Chef Mike Flynn, the Director of Student Nutrition Services, Somerville, Maine, stopped in with some Maine marinara with tomatoes sourced from Maine growers– delicious! There was also a special meal option, a kelp burger, served to faculty.

Principal Heather Wilson (left) and Kristel Anuszewski (right) enjoy Chef’s Seaweed-ish Meatball recipe.

Missy Parsons (WES school head cook), Chef Andrew Wilkinson (guest seaweed chef for the day at WES), Kristel Anuszewski (WES teacher and event organizer), Keri Kaczor (Maine Sea Grant, UMO), Chef Mike Flynn (RSU#12 Director of Student Nutrition Services), and Kara Bailey (WES kitchen assistant)

Kristel Anuszewski (WES Librarian and STEM teacher) and Jana Diket (middle school science and social studies teacher)

Prior to this collaboration, Anuskewski and Diket introduced their students to seaweed curriculum and activities, and kindergarten through 8th grade students all helped decorate the hallway in preparation for the events. Fish and seaweed adorned the walls, fabric hung from the ceiling with silhouettes of sea-life, creating a magical “seaprise” and experience for all. An intertidal ocean mural with seaweed and other creatures was also on display, built by the 7th and 8th grade students.

Diket plans to continue this work by installing a saltwater tank in her classroom, and both teachers plan on taking students on a field trip to the sea in the spring.

Keri Kaczor, Maine Sea Grant, shared, “It is wonderful to see educators and food service staff at Windsor Elementary collaborate to provide high-quality, hands-on science, art, and nutritional experiences for their students. It’s also a gift to have Maine’s seaweed industry and Chef Andrew generously commit their time, expertise, and products to this effort.”

For more information, please reach out to Kristel (kanuszewski@svrsu.org) or Jana (jdiket@svrsu.org).

This story was submitted by Windsor Elementary School through our Maine DOE Good News Submission form. To submit a story, please fill out the form here.

Reminder: Regional School Calendar Coordination Between SAUs and CTEs

As a reminder, Regional School Calendars are due by June 1, 2024 for school administrative units (SAU) and private schools, approved for tuition purposes, in coordination with their local secondary career and technical education (CTE) school. This requirement is part of Public Law 2011, Chapter 686 to promote collaboration among local school administrative units that may benefit from inter-administrative unit collaboration beyond CTE.

For school year 2024-25, both regional school calendars and individual calendars for each school administrative unit must be submitted by the director of the local CTE Center/Region to the Maine Department of Education (DOE) no later than June 1, 2024, for a decision on approval by July 12, 2024.

Guidance and templates or Regional School Calendars can be accessed electronically on the Maine DOE website.

Given the coordination required to fulfill this law, the Maine DOE recommends that SAUs initiate discussions as soon as possible, including representatives from all affected secondary schools and their associated career and technical education center or region.

Please visit the Maine DOE Website for more information, including guidance, instructions, templates, a waiver process, and a link to the complete law.

Further questions should be directed to Emily Doughty emily.doughty@maine.gov at 207-592-0314 or Dwight Littlefield dwight.a.littlefield@maine.gov at 207- 441-8927.

Inclusive Education Webinar Series Available: Inclusion for Students with IDD and Complex Needs & Assistive Technology (AT)

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Special Services & Inclusive Education has three upcoming Inclusive Education Webinars Series planned.

Two-Part Inclusive Education Webinar Series: High Leverage Practice to Promote Inclusion for Students with IDD and Complex Needs

This two-part series, hosted by MAIER and the Office of Special Services & Inclusive Education, will provide well-structured content on different pedagogies and how high-leverage practice to promote inclusion can be conducted by developing strategies that promote inclusiveness and principles for students with IDD and Complex Needs.

Part 1 Wednesday, March 20th, 4:00 pm – Register here

In this session, presenters describe a practical approach for orienting our teaching practices toward ensuring students with IDD and Complex Needs can construct enviable lives within their self-selected communities. This practical session will meet teachers where they are on their inclusive practice journey and provide simple strategies for taking that next step.

Part 2 Thursday, April 4th, 4:00 pm – Register here.

In the second session, participants will learn new strategies and inclusive approaches necessary for assisting students with IDD and Complex Needs and how to provide intensive supports for students regardless of dis/ability. The session will help the participant to develop action points and strategies necessary for incorporating cultural practices into teaching and learning process.

Presenters (moved up presenter info)

Robert C. Pennington has served as the Assistant Director of Training and Executive Director for the Kentucky Autism Training Center (KATC) and currently is an Instructor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Louisville. He earned his PhD at the University of Kentucky and has over 20 years of experience in working with individuals with disabilities and their families in school and communities’ contexts. He has served as a classroom teacher and district technical assistance provider, and piloted Jefferson County Public Schools’ first autism inclusion model (AIM). His research interests include autism spectrum disorders, applied behavior analysis, writing instruction, and teacher preparation.

Monique Pinczynski is a first generation doctoral student at the University of North Carolina Charlotte in Special Education. She was previously a classroom teacher in Henderson, NV where she taught students with autism and extensive support needs as well as students with learning disabilities. Monique earned her B.S. and M.Ed. in Special Education at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, where she also attained her Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification. Her research interests include implementing evidence-based practices with students with autism and extensive support needs with a focus on communication as well as supporting teachers in this area.

Inclusive Education Webinar Series: Dispelling Myths about Assistive Technology (AT) Devices and Services

Want to learn more about assistive technology use in the classroom to benefit all learners? Recent guidance on the myths and facts surrounding assistive technology was released from the federal government which supports reducing barriers that often lead to a lack of utilization of AT. This webinar, hosted by Maine CITE and the Office of Special Services & Inclusive Education, and led by Maine CITE director, Jessi Wright, will guide educators, administrators and ed techs through the latest AT information and provide insights on moving toward a more inclusive education environment.

This will be a two session event – March 12th from 4-5pm will include the overview of the myths and March 19th from 4-5pm will be an open forum for the public to come for conversations about the use of assistive technology in schools. Register here.

For more information or questions on either of these opportunities, contact Tracy Whitlock at tracy.w.whitlock@maine.gov

Photography and Poetry Gallery at Lyseth Elementary School

Walking into the bright atrium of Lyseth Elementary School in Portland, you are met by giant black-and-white photographs of the 20 students in Leigh Quigley’s 4th-grade class. Hanging from the skylight are even more pictures, pictures that students took after learning photography elements like composition, light, and focal point from professional photographer Liz Bieber. Proud adults gather around, taking pictures of student work. As you walk to the end of the atrium, framed images of students and the poetry they wrote, the conclusion to a poetry unit designed to build empathy, understanding, and community within the classroom, hang on the wall in neat rows.

The unit began as a single-focus poetry unit where students were exposed to classic and modern poets and forms and then transferred their learning to create original poetry that captured their voices. After a visit to the Bowdoin Museum of Art, student’s curiosity and excitement transformed the single focus into a multidisciplinary unit that included original photography. Students added knowledge and skills around photography to their poetry knowledge and applied those skills by taking candid and studio pictures of their peers that would accompany their poetry. Once photos were taken and poetry was written, students created frames, chose pictures, and typed their poems, which included different fonts and effects that emphasized certain words and phrases.

4th-grade student Patrick explained his choice of purposely using lowercase letters to “make it different than the others.”

The final products were mounted in the atrium, where they would be a prominent addition and visible to every member of the school community.

“I really like taking pictures and writing poetry,” 4th grade student Grace shared. “The hardest part was figuring out what to write, but I used a poem we read before for inspiration.”

Mrs. Quigley noticed an increase in student engagement but also grew professionally herself. “Working with them every day opened my eyes to new ways of thinking. They provided a fresh take on the subject matter through their unique interpretations.”

This project gave students an opportunity to share their voices, but it also has had ripple effects throughout the school. Lyseth principal Sara Goodall shared that “kids, families, and staff are asking and excited to learn more” and that “less than a week after it opened, Lyseth is exploring a photography club.”

The student voice in their poetry, the choice of which photos to use to illustrate their poetry, the community gathering to celebrate, and the ripple effects it has caused throughout the school are concrete examples of the school’s core value of “we all belong here at Lyseth.”

This story was a collaboration between the Maine Department of Education’s Interdisciplinary Instruction (II) Team and Lyseth Elementary School. If you are interested in collaborating with the Maine DOE’s II Team to showcase your school’s interdisciplinary instructional work, reach out to Kathy Bertini at kathy.bertini@maine.gov. You can also submit Maine school highlights to Maine DOE’s Good News Submission Form.

Maine DOE Seeks Participants for Climate Education Action Plan Task Force

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) wants your help designing the future of climate education in Maine. If you are a teacher, student or young adult (under 30), school administrator, or education partner, consider filling out the interest form below to be a part of the Maine DOE Climate Education Action Plan Task Force.

Based on a recommendation from the Maine Climate Council, this task force will bring together stakeholders from across the state with a wide range of perspectives. The task force will discuss the challenges facing climate education in public pre-K – 12 schools and develop an action-oriented plan for stakeholders to address those challenges. The action plan will focus on curriculum, resources, plans, and policies that might be restructured, supported, or built.

This work will build upon the work of the Maine Climate Council, the Maine Environmental Literacy Plan, and other state work throughout the country. This process will be public, and there will be several opportunities for comment and feedback for anyone not on the taskforce to contribute to the work.

The Basics:

The task force will be comprised of 20-25 stakeholders from throughout the state of Maine and serving in a variety of roles: teacher, school/district leadership, partner organizations such as community-based nonprofits, workforce development, and youth. Stakeholders will be selected based on a breadth of perspectives including region and role.
This task force will meet seven times from early April to early June. The schedule is detailed below.

Outcomes:

4-6 defined and detailed challenges/goals with 2-5 action steps for each goal for stakeholders to undertake within a defined timeline.
Published as the Maine Climate Education Action Plan (3-5 pages)
4-year timeline for climate education action for a variety of stakeholders.

Timeline:

Date	Time	Location
Tuesday, April 9th	3:30 – 5:00 pm	Virtual
Tuesday, April 23rd	9:00 am – 3:00 pm	In Person – Augusta
Monday, May 6th	3:30 – 5:00 pm	Virtual
Monday, May 20th	3:30 – 5:00 pm	Virtual
Tuesday, May 28th	3:30 – 5:00 pm	Virtual
Tuesday, June 4th	9:00 am – 3:00 pm	In Person – Augusta
To be determined	3:30 – 5:00 pm	Virtual

For more information as well as updates before and during this process, please visit this link: Climate Education Action Taskforce and Plan | Department of Education (maine.gov)

Celebrating Women in CTE: Meet Welding Student Emma Koch from Rumford

The Maine Department of Education, in collaboration with Career and Technical Education (CTE) schools throughout Maine, is celebrating CTE month this February by highlighting some of the amazing women who have found their path in life through career and technical education. We hope their stories inspire you the way they have inspired us. (Here are the other stories featured in February: Danica Wooster, Madison Jackson, Amanda Baker.)

Emma Koch is currently in her senior year at Mountain Valley High School in Rumford, Maine, and in her second year at Region 9 School of Applied Technology where she participates in the metal trades program. The two-year program combines the hands-on use of machine tools and equipment with different types of welding and fabrication of metals through lab exercises and a variety of projects.

“Originally I wanted to do lathe work and carving but they only had building construction which wasn’t what I was looking for,” explained Koch. Instead, she took a chance with metal trades to try their lathes and precision machining.

“Going into it, I was hoping to become proficient in machining but soon realized that was not for me, so I shifted to the other end of the shop where the welders were,” said Koch.

After a short time in the booth, she realized she had a natural knack and love for stick arc welding, and that love soon spread to TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding.

“It’s been fun to watch Emma become a welder,” said Region 9 Metal Trades Instructor Curtiss Hallock. “It didn’t take long for her to discover that machining was not for her – she was pretty clear about that by lunchtime of her first day of machining. It really validated her innate talent as a welder.”

As the only female in her class, Koch explains that the trades have always been largely dominated by men, making them quite an intimidating environment for women to try and be a part of. Looking past all that, Koch explains that she was actually excited to get into welding because her Pepere was a welder, and both her brothers-in-law knew the craft as well. “I was excited to be able to show them up,” she added.

Koch continues to develop her craft and aspires to continue being a high achiever in her program. “Last year, I passed my flat stick welding test, and I am hoping to pass my vertical test this winter,” she said. Passing this test will give her American Welding Society (AWS) certification.

“She raises the bar for everybody in the shop,” added Hallock. “But many of her natural strengths are the ones that can be hard to learn: focus, determination, and drive. She’s really good at blocking out distractions. She stays with a project until it’s done. She’ll be an outstanding welder if she chooses to pursue that path, but if not those skills will make her successful no matter what she chooses to do.”

As for the future, Koch has yet to figure out exactly what she wants to do but she has a plan to get the process started. “I know I want to go to college,” she said. “I’ll be starting at Central Maine Community College in Auburn next year to play soccer and iron out my future plans.” Koch says she is planning on participating in the upcoming statewide Skills USA competition happening next month in Bangor. This is the first time Region 9 has participated since COVID.

“We are very proud of Emma for being open to trying new experiences which has helped her discover a passion for welding,” said Region 9 Director Brenda Gammon.

When asked what advice she had for current and future CTE students, especially young women, Koch said, “The most important thing is to hold your ground and be open to their advice and help, but don’t let them believe that ‘girly’ stereotype we are given; we are strong, we are powerful, and we can do the trades just as good as anyone.”

A Celebration of Outdoor Learning

(A group photo of the Celebration of Outdoor Learning attendees.)

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) joined Maine environmental education organizations at the State House’s Hall of Flags in celebration of outdoor learning and the release of the 2022 Census of Community-Based Outdoor and Environmental Learning.

Olivia Griset, the Executive Director of the Maine Environmental Education Association (MEEA), helped organize the event with Teach Maine Outside, a collaborative project between MEEA, the Maine Math and science Alliance, and the Nature Based Education Consortium.

“The goal of the event is to really showcase the importance of environmental education and outdoor learning in Maine,” explained Griset. “We wanted to create a space to share our new amazing census report, where we study the field and try to understand what the needs of educators are, as well as just create a space to shout out all of the amazing statewide networks that exist, invite students and teachers to celebrate their hard work to get people learning outside.”

In a crowded room, a group of teenagers speak to two uniformed Maine Game Wardens. — Outdoor Education students connect with Maine Game Wardens at the Celebration of Outdoor Learning.

Students from throughout the state came to connect with their peers, explore the State House, and attend a panel of young professionals in environmental policy. At the panel, students discussed translating their love for nature into tangible actions for meaningful change through advocacy. Students also had an opportunity to share their outdoor education experiences.

Liam Lemire, a sixth grader from Lillian Parks Hussey School in Augusta, reflected on his experience learning about ecosystems at an after school snowshoeing program.

“We learn how one thing in the outdoors connects to everything else, and how if one thing goes away, it will change the whole outdoors,” he said.

After the panel, ten speakers shared their passion for outdoor education. Among the speakers were four Maine DOE representatives. First up from the DOE was Chief Innovation Officer Page Nichols, who expressed her pride in the Maine DOE and Mills Administration’s dedication to outdoor learning. Nichols informed attendees that “the Department of Education has invested nearly $20 million to support the expansion of nature-based programming and climate education. In 2022, with support from a number of other state agencies, we updated the 2011 environmental literacy plan to help advance environmental literacy for Maine students. The updated plan also positions the state to receive federal funding to further support this important work.”

Climate Education Specialist Teddy Lyman spoke after Nichols, thanking the crowd for their attendance, updating them on the success of the Climate Education Personal Development Grant, and announcing a new task force.

“This task force will spend the spring designing the future of climate education for the department over the next four years so we’ll have meetings both in person and virtually. And if you are a partner to education groups, if you are a teacher, if you are a school administrator, and if you are a youth, we would love to have you participate in this task force,” he said. You can click here to complete the taskforce form.

Commissioner Pender Mekin stands at a wooden podium with a white sign that says “Celebration of Outdoor Learning” in green. The Commissioner is speaking and holding her hands up in emphasis. — Maine Department of Education Commissioner Pender Makin speaking at the Celebration of Outdoor Learning.

Following Lyman, Brianne Lolar, a Panawahpskek citizen and the DOE Wabanaki Studies Team Leader, took center stage to illustrate the critical role Maine’s indigenous people play in climate education.

“Wabanaki traditional ways teach us to honor and strengthen our relationships with the environment as well as the people around us,” shared Lolar. “This is not easy work by any means, but together we will be stronger for our use across Wabanaki homelands.”

Lastly, Commissioner Makin used her time at the podium to emphasize the significance of encouraging young people to spend time outdoors.

“There is something qualitatively important about being in nature and just being outdoors. There are neurological impacts of 30 seconds of listening to the sound of birds or nature in general that are so critically needed by all kids,” said Makin.

Learn more about Maine’s Outdoor Learning Opportunities here.

Paid Professional Learning Opportunity Provided by Maine DOE

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is accepting applications from individuals interested in learning more about the competitive grant process. Selected applicants will be trained to serve as peer reviewers who assist the Maine DOE in reviewing, assessing, and scoring competitive grant proposals for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Program. The 21st CCLC program is a federally funded education program that helps schools and communities develop before-school, after-school, and summer educational programs that support students and their families.

This year’s Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 21st CCLC program was released to the public on January 9, 2024, and is available online here. The Maine DOE anticipates receiving proposals from local education agencies, community-based organizations, and other eligible entities seeking awards under this RFP.

Qualifications:

Peer review applicants will be selected based on their experience in providing effective academic support, enrichment, youth development, and related support services for children and youth. The most qualified candidates will be individuals who have experience in the administration of high-quality youth development programs within schools and communities. Examples of the experienced individuals sought include, but are not limited to:

21st CCLC program directors and site coordinators
Teachers and principals
College and university staff
Youth development workers
Community resource providers

Required Tasks:

Selected applicants must be able to participate in online training and review grant proposals through a web-based system. Applicants will work individually to read each assigned proposal and create detailed, objective, constructive, and well-written comments on approximately 10 proposals based on the criteria established in the RFP. These comments will be submitted to the Maine DOE prior to participating in the scheduled consensus scoring sessions. It is anticipated that peer reviewers will have a three (3) week window in which to complete their individual review of assigned proposals. Following the individual review of proposals, each successful applicant will be required to participate in a series of two (2) online/virtual consensus scoring sessions hosted by the Maine DOE. It is during these consensus scoring sessions that the peer review team will score each grant proposal.

Selected applicants must complete the following tasks during the following date(s):

Task	Date(s)	Time(s)
Participate in an online training webinar	April 3, 2024	1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Review grant applications through a web-based system and provide individual, written comments on each application (which must be submitted to the Department)	April 12, 2024 – May 1, 2024	Any Time
Participate in online/virtual consensus scoring sessions with other members of the peer review team (applicants MUST be available on all four scoring days, but will only be selected to participate for two days)	May 6, 2024 – May 7, 2024; or May 8, 2024 – May 9, 2024	9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Compensation for Services:

Selected reviewers who complete the required tasks will be provided an honorarium of $100 per assigned application.

Previous participants have also found that serving as a member of the peer review team is an excellent opportunity for professional development and growth. It is likely that, if selected, applicants will be exposed to new program models, strategies, and practices. These new concepts may provide ideas and support for ongoing work as well as future grant writing efforts. Most importantly, the time given to this effort will help ensure the funding of quality education programs for the children and families of Maine.

How to Apply:

Interested parties must contact Travis Doughty at travis.w.doughty@maine.gov to obtain a copy of the 2024 peer reviewer application and then return the completed application along with a current resume or CV.

Pursuant to Title IV, Part B of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, peer reviewers may not include any applicant, or representative of an applicant, who has or will submit a proposal in response to the current grant competition.

Deadline:

The Maine Department of Education will continue accepting peer reviewer applications through March 14, 2024, or until the needed positions are filled. Interested parties are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Contact:

For more information, contact Title IV State Coordinator, Travis Doughty at travis.w.doughty@maine.gov or 624-6709.

Pre-K for ME, K for ME, and 1st Grade for ME Program Overviews and Summer Training Opportunities

Since 2018, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) has adapted and piloted open-source instructional programs for early elementary grades based on the Boston Public School’s evidence-based Focus Curricula. Pre-K for ME was launched in 2019, K for ME was launched in 2021, and 1st Grade for ME was launched in 2023. 2nd Grade for ME is being piloted in Maine classrooms next year and will be made available for the 2025-2026 school year. These developmentally appropriate learning programs are interdisciplinary and align with Maine’s learning standards. While Maine schools are responsible for the purchase of classroom materials that support the use of these programs, lesson plans, outlines and other supporting documents can be accessed at no cost via the Maine DOE’s website.

An informational overview of the programs will be provided on March 7 from 3:30-4:30. The overview session will be recorded and posted for anyone unable to attend the live session. The overview session will share the basic program structures and review the materials needed to implement the programs. If unfamiliar with the programs, attending the overview (or watching the recording) is highly recommended.

Overview Session on March 7th, 3:30-4:30 – Register here.

Educators/schools/programs interested in utilizing Pre-K for ME, K for ME and/or 1st Grade for ME in the coming year may take advantage of initial trainings scheduled this summer. These trainings are provided at no cost to promote understanding of program design and to support successful program implementation. School administrators are strongly encouraged to attend the trainings with their Pre-K, Kindergarten and/or first grade teachers. Special educators, education technicians, and instructional coaches/curriculum leaders who work with pre-k, kindergarten and first grade teachers are also encouraged to attend. There is no cost to attend summer trainings.

This year’s training opportunities will be held in person from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 2-day trainings are provided for each program.

Pre-K for ME– During the week of 7/29-8/2 (exact dates and location TBD)
K for ME– July 29th and 30th in the Augusta/Waterville area (exact location TBD)
1st Grade for ME– July 31st and August 1st in the Augusta/Waterville area (exact location TBD)

For teachers learning the K for ME and 1st Grade for ME programs, an additional training day will occur on Wednesday, June 26th from 8:30 to 3:30 (location TBD). Registration for these trainings should be completed by principals/educators with one registration on behalf of their school/program per grade. Details about how to prepare for the trainings and the training locations will be provided via email after registrations are received. Registrations for the 2-day training for each instructional program should be received by May 24, 2024.

The Summer Training Registration Link is now open. Please submit a separate response for each grade level in which you are registering educators: Pre-K for ME, K for ME, and/or 1st Grade for ME.

For additional information about Pre-K for ME, contact Marcy.r.Whitcomb@maine.gov and for K for ME and 1st Grade for ME, contact Leeann.Larsen@maine.gov or Nicole.Madore@maine.gov.

Solar Eclipse Resources for Educators

On April 8th, a scientific phenomenon that hasn’t occurred since 1963 will darken the skies. A total solar eclipse will pass over central and northern Maine! To support educators across the state, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) has created a website with solar eclipse resources for the classroom. Don’t be left in the dark; check out these engaging Maine DOE resources for this exciting celestial event.

For more information or support, please get in touch with Erik Wade at erik.wade@maine.gov or Nicole Karod at Nicole.karod@maine.gov.