Category: Newsroom Articles

Due Soon: Staff Certification

Certification of the Staff EPS Counts is due on October 30th. This report is used in the calculation of EPS funding allocations.

Special Education Directors need to Review and Certify the EF-S-05 Part 2 (Special Education Staff Count) BEFORE superintendents can certify overall counts. Superintendents are required to review and certify the Staff Certification report in NEO and submit to the Maine DOE.

Resources:

For questions about data reporting please contact MEDMS.Helpdesk@maine.gov or call 207-624-6896

Certification Open, Due Soon: October 1 Student Counts

Certification of the October 1 Student Count Report opens on October 16th and is due on October 30th. This report is used in the calculation of EPS funding allocations.

Special Education Directors in school administrative units (SAUs) with publicly funded students will need to Review and Certify the EF-S-05 Part 1 (Special Education Child Count) BEFORE superintendents can certify overall counts.

Superintendents in SAUs with publicly funded students are required to review and certify the October 1 Student Count report in NEO and submit it to the Maine DOE.

Resources:

For questions about data reporting please contact MEDMS.Helpdesk@maine.gov or call 207-624-6896

2023 Class of Maine AmeriCorps Volunteers Sworn in During Viles Arboretum Celebration and Service Project

The 2023 class of Maine AmeriCorps members took the pledge to serve as volunteers during a celebration and service project that took place recently at the Viles Arboretum in Augusta.

Maine AmeriCorps members were joined by Volunteer Maine and the Maine Department of Education (DOE) to enjoy breakfast together and be sworn in as AmeriCorps volunteers for the year and beyond.

Maine DOE Associate Commissioner Chelsey Fortin-Trimble, an AmeriCorps alumna and Maine Commission for Community Service board member spoke during the ceremony about the importance of community service and how her lifelong commitment to expanding educational opportunity for children led her to becoming an elementary school educator with Teach for America, an AmeriCorps national service program. Fortin-Trimble thanked outgoing AmeriCorps members for their service and led incoming AmeriCorps members in the AmeriCorps pledge. 

Volunteer Maine Executive Director Maryalice Crofton also addressed volunteers and thanked them for their service during the ceremony and Daniel Zamarron, the Director of Parks and Gardens for the City of Juarez, Mexico was also present for the occasion.

Volunteer Maine Executive Director Maryalice Crofton
Maine DOE Associate Commissioner Chelsey Fortin-Trimble swearing in Maine AmeriCorps members.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of AmeriCorps. In September 1993, former President Bill Clinton helped launch the modern-day AmeriCorps and just one year later, swore in the first class of 20,000 members. Thirty years later, more than 1.25 million AmeriCorps members and hundreds of thousands of AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers have taken the pledge to serve in communities large and small.

AmeriCorps members serve in Maine to gain valuable skills while supporting community organizations in the areas of early childhood education and development, mentorship, environmental conservation, green energy education, expanding access to outdoor recreation, and community resilience, among others. Member benefits include a living allowance and a post-service education award.

Following the ceremony National Service members were led by Harrison Lobb, an Environmental Steward to participate in a service project. Participants helped remove invasive species from the Viles Arboretum property enabling native plants and animals to thrive and enhancing access for visitors.

A local resident and garden enthusiast Jacky Zarate also ended up joining the National Service volunteers after being invited on a whim by a Volunteer Maine staff member who was picking up gloves at a local hardware store to use that day. It’s moments like these that further exemplify the opportunity for service to bring people together.

Volunteer Maine staff members
Harrison Lobb holding up the invasive species the volunteers were helping remove that day.
Volunteer Maine staff members speak with local Jacky Zarate

The Viles Arboretum service project was funded through an Alumni TIES small grant from the U.S. Department of State. The event was organized by Volunteer Maine, the state service commission, which builds capacity and sustainability in Maine’s volunteer sector by funding service programs, developing volunteer managers and service-learning practitioners, raising awareness of the scope and the impact of the volunteer sector, and encouraging an ethic of service. To learn more about Volunteer Maine visit their website: http://volunteermaine.gov/

About AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps, a federal agency, brings people together to tackle the country’s most pressing challenges, through national service and volunteering. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities. AmeriCorps helps make service to others a cornerstone of our national culture. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.

Lewiston Regional Tech Center Hosts 500 CTE Educators and Partners

More than 500 CTE educators and CTE partners came together last Friday at the Lewiston Regional Tech Center to participate in more than 20 CTE and career pathways sessions.

Conference participants were able to collaborate with colleagues from all over the state during these breakout sessions and over lunch. Participants enjoyed a variety of offerings from the culinary arts program’s food trucks.

Over lunch, Kelli Toole, from St. Croix Regional Technical Center, shared her experience as the Student Services Coordinator with Lucille Willey, the Director of Coastal Washington County Institute of Technology. Both agreed that they have found conferences like the MACTE conference immeasurably helpful, as they are able to collaborate, share ideas, and network with other professionals who work in CTEs.

More on the agenda here.

 

Maine DOE Meets with Adult Education Leaders in Lewiston for Annual Directors Meeting

(Pictured Left to Right: Dr. Kayla Sikora, Director of Augusta Adult and Community Education; Daniel Chuhta, Deputy Commissioner at the Maine Department of Education (DOE); Erica Carley Harris, Policy Analyst for the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan; Megan Dichter Maine State Director for Adult Education; Lisa Robertson, Director of York Adult Education; Jeremy Lehan, Director of RSU 54 Adult Education; and Megan Welter,  Associate Commissioner of Public Education at Maine DOE)

The leaders of Maine’s adult education community convened in Lewiston for their annual directors meeting. The meeting brought together key figures in the Maine education landscape, emphasizing the collaborative efforts that drive adult education across the state. Daniel Chuhta, Deputy Commissioner at the Maine Department of Education, and Megan Welter, Associate Commissioner of Public Education were both in attendance, highlighting the State’s commitment to adult education. Erica Carley Harris, Policy Analyst for the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, provided valuable insights into policies that shape adult education initiatives in Maine.

Megan Dichter, the Maine State Director for Adult Education, played a pivotal role in coordinating the event and facilitating productive dialogues among the participants. Dr. Kayla Sikora, Director of Augusta Adult and Community Education and President-Elect of the Maine Adult Education Association (MAEA), Jeremy Lehan, Director of RSU 54 Adult Education, and Lisa Robertson, MAEA President and Director of York Adult Education, attended this significant gathering.

The annual directors meeting served as a platform for sharing best practices, addressing challenges, and charting a course for the continued growth and enhancement of adult education programs in Maine. Participants engaged in thoughtful discussions on program development, funding, and strategies to meet the evolving needs of adult learners.

Professional Learning: The Rural Experience in America Project

Community Civics through Historical Inquiry (K-12 grade educators)

Funded by a grant from the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources program, NCHE is proud to announce a 3-part colloquium for teachers focusing on Rural America. These free professional learning opportunities will help teachers develop place-based interdisciplinary units that connect students to their rural communities.  Additionally, the Maine Department of Education will be hosting a bi-weekly professional learning community to support educators through these NCHE modules.  The PLC will incorporate the work developed by the MDOE interdisciplinary instruction specialists.

The program is designed to:

  • connect teachers with the Library Congress’s collections on rural history and with local rural historical societies so they can situate local history in the larger human experience
  • support teachers in the design and implementation of works of public value that connect rural students to their community’s history
  • engage rural teachers in a deep examination of rural history and the impact of change on children, families, and communities
  • The Right Question Institute will be leading a 4-week session on the Question Formulation Technique (QFT) with a focus on working with rural students

Educators may complete all or part of the 3-part colloquium.

  • Part A – Self-paced online courses:  the Library of Congress’ 6-week module course: Teaching with Primary Sources Basics; the Right Question Institute 4-week module course: Teaching Students to Ask Their Own Primary Source Questions (Dec 1-March 31)
  • Part B – Participate in three online synchronous Saturday professional development sessions led by historians, educational specialists, and master teachers (March 23, April 20, May 11)
  • Part C – Apply for a Summer Colloquium. Teachers and community partners will learn from historians and build civic connections to develop a plan for implementing a public history project in their community.
    • July 24-26 Washington, DC Travel reimbursement available

Register here for these NCHE events.

When you register with NCHE, you will receive a follow-up from the Maine DOE to register into our Maine PLC.

For more information, please contact Jaime Beal, Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist, at  jaime.beal@maine.gov.

Coming Soon! Maine DOE’s New Public School Podcast “What Holds Us Together”

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is excited to launch, “What Holds Us Together,” a new podcast celebrating Maine schools. Each month, Commissioner Pender Makin will highlight the inspiring and amazing things happening in Maine schools through conversations with educators, school staff, and students across our State.

Public education is a precious and profound common good we share. Join us as we explore and celebrate the ways that local schools impact students and build connections with the community around them.

Be on the lookout for our first episode, as Commissioner Makin talks with 2023 Maine Teacher of the Year Matt Bernstein and the newly named 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year Joshua Chard about what they love most about teaching and Maine schools.

Listen to the podcast trailer here:

Subscribe today on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and stay tuned!

Register Now for Alternative Education Association Fall Conference

The Alternative Education Association (AEA) of Maine is excited to announce a Fall Conference on November 9th at the University of Maine Augusta from 9:30 am – 1:30 am with the theme, “Circle Up!”

The AEA Fall Conference will be based on circle discussions at tables with different themes, where you can sit and have conversations with your colleagues about those topics you are most interested in. This is an excellent opportunity for you to network with others who do the unique work we all do in alternative education in Maine.

Details – 

  • Cost: The Fall Conference is $50 and the Spring Conference will once again be $125. You can register for them separately or you can register for both at the discounted cost of $150. (If for some reason you cannot attend the Spring Conference we will reimburse you the $100)
  • Date and Time: November 9th, 9:30-1:30 (Lunch will be provided and is included in the cost)
  • Location: University Maine Augusta, Fireside Lounge in Randall Hall

Click Here for the Registration Form

Click Here for Payment Form  

The AEA of Maine recognizes there is frequent turnover in teachers. If you have an Alternative Educator in your district who would like to be included in Alternative Education news and updates, please forward their name and email address to Lenny Holmes at lholmes@bonnyeagle.org

PUBLIC COMMENT: Rule Chapter 132: Learning Results: Parameters for Essential Education; Science and Social Studies Standards

As part of the scheduled periodic review of the Maine Learning Results, the Maine Department of Education is seeking public comments regarding the proposed revisions to the social studies standards and the science standard in Rule Chapter 132. These comments will inform the continued work of the standards revision teams and are an integral part of the rulemaking process.

This proposed rule revision is part of a periodic review of the Maine Learning Results as required under 6209, subsection 4. The science and social studies standards were last reviewed and revised in 2018.

The rulemaking process began in the summer of 2023 with the science and social studies standards steering committees, which are composed of content area experts who represent the cultural diversity found in Maine and a range of viewpoints as to the content of the standards. These groups met and reviewed all the comments submitted and developed a blueprint for the revision of the state science and social studies standards. Following that process, groups of writing teams, representing prek-12 teachers, met and revised the current standards.

The proposed revisions focus on elements outlined in the Science and Social Studies content areas. No other aspects of the Learning Results were modified in any way.

This process was completed according to Title 5, Section 8051-B regarding consensus-based rule development process.

As required by law, a period of public comment will be open October 11, 2023 through November 14, 2023. Written comments may be submitted to DOE Rulemaking Liaison Laura Cyr, State House Station #23, Augusta, Maine 04333; 207-446-8791 or laura.cyr@maine.gov until 5:00 pm November 14, 2023. For documentation purposes, written comments are preferred.

In addition, a public hearing for the revised social studies and science standards in Rule Chapter 132 will be held in person and virtually on October 30, 2023, from 3:00 pm to 5 pm at the Burton Cross Office Building, located at 111 Sewall Street, Augusta, Maine 04333, Room 600. As space will be limited, participants are encouraged to attend virtually through Zoom, using this link:

Topic: Rule Chapter 132 Public Hearing

Time: Oct 30, 2023 3:00 pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 878 1068 6789
Passcode: 98277489

Timeline for Rulemaking for Rule Chapter 132 – Standards Review, Major Substantive

  • File: October 4, 2023
  • Post: October 11, 2023
  • Comment Period End: November 14, 2023

The revised Rule Chapter 132 Social Studies and Science Standards can be found here.

You may also submit comments via this form. 

CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING (include name, mailing address, telephone, fax, TTY, email):

Laura Cyr, laura.cyr@maine.gov, 446-8791

 

 

 

 

Reminder: RISE Award Nominations Open Through Oct 20. Nominate an Extraordinary School Employee Today!

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) invites students, friends, families, community members, educational organizations or associations, co-workers, and supervisors to nominate school employees for the Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Award. Nominate today by clicking here.

The RISE Award is a federal award, passed by Congress and overseen by the U.S. Department of Education, intended to honor and promote classified school employees who provide exemplary service. Nominees must demonstrate excellence in: work performance; school and community involvement; leadership and commitment; local support (from co-workers, school administrators, community members, etc. who speak to the nominee’s exemplary work); and enhancement of classified school employees’ image in the community and in schools.

A classified school employee is defined as an employee who works in any of the following school roles: ed tech, clerical and administrative services, transportation services, food and nutrition services, custodial and maintenance services, security services, health and student services, technical services, and skilled trades (pre-kindergarten through high school).

The Maine DOE will put forth up to two finalists to the U.S. Department of Education which will select one finalist from across the nation to inspire excellence among classified school employees around the nation.

Last school year’s state finalist was Southern Aroostook Community School Administrative Assistant Elaine Small for the extraordinary contributions she has made to students, educators, and the community. Whether it’s spearheading fundraisers to support students’ post-secondary aspirations, participating in community events, providing support to a variety of staff, or working alongside colleagues to coordinate bus routes, Small makes a huge impact each day on the students and staff around her. Read more about Small here.

The deadline to submit a nomination is October 20, 2023. Nominate today by clicking here. Anyone can nominate!