Category: Newsroom Articles

Upcoming Suicide Prevention Trainings from NAMI Maine

NAMI Maine (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is offering several suicide prevention training opportunities scheduled over the course of the next month that are available to school staff.

If you need any more information regarding any of these training opportunities, please contact Julianne McLaughlin, NAMI Coordinator of Suicide Prevention Programs at mspp@namimaine.org

For more training opportunities with NAMI Maine visit their website: https://www.namimaine.org/events.

For further information and assistance about health education and training in schools, reach out to Maine DOE Health Education & Health Promotion Consultant Susan Berry at susan.berry@maine.gov.

Reminder: BARR Information Sessions Wednesday and Thursday

Join the Maine DOE to learn more about a funding opportunity for Maine schools to become BARR (Building Assets, Reducing Risks) schools. 

Using American Rescue Plan, state reservation funds, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) will cover all costs of implementing the program for schools new to BARR, and all costs of continued implementation support to existing BARR schools. Additionally, the DOE will provide travel reimbursement and educator stipends associated with participation in the program.  Applications are due by May 26, 2023. Click here to apply.

Sign up for an informational session on: 

Wednesday, May 17, 2023 | 4:00 ET | REGISTER 

or  

Thursday, May 18, 2023 | 4:00 ET | REGISTER 

Join Beth Lambert, Acting Chief Innovation Officer and Director of Innovative Teaching and Learning at the Maine DOE to learn more about this opportunity to implement the BARR system in your school(s). We’ll also be joined by Rob Metz and Jennifer Fox from the BARR Center who will provide an overview of BARR and other Maine educators who are excited to share their experiences and the impact it has had on their schools: 

  • Jennifer Mull-Brooks, Principal, Congin Elementary School 
  • Greg Henderson, School Counselor and BARR Coordinator, Mt. Blue High School 
  • Shelly Lajoie, Counselor and BARR Coordinator, Noble High School 
  • Josh Tripp, Principal, Bucksport High School 

You can also read more about the BARR program here.

BARR was developed over 20 years ago by a high school counselor who felt ineffective because more than 40 percent of her 9th grade students were failing at least one core course and were at risk for not graduating on time. She learned from her school’s principal that this was not just her high school’s problem, but it reflected a troubling national trend. Using strategies from the fields of business and medicine, Executive Director Angela Jerabek created the BARR model and implemented it in the fall of 1998. By spring 1999, 9th grade student failure rate had decreased from 44% the previous year to 20%. Teachers worked together and knew each student – not just from an academic perspective, but from a personal perspective – their interests, strengths, hopes, and dreams. 

Careful implementation and evaluation continued for over 20 years, all with the same findings – students passed more classes, pursued more advanced courses, and graduated on time. The focus of BARR is not just for some students, but all students. Teachers reported increased collaboration, satisfaction, and their ability to use data effectively. School culture and climate was improved. Today, BARR operates in over 250 schools throughout the nation and works in all grade levels, K-12, including in dozens of schools here in Maine.   

“There is no question that BARR has had a positive impact on the students and staff at Sacopee Valley Middle School. We are intervening with students earlier, our meetings are more efficient, and most importantly, our relationships are stronger. Honestly, I couldn’t imagine our school without BARR. It is not a flavor of the month intervention — it is now part of our fabric and is here to stay,” said Amy Vacchiano, counselor and BARR Coordinator at Sacopee Valley Middle School. 

The BARR system uses eight interlocking strategies that build intentional relationships (staff to staff, staff to student, and student to student) and utilizes real-time data to enable schools to achieve concrete academic, social, and emotional outcomes for each and every student. To learn more about BARR visit: https://barrcenter.org/about-barr/barr-model/. 

To be eligible, a school must meet one of the following: 

Learn more about BARR at http://www.barrcenter.org. 

New Library Pet Brings Joy and Solace to Old Town Elementary Students

Can guinea pigs make a difference to student engagement and achievement? Well, we haven’t conducted the research yet, but if teacher observation is a strong source of information, the answer is yes.

Michelle Reesman, Old Town Elementary School Librarian, connected with a family because they desperately wanted to donate a guinea pig to the school. With hesitation, Michelle approached the administration about the idea and wondered if the students would enjoy having a school pet to care for. Up until now, the library has a 34-year-old turtle housed in the library space and the students have always enjoyed the turtle over the years. But, let’s face it, turtles are tough to snuggle with.

Adopting a guinea pig was a whole new experience for librarian Michelle Reesman, but her instincts were telling her this could be a good thing for the students and school. The guinea pig was delivered by the family before the April vacation and immediately the school was a buzz with excitement. Mrs. Reesman, the outstanding teacher that she is, found a way to involve all the students with the naming of this sweet guinea pig and hosted an assembly to vote by noise a few days before the April vacation started. The students voted and “Dumbledorable” was named, and he now sits proudly in our school library.

As adults, we tend to shy away from such an undertaking as sheltering or adopting a pet for our schools or classrooms. But, the reaction of our students and staff has been amazing. Mrs. Reesman noted a few remarkable moments since Dumbledorable has arrived at the school. First, a student that is new to the school this year and has only uttered a few words to the librarian, immediately struck up a conversation with Mrs. Reesman about caring for gerbils at her home. Mrs. Reesman was awestruck by the interaction since the child has never even said hello to her during library classes. Other students, struggling with self-regulation have dropped in at the library to watch, observe, and visit with Dumbledorable as part of their daily routine. These students are so amazed by our little friend and want nothing more than to just sit quietly with him. Students with anxiety cuddle him for a few minutes in the morning to start their day with a calm feeling.

When you think one more thing will send us over the edge, think about the power of that one thing and its impact on our students. Connecting with nature and furry friends may be the key to a student’s success—It can be as simple as saying yes to a guinea pig for the library. One lesson we have learned; “Don’t let adult hang-ups get in the way of making good experiences for your students.”

This story was submitted by Old Town Elementary School Principal Jeanna Tuell as part of the Maine Schools Sharing Success Campaign. To submit a story or an idea, email Rachel at rachel.paling@maine.gov.

Application Open for Maine PBIS Training of Trainers and Coaches Microcredential Program

Are you interested in supporting multiple schools, districts or regions in Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) implementation through training and coaching? Then, consider applying to our 2nd round of the Training of Trainers and Coaches Microcredential Program!

Completing this program will provide you with the skills and competencies needed to effectively support district/school teams as they develop positive, proactive, equitable learning environments for their whole community.

Learn more here! Applications close June 15, 2023!

Reach out to Karen Robbie (karen.robbie@maine.edu) or Courtney Angelosante (courtney.angelosante@maine.edu) with any questions you may have.

 

 

Webinar: NEO Home Instruction Module – May 16, 2023

The NEO Home Instruction portal opened as of April 1, 2023 for 2023-2024 forms submission to superintendents. As central offices prepare to manage a new school year of home instruction forms and rosters, we invite superintendents and/or LEA Home Instruction Points of Contact to join the Maine Department of Education Home Instruction Specialist and the Data Team’s Data Quality Trainer for a Home Instruction Webinar on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 10am. This webinar is designed to cover new functionality available with the home instruction portal in NEO, so we will cover the basics briefly, and allow ample time for Q&A. Please see the Webinars and Training section of this newsletter for information about how to join us. Please send this information along to your district’s Home Instruction Point of Contact.

Registration for this webinar is not required. The Join live link below will be active at the date and time of this webinar.

Home Instruction Webinar:

For questions about data reporting webinars please contact Alexandra.Cookson@maine.gov

For questions about the NEO Home Instruction Module please contact Pamela.Ford-Taylor@maine.gov

2023 Summer Symposium on Inclusive Practices for Students with Autism and Developmental Disabilities

Join the Council for Exceptional Children’s (CEC) Division of Autism and Developmental Disabilities (DADD) groups face-to-face at UMaine Orono or join via Zoom on July 21st from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm for a full day of inclusion-building topics in education centered around two strands of learning- 1) access to the curriculum and 2) quality of life. There are multiple ways of joining and learning. Get more information and register HERE now!

Contact hours are available. For more information please reach out to Anica Miller Rushing anica.miller.rushing@maine.edu.

SY 2023-24 Private School Approval Information 

In accordance with 20-A M.R.S. Chapter 117, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) requires all private schools seeking approval for attendance and/or tuition purposes to be approved annually. What follows are updated instructions and reminders of the annual requirements to attain and maintain approval by the Maine DOE. More detailed information can be found on the DOE private school approval webpage. Detailed data entry instructions for the NEO Maine Schools and School Approval submission process may be found here. Schools may reach out to the Help Desk (MEDMS.Helpdesk@maine.gov or 624-6896) to resolve any technical questions or issues with the submission process. Please review the directions below carefully as missed deadlines will impact private school approval and any associated tuition payments.  

Schools new to private school approval (and reminder for continuing schools) 

Private school approval requirements are determined for each specific school according to: 

  • Type of private school: Private school; Special purpose private school; Nontraditional limited purpose private school 
  • Enrollment of publicly funded students (percentage of students tuitioned from a school administrative unit): No publicly funded students; <60% publicly funded students; 60-<85% publicly funded students; 85%+ publicly funded students 
  • Accreditation: NEASC-accredited; not NEASC accredited  

Schools considered “new” are those that were not approved private schools on June 30th of the year of application. The first step for new schools considering application for approval for the upcoming school year is to become familiar with the deadlines and to schedule a conversation with DOE’s school approval consultant, Pamela Ford-Taylor (Pamela.Ford-Taylor@maine.gov or 207-624-6617). Once the school has met with the Ms. Ford-Taylor and details are clear about the type, enrollment population, and accreditation status of the school, the following steps will occur: 

  • As early as May/June, the applicant will email the DOE school approval consultant to formally indicate their intent to apply and request access to the State’s information system, NEO.  
  • DOE Helpdesk, data personnel, and the consultant will work together with the school to establish an organization record and access to the NEO Maine Schools and School Approval module, the NEO Staff module, and the Maine Educator Information System (MEIS). Ongoing training for NEO and MEIS is available by the Helpdesk. A new school may be set up and have access as early as July 1.  
  • On or after July 1, but no later than the September 1 deadline, the private school will access their new record in NEO Maine Schools and School Approval, and after verification/correction of the organization section, will complete the school approval annual report affirmation checkboxes and submit. 
  • DOE will review the submission and respond with any corrections needed. Once the record is complete and correct, DOE will send an acceptance email to confirm next steps (please see summary chart below). At that point the school may enroll students and begin operation on its normal schedule while completing the next steps.  
  • Once the school’s initial NEO submission is accepted, the private school has access to new functionality on the same form: the staff affirmation checkbox and the tuition-receiving form (EF-M-240) required for all schools with an enrollment status other than “No publicly funded students.” At this point, schools that are public tuition receivers should complete the EF-M-240 section, and all schools should review staff certifications in the Maine Educator Information System (MEIS) to ensure there are no violations, and then check the staff affirmation check box to indicate that they have completed the violations check (even if they are still addressing violations).  
  • DOE will continue to communicate and assist with any issues related to school approval, and conduct a final staff check by September 15. A certificate of approval will be issued upon completion of any outstanding items, including but not limited to resolving staff certification violations and the tuition-receiving form (EF-M-240) due by September 1. Full approval means that schools approved for tuition purposes are then placed on the list of tuition receiving private schools which school administrative units use to authorize tuition payments.    

Continuing approved private schools 

Continuing approved private schools are schools that were approved for attendance or tuition purposes on June 30th of the year of application. NEO Maine Schools Update and School Approval for private schools will launch on May 10, 2023, for continuing schools. Private schools seeking 2023-2024 approval that are currently approved must access and submit the Maine Schools Update and School Approval form by July 15, 2022.  

  • Reminder: The NEO School Approval for private schools was combined last year with NEO Maine Schools Update. Likewise, the EF-M-240 form (available and required for those indicating the receipt of publicly-funded students) is included as part of the same online NEO form. The NEO Staff module, a separate NEO module where schools report all staff and which the DOE uses to check staff credentialing, remains unchanged. 

Summary Chart of Private School Approval Steps and Due Dates 

Important Notes 

  • The DOE does not require upload of supplemental documentation during the approval process. Supplemental documentation will be requested if needed.   
  • The private school staff certification list should be reviewed by authorized school administrators early in the summer in order to resolve violations and prepare for the DOE’s September staff certification check. All private schools, new or continuing, seeking approval status must provide updated 2023-2024 staff information in the NEO staff module by September 1. Required certification and criminal history record checks must be current for all staff, teachers, and administrators by this date. The Department will commence the final step of certification checking at this time, and will not approve schools whose NEO public portal record reflects current violations for teaching or non-teaching staff. The Department urges private schools to review instructions well in advance and contact the Help Desk with questions regarding the proper way to enter staff information in the NEO information system.  
  • Any request for approval for the receipt of public funds for tuition purposes will be contingent upon the receipt and acceptance of basic school approval reporting by July 15 (or September 1 for new schools), and the Private School Approval to Receive Public Tuition Funds (also called Form EF-M 240) by September 1. This financial report is available via embedded functionality within the NEO Maine Updates and School Approval form. Access to the EF-M-240 form will be provided after DOE initial review and acceptance of the basic school approval submission for applicable schools. Following submission of the EF-M-240 and validation of the staff check, and upon full approval, schools approved for tuition purposes will appear on the Approved List and Tuition Rates website. Because of the annual State budget process, tuition rates for the school year will not be calculated until December. Until that time, estimated tuition will be used. Please contact  Pamela.Partridge@maine.gov with additional questions regarding tuition calculations. 
  • Private schools receiving public tuition funds are required to complete a variety of annual student and staff reports.  These reports include semi-annual enrollment, quarterly daily attendance/behavior/truancy, graduation, and other. Schools can find the Maine DOE reporting calendar and all pertinent reporting instructions at Yearly ongoing reporting requirements. Please reach out to the Helpdesk for more information or additional assistance. 

Summary of Private School Approval Deadlines 

  • May 10 – July 15: NEO Maine Schools and annual report submission for continuing schools. 
  • July 1 – Sept 1: NEO Maine Schools and annual report submission for new schools. 
  • September 1: NEO Staff update and certification/background updates deadline for all schools. 
  • September 1: EF-M-240 due for schools requesting to be approved to receive publicly funded tuition.  

School Nurses Across the State Receive Workforce Professional Development

The Coordinated School Health Team of the Office of School and Student Supports at the Maine Department of Education is proud to report that as part of the funding from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for COVID-19 Emergency Response, Public Health Crisis Response, Maine Department of Health and Human Services, 103 school nurses from across the State of Maine have received certification in emergency procedures to help strengthen the quality of health services within schools.

Training courses were held in Caribou, Bangor, Waterville, Lewiston, and Portland.  The training focused on recognition, assessment, and acuity of injuries and/or illness.  By developing the current school nurse workforce, we can improve health equity in care across the state.  This supports the CDC Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model, allowing students to reach their highest potential.

A school nurse who attended one of the trainings recently, remarked, “I will have been an RN for 50 years next year (many years as a flight nurse and NICU, PICU, and ICU/CCU nurse) and this “old” person learned several new things yesterday!”

Webinar McKinney-Vento Program 101 – May 30th 3:30 – 4:30 pm

Join MAIER and Maine’s Department of Education’s Amelia Lyons for a webinar on the McKinney-Vento program. This session will provide an overview of the act that allows each state to provide a program to assist students with their rights when they are experiencing unstable housing situations.  Participants will learn about student rights including the rights to immediate school enrollment even when records not present, remaining in the school of origin, if in the student’s best interest, receiving transportation to and from the school of origin, and receiving support for academic success. Amelia Lyons will go over the McKinney-Vento Act, common misconceptions of the program requirements and ways educators and family members can help youth receive these services so that every student can have an opportunity for academic success. Registration is free but required.

When/Where: Online Zoom meeting (link provided once you register). Tuesday, May 30th, 3:30 – 4:30 pm

Come to the webinar (register here) and get your questions asked, but if you miss it, this webinar will be recorded and made available on the MAIER website within a few weeks after the event.

Contact hours are available. For more information please reach out to Anica Miller Rushing anica.miller.rushing@maine.edu.

Maine DOE Announces Funding Opportunity for Maine Public Schools to Become BARR Schools

Applications are now open to all willing and qualified public schools who would like to become a BARR (Building Assets, Reducing Risks) school. Click here to apply. Using American Rescue Plan, state reservation funds, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) will cover all costs of implementing the program for schools new to BARR, and all costs of continued implementation support to existing BARR schools. Additionally, the DOE will provide travel reimbursement and educator stipends associated with participation in the program.  Applications are due by May 26, 2023. 

BARR was developed over 20 years ago by a high school counselor who felt ineffective because more than 40 percent of her 9th grade students were failing at least one core course and were at risk for not graduating on time. She learned from her school’s principal that this was not just her high school’s problem, but it reflected a troubling national trend. Using strategies from the fields of business and medicine, Executive Director Angela Jerabek created the BARR model and implemented it in the fall of 1998. By spring 1999, 9th grade student failure rate had decreased from 44% the previous year to 20%. Teachers worked together and knew each student – not just from an academic perspective, but from a personal perspective – their interests, strengths, hopes, and dreams. 

Careful implementation and evaluation continued for over 20 years, all with the same findings – students passed more classes, pursued more advanced courses, and graduated on time. The focus of BARR is not just for some students, but all students. Teachers reported increased collaboration, satisfaction, and their ability to use data effectively. School culture and climate was improved. Today, BARR operates in over 250 schools throughout the nation and works in all grade levels, K-12, including in dozens of schools here in Maine.   

“There is no question that BARR has had a positive impact on the students and staff at Sacopee Valley Middle School. We are intervening with students earlier, our meetings are more efficient, and most importantly, our relationships are stronger. Honestly, I couldn’t imagine our school without BARR. It is not a flavor of the month intervention — it is now part of our fabric and is here to stay,” said Amy Vacchiano, counselor and BARR Coordinator at Sacopee Valley Middle School. 

The BARR system uses eight interlocking strategies that build intentional relationships (staff to staff, staff to student, and student to student) and utilizes real-time data to enable schools to achieve concrete academic, social, and emotional outcomes for each and every student. To learn more about BARR visit: https://barrcenter.org/about-barr/barr-model/. 

To be eligible, a school must meet one of the following: 

Sign up for an informational session on: 

Wednesday, May 17, 2023 | 4:00 ET | REGISTER 

or  

Thursday, May 18, 2023 | 4:00 ET | REGISTER 

Join Beth Lambert, Acting Chief Innovation Officer and Director of Innovative Teaching and Learning at the Maine DOE to learn more about this opportunity to implement the BARR system in your school(s). We’ll also be joined by Rob Metz and Jennifer Fox from the BARR Center who will provide an overview of BARR and other Maine educators who are excited to share their experiences and the impact it has had on their schools: 

  • Jennifer Mull-Brooks, Principal, Congin Elementary School 
  • Greg Henderson, School Counselor and BARR Coordinator, Mt. Blue High School 
  • Shelly Lajoie, Counselor and BARR Coordinator, Noble High School 
  • Josh Tripp, Principal, Bucksport High School 

Learn more about BARR at http://www.barrcenter.org.