Belfast Area High School ELO Program Sparks Student Interest in Community Jobs

Belfast Area High School in RSU 71 began implementing an Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) program at the beginning of the school year, and so far, they already have 15 students starting out at a variety of places throughout the community – a veterinary hospital, the fire department, a hair salon, the police department, and the county District Attorney’s office to name a few.

For ELO Coordinator Solomon Heifets, this feat has been one of the biggest success stories in and of itself – just getting the program up and running and getting students connected out into the community.

More recently, Heifets and one of his students experienced one of the best things yet when it comes to extended learning opportunities. As part of an internship set up with the local veterinary hospital, Heifets, the student intern, one of the doctors, and the office manager had a check-in meeting.

“I could hardly imagine a more glowing review,” said Heifets. “The doctor and office manager are thrilled about their intern and are going out of their way to provide her with the best learning experiences they can – teaching her surgical techniques, how to do lab work, how to explain things to the pet owners, and how to manage an office. They are even coaching our student as she works on her college applications,” he added. This type of day-to-day work with students and community members is one of the best parts of the job for Heifets.

Another component of Belfast’s ELO Program is a final project that every student completes. The final project applies what students have learned in an authentic way.

“I feel like this is actually helping me figure out what I want to do with my life, and showing me that I have a lot of options,” said ELO student Kara Richards.

Looking toward, Belfast Area High School is planning a college and career fair and expects to have more than 30 presenters attend. Heifets says that many of the career presenters are also interested in recruiting interns and employees, and he is looking forward to the many ways in which the event will help expand their ELO program.

“As more and more students and community members get engaged with this program, I can already see some big project ideas emerging, and I look forward to the positive impact we will make in our community,” said Heifets.

Belfast Area High School and RSU 71 extend a huge thank you to the following local businesses and organizations: Little River Vet, Belfast Fire Department, Belfast Water District, Waldo County District Attorney’s Office, The Penobscot Marine Museum, and all of the people who have opened their doors and hearts to their students.

Anyone interested in hosting a student intern can contact Solomon Heifets at sheifets@rsu71.org or (207)213-7932.

Extended Learning Opportunities (ELOs) are hands-on, credit-bearing courses outside of the traditional classroom with an emphasis on community-based career exploration. These opportunities are personalized for students and help them explore options for their professional lives. They help students engage in learning through instruction, assignments, and experiential learning. The Maine Department of Education (DOE), along with state-wide partner Jobs for Maine Graduates (JMG), have made a concerted effort to provide working models, support, and funding opportunities for Maine schools to set up ELO programs within their school communities. To learn more about Maine’s initiatives with extended learning opportunities, visit: https://www.maine.gov/doe/index.php/learning/elo or reach out to Maine DOE ELO Coordinator Rick Wilson at rick.wilson@maine.gov.

Get to Know the Maine DOE Team: Meet Alissa Mank

Maine DOE Team Member Alissa Mank is being highlighted this week as part of the Get to Know the Maine DOE Team Campaign. Learn a little more about Alissa in the question and answer below.

What are your roles with DOE?

I am a Nutrition Consultant for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). CACFP is a USDA food program that provides reimbursement for healthy meals and snacks served to children and adults in qualifying programs. CACFP serves At-Risk Afterschool Programs, Adult Care Centers, Child Care Centers, Family Daycare Homes, and Emergency Shelters. My role is to support institutions as they operate CACFP in their programs.

What do you like best about your job?

I love going out into the field and seeing the food program in action! Some of the best experiences are seeing little kids try new foods that they might not have the opportunity to try at home, and learning to serve themselves through family style dining. I also love visiting the Adult Care facilities and seeing the passion the staff have for serving their participants comforting and healthy meals. The genuine passion and care that goes into the food programs are phenomenal. Maine has the best Child/Adult Care Providers!!

How or why did you decide on this career?

I graduated college and could not find a position within my degree field. I took a position working in the Child Nutrition Team as an Office Associate and knew immediately I was where I was meant to be. With the encouragement of my supervisor and family I went back to school and got a Bachelors Degree in Nutrition Science! The Nutrition field is fun and always evolving, there is always something new to learn!

What do you like to do outside of work for fun?

My husband and I stay busy with our girls (ages 7 and 10) and all their fun extracurricular activities. We have a garden house and love to process our own vegetables and salsa in the summer months, and I love to snowshoe in the winter with my golden doodle Maggie.

Seeking Presenters for 2nd Annual Educator Summit; Theme is Inspiration, Innovation, and Inclusion

The Maine Department of Education is excited to announce that the 2nd Annual Educator Summit is scheduled for August 7 through August 10, 2023, at the Augusta Civic Center. We are currently seeking presenters from Maine’s education field.

This year’s theme is Inspiration, Innovation, and Inclusion. Knowing that there are many inspirational, innovative, and inclusive practices being performed in our public schools, we have opened the applications to the entire Maine public education workforce. Our intent is to showcase the inspirational, innovative, and inclusive practices being used every day in our schools and use this to inspire other schools.

We will also be accepting applications from the Maine Department of Education staff that are providing support for our Maine teachers and students, and to provide a launching point for continuing support throughout the 2023-2024 school year.

Presenter Application Portal (Applications close on March 3, 2023)

For more information regarding this event please contact Teri Peaslee, 2023 Summit Coordinator at Teri.peaslee@maine.gov or 207-530-7672.

Approval of FY 2023 School Revolving Renovation Fund applications

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) has awarded $15 million in School Revolving Renovation Fund (SRRF) loans to 16 school administrative units (SAUs). The loans will be used to complete 34 health, safety, and compliance projects at 33 schools. The projects include structural roof repairs, indoor air quality improvements, ADA upgrades, hazardous material removal, life safety renovations, and security enhancements. A portion of each loan is considered a grant and is forgiven while the remaining balance of the loan is paid back at a zero percent interest rate.

The complete list of approved projects can be viewed at https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/facilities/srrf.

For additional information about the SRRF program please contact Ann Pinnette at 215-3809 or ann.pinnette@maine.gov.

Save the Date for the 20TH Annual MLTI Student Conference!

The Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) is excited to announce the dates and locations for the 20th annual MLTI Student Conference!

In our continued effort to engage all MLTI students in our annual conference, we’re offering three different options for participation this year. We’re partnering with the University of Maine System, to host two in-person MLTI Student Conferences!

University of Southern Maine’s Portland Campus
Friday, May 12th

University of Maine in Orono
Thursday, May 25th

Virtual MLTI Student Conference
Thursday, May 18th

The virtual conference will provide opportunities for students who may not be able to attend the in-person events. Last year’s classroom-based virtual conference was the largest attended in MLTI history with 55 schools, 5,672 students, and 696 educators participating!

We hope all MLTI schools can join us in their choice of engagement for the 20th annual MLTI Virtual Student Conference!

Please save the date for the 20th MLTI Student Conference and check our website for more announcements coming soon, including a call for proposals, t-shirt design contest, guest announcements, presenters, and session information.

We look forward to seeing all of you at one of our conference locations and sharing an exciting and innovative day with you and MLTI students!

For more information, reach out to the Maine DOE MLTI team.

Warming Center Locations and Resources Available in Response to Extreme Temperatures

Given the frigid and dangerous temperatures expected in the coming days, the Maine Department of Education is sharing information from the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) on Warming Centers and other resources for families and communities.

Warming and Charging Centers operated by local municipalities could open in communities across Maine. Visit MEMA’s website to find a location in or near your community. You may also dial 2-1-1 or visit their website for a list of locations.

Click here for additional resources and information from MEMA on how to prepare for the extreme temperatures and safety tips, including information on preventing and dealing with frozen water pipes.

Families are encouraged to stay tuned to alerts and warnings through media or by downloading the free FEMA app on their smart phone, which provides targeted preparedness information, alerts, and warnings for specific areas. For more information on preparedness, visit and follow MEMA on Facebook or Twitter.

Organizations Needed to Provide Complimentary Meals to Children This Summer

With the assistance of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Maine public schools have long offered a nutritious breakfast and lunch meal program to thousands of income eligible children in Maine during the school year. To extend this program, Maine Department of Education Child Nutrition (Maine DOE) is seeking organizations that would like to participate in the federally funded Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), which provides children healthy, free meals when school is not in session.

“By participating in this program, community groups and organizations can have a tremendous impact on the health and wellbeing of children in their communities,” said Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin. “The Maine Department of Education is thankful to those organizations that join this program to ensure our children get the meals they depend on this summer”

In summer 2022, 119 sponsors were approved to operate 452 Summer meal sites across Maine. Although there are sponsors operating in every county in Maine, there is still a long way to go towards feeding all eligible children during the summer. Community partners are working to maximize the number of sponsors utilizing the availability of funds under the SFSP.

SFSP may be offered statewide in areas or at sites where more than 50 percent of the children are eligible for free or reduced meal benefits under the National School Lunch Program or census track data supports the need. Organizations that provide services in rural communities or near migrant farm workers and tribal populations are urged to participate. Eligible sponsoring organizations include schools, nonprofit residential summer camps, government agencies, and tax-exempt organizations including faith-based organizations.

Maine DOE encourages any eligible organization to consider providing this much-needed service to Maine children. The agency will begin accepting applications to participate in February. Approved sponsors will be reimbursed for eligible meals served to children during the long summer break.

Interested organizations should begin planning now for a successful summer. Potential sponsors are required to receive training from Maine DOE. Training will occur virtually, and DOE staff will assist in the onboarding process. Maine DOE is available to consult by phone and email to answer questions regarding summer meals.

For more information about the Maine DOE’s Summer Food Service Program, contact adriane.ackroyd@maine.gov, call 592-1722 or visit https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/nutrition/programs/sfsp.

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Federal
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

State
The Maine Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, religion, ancestry or national origin.

Complaints of discrimination must be filed at the office of the Maine Human Rights Commission, 51 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0051. If you wish to file a discrimination complaint electronically, visit the Human Rights Commission website at https://www.maine.gov/mhrc/file/instructions and complete an intake questionnaire. Maine is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

NEO and Synergy – State Reporting Training

End-of-year reporting is just around the corner. If you would like to brush up on reporting requirements and/or Synergy and NEO navigation before reporting periods open, now is the best time of year!

The Maine Department of Education Data Team offers training in both NEO and Synergy for anyone looking to further develop their navigation skills of these systems for state reporting purposes. Trainings can be done with new or current users one-on-one, in small groups, or in a group setting for whole districts.

Training is targeted to meet the needs of anyone uploading or entering data into Synergy and/or NEO for Maine State reporting purposes.

Topics include, but are not limited to, data entry, uploads, and report navigation of;

Daily Attendance
Enrollment
Truancy
Staff
Special Education
Bullying

Trainings can be held virtually or in person at the preference of the district and/or user, and typically run for 1 hour. More time can be provided as needed.

For more information or to sign up for training please contact: AlLee Cookson, Maine DOE Data Quality Trainer Alexandra.Cookson@maine.gov or 207-446-3897, or submit an Onboard Training Registration online survey.

Maine’s National Board Certified Teachers Honored in Virtual Pinning Ceremony

“National Board taught and reminded me of the importance of being a beginner. At first, I thought it was about achievement, but it became very apparent not too long into the process that being a beginner is something to embrace,” said keynote speaker Sarah Brown Wessling, National Board Certified Teacher and 2010 National Teacher of the Year. She added, “National Board puts the focus on the process of learning, we learn how our students learn. That is the thing that is so beautiful about this process. Once we understand the how and the why, it makes us stronger teachers and colleagues.”

On January 26th, twenty Maine educators were celebrated for being newly certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards during Team National Board Certified Teaching (NBCT) week. These outstanding educators join a growing network of teachers across the State who have undergone this highly reflective professional learning experience, including 61 of their colleagues who were recognized for National Board Certification renewal.

The pinning ceremony was hosted by the Maine Education Association (MEA) and the National Board Certified Teachers Network of Maine (NBCTs of Maine). Among those in attendance to celebrate were family members, colleagues, administrators, fellow NBCT’s, state legislators, and Maine Department of Education staff. Words of congratulations were shared by Maine’s Department of Education Deputy Commissioner Daniel Chuhta; MEA President and NBCT Grace Leavitt; NBCTs of Maine Chair and NBCT, Heidi Goodwin; National Board Certified Teachers Network of Maine Chair and NBCT Matt Madore; and Keynote Speaker Sarah Brown Wessling.

The journey to National Board Certification, described by Maine educators as rigorous, deeply reflective, personally reassuring, and professionally rewarding, requires nearly 400 hours of time and effort to achieve. Educators must submit a detailed portfolio that includes examples of student work, video recordings of classroom teaching, a reflection piece focused on student assessment and learning, and demonstrated mastery of the content of their chosen certification area. This evidence must meet the Five Core Propositions and the National Board Standards, a body of knowledge that is maintained by teachers. Practicing teachers, through a peer-review process, assess the portfolios.

“Attaining National Board Certification not only demonstrates that you are an accomplished teacher but also that you have a deep commitment to teaching and learning and, most importantly, to the students you work with and support in reaching their potential. It is really a huge achievement,” said Grace Leavitt.

NBCT’s and Professional Learning Facilitators Heidi Goodwin and Jennifer Dorman led this year’s pinning ceremony. Attendees each had the opportunity to introduce themselves and be “pinned” by a family member or friend at home.

In pursuing and achieving National Board Certification, the following teachers have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to their students, schools, and districts. Please join us in congratulating them!

New National Board Certified Teachers:

Name	School/SAU	NB Certificate Achieved
Julie Bradstreet	James H Bean School, RSU 18	Generalist/Early Childhood
Matthew Buchwalder	Lincoln Academy	Science/Early Adolescence
Larissa Costello	Dike-Newell School, RSU 1	Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
Lindsey Davis	Leroy H Smith Elementary School, RSU 22	Generalist/Early Childhood
Dawn Dickey	Madison Elementary School, MSAD 59	Generalist/Early Childhood
Beth French	Kermit Nickerson School, RSU 71	Generalist/Early Childhood
Nesrene Griffin	Connors Elementary, Lewiston Public Schools	Generalist/Middle Childhood
Emily Hachey	Benton Elementary School, MSAD 49	Generalist/Middle Childhood
Dorothy Dawson Hall	George B Weatherbee School, RSU 22	Generalist/Middle Childhood
Alison Hinson	(Formerly) Bonny Eagle, MSAD 6	Career and Technical Education/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood
Jennifer Howes	Connors Elementary, Lewiston Public Schools	Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood
Sarah Latzke	Connors Elementary, Lewiston Public Schools	English as a New Language/Early and Middle Childhood
Kimberly Mitchell	Hampden Academy, RSU 22	Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
Amber Richard	Portland Arts and Technology High School, Portland Public Schools	Career and Technical Education/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood
Stephanie Robison	Frank H Harrison Middle School, Yarmouth School Department	English Language Arts/Early Adolescence
Robin Seeker	Falmouth Elementary School, Falmouth Public Schools	Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
Kristin Smythe	Thornton Academy	Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
Amanda Van Tine	Ellsworth High School, Ellsworth School Department	Social Studies-History/Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Sarah Wishart-Rogers	Benton Elementary School, MSAD 49	Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood
Haley Wotton	Thomaston Grammar School, RSU 13	Generalist/Early Childhood

National Board Certified Teachers who achieved “Maintenance of Certification”

Name	National Board Certificate Maintained
Leslie Applebaum	English Language Arts/Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Ryan Avery	Science/Early Adolescence
Emily Barriault	English as a New Language/Early and Middle Childhood
Jennifer Briggs	Science/Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Rebekah Brockway	Generalist/Middle Childhood
Ashley Bryant	English Language Arts/Early Adolescence
Peggy Callahan	English as a New Language/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood
Courtney Cole	Generalist/Early Childhood
Andrea Cram	Mathematics/Early Adolescence
Debra Demos	Generalist/Early Childhood
Robbin Dilley	Science/Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Jennifer Dorman	English Language Arts/Early Adolescence
Louis Dorogi	Social Studies-History/Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Katie Dutil	Generalist/Early Childhood
Joseph Feeney	Social Studies-History/Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Stephanie Fogler	Generalist/Early Childhood
Patricia Forster	English Language Arts/Early Adolescence
Leslie Gallant	Generalist/Early Childhood
Heather Geoghan	Physical Education/Early and Middle Childhood
Julia Gibson	Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
Kelley Goodfield	Library Media/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
Heidi Goodwin	Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood
Mark Gorey	English Language Arts/Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Melissa Guerrette	Generalist/Middle Childhood
Elizabeth Hayden	Mathematics/Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Nell Herrmann	Science/Early Adolescence
Holly Houston	Art/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood
Hillary (Hoyt) Bellefleur	Generalist/Middle Childhood
Jason Kash	Social Studies-History/Early Adolescence
Johna King	Generalist/Early Childhood
Marcella Lessard	Career and Technical Education/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood
Abigail Luchies	Library Media/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
Jeanne Lysobey	Science/Early Adolescence
Rebecca Maiorano	English as a New Language/Early and Middle Childhood
Megan Markgren	Generalist/Middle Childhood
Georgianna McAllister	Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood
Ryan Middleswart	English Language Arts/Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Luanne Mudgett	Mathematics/Early Adolescence
Mary Murphy	Science/Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Jennifer Noel	Generalist/Early Childhood
Kelly O’Brien Weaver	School Counseling/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
Jenine Olson	English Language Arts/Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Dawn Pendergrass	English Language Arts/Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Laura Phelps	Library Media/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
Jill Plourd	Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
Cherie Poole	Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood
Megan Praschak	Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
Jamie Purnell	Science/Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Christina Rich	Generalist/Early Childhood
Shelly Richardson	Mathematics/Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Jaci Ritter	Mathematics/Early Adolescence
Diane Rodrigue	Career and Technical Education/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood
Patricia Scully	Generalist/Early Childhood
Michelle Smith	Science/Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Justin Stygles	Generalist/Middle Childhood
Melissa Sylvester	Art/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood
Theodore Taylor	Science/Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Shawn Towle	Mathematics/Early Adolescence
Amy Vacchiano	School Counseling/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
Rita Vigneault	Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
Lisa Walker	Mathematics/Adolescence and Young Adulthood

National Board certification is voluntary and open to all teachers who have at least three years of classroom experience and a bachelor’s degree. Certification is available in a variety of certificate areas, from preschool through 12th grade.

Maine offers an annual salary supplement for eligible educators who have achieved National Board Certification. Scholarships are also administered through the Department of Education. More information can be found by visiting the DOE’s National Board webpage.

Contact information for National Board Certification in Maine:

NBCTS of Maine:

Heidi Goodwin: nbct.heidi@gmail.com

Jennifer Dorman: jdorman@msad54.org

Maine Education Association:

Mallory Cook: mcook@maineea.org

Maine Department of Education:

Emily Doughty: Emily.doughty@maine.gov

Education Commissioner Pender Makin Kicks Off Annual Read to ME Challenge by Reading to Sanford Pre-K Students

Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin kicked off the state’s Read to ME Challenge at Sanford Regional Technical Center by reading If Only… to a group of spirited pre-k students. This is the eighth year that the Maine Department of Education is collaborating with schools, parents and communities on this month-long public awareness campaign to promote the importance of literacy for all of Maine’s students, regardless of age. You can watch video of Makin kicking off the challenge here.

The Read to ME Challenge encourages adults to read to children for 15 minutes, capture that moment via a photo or a video, and then post it to social media and challenge others to do the same using the hashtag #ReadtoME.

Makin also spent time talking with students who are part of Sanford Regional Technical Center’s early childhood education program. Students in the program split their time between their own classroom and interacting with children in the pre-k classroom. Sanford was also able to expand to full day pre-k this year after receiving a grant through the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan.

“The Read to ME Challenge is about creating a love of reading with children and promoting literacy across our state—and it’s fun,” said Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin. “Not only did I get to read to an amazing group of pre-k students today, but I had the wonderful opportunity to talk with high school students who are working hard to become future educators through this amazing early childhood education program at Sanford Regional Technical Center.”

The simple act of reading aloud to a child 15 minutes a day for five years results in 27,375 minutes of language exposure, which can put children on the path to high literacy achievement and helps them build knowledge and vocabulary. Research demonstrates a number of benefits to reading to children, from birth through their childhoods and even teenage years, including modeling reading as an enjoyable lifelong activity, stimulating brain development, reducing stress and anxiety, building knowledge of the world, and helping develop the skills necessary to succeed in their lives.

Schools and community organizations can find a toolkit and resources on the Department of Education website and the Department will be sharing videos, photos, and updates from the challenge all month long on social media.

Participants in the challenge are reminded to use the hashtag #ReadtoME and to tag the Maine DOE at @mdoenews on Twitter, @MaineDepartmentofEducation1 on Facebook, and @mainedepted on Instagram.

See who Commissioner Makin Challenged!