MEDIA RELEASE: Education Commissioner Pender Makin Serves Lunch, Helps Teachers and School Staff at Windham High School

Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin spent the day at Windham High School, helping educators and school staff and elevating the need for additional substitutes and volunteers in Maine schools. Makin served lunch to students, visited an art class, met with educators and administrators, and spent time with teachers and students in the Katahdin Program, which provides alternative education programming for students.

“I’m so in awe of what is happening in our schools. We’re here today to shine a light on the amazing work being done by the educators, school staff, and students in our public schools and to call attention to the need for communities to support schools by volunteering and substituting,” said Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin.

When asked why people should substitute, Makin replied, “You get to make your own hours, you have the opportunity to be with the most magnificent young people, and you get to learn so much. Education is a symbiotic process—you can’t help but grow your own brain while you’re helping children learn.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated staff shortages and created a greater need for substitutes and volunteers across the state. Last month, Makin helped fill teacher and staff shortages at Readfield Elementary School. While at Readfield, Makin helped students with their math skills, worked with 1st grade students to create glossaries for books they were working on, helped students in the Readiness Skills Program, and served on lunch duty.

Photos from the day will be posted on the Maine Department of Education’s Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts.

Filing of Second Proposed Chapter 33: Rules Governing Restraint and Seclusion (Targeted Rulemaking)

As the result of the Public Law 2021, Chapter 453, statutory changes were made regarding restraint and seclusion, which is necessitating revisions to the Chapter 33 rules. Following the review of all the comments received during the first comment period for the Chapter 33 Rule Governing Physical Restraint and Seclusion, the Department determined that three substantial changes needed to be made in definitions contained in the rule. Therefore, the Department is opening a second comment period for targeted rulemaking, limited to proposed definitions for the terms “protective physical interventions” and “voluntary” and a refined definition for “serious physical injury.”

There are margin comments that serve as reference flags for the three definition changes.

Timeline for Chapter 33 Rulemaking Second Comment Period

Filed: January 23, 2022
Posted: February 2, 2022
Comment Period End: March 4, 2022

The proposed rule changes to Chapter 33 can be found here: https://www.maine.gov/doe/about/laws/rulechanges

Please submit comments to the following: https://forms.office.com/g/a1sMNmBGAF

You may alternatively send your comments via email to: w.bear.shea@maine.gov . Please use the subject line: “Chapter 33 public comment.”

MEDIA RELEASE: Organizations Needed to Provide Free 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 (DOE) Child Nutrition is seeking organizations who 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.

“For many children, their school provides the only reliable, nutritious meal that they can count on and we need to make sure those meals are there for Maine children during the summer break,” said Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin. “By participating in this program, community groups and organizations can have a tremendous impact on the health and well-being of children in their communities. The Department of Education is thankful for those organizations that continue to be a part of this vital summer program and we welcome those joining this year to extend our reach and help feed additional children in Maine.”

In July 2021, 131 sponsors participated in the program, serving meals at 861 sites throughout the state. 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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Disclosures
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.

Students Celebrate Passamaquoddy Language and Culture Through Food – A Feature by the Maine Migrant Education Program

The Maine Department of Education’s Migrant Education Program contracts with the nonprofit Mano en Mano to identify and support migratory students. Mano en Mano works with farmworkers and immigrants to thrive in Maine, and recently shared a story about how Migrant Education students celebrated Passamaquoddy language and culture through food. Check out this wonderful story and many others on their website.

Opan Opu Oponok (Bread in the Oven)

This winter, regional coordinators of the Migrant Education Program (MEP) have been working alongside families and students statewide to provide educational support as well as culturally relevant enrichment activities.

One of the most recent activities was planned and run by James Mendoza, regional coordinator for Eastern Washington County. He collaborated with teachers and staff at Indian Township School to celebrate Passamaquoddy language and culture through food!

Read the full story

For more information about Mano en Maino, visit their website. For more information and resources regarding Migrant Education in Maine, contact Amelia Lyons at Amelia.Lyons@maine.gov.

Maine Students Selected for United States Senate Youth Program

The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) has announces that high school students Ms. Eleanore Jean Allan-Rahill and Ms. Fallon Maria Eggett will join Senator Susan M. Collins and Senator Angus S. King in representing Maine during the 60th annual USSYP Washington Week, to be held March 6 – 9, 2022.

Eleanore Allan-Rahill of Orono and Fallon Eggett of Veazie were selected from among the state’s top student leaders to be part of the 104 member national student delegation who will each also receive a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate study.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the 2022 program will be held online, through a comprehensive and highly interactive virtual education and leadership forum.

The USSYP was created by Senate Resolution 324 in 1962 and has been sponsored by the Senate and fully funded by The Hearst Foundations since inception. Originally proposed by Senators Kuchel, Mansfield, Dirksen and Humphrey, the Senate leadership of the day, the impetus for the program as stated in Senate testimony is “to increase young Americans’ understanding of the interrelationships of the three branches of government, learn the caliber and responsibilities of federally elected and appointed officials, and emphasize the vital importance of democratic decision making not only for America but for people around the world.”

Each year, this extremely competitive program provides the most outstanding high school students – two from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity – with an intensive week-long study of the federal government and the people who lead it. The overall mission of the program is to help instill within each class of USSYP student delegates more profound knowledge of the American political process and a lifelong commitment to public service.

In addition to the program week, The Hearst Foundations provide each student with a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship with encouragement to continue coursework in government, history, and public affairs. All expenses for Washington Week are also provided by The Hearst Foundations; as stipulated in S.Res.324, no government funds are utilized.

Ella Allan-Rahill — Educator Shanna Goodall and Maine DOE Social Studies Specialist Joe Schmidt posing with Eleanore after giving her the news of her selection.

Eleanore Allan-Rahill, a senior at Orono High School, serves as the secretary of the Junior Board for the Maine chapter of Children’s International Summer Villages (CISV). She counts CISV as one of the most impactful organizations in her life and has held various local leadership roles and has attended national and international conferences through the organization. She was selected to represent her school at the Hugh O’Brian Maine Youth Leadership Seminar and New England Student Leadership Conference. She was the captain of her soccer team and is involved with other sports alongside the Gender Sexuality Alliance, Spanish Club, National Honor Society, Student Council, Spanish National Honor Society, Book Club, and mentoring younger students at her school through the “Riot Buddies” program. Eleanore has also received the Grade 10 English award, the National Bronze Award for Spanish achievement, and the Maine Youth Environmental Leader Scholarship to attend Maine Coast Semester at Chewonki.

Fallon Eggett, a senior at Bangor High School, serves as a representative on the Class Council. She holds leadership positions in Rho Kappa, the national Social Studies honor society, and Debate. She prides herself on engaging actively as the Bangor Junior ROTC executive officer and drill team commander, earning awards for her work within those ranks, such as the JROTC Superior Cadet award in grades 9-11, and the JROTC Order of the Daedalians award. She has been recognized as a National Merit Scholar semifinalist, and with the Speaking and Service Award from the National Speech and Debate Association. Fallon counts participation in the debate, drill, rifle, and lacrosse teams, and the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute among her valued affiliations.

Chosen as alternates to the 2022 program were Mr. Max Provencher, a resident of Prospect, who attends Searsport District High School and Ms. Stephanie Clisham, a resident of Winterport, who attends Hampden Academy.

Delegates and alternates are selected by the state departments of education nationwide and the District of Columbia and Department of Defense Education Activity, after nomination by teachers and principals. The chief state school officer for each jurisdiction confirms the final selection.

During the program week, the student delegates will attend online meetings and briefings with senators, the president, a justice of the Supreme Court, leaders of cabinet agencies, among others.

For more information please visit: www.ussenateyouth.org.

Apply for the Maine Seal of Biliteracy

Maine students are multilingual! The Maine Seal of Biliteracy is an award that celebrates the linguistic diversity and language-learning accomplishments of graduating students across the state. Students can earn the Seal of Biliteracy by demonstrating a high degree of skill in English and at least one other language.

See the website for details about eligibility criteria, language assessment options, and the online application: https://www.maine.gov/doe/learning/content/world-language/biliteracy

Applications are due by 5/15/22*. If you have any questions, please contact April Perkins at april.perkins@maine.gov.

*Students whose AP or IB exam scores are not available by May 15th can apply through 7/15/22.

Carrabec Community School P.E. Class Individualizes Learning Through New Heart Rate Monitors

Physical Education at Carrabec Community School looks more colorful as students’ wrists glow with a mix of blue, yellow, and red. The glow comes from the new heart rate monitors that students are using as part of Heidi Day’s Physical Education class. The monitors use colors to indicate students’ heart rates as they play and learn through Physical Education.

“The goal in this process is to make the learning personal and relevant to each individual. This system should help the students make the connection between the perceived rate of exertion and their heart’s ability to adjust to the intensity they are putting forth,” said Heidi.

Students have learned the drill. They come to class, get their assigned heart rate monitors, log them in by holding them on a scanner attached to Heidi’s computer, and keep an eye on the color. As students exercise, their heart rate data is saved on the monitor. Once the class is over, students put their monitors back on the scanner to upload their heart rate data. An e-mail is sent to them and their parent/guardian with the amount of time they spend in blue, resting heart rate, yellow, target heart rate, and red, max heart rate. Students then use a spreadsheet on their laptops to record the number of minutes in each category.

“Students will set appropriate personal goals and work weekly to achieve those standards. The spreadsheet allows tracking that averages the time the student has spent in the resting, target, and max heart rate zones. This process becomes a means of self-assessment for my students, making their experience in physical education personal and success achievable,” Heidi explained.

The heart rate monitors are working well, and students are excited by what color their monitor is, but Heidi has worked hard for that excitement. Last year Heidi attempted to integrate the monitors, but found the process overwhelming.

Heidi explained, “I love technology. However, I am limited in my skill set as well as my patience when trying to implement something new. I feel like it takes me three times longer than it should, and I get so frustrated I tend to avoid the trouble altogether.” But through perseverance and help from the MLTI 2.0 ambassador program, Heidi has found success.

“Honestly, without [the Ambassador’s] help, I don’t believe I would have been able to implement this addition to my class. He has been there to troubleshoot through the challenges, making changes and adjustments as necessary, allowing me to still focus on my students. Ask for help!  I’m so glad I did!  I am excited to have this new process in place, but I know with all the daily tasks I have to complete, there would be little chance of me learning it all on my own and implementing it without support!”

This story was written and coordinated by MLTI Ambassador Erik Wade as part of the Maine Schools Sharing the Success Campaign. To learn more, or to submit a story or an idea for a story, email rachel.paling@maine.gov.

New Professional Learning Series: Welcome to Public School ~ Building High-Quality Kindergarten Transitions

The Maine Department of Education’s Early Learning Team, in conjunction with the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet and the Office of Child and Family Services, is pleased to announce a new professional learning opportunity: Welcome to Public School – Building High-Quality Transitions to Kindergarten. Recognizing the significant milestone that transition to kindergarten is for children and families, this series explores strategies for positively engaging children, families, caregivers, educators, and community providers in the process, including ideas for building transition teams and plans. School administrators and educators who support this critical period in children’s lives are encouraged to register for the series, preferably as teams to learn together. This 4-part series will be held over Zoom, on the dates listed below:

Module 1: An Overview of Kindergarten Transitions, March 10th, 3:30-4:30
Module 2: Student and Family Engagement: Thursday, March 17th, 3:30 -4:30
Module 3: Engaging with Your Community: Thursday, March 24th, 3:30-4:30
Module 4: Being School Ready-Building Transition Teams and Plans: Thursday, March 31st, 3:30-4:30

Please register for this 4-part series through this link. Participants are encouraged to participate in teams inclusive of those who support and partner in leading kindergarten transition planning and activities within their communities. This can include, but is not limited to, School Administrative Unit administration, teaching staff, community preschool and childcare providers, and parents/caregivers

In conjunction with this learning series, the Kindergarten Transition webpages have been enhanced. These pages contain valuable resources for both parents & caregivers and educators & providers. The professional learning modules featured in this series will be available through this website and will include a facilitator guide to support use of the module content.

For more information, please contact Marcy Whitcomb, Early Childhood Program Monitor at marcy.r.whitcomb@maine.gov.

Maine DOE Welcomes Health Care Professionals Serving on School Public Health Response Team

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) has welcomed a team of health care professionals as part of the Maine Department of Education School Public Health Response Team. The School Public Health Response Team has been in the making since the start of the school year and serves as the point of contact that schools reach out to for the most current information and resources related to COVID-19. The newer members of the School Public Health Response Team join School Nurse Consultant, Emily Poland and School Public Health Response Coordinator, Nancy Dube who have been coordinating COVID-19 health response efforts between the Maine Department of Education and the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Maine schools during the pandemic.

Each region has been assigned a School Public Health Liaison from the team whose primary goal is to assist schools in the region with all coordination, planning, questions, and collaboration related to COVID-19. More specifically the School Public Health Liaisons will serve as a resource for pooled testing questions, including registration, and support, BinaxNOW testing follow-up testing procedures, and connecting with health partners to set up COVID-19 vaccine clinics for age appropriate students and staff. In addition, the liaison can work with school staff through positive COVID-19 case questions.

Sandra (Sandy) Lauzier
School Public Health Regional Liaison

Sandy has lived in Saco most of her life. She has been a Registered Nurse (RN) for 49 years and recently retired after 38 years serving as a school nurse where she was a school district team leader and advocated tirelessly for a better student to nurse ratio. Outside of work, family time is the most important to Sandy. She enjoys a tradition of family dinner night every week with her kids and grandchildren. She also likes to spend time with her husband walking and biking and visiting their favorite places.

Martha Israel, MEd RN NBCSN
School Public Health Regional Liaison

Martha began her school nursing career in 1988 at Student Health Services at the University of Southern Maine (USM). She moved to Vermont in 1995 and worked as a school nurse for 24 years. Martha has also worked part time as a psychiatric nurse since 1986 when she worked at AMHI. She recently moved back to Maine to be closer to family. In her free time she is working on restoring the gardens in her new home and spending as much time as she can exploring the coastal coves with her dog Greta.

Johanna Peterson, BSN
School Public Health Specialist

Johanna lives in the Belfast area and is happy to be starting her new role on the Maine Department of Education’s School Public Health Team! She joined the Department after doing school close contact tracing last year. In the past she has worked in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), as a school nurse, and in healthcare information technology. In her spare time, she keeps busy on her mini farm and chasing her children around for their various activities.

Cristie Barone
School Public Health Specialist

Originally from Florida, Cristie has also lived in New York and Massachusetts but considers New Gloucester, Maine her home. She has worked as a school nurse for most of her career and feels very privileged to be working with the School Public Health Response Team at the Maine Department of Education. Cristie enjoys playing the piano and talking with friends. Her first choice for any free time is to spend it with family, whether it is participating in water and outdoor activities, playing cards, going out to eat, riding the motorcycle with her husband, or watching a movie.

Elaine Ouellette
School Public Health Regional Liaison

Elaine is from Van Buren in Aroostook County and has lived in that area most of her life. She is now a snow bird and lives in Summerfield, Florida in the winter, enjoying the warm Florida sunshine during Maine’s cold winter months. Before taking this position, Elaine was retired after serving as a School Nurse for nearly 25 years in Van Buren and working part time as a physician assistant for a local medical provider.  She has worked in the Emergency Room, Operating Room, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and on the Medical/ Surgical Floor in her local hospitals, and worked in a local Family Practice Office seeing patients for nearly 20 years. In her spare time, she is a quilter and a crafter and enjoys gardening, baking, cardmaking, oil and acrylic painting, and scrapbooking.

Susan Accardi, RN
School Public Health Regional Liaison

Susan is a retired school nurse having worked for the Windham Raymond School Department for 25 plus years. She has lived in Raymond for 40 years, raised her two children there, and now her grandson is attending Raymond Elementary school as well. Up until taking the position with the Maine Department of Education she served the school as a substitute nurse. Susan is grateful to join this incredible team of nurses to help fellow school nurses who are out in the field doing incredible work.

Beckie Geagan
School Public Health Regional Liaison

Beckie been a nurse for many years, serving most recently as a member of the Maine DOE Contact Tracing Team, and prior to that as the School Nurse at MCI (Maine Central Institute) in Pittsfield for 18 years. A native of New York City, Beckie has lived in Maine for 24 years (thanks to her husband Frank, who is a Mainer through and through) and prides herself on having two beautiful and amazing states she can call home. Beckie is so glad to be able to help the school nurses of Maine as they work ceaselessly to take care of school children, schools, and families.

Debra St. Amand
School Public Health Administrative Assistant

Debra was born and raised in Maine, calling Windsor her home for the past 30 plus years. She has provided administrative assistance and support to organizations in Augusta and surrounding areas, with the most recent being the State of Maine’s Department of Public Safety. Debra is looking forward to supporting this amazing team of nurses. In her spare time, she enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren.

Nancy J. Cooley, FNP-BC, MSN
School Public Health Specialist

Nancy lives in Vassalboro with her husband and four dogs. She has a master’s in parent child health nursing and nursing education. Nancy spent many years on the faculty of the nursing education program at the University of Maine at Augusta and as the director of the program. She is a Family Nurse practitioner and has worked in family practice, which she continues on a per diem basis. Her nursing career also included home health nursing, school nursing, and participating on medical trips to the Dominican Republic. She came to the DOE as a contract tracer last year, moved to the CDC as a Covid Investigator, and has returned to the DOE to be part of the School Public Health Response Team. She is glad to work with this team and support the nurses in our schools. She enjoys quilting, knitting, hiking, and kayaking, as well as spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren.

Fleur Vining, BSN/RN
School Public Health Regional Liaison

Fleur was born and raised in Maine, and also spent many years in Northwestern Connecticut, before returning to Maine. She has worked as a school nurse for most of her career. She joined the Maine DOE contact tracing team in the fall of 2020, before assuming her role of regional liaison. Fleur enjoys spending time at her lake house with her husband and two wonderful children.

Lori Huot, BSN
School Public Health Regional Liaison

Lori was born in Maine and though she traveled with her husband, they both found that Maine is where they want to be, with family. Lori’s 14 years of nursing experience has been diverse, ranging from surgical nursing, ambulatory care, and hematology/oncology. For the last 6 years she has been in her most prized role, school nursing. Lori is excited to join the team, hoping to bring some aid and relief to the nurses working tirelessly for our communities. In her free time, she adores being a dedicated hockey mom for her two boys, practicing art, and spending time with family at the cottage on the lake.

Neeburbunn Lewis, RN/MSN
School Public Health Regional Liaison

Neeburbunn was born and raised in Maine. Prior to nursing, Neeburbunn earned her BS and MSN in Kinesiology. She spent several years working as a Wellness Coach, Personal Trainer and Group Exercise instructor. She spent many years as a specialized Pilates instructor. Her interest in science and health guided her into nursing and she has many years of experience as a cardiac nurse. She started out with cardiac rehab, then worked on a Cardiac/Telemetry unit and then became a Specialty RN in Electrophysiology. She enjoys educating patients and working on individual care plans that include exercise, diet, and health goals. Neeburbunn is engaged in an active lifestyle with her family. She enjoys all outside activities!

Lorimer (Elsa) Hemingway, RN
School Public Health Regional Liaison

Originally from Newton, Massachusetts, Elsa moved to Maine in 1999, attending New England Baptist School of Nursing and Emmanuel College and graduated with a BSN. She has been a nurse for 31 years with experience in pediatrics, geriatrics, plastic surgery, and phone triage nursing. Elsa really enjoys being part of an amazing team of nurses that are able to help other nurses, schools, staff, and everyone involved maneuver through this pandemic and be a support system for others.

Commissioner of Education Pender Makin Kicks Off Read to ME Challenge at Solon Elementary School

Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin kicked off the state’s Read to ME Challenge at Solon Elementary School today by reading Mel Fell to Mrs. Currie’s second grade class. This is the seventh year that the Maine Department of Education is collaborating with community organizations and schools on this month-long public awareness campaign to promote the importance of literacy for all of Maine’s students, regardless of age.

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. The Department of Education will be highlighting Read to ME Challenge events throughout the month, including with Deputy Commissioner Dan Chuhta and Maine Department of Inland Wildlife and Fisheries Commissioner Judy Camuso.

“Read to ME is a simple yet powerful challenge that promotes literacy and a lifelong love of reading for children—and it’s fun,” said Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin. “When you read aloud to a child it helps them build their own reading and vocabulary skills, exposes them to the world, establishes reading as an enjoyable and valuable activity, strengthens their bonds with trusted adults, and provides a foundation for future success as adults. I encourage everyone to join educators, parents and others across the state by completing the Read to ME challenge and making a difference for Maine children.”

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.