Maine Department of Education Releases Updated Dyslexia Webpage

The Office of Special Services has updated their Special Initiatives page to further develop dyslexia awareness and to serve as a dyslexia toolkit for educators and families. The Special Initiatives webpage will be continuously updated as new resources become available. If you have questions or recommendations for the webpage, please contact Tracy Whitlock, Ph.D. at tracy.w.whitlock@maine.gov.

Deer Isle-Stonington High School to Celebrate Arts Week

Submitted by REACH Performing Arts Center.

The fourth annual Deer Isle – Stonington High School Arts Week will run January 27-31, culminating in a public dinner and performance on Friday Jan, 31 at 5:15 PM.

In previous years grades 9-12 were split into four teams, each writing and creating a devised theater piece answering an essential question, this year’s Arts Week will have students in grades 8-12 identifying the projects most intriguing to them. They will then be assigned to one group based on their interest, working within that discipline for the entire week.

This year, Arts Week is celebrating the bicentennial of Maine with projects that will focus on the history and culture of our state. Funding for the week is made possible by the REACH Performing Arts Center, and additionally, is funded in part by a grant from the Maine Arts Commission, an independent state agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Projects include 3D Printing with James Rutter and Screen Printing with Hope Rovelto of Portland’s Little Chair Printing, who have both worked for Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. Mural Making with DISHS Art Teacher Cynthia Pease. A culinary project hosted by Healthy Island Project’s Edible Island exploring native Maine food pathways with Chef Cheryl Wixson. A music through technology workshop run by Mark Churchill. The traditional theater Arts Week theater project with veteran director Jesse Gorden and Opera House Arts’ Joshua McCarey. A filmmaking experience with Current Harbor’s Jamie Watkins, and a week building in the shop with DISHS teacher Steve Zembrusky.

The public event on Friday Jan 31st will begin at 5:15 at the Elementary School Cafeteria with a meal created, prepared, and served by the culinary group led by Chef Wixson. At 6:00, all will move to the REACH Performing Arts Center for presentations by each of the disciplines.

There are no tickets required for any events, though donations will be accepted by the REACH Performing Arts Center to offset the costs of Arts Week.

We hope to see you there!

The Washington County Consortium Educator Profile: Dale Bailey

Submitted by Sarah Woog, Executive Director at Washington County Consortium.

Washington County Consortium (WCC) Educator Profile: Meet Dale Bailey, Speech-Language Pathologist at AOS 90

I first heard about Dale Bailey’s work from Mandy Belanger, Principal at Woodland Elementary School. Mandy praised his passion for supporting educators and students and his expertise in the areas of speech and language. She thought he’d be a great presenter for Harvest of Ideas, too.

I reached out to Dale to ask him to consider presenting at Harvest of Ideas and, in his response to the request for proposals (RFP), he described a professional background that speaks to Dale’s depth of experience and tremendous expertise. I was excited to be able to offer Dale’s session about dyslexia screening in Maine to Washington County educators:

Over a more than 20 year time span, Dale has worked as a speech-language pathologist, LD evaluator (079), district data consultant and early literacy coordinator. He has a special interest in the connection between oral and written language assessment and development. Dale has extensive experience designing and delivering PD in the areas of assistive technology, assessment, language and early literacy. Dale has held positions as adjunct faculty (UMFK & UWSP) and as the Statewide Early Literacy Coordinator for the state of Wisconsin. He currently provides services to students in AOS90 while continuing to provide professional development & support to educators in both Maine and Wisconsin.

The feedback from Dale’s session at Harvest of Ideas confirmed that he has a lot to offer. Many shared it was the best part of their day, and that it gave them ideas and practices to try immediately in their classroom. He was also lauded as an incredibly informed and skilled presenter.

I reached out to Dale to interview him for a profile because I wanted to hear more about his journey, his core beliefs around language and learning, and his hopes for schools and students in Washington County. He welcomed me in his office at Woodland Elementary School so we could sit down for a conversation. I am grateful for his time, candor and insights, and am excited to share them here.

Dale had a stutter growing up, and described himself as an “under the radar kid.” His academic success earned him admission to Colby College, where he studied economics. While at Colby, and during summer internships, he realized he’d “have to learn to be a successful communicator in order to succeed in the world.” During the summer after his junior year, he participated in a residential speech therapy program for adults, which helped him achieve his goals around speech fluency, and sparked a deeper interest in the area of speech and language.

Dale did enter the business field, but his interest and personal connection to speech and language nagged at him. After oscillating for some time between working in business and working on his Master’s Degree in Communication Disorders, Dale obtained a Master’s from the University of Maine at Orono in 1997, and went right to work in the field in 1998. After building his career and expertise in Maine and then Wisconsin, Dale decided to come back to Maine in 2018 and found a fit working with all schools and grade levels in AOS 90.

At AOS 90, Dale sees unique assets and challenges. He appreciates how, in a small district, he is able to work with both students and educators and sees professional development as an integral part of his work. His understandings are constantly informed by both students and educators, and he is able to support educators’ growth while informed directly by students’ experiences.

As for challenges, Dale shared that “sustained, purposeful, targeted effort is required to move the needle,” and lamented the challenges that limited resources in most districts pose to engaging in sustained efforts. He elaborated: “Teachers work their tails off, they work so hard and oftentimes, if not all the time, do good work with limited information…and/or with limited materials. It’s quite remarkable to see really great results from teachers who have these limits. If we give teachers great materials and great information about what they are trying to teach or how they are trying to teach it, gosh, we could do a lot.”

There are many people with whom Dale has worked who give him great hope when imagining the possible. He spoke of Mandy Belanger, Principal at Woodland Elementary School. “Mandy- she’s hungry; she wants to figure it out. She wants to understand reading as a door to learning and development; she wants to figure out how to move the needle on reading development, to open up doors for kids in learning, thinking, and developing as individuals.”

Dale’s work and story inspire my imagination, too. Consider Dale’s early challenges with speech and recall the Harvest of Ideas feedback around Dale’s gift for speech. Dale wasn’t born with his speech skills; he was motivated to gain these skills and was able to access the resources to achieve them. He then worked throughout his career to understand speech and language and use his evolving understandings to impact student learning. Dale’s gift that I’d like to celebrate is the gift he gives us through his work, to his colleagues, and his students, and all those impacted by his work throughout his career. Thank you, Dale, and thank you, too, to the passionate educators he celebrates as well.

Please, take a moment to reflect on the gifts educators all over Washington County give each other, their communities and their students. And take another moment to celebrate the gifts you give and receive, as well.

Get to know the DOE Team: Meet Jason Anderson

Maine DOE team member Jason Anderson is being highlighted this week as the part of a Get to know the DOE Team campaign. Learn a little more about Jason in the brief question and answer below.

What are your roles with DOE?

I serve as the Visual and Performing Arts Specialist on the Secondary Education and Integrated Instruction team at the DOE. I frequently communicate with arts educators statewide, addressing their needs in a variety of different ways – collaborating on student pre- and post-assessment tasks as an outside evaluator, serving as a master of ceremonies for concerts, and constant visits to school arts programs to observe unique and effective teaching strategies that are yielding significant results for students. I also administer a statewide music education initiative called Maine Kids Rock (30+ teachers statewide that incorporate modern music into their classrooms), and a rotating art exhibit at the DOE offices in Augusta. As I continue at the DOE I will actively work with other content specialists on cross-disciplinary projects that will benefit teaching and learning statewide.

What do you like best about your job?

I love the opportunity to celebrate arts education at all levels statewide. It’s a good day when I have the opportunity to visit a program in a school/district and celebrate all the hard work they are doing to make arts education an integral part to a student’s public school experience.

How or why did you decide on this career?

After 14 years of teaching music in Vermont and Maine (and a graduate degree in curriculum and instruction), I was looking for an opportunity to have a wider impact on arts education/arts curriculum and instruction than my own classroom… this position was posted on the first day of my most recent summer vacation, so it was almost serendipity that I should apply. It has been a great career shift, and I’m honored to be able to serve my arts education colleagues all over the state!

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

Outside of work, I love to both attend performances and perform as a vocalist. Time at our family camp in Aroostook County is also a love of mine outside of work – just getting to spend time with my stepchildren, wife, and fur baby Simon (black Labrador retriever) is my favorite pastime.

Commissioner Makin Begins 2020 with a Visit to Dover-Foxcroft and Dexter

On January 3^rd Maine Department of Education’s Commissioner Pender Makin visited the Tri-County Technical Center (TCTC) in Dexter for a tour of the facility and to have a round-table discussion with students, educators, and legislators about successes and concerns from the Dover-Foxcroft/Dexter region.

During her visit, the Commissioner got the opportunity meet and talk with educators and administrators as she toured TCTC, and to talk with students as she visited classrooms to learn about the innovative things happening at their school. She also enjoyed a delicious lunch with students and educators prepared by culinary arts students and instructors from TCTC.

Following the tour, the Commissioner got the opportunity to hear from a student panel comprised of students from area high schools who grew up in the region, and heard from educators and legislators from the surrounding area to discuss education issues and concerns from their perspective. During her visit she was also able to celebrate and experience the strong bonds, resilience, and creative thinking of the leaders in the area to keep the community and the education system thriving through economic and regional struggles.

Below are a few pictures from the visit. There is also an in-depth news article written by Sheila Grant of the Eastern Gazette Newspaper and can be found in the January 10-16, 2020 issue.

2020 High School SAT – SAA & ELL Request Dates – REMINDER

This is a reminder regarding 2020 high school Math and ELA/Literacy SAT accommodations dates:

College Board Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) portal accommodation requests are currently open at www.collegeboard.org/ssd with a deadline of 2/24/20.
State Allowed Accommodations (SAA – a separate SAT form not college reportable) as well as English Learner 50% Extended Time Advanced Request window opens Tuesday 1/14/20 with a deadline for both on 2/24/20. Both can also be requested through the SSD portal at www.collegeboard.org/ssd.

Breakfast After The Bell Grant Funding Available!

Maine Department of Education’s School Nutrition Team is pleased to share that grant funding is available to school administrative units with a public school who wish to implement a breakfast program after the start of the school day with an alternative delivery model. For a school to qualify, at least 50% of students must be eligible for a free or reduced-price lunch in SY 19, based on the ED534 report. This funding is available as a result of LD 701, an act to modernize the national school lunch program and school breakfast program. For additional information and to apply click here, or contact Kate Fayle, Child Nutrition Specialist, at kaitlin.fayle@maine.gov. This funding is available to help break the barriers that prevent schools from implementing an “after the bell” model.

MEDIA RELEASE: Maine Students Selected for United States Senate Youth Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Questions about your state’s delegates, alternates or state selection process: Mr. Joe Schmidt at joe.schmidt@maine.gov or (207) 624-6828.

For general information about the United States Senate Youth Program: Program Director Ms. Rayne Guilford at rguilford@hearstfdn.org or (800) 425-3632.

Maine Students Selected for United States Senate Youth Program
Students Headed to Washington, D. C. and to Receive $10,000 College Scholarship

January 9, 2020, Washington, D.C. —The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) announces that high school students Ms. Elena Ray Clothier and Mr. Michael Paul Delorge will join Senator Susan M. Collins and Senator Angus S. King in representing Maine in the nation’s capital during the 58th annual USSYP Washington Week, to be held March 7 — 14, 2020. Elena Clothier of Lewiston and Michael Delorge of Limestone were selected from among the state’s top student leaders to be part of the 104 national student delegation who will also each receive a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate study.

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 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 merit-based program brings the most outstanding high school students – two from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity – to Washington, D.C. for 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. Transportation and all expenses for Washington Week are also provided by The Hearst Foundations; as stipulated in S.Res.324, no government funds are utilized.

Elena Clothier, a junior at Lewiston High School, serves on the Principal’s Advisory Group at her school. She is a member of the state champion Lewiston Mock Trial team while also being a member of the school lacrosse team and the Blue Notes vocal group. She has been selected to participate in programming from the Androscoggin Valley Education Collaborative. Outside of school, Elena volunteers with SEARCH (Seek Elderly Alone, Renew Courage and Hope) and visits with members of her community. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue a degree in political science and journalism.

Michael Delorge, a senior at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics, serves as a member of his school’s Student Senate. He also chairs the Senate’s Academic Committee, is the president of his school’s robotics club, and an active member of his astronomy club. He is an award-winning jazz saxophonist and avid cross country runner. A Biddeford native, Michael is an Eagle Scout and a participant in the state YMCA Youth in Government program. Michael holds a great interest in public health policy and upon graduation, he plans to major in biomedical engineering with a minor in political science.

Chosen as alternates to the 2020 program were Mr. Lance Dinino, a resident of Kennebunk, who attends Kennebunk High School and Ms. Kristen Caldwell, a resident of Scarborough, who attends Scarborough High School.

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. This year’s Maine delegates and alternates were designated by Pender Makin, Commissioner of Education.

While in Washington the student delegates attend meetings and briefings with senators, members of the House of Representatives, Congressional staff, the president, a justice of the Supreme Court, leaders of cabinet agencies, an ambassador to the United States and senior members of the national media.

In addition to outstanding leadership abilities and a strong commitment to volunteer work, the student delegates rank academically in the top one percent of their states among high school juniors and seniors. Now more than 5,700 strong, alumni of the program continue to excel and develop impressive qualities that are often directed toward public service. Among the many distinguished alumni are: Senator Susan Collins, the first alumnus to be elected U.S. senator; Senator Cory Gardner, the second alumnus to be elected U.S. senator and the first to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives; former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, the first alumnus to be elected governor; former Chief Judge Robert Henry, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit; former Ambassador to West Germany Richard Burt, former presidential advisors Thomas “Mack” McLarty and Karl Rove, and Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana currently a candidate for president of the United States. Additional notables include former Lt. Governor of Idaho David Leroy, Provost of Wake Forest University Rogan Kersh, military officers, members of state legislatures, Foreign Service officers, top congressional staff, healthcare providers and other university educators.

For more information please visit: http://www.ussenateyouth.org
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RSU 21 Welcomes Famous Guest Speaker Schuyler Bailar During Transgender Awareness Week

Regional School Unit 21, serving students in Arundel, Kennebunk, and Kennebunkport, celebrated Transgender Awareness Week November 13th through the 19th in 2019, along with others around the nation, by promoting and participating in activities that raise the visibility of transgender people. Kennebunk High School’s (KHS) Gay Straight Transgender Alliance (GSTA), RSU 21, supported by co-advisors Lisa McLellan and Jesse Wakeman, organized the activities for the week.

For this year’s activities, one of the GSTA students had an out of the box idea that would have the potential to really get people to take note of the importance of transgender awareness. An athlete and transgender themselves, the student noticed that Schuyler Bailar, an idol of theirs best known as the first openly transgender NCAA Division I swimmer, was going to be in the area around the same time as Transgender Awareness Week. “I thought his conversation would be applicable to things that I have faced and that people in our district have faced,” said the student. Taking a leap of faith, they tried to connect with Schuyler to ask if he was available and willing to come to Kennebunk High School as a guest speaker. “I really didn’t expect that he would be able to come,” the student recalled.

With a little luck and some impeccable timing, Schuyler was available and willing to come. GSTA Advisor Lisa McLellan got the news from the student over the weekend and quickly worked with KHS Principal Susan Cressey and RSU 21 Superintendent Phillip Potenziano, to secure funding, rearrange schedules, and iron out other details to make this very important event possible in time for Transgender Awareness Week.

Schuyler ended up coming the Friday of Transgender Awareness Week, during a time that was available to all students for a voluntary talk. The event was also open to members of the public as well as educators and school administrators who wanted to attend.

The opening speaker for the event was the GTSA student who had originally invited Schuyler. About 70 kids showed up, along with community members, parents, teachers, school and district leaders, and school board members. “I had a lot of emotions,” said the student thinking back on the talk, remembering one thing that really stood out was the amount of community members and “big wigs” in the audience.

“He was such a compassionate speaker,” said McLellan, in recounting her experience during the talk with Schuyler. “He shared his story of growing up knowing that he wasn’t how others saw him and talked about the stages of his life that eventually led him to become who he is today. He even did a segment on vocabulary in which he taught everyone how to talk about the issues using the right words. The range of questions from the audience was everything from specifics of surgery, to ‘how did you come out to your parents?’.” As the event came to a close, Schuyler invited people to speak to him individually after the talk, and also gave out his email address to people he felt might want to talk some more.

When asked what the best part of the event was, the student said, “Seeing people’s reactions at the end, and the understanding that they were given of what people face when they are transgender.” Following up by saying that, “Schuyler is an amazing speaker and it would be ‘awesome’ if other schools have him or someone like him come to their schools to speak to students.” The student noted that, “If there are students in the crowd, they will know they are not alone, and other people experience the same things as them.”

Maine Department of Education Seeks Qualified Peer Reviewers for 21st CCLC Grant Proposals

The Maine Department of Education is seeking qualified peer reviewers to read, assess, and score competitive grant proposals for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Program. This federally-funded grant program provides opportunities for schools and communities to develop “community learning centers” that serve children and youth during out-of-school time. Maine currently has 33 grant-funded 21st CCLC programs operating 57 individual centers in communities across the state. Grant proposals for the 21st CCLC program will be evaluated through a formal peer review process, which will ensure that quality applications are selected for funding.

This year’s Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 21st CCLC program was released to the public on January 2 and is available online at: https://www.4pcamaine.org/century21/FY2020/. The Department anticipates receiving proposals from local education agencies, community-based organizations, and other eligible entities seeking awards under this RFP.

Qualifications:

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

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

Please note that an applicant or member of an applicant’s organization will not be selected to serve as a member of the Department’s peer review team.

Required Tasks:

Selected peer reviewers will work individually to read each assigned application and create detailed, objective, constructive, and well-written comments on approximately 10-15 applications based on the criteria established in the RFP. These comments will be turned in to the Department prior to participating in on-site consensus scoring sessions. Reviewers must be able to participate in an online training webinar and review grant applications through a web-based system. It is anticipated that peer reviewers will have a three (3) week window in which to complete their individual review of assigned proposals. Following the individual review of proposals, each peer reviewer will be required to travel to the Maine Department of Education for two scheduled scoring days. It is during these consensus scoring sessions that each peer reviewer will work with the other members of the peer review team to score each application.

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

Task	Date(s)	Time(s)
Participate in an online training webinar	April 3, 2020	1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Review grant applications through a web-based system and provide individual, written comments on each application (which MUST be turned in to the Department)	April 6, 2020 – April 28, 2020	Any Time
Participate in on-site consensus scoring sessions which will be located at the Maine Department of Education in Augusta, ME	April 30, 2020; May 1, 2020	9:00 AM – 4:00 PM; 9:00 AM – Finished

Compensation for Services:

Peer reviewers who complete the required tasks will be reimbursed for travel costs to and from the consensus scoring sessions as well as provided a $85 honorarium per assigned application.

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

How to Apply:

Interested parties should contact Travis Doughty at travis.w.doughty@maine.gov to obtain a copy of the 2020 peer reviewer application and then return the completed application along with a current resume or CV.

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

Deadline:

The Maine Department of Education will be accepting peer reviewer applications on a rolling basis until March 6, 2020, or until the needed positions are filled. Interested parties are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Contact:

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