MSSM Student Elected as Youth Governor of YMCA Youth and Government Program

Submitted by Ryan McDonald, Public Relations Coordinator, Maine School of Science and Mathematics.

Maine School of Science and Mathematics (MSSM) student Martin Brozman, a junior from Bangor, will serve as the 78^th YMCA Youth Governor of the Great State of Maine. He was elected to the office by his peers at the 2019 Maine YMCA Youth and Government program on Sunday, November 11th. Martin is the first MSSM student ever to hold the position. With his election, Martin will attend the YMCA Youth Governor’s Conference in Washington, D.C., representing the Maine YMCA, and he will serve as Governor of the 2020 Youth and Government program in Augusta.

The MSSM delegation returned to Limestone Sunday evening where they were welcomed by a Limestone Police and Fire Department escort at the town line and a celebratory student body ready to welcome Governor Brozman and the rest of the group home. Additional recognition to this year’s senior participants: Will Whitman (Swan’s Island), Michael Delorge (Biddeford), Toben Streevy (Bar Harbor), Taesu Joo (Republic of Korea), Jordan Theriault (Fort Fairfield), James Lau (Buxton), Jay Philbrick (North Yarmouth), Christian Chagnon (Eliot), Annie Giroux (Wales), Shea Sewall (Hope), and Madelyn Battcock-Emerson (Kittery).

Brozman’s platform was based on a need for affordable healthcare here in Maine. He believes that this would “attract young people and families to live here and thrive. Without having to worry about healthcare costs, young families will be more likely to stay and be active members of their communities.” Brozman comes from a family of doctors and plans to be either an orthopedic surgeon or a neurologist. Brozman went on to say, “This program has helped me realize the role of government, and now I have a better understanding of the politics behind medicine.”

YMCA Youth and Government program allows any High School student in Maine to participate in a hands-on experience of how Maine’s Legislative process works. Delegates have a variety of duties such as drafting all the bills to be debated and discussed, and electing their peers to serve in leadership positions to lead at the State House weekend. They also receive training in how to complete all leadership roles for the weekend. YMCA Youth and Government Program Delegates serve as Youth Governor, Cabinet, Representatives, Senators, Lobbyists, and Media Staff, and have a unique opportunity to have access to the State House during the program. The program takes place in the actual chamber and committee rooms.

For more information contact Lonney Steeves, Maine YMCA Youth and Government Director, at lonneysteeves@gmail.com.

Cape Elizabeth Students Honored at DOE Arts Showcase Celebration

Forty-two student artists from Cape Elizabeth Middle School were honored on December 10, 2019 in the Hall of Flags of the Maine State House in Augusta as part of the Maine Arts Showcase celebration.

The students were each awarded a certificate from the Maine Department of Education (DOE) and a letter from Governor Janet T. Mills for their outstanding artwork that is currently on display at the Maine DOE.

The Maine Arts Showcase is a program of the Maine DOE that displays the artwork of Maine students in the halls of the Maine DOE in a series of exhibits throughout the year. The program and the celebration event serve as a way for the Department to celebrate arts education in Maine and give Maine students the opportunity to have an impact with their art outside the walls of their own schools.

“The process of making art is where all the ‘hard work’ happens,” said Maine DOE Visual and Performing Arts Specialist Jason Anderson in his opening remarks at the event. “The displaying of artwork is where we (as artists) get to sit back, take it in, and hear how the work affects others. For many students, making art is the activity where they feel the most creative and engaged with their world,” he added.

Maine DOE Deputy Commissioner Dan Chuhta also spoke at the event to congratulate the students, and thank everyone for coming including educators, students and their families, and arts education supporters. During his remarks he took note of the important work of arts educators across the state in their efforts to provide quality arts education programming to Maine students. “In addition to promoting creativity, involvement in the arts helps students build the important skills of problem solving, collaboration, and perseverance.”

L to R: Cape Elizabeth Superintendent Donna Wolfrom, Maine DOE Deputy Commissioner Dan Chuhta, Cape Elizabeth Middle School Art Teacher and 2004 Maine Teacher of the Year Marguerite Lawler-Roher, and Cape Elizabeth Middle School Principal Troy Eastman.

Also in attendance at the event was Cape Elizabeth Middle School Art Teacher and 2004 Maine Teacher of the Year Marguerite Lawler-Roher, Cape Elizabeth Middle School Principal Troy Eastman, and Cape Elizabeth Superintendent Donna Wolfrom, along with Maine State Board of Education Chairman Wilson Hess, and Senator Rebecca Millet from Maine’s 29th District, representing South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, and part of Scarborough.

Following the awards ceremony, students, educators, and family members were invited to the Maine Department of Education to tour the facility and find their artwork on the wall. The artwork has been on display since October 2019 and will be up until February 2020.

Bonny Eagle High and Boothbay Region Elementary Educators Named Assistant Principals of the Year

During two separate school assemblies held Monday, December 9, 2019 the Maine Principals’ Association named Erin Maguire, Assistant Principal at Bonny Eagle High School, Maine’s NASSP Assistant Principal of the Year for 2020, and Tricia Campbell, Assistant Principal at Boothbay Region Elementary School, Maine’s NAESP National Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year for 2020.

The awards are programs of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). Each program honors an Assistant Principal of the Year in each state in the nation. Maine’s awards are administered by the Maine Principals’ Association (MPA).

Erin Maguire

Assistant Principal at Bonny Eagle High School and 2020 NASSP Assistant Principal of the Year

Ms. Maguire received the award based on her accomplishments as a strong educational leader, as a role model in the development of positive school culture and climate, her ability to provide effective feedback for both students and staff, and on her ability to inspire all those around her to meet the learning needs of every student, every day.

In announcing Ms. Maguire’s selection as 2020 Maine’s NASSP Assistant Principal of the Year, MPA Executive Director of the Professional Division, Holly Couturier noted, “Erin Maguire has been the epitome of what we want from an instructional leader. Her leadership and her ability to connect with all students is commendable.”

Bonny eagle AP Award GROUP

In 2004, Ms. Maguire received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Maine and her Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern Maine in 2011.

Ms. Maguire began her educational career as a grade 8 math teacher in 2004 where she co-taught mathematics with a special education teacher. She then went on to teach high school math until 2013 when she became the proud assistant principal of Bonny Eagle High School.

She is a member of the Maine Principals’ Association and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

Tricia Campbell

Assistant Principal at Boothbay Region Elementary School and 2020 NAESP National Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year

Ms. Campbell received the award based on her accomplishments as a strong community and educational leader, as a role model in the development of positive school culture and climate, her ability to create an educational learning environment for students and staff, and on her energy that motivates all around her to succeed.

In announcing Ms. Campbell’s selection as 2020 Maine’s NAESP National Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year, MPA Executive Director of the Professional Division, Holly Couturier noted, “Tricia Campbell has been instrumental in the professional development of her peers. Her can-do attitude and enthusiasm is contagious!”

boothbay AP award GROUP

In 1995, Ms. Campbell received her Bachelor of Arts from the Colby Sawyer College in New Hampshire, her Masters in Education in 2002 from Lesley University in Massachusetts and most recently she obtained her Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies from St. Joseph’s College.

Ms. Campbell began her educational career as an educational technician in Wiscasset in 1996. She then moved into a middle school teacher working in the behavior program for Wiscasset in 2000. Ms. Campbell started the behavior and life skills classrooms at the same school while she co-taught grades 5-8 classes. During this time, Ms. Campbell assisted the building principal and found her love of administration. For the past five years, Ms. Campbell has been the Assistant Principal of Boothbay Region Elementary School.

She is a member of the Maine Principals’ Association, National Association of Elementary School Principals, and the Boothbay Region Parent/Teacher Organization.

Lewiston Adult Ed Class Sparks New Life In Clown Car

Submitted by Mike Reagan, Education and Marketing Coordinator, Lewiston Adult Education.

Small Engine & Power Equipment Repair students at Lewiston Adult Education bring in chainsaws and snowblowers with seasonal regularity.

When the weather gets warm again, instructor Richard Hussey will see the return of lawnmowers. But this fall, he had a student bring in a repair job that would not fit in with the others, though it did have a small engine.

Patrick Penley is a member of the Kora Temple Shrine, a Kora clown and the owner of a multicolored jalopy that had several owners before him.

“My goal was to get that running,” he said.

The clown car had a three-horsepower engine and during the semester, it was removed and replaced by a power washer engine.

“We had to modify the engine. We had to modify the framework. We had to modify the drive system. And this was done primarily by the student. I just gave the guidance,” Hussey said.

He said that students can bring in gasoline engines at the start of the semester but are responsible for bringing them in and taking them home at the end of class. Penley brought the clown car in the back of his pickup truck.

“It has to come and go. That’s your size reference,” Hussey said.

The Small Engine class is finishing up for the fall semester but is scheduled to return for Winter-Spring 2020. The class listing will appear in the combined Lewiston Adult Education-Auburn Adult & Community Education brochure, which is set to come out in early January.

In addition to the clown car, Penley worked on a leaf blower and chainsaw in the class.

He hopes to have the car off and running in a 2020 parade. For those interested in seeing it run a little sooner, here is a link to a video of a test run on Tuesday night at Lewiston High School’s main entrance.

Maine School of Science and Mathematics Graduate Selected as a Schwarzman Scholar

Submitted by Ryan McDonald, Public Relations Coordinator, Maine School of Science and Mathematics.

Maine School of Science and Mathematics (MSSM) graduate Gordon McCulloh, Class of 2016, has been selected as a Schwarzman Scholar and will undertake a one-years master’s program at Tsinghua University in Beijing upon graduation from the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) in 2020.

A highly selective international program, Gordon is the first student from Maine, and only the third from the USAFA, to become a Schwarzman Scholar whose programmatic focus is designed to prepare the next generation of global leaders for the challenges of the future.

Gordon studies astronautical engineering, applied mathematics, and Arabic at USAFA. He earned the 2019 USAFA cadet of the year award and held various leadership positions that focused on building others, such as managing the academic performance of over 1,400 cadets. A proponent of commercial and international collaboration in the space environment, Gordon interned at Ad Astra Rocket and SpaceX. His intent to study in China is to inspire peaceful space policies and technological solutions as an engineer and acquisitions officer in the United States Air Force.

Full details of the Schwarzman Scholarship Program can be viewed at: https://www.schwarzmanscholars.org

Five Town CSD to Host Innovation Conference July 2020

Submitted by Trina Schroeder, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent & Communications Director at Five Town CSD / MSAD #28.

The Hatchery at the Five Town CSD invites you to SAVE THE DATE for our Innovation Conference: The Intersection of Education and Industry, July 1-2, 2020 at Camden Hills Regional High School in Rockport, Maine.

This exciting two-day conference will bring educators and students interested in innovation together with entrepreneurs, business owners and industry leaders who are interested in education. Featuring a wide variety of presenters covering 15 sessions, Design Sprint, Open Minis, and countless networking opportunities.

Registration will open January 2, 2020.

Visit our website regularly for up-to-date information and the announcement of our keynote speaker. https://csd.fivetowns.net/innovationconference

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/20141475/admin/

The Five Town CSD, serving students in grades 9-12 from Appleton, Camden, Hope, Lincolnville and Rockport is widely known as a top-notch secondary school district. This well deserved reputation is made possible by the considerable support of all of the member communities, and strengthened by the strong effort and talent of the students, staff, and administration.

Maine Music Educators Help Root Modern Band Curriculum into Maine Schools

Educators from across the state gathered at Orono High School recently for their Modern Band 102 lesson, a second professional learning opportunity available through the Maine Kids Rock Program. Delivered by Little Kids Rock Educator Spencer Hale, the class gave educators the opportunity to fine tune their technique, and to build upon what they had learned in the previous modern band lessons they’ve been participating. Through the Maine Kids Rock program, each of these educators accepted $5,000 worth of modern band instruments, along with resources and hands-on learning opportunities to help them run modern band programs in their schools, an opportunity they would otherwise not be able to give to their students.

There are currently 35 Maine schools offering modern band programs through the Maine Kids Rock program. To be eligible for participation, districts agreed to offer modern band – taught by a certified music teacher, with priority given to schools who serve 50% or more free or reduced meals to eligible students.

During introductions at Modern Band 102, educators in attendance shared their name, school, the age group they are teaching, and the music the kids are working on. Their students were learning a wide-range of modern music selections, of their choosing, like Lost Boy by Ruth B., Count on Me by Bruno Mars, Best Day of My Life by American Authors, Ho Hey by The Lumineers, and Happy People by Little Big Town, on a variety of modern band instruments provided through the Maine Kids Rock Program.

Orono High School Music Teacher and Band Director Jen Acosta, who has been hosting the modern band professional learning in her music room for the past 3 years as a central location in Maine, only recently joined the program and currently offers modern band programming and instruments to her students.

“This is revitalizing [music] programs,” said Acosta. “It gives people the opportunity to use whatever resources they have to get kids playing music,” she added. Acosta went on to explain that it also serves as a gateway to music education in general. Being able to play and sing the songs they are listening to on the radio and on TV gets so many more students interested in music education than otherwise would be. Once they learn how to play one instrument, they most likely will pick up another she explained.

“The approach is so open it gives teachers a lot of autonomy,” added Maine DOE Visual and Performing Arts Specialist Jason Anderson. New to the Department, Anderson recently came from his long-time position as Vocal Music Director at Houlton High School, one of the original 10 pilot schools awarded instruments and modern band resources when Maine Kids Rock was created.

Developed between the Maine Department of Education and national nonprofit Little Kids Rock in 2017, the Maine Kids Rock program is funded through a combination of Little Kids Rock donors and a portion of the State of Maine’s education budget, which is approved each year by the Maine State Legislature.

“I think the biggest standout – from top down – is that it represents the ‘do’ approach. Getting them [the kids] to do something,” said Acosta. “I’ve never seen anything like it.” She went on to explain that music education like this is going to change music culture. While students are still in the midst of learning modern band right now, they will eventually graduate and move on to post-secondary options and careers, having learned modern music at a much earlier age than students have been able to previously. This will more than likely result in new and innovative music creations and performances to come from our next generation of musicians.

December, a Time to Raise Awareness About Alcohol Use

Alcohol is the most frequently used substance by adolescents in Maine. Almost one of every four Maine high school students used alcohol in the past 30 days, and more than one third of those students reported binge drinking (2017 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey). Alcohol consumption by students is impacted by factors such as low perception of harm, low perception of getting caught, and ease of access.
It is important for schools, families, and community organizations to work together to address alcohol use issues. In alignment with Maine statute, schools across Maine are encouraged to raise awareness about alcohol use, misuse and abuse through an Alcohol Awareness Day. This has traditionally been in December. Schools are encouraged to focus studies on alcohol use awareness in elementary through secondary schools as part of health education class and other disciplines. Resources to help enhance instruction on the harms and consequences of alcohol misuse and the impact on individuals, families, and society are included below.
Alcohol Awareness resources include:

National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teachers:

Multimedia activities on the effects of drug use and teens.

Brain Power: National Institute on Drug Abuse:

Explores the science of the effects of drugs on the brain and body.

Heads Up: Real News about Drugs and Your Body: Scholastics:

This series provides teens with science-based materials about the effects of drug use.

Reach Out Now

Provides students with scientific facts about the effects of alcohol on the brain and body along with lesson plans to build on critical-thinking skills.

SAMHSA Evidenced-Based Resource Center:

Provides information and tools needed to incorporate evidence-based prevention practices into community settings.

Talk They Hear You Campaign:

Encourages parents/caregivers to have early conversations with children about alcohol.
Beyond an Alcohol Awareness observance day, it is important for Maine students to receive education and awareness about alcohol, tobacco and other drug use throughout the year. This is done as part of comprehensive school health education, Pre-K through High School, and in alignment with the Maine Learning Results: Parameters for Essential Instruction, Health Education Standards. Selecting Evidence-Based Substance Use Prevention Programs: A Guide for Maine Schools Grades K-12 may help you determine the most appropriate program for a school community.
There is also a guide to help schools create, update, and enforce a substance use policy. The guide, “Substance Use Policy: A Comprehensive Guide for School Policy Development” provides practical suggestions for a complete policy, based on research and best practices.
For assistance or additional resources, contact the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Tobacco and Substance Use Prevention and Control Program at 287-8901, TTY 711 or email: TSUP.DHHS@maine.gov. You can order a limited quantity of free alcohol use prevention pamphlets through the Prevention Store www.mainepreventionstore.org.

Save the Date: Training Opportunity on Serving Highly Mobile Students (Homeless, Foster, Migrant, Military)

Join us for an interactive session on the educational provisions designed to promote the educational stability of highly mobile students. Please complete this survey to register and share with us what you would like to get out of the training. Thank you!

Intended Audience: McKinney Vento Homeless Liaisons and Foster Care Points of Contact (Please be sure your information is updated in NEO if you are the SAU contact).

Hosted by Maine Department of Education’s Office of School and Student Support Team members, Gayle Erdheim gayle.erdheim@maine.gov and Amelia Lyons amelia.lyons@maine.gov.

Portland: March 9, 2020, at the Italian Heritage Center

Bangor: March 10, 2020, at United Technologies Center

Houlton: March 13, 2020, location TBD

MEDIA ADVISORY: Maine DOE to Host Student Arts Showcase Celebration 12/10 at Maine State House

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to invite the media to attend a celebration of the Maine Arts Showcase, where the selected artwork of 42 young artists from Cape Elizabeth Middle School will be recognized. Since October, these students’ work has been on exhibit throughout the Maine DOE, where it will remain until February 2020. The Arts Showcase is a long standing tradition of the Maine DOE where artwork of students from all over the state is showcased at the Department in a series of exhibits that happen throughout the year.

WHO:

42 student visual artists from Cape Elizabeth Middle School
Visual Arts Educator – Marguerite Lawler-Roher, former Maine Teacher of the Year (2004)
Cape Elizabeth Middle School Principal – Troy Eastman
Cape Elizabeth Superintendent – Donna Wolfrom
Deputy Commissioner Chuhta, Maine Department of Education
Chairman Wilson Hess, State Board of Education
Members of the Maine State Legislature have also been invited.

WHEN: Tuesday, December 10, 2019 from 10:00 A.M.

WHERE: Hall of Flags, Maine State House, 210 State Street, Augusta, Maine 04330

For further information please contact Maine DOE Director of Communications, Kelli Deveaux at kelli.deveaux@maine.gov