Maine DOE announces update of school transportation software

The following Priority Notice was sent on Friday, June 10

A new and important release of Transfinder school transportation software is scheduled for Saturday June 18. The upgrade maintenance window will begin at 4:00 p.m. and continue to 4:00 a.m. Please be sure to sign off the system for this update. During that time, Routfinder Pro, Infofinder le and Viewfinder modules will be updated to Version 12.2.

Maine DOE provides free student routing and transportation operations software to all Maine public schools and this update is free to Maine public school districts. The software is called Transfinder which offers several modules that include school bus fleet maintenance, field trip management, school transportation communication, emergency preparedness planning and redistricting analysis, as well as bus routing – all with the ability to access data anytime and anywhere.

Maine public school districts that would like to begin using this free transportation software may contact our Maine Transfinder account executive Angela Vitti directly by email at Avitti@transfinder.com to get started.

Case studies about how some Maine schools that have benefited by using Transfinder can be found on the Maine DOE school transportation Transfinder web page.

Details about the transportation software can be found on the Transfinder website.

If you have any questions about the upgrade, contact Maine Transfinder Account Executive Angela Vitti at Avitti@transfinder.com or 800-373-3609.

For information about the Maine DOE school transportation software program, contact Transportation and Facilities Administrator Pat Hinckley at pat.hinckley@maine.gov or 624-6886.

Maine DOE Update – June 9, 2016

From the Maine Department of Education

Estimated release dates of 2015-16 assessment data

The Maine Department of Education is negotiating a contract with vendor FocalPointK12 to deliver the 2015-16 assessment results via an online reporting system. The Maine Assessment and Accountability Reporting System (MAARS) is expected to be launched in the coming months and will provide both public and confidential access to data, replacing Measured Progress’ iServices portal.

To keep educators and the public informed, the Department has developed an expected timeline of release for the various assessments conducted during the 2015-16 school year. Although the timing for much of the data is later than desired, it is anticipated that the 2016-17 data will be released much earlier since Maine’s assessment and reporting systems will not undergo major changes in 2016-17.

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Notices and Reporting Items

Aggregate Daily Attendance / Membership Reporting, due June 30
End-of-Year Behavior Reporting, due June 30
End-of-Year Staff Data Requirements, due June 30
End-of-Year Student Enrollment Responsibilites, due June 30
End-of-Year Truancy Incident Reporting, due June 30
End-of-Year Special Education Exit Reporting, due June 30 (Reminder)
School Bus Purchase Report (EF-T-20: Quarter 4), due June 30 (Reminder)

More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar

News & Views

Maine contracts with Edupoint to replace State-level student information data system

The Department has entered into a two year contract with Edupoint Educational Systems, LLC to provide a State Level Student Information and Reporting System (SSIRS). | More

Regional training for ESEA Coordinators and Business Managers

The Maine DOE is providing regional training for Elementary Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Coordinators and Business Managers this summer. | More

Maine DOE 2016 summer data training

In order that accurate student and staff data is reported to the Department, it is important that the appropriate staff attend one (or more) data training sessions. | More

Certification requirements for special education teachers update

On May 16, the Maine Department of Education issued a Priority Notice about the federal requirement under ESSA that all teachers of students with disabilities be fully certified. | More

Public Charter School applications open through June 14

The Maine Charter School issued the following Request for Proposal last week. | More

Professional standards for school nutrition professionals

The Federal School Food Service Professional Standards took effect July 1, 2015. | More

Schools, Pests, and Pesticides: What superintendents need to know

All public and private schools serving any grades K through 12 are required by State regulations to adopt an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. | More

MIYHS results at use in Maine schools

The 2015 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS) results show students are combating social norms. | More

MLTI student conference draws over one thousand

Armed with iPads and laptops, middle and high school students from more than 50 Maine schools descended on the UMaine campus in Orono last month. | More

Summer food service program kicks off this month

Later this month, numerous agencies including the Maine DOE will kick off the sixth annual Summer Food Service Program in Bangor and Brewer. | More

Positive school climate topic of upcoming conference

The Maine Event: National Conference on Positive School Climate at Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland will be held on June 23-24. | More

Schools in RSU 17 recognized with prestigious award

All eight elementary schools in RSU 17 were recognized as bronze award winners of USDA’s HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC). | More

Maine CTE leaders recognized

Maine Career and Technical Education instructors and an administrator were honored by the regional Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE). | More

Maine Music Teacher of the Year

The Maine Music Educators Association has named its 2016 Music Educator of the Year. | More

Future commercial student truck drivers honored

Last month, students from four Career and Technical Centers competed at the Professional Drivers Championship. | More

More Dispatches | Press Releases | Priority Notices

LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine CTE leaders recognized

Maine Career and Technical Education instructors and an administrator were honored by the regional Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE). Of the 16 states in ACTE Region I, three of the six awards went to Maine CTE leaders.

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Future commercial student truck drivers honored

Last month, students from four Career and Technical Centers competed at the Professional Drivers Championship in the “Future Truckers” division at Dysart’s Transportation in Hermon. Selected students from Region 3 (Lincoln area), Region 9 (Rumford area), Tri-County Technical Center (Dexter area), and Westbrook Regional Vocational Center (Westbrook area) competed at this event. The students were complimented and encouraged by fellow competitors, company owners, commercial inspectors, law enforcement officers, as well as spectators and sponsors.

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Maine DOE 2016 summer data training

There are many changes coming in the 2016-17 school year. In order that accurate student and staff data is reported to the Maine Department of Education, it is important that the appropriate staff attend one (or more) of these training sessions. Registration is required.

Continue reading “Maine DOE 2016 summer data training” →

Estimated release dates of 2015-16 assessment data

Continue reading “Estimated release dates of 2015-16 assessment data” →

Maine Music Teacher of the Year

The Maine Music Educators Association has named its 2016 Music Educator of the Year. Dana Ross, who has taught for the past 18 years at Winterport’s Samuel L. Wagner Middle School and Leroy H. Smith School in RSU 22, received the honor last month.

Continue reading “Maine Music Teacher of the Year” →

Schools in RSU 17 recognized with prestigious award

All eight elementary schools in RSU 17 were recognized as bronze award winners of USDA’s HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) at an assembly at Paris Elementary School. The awarded schools were Agnes Gray School, Guy E. Rowe School, Hebron Station School, Harrison Elementary School, Otisfield Community School, Oxford Elementary School, Paris Elementary, and Waterford Memorial School.

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Public Charter School applications open through June 14

The Maine Charter School issued the following Request for Proposal last week.

The Maine Charter School Commission, “the Commission,” is currently soliciting the development of public charter school applications throughout the State of Maine. The Commission is seeking detailed applications, fully addressing the key issues, from capable school developers who are committed to educating their students well in a successful, sustainable, high quality charter school. With a May 31, 2016, RFP issue date, the approved school is to open September 2017.

Continue reading “Public Charter School applications open through June 14” →

Positive school climate topic of upcoming conference

The Maine Event: National Conference on Positive School Climate at Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland will be held on June 23-24. This locally-planned national conference provides training and information about key components to many successful school initiatives around building and sustaining a positive school climate, reducing bullying, and developing strategies to increase student engagement.

Continue reading “Positive school climate topic of upcoming conference” →