Maine educators shared their stories about personalizing learning at the New England Secondary Schools Consortium conference in March. The recording of this presentation is available for Maine educators interested in listening to these powerful accounts.
Continue reading “Personalized learning: voices from the field”
The following is a message from the United States Department of Education
During this year’s Teacher Appreciation Week (May 2-6), the Department wants to extend a personal thank you to some great teachers. Help us by recommending a colleague, a friend, your child’s teacher, or the teacher who inspired you.
Continue reading “Nominations sought for Teacher Appreciation Week”
The Maine Department of Education is accepting recommendations through April 28 for the 2016 Maine Educator Talent Pool. These distinguished educators may be considered for membership on local and state advisory boards and task forces, as well as be candidates for special recognition through the Department.
Continue reading “Educator talent pool recommendations due soon”
The following Priority Notice was sent Monday, April 11
Monday, April 11
Dear Superintendents,
I am writing to remind you that registration is open for our 105th Annual Commissioner’s Conference for Superintendents, scheduled for June 26-28 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. School board members and other school or district level administrators are encouraged to register for the conference based on their interest (please see the draft agenda below).
We’re excited about how the agenda – developed in collaboration with the Maine School Superintendents Association – is coming together to best focus on the topics we continue to hear are of most importance to you and are looking forward to working with you.
Draft conference agenda to include:
Sunday, June 26 (Registration opens at 2 p.m.)
Maine School Superintendents Association (MSSA) Reception and Awards Banquet
(Networking reception sponsored by Apple – 5 p.m./Dinner – 6 p.m./Awards – 7 p.m.)
Monday, June 27 (Registration opens at 7:15 a.m. and breakfast opens at 7:45 a.m.)
General Session
Commissioner’s Welcome, Acting Education Commissioner Dr. Bill Beardsley
General Session
Keynote Address by Dr. David Silvernail with comments by Catherine Barbour, Carmen Coleman and Jacinda Goodwin
Concurrent Sessions – Continue the keynote discussion with one of the experts
General Session
ESSA – Stakeholder Engagement and Discussions
Networking reception sponsored by HP
Dinner on your own
Tuesday, June 28 (Registration and Breakfast open at 7:15 a.m. Conference adjourns at 3:45 p.m.)
MSSA Business Meeting
Maine DOE Updates, Maine DOE Staff (General Session)
General Session
FERPA 101 – Dale King, Director of the U.S. Dept. of Education’s Family Policy Compliance Office
Concurrent Workshop Sessions (each session will be offered twice)
Concurrent Workshop Sessions (same as listed above)
General Session
Lunch and closing remarks, Acting Education Commissioner Dr. Bill Beardsley
One-on-One Technical Assistance will be offered on Tuesday from 8:00am – 3:00pm
*Please note this is a working agenda.
Presenters are already working to prepare their conference materials, which will be posted as they become available here on the 2016 Commissioner’s Conference webpage.
To register for the conference, please click here today. The fee for superintendents to attend the full conference is $200 and includes all sessions, meals and materials. For additional registration options including partial conference attendance, guest meals and discounted lodging opportunities, please click here.
We look forward to working with you June 26-28 in Bangor.
Sincerely,
Bill Beardsley, Acting Commissioner
Maine Department of Education
AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Education is promoting locally grown products in school meals by holding the first annual 2016 Maine Farm to School Cook-off.
The regional cook-offs will be held Wednesday, April 13 at the Westbrook Regional Vocational Center and Thursday, April 14 at the Capital Area Technical Center in Augusta. The final cook-off on May 17 will be held at the Kennebec Valley Community College, Harold Alfond Campus in Hinckley.
Each volunteer team will prepare two meals within a specific time frame using at least three ingredients that are grown, raised, caught, or manufactured in the State of Maine and meet National School Breakfast and Lunch Program requirements. All recipes will later be shared in a Maine farm to school cook-off recipe book.
Food service staff representing RSU 61, Portland, Lewiston, RSU 38, Five-Town CSD and RSU 13 will participate in this year’s event. Westbrook and Augusta CTE centers along with KVCC were chosen as cook-off sites for their culinary arts facilities which include well-equipped kitchens and individual cooking and presentation areas.
A panel of judges for the regional cook-offs consists of a CTE culinary arts student, school nutrition director, and professional chef. They will score the dishes based on presentation, taste, creativity, and feasibility to be used in a school breakfast or lunch program.
For final judging, a Kennebec Valley Community College culinary arts student will join a school nutrition director and professional chef. The winning team will be awarded a plaque and have the opportunity to be spokespeople for the second annual cook off in 2017.
The cook-off is part of the State’s child nutrition projects and follows legislation to support healthy meals in schools. For more information on Maine’s Local Foods to Local Schools program, visit www.maine.gov/doe/nutrition/programs/localfoods/.
Members of the media are welcome to attend but need to confirm prior to the event. This event is NOT open to the public.
For more information and to confirm coverage, contact: Anne Gabbianelli at anne.gabbianelli@maine.gov or call 624-6747.
-END-
The Maine Department of Education teamed up with the Augusta School Department last month to deliver 200 backpacks filled with supplies, books and snacks to elementary and middle school students in Augusta, Lewiston, Portland and RSU 17.
The supplies were donated through Maine DOE’s partnership with Feed the Children HELP Backpack program, a national effort working to end childhood hunger. Together, the Department and Feed the Children work to determine areas of highest need and connect donors, experts, partners, leaders, and communities to attack the issue from all angles.
The Department is currently working to bring more backpacks and supplies to Maine’s homeless children and youth. The McKinney-Vento Education Assistance Act defines homeless children as “individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.”
More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar
The Maine Learning Technology Initiative is updating many of the technology solutions in classrooms this year in order to bring districts the features or budget savings they have been requesting. | More
Many people who grow up in Maine experience small town pride and friendly neighbors, which helps create a welcoming community in a school. | More
The Maine Department of Education will again apply for federal School Improvement Grant (SIG) funding that the Department would distribute to help the state’s most struggling schools. | More
Oxford Hills Technical School students spruced up a van through their auto collision program, but it’s more than just a facelift. | More
The first annual Maine School Wellness Summit will be held on June 22 and 23 at Bates College in Lewiston. | More
Last month, some third grade students from Brewer came to Augusta promoting the idea of naming the lobster Maine’s official crustacean. | More
A day of professional development in a Franklin County school kitchen added a “wow” factor to the menu. | More
More Dispatches | Press Releases | Priority Notices
The Maine Department of Education teamed up with the Augusta School Department last month to deliver 200 backpacks filled with supplies, books and snacks to elementary and middle school students in Augusta, Lewiston, Portland and RSU 17.
Continue reading “Two hundred students receive backpacks, supplies and snacks”
Last month, some third grade students from Brewer came to Augusta promoting the idea of naming the lobster Maine’s official crustacean. Once the Legislature approved the idea, the students got to witness first-hand how their idea actually became law. Governor Paul R. LePage joined the young leaders in Brewer at their school this week, and the following media accounts capture the moment.
The Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) is updating many of the technology solutions in classrooms this year in order to bring districts the features or budget savings they have been requesting, while improving support strategies for teachers and schools.
Continue reading “MLTI technology updates bring benefits to schools and students”
The first annual Maine School Wellness Summit will be held on June 22 and 23 at Bates College in Lewiston, and the Maine Department of Education has now opened registration.
Continue reading “Maine School Wellness Summit registration opens”
Maine DOE Newsroom 