Governor LePage, First Lady ask Legislature to support military service exploration for Maine students

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage and First Lady Ann M. LePage are calling on the Maine Legislature to vote not as divided Republicans and Democrats but as united Americans on two bills that ensure the state’s students have opportunity to explore military service.

The two Governor’s bills, go before the full Legislature with divided reports after being rejected on essentially party line votes in the Democrat-controlled Education Committee last month.

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Governor and students celebrate Clean Water Week

Governor LePage with Clean Water poster contest winners
Governor LePage with Clean Water poster contest winners

The following is a news release from the Governor’s Office.

AUGUSTA – To kick off Maine Clean Water Week, Governor Paul R. LePage, students, and members of the Maine Wastewater Control Association announced this year’s winners of the Maine Clean Water poster contest.

In recognition of Maine Clean Water Week, June 3-7, 2013, the Maine Wastewater Control Association sponsored the poster competition for students in Grade 3-8. The theme of the competition is “What Clean Water Means To Me.”

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Estimating MLTI next generation costs

Dear Schools,

Last week we reached out to you as part of our continued commitment to communicating the latest updates of the Maine Learning Technology Initiative next generation deployment. We’d hoped that Priority Notice would provide the clarity you needed to inform your district decision-making during this busy budgeting time. Continue reading “Estimating MLTI next generation costs”

Free hazardous chemical management training June 3

The federal law on hazardous chemicals and training has changed. Please be aware that all workers must be trained in the new Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) Global Harmonization System (GHS) by Dec. 1, 2013.  Continue reading “Free hazardous chemical management training June 3”

Commissioner Bowen to complete Promising Practices Tour with visits to MSAD 54 elementary schools

SKOWHEGAN – Maine Department of Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen will complete his Promising Practices Tour with visits to elementary schools in Skowhegan and Canaan on Friday.

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STEM education-industry collaboration a model to look to

Yesterday, Governor LePage and I celebrated our nationally competitive robotics teams and students who have received recognition at the national level for their accomplishments in science, technology, engineering and mathematics – known as STEM.

Maine should be proud of these innovative student leaders who received the Governor’s Promising STEM Awards. Continue reading “STEM education-industry collaboration a model to look to”

End-of-year data training available

The Maine Department of Education will host webinar training opportunities to coincide with the required end-of-year reporting actions. Below are two opportunities to attend training designed to help schools/districts finalize their end-of-year actions, with an additional emphasis on the graduation rate tables in Infinite Campus–State Edition.

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Envirothon state champions headed for international competition

Piscataquis Community Secondary School’s team placed first in the Maine Envirothon Championships.
Piscataquis Community Secondary School’s team placed first in the Maine Envirothon Championships.

Thanks to Piscataquis Community Secondary School for sharing this information with the Maine DOE for publication.

GUILFORD – Five students from Piscataquis Community Secondary School, led by biology teacher Heather Doherty, captured top honors at the Maine Envirothon Championships on May 23 at Bowdoin College.

The initial Envirothon pool included 61 teams from across the state. The PCSS Envirothon team included Jeremy Bell, Emily Northup, Ben Maines, Rebecca Grant and Logan Sargent. Grant and Sargent are four-year veterans.

Continue reading “Envirothon state champions headed for international competition”

Additions made to special education Q&A

The Maine Department of Education maintains an online collection of Frequently Asked Questions about special education. Recently, the Maine DOE has added four new questions and answers to the FAQ. One is about the Advance Written Notice; two are about the Individualized Education Program; and a fourth is about the Written Notice. In addition, one question and answer about the Summary of Performance form has been amended.

Continue reading “Additions made to special education Q&A”