PRIORITY NOTICE: Virtual Meeting Schedule – Wednesday 4/15

Virtual office hour schedule for Wednesday, April 15, 2020

The Maine Department of Education continues to schedule virtual office hours with Department Specialist to support educators and administrators during extended remote learning. During these meetings, our specialists will be available to provide support and guidance regarding distance learning and school supports, as well as to facilitate networking and resource sharing between educators.

As a reminder, virtual meeting schedules are regularly updated on this web page: https://www.maine.gov/doe/covid-19/contentmeetings. The Department will continue scheduling content specific office hours as needed.

Please note that Department staff hosting the virtual meetings have ramped up security measures to keep out participants that are attempting to join the meetings for reasons other than to participate in education related conversations – this includes password protecting meetings and in some cases requiring registration. Thank you for your patience!

Virtual Office Hours:

(Please note: some meetings have a 100 person max capacity.)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020
(meeting times and information for the rest of the week are available here)

FOCUS AREA	SPECIALIST	TIME	MEETING INFO	HOST CONTACT INFO
Brain Centered Emotional Support	Kellie Bailey/ Bear Shea	8:30 AM	Join this session.	bear.shea@maine.gov
ELA 9-12 Facilitated work session: thought partners to workshop you instructional tasks	Morgan Dunton	10:00 AM	Contact meeting host for link and password.	morgan.dunton@maine.gov
School Clinical Mental Health “Office Hours”	Bear Shea	10:00 AM	This Meeting Occurs Weekly Register for this and ALL Future Sessions: Register here Content Hour Certificate	w.bear.shea@maine.gov
Special Education: Updates K/12	Special Ed Consultants	10:00 AM	Register here	roberta.lucas@maine.gov
A Book Share for Integrating Middle Level Social Studies & Reading	Joe Schmidt w/ Crystal Polk/MSAD 58	10:00 AM	Complete this form to register and to receive more information.	joe.schmidt@maine.gov
SPPS/SAC	Mary Adley	10:00 AM	Contact meeting host for link and password	tracy.w.whitlock@maine.gov
PK-5 Mathematics: Office Hour	Jen Robitaille & Michele Mailhot	11:00 AM	Register	jennifer.r.robitaille@maine.gov
School Gardens	Heather Whitaker (Maine 2020 TOY), Laurie Bowen (UMaine Coop. Ext.), Bryan Murphy	11:00 AM	Register here	heather.whitaker@gorhamschools.org
PK-12 Social Studies Office Hour	Joe Schmidt	11:00 AM	Complete this form to register and to receive more information.	joe.schmidt@maine.gov
PK-8 Earth Day Resources	Shari Templeton	12:00 PM	Contact meeting host for link and password.	shari.templeton@maine.gov
Music K-5 Office Hour	Jason Anderson, Visual and Performing Arts Content Specialist	1:00 PM	Register here	jason.anderson@maine.gov
Advising Adult Learners Online	Amy Poland	1:30 PM	Registration Link	amy.poland@maine.gov
Google Classroom Support Session (creating quizzes)	Jason Anderson, Visual and Performing Arts Content Specialist/Judith Michalik, Music Educator	2:00 PM (90-minute session)	Register here	jason.anderson@maine.gov
World Language Office Hours (K-12)	Lavinia Rogers	2:00 PM	Register	lavinia.m.rogers@maine.gov
CED and CTE Networking	Diana Doiron & Meg Harvey	2:00 PM	Contact meeting host for link and password.	diana.doiron@maine.gov & margaret.harvey@maine.gov
Health Education & Physical Education on Student Mental Health Supports	Susan Berry, Jean Zimmerman and Bear Shea	2:00 PM	Register	susan.berry@maine.gov
Digital Literacy – Finding Reliable Sources on the Web	Joe Schmidt w/ John Raby/Thornton Academy	2:30 PM	Complete this form to register and to receive more information.	joe.schmidt@maine.gov
Brain Centered Emotional Support	Kellie Bailey/ Bear Shea	3:30 PM	Join this session.	bear.shea@maine.gov

PRIORITY NOTICE: Virtual Meeting Schedule – Tuesday 4/14

Virtual office hour schedule for Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Virtual Office Hours:

(Please note: some meetings have a 100 person max capacity.)

TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020

FOCUS AREA	SPECIALIST	TIME	MEETING INFO	HOST CONTACT INFO
Brain Centered Emotional Support	Kellie Bailey/ Bear Shea	8:30	Meeting information available here	bear.shea@maine.gov
Pre K for ME- Focus on Thinking & Feedback and Small Groups	Nicole Madore	9:00 AM	Contact meeting host for meeting link and password	nicole.madore@maine.gov
School Counseling: Open Office Hours	Bear Shea	10:00	This Meeting Occurs Weekly Register for this and ALL Future Sessions: Register here	w.bear.shea@maine.gov
Special Education: Elementary	Special Ed Consultants	10:00 AM	Register here	roberta.lucas@maine.gov
Elementary Literacy	Danielle Saucier	10:00 AM	Contact meeting host for meeting link and password	danielle.m.saucier@maine.gov
Adult Education ELL Instructor Support	Megan Dichter	10:00 AM	Contact meeting host for meeting link and password	megan.dichter@maine.gov
Pre K Open Office Hours	Nicole Madore	10:30 AM	Contact meeting host for meeting link and password	nicole.madore@maine.gov
Virtual “Hands On History”	Joe Schmidt	11:00am	Complete this form to register and to receive more information.	joe.schmidt@maine.gov
School Nursing	Emily Poland (Guest host, Patricia Endsley)	11:00	Contact meeting host for meeting link and password	emily.poland@maine.gov
Visual Art, K-12 Office Hour	Jason Anderson, Visual and Performing Arts Content Specialist	1:00	Register here	jason.anderson@maine.gov
Physical Education Office Hours with Teens To Trails	Jean Zimmerman and Susan Berry	1:00 p.m.	Register here	susan.berry@maine.gov
6-12 Mathematics: Office Hour	Michele Mailhot & Jen Robitaille	1:00 PM	Register here	michele.mailhot@maine.gov
SEL/Mindfulness Content For Elementary Educators and Staff	Kellie Bailey	2:00 PM	Contact meeting host for meeting link and password	kellie.bailey@maine.gov
Health Education on Sexuality Education via Distance Learning	Susan Berry and Jean Zimmerman	2:30 p.m.	Register here	susan.berry@maine.gov
ELA 6-12 Learning Goals and Feedback: meaningul learning in the pass/fail format	Morgan Dunton	3:00	Contact meeting host for meeting link and password	morgan.dunton@maine.gov
Taking a Risk! With Game-Based Learning	Joe Schmidt w/ Derek Carroll/SeDoMoCha MS	3:30	Complete this form to register and to receive more information.	joe.schmidt@maine.gov
Brain Centered Emotional Support	Kellie Bailey/ Bear Shea	3:30	Meeting information available here	bear.shea@maine.gov
Google Classroom Support Session (follow-up to using the “classwork” tab) RESCHEDULE FROM LAST FRIDAY	Jason Anderson, Visual and Performing Arts Content Specialist	4:30 PM (90-minute session)	Register here	jason.anderson@maine.gov

PRIORITY NOTICE (UPDATE): Virtual Meeting Schedule – Friday 4/10

UPDATE: Many of today’s meetings may be canceled due to wide spread power outages across the state. If a session is not available today it is likely because the host does not have power – we apologize for the inconvenience.

Virtual office hour schedule for Friday, April 10, 2020

Please note that Department staff hosting the virtual meetings have ramped up security measures to keep out participants that are attempting to hack into the meetings for reasons other than to participate in education related conversations.

Virtual Office Hours:

(Please note: some meetings have a 100 person max capacity.)

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020

FOCUS AREA	SPECIALIST	TIME	MEETING INFO	CONTACT INFO
Brain Centered Emotional Support	Kellie Bailey	8:30	https://zoom.us/j/689251005	kellie.bailey@maine.gov
Pre K for ME- Focus on SWPLN & Math	Nicole Madore	9:00 AM	https://zoom.us/j/288501942	nicole.madore@maine.gov
Healh Education and Physical Education	Susan Berry and Jean Zimmerman	9:00 a.m.	https://zoom.us/j/341148318 See email from Susan Berry for password or request password from Susan	susan.berry@maine.gov
Social Studies: Sharing No Tech & Interdisciplinary Ideas	Joe Schmidt w/ Jenn Lagasse/Ellsworth Elementary School	10:00am	Contact Joe Schmidt for meeting link and password	joe.schmidt@maine.gov
Special Education: Weekly Wrap Up	Special Ed Consultants	10:00 AM	https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/184810547	roberta.lucas@maine.gov
Alternative Education *email Heather for zoom password	Heather Whitaker (Maine 2020 TOY)	12:00 p.m.	https://zoom.us/j/752839765?pwd=akMxTVVXdnZxalpva05pUHZLY0R5UT09	heather.whitaker@gorhamschools.org
PK-12 Science Networking/Office Hours	Shari Templeton	12:00 p.m.	https://zoom.us/j/412002677	shari.templeton@maine.gov
Google Classroom Support (FOLLOW UP TO using the “classwork” tab)	Jason Anderson, VPA Specialist	1:00 p.m. (90 minute session)	https://zoom.us/meeting/register/uZ AkcuChqToudhHjPJfacsntyfWrLEUXjw	jason.anderson@maine.gov
SEL Content Hour – social distancing vs emotional distancing	Kellie Bailey	2:00	https://zoom.us/j/689251005	kellie.bailey@maine.gov
CED and CTE Networking	Diana Doiron & Meg Harvey	2:00 PM	Contact Diana or Meg for link & password	diana.doiron@maine.gov & margaret.harvey@maine.gov
Brain Centered Emotional Support	Bear Shea	3:30	https://zoom.us/j/689251005	bear.shea@maine.gov

PRIORITY NOTICE: Virtual Meeting Schedule – Thursday 4/9

Virtual office hour schedule for Thursday, April 9, 2020

Virtual Office Hours:

(Please note: some meetings have a 100 person max capacity.)

THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020

FOCUS AREA	SPECIALIST	TIME	MEETING INFO	CONTACT INFO
Brain Centered Emotional Support	Bear Shea	8:30	https://zoom.us/j/689251005	bear.shea@maine.gov
School Nursing: with focus on puberty education/reproductive health resources	Emily Poland	8:30	https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/615139238 Password required, please email Emily	emily.poland@maine.gov
Healh Education – Apps and Websites	Susan Berry and Jean Zimmerman	9:00	https://zoom.us/j/462706067 See email from Susan Berry for password or request password from Susan	susan.berry@maine.gov
MUSIC, 6-8 Office Hour	Jason Anderson, VPA Specialist	10:00	Links and passwords are emailed nightly through the VPA Listserv	jason.anderson@maine.gov
Physical Education – Apps and Websites	Jean Zimmerman	10:00	https://zoom.us/j/462706067 See email from Susan Berry for password or request password from Susan	susan.berry@maine.gov
Adult Education: Support for AE Instructors	Amy Poland	10:00	https://zoom.us/j/8097107454	amy.poland@maine.gov
Special Education: High School/Transition	Special Ed Consultants	10:00 AM	https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/455923434	roberta.lucas@maine.gov
SPPS/SAC	Mary Adley	10:00 AM	https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/461510694	tracy.w.whitlock@maine.gov
MUSIC, K-5 Office Hour	Jason Anderson, VPA Specialist	11:00 AM	Links and passwords are emailed nightly through the VPA Listserv	jason.anderson@maine.gov
Digital Learning – Best Practices in Video Tutorials and Self-Recording	Jon Graham & Emma Banks	11:00	https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/962503394 Email Jon for password	Jonathan.M.Graham@maine.gov or Emma-Marie.Banks@maine.gov
PK-12 Social Studies Office Hour	Joe Schmidt	11:00am	Contact Joe Schmidt for meeting link and password	joe.schmidt@maine.gov
Elementary Literacy	Danielle Saucier	1:00 PM	Please email Danielle (Dee) for a link and password	danielle.m.saucier@maine.gov
Online Resources to Teach About WWII	Joe Schmidt w/ Shane Gower/Maranacook Community High School & The World War II Museum	1:00	Contact Joe Schmidt for meeting link and password	joe.schmidt@maine.gov
“Meaningful but Manageable” for Arts Educators Follow-up #2 (No PD Credit)	Jason Anderson, VPA Specialist and Rob Westerberg, York High School	2:00	https://zoom.us/meeting/register/uZYpc-uvpzotdSZ0BuRmu7Qs77oQBUx0XA	jason.anderson@maine.gov
SEL Content Hour – social distancing vs emotional distancing	Kellie Bailey	2:00	https://zoom.us/j/689251005	kellie.bailey@maine.gov
PK-12 Science Networking/Office Hours	Shari Templeton	2:30	https://zoom.us/j/288624294	shari.templeton@maine.gov
Digital Learning – Best Practices Around Video Conferencing	Jon Graham & Emma Banks	3:00	https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/796303782 Email Jon for password	Jonathan.M.Graham@maine.gov or Emma-Marie.Banks@maine.gov
ELA 6-12 Office Hours	Morgan Dunton	3:00	Email Morgan for link and password	morgan.dunton@maine.gov
Brain Centered Emotional Support	Kellie Bailey	3:30	https://zoom.us/j/689251005	kellie.bailey@maine.gov

PRIORITY NOTICE: Expanded Authority of Reserve Funds

An Act Regarding the Reserve Funds of Certain School Organizational Structures was signed by Governor Mills on March 12, 2020 and will become effective on June 16, 2020.

The contents of the new legislation are summarized below and may be of interest to leaders of some School Administrative Unit (SAU)s. Administrators may wish to consult with legal counsel regarding the procedures for establishing reserve funds for their school organizational structure.

School Administrative Units included in this act are School Administrative Districts (SADs), Regional School Units (RSUs), Community School Districts (CSDs), and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Regions.

Previously, School Administrative Units were able to establish a reserve fund for school construction projects and for financing the acquisition or reconstruction of a specific or type of capital improvement. This new legislation provides additional flexibility to create reserve funds for any of the following: regular education, special education, career and technical education, other instruction such as summer school and extracurricular activities, student and staff support, system administration, school administration, transportation and buses, facilities maintenance, debt service and other commitments; and all other expenditures including school lunch. The request for the reserve fund must be included in the district budget and have a description of the purpose for the reserve fund. The governing board is the trustee of the reserve fund, and in the cases of SADs, RSUs and CSDs, the fund must be deposited or invested by the treasurer as directed by the governing board.

Previously, Boards of Directors of any of these SAUs were able to expend money from reserve funds only if they were authorized to do so by a vote at a district budget meeting and an article for the purpose for the reserve fund had been in the warrant calling the meeting. However, this legislation now also provides the Boards of Directors with the ability to expend funds when the expenditure is required by law or in an emergency where the cost of a district vote is prohibitive. The governing board of the SAUs may expend the funds after providing public notice of a regular or special meeting, at which a vote to expend funds from the reserve fund will be taken. A public hearing must be held prior to the vote to expend funds from the reserve fund, and the vote must be recorded in the meeting minutes.

Step 1 – Reserve fund proposed in the budget for specific purpose is approved

Step 2 – Reserve fund set aside in SAD, RSU, CSD organizations

Step 3 – To expend the funds in the budget year, provide notice and:

Hold a district meeting, OR
Hold a regular or special meeting of the governing board with a public hearing, vote, and recorded vote.

For CTE regions, the cooperative board may expend the reserve fund if permitted by any indebtedness secured by the reserve fund and if approved in the region budget. A separate article for that purpose must be included in the budget proposal.

Please reference PL 2019 Chapter 588 for additional information.

Expanded Authority of Reserve Funds

Download a PDF of this graphic

PRIORITY NOTICE: Virtual Meeting Schedule – Wednesday 4/8

Virtual office hour schedule for Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Virtual Office Hours:

(Please note: some meetings have a 100 person max capacity.)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2020

FOCUS AREA	SPECIALIST	TIME	MEETING INFO	CONTACT INFO
Brain Centered Emotional Support	Kellie Bailey	8:30	https://zoom.us/j/689251005	kellie.bailey@maine.gov
Pre K for ME- Focus on Centers	Nicole Madore	9:00 AM	https://zoom.us/j/142611875	nicole.madore@maine.gov
Physical Education	Jean Zimmerman and Susan Berry	9:30	https://zoom.us/j/580974456 See email from Susan Berry for password or request password from Susan	susan.berry@maine.gov
School Clinical Mental Health “Office Hours”	Bear Shea	10:00	https://zoom.us/j/975637699	w.bear.shea@maine.gov
Special Education: Elementary/Middle School	Special Ed Consultants	10:00 AM	https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/841008831	roberta.lucas@maine.gov
Adapted Physical Education	Jean Zimmerman and Susan Berry	10:15	https://zoom.us/j/580974456 See email from Susan Berry for password or request password from Susan	susan.berry@maine.gov
ESEA Federal Programs Update and Office Hour	Shelly Chasse-Johndro	10:30am	See email from the GEMS system for link. Link and password can also be requested via email	shelly.chassejohndro@maine.gov
Pk-5 Mathematics Office Hour: Networking	Jen Robitaille & Michele Mailhot	11:00 AM	Register	jennifer.r.robitaille@maine.gov
Pre K Open Office Hours	Nicole Madore	11:00 AM	https://zoom.us/j/257654032	nicole.madore@maine.gov
PK-5 Science: ME Audubon & PBS	Shari Templeton	12:00 p.m.	https://zoom.us/j/385026278	shari.templeton@maine.gov
PK-12 Social Studies Office Hour	Joe Schmidt	1:00pm	Contact Joe Schmidt for meeting link and password	joe.schmidt@maine.gov
School Psychology During theCOVID-19 Crisis	Ann Belanger	1:00 PM	https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/381739019	ann.belanger@maine.gov
6-12 Mathematics Office Hour: Networking	Michele Mailhot & Jen Robitaille	2:00 PM	Register	michele.r.mailhot@maine.gov
School Nursing/How to Host a Vaccine Clinic, Part 2	Emily Poland, Patricia Endsley, & MeCDC	2:00	https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/253041016 Password required, please email Emily	emily.poland@maine.gov
Health Education	Susan Berry and Jean Zimmerman	2:30	https://zoom.us/j/662765411 See email from Susan Berry for password or request password from Susan	susan.berry@maine.gov
CED and CTE Networking	Diana Doiron & Meg Harvey	2:00	Contact Diana or Meg for link & password	diana.doiron@maine.gov
Brain Centered Emotional Support	Bear Shea	3:30	https://zoom.us/j/689251005	bear.shea@maine.gov
English for Speakers of Other Languages	April Perkins	4:00	https://zoom.us/j/407031543 – Contact April Perkins for password.	april.perkins@maine.gov

PRIORITY NOTICE: Virtual Meeting Schedule – Friday 4/3

Virtual office hour schedule for Friday, April 3, 2020

Virtual Office Hours:

(Please note: some meetings have a 100 person max capacity.)

FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2020

FOCUS AREA	SPECIALIST	TIME	Join Meeting	CONTACT INFO
Brain Centered Emotional Support	Kellie Bailey	8:30	https://zoom.us/j/689251005	kellie.bailey@maine.gov
Health Ed and Physical Ed with grade span breakout rooms	Susan Berry and Jean Zimmerman	9:00	https://zoom.us/j/790086867 Password required, email Susan Berry	susan.berry@maine.gov
ESEA Federal Programs Update and Office Hour	Shelly Chasse-Johndro	9:00	See email from the GEMS system for link. Link and password can also be requested via email	shelly.chassejohndro@maine.gov
Special Education: Weekly Wrap Up	Special Ed Consultants	10:00	https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/723182562	roberta.lucas@maine.gov
Digital Learning – Best Practices Around Video Conferencing	Jon Graham & Emma Banks	11:00	https://zoom.us/j/830817204	jonathan.m.graham@maine.gov
MTSS Lunch and Learn	Andrea Logan	12:00	Please email Andrea for a link and passcode.	andrea.logan@maine.gov
SEL Content Hour	Kellie Bailey	1:00	https://zoom.us/j/5080785422	kellie.bailey@maine.gov
Career and Education Development Networking	Diana Doiron	2:00	https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/549688895	diana.doiron@maine.gov
PK-12 Low/No-Tech Science	Shari Templeton	2:00	https://zoom.us/j/987629444	shari.templeton@maine.gov
Brain Centered Emotional Support	Bear Shea	3:30	https://zoom.us/j/689251005	bear.shea@maine.gov

PRIORITY NOTICE: Unified Guidance Regarding Executive Orders and School Personnel: All School Services and Employees are Essential

As our state and nation face unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 state of emergency, it is more critical than ever that Maine schools and school employees work together to provide the deeply needed services of continuity of education, communications, connectivity, payroll, other administrative activities, custodial services, transportation/deliveries, and student nutrition. The Governor has directed SAUs to pay hourly employees for their previously contracted hours throughout the remainder of this school year, and this decision was predicated on the understanding that all school employees would continue to have important roles in limited, alternative, ongoing operations. The Department of Education has also stated that all school employees are essential. The Priority Notice from the Dept of Education on 3/27/20 says: “All school employees are considered to be ‘essential’ under the Governor’s Executive Order #19 and should be expected to complete all duties and tasks assigned to them.”

On March 31st, Governor Mills instituted Executive Order 28 further restricting public contact and movement, schools, vehicle travel and retail business operations. In addition, cities and towns are also putting new provisions in place, which restrict operations of non-essential businesses, new questions have arisen about the definition and what it means for public-school employees to be essential.

Although school employees are essential, their physical presence at school is not always necessary during this emergency, as there are many tasks and trainings that could be completed remotely. In light of the Governor’s “Stay Healthy At Home” order at this critical juncture to flatten the curve, physical presence in schools should be restricted to a bare minimum in order to provide essential functions – such as providing educational and nutritional services to students, payroll, certain cleaning and maintenance staff, certain administrative assistant staff where communications cannot occur remotely, IT staff to support remote learning functions, transportation staff – and only as long as social distancing and other CDC recommendations (including hand washing protocols) are being implemented. The fewest numbers of employees possible should be on premises, and only during the necessary time frame required for conducting such services. All functions that do not require in-person staff in schools should be done remotely.

It is possible that some hourly staff members will not have enough immediately purposeful work to do (either on site or remotely) to fill the contracted hours for which they are paid. In that case, these employees should be considered to be “on standby”, ready to assist as work does become available for them. Administrators and supervisors should determine when/if certain positions are needed to perform tasks. While on standby, employees will continue to receive hourly wages as contracted prior to the COVID emergency.

Given the Governor’s most recent Executive Order, the Department of Education (DOE), Maine School Board Association/Maine School Superintendents Association (MSBA/MSSA), Maine Principals Association (MPA), Maine Education Association (MEA), Maine Administrators of Services for Children with Disabilities (MADSEC) and Maine Curriculum Leaders Association (MCLA), would like to clarify the roles and responsibilities of public-school employees during this time.

Employees who are able and assigned by supervisors to work remotely should continue to do so, and raise any concerns they may have with their local district leadership. Administrators and staff are encouraged to collaborate and problem-solve to foster telework options during this crisis.
School employees should continue to go to work if they must be there to perform essential functions. CDC guidelines should be strictly followed including social distancing of at least 6 feet from all other people. School employees working onsite should be kept to the bare minimum necessary to execute the functions that require their physical presence.
Employees whose services are not immediately needed, as determined by supervisors, or whose work cannot be done remotely, should continue to receive their regular wages and should remain ready to perform tasks as they become necessary and assigned by supervisors. Employees on standby leave should be ready to help schools meet their basic needs, and may be assigned to participate in a rotation of duties during this time.
Any school employees who are sick, in a high risk group, or feel unsafe for any reason, should have access to their own sick leave, the new federal leave program, a district sick leave bank, if applicable, or any other paid leave that a district may be providing.

We can all take common sense steps to ensure that only staff whose physical presence is required to provide services and who are engaged in immediately necessary services are in our schools, and that those who are in our schools are being protected by following the most current CDC guidelines for social distancing, cleaning, hand washing, and ventilation.

We so appreciate all the work being done to help students during these challenging times. We know our public schools are wonderful places filled with amazing, hard-working and dedicated staff. Please be sure to take care of each other during this crisis.

PRIORITY NOTICE: Update and Guidance From Commissioner Makin: April 1, 2020

Dear Champions of Education,

Yesterday, Governor Mills issued a “stay at home” order, offering specific guidance around curtailing non-essential activities, gatherings, and travel. She also ordered schools to refrain from in-person, classroom instruction practices until after May 1st (or until further orders are issued).

As we close in on the third week of remote instruction, please know that your resilient leadership and ongoing efforts are making a huge difference for Maine students and families. While everything is so suddenly chaotic and unfamiliar to everyone, our schools continue to shine like a beacon of hope. I have received countless emails and messages from legislators, parents, community members, and students sharing their gratitude for the steady support, the nutritional services, and the deeply human connections that are provided by educators, counselors, and school administrators. I’ve heard anecdotes from teachers who have noticed increased participation and engagement from students who had previously been among the most disconnected and apathetic. The lesson in this phenomenon is an important one… they’re counting on you even when their outward behaviors disguise this fact.

Updates and information:

Essential employees: PreK-12 educational and. Child nutrition staff are all considered essential during this crisis. We are currently working with our educational organizations’ leadership to develop clarified and unified guidance in light of the Governor’s most recent Executive Order.

Nutrition programs and April vacation: Maine DOE’s Child Nutrition team continues to seek flexibilities and waivers for our SAUs and communities. We are thrilled to share that there have been waivers granted for schools with fewer than 50% free/reduced meal students and bulk service provisions. Read more here. We have applied for a waiver that will allow meal programs to be Reimbursed For the meals served during April vacation- currently not reimbursable. We will provide an update as soon as we hear from USDA.

The CARES Act federal relief package will provide schools/SAU’s with funding to mitigate some of the financial impacts of the COVID-related disruption. Much more on this coming very soon!

Remote Learning Plans/Sharing: Although we’re not requiring districts to share their remote learning plans, some have shared theirs with us and offered them as a resource to others that are still developing their plans! We will be happy to collect and share in a protected way with colleagues. Thank you to all who have shared their well-developed plans! If you’d like to offer your districts plan as a guide for others, please email Chief Innovation Officer, Page Nichols at page.nichols@maine.gov.

Home Instruction: The Department recognizes that disruption due to COVID-19 may impact a home instruction family’s ability to maintain the required number of instructional days, and is therefore including home instruction in the statewide waiver granted for the minimum of 175 days of instruction for 2019-2020 school year.  Demonstration of satisfactory academic progress is still required to be submitted to superintendents by September 1st.

School Budget, voting, etc:  We have been working with MSMA, the AG’s office, and the Governor’s office to develop an executive order that will provide the various flexibilities that have been requested. Please stay tuned – solutions are imminent.  (The Legislature did vote our GPA budget IN and intact, so your ED279 printouts provide an accurate basis for what you’ll receive in state subsidy).

DOE is open for business – including CERTIFICATION office!  The system is up and running, the phones are being monitored by our knowledgeable and helpful team of experts, and we are eager to get your completed applications for renewal or initial certification processed as soon as possible! We have had some state level issues with phone system overload, so don’t hesitate to use email also! As mentioned in an earlier notice, we do intend to provide extensions for those who have had education, testing, fingerprinting, or practicum/internship disruptions due to the COVID emergency – but for those of you who have completed the necessary steps, please submit necessary documentation and move ahead with your renewal application!

Silver Linings:

It’s possible that we’re demonstrating capacity for never having to make up “snow days” in the future!

We have a perfect opportunity to redesign our state assessment system!

Every time we do something kind or selfless to benefit someone else, we get a bump of serotonin … It even works when we simply observe someone being kind to someone else!

Amid the fear and loss and physical disconnection, watch empathy, compassion, and humanity shining like the North Star – far above the fray.

We will emerge from this better than we’ve ever been.

Thank you for all you are doing on behalf of your students, staff, and communities.

Pender

PRIORITY NOTICE: Virtual Meeting Schedule – Thursday 4/2

Virtual office hour schedule for Thursday, April 2, 2020

Virtual Office Hours:

(Please note: some meetings have a 100 person max capacity.)

THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2020

FOCUS AREA	SPECIALIST	TIME	Join Meeting	CONTACT INFO
World Language – language specific breakout rooms	Lavinia Rogers	7:00	https://zoom.us/j/362986147	lavinia.m.rogers@maine.gov
Brain Centered Emotional Support	Kellie Bailey	8:30	https://zoom.us/j/689251005	kellie.bailey@maine.gov
School Nursing	Emily Poland	8:30	https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/615139238	Password required, please email emily.poland@maine.gov
Pre K Open Office Hours	Nicole Madore	9:00	https://zoom.us/j/662314719	nicole.madore@maine.gov
K-12 Dance Office Hour	Jason Anderson	10:00	https://zoom.us/j/625463511	jason.anderson@maine.gov
Special Education: High School/Transition	Special Ed Consultants	10:00	https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/752621795	roberta.lucas@maine.gov
Adult Education– HiSET Instruction	Amy Poland	10:00	https://zoom.us/j/8097107454	amy.poland@maine.gov
School Safety	Rob Susi, Jonathan Shapiro	10:00	https://zoom.us/j/633457824 meeting contact: Robert.W.Susi@maine.gov
Elementary Literacy	Danelle Saucier	10:00	https://zoom.us/j/542748289 Password required, Danielle Saucier	danielle.m.saucier@maine.gov
K-12 Theatre Office Hour	Jason Anderson	11:00	https://zoom.us/j/815579920	jason.anderson@maine.gov
SPPS/ SAC	Mary Adley	11:00	https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/115134127	tracy.w.whitlock@maine.gov
CTE Middle School Resources	Meg Harvey w/Diana Doiron	11:00	https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/646515261	diana.doiron@maine.gov
Elementary Social Studies – Panel Discussion with Teacher Leaders	Joe Schmidt w/ Elem. Teacher Leaders	11:00	https://zoom.us/j/477798026 Password required, email Joe Schmidt	joe.schmidt@maine.gov
Teaching Using Osher Map Library Online Resources	Joe Schmidt w/ Libby Bischof & Renee Keul from Osher Map Library	1:00	https://zoom.us/j/886898082 Password required, email Joe Schmidt	joe.schmidt@maine.gov
“Meaningful but Manageable” Follow-up session	Jason Anderson w/Rob Westerberg, York HS Music Educator	2:00	https://zoom.us/j/130105188	jason.anderson@maine.gov
Career and Education Development Networking	Diana Doiron	2:00	https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/799626507	diana.doiron@maine.gov
SEL Content Hour	Kellie Bailey	2:00	https://zoom.us/j/5080785422	kellie.bailey@maine.gov
Teaching Using Desmos (2 hours)	Michele & Jen	1:00 – 3:00	https://zoom.us/j/585315347	michele.r.mailhot@maine.gov
ELA 6-12 Office Hourse	Morgan Dunton	3:00	https://zoom.us/j/604960787	morgan.dunton@maine.gov
Social Studies PK-12	Joe Schmidt	3:00	https://zoom.us/j/792259286 Password required, email Joe Schmidt	joe.schmidt@maine.gov
ESEA Federal Programs Update and Office Hour	Shelly Chasse-Johndro	3:00	https://zoom.us/j/129257632	shelly.chassejohndro@maine.gov
Brain Centered Emotional Support	Bear Shea	3:30	https://zoom.us/j/689251005	bear.shea@maine.gov
Health Ed & Physical Ed on Using Google Classroom and supporting distance learning tools	Jean Zimmerman and Susan Berry	4:00	https://zoom.us/j/311952010 Password required, email Susan Berry	jean.zimmerman@maine.gov susan.berry@maine.gov
World Language – language specific breakout rooms	Lavinia Rogers	4:00	https://zoom.us/j/591733733	lavinia.m.rogers@maine.gov
Alternative Ed “after hours edition”	Heather Whitaker (2020 Maine Teacher of the Year	4:00	https://zoom.us/j/529951973	heather.whitaker@gorhamschools.org