In December, Maine experienced the first influenza death. The person was a school-aged child who had not been immunized for influenza. Every school is experiencing absences related to influenza, sometimes in great numbers. Continue reading “Urging schools to hold influenza vaccine clinics again”
Category: Priority Notices
Request, resources, and info in the aftermath of Sandy Hook
Originally posted Dec. 17, 2012
This memo from Commissioner Bowen is intended for superintendents, heads of private schools, and other administrators. It includes links below to key resources on emergency preparedness and talking with children about Sandy Hook.
Friday’s tragedy in Newtown, Conn., has shocked and saddened us beyond words. The Governor and I have both expressed our condolences and send our thoughts and prayers. I confess I can’t help but feel that our words seem insufficient within the scope of the tragedy. Still, I know that they are important, and I appreciate the efforts many of you have made to share your thoughts and prayers, and your efforts to communicate with your parents in the aftermath of this national tragedy.
Continue reading “Request, resources, and info in the aftermath of Sandy Hook”
We’re discovering everything we’re learning
“We’re discovering everything we’re learning.”
Continue reading “We’re discovering everything we’re learning”
Connecting Maine students and veterans
On Monday I had the opportunity to attend an incredible event at the Cole Land Transportation Museum in Bangor. Three middle school and three high school students read their winning essays based on interviews with veterans, arranged by the Museum and the Cole Family Foundation.
Looking forward to better accountability system
Today the Department released its annual report on school progress under the No Child Left Behind Act, which showed that a majority of schools aren’t meeting federal targets—just as we anticipated.
We, along with most other states, don’t believe AYP accurately measures school success. Continue reading “Looking forward to better accountability system”
Recognizing exceptional teachers
Today was a great day for recognizing excellent teachers and showcasing their work. I was honored to start the day by announcing that Peter Barlow is the newest Maine CTE Teacher of the Year. A few hours later, I was congratulating four teachers for becoming Presidential Award finalists at a conference for science teachers in Gardiner.
School choice in action
School choice has always been an option for some Maine students, but we’re getting closer and closer to offering choice to all our kids—enabling them to take charge of their own learning.
Passing of Deb Hannigan and Buzz Kastuck
It is with great, great sadness that I report the passing this week of two long-time members of the Maine DOE family – Deb Hannigan, who served as the director of Child Development Services, and Buzz Kastuck, who managed the school approval process, superintendent agreements and home schooling. Continue reading “Passing of Deb Hannigan and Buzz Kastuck”
Literacy: not just for schools, anymore
It’s time for a new school year, and here at the Maine DOE we’re continuing the work of our strategic plan.
In a few weeks, the Department will launch its birth-to-adult literacy initiative, Literacy for ME, and we’re hoping to get the whole state involved.
Join statewide discussion on ESEA flexibility
Well, the time has come.
For nearly the past year, we’ve been working on a proposal for flexibility under the decade-old No Child Left Behind Act (or Elementary and Secondary Education Act). Maine will submit its application by Sept. 6, and it’s important to us to involve the public one more time as we finalize a plan for creating a better school accountability and improvement system.
Continue reading “Join statewide discussion on ESEA flexibility”
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