Ethel Atkinson, 2019 York County Teacher of the Year and Bonny Eagle Middle School (BEMS) Reading Specialist/Instructional Coach and Pathfinders Director is helping her school issue a challenge to schools across the state for earth day.

“WE CHALLENGE YOU!” Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22nd. (But EVERY day is Earth Day, Right?) Got Trash? Join in a roadside cleanup!

Make a 10-second video of you and your family and pass on the challenge.  Upload pics and videos to https://flipgrid.com/quarantineroadside

See Ethel’s video:

Get Outside, Take Care of the Earth, and Pass On the Challenge. We are Maine Strong!

****Please exercise caution.  Wear protective gloves.****

Maine School of Science and Mathematics (MSSM) has two community members working toward being part of the solution in the Covid-19 pandemic. Eli Wales, a sophomore from Mount Desert Island and Dr. Greg Hamlin, Computer Science Instructor at MSSM, have been using 3D printers to create full-face shields and ear strap holders for local hospitals. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) designates full-face shields as preferred Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Eli joined a team of about 5 members with skills in 3D printing and an interest in helping the situation. Prior to the Governor’s edict to stay home, Eli and his team went around to schools in the Mount Desert Island area and borrowed Flashforge Finder 3D printers that have been donated to many Maine schools by the Perloff Family Foundation. Eli said, “each member of the team has created a small production line where we make as many ear strap holders as possible.” The purpose of the ear strap holder is to keep the face shield’s elastic band off the ears, which can hurt after wearing it for a number of hours. Eli has personally produced around 700 of the strap holders and other members have made about the same. He noted they have only made about 3 face shields and taken them to local hospitals to make sure they will be acceptable.

Dr. Hamlin, using 3D printers and materials from Maine School of Science and Mathematics, has been producing protective face shields for use by local healthcare providers. He has been running two of the school’s printers 24/7 producing plastic frames, which are then fitted with a transparent front panel made from overhead transparencies or similar material. An initial set of 40+ units has been provided to Cary Medical Center in Caribou.  Dr. Hamlin said, “We were fortunate that the school had the supplies and equipment on hand for the project, so it was just a matter of setting things up in my guest room and keeping the printers supplied with filament.

This article was submitted by Ryan McDonald, Public Relations Coordinator for Maine School of Science and Mathematics as part of the Maine Schools Sharing Success Campaign. To submit a story or an idea, email it to Rachel at rachel.paling@maine.gov.

Every other week, RSU #4’s Superintendent Andrew Carlton and Director of Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction, Kathy Martin, have been hosting an online community forum.  In order to create two-way communication with families, students and other community members, the two district administrators have been hosting a zoom meeting to allow constituents the chance to get information, ask questions, give comments and provide feedback on various topics that have affected our students during this COVID-19 pandemic.

RSU #4 started these zoom meetings during their first phase of the continuity of education plan as part of their communication efforts.  It was an opportunity to discuss food distribution, device pick-up procedures, and explain the educational plans for that phase of skills maintenance efforts.  During this meeting, parents could better understand responsibilities for parents, students and teachers during each phase of the plan. The meeting also allowed parents to give suggestions on how to support the learner with creating a daily schedule, for example.

By the second meeting, the district was in the Phase II portion of the continuity education plan.  Topics included questions about new learning in a remote setting, expectations for a typical school day, how to pick up personal belongings in our school buildings, and discuss what April vacation will look like.  In addition to discussing topics related to the remote learning plan, it was also a chance to discuss some business as usual events. For example, there was a discussion about the budget, the budget process and how the district will proceed over the next few months.    

All the zoom meetings have been recorded and shared through the district’s website and social media sites so community members could view the recording if they could not attend the actual meeting.  In addition, parents and students could send questions, comments or feedback ahead of time to ensure their questions or concerns would be addressed during the zoom.

The community forums are going to continue as one measure to open communication between the school system and community.  The zoom meetings can also leverage opportunities to better support and continue the vision of “inspiring our learners for future success” even in these unprecedented times.

This article was submitted by RSU 4 Superintendent Andy Carlton as part of the Maine Schools Sharing Success Campaign. To submit a story or idea, email it to rachel.paling@maine.gov.

Bonny Eagle High School Students Council, Dawna Cyr and School Nurse Jen Dow, RN created this wonderful PSA for COVID-19 called “We are all in this together” with the hashtag #BEHealthy. The PSA talks about what you can do right now to take care of yourself and also provides information about how to access more resources. The group says they are working on more public service announcements.

The tight knit school community of Prescott Memorial School in Washington Maine is really missing their students now that schools are conducting learning remotely. To make sure students know just how missed they are, the teachers and staff worked together to create a this very special message.

The image of educators and school staff holding up signs from their homes says: “Dear Prescott students and families, we miss you very much and hope that you’re staying happy and healthy at home. Be kind and stay positive.”

Prescott Memorial Principal Nancy Stover says they got the word out to students and families by posting the message on the school’s Facebook page and send it out through school messaging system.

Maine Teachers of the Year and County Teachers of the Year are keeping their professional and social relationships strong by scheduling regular social hours through online video conferencing. Since the COVID-19 pandemic has forced schools around the state to close their doors and continue providing learning opportunities remotely, the meet-ups provide the teachers with a bit of professional and emotional solace from the challenges and changes caused by the pandemic.

A program of the Maine Department of Education, the Maine State Teacher of the Year program is administered by Educate Maine and the Maine State Teacher of the Year Association (MSTOYA), who have both been instrumental in keeping educators of the program connected by scheduling a time and providing a virtual space for the meetings.

Among the topics discussed in the most recent meeting was practicing work/life balance while teaching from home. Suggestions from the group included taking the weekends off, checking in regularly with other educators and each other, getting exercise, and taking breaks every day. The educators also discussed conducting remote classes outdoors if possible and scheduling virtual lunches with students as a way to stay connected, social, and to lift the spirits of themselves and their students.

The group plans to continue the virtual meet ups for as long as needed. The next meeting topic is going to be effective strategies for engaging students in remote learning.

MSTOYA says that the meet-ups are open to its members and to anyone who is seeking a supportive team at this time. For more information, contact Karen MacDonald macdok235@gmail.com.