Maine Computer Science Education Summit to Bring Statewide Partners Together to Strengthen Education

Educators, administrators, community partners, industry leaders, and others invested in computer science education are invited to attend the Maine Computer Science Education Summit on Friday, November 6, 2026, at the Westin Portland Harborview.

This free, statewide event will bring together people from across Maine to connect, share perspectives, and explore how Maine can continue expanding access to meaningful, high-quality computer science education for all students.

As computer science education evolves across Maine, schools are exploring new approaches to computational thinking, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, physical computing, and emerging technologies. This event brings these conversations together to explore how best to support students and communities.

Throughout the day, educators, school and district leaders, policymakers, industry representatives, higher education partners, and community stakeholders will have opportunities to learn from one another, explore Maine’s current computer science education landscape, and contribute their experiences and perspectives to conversations about where Maine goes next.

The goal is not only to share what is already happening, but to strengthen connections across organizations and communities and identify coordinated, actionable strategies that can support computer science education across the state.

The Summit is designed for anyone who has a role in creating opportunities for Maine students. By bringing these voices together, the Summit can help build a more complete picture of what computer science education looks like in Maine and what students, educators, schools, and communities need moving forward.

Event Details

Friday, November 6, 2026
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
The Westin Portland Harborview, Portland
Free to attend
$100 stipend available for educators

Learn more and register for the Maine Computer Science Education Summit using the event website. Registration is required.

The summit is funded by the Harold Alfond Foundation through the STEM Workforce Ready 2030 project with support from the Maine Department of Education (DOE), the University of Maine, the Maine Mathematics & Science Alliance (MMSA), Educate Maine, and the Maine Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA).

Maine DOE Launches 2026-2027 School Health Monthly Webinar Series

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Coordinated School Health Team is excited to announce the launch of the 2026-2027 School Health Webinar Series. This series is designed for those who work to support student health and well-being, including school health professionals, pediatricians, and school health advisors.

This educational series begins on November 3, 2026, with a new installment released each month through April 6, 2027. Each live session will be recorded and posted to the School Health Webinar Series course on EnGiNE, the Maine DOE’s online learning platform. To watch the recordings, you’ll need an EnGiNE account. Get started with the Getting Started with EnGiNE guide or visit EnGiNE’s support page.

All recorded sessions and materials can then be viewed at the participant’s convenience and will remain available as enduring content through December of 2029. One contact hour is available for each session installment.

Session topics include:

Frequent Flyers or Preparing to Soar: The Effect of Stigmatizing Language in School Health
Northern New England Poison Center (NNEPC) Overview & Emerging Issues Relevant to Student Safety
Human Trafficking Prevention: Identification and Early Intervention
Tools to Support School Health Information Sharing
School Health and Vectorborne Diseases: Prevention, Recognition, and Response in Maine.
Supporting Students with Endometriosis: The Role of School Nurses and the Impact of the ENPOWR Program

For more information, and to register, please visit this link. With further questions, please contact Maine DOE School Nurse Specialist, Sarah DeCato at sarah.decato@maine.gov.

Family Engagement Institute and Community of Practice: Strengthening Relationship-Based Family Engagement Practice Across Maine’s Early Childhood Workforce

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) in collaboration with the Maine Department of Health and Human services (DHHS) Office of Child and Family Services is pleased to offer Strengthening Relationship-Based Family Engagement Practice Across Maine’s Early Childhood Workforce – a professional learning opportunity designed for early care and education professionals serving children birth–age six.

Delivered by Educare Central Maine, this learning series will expand educators’ capacity to respond effectively to the needs of young children and their families. Participants will engage in a two-day interactive professional learning experience and three Community of Practice (COP) opportunities focusing on:

relationship-based and reflective practices,
understanding the relationship between adult well-being and children’s development,
strengthening interactions with children/families,
using observation to inform practices, and
supporting educators in navigating challenging interactions and situations.

Brazelton Touchpoints’ strengths-based approach will be incorporated into the learning experience as a framework for understanding relationships with children and families.

In-person and Online Learning Registration

In-person space for the two-day intensive is limited to 50 participants (preferred) with an online hybrid option also available for remote participation via Zoom. A light lunch will be provided for those attending in-person.

Registration includes the in-person or online two-day intensive as well as three online Communities of Practice sessions which will build upon previous learning and concepts from the intensive training, discuss implementation experiences and challenges, apply relationship-based practices to real situations, and support sustaining the work beyond the training. Registration is open through October 29, 2026.

Two-Day Intensive:

November 2 and 3, 2026, 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.,
Educare Central Maine, 56 Drummond Ave, Waterville, ME 04901.
Please note: Once the in-person spaces are filled, the online hybrid option will remain available.

Community of Practice (COP) Sessions:

November 12, 2026, 12:30–2:00 p.m., virtual via Zoom
November 19, 2026, 12:30-2:00 p.m., virtual via Zoom
December 10, 2026, 12:30–2:00 p.m., virtual via Zoom

Register here.

Questions may be directed to Stacie.McCoy@maine.gov, Head Start Collaboration Director, or LeeAnn.Larsen@maine.gov, Director of Early Learning.

Preschool Development Grant funds received from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) support the implementation of this project. The project has an award totaling $10,000, funded and directly attributed to project implementation. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, HHS or the U.S. government.

Professional Learning Opportunity: Building Early Numeracy Through Play, Exploration, and Meaningful Learning Experiences (Updated Info)

The Maine Department of Education (DOE), in collaboration with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Child and Family Services, is pleased to offer Young Mathematicians— a professional learning opportunity designed for early care and education professionals serving children ages 3–6. The dates and location for Track 1 have been updated.

Delivered by Education Development Center (EDC), this learning series will help educators strengthen their understanding of early numeracy and create learning environments where young children can develop mathematical thinking through play, exploration, and everyday experiences. Participants will explore ways to recognize and build on the mathematical thinking children demonstrate throughout the day and learn strategies to intentionally support foundational numeracy skills. The series will also help educators engage families in supporting early numeracy at home.

Three distinct learning tracks are available at no cost for educators with different schedules and learning preferences. Space is limited in each track. Educators are encouraged to select the track that best fits their schedule and setting. Before registering, educators should confirm that they can attend all sessions in their selected track.

Track 1: In-person + Online Learning Registration

Limited to 50 participants: This track offers school-based, Head Start, and childcare educators (preschool through kindergarten) an opportunity to begin their learning together in person before continuing virtually.

**Updated dates/location:

In-person:
November 16, 2026, 8:30-3:30pm
Location: 109 Capitol St., Augusta, ME (Lunch will be provided)

Virtual follow-up sessions:

Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2026, 3:30-5:30pm
Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2026, 3:30-5:30pm

Track 2: Fully Virtual

Limited to 100 participants: This track offers a fully virtual option for school-based, Head Start, and childcare educators (preschool through kindergarten) who prefer to participate remotely.

All sessions will be held online on Wednesdays from 3:30-6:00 p.m.:

October 28, 2026
November 4, 2026
November 18, 2026
December 2, 2026

Track 3: Fully Virtual – Evening

Limited to 50 participants: This track is designed for family childcare providers and other educators who are available only during evening hours.

All sessions will be held online on Mondays from 6:00–7:30 p.m.:

October 26, 2026
November 9, 2026
November 23, 2026
December 7, 2026

Registration for all three tracks will remain open while space is available. Once a track reaches capacity, registration for that track will close. To ask about a waitlist or for more information, please contact Maine DOE Early Childhood Specialist Nicole Madore at nicole.madore@maine.gov.

Preschool Development Grant funds received from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) support the implementation of this project. The project has an award totaling $45,091 funded and directly attributed to project implementation. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, HHS or the U.S. government.

Register Now for the Green Schools Regional Gatherings

This fall, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) is excited to announce three regional gatherings focused on advancing sustainability and resiliency in Maine schools.

Each gathering will bring together students, educators, school leaders, facilities staff, and community partners for a half-day of interactive workshops, networking, and practical resources. Participants will have opportunities to learn from regional success stories, share ideas, and develop strategies to support long-term sustainability action planning in their schools and districts.

Middle and high school students, teachers, administrators, facilities managers, superintendents, community-based organizations, and community partners are all encouraged to attend.

View the event website to register and learn more! Registration is free, and participants are encouraged to bring a cohort of up to five students.

Event details:

What: Collaborative events featuring interactive workshops, professional learning, networking, resource sharing, regional success stories, and more.
Why: To build capacity for long-term sustainability action planning in schools, promote youth leadership, and strengthen local connections while advancing our shared statewide vision for a healthy, resilient public education system in Maine.
When/Where:
- Wednesday, October 28, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Wells Conference Center in Orono
- Friday, November 6, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in East Boothbay
- Thursday, November 19, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Gilsland Farm in Falmouth
Who: Middle and high school students, teachers, administrators, facilities managers, superintendents, community-based organizations, and other partners. Registration will be limited to 100 participants.

Each gathering will offer the same programming, so participants should register for the date and location that is most convenient for them. Light breakfast and lunch will be provided.

If you have questions about the regional gatherings or the Maine Green Schools Network, please contact the Maine DOE Green Schools Network Coordinator, Naomi Lopez, at naomi.lopez@maine.gov.

We hope to see you this fall! Thank you for all that you do to support Maine students and schools.

Maine DOE to Host Fall 2026 McKinney-Vento Regional Meetings

In October, November, and December, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) will host McKinney-Vento Fall 2026 Regional Meetings to provide updates on federal, state, and local policies and discuss resources available to students and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

During these in-person meetings, participants will learn strategies to increase local capacity to support McKinney-Vento-eligible students. Participants will also have an opportunity to brainstorm solution-oriented approaches for affected youth in their schools and communities—and to network with colleagues from other schools and organizations.

The scheduled meetings are as follows:

Androscoggin, Franklin, & Oxford Counties
Edward Little High School
77 Harris Street
Auburn, ME 04210
Wednesday, October 14, 2026, 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Mid Coast, Kennebec, & Somerset Counties
Capital Area Technical Center
40 Pierce Drive
Augusta, ME 04330
Tuesday, October 27, 2026, 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.

York & Cumberland Counties
People’s Choice Credit Union
23 Industrial Park Road
Saco, ME 04072
Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Penobscot & Piscataquis Counties
Wings for Children and Families
900 Hammond Street
#915, Bangor, ME 04401
Thursday, December 3, 2026, 8:00 – 10:30 a.m.

Washington & Hancock Counties
Maine Department of Health and Human Services
38 Prescott Drive
Machias, ME 04401
Thursday, December 3, 2026, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Aroostook County
Maine Department of Labor
66 Spruce Street, Presque Isle 04769
Friday, December 4, 2026, 9:00 – 11:30 p.m.

Registration for the McKinney-Vento Fall 2026 Regional Meetings is required. Participation is free. This event is appropriate for school staff or community-based organizations that support families and students experiencing housing instability or that are involved in the child welfare system. It is intended to be a space for connection and collaboration.

You may learn more and register here. Additionally, you may download a related flyer here (PDF).

With questions, please contact Susan Lieberman, consulting Homeless Children and Youth Specialist, at susan.lieberman88@gmail.com or Signe Lynch, Maine DOE McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Specialist, at signe.lynch@maine.gov.

Registration is Open for the Maine School Safety Specialist Program

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Maine School Safety Center’s (MSSC) free training for the School Safety Specialist Program is open to schools and school administrative units (SAUs). The School Safety Specialist (SSS) Program helps schools and districts fulfill the requirements of Public Law 2023, chapter 254, to have a designated employee having oversight regarding school safety.

School Safety Specialist (SSS) Program prepares participants to:

Support and assist administrators in coordinating the review, editing, and updating of Emergency Operations Plans for their district and/or school building each year.
Involve appropriate stakeholders in the development of district/school- level emergency operations planning through the formation of a safety team to include the following: police and fire departments, emergency management agency, emergency medical services (EMS), local medical facilities, community members, administrators, parents, and students.
Network with appropriate stakeholders to enhance school safety at the SAU and school level.
Act as a resource for other individuals in the SAU on issues related to school safety.
Work with the Maine School Safety Center to provide professional development for faculty and staff on school safety-related issues that encourage a safe school environment.

The details of the program:

Cohorts start at the beginning of every other month and have 6 weeks to complete. The first cohort of this school year begins in October.
All work is done asynchronously and takes approximately 20-25 hours to complete.
Work is divided into badges. Each badge is earned when participants review interactive modules and complete a quiz and reflection questions. Incident Command System (ICS) courses are included in the SSS coursework and are accessed through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website.

Benefits of participation:

Become a safety leader in your school.
Earn digital badges and contact hours for recertification.
Become a partner with the Maine School Safety Center
Join a community of practice and network with safety specialists across the state.

If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, fill out the School Safety Specialist interest form.

The Maine School Safety Center has a School Emergency Management Coordinator who can help with resources, training, and guidance on emergency management in schools. The areas include, but are not limited to:

Emergency Operations Plans
Emergency Exercises and Drills
Implementation of Multi-Disciplinary Teams
Implementation of Safety Teams

For further support or information regarding School Emergency Management, reach out to Maine DOE School Emergency Management Coordinator, Jack Peck Jack.Peck@maine.gov.

For further information about the services offered by the Maine School Safety Center, visit the Maine School Safety Center website.

Professional Learning and Resources to Support Improved School Attendance

The Maine Engagement and Attendance Center (MEAC), a statewide collaboration working to strengthen student engagement and attendance and to address chronic absenteeism in Maine schools, is focused on weaving together Maine Department of Education (DOE) initiatives to coordinate practical tools and opportunities for educators to learn from one another to improve student attendance.

To support this work, MEAC has cultivated a growing collection of resources and professional learning opportunities on data use, family engagement, school leadership, progress monitoring, and Tier 1 attendance strategies.

Check out the MEAC webpage to find updated resources and tools, including the Maine Attendance Toolkit. For more information on how the toolkit can strengthen your classroom, school, or district practices, view this four-part recorded series highlighting aspects of the Attendance Toolkit:

Consider adopting the MEAC motto to support attendance efforts: “Rooted in Learning, Growing Every Day: Be Pine Tree Present!”

September is National Attendance Awareness Month, and MEAC will add Maine-themed resources throughout the month to help educators improve attendance. One resource to support our Maine educators is this Pine Tree Present Fact Sheet.

MEAC has also developed a two-page Attendance Tracker designed to help families monitor missed school days and identify when additional support may be needed. The resource pairs a family-facing tracker with Maine DOE’s Evidence-Based Interventions and Attendance Support Plan. Educators can share copies with families or design their own to support their learning community. Research shows that families underestimate how quickly absences add up throughout the school year.

Count ME In!, a state partner and member of MEAC, has a collection of attendance communication tools. These tools support clear, proactive, and relationship-centered outreach with students and families. Find those resources here and sign up for the monthly newsletter today: Count ME In! Attendance Help for Maine Schools, Teachers, Principals and Students | Everyone Counts!

This month, MEAC will launch a virtual Attendance Support Series for those seeking technical assistance from data experts at Maine DOE and school personnel throughout the state, including classroom teachers, building administrators, school counselors, and attendance team members.

The series’ topics are aligned with the natural rhythm of the school year and will highlight positive relationship-building and effective use of data, barrier identification and intervention, and reflection and planning for next steps.

Monthly attendance topics:

Dates Each session will take place from 3:30-4:30 p.m.	Topics
September 17, 2026	Using Attendance Data to Drive Action
October 22, 2026	Building Routine, Relationships, and Relevance
November 19, 2026	Creating Emotionally and Physically Safe Learning Environments
December 17, 2026	Using Consistent, Growth-Focused Attendance Messaging
January 21, 2027	Removing Logistical and Emotional Barriers to Learning
February 25, 2027	Strengthening School-Home Partnerships
March 18, 2027	Engaging Families Through Proactive, Supportive Outreach
April 29, 2027	Implementing Positive Recognition and Motivation Strategies
May 20, 2027	Establishing Early Warning Systems and Team-Based Responses

Please use this link to register for the Attendance Support Series.

For further information and questions about MEAC, please visit the Maine DOE MEAC webpage or reach out to Sarah Nelson, Maine DOE Attendance and Engagement Specialist at  Sarah.Nelson@maine.gov.

Maine Educators Invited to Explore Genealogy and Local History Through New Professional Learning Cohort

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning invites educators to apply for American Ancestors: Unlocking Maine’s Story, a free professional learning cohort that begins with an in-person kickoff on October 13, 2026, at the University of Maine at Farmington from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The cohort is designed to help educators use genealogy and local history to strengthen classroom learning.

The cohort is designed for educators serving students in grades 4–8, with an emphasis on English language arts, social studies, and humanities instruction. Participants will explore how interdisciplinary learning can strengthen literacy and historical thinking while engaging students in meaningful research and inquiry. Genealogical research provides students with meaningful opportunities to work directly with primary sources and historical evidence. Throughout the cohort, educators will explore ways to support students in investigating family and community histories, examining archival materials, developing questions, evaluating sources, and sharing their discoveries.

The approximately 30-hour cohort includes both synchronous and asynchronous learning. Participants will engage in an in-person kickoff, four monthly one-hour virtual synchronous meetings, and two to eight hours of online individual or small-group coaching with American Ancestors, depending on each group’s needs. The remaining time will be completed asynchronously through the Maine DOE learning management system, EnGiNE. Approximately half of the cohort will consist of synchronous learning, with the exact balance depending on participants’ coaching needs.

The initiative brings together organizations with expertise in Maine history and education, including American Ancestors, the Maine Historical Society, the Maine Genealogical Society, and the University of Maine at Farmington. Participants will collaborate with staff from these organizations, historians, archivists, Maine DOE specialists, fellow educators, and community partners to develop interdisciplinary learning experiences that integrate literacy, history, research skills, and inquiry-based learning. These partners will provide access to historical resources, archival expertise, and perspectives that can help bring Maine’s diverse history into the classroom.

Participants can earn professional development contact hours and may qualify for a $500 implementation grant to support classroom projects incorporating genealogy, local history, research, and interdisciplinary learning.

To expand access to professional learning opportunities across Maine, preference will be given to educators from underserved areas. Overnight accommodations will be provided for participants traveling more than 50 miles to the University of Maine at Farmington.

A limited number of spots are available. Apply online.

For more information, please contact Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist Geoffrey Wingard at Geoffrey.Wingard@maine.gov

Maine DOE Launches Free Virtual Literacy Learning Series

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Offices of Teaching and Learning and Special Services and Inclusive Education invite educators and education professionals—including teachers, administrators, literacy specialists, and educational technicians—to participate in a free virtual literacy professional learning series during the 2026–2027 school year.

Designed to provide flexible, connected learning opportunities, the series allows participants to choose a professional learning path based on their grade span, interests, and learning goals.

Choose Your Literacy Learning Path

In November of 2026, and January and March of 2027, participants can engage in three connected literacy learning opportunities. Each month will focus on a different aspect of literacy instruction, with sessions tailored to three grade spans: Prek through grade 3, upper elementary and middle school, and high school.

Participants may choose from two learning pathways:

Explore Across Grade Spans and Topics: Register for all nine sessions to engage in nine hours of literacy professional learning across multiple grade spans and topics.
Deepen Learning Within a Grade Span: Follow one grade-span strand across the three sessions for a total of three hours of literacy professional learning, building knowledge and connections across the series.

Educators may also register for individual sessions based on their interests and professional learning needs. Contact hours will be awarded based on the number of sessions attended.

Whether educators are looking to broaden their understanding of literacy instruction or deepen their practice within a specific grade span, the series offers opportunities to learn, reflect, and connect evidence-based literacy practices to classroom instruction.

Registration

Session descriptions, dates, and registration links are provided below. Participants must register separately for each session they plan to attend.

November – Vocabulary & Morphology

Vocabulary & Word Study for Young Learners (PreK-3)
November 5, 2026, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Dee Saucier, Maine DOE Inclusive Education Literacy Specialist & Dyslexia Coordinator

In session 1, participants will explore several explicit word study opportunities, such as vocabulary routines, word play, phonics, word analysis, and varied word sorts, to strengthen reading and language skills in young learners.

Register Here

Cracking the Code: Words in Upper Elementary & Middle School
November 12, 2026, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Heather Martin, Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist

Explore how understanding meaningful word parts—prefixes, suffixes, roots, and base words—can help students unlock vocabulary, make connections across disciplines, and become more confident readers and learners.

Register Here

Cracking the Code: Words in High School
November 19, 2026, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Cee Belolan, Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist

Examine how morphology supports increasingly complex vocabulary, disciplinary language, and comprehension, with strategies for helping students analyze and apply word structures across academic disciplines.

Register Here

January – Vocabulary, Background Knowledge, & Verbal Reasoning

Oral Language to Build Vocabulary & Background Knowledge in Young Learners (PreK-3)
January 7, 2027, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Dee Saucier, Maine DOE Inclusive Education Literacy Specialist & Dyslexia Coordinator

In session 2, participants will explore the critical importance of oral language in a comprehensive literacy program and consider how rich oral language opportunities can support explicit vocabulary instruction and the developement of background knowledge.

Register Here

Say it Like You Mean It: Disciplinary Discourse and the language of learning in Upper Elementary & Middle School
January 14, 2027, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Heather Martin, Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist

Explore how students can use the language of different disciplines to explain ideas, ask questions, build on others’ thinking, and communicate their understanding through purposeful speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

Register Here

Say it Like You Mean It: Disciplinary Discourse and the language of learning in High School
January 21, 2027, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Cee Belolan, Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist

Examine how disciplinary discourse helps students engage in academic conversations, construct and defend ideas, and communicate using the language, evidence, and conventions of different fields.

Register Here

March – Verbal Reasoning, Literacy Knowledge, and Language Structures

Say Language Structures & Verbal Reasoning to Develop Critical Thinking for Young Learners (PreK-3)
March 4, 2027, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Dee Saucier, Maine DOE Inclusive Education Literacy Specialist & Dyslexia Coordinator

In session 3, participants will explore the remaining language comprehension strands of Scarborough’s Reading Rope, with a focus on language structures, verbal reasoning, and building deeper understanding for young learners.

Register Here

Text Complexity & Critical Thinking in Upper Elementary & Middle School
March 11, 2027, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Heather Martin, Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist

Explore how increasingly complex texts challenge students to make connections, draw inferences, and build deeper understanding, with strategies to help students navigate challenging texts while maintaining rigorous thinking demands.

Register Here

Text Complexity & Critical Thinking in High School
March 18, 2027, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Cee Belolan, Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist

Explore how increasingly complex texts create opportunities for more sophisticated thinking and examine how students can analyze, interpret, evaluate, and question complex ideas in disciplinary texts.

Register Here

We hope you will join us in strengthening literacy instruction and supporting Maine students as readers, writers, and thinkers.

If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Bertini, Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Team Coordinator, at Kathy.bertini@maine.gov or Dee Saucier, Maine DOE Inclusive Education Literacy Specialist & Dyslexia Coordinator, at danielle.m.saucier@maine.gov.