Maine DOE Update – July 21, 2016

From the Maine Department of Education

Two summer institutes to be held next week

The Maine Department of Education is hosting two summer institutes next week. Both the 2016 Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) Summer Institute and the 2016 School Nurse Summer Institute will be held will be held July 26-28.

The School Nurse Summer Institute, taking place at Bates College in Lewiston, will provide attendees with presentations on State rules and laws related to school nurse practice in Maine, concussions, absenteeism, Tick Talk and more. In addition, the 2016 Maine’s School Nurse of Year will be announced.

At Thomas College, the MLTI Summer Institute will allow participants to delve deeply into one of six learning through technology topics offered to help leverage students’ MLTI devices in the classroom. These topics include: exploring instructional uses of YouTube, modern meaningful project-based learning, teaching with GIS, an introduction to app development with Swift, multimedia digital storytelling, and reimagining twenty-first century teaching and learning.

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Notices and Reporting Items

Annual Budget Reporting, due August 25
Year End Financial Reporting, due August 25
Year-End Report of Special Purpose Private Schools (CARES) EF-S-10, due August 31

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News & Views

Preliminary assessment participation data available

The Maine Department of Education has published preliminary participation rate data for general assessments in mathematics and English language arts/literacy. | More

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) web page launched

The Maine Department of Education has launched its Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) web page that will continue to develop as the State builds its framework in implementing the law. | More

Child Nutrition Services hosts Back to Basics training next month

The Maine Department of Education will conduct its annual Back to Basics training on August 23. | More

Positive school climate conference held last month

Educators, school and district leaders, and policy makers from across the country gathered in Portland last month. | More

Maine FFA student officers participate in regional conference

Student officers of the Maine FFA (formerly known as Future Farmers of America) participated in advanced leadership training in New York last month. | More

Deputy Commissioner joins radio show on WVOM

Deputy Education Commissioner Bill Beardsley joined the George Hale Ric Tyler Show on Bangor’s WVOM earlier this month. | More

Downeast adventure for teachers in agriculture and science

The 2016 Maine Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) Summer Teachers Institute will be held August 1-5 in Machias. | More

Turfgrass management workshop

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry would like to remind facilities managers and integrated pest management (IPM) coordinators of the upcoming turfgrass management workshop on July 26. | More

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Maine DOE Update – July 7, 2016

From the Maine Department of Education

School renovation funding available

The Maine Department of Education is accepting applications to receive funding for school renovation projects through the School Revolving Renovation Fund (SRRF). The application deadline is September 30.

The Department will be able to approve approximately $10 million in SRRF loans. A portion of each loan will be considered a grant and will be forgiven. The remaining portion will be paid back over either five or ten years with no interest. The maximum loan amount is limited to $1 million per school building per priority in any five-year period.

Applications for Priority One and Priority Two projects will be accepted. Priority One projects include indoor air quality improvement, structural roof repair, hazardous material abatement or removal, ADA compliance upgrades, and other health, safety and compliance renovations.

Priority Two SRRF projects include school building structures, windows and doors, and water and septic systems. Eligible Priority One projects will receive funding preference over Priority Two projects.

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Notices and Reporting Items

Report of Adult Education for Subsidy Purposes (EF-M-39A), due July 15
Reporting of the Use of Restraint and/or Seclusion on Students, due July 15
School Revolving Renovation Fund Application, due September 30

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News & Views

105th Commissioner’s Conference draws education leaders

The Maine Department of Education welcomed education leaders from across the state last week at the 105th Annual Commissioner’s Conference. | More

Secure your seat now for the 2016 Summer Literacy Institute

The Maine Department of Education’s literacy team is conducting one-day workshops in August to support Maine educators as they continue to develop proficiency systems in their schools. | More

Summer data training dates

The Maine Department of Education would like to remind you of the importance and value of participating in the 2016 summer data training. | More

Maine’s certification process: A precise, manual review

Maine’s certification statutes and rules, administered by the Department of Education’s certification team, apply to approximately 97,000 individuals in Maine who seek to work in Maine schools. | More

Summer meals programs expand in Maine

Child nutrition programs at the Maine Department of Education have been working hard to close the “hunger gap” experienced over the summer months through the USDA’s Summer Food Rocks food distribution program. | More

Math teaching improves for students with disabilities

The Maine Department of Education provided three of its five days of intensive Foundations of Math training last month. | More

Making a Difference through Schoolsite Health Promotion and Wellness Programs

The Maine Department of Education hosted the 2016 Maine School Wellness Summit, Inspiring the Future!, at Bates College on June 22 and 23. | More

School transportation: improving safety, reducing costs

The Maine Department of Education, in collaboration with Transfinder and Core Education and Consulting, is helping school districts that use transportation operations analyses improve fleet safety while reducing operations costs. | More

Drinking water protection seminar: save the date

The Water Resources Committee of the Maine Water Utilities Association is presenting the 10th Annual Drinking Water Protection Seminar Thursday, September 1. | More

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LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities

View current Child Development Services employment opportunities here

Maine DOE Update – June 23, 2016

From the Maine Department of Education

2017 Teacher of the Year semifinalists announced

The Maine Department of Education in partnership with Educate Maine, is pleased to announce eight teachers as semifinalists for Maine’s 2017 Teacher of the Year. They were chosen from the 2016 County Teachers of the Year, who were honored in May at a celebration held in Augusta.

The eight semifinalists will continue in the intensive selection process which consists of a professional portfolio review and an oral presentation, before narrowing the pool to three state finalists. The finalists will then sit for a final interview and have a school-site visit before the 2017 Maine Teacher of the Year is selected.

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Notices and Reporting Items

Reminders:

Aggregate Daily Attendance / Membership Reporting, due June 30
End-of-Year Behavior Reporting, due June 30
End-of-Year Staff Data Requirements, due June 30
End-of-Year Student Enrollment Responsibilites, due June 30
End-of-Year Truancy Incident Reporting, due June 30
End-of-Year Special Education Exit Reporting, due June 30
School Bus Purchase Report (EF-T-20: Quarter 4), due June 30

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News & Views

Maine DOE seeks districts to apply for TIF grant to support teachers and leaders in high-need schools – application due June 27

Reminder to districts: complete initial application packets must be received by 5 p.m., June 27, 2016. | More

Maine DOE announces 2016-17 testing dates

To better assist the field with planning for the 2016-17 school year, the Maine Department of Education has released testing dates for the Maine Comprehensive Assessment System (MeCAS). | More

Final 2016 regional school bus driver conference promotes, teaches safety

The Maine Department of Education, in collaboration with the Maine State Police and the Maine Association for Pupil Transport (MAPT), is hosting the final Regional Safety Conference. | More

Maine Curriculum Leader of the Year announced

The Maine Curriculum Leaders’ Association recently selected Assistant Superintendent of Westbrook School Department Dr. Peter Lancia. | More

Upcoming facilities conference for school staff

The Maine Department of Education is encouraging superintendents, facilities directors, business managers, maintenance teams and custodial staff to attend the forty-eighth Annual School Facilities Conference. | More

Cross Discipline Literacy Network adds webinars to collection

The Cross Discipline Literacy Network (CDLN) has added eight webinars to its collection with the completion of the 2015-16 season, bringing the total to 71. | More

Maine College Transitions program for adult learners

The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) has teamed up with the Maine Department of Education to help spread the word about the Maine College Transitions program. | More

Summer poster contest promotes school attendance

Students ages 6-17 are invited to participate in Count ME In’s Second Annual Poster Contest. | More

Maine hosts northern New England FFA “Blast Off” training

Student leaders of the FFA (formerly known as Future Farmers of America) from Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont gathered in South Portland earlier this month. | More

Students recognized for citizenship and Maine history

Students from all over the state were recognized earlier this month for participating in the Maine Secretary of State’s Eighth Grade Citizenship Award and the Maine Constitution Essay and Poster Contest. | More

Retired sheriff finds new niche as school bus driver

When people retire from a law enforcement career, they sometimes continue the serve and protect aspect of their job in other ways. For former sheriff Guy Desjardins, that next job started out as intimidating, but quickly turned into a new passion connecting with students and school buses. | More

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LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Request for Proposals: Data Analysis and Evaluation Services for 21st CCLC Program
View current Child Development Services employment opportunities here

Maine DOE Update – June 9, 2016

From the Maine Department of Education

Estimated release dates of 2015-16 assessment data

The Maine Department of Education is negotiating a contract with vendor FocalPointK12 to deliver the 2015-16 assessment results via an online reporting system. The Maine Assessment and Accountability Reporting System (MAARS) is expected to be launched in the coming months and will provide both public and confidential access to data, replacing Measured Progress’ iServices portal.

To keep educators and the public informed, the Department has developed an expected timeline of release for the various assessments conducted during the 2015-16 school year. Although the timing for much of the data is later than desired, it is anticipated that the 2016-17 data will be released much earlier since Maine’s assessment and reporting systems will not undergo major changes in 2016-17.

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Notices and Reporting Items

Aggregate Daily Attendance / Membership Reporting, due June 30
End-of-Year Behavior Reporting, due June 30
End-of-Year Staff Data Requirements, due June 30
End-of-Year Student Enrollment Responsibilites, due June 30
End-of-Year Truancy Incident Reporting, due June 30
End-of-Year Special Education Exit Reporting, due June 30 (Reminder)
School Bus Purchase Report (EF-T-20: Quarter 4), due June 30 (Reminder)

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News & Views

Maine contracts with Edupoint to replace State-level student information data system

The Department has entered into a two year contract with Edupoint Educational Systems, LLC to provide a State Level Student Information and Reporting System (SSIRS). | More

Regional training for ESEA Coordinators and Business Managers

The Maine DOE is providing regional training for Elementary Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Coordinators and Business Managers this summer. | More

Maine DOE 2016 summer data training

In order that accurate student and staff data is reported to the Department, it is important that the appropriate staff attend one (or more) data training sessions. | More

Certification requirements for special education teachers update

On May 16, the Maine Department of Education issued a Priority Notice about the federal requirement under ESSA that all teachers of students with disabilities be fully certified. | More

Public Charter School applications open through June 14

The Maine Charter School issued the following Request for Proposal last week. | More

Professional standards for school nutrition professionals

The Federal School Food Service Professional Standards took effect July 1, 2015. | More

Schools, Pests, and Pesticides: What superintendents need to know

All public and private schools serving any grades K through 12 are required by State regulations to adopt an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. | More

MIYHS results at use in Maine schools

The 2015 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS) results show students are combating social norms. | More

MLTI student conference draws over one thousand

Armed with iPads and laptops, middle and high school students from more than 50 Maine schools descended on the UMaine campus in Orono last month. | More

Summer food service program kicks off this month

Later this month, numerous agencies including the Maine DOE will kick off the sixth annual Summer Food Service Program in Bangor and Brewer. | More

Positive school climate topic of upcoming conference

The Maine Event: National Conference on Positive School Climate at Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland will be held on June 23-24. | More

Schools in RSU 17 recognized with prestigious award

All eight elementary schools in RSU 17 were recognized as bronze award winners of USDA’s HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC). | More

Maine CTE leaders recognized

Maine Career and Technical Education instructors and an administrator were honored by the regional Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE). | More

Maine Music Teacher of the Year

The Maine Music Educators Association has named its 2016 Music Educator of the Year. | More

Future commercial student truck drivers honored

Last month, students from four Career and Technical Centers competed at the Professional Drivers Championship. | More

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Commissioner’s Update – May 26, 2016

From the Maine Department of Education

On June 22 and 23 at Bates College, Maine School Wellness Summit participants will be empowered to envision and create plans for a positive, healthy, and safe learning environment in their schools. The goals will be to improve personal health and well-being as well as define a culture of wellness that improves academic achievement. This summit is a component of the Maine Schoolsite Health Promotion Program (MSHPP) and is hosted by the Maine Department of Education.

George Manning, Professor of Psychology and Business at Northern Kentucky University (NKU) will kick off the summit; engaging participants in successful leadership techniques and strategies for building community in the workplace. He will address communication, teamwork and a 1-Team attitude; positive versus negative group member roles; and understanding and dealing with different types of people. Come learn people-building skills appropriate for all levels of personnel.

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Notices and Reporting Items

End-of-Year Special Education Exit Reporting, due June 30 (Reminder)
School Bus Purchase Report (EF-T-20: Quarter 4), due June 30 (Reminder)

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News & Views

MaineCare Seed payment adjustments made, report review by June 25, 2016

The 2015-16 subsidy checks for General Purpose Aid for local schools will reflect adjustments for MaineCare Seed payments paid by the Maine DOE on behalf of school administrative units. | More

Agriculture and natural resources students recognized at Maine FFA convention

Students of the Maine FFA Association (formerly Future Farmers of America) participated in the State convention earlier this month at the University of Maine in Orono. | More

Regional training for ESEA coordinators and business managers

The Maine Department of Education is providing training for Elementary Secondary Education Act (ESEA) coordinators, individual title administrators and business managers/bookkeepers. | More

Has your school joined the Read to Ride Summer Reading Challenge?

If you are like many teachers and parents at this time of year, you are celebrating the growth students have made as learners but wondering if that growth will be maintained over the summer months. | More

“Multiple Pathways to the Student Brain” workshops next month

For the first time in Maine, neuroscientist and educator, Dr. Janet Zadina will be presenting “Multiple Pathways to the Student Brain.” | More

Maine History Teacher of the Year named

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History has named a Maranacook Community High School educator the Maine History Teacher of the Year. | More

Students named winners of Constitution Essay and Poster Contest

Students from across the state took part in the annual Maine Constitution Essay and Poster Contest. | More

OSHA issues final rule on injury reporting

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued its Final Rule, which requires employers to submit injury and illness records electronically. | More

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Commissioner’s Update – May 19, 2016

From the Maine Department of Education

Maine’s 2016 County Teachers of the Year spent some time in Augusta last week learning more about their roles in representing all educators in the state. Maine’s 2016 Teacher of the Year Talya Edlund encouraged educators be connected on Facebook to read all the posts regarding education policy and more. “You don’t know where this journey will take you, but soak in every moment and enjoy the ride,” she said.

The 2015 Washington County Teacher of the Year Benjamin Brigham taught this year’s County Teachers of the Year the “just in time” professional development through social media. He told them, “You have the ability to elevate all things education; it’s a 365 day a year profession.”

2015 Teacher of the Year Jennifer Dorman reminded the educators, “The goal of the three finalists is to work as a team, on education policy in Maine.”

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Notices and Reporting Items

Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB), due May 26 (Reminder)
End-of-Year Special Education Exit Reporting, due June 30 (Reminder)
School Bus Purchase Report (EF-T-20: Quarter 4), due June 30 (Reminder)

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News & Views

School nurses recognized at the Blaine House

Maine 2016 School Nurse of the Year, along with some retiring school nurses, were honored last week. | More

Maine’s U.S. Senators briefed on work of Maine Schools for Excellence grant project

Maine’s Director of the Maine Schools for Excellence (MSFE) grant initiative, Scott Harrison, recently traveled to Washington D.C. to brief Maine Senators Susan Collins and Angus King. | More

Enhanced student information system to replace Infinite Campus State Edition

Maine DOE is pleased to announce the partnership of Edupoint Educational Systems. | More

Team Knox Rocks take State award in Farm to School Cook-off

The final round of Maine’s first Farm to School Cook-off designed to promote using local products in school lunches was recently held. | More

Geographic Information Systems in classrooms

The Department and others are collaborating with Maine GIS Education Partners to bring Geographic Information Systems to Maine classrooms. | More

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Commissioner’s Update – May 12, 2016

From the Maine Department of Education

In an effort to promote summer reading, the Maine Department of Education is collaborating with the Freemasons of Maine to sponsor the Read to Ride Summer Reading Challenge for students in grades PK-8. The 18,000 Freemasons of Maine are pleased to expand their popular statewide Bikes for Books student reading incentive program to now encourage children to read during the summer. The Bikes for Books program provides over 2,000 bikes to Maine schoolchildren each year to promote literacy. The Maine Freemasons have generously donated 48 bikes with helmets as prizes for the Read to Ride Summer Reading Challenge.

To earn a chance to be entered into the state-level drawing, students must meet the challenge of reading at least 500 minutes during the summer vacation period. Any school with students in grades PK-8 may register to participate. Participating schools will collect documentation of students who have completed the challenge. They will hold school level drawings to select two students (one boy and one girl) whose names will be entered into the state level drawing to be held on Sept.23. Schools are encouraged to participate in this challenge, to coordinate it with any other summer reading challenges/programs they offer and to consider soliciting their own local level prizes for students who complete the challenge.

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Notices and Reporting Items

End-of-Year Special Education Exit Reporting, due June 30
School Bus Purchase Report (EF-T-20: Quarter 4), due June 30
Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB), due May 26 (Reminder)

More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar

News & Views

County Teachers of the Year in waiting

Maine is now in its third year of recognizing County Teachers of the Year, a program that includes the selection of 15 awardees this year, leading up to the selection of Maine’s Teacher of the Year. | More

Teachers in celebration

Teacher appreciation week saw celebrations across the state and in our nation’s capital, in particular, for Maine’s 2016 Teacher of the Year. | More

Career & Technical Education students honored

Twenty six Career and Technical Education students were honored last month at the Lewiston Regional Technical Center’s Culinary Arts building. | More

Truancy data reminder for administrators

The Department is reminding school administrators to review student truancy data after the last day of school, but no later than June 30. | More

OSEP memo regarding children residing in nursing homes

On April 26, 2016 the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSEP) issued a “Dear Colleague” letter. | More

Maine DOE helps send kids to summer camp

The Maine Department of Education Morale Team recently created two venues designed to send a child to camp this summer. | More

MEA alternate mathematics and English language arts/literacy (MSAA) closes

The MSAA alternate assessment closes this Friday, May 13. | More

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Commissioner’s Update – May 5, 2016

From the Maine Department of Education

Maine Department of Education staff participated in the annual Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day on Thursday, April 28. Our children learned about what we do, experienced the State House complex, and all were in awe of the healthy, creative snacks made by the Department’s nutrition specialist, Chef Andy Hutchins and his daughter.

English Language Arts Specialist Morgan Dunton put her granddaughter Meredith Adams, who is a sixth grader at Wells Ogunquit Junior High School, right to work. The two assembled a colorful paper “quilt” filled with statements from teachers about “Why I Teach.” Dunton says, “Perhaps the highlight of the day was a State House tour where Meredith was inspired to apply to be a page for the House. This is an idea she will take back to her school’s civil rights team.”

Valerie Densmore, an Educational Specialist with Maine DOE’s Special Services brought her 15 year old daughter to work. Lauren Boubel is a freshman at Morse High School in Bath. Densmore says the highlight of the day was showing her daughter what an Individual Education Plan is, its importance, why it is needed, and all the components of an IEP.

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Notices and Reporting Items

Regional School Calendar, due May 6 (Reminder)
Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB), due May 26 (Reminder)

More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar

News & Views

AP4ALL – reduced costs for dual enrollment program

The AP4LL program is pleased to announce the cost through the dual enrollment program at the University of Maine at Fort Kent has decreased for eligible students for fall 2016. | More

Registration open for 2016 Summer Literacy Institute

The Maine Department of Education is pleased to announce registration is now open for the 2016 Summer Literacy Institute: High Impact Instructional Routines and Strategies. | More

MLTI Student Conference registration open

Students and educators will join together on May 26 at the University of Maine for a one-day student conference to understand the power and possibilities delivered to them through Maine’s Learning Through Technology Initiative. | More

School librarian receives award

The Maine Department of Education along with the Maine Association of School Librarians presented an award to the Old Town Elementary School Librarian recently. | More

Maine elementary physical education teacher recognized

Liz Giles-Brown, a physical education teacher at South Bristol Elementary School and Southport Central School, was honored during the Professional Excellence Awards Ceremony. | More

Social Studies Summer Symposium

The Maine Department of Education, in partnership with the Maine Council for the Social Studies, will hold the inaugural Social Studies Summer Symposium on June 29. | More

Young children’s learning topic of spring conference

Maine Department of Education’s Early Childhood Specialist Sue Reed moderated a panel at the Maine Association for the Education of Young Children spring conference. | More

Recognizing school nurses

The Maine Department of Education, in collaboration with the Maine Association of School Nurses, is hosting a tea at the Blaine House this month to honor school nurses. | More

Educational surrogate parent volunteers needed

The Maine Department of Education is seeking volunteers for the Educational Surrogate Parent Program. | More

A discussion about school withdrawals in Androscoggin River Valley

School withdrawals and the financial impact are some of the topics in this month’s two part program called, Today River Valley. | More

School Bus to Mars? Engaging students in engineering and science

We have all heard of young ones enjoying their journey on the Magic School Bus, but the magic came to life as part of the STEM curriculum showcased recently at the 2016 USA Science & Engineering Festival. | More

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Commissioner’s Update – April 28, 2016

From the Maine Department of Education

The Blue Ribbon Commission to Reform Public Education Funding and Improve Student Performance is now underway, after enactment by the Legislature and signed into law by Governor Paul LePage. It is now recorded into statue as PUBLIC Law, Chapter 389, LD 1641.

The Commission will meet on June 6 at Oxford Hills High School and the meeting will be open to the public. All documents presented at these meetings can be found here.

“There are several macro trends we need to address,” says Commission Chair Bill Beardsley. “In the past 15 years, state funding formula expenses for public PreK–12 education have risen by 51 percent; local expenditures on public PreK–12 education have risen by 75 percent while total PreK–12 education enrollments have fallen by 34,000 to about 178,000 students. At the same time, while Maine remains slightly above national average in student achievement in ELA/literacy and mathematics, the income achievement gap across Maine remains large. Students in wealthier schools and counties, in terms of family income, have significantly higher academic achievement than students in lower income schools and counties.”

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Notices and Reporting Items

Regional School Calendar, due May 6 (Reminder)
Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB), due May 26 (Reminder)

More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar

News & Views

Students honored for their creative accomplishments by Maine’s First Lady

The Hall of Flags was filled with music and a lot of excited school students who were recognized at a celebration of Excellence in Maine Visual and Performing Arts Education. | More

Maine Charter School Commission seeking candidates for a new member

The Maine Charter School Commission consists of seven members appointed by the Maine State Board of Education. The Commission has begun a search to fill a vacancy for the unexpired term May 2016 – June 2018. | More

Senator Collins visits with school children in Aroostook County

Senator Susan Collins journeyed back to her home turf of Aroostook County recently and visited the Aroostook County Action Program Early Care and Education Center. | More

Error in packaging creates confusion for PAAP returns

The Personalized Alternate Assessment Portfolio (PAAP) pick up by UPS on May 3 will occur regardless of a potentially late submission of the electronic Principal Certification of Proper Test Administration. | More

May is Lyme Disease Awareness month

Maine’s Center for Disease Control (CDC) is planning events in May to raise awareness. | More

Maine DOE health education spring conference

The Maine Department of Education hosted the 18^th annual Comprehensive School Health Education Spring Conference. | More

Science webinar from NOAA

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will broadcast a live educational webinar from Galveston, Texas as part of the 2016 Hurricane Awareness Tour. | More

Inmates preparing for college has nine people on a new path

“I never knew how to start with college classes.” That is what one York County Jail inmate shared recently when interviewed by the Journal Tribune. | More

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LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Education Specialist I – School Nutrition
Request for Proposals: Maine Educational Assessment Online Reporting System
Request for Proposals: Data Analysis and Evaluation Services for 21st CCLC Program
View current Child Development Services employment opportunities here

Commissioner’s Update – April 21, 2016

From the Maine Department of Education

The Maine Department of Education launched its first Farm to School Cook-off this month with volunteer, food service staff teams representing five school districts and communities. The cook-off is part of the State’s child nutrition projects and follows legislation to support healthy meals in schools.

Team Songo Locks School from RSU 61 took the first regional cook-off against Team Portland. The second regional cook-off went to Team Knox Rocks!, a combined duo from Five-Town CSD/MSAD 28 and RSU 13. The Big Kahunas from RSU 38 came in second and Team Fantastic Foodies from Lewiston came in third.

Judges tasted meals presented in boat-like shapes including tuna salad schooners, which were inspired by a school reading called “Nicholas.” An “Unbeetable Bana-Berry Smoothie” consisting of various berries, bananas and local beets created a meal of vibrant color. Another meal consisted of asparagus, red bell pepper and fresh mozzarella on toast which was designed to introduce new foods to Somali students. This competition was more than just about food; it was about accommodating meals to their student populations.

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