Help Spread the News to Families – MaineCare Eligibility Expanded for Children and Young Adults

Effective October 1, 2023, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has expanded MaineCare eligibility for children and young adults under 21 in Maine to include family incomes up to 300% of the federal poverty level. That translates to an annual salary of about $59,000 for a family of two and $90,000 for a family of four. Additionally, the Maine DHHS eliminated most premiums for children’s coverage, effective March 1, 2023.

Please help Maine DHHS reach children, young adults, and families in your community who are newly eligible for free, high-quality MaineCare coverage!

Access the MaineCare for Kids Communications Toolkit – This toolkit provides materials that you can download and print or include in your digital and social media channels. Additionally, you may request printed materials be sent to you free of charge by visiting this link. The toolkit is available in English and ten additional languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, Khmer, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, and Vietnamese.

If you have any questions about the Toolkit, please contact Sarah Fisher, MaineCare’s CHIP Outreach Coordinator, at Sarah.Fisher@maine.gov.   

Thank you for your partnership and for the work you do every day to connect people in Maine to comprehensive health coverage.  

Maine DOE Update – December 15, 2023

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

New Initiative Provides Welcoming Libraries to 26 Maine Schools, 900 Books to Bangor Schools

In front of hundreds of fourth and fifth grade students at Bangor’s Fairmont School, the Maine Department of Education (DOE), I’m Your Neighbor Books, the Maine Community Foundation, the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation, and school officials announced the delivery of 900 books featuring immigrant and new American families for all Bangor schools. The books contained in these Welcoming Libraries are shelved on Maine-made book carts and promote themes of diversity, immigration, and creating welcoming environments for all.|  More

Commissioner Makin Meets with Westbrook High School Future Teachers Academy Students

Commissioner Pender Makin met with the inaugural class of the Future Teachers Academy at Westbrook High School this week. The Academy allows students to explore the teaching profession while still in high school. The experience includes a faculty-directed seminar to explore issues around teaching and education and field-based experiences in school settings. Students spend time every week with a host teacher and prepare and teach their own lesson plans. |  More

Wabanaki Studies Website Revamped to Include Curriculum, Units, Lessons, Activities, and More!

After months of collaboration between Wabanaki advisors and educators from across the state, under the direction of the Wabanaki Studies Specialist, Brianne Lolar (Panawahpskek), the website has been revamped to include a plethora of new resources. |  More

Seeking Educators to Pilot MOOSE Modules

Do you want to explore and implement innovative curriculum this spring? Are you interested in expanding your impact outside your classroom/school? The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is currently looking for educators to pilot MOOSE modules and would love to have your class participate! |  More

Maine DOE Selects Claire Ouellette of Caribou and Ryan Hafener of Hampden for United States Senate Youth Program

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to announce that Claire Ouellette, a student at Caribou High School, in Caribou, and Ryan Hafener, a student at Hampden Academy, in Hampden, were both selected for the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP). |  More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

Cushing Community School Opens Their Doors for Family Appreciation Week and More!

What started as a focus on decreasing chronic absenteeism among students, increasing literacy initiatives that involved families, and a long-term look at how to undo the distancing between schools and their families caused by COVID-19 precautions, turned into a slew of wonderful traditions that will help build stronger connections with families for years to come at Cushing Community School. |  More

Upper Kennebec Valley High School Students Test Their Outdoor Skills in the Woods

In an effort to introduce students to a more hands-on outdoor learning experience at Upper Kennebec Valley High School, Mr. Davis’s Maine Woodsmen course and Mr. Atwood’s Wildlife Studies course collaborated in spending an entire day in the woods dedicated to exploring skills not otherwise practiced in a classroom. |  More

Rebecca Wright of Ellsworth High School Named Assistant Principal of the Year

The Maine Principals’ Association (MPA) has announced that Rebecca Wright, Assistant Principal of Ellsworth High School in Ellsworth, has been named Maine’s Assistant Principal of the Year. She will be honored by the MPA at its annual awards banquet at the Augusta Civic Center on Thursday, May 23, 2024. |  More

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development, Training, and Events

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Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities:

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here

 

Cushing Community School Opens Their Doors for Family Appreciation Week and More!

What started as a focus on decreasing chronic absenteeism among students, increasing literacy initiatives that involved families, and a long-term look at how to undo the distancing between schools and their families caused by COVID-19 precautions, turned into a slew of wonderful traditions that will help build stronger connections with families for years to come at Cushing Community School.

It was the teachers and staff members who came up with the idea to supplement their family engagement strategies with a Family Appreciation Week this fall, an approach that was slightly different than what they had tried before. Knowing how hectic life can be for students and their families during the school year, Cushing Community School Principal Dawn Jones explained that her staff worked as a team to make the week less about the school asking families to do something and more about the school doing something for their families.

On Monday families were invited to stick around at drop-off to get a coffee and have a pastry with school staff. While the students went inside to start their day, this was a time for the adults to connect. “It was so good, we really want to do it again,” said Jones.

For Tuesday the school asked students to make something to thank their parents for helping them as learners and sent them home in backpacks.

Wednesday was a special treat as families were invited to join their students for lunch. Keeping it simple, the school said to bring a lunch and “just eat with us.”

“When the kids are in high school and thinking back on this, they are going to say, ‘Remember when our parents came for lunch?’,” remarked 3rd Grade Teacher Nicole McLellan.

“It was really fun,” added Jones.

Thursday was a math night where families were invited to the school for math games and sent home with goodie bags with lots of fun math ideas to do at home.

“I thought it was great to engage with parents and not just in an academic setting. We could have conversations about other things. This can help if you have something challenging to talk about later on,” said Cushing Community School Teacher Janelle Poland.

KODAK Digital Still Camera

On Friday the school hosted a raffle in which families were invited to participate in throughout the week with a family game as the big prize.

“It launched us into a year of family engagement allowing us to continue to build those really important relationships with families,” said Jones.

Cushing Community School has continued to ramp up their family engagement strategies in other ways this year as well by hosting a Fall Family Fun Night which entailed a flashlight walk-along through their outdoor story path and ended in the school’s outdoor classroom with hot cocoa for everyone. Also in the works is a family sing-along during the upcoming holiday concert.

This story was written as a collaboration between Cushing Community School and the Maine Department of Education’s Office of School and Student Support. If you are interested in sharing your school’s successful family engagement strategies through the Maine DOE Newsroom, fill out this good news submission form or contact rachel.paling@maine.gov. To inquire about more resources on family engagement from the Maine DOE, please contact Melanie Junkins at melanie.junkins@maine.gov. 

 

 

 

Upper Kennebec Valley High School Students Test Their Outdoor Skills in the Woods

In an effort to introduce students to a more hands-on outdoor learning experience at Upper Kennebec Valley High School, Mr. Davis’s Maine Woodsmen course and Mr. Atwood’s Wildlife Studies course collaborated in spending an entire day in the woods dedicated to exploring skills not otherwise practiced in a classroom.

The Wildlife Studies class was tasked with the assignment of venturing into the Davis Land Trust to collect cameras and document the wildlife activity therein.

The job of the Maine Woodsmen class was to provide the comforts of a warm fire, good food, and comfortable accommodations upon Mr. Atwood’s class arrival.

Students enjoyed hot cocoa, bacon, eggs, and English muffins, for breakfast and chicken quesadillas for lunch.

This story was provided by Upper Kennebec Valley High School, MSAD 13/RSU 83. To send good news stories and ideas to the Maine Department of Education visit our submission form.

Seeking Educators to Pilot MOOSE Modules

Do you want to explore and implement innovative curriculum this spring? Are you interested in expanding your impact outside your classroom/school? The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is currently looking for educators to pilot MOOSE modules and would love to have your class participate!

Now in its fourth year, Maine’s Online Opportunities for Sustained Education (MOOSE) platform continues to grow. Last year, we added additional PreK-12 Learning Progressions to our already robust bank of MOOSE modules – created by Maine teachers for Maine students. These modules center on interdisciplinary, project-based learning experiences that are accessible, inclusive, and available for free online.

Feedback on the modules themselves and their usability is vitally important as we are constantly improving existing modules and applying lessons learned to new creations. We are looking for Maine educators interested in using an existing MOOSE module in their classroom with five (5) or more students and providing feedback about the experience. You get to decide the module(s) you want to pilot based on what works best for you and your students. Stipends will be provided for up to two modules ($500 each) that you have piloted and provided feedback on. All required elements must be completed by June 30th, 2024.

If you are interested in applying but still have questions please contact Project Manager Jennifer Page (jennifer.page@maine.gov).

If you are ready to apply applications can be found here. Applications are due by Sunday, January 14th, 2024.

Rebecca Wright of Ellsworth High School Named Assistant Principal of the Year

The Maine Principals’ Association (MPA) has announced that Rebecca Wright, Assistant Principal of Ellsworth High School in Ellsworth, has been named Maine’s Assistant Principal of the Year. She will be honored by the MPA at its annual awards banquet at the Augusta Civic Center on Thursday, May 23, 2024.

Mrs. Wright received this award because of the contributions she has made over her career at Ellsworth High School. She has a strong ability to build partnerships in the community and maintains those relationships that benefit all the students in her building.

In announcing Mrs. Wright’s selection as 2024 Maine’s Assistant Principal of the Year, MPA Executive Director, Dr. Holly Blair noted, “The MPA is pleased to recognize Rebecca Wright as Maine’s Assistant Principal of the Year. Her incredible commitment to students and staff is tremendous. She takes an active role in not only her school but also throughout the state of Maine. Mrs. Wright’s reflective and collaborative approach to leadership is exactly what we look for in building administrators.”

Mrs. Wright graduated from the University of Maine Orono with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1982. She continued at UMaine and obtained her Master of Arts degree in 1985. Finally, she attended Endicott College and graduated with her Master’s in Education in Educational Leadership in 2020.

Mrs. Wright started her educational career as a k-8 Music Teacher for Veazie School. She then moved to Ellsworth High School and from 1986 – 2017, she served as an English, Theatre, Vocal Music, Dance, VPA Academy Coordinator, Drama and Show Choir Director. In 2017, she became the Assistant Principal of Ellsworth High School. Mrs. Wright has also been the Theatre Methods Instructor for the Maine Educators Consortium since 2019.

This article and photos were provided by the Maine Principal’s Association.

Commissioner Makin Meets with Westbrook High School Future Teachers Academy Students

Commissioner Pender Makin met with the inaugural class of the Future Teachers Academy at Westbrook High School this week. The Academy allows students to explore the teaching profession while still in high school. The experience includes a faculty-directed seminar to explore issues around teaching and education and field-based experiences in school settings. Students spend time every week with a host teacher and prepare and teach their own lesson plans.

Students in this initial cohort are gaining classroom experience in first grade, fourth grade, fifth-grade physical education, ninth-grade science, and ninth-grade social studies.

The Academy provides students with hands-on experience in Westbrook classrooms to explore the ins and outs of teaching, college credit, and a special diploma certificate. Students will continue to receive mentoring support once they graduate, opportunities for student teaching while in college, and the promise of an interview for a Westbrook teaching position when they are ready to pursue their career in education.

The Westbrook Teachers Academy is a fantastic example of Maine “grow your own” efforts to build and sustain the teacher workforce and nurture the passion that students have for teaching.

Wabanaki Studies Website Revamped to Include Curriculum, Units, Lessons, Activities, and More!

After months of collaboration between Wabanaki advisors and educators from across the state, under the direction of the Wabanaki Studies Specialist, Brianne Lolar (Panawahpskek), the website has been revamped to include a plethora of new resources.

Some of the many features include:

  • Links to 7 Wabanaki Studies MOOSE (Maine Online Open-Source Education platform) modules with accompanying resources
  • Additional Wabanaki Studies curriculum, units, lessons, and resources
  • Traditional Knowledge Keepers Directory
  • Wabanaki Studies Specialist office hours sign up
  • Resource database
  • Monthly spotlight with new resources

This work is deliberately designed to be taught year-round. As with all great, meaningful teaching, it is interdisciplinary, connecting with topics that are already being taught, and strengthens learning. Spend some time with all of the resources and find ways to teach this in a deliberate way throughout the entire year. Reach out to the Wabanaki Studies Specialist, Brianne Lolar to share the great things you are already doing, things you have learned along the way, and ways you and your students have grown!

https://www.maine.gov/doe/innovation/wabanakistudies

Maine DOE Selects Claire Ouellette of Caribou and Ryan Hafener of Hampden for United States Senate Youth Program

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to announce that Claire Ouellette, a student at Caribou High School, in Caribou, and Ryan Hafener, a student at Hampden Academy, in Hampden, were both selected for the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP). They will each be attending USSYP’s Washington Week in Washington, D.C. during the first week of March where they will meet with the Senate leaders and the Senate parliamentarian and historian; a justice of the Supreme Court, the President, officials from the Departments of State and Defense and other executive agencies, a foreign ambassador to the U.S. and senior members of the media. They are also each awarded a $10,000 scholarship to any undergraduate institution of their choosing.

Photos of Claire Ouellette accepting the honor:

Claire Ouelette with her Superintendent Jane McCall, her Social Studies teacher Allison Ladner (who nominated her), and Principal Jamie Selfridge
Claire Ouelette with her parents Josh and Karen Ouelette
Claire Ouelette with Beth Lambert of the Maine DOE, Trisha House from Senator Collins’ office, and Jordyn Madore from Senator King’s office.

Photos of Ryan Hafener accepting the honor:

Ryan Hafener with Beth Lambert from the Maine DOE and Edie Smith from Senator King’s office.
Ryan Hafener with his Principal Reg Ruhlin

The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) provides a yearly opportunity for two students from each state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity, to gain an in-depth view of the United States Senate and the federal government as well as a deeper understanding of the interrelationship of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. The overall mission of the program is to help instill within each class of USSYP student delegates more profound knowledge of the American political process and a lifelong commitment to public service.

The selection process for this prestigious award is rigorous and competitive and began when teachers and principals nominated qualified students this past fall. Once nominated, students had to complete an application and write an essay on a significant issue they would like the U.S. Congress to consider.

Based on the quality of their essay, ten students were selected as finalists. Those 10 students came to The Margaret Chase Smith library in Skowhegan where they were interviewed by a distinguished panel of judges including Chuck Mahaleris, Constituent Services Representative for Senator Susan Collins; and Ben Tucker, Regional Representative for Senator Angus S. King, Jr. Additionally, they were asked to write and deliver a four-minute senate simulation speech. At the end of the day, both Claire and Ryan rose to the top.

Media Release: New Initiative Provides Welcoming Libraries to 26 Maine Schools, 900 Books to Bangor Schools

Books Highlight Themes of Diversity and Highlight Immigrant and New American Families

In front of hundreds of fourth and fifth grade students at Bangor’s Fairmont School, the Maine Department of Education (DOE), I’m Your Neighbor Books, the Maine Community Foundation, the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation, and school officials announced the delivery of 900 books featuring immigrant and new American families for all Bangor schools. The books contained in these Welcoming Libraries are shelved on Maine-made book carts and promote themes of diversity, immigration, and creating welcoming environments for all.

The Maine DOE and I’m Your Neighbor Books also announced a new PINE Project, which will provide no-cost Welcoming Libraries to an additional 16 schools across Maine. Each library contains 60 books allowing immigrant and New American students to see themselves and their families reflected in what they are reading and providing all students with picture books featuring stories of immigrant families and the diversity of America.

The announcement event featured a student-led reading of I’m An American, written by Darshana Khiani and illustrated by Laura Freeman. The book is included in the libraries and highlights the diverse cultures that make up the United States and the ways we define what it means to be American.

“We’re excited to partner with I’m Your Neighbor Books to bring these libraries to schools across Maine and support teachers in bringing this content to life in their classrooms. As Maine welcomes more immigrant and New American families, it’s incredibly important that students see themselves and their families represented in the books in their school libraries. These books also encourage all students to create a welcoming environment and appreciate the incredible diversity in our communities and nation,” said Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin.  

“In recognition of Bangor becoming an official refugee resettlement city, two Maine foundations stepped forward to fund immigration-themed book collections for Bangor Schools. With a $25,000 grant award from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation and a $10,000 Community Building grant award from the Maine Community Foundation, I’m Your Neighbor Books is placing 90 books and a book cart engraved with the invitation, ‘Read to Welcome. Read to Belong.’ in each Bangor School,” said I’m Your Neighbor Books Executive Director Kirsten Cappy.

Educators from across the state applied to receive these Welcoming Libraries and to participate in a series of 2024 workshops hosted by I’m Your Neighbor Books. The workshops will use the cart’s picture books to further teacher training on social emotional learning and the themes embedded in the books. Stories featuring the emotional resiliency of Immigrant and New Generation families will form the basis for exploring the resiliency of all Maine students.

The picture books on the carts include a set of discussion questions created by I’m Your Neighbor Books. The inclusion of those questions in this and other Welcoming Library projects led the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) to officially commend the Welcoming Library for “building a stronger culture of welcoming and belonging” in US schools.

The collaborative work of the educators selected from 16 Maine schools and the workshop leaders will culminate in a series of professional development videos that I’m Your Neighbor Books and the Maine Department of Education will use with educators in Maine and share across the nation.

The 16 Maine schools selected for the PINE Project include Fourteenth St. School in Bangor, Biddeford Intermediate School, Kate Furbish Elementary School in Brunswick, Central Community Elementary School in Corinth, Mast Landing School in Freeport, George B Weatherbee School in Hampden, Jonesport Elementary School, Thomas J McMahon Elementary School in Lewiston, Sebasticook Elementary School in Newport, Oxford Elementary School, Pembroke Elementary School, East End Community School in Portland, Gerald E. Talbot Community School in Portland, C.K. Burns School in Saco, Mt. View Elementary School in Thorndike, and Canal Elementary School in Westbrook.

The book carts were designed by Lewiston’s Edgewise Design and manufactured in Lisbon Falls by Orion Woodshop. Engraving on the cart invites students to “Read to Welcome” and “Read to Belong” and welcomes students with the phrase “I’m Your Neighbor” in ten languages.

ESSERF (CRRSA and Emergency) funds received from the US Department of Education (USDOE) supported the implementation of this project. The project has an award from the Maine DOE totaling $119,041.16.