MADSEC Names 2022 Honorees of the Year

MADSEC (Maine Administrators for Services for Children with Disabilities) has named their 2022 Honorees of the Year for Special Education Administrator of the Year, Special Education Professional of the Year, and Special Education Support Staff of the Year. This year’s honorees will be celebrated at MADSEC’s annual Awards Dinner at Sugarloaf Resort and Conference Center on June 22, 2022.

This year’s Special Education Administrator of the Year honoree is Gene Kucinkas, the Director of Falmouth Public Schools. MADSEC’s Administrator of the Year is considered based on outstanding contributions to education and/or success as a special education administrator, demonstration of endeavor to grow professionally by attending workshops, conferences, graduate classes, and seminars, involvement in the community, and involvement in regional/statewide efforts through MADSEC and other professional organizations.

man in glasses smiling
Gene Kucinkas, MADSEC 2022 Special Education Administrator of the Year

This year’s Special Education Professional of the Year honoree is Angela Wright-Bouffard, a teacher in MSAD #52. MADSEC’s Professional of the Year is recognized for outstanding contributions to education and/or success as a special education professional, demonstration of an awareness of current educational developments by utilizing programs which are viable, innovative and successful, demonstration of endeavor to grow professionally by attending workshops, conferences, graduate classes, and seminars, involvement in the community, involvement in writing grants and implementing new programs, involvement on school committees and demonstration of leadership role, and involvement in staff development for regular and/or special education staff.

woman in glasses smiling
Angela Wright-Bouffard, MADSEC 2022 Special Education Professional of the Year

This year’s Special Education Support Staff of the Year honoree is Jennifer Irish, a Special Education Consulting Teacher in MSAD #72. MADSEC’s Support Staff of the year is recognized for outstanding contributions to education and/or success as a special education support staff, demonstration of an awareness of current educational developments by utilizing programs which are viable, innovative and successful, demonstration of endeavor to grow professionally by attending workshops, conferences, and seminars, involvement in the community, involvement on school committees and demonstration of leadership roles, and involvement in staff development for regular and/or special education staff.

woman smiling with blue background
Jennifer Irish, MADSEC 2022 Special Education Support Staff of the Year

Please join us in congratulating MADSEC’s 2022 Honorees of the Year: Gene Kucinkas, Angela Wright-Bouffard, and Jennifer Irish!

For more information on nominating educators for these awards, please visit MADSEC’s website.

Media Release: Maine Department of Education Awards $2.5 Million in RREV Funding to Support Education Innovation

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) today awarded $2.5 million in Rethinking Responsive Education Ventures (RREV) funding to support education innovation in twelve school administrative units (SAUs) across Maine. These funds will be used to support educational research and design projects focused on alternative education strategies, interdisciplinary/experiential learning, environmental stewardship, Wabanaki culture and heritage, outdoor education, and internship opportunities, as well as supporting unique approaches to remote learning.

Awardees for this third round of RREV funding include Lee Academy, Brunswick, RSU 21 in Kennebunk, Maine Indian Education, RSU 1 in Bath, Brewer, RSU 71 in Belfast, MSAD 6 in Bonny Eagle, RSU 25 in Bucksport, Falmouth, RSU 20 in Searsport, and Kittery. The first round of RREV investments were made last fall, a second round in March, and total RREV investments now near $6 million.

“RREV investments help fuel educational research and design and the innovation and creativity of Maine educators,” said Education Commissioner Pender Makin. “We’re excited to invest in these educator-led efforts to deepen student engagement through interdisciplinary learning, expand learning beyond the traditional classroom to include the outdoors and environmental stewardship, explore Wabanaki culture and heritage, expand alternative education strategies, and allow students to explore career paths that fuel their passions.”

The Maine DOE was awarded $16.9 million from the U.S. Department of Education’s Rethink K-12 Education Models Funding. As one of 11 States to receive funding, Maine created RREV to support the work of visionary educators to develop innovative pilot programs around remote and outside of the classroom learning, including professional development and pilot design classes. Courses in innovative design process are available through several of Maine’s public and private universities at no cost to Maine educators who wish to participate. In addition to the innovative pilot development classes, the Department is also offering asynchronous, innovative principles webinars which are available to all educators in self-paced, independent modules.

“RREV has not only helped us to reinvent how we deliver instruction but how we look at changing education as a whole,” said Renita Ward-Downer, Director of Instruction in Brewer.

“Maine Indian Education’s RREV pilot project will allow us to build a connected and immersive, community-based middle school experience that empowers students to always put first their Wabanaki knowledge,” said Beth Clifford, Curriculum Coordinator for Maine Indian Education. “We are eager to develop place-based and project-based educational experiences that connect learning and communities to increase student engagement and academic outcomes, promote partnerships and collaboration, and deepen our understanding of the world around us. Wabanaki history, culture and life will be a core element of programming.”

For more information on how to get involved in RREV and to learn more about the pilots, visit https://www.maine.gov/doe/rrev.  View the map of all RREV recipients.

MTSS Monday Minute – Summer Reading Suggestions – Now Available!

Have you seen the June 6th MTSS Monday Minute? This week’s M&M features three book suggestions you may want to add to your summer reading list.  Click the link to view the video.

Don’t forget to have your minutes counted!  Be sure to check out the video description box for more information about how to have your minutes counted toward a shoutout to your district.

Also, there is still time to register for one of this summer’s book club gatherings.  Books for the Effective Universal Instruction book club will begin to be mailed Friday, June 10th.  Currently there are still 10 free books available for educators to participate.

Click this link for more information about the book club opportunity.

Reach our to Andrea Logan, Maine DOE Multi-tiered Systems of Support Specialist at andrea.logan@maine.gov with further questions or support.

 

MASL Names 2022 Support Staff and School Librarian of the Year Award Recipients

The Maine Association of School Libraries (MASL) announced the recipients of the 2022 Support Staff and School Librarian of the Year Awards during the opening ceremony of the Spring Symposium on May 14 at Bangor High School. Library staff gathered in person and virtually to find inspiration and celebration for Maine school libraries “Moving Forward Together.” 

Amanda Kozaka, MASL Awards Chair
Ms. Lu is Lewiston High School Librarian Marissa Deku

Elizabeth Lu Detwiler has won the 2022 Support Staff Award. Ms. Lu is the Library Educational Technician at Lewiston High School, an essential role responsible for supporting students in the self-directed pursuit of new knowledge and ideas. LHS Librarian Marissa Deku describes her as “a future leader in this profession.” The Support Staff Award recognizes Ms. Lu’s high level of dedication and professionalism.

The 2022 Walter J. Taranko School Librarian Award winner is Iris Eichenlaub. Ms. Eichenlaub is recognized for transforming not only the School Library at Camden Hills Regional High School, but the efforts and the impact of school libraries across the state. Patti Forster, NBCT, noted “she is an incredible librarian in a state of many incredible librarians, but what makes Iris rise above and beyond” are her collaborative and creative efforts to protect the intellectual freedom of Maine students.

Iris Eichenlaub, School Librarian of the Year Award Recipient
Iris Eichenlaub, School Librarian of the Year Award Recipient

MASL’s annual awards recognize exemplary school library support staff, administrators, and library media specialists. Each winner is presented with a commemorative plaque and a $500 donation from MASL to their school library program. 

The MASL Awards committee welcomes nominations from teachers, colleagues, and administrators by February 15th of each year. Visit maslibraries.org to learn more about Awards, Scholarships, Membership, and PD Events.

2022 Awards Chair: Amanda Kozaka

2022 Awards Committee: Michelle Martin (At-Large), Michelle Wyler (Secretary)

Media Release: Maine Child Nutrition Programs Continue Feeding Children Beyond School Year with Summer Food Service Program Hot Lunch Summer

As the school year comes to an end, Maine children can access nutritious meals through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program, administered by the Maine Department of Education (DOE). These meals are available at hundreds of sites across Maine and will be listed on the Maine DOE’s Hot Lunch Summer website.

“No child should worry about going hungry when the school year ends,” said Education Commissioner Pender Makin. “Hot Lunch Summer ensures that Maine children continue to receive the healthy, nutritious meals they rely on during the school year and we thank the schools and organizations that have stepped up to make the distribution of these meals possible.”

The Summer Food Service Program may be offered statewide in areas or at sites where more than 50 percent of the children are eligible for free or reduced meal benefits under the National School Lunch Program or where census track data supports the need. Eligible sponsoring organizations include schools, nonprofit residential summer camps, government agencies, and tax-exempt organizations including faith-based organizations.

The Maine DOE launched a statewide ad campaign to raise awareness that the Summer Food Service Program exists and clearly explain the logistics of where, when, and how Maine children and adolescents can access complementary meals. The multi-media campaign includes a fun, original song entitled ‘Hot Lunch Summer’ for broadcast radio, an accompanying sing-along video in several lengths including a 30-second broadcast and streaming television ad, a series of colorful shareable graphics for social media, and a series of printed materials for distribution at schools and meal sites. The campaign, which will run through July, is expected to generate more than 5.25 million impressions.

To find nearby Summer Meal sites, please visit www.hotlunchsummer.com, or text “Summer Meals” to (914)342-7744.  Information will be available mid-June.

For more information about the Maine DOE’s Summer Food Service Program, contact adriane.ackroyd@maine.gov, call 592-1722 or visit https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/nutrition/programs/sfsp

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In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English.  Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
(1)       mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
(2)       fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
(3)       email:
program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

The Maine Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, religion, ancestry or national origin.

Complaints of discrimination must be filed at the office of the Maine Human Rights Commission, 51 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0051. If you wish to file a discrimination complaint electronically, visit the Human Rights Commission website at https://www.maine.gov/mhrc/file/instructions and complete an intake questionnaire. Maine is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Updates on Implementation of New Chapter 115 Regulations

In an effort to keep the education field apprised of implementation progress on Chapter 115 regulations, the Maine DOE certification team wanted to provide the following updates.  Please remember the new regulations begin this Friday, June 10th.

  • Seventy-two different endorsements have already been created and tested and are ready for application submission beginning Friday.  Other endorsements have been created with new regulations and are in the testing phase, while even more are being created.  The plan is to hopefully have all endorsements prepped for application submission for Friday.
  • New PDF support documents that outline requirements for both conditional and professional certifications have been created for every endorsement and are currently undergoing review.  Those will begin being uploaded to the certification website on Thursday, June 9.
  • Enhancements to the website for clarity are currently underway.
  • Communications to the certification office have increased substantially and we have assisted roughly 3,000 educators each of the last two weeks through various channels.  Please be sure to take advantage of the supports we have and are enhancing on the website to help us process applications as quickly as possible.

Retired Bowdoin College Professor Brings Music to Lewiston Adult Education

At Lewiston Adult Education, music is an exciting new aspect of learning. The sounds of bows on strings fill the halls as Mary Hunter, a retired Bowdoin College music professor teaches beginners how to play violin. The program began in March and, after a ten-week course, most of the students can play “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” an impressive accomplishment after such a short amount of time.

This course may have been the first like it, however, Hunter plans to continue the program through next year. Her course is the first regularly scheduled musical program at Lewiston Adult Education, and she hopes students continue to enroll as she continues to advertise. Hunter believes that music is an important element of education, especially for adults. “For people who have never had the opportunity to take music lessons,” she says, “just giving it a try for a few weeks might offer a somewhat new angle on their identity.” She also shared that the concentration that comes with practicing provides a cathartic release and a bit of mindfulness. The sense of achievement that comes with learning a repertoire is important, too, she says, as it opens to the door to collaboration with others.

A big difference between adults and children, Hunter says, is that adults choose to learn. Oftentimes, adults are persistent and determined to succeed because of this choice. A few undaunted students who took her class this spring look to continue learning and will be joining a new group of students who will take Hunter’s course this summer, which will run from mid-June to mid-August. Another diligent student of Hunter’s, who took prior lessons in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is working up to a big performance. They have been working one-on-one together to create a program to perform at the school’s graduation on June 14th. There, they will be playing three songs together to show off their hard work and honor this year’s graduates.

Further, while adults grasp concepts quicker than children, Hunter says they are also physically less adaptable. This presents a bit of a struggle, especially because they need to be treated like grownups, and the material they are presented with needs to be geared towards adults. However, even with these challenges, Hunter looks forward to her students, and the program, progressing past these beginning stages to grow and overcome these obstacles in the future.

Seeking Public Comments for a Tydings Amendment Waiver of FY21 ESEA funds and FY22 Carryover of Excess Title I, Part A Funds

Pursuant to the authority granted under section 8401(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the Maine Department of Education (DOE) intends to submit an application for waivers to the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE).  As required, the Maine DOE is seeking 15 days of public comment from June 7, 2022 – June 21, 2022, on the request to waive the period of availability for Elementary & Secondary Education Act funds and Title I, Part A carryover limitations.

Requirements from which Maine will be seeking a waiver include:

  • A Tydings amendment waiver from Section 421(b) of the General Provisions Act to the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE). The Tydings amendment waiver seeks an extension to the availability of Federal Fiscal Year 2020/State Fiscal Year 2021 Elementary and Secondary Education funds.  Programs affected by this waiver:
    • Title I, Part A of the ESEA (Improving Basic Programs Operated by LEAs), including the portions of the SEA’s Title I, Part A award used to carry out section 1003 school improvement, section 1003A direct student services, if applicable, and Title I, Part D, Subpart 2
    • Title I, Part B of the ESEA (State Assessment Formula Grants)
    • Title I, Part C of the ESEA (Education of Migratory Children)
    • Title I, Part D, Subpart 1 of the ESEA (Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At Risk)
    • Title II, Part A of the ESEA (Supporting Effective Instruction)
    • Title III, Part A of the ESEA (English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement)
    • Title IV, Part A of the ESEA (Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants)
    • Title IV, Part B of the ESEA (21st Century Community Learning Centers)
    • Title V, Part B, Subpart 2 of the ESEA (Rural and Low-Income School Program)
    • McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Programs
  • A carryover limitation waiver from Section 1127(a) of the Elementary & Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended for Federal Fiscal Year 2021/State Fiscal Year 2022 Title I, Part A funds. The carryover limitation waiver seeks to waive the requirement that limits the Maine DOE’s ability to grant to its local educational agencies (LEAs) a waiver of the 15 percent Title I, Part A carryover limitation of more than once every three years.

The Maine DOE must solicit and respond to public comment on its waiver request as well as provide evidence of the available comment period.  As the Maine DOE moves forward to provide as much flexibility as possible and continued support for expending ESEA federal funds, comments can be submitted to Rita Pello at Rita.Pello@maine.gov. 

Maine PBIS Announces First Training of Trainers and Coaches Cohort

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) and the University of Maine System (UMS) are pleased to announce the first Maine PBIS Training of Trainers and Coaches cohort.

Maine schools and districts are experiencing the positive impacts of the Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports’ (PBIS) evidence-based framework with over 75 schools currently implementing PBIS with more being added each year. Additional trainers and coaches are needed to provide support for newly implementing teams.

Please go to https://bit.ly/MEPBISToTInfo to learn how you can become a Maine PBIS Tier 1 Trainer and Coach.  If you have any questions, please contact Karen Robbie at karen.robbie@maine.edu .

Maine DOE Update – June 3, 2022

 

 

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

End of School Year 21’-22’ Checklist for Completing Reports; June 7 Webinar Available

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Educational Data Systems Team will be hosting a webinar to discuss the end of year reporting requirements in this notification on Tuesday June 7th from 10:00am to 12:00pm. |  More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Updated COVID-19 Guidance and Processes for Schools 

As the school year soon comes to a close and you transition to summer programming, we wanted to provide guidance and processes for schools related to COVID-19. In consultation with the Maine CDC and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, the following will occur at the end of the day on June 30, 2022. |  More

Accessing Maine School Safety Center Resources

As our nation once again seeks answers in the wake of a tragic school shooting and our schools seek solutions to keep students and educators safe, the Maine Department of Education’s Maine School Safety Center (MSSC) stands ready to assist you in your school safety planning and needs. |  More

MEDIA RELEASE: New Career Exploration Resource for Students Launches

The Maine Department of Labor (DOL) and Maine Department of Education (DOE) have launched a new student career discovery dashboard that presents data on in-demand jobs and wages in a manner that is accessible to students in grades 6-12. |  More

MEDIA RELEASE: New Career Exploration Resource for Students Launches

The Maine Department of Labor (DOL) and Maine Department of Education (DOE) have launched a new student career discovery dashboard that presents data on in-demand jobs and wages in a manner that is accessible to students in grades 6-12. |  More

Seeking Schools and Educators to Pilot New High School Statistics and Data Science Course

The Maine Department of Education (DOE), in partnership with University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA’s) Teaching and Learning Lab, is seeking educators who are interested in piloting a modern approach to teaching statistics and data science. |  More

Celebrating Pride Month. Resources to Support LGBTQ+ Students and Build a Welcoming School Climate

June is LGBTQ Pride Month and the Maine Department of Education (DOE) has a robust collection of resources devoted to supporting LGBTQ+ students in Maine and fostering a positive school climate. |  More

Maine FFA State Convention Back in Person

The Maine FFA State Convention returned—following two virtual years due to COVID-19, as an in-person event on May 12-13, 2022. Formerly known as “Future Farmers of America,” FFA is the largest student-led organization in the country. Attended by over 250 FFA members, judges, guests and family members, this event, normally held at the University of Maine in Orono, was conducted for the first time in Presque Isle. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Leading Early Learning—A Professional Learning Series for Elementary School Administrators

As Maine elementary schools have added preschool programming and are promoting whole child approaches across the Pre-K -Grade 3 span, elementary principals have requested professional learning to support their work as educational leaders. The Maine Department of Education and several Maine educational organizations have collaborated to design an exciting professional learning series to address identified needs and support professional growth. | More

WEBINAR: Introductory Training on Newcomer Multilingual Learners for All Teachers

On June 6th from 3:00 – 4:30pm, join April Perkins, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) & Bilingual Programs Specialist at the Maine Department of Education (DOE), and Sheanna Zimmermann, ESOL Director for South Portland School Department, to learn strategies for ensuring that newcomers and their families feel welcome and supported at school. | More

A Call For Visual, Performing and Literary Arts Educators, Teaching Artists, and Partnering Educators

Join MAEPL for a GREAT opportunity to become part of a dynamic network of arts educators across the state of Maine! This year-long experience begins with a 3-day Summer Institute, held this year as an outdoor destination experience in a natural, idyllic setting sure to jumpstart your leadership journey. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here