Service Project Funding Opportunity

In partnership with the Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation, Volunteer Maine is excited to offer service support grants to groups working with middle and high school students to learn about and tackle issues around hunger and food insecurity in their communities.

The Service Instigator Grant ($750 – $1,000) will be used to assist youth in exploring the root causes of hunger and food insecurity, and design and conduct a service project related to what they discover.

Applications are due by March 5th, and projects are to be completed by May 2nd. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Check VolunteerMaine.gov for future updates.

Tips and Information for Districts Offering Complimentary Meals

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the way schools and districts have been offering meals to children across the state has changed dramatically. Food service staff have worked tirelessly to adapt and come up with many creative methods for meal service by schools.

The complimentary meals, free of charge to all families, are being offered as part of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) emergency meal program – a response to the pandemic. The emergency meal program ensures compliance with the required law of offering meals on educational days. It is not part of the federal School Lunch Program, but a special program which offers meals to all children during this time of challenge.

Given the underutilization of this program by students and families across Maine, the Department is offering some tips that school/district nutrition teams can use to help increase participation by maximizing nutrition and appeal to students, adding flexibly for families, and by increasing promotion and communication:

Children’s preferences and favorites should be considered when planning menus.
Meals offered should be nutritious and appealing.
Flexible delivery methods are needed to accommodate working parents.
Volunteers from the community can be sourced to supplement food service staff.
Advertise as “complementary meals” or “emergency meals” (not as “School Lunch”).
Maximize communication by using your district’s social media and online platforms. Include photos of menus and featured ingredients.
Include delivery site information and picture of location (or a picture of the delivery vehicle).
Always reiterate that the meals are free for everyone!

If you need more information, support, and/or training, contact Maine DOE Child Nutrition Office at 207-624-6842.

Maine DOE Update – February 19, 2021

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

REMINDER: Verify FY 22 Preliminary ED 279 Reports by February 25, 2021

This notification is a friendly reminder to Maine School Administrative Units to please review your FY 22 Preliminary ED 279 School Funding Reports and contact the School Finance Team with any questions, errors, or omissions by February 25, 2021. | More

REMINDER: USDA Food Orders Due on February 22nd

School Food Service Departments across the state are busy entering the orders for USDA food for School Year 2022. It is hard to believe we are in the process of ordering food for next school year! This is a friendly reminder that the USDA food orders are due by noon on February 22nd. | More

Get to know the Maine DOE Team: Meet Staci Warren

Maine DOE team member Staci Warren is being highlighted this week as part of the Get to know the Maine DOE Team Campaign. Learn a little more about Staci. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

Portland High Partners for Career Exploration Near and Far

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development & Training Opportunities

State of Maine Collaborative Child Abuse Prevention Training

Stop Trafficking US, Cumberland County Children’s Advocacy Center, Maine School Safety Center, and the Maine Department of Education would like to invite you to attend a day of training entitled, State of Maine Collaborative Child Abuse Prevention Training.  | More

Digital Learning Day (2/25) Live Broadcast: Overcoming Adversity with Resilience & Hope for the Future

This opportunity is being hosted by Alliance for Excellent Education. Celebrate Digital Learning Day (DLDay) on February 25, 2021 with stories of educators who have overcome adversity and are embracing innovation. These stories are guaranteed to inspire and invigorate your vision for the future. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here

REMINDER: Verify FY 22 Preliminary ED 279 Reports by February 25, 2021

ED 279 Reports are accessible at https://neo.maine.gov/DOE/neo/eps/Reports/EPSSpecialReports.aspx

Should you have questions regarding subsidy printouts, please contact the School Finance Team: Tyler Backus at tyler.backus@maine.gov; Paula Gravelle at paula.b.gravelle@maine.gov; or Ida Batista at ida.batista@maine.gov.

REMINDER: USDA Food Orders Due on February 22nd

Directions to place food orders in the new CNPweb system are posted on our web page here: https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/nutrition/programs/fd. Once orders are placed, the Department will submit them to USDA for the bidding/purchasing process for Maine.

Thank you and great job to those that have completed the USDA food ordering process already.

If you have any questions or need support in this process, contact Maine DOE Child Nutrition at 207-624-6822.

Digital Learning Day (2/25) Live Broadcast: Overcoming Adversity with Resilience & Hope for the Future

The below opportunity is being hosted by Alliance for Excellent Education.

Celebrate Digital Learning Day (DLDay) on February 25, 2021 with stories of educators who have overcome adversity and are embracing innovation. These stories are guaranteed to inspire and invigorate your vision for the future.

The event will reflect on changes from the past twelve months, celebrate ten years of DLDay, and help participants be inspired to be part of the new age of learning.

Visit classrooms, schools, and districts around the country (virtually of course) and witness the power that comes when educators combine a growth mindset with perseverance, innovation, and collaborative leadership.

Together we are better. Together we are Future Ready.

State of Maine Collaborative Child Abuse Prevention Training

Stop Trafficking US, Cumberland County Children’s Advocacy Center, Maine School Safety Center, and the Maine Department of Education would like to invite you to attend a day of training entitled, State of Maine Collaborative Child Abuse Prevention Training.

The Zero Abuse Project presentation is a three-day training for social workers, educators, law enforcement and prosecutors. You may attend one day or all three days.

These trainings are designed to provide cross-disciplinary education, advocacy for systemic legal change, guidance for survivor support, and leadership on emerging technologies. Education and training around how to recognize and address the intersecting forms of child maltreatment in connection with child sexual abuse is the focus of all three days.

The goals of the Zero Abuse Project Training are:

To equip current and future multi-disciplinary teams and other professionals with the skills to identify abuse, intervene for children’s safety, secure justice, and build resiliency.
Create technologies that strengthen investigations, expose abusers, and provide survivors with pathways to recovery.
Promote evidence-based research that advances child protection.
Advocate policies that create and sustain a culture of prevention, disclosure, accountability, and healing.

This training is made possible through the generous donations from the Stop Trafficking US funders who believe “Education Matters” in preventing child abuse.

Training dates and times:

Mar 17, 2021 08:30 AM – 4:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Social Workers and Law Enforcement Specific
Mar 18, 2021 08:30 AM – 4:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Prosecutors and Law Enforcement Specific
Mar 19, 2021 08:30 AM – 4:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Educator Specific

Agendas (PDF)

Speaker Bios (PDF)

Register in advance for this webinar: https://mainestate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN _tFdy-XmcRXaGudIeN2W_4A

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Get to know the Maine DOE Team: Meet Staci Warren

Maine DOE team member Staci Warren is being highlighted this week as part of the Get to know the Maine DOE Team Campaign. Learn a little more about Staci in the question and answer below.

What are your roles with DOE?

I’m the secretary specialist supervisor for the Office of School and Student Supports and Maine School Safety Center.

What do you like best about your job?

I never knew there were so many different aspects of the DOE. I work with some amazing people who do amazing things, and that makes me proud to be part of the team. There is never a dull moment. From webpage design, administrative work, contracts, invoices, and special projects, I get to use many of my skills and that keeps the work interesting.

How or why did you decide on this career?

Before I earned my degree and the entire time I was in college, my life was in the administrative field. I have a long record of project management and managing people, and this seemed like a good fit.

What do you like to do outside of work for fun?

I love the outdoors; it’s my true happy place. When I’m not working I’m camping, fishing, hunting, foraging for wild mushrooms. I’m a member of the New England Outdoor Writers Association and in my otherwise free time, I am a free-lance outdoor writer and blogger. I am co-founder of the non-profit Women of the Maine Outdoors, an organization that expands opportunities for women and girls in the Maine outdoors. Just before the pandemic started, I became a volunteer instructor for Maine IFW and I’m anxiously awaiting the chance to share my knowledge of the outdoors once classes begin again.

Portland High Partners for Career Exploration Near and Far

Students often do informational interviews, but not often with the CEO of their favorite company. Two Portland High Students interested in creating their own streetwear brand had the opportunity to connect virtually with and ask questions to Keith Jones, the CEO of Tulones, a streetwear company out of Atlanta, GA. He talked to the students about how he started his business, tips for creating a brand, and how to make sure your designs are protected.

Two Portland High School students are able to do a virtual internship with Greiby Janaky Medina, an author out of New York City who is a Portland High School alum. The students are able to understand the writing and publishing industry directly from someone participating in this work in a big city!

While virtual meetings were always possible, the prevalence of them in the era of COVID-19 has opened up a seemingly new world of possibilities.

At a careers in engineering panel, students were able to hear from engineers from Portland, Chicago, Ghana, and New York City all on one call. This structure helps students broaden their horizons of where they might see themselves in the future.

Two film makers from the Boston area, Cody Signore and André Phillips helped students understand the film industry in New England and beyond.

Students continue to maintain the ability to maintain local connections as well. A panel of Portland Public Schools alumni spoke on careers in social justice, with presenters from Chance to Advance, The Maine Development Foundation, Disability Rights Maine, and the Restorative Justice Institute of Maine.

A panel on careers related to law you don’t need a law degree for featured a paralegal from the law firm Norman, Hansen, and DeTroy, the Program Director of Democracy Maine, an advocate from the Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine, the Project Coordinator from the Volunteer Lawyer’s Project, and a Mediator from Federal Mediation and Cociliation Services.

If you are interested in connecting with students, contact Andrea Levinsky, Extended Learning Opportunities Coordinator at levina@portlandschools.org.

This article was provided by Portland Public Schools as part of the Maine Schools Sharing Success Campaign. To submit a story or an idea for the Campaign, email Rachel at rachel.paling@maine.gov.

Maine DOE Update – February 12, 2021

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Priority Notice: Mills Administration Updates COVID-19 School Health Advisory System

All counties now green with Androscoggin, Franklin, Oxford, and York counties joining designation.

The Mills Administration today released an update to its color-coded Health Advisory System that classifies counties’ relative risk of COVID-19 transmission to assist schools as they continue with their plans to deliver instruction and support to students safely.

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) continue to review evidence that indicates lower transmission of COVID-19 in schools compared to the general population. Over the last 30 days, the rate of new cases is 36 per 10,000 staff and students, compared to 81 per 10,000 people statewide. Evidence continues to demonstrate that in-person learning in schools that follow public health precautions can be conducted safely without increased transmission of COVID-19. | More

PRIORITY NOTICE: National Youth Physical Fitness Campaign Launches in Maine

Governor Janet Mills and the Maine Department of Education announced today that the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils (NFGFC) has selected Maine for its 2021 DON’T QUIT! Campaign, a national effort to encourage physical fitness in youth. As part of the campaign, the NFGFC, which seeks to encourage and reward innovation in the field of youth fitness, will gift DON’T QUIT! Fitness Centers to three Maine schools that use new and unique methods to promote student physical activity and wellness to help them construct fitness centers. | More

PRIORITY NOTICE: New Dates Available for Free Anti-Bias Professional Learning Series for Educators

The Maine Department of Education is sponsoring a workshop by Amber Coleman-Mortley, Moving Beyond the Movement: Fostering Authentic Transformation for Sustainable Outcomes. This Learning Series was originally scheduled for earlier this month but it has been rescheduled and the registration has opened back up for additional attendees! Please see the updated dates below. | More

PRIORITY NOTICE: Maine DOE Joins NewsCenter Maine to Thank School Staff and Educators Through Video Messages from Across the State

The Maine Department of Education is excited to be working with News Center Maine on a two-week campaign that aims to give Maine schools staff and teachers the giant shout out and thank you they deserve. With Valentine’s Day and the national #LoveTeaching week just around the corner, the Maine DOE and News Center Maine have formed a unique partnership to broadcast video messages from schools across Maine showcasing the amazing heroes that work in our local schools and districts. | More

WAVES First Instagram Contest Winner Meets Virtually with Senator Angus King 

After an all-nighter of Senate votes last Thursday evening through 5:30am Friday, and a full day of Senate work thereafter, Maine’s Senator Angus King made sure to meet with Kalli Sternberg of Machias, a high school senior at Washington Academy in East Machias. Kalli was the winner of an Instagram photo contest hosted by the Maine Department Of Education’s new initiative WAVES (Wilderness Activities and Virtual Engagement for Students), which granted her the opportunity to meet with Senator King.  | More

Maine CITE Program Welcomes New Director

Jessi Wright, MBA, ATP has been named the new Director for the Maine CITE Program, the Assistive Technology (AT) program for the state of Maine. Jessi began her duties on February 1, 2021. Jessi was previously the Director of the West Virginia State Assistive Technology Program located at the West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities. | More

Pre-K For ME Curriculum Expanded with At-Home Activities, Available in Multiple Languages

The Pre-K For ME Curriculum has an exciting new addition! Over the last year, the Maine Department of Education has been creating unit specific Family Links which complement each unit of study and deepen children’s learning and interactions related to the unit content. This new resource is designed to enhance instruction by bridging activities in the classroom with extension activities at home. Families and caregivers will learn more about the focus for each unit of study, including the books, songs, and poems that teachers are using in the classroom. Developmental highlights and parenting tips are also offered. | More

We Want to Hear How Climate Science is Taught in Maine Classrooms

Whether your students are exploring energy alternatives, their carbon footprint, how to protect ecosystems and water sources, sea level rise along the coast, warming in the Gulf of Maine, or mitigating health costs of Lyme, mosquito-borne illnesses and damage to Maine’s infrastructure, we want to hear from you! | More

Opportunity for Partnerships with French Schools

The Maine Department of Education is excited to announce an opportunity for middle and high school teachers to participate in cross-cultural partnerships with schools in France. This opportunity has been made possible through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Académie de Nantes, the governmental body overseeing education in the Pays de la Loire region of France. | More

Get to know the Maine DOE Team: Meet Kelley Heath

Maine DOE team member Kelley Heath is being highlighted this week as part of the Get to know the Maine DOE Team Campaign. Learn a little more about Kelley. | More