Maine DOE Update – December 20, 2019

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

Important Reminder: Due Date Approaches for Quarter 2 (Q2) Attendance, Behavior, Bullying, and Truancy Data Review

The Department of Education offers quarterly windows for districts to review, for accuracy and comprehensiveness, the data that has been entered and reported to us. It is our hope that review of this data on a more regular basis will save district personnel time and work at the end of the year, and that it will provide time for analysis and to make any necessary corrections. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Keep Kids Moving, Keep Kids Learning!

During these cold winter days of cabin fever in the classroom, we want to support educators with resources to keep kids moving and engaged. Evidence suggests a positive impact of physical activity on academic achievement and in reducing behavioral challenges. Active recess time, physical education classes, and utilizing action-based learning strategies in the classroom can all be part of the regular school day. | More

School-Based Services Training Survey, Due December 31.

In partnership with our colleagues at Department of Health and Human Services(DHHS), we are asking special education directors to complete a brief survey regarding MaineCare, so we can better tailor professional development for special education providers. | More

CTE Programs- Input Request!

In an effort to enhance Maine’s high quality Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, the Department of Education is seeking your input. | More

Get to know the DOE Team: Meet Morgan Dunton

Maine DOE team member Morgan Dunton is being highlighted this week as the part of a Get to know the DOE Team campaign! Learn a little more about Morgan in the brief question and answer below. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Reminder: Register for Maine School Winter Wellness Summit on Jan 31

To assist those who are responsible for the important task of reporting quarterly attendance data to the Maine Department of Education, the DOE Data Team will be holding a webinar on Monday January 6th, from 11am to 12pm. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

MEDIA ADVISORY: STUDENT CABINET MEETING TODAY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Kelli Deveaux, DOE Director of Communications, (207) 592-3907

Maine Department of Education to Host Student Cabinet Meeting December 20th

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) has selected 32 Maine students to serve on its new Student Cabinet. The group of students is scheduled to meet quarterly with Commissioner Pender Makin to discuss educational opportunities, improvements, and policy. The group will convene for its first meeting on Friday, December 20, 2019, having been previously postponed due to weather. The Maine DOE would like to invite the media to come to the end of the Dec. 20th meeting from 2:45 pm – 3:00 pm to talk with Commissioner Makin and members of the Student Cabinet. The meeting will be at the Senator Inn in Augusta.

Who: Commissioner Makin and Student Cabinet members from all 16 counties in Maine.
What: An opportunity to talk with students and the commissioner about the Student Cabinet.
When: Friday, December 20, 2019, 2:45 pm – 3:00 pm
Where: Senator Inn, 284 Western Ave, Augusta, ME 04330

More information: The Student Cabinet is comprised of students from all 16 counties in Maine, grades 4 through 1st year of college, from diverse educational experiences. The students were selected through a rigorous team selection process by a committee of students, Maine State Board of Education Representatives, and Maine DOE staff, including experienced Maine educators.

Student Cabinet meetings are intended to allow students from different grade levels, backgrounds, and areas of Maine to share their opinions and offer advice about Maine’s education system with Maine’s Commissioner of Education and other leaders from the Maine Department of Education. The purpose of the Student Cabinet is to provide a forum for Maine students’ voices to be heard.

The Student Cabinet will be co-chaired by Maine State Board of Education Student Representatives, Casey Maddock and Jaylee Rice, who were both instrumental in the formation of the Student Cabinet.

Media questions should be directed to Maine DOE Director of Communications Kelli Deveaux at (207) 592-3907or kelli.deveaux@maine.gov. large group of kids in a circle

Keep Kids Moving, Keep Kids Learning!

We share the following as a resource.

Programs to explore

Healthy Kids Healthy Futures: Staff can learn about the benefits and best practices of physical activity in child care and early education (including pre-school) settings. Physical activity habits learned in early childhood can last a lifetime.

Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program: This guide is for schools and school districts to develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive physical activity programs. School-age youth should participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day, and schools have a significant role to play in helping students achieve this recommendation. This guide will help schools identify how to establish more active school environments.

Let’s Go: Let’s Go! is a childhood obesity prevention program found across Maine and in Mt. Washington Valley, New Hampshire. These programs use evidence-based strategies to increase healthy eating and physical activity among children from birth to 18. The foundation for change is the 5-2-1-0 healthy habits message, developed in Maine and recognized nationally.

Explore Physical Activity: School staff can learn about the five components of a comprehensive school physical activity program and how this new national model can support a culture of physical activity at your school.

I Can Do It (ICDI): The “I Can Do It” program is a strategic physical activity program for students with disabilities in the K-12 school setting designed to provide access, equity, and facilitate and encourage opportunities for students with disabilities to be physically active for 60 minutes a day.

Specific Class Motor Break Ideas

Classroom Exercise Breaks for Elementary Students: Classroom exercise break suggestions for elementary school classrooms.

Reading: Literacy and movement suggestions to engage middle school students in acquiring knowledge. The suggestions require minimal materials and teacher preparation.

Scholastic Teachers: Suggestions for combining both exercise and movement in early childhood classrooms across the content areas.

Math: quick physical activity games: Movement suggestions to engage students while improving number sense.

Physical Activity Math Games: A list of possibilities for supporting kinesthetic learners during mathematics instruction.

Classrooms in Motion : A review resource hub for teachers committed to infusing movement into their instructional plans.

For more information or to share ideas, contact Jean Zimmerman, Health and Physical Ed. Consultant, at Jean.zimmerman@maine.gov or 207-624-6687.

CTE Programs- Input Request!

In an effort to enhance Maine’s high quality Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, the Department of Education is seeking your input.

The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1984 was recently reauthorized as the Carl D. Perkins Strengthening Career and Technical Education (CTE) for the 21st Century (Perkins V) Act of 2018. Since the reauthorization, the CTE Team at the Department has met with stakeholders to develop the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) Maine State Plan.

Maine’s state plan is now available for public comment for the next thirty (30) days, with public comment closing on Monday January 20, 2020. The Maine Perkins V state plan is located on the Department’s CTE webpages. Feedback should be provided through the available survey. Recommendations and comments will be reviewed and posted on the CTE webpage. Input may also be provided, in person or in writing, during a public hearing for the Perkins V State Plan scheduled for January 9, 2020, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Burton M. Cross State Office Building, 111 Sewall Street, Augusta, Room 103 A and B. For additional information, please contact Dwight A. Littlefield at dwight.a.littlefield@maine.gov

China Primary School Second Graders do Pumpkin Decomposition Project

Submitted by Keith Morin, Assistant Superintendent of Schools and Chief Academic Officer for Regional School Unit No. 18.

In preparation for China Primary School’s second grade’s spring Earth Science studies, earlier this fall we researched where our trash goes and prepped a project we will be digging up on Earth Day! We hollowed out a pumpkin, filled the pumpkin with our snack time trash, and then buried our pumpkin behind our school!

Our second graders placed seeds, nuts, plastic wrappers, juice boxes, apples, carrots, and
goldfish into the pumpkin! We made predictions as to which items would break down between now and April – and which snack items would not! We are so excited to dig up our pumpkin in the spring and make our observations!

Belgrade Central School Celebrates 2nd Annual Young Reader’s Week

Submitted by Keith Morin, Assistant Superintendent of Schools and Chief Academic Officer for Regional School Unit No. 18.

Founded by Pizza Hut and the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress in 1989, National Young Readers Week has been an annual event held at Belgrade Central School during the second week of November to raise awareness around the importance of reading. This is Belgrade Central’s second year of using this week to spread the love of reading around our school community.

Each teacher scheduled events to take place throughout the week that would highlight reading, and we participated in some school-wide events too. On Thursday, November 14th grades K-2 and grades 3-5 each held a “Read-In” event where they all gathered together in the gym to “get cozy and read” for a period of time. Blankets were spread out everywhere, kids were snuggled up with their friends and favorite books, and we all read together! Mrs. “Bacon” brought along her special friend “Mrs. SunnysideUp” to join in on the fun!!

On Friday, November 15th, the whole school participated in a Book Parade, allowing students to dress up as their favorite book characters, carry their favorite books, and spread the love of books up and down our hallways.

Other events and things you could see around the school were bookmark projects, decorated doors, guest readers in classrooms, math literacy (students finding math concepts in picture books), and whole day “read ins” feeding off our school-wide events.

This was a great way to bring the school together around the love of books!

Get to know the DOE Team: Meet Morgan Dunton

Maine DOE team member Morgan Dunton is being highlighted this week as the part of a Get to know the DOE Team campaign! Learn a little more about Morgan in the brief question and answer below.

What are your roles with DOE?

I am the English Language Arts Specialist with responsibility for grades 6-12. I am part of the Standards and Instructional Supports Team and I also work with the Assessment Team as needed. Another responsibility for the position is to act as a regional representative to the Midcoast Superintendents region – this is West Bath to Searsport!

What do you like best about your job?

My favorite part of the job is providing continuous learning opportunities to educators. I am passionate about literacy and the power that comes from expression, whether it is taking in information and experiences or sharing the results of research, adventure, or reflection. I also like building relationships with people who come back again and again. We think of every student in our class as “our” children and I think of every teacher who relies on me for support as one of “my” teachers.

How or why did you decide on this career?

I taught my first class when I was six years old – I was visiting my grandmother’s class and she helped me develop and deliver a lesson plan. She felt I was born to teach. When I was in the 11^th grade, I went to Girls State and served as moderator of my town and chair of the platform committee. This showed me how much I like the behind-the-scenes work we do as it has great impact on our state without the spotlight or intrigue that comes from being in the spotlight. I describe my position as having one foot in policy and one foot in practice. I think I was headed in this direction all along.

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

I learned to knit a couple of years ago. It was the third time I tried and the first time I found success. I have knit at least 100 hats, several of which can be worn by humans! I have 7 grandchildren who are constantly entertaining and always up to something. I also like to play cribbage and a variation of Canasta and of course, I am a prolific reader.

Windham High School Students Learn the Reality of Journalism

Submitted by Lanet Hane, Director of Community Connections in RSU 14.

Students in Windham High School’s Journalism course have been learning all about the process of writing great stories. In addition to learning the craft, they have a number of opportunities throughout the course to experience the real-life world of careers in journalism.

Students were recently provided the opportunity to tour WGME, experiencing everything from green screens to the feeling of being on-air. They had the chance to interact with people who have made a career out of journalism, and were immersed in the real-life application of the work they have been doing in the class.

Later in the week, Lorraine Glowczak of The Windham Eagle joined the class to talk about her experiences as a writer and editor. They had the opportunity to ask questions about the process of writing articles, keeping deadlines, working for a newspaper, and much more.

Reminder: Register for Maine School Winter Wellness Summit on Jan 31

Life is Good, Wellness Makes It Better! The goal of the Winter Wellness Summit is to prepare and empower participants to create healthy, positive and safe schools for all school personnel and students by promoting policies and environmental practices that support healthier schools, improve personal health and well-being, and enhance academic achievement.

When: Thursday, January 30 and Friday, January 31
Where: The Samoset Resort, Rockport, ME
Audience: Any Individual and/or Wellness Team interested in tools and resources for supporting the health and well-being of Staff, Students and the School
Communities
Cost: Early registration until Dec 27 – $125/person*
Regular registrations after Dec 28 – $145/person *

~~ Contact Hours Awarded ~~

*Morning refreshments and lunch both days and dinner Thursday evening included in all registrations.

Sessions will address Physical-Emotional-Mental-Social-Spiritual & Occupational
dimensions of health with a special emphasis this year on Mental Wellness for all!

Engaging Workshops on Personal Wellness Practices
Programs & Leadership Skills
Action Planning
Positive School Environments
Wellness Exhibit Expo
Worksite Wellness Program Planning

Check out info on the two outstanding keynotes, Murray Banks and George Manning along with up-to-date details and a draft agenda for the 2020 Maine School Winter Wellness Summit on the Maine DOE Website’s Employee and Student Wellness web page.

Time is built into the schedule to practice taking care of YOU and to network with colleagues and professionals from across the state who value schoolsite health promotion and wellness.

DON’T MISS THIS AWESOME PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY!
Join us for the first Winter Wellness Summit, a component of the Maine Schoolsite Health Promotion Program, a program of the Maine Department of Education!

Register here for the Winter Wellness Summit

Accommodations:

Accommodations are on your own, but we have secured a block of rooms at an excellent rate at The Samoset Resort for the State per diem rate of $122 prior to taxes for Single/Double Occupancy. Please note that in order to be tax exempt you must bring documentation.

To book a room at The Samoset Resort:
1 – Click on this link: The Samoset Resort (Do not call for reservations)
2 – Enter the date(s) of your reservation, have a credit card ready
3 – Ignore the next two dropdown buttons
4 – Click on the SEARCH button
5 – Proceed with instructions
The last day to book from the block of reserved rooms is Friday, December 27, 2019.
After December 27, the rate will be honored if rooms are still available.

For more information and questions contact Susan Berry, Maine Department of Education Health Education and Health Promotion Coordinator at 207-624-6695 or susan.berry@maine.gov.

School-Based Services Training Survey, Due December 31.

MaineCare will be proposing a new section of the MaineCare Benefits Manual, Section 106, School-based Services. We anticipate the rule will go into effect July 1, 2020. To help ensure successful implementation of this rule, MaineCare is offering a series of trainings to school district personnel, agencies, and any other stakeholders who would like to know more about what health-related services may be billed to MaineCare through this new section of policy.

We are asking all school-based services providers to complete a survey regarding training needs. The survey results will allow MaineCare to provide access to support and resources, and adequate training prior to implementation.

In-person trainings will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis, and grouped geographically whenever possible. Because there are over 200 school districts and hundreds of stakeholders who need training, we will do our best to meet the needs of your staff. Preference will be given to current MaineCare providers. We will also provide two online, self-directed MaineCare Basics trainings, along with an updated MaineCare in Education Pre-Implementation Training Guide for Providers, which will be posted and available on the day that the new Section 106 policy is legally adopted. The online MaineCare Basics self-directed trainings will be prerequisites for individuals attending the in-person training.

Please complete the School-Based Services Training Survey by December 31, 2019. Please, only one response per agency or school administrative unit. One of the questions asks you to identify the number of staff in need of each of the training courses offered. Please refer to the Section 106 Policy Guides, Presentations, and Training document for the training descriptions on the MaineCare in Education webpage.

Please contact Trista Collins with questions.