The Legislature recently authorized a series of changes to Chapter 115 through Public Law 2019 Chapter 101 Resolve, that is scheduled to go into effect on September 19, 2019. Until then, the Department will continue to apply the pre-existing language of Chapter 115. The Department will notify you when changes become effective. | More
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 $25 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.| More
Each year, one Maine LEA is awarded the Title III Immigrant Children & Youth Subgrant. The purpose of the subgrant is to provide supplemental programs to enhance the education of immigrant students. The subgrant is awarded to the LEA that has experienced the greatest increase in the enrollment of immigrant students, based on the average immigrant enrollment of the two prior years as compared to the current year. | More
Assessment Team Office Associate, Eric Buckhulter is being highlighted this week as the Maine DOE’s Employee of the Week! Learn a little more about Eric | More
Scott Parker, Scott Parker, “I Love You Guys” Certified Trainer for the Standard Response Protocols and Standard Reunification Method; National school safety subject matter expert; supported the development of the Maine Model plan in 2007; certified SRP and SRM Train the Trainer in 2013; has worked with over 20 school districts and academies in Maine; currently working with 8 school districts in Maine. | More
Submitted by Tess Nacelewicz, Communications Coordinator, Portland Public Schools.
Pictured (from left) are Portland Superintendent Xavier Botana; Casco Bay High School students and BOA Student Leaders Imti Hassan and Gabriel Gomez; BOA representatives Rose Parsons and Bill Williamson; and Portland Board of Public Education Chair Roberto Rodriquez.
Two students from Casco Bay High School have been named 2019 Bank of America (BOA) Student Leaders: Gabriel Gomez and Imti Hassan. The BOA Student Leaders program helps connect community-minded high school students to jobs, skills development, and service.
The students were honored by the Portland Board of Public Education and Superintendent Xavier Botana at the Board’s June 18 meeting.
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program is a paid eight-week Internship and leadership Conference program fully funded by Bank of America. In 2019, BOA has increased the hourly pay from $10 to $15 per hour.
BOA Student Leaders participate in paid internships at a local nonprofit organization where they learn firsthand about the needs of the community and the critical role nonprofits play. BOA Student Leaders learn valuable civic, social and business leadership skills. In addition to the paid internship, each BOA Student Leader will attend the Student Leader Summit held in Washington, D.C. where they will explore how government,business and the nonprofit sectors work to address critical community needs.
Gabriel Gomez, who will be a senior at CBHS this fall, will intern this summer at United Way of Greater Portland.
CBHS Principal Derek Pierce described Gabe as “an excellent student and an equally impressive human being. Gabe’s self-effacing wit and impish grin are immediately charming, but his intelligence and integrity are what hold your respect. Academically, Gabe is one of our top students. He was in the first cohort of students to earn a Seal of Biliteracy, and he has achieved with honors in every discipline from art to math. He has earned an “A” in a college math class, and completed an internship in a music studio. Music has become a deep passion of Gabe’s in recent years. True to character, Gabe excels whether he’s playing solo or supporting others in an ensemble. Gabe is well regarded by adults and peers and will be a bridge-builder in any group.” Imti Hassan graduated from CBHS in June and will intern this summer at the Boys & Girls Club of Southern Maine.
Principal Pierce said, “Last summer, Imti Hassan was given the position of “Paradigm Shifter” at the renowned Seeds of Peace Camp. She is one of few 17-year-olds worthy of this daunting label. There is not a program (or community) on earth that would not benefit deeply from her exceptional, buoyant, inclusive and, yes, paradigm-shifting leadership. Imti’s experience as a leader is as deep as it is wide. Her relentless, affable positivity is matched by profound skills in facilitation, listening, making connections and problem solving. Imti was the first chairperson of CBHS cabinet and was voted as one of her class speakers at graduation. She will be attending Bates College this fall.”
Every year, through the Student Leaders program, BOA helps connect more than 200 community-minded high school juniors and seniors to employment, skills development and service.
This year, Bank of America will connect 280 community-minded high school juniors and seniors from 80 of their markets throughout the country to employment, skills development and service. This promising group will convene in Washington DC for a week for the Student Leader Summit built around three themes: Serve. Inspire. Change. As part of this, Bank of America is providing more than $4 million in funding this year to support nearly 3,000 summer jobs for youth and young adults through the Student Leaders program, as well as summer internships for young people from underrepresented communities across the country.
Student Leaders is part of BOA’s ongoing commitment to preparing young people for a brighter future. BOA looks for the next generation of community leaders – those with a passion for improving their community, and turning that passion into action.
At the Board’s meeting, Botana noted that “last year – for the first time ever – the Portland, Maine Market was designated a Student Leaders site. Bill Williamson, BOA Market President for Maine, is to be credited for advocating for this opportunity for Maine students.”
Botana continued, “All public and private schools in Portland are eligible to apply – and I’m thrilled that both last year and this year the honor and opportunity has been given to students from the Portland Public Schools! This is a tribute to our amazing students, but also to their schools – counselors, teachers and principals, for preparing them and supporting them in their applications.”
Also present at the meeting were Gabe’s parents, Carlos Gomez & Melissa McStay; Imti’s mother and father, Sadia Abdirahman and Mohmamed Hassan; Bill Williamson, BOA Market President for Maine, Senior Vice President, Senior Client Manager, Commercial Banking; and Rose Parsons, BOA Vice President, Market Manager, Maine.
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 $25 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.
The SRRF application and additional information are available on the Maine DOE’s SRRF website. For more information or technical assistance, please contact Ann Pinnette at 624-6885 or email ann.pinnette@maine.gov.
Administrative Letter: #26 Policy Code: GCFC To: Public School Administrators, Teachers From: Pender Makin, Commissioner Date: 3 July 2019 Subject: Amendments to Chapter 115, certification and credentialing
The Legislature recently authorized a series of changes to Chapter 115 through Public Law 2019 Chapter 101 Resolve, that is scheduled to go into effect on September 19, 2019. Until then, the Department will continue to apply the pre-existing language of Chapter 115. The Department will notify you when changes become effective.
Each year, one Maine LEA is awarded the Title III Immigrant Children & Youth Subgrant. The purpose of the subgrant is to provide supplemental programs to enhance the education of immigrant students. The subgrant is awarded to the LEA that has experienced the greatest increase in the enrollment of immigrant students, based on the average immigrant enrollment of the two prior years as compared to the current year. For school year 2019-20, the Department will notify the subgrant recipient of its award once October 1 student enrollment counts are finalized. The LEA will then have the remainder of the grant period to expend these funds. The anticipated amount of the FY20 Immigrant Children & Youth Subgrant is $5949. If you have any questions related to Title III, please contact April Perkins at april.perkins@maine.gov.
Assessment Team Office Associate, Eric Buckhulter is being highlighted this week as the Maine DOE’s Employee of the Week! Learn a little more about Eric in this brief question and answer:
What are your roles with DOE?
I am the Office Manager, Management Analyst, and Web Content Editor for the Assessment team. I perform admin duties, process contracts, and manage the content available on the assessment team’s web pages.
What do you like best about your job?
I enjoy assisting teachers and superintendents when I’m given the opportunity. Anything I can do to make their day run a little smoother has the potential to have a positive impact on students, and that’s who we’re all here to serve.
What do you like to do outside of work for fun?
Spending time with my family and friends, singing, travelling, acting, cooking, drawing, and looking for any unique opportunities to socialize.
I Love You Guys Foundation School Safety Presentation Coming to Maine
What: Standard Response Protocols and Standard Reunification Method for schools and districts, and an After Action Review of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting.
When: 31 July 2019- William Cohen Middle School, Bangor. 8:00-12:00
2 August 2019- Windham High School, Windham. 8:00-12:00
Audience: Maine school superintendents, principals and staff; local first responders; county emergency management agency staff.
Presenter: Scott Parker, Scott Parker, “I Love You Guys” Certified Trainer for the Standard Response Protocols and Standard Reunification Method; National school safety subject matter expert; supported the development of the Maine Model plan in 2007; certified SRP and SRM Train the Trainer in 2013; has worked with over 20 school districts and academies in Maine; currently working with 8 school districts in Maine.
Cost: Free, supported by National School Safety Organization, “I Love You Guys Foundation”
Faith McLaughlin, Office Associate from the Career and Technical Education team, is being highlighted this week as the Maine DOE’s Employee of the Week! Learn a little more about Faith | More
For Visual and Performing Arts teachers, or those looking to more robustly intertwine the arts into their curriculum: The Maine Department of Education invites you to be part of its upcoming professional development opportunity, Creative Assessment: Teacher as Curator. This session will explore the use of the arts as creative assessment strategies where participants explore artistic approaches to demonstrate academic learning and devise ways of gathering and presenting evidence of learning through documentation. | More
For Visual and Performing Arts teachers, or those looking to more robustly intertwine the arts into their curriculum: The Maine Department of Education invites you to be part of its upcoming professional development opportunity, Creative Assessment: Teacher as Curator. This session will explore the use of the arts as creative assessment strategies where participants explore artistic approaches to demonstrate academic learning and devise ways of gathering and presenting evidence of learning through documentation. Renowned facilitator and arts specialist, Dr. Lisa Donovan will provide an in-depth view of how the processes and products of the creative process can fuel a feedback loop for teaching and learning. We will wrestle with the question of “How do you tell the story of learning?” Participants will leave with a wide range of strategies for authentic, performance-based formative and summative processes for assessing learning in arts integrated work.
Participants will:
Explore their role as a curator, intentionally selecting, organizing and presenting information, strategies for teaching and learning as well as presenting evidence of student understanding.
Demonstrate how documentation and creative assessment strategies and processes utilizing the visual and performing arts to provide a holistic view of teaching and learning.
Explore a variety of models that can be adapted and used by educators across content areas and grade levels.
Engage in an experiential exploration of an arts integrated progression
Learn and apply several creative assessment strategies to their own work
Design documentation of their learning as models that can be used in their classrooms.
Participant Responsibilities:
Attend two day-long professional development training, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Senator Inn, 284 Western Ave., Augusta, ME 04330.
Dates for training are: Thursday, July 18th and Friday, July 19th.
Arrive at the first workshop with an arts lesson, in writing, in order to apply the concepts addressed throughout the sessions practically.
Compensation:
Each participant will receive a stipend of $150.00 (maximum: 20 participants).
To Register:
Interested parties should register HERE by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10th. Please forward all questions to Visual and Performing Arts Specialist, Nate Menifield, at: nathaniel.j.menifield@maine.gov.
Remember that educators who have an ed tech or teaching certificate will not have an additional CHRC clearance line listed, as the CHRC clearance is a prerequisite for the certificate, and therefor is embedded with, and expires at the same time as, the certificate.
Please refrain from sending cash in the mail with certification applications, as this does slow down the process significantly.
Maine DOE Newsroom 