1400+ Educators Convene for Regional PD “Rendezvous” Provided by Western Maine Education Collaborative (WMEC)

Educators from 13 districts throughout the western Maine region gathered at the University of Maine at Farmington last week to attend a series of professional development opportunities designed specifically for them. This is the second year that the Western Maine Education Collaborative (WMEC) has planned a remarkably successful Rendezvous for teachers in the region, this year doubling the number of attendees over last year’s event.

WMEC President/RSU 4 Superintendent, Andy Carlton and WMEC Executive Director, Kristie Littlefield

The focus was on sharing the successes and solutions of delivering high quality instruction, assessment, and curriculum to a broad spectrum of students. More than 40 sessions were offered throughout the day on everything from 3D printing, to Google forms and other tools for the classroom, as well as curriculum and assessment sessions on project based learning, NWEA math, & SAT prep, and strategies to improve vocabulary instruction, to name a few. Educators were also offered sessions on the dangers of vaping, adverse childhood experiences, mandatory reporting, and suicide prevention, in addition to sessions about self-care, evidenced based classroom management practices, and sessions where they could work on specific projects.

The Rendezvous was planned and hosted by WMEC, a long-time partnership of districts in the western Maine region. The collaborative is led by President, and RSU 4 Superintendent, Andy Carlton and WMEC Executive Director, Kristie Littlefield. By using feedback and ideas generated from last year’s event, the two designed an event that was meaningful and responsive to the interests and needs of the participants.

Educators in attendance came from the following districts: Fayette School Department, Lisbon School Department, MSAD 59, Mt. Blue Regional School District/RSU 9, RSU 4, RSU 56, RSU 58, RSU 74, RSU 78, Spruce Mountain School District/RSU 73, Western Foothills Regional School Unit No. 10.

Educators from RSU 10, RSU 73, RSU 4, and RSU 59

WMEC President Andy Carlton hopes this collaboration continues to offer quality professional development opportunities across the region, with events like this for years to come. He notes that a collaborative like WMEC is not always about sharing resources to save money, it’s about working together to pool resources so that improved programs and services can be provided to the students in the region.

For more information about WMEC visit their website.

Below are more pictures from the event.

Science in Full Bloom in 5th Grade Classroom at Harrison Lyseth Elementary School

Submitted by Cindy Nilsen, Math Instructional Coach at Harrison Lyseth Elementary School in Portland Public Schools.

An exciting project has been launched in Margaret Reimann’s 5th grade classroom at Harrison Lyseth Elementary School, in Portland Public Schools. It was featured in the current issue of Maine Audubon’s Habitat Magazine.

Science Is in Full Bloom! “American Spring LIVE” & Maine Audubon
by Jeremy Cluchey, Maine Audubon
March, 2019

Employee of the Week: Michael Ashmore

Michael Ashmore, Program Development & Training Officer for the Maine Commission for Community Service is the Maine Department of Education’s Employee of the Week this week. Get to know a little more about Michael through this brief question and answer:

What is your role with the State of Maine?

I work for the Maine Commission for Community Service, a partner agency of the Maine DOE. My role with the Commission is as the Program Development & Training Officer. In this role I provide outreach to community agencies regarding the opportunities the Commission provides (grants, National Service support, training) and I am the trainer and technical assistance provider for Service Enterprise and for our grantees, among other things.

What do you like best about your job?

I love helping community agencies build their capacity to engage and utilize the skills of volunteers and to help them develop more volunteer opportunities here in the state.

How or why did you decide on this career?

I was a public educator for 2 decades and then moved into nonprofit management. I became connected to the work of the Commission as a grant recipient and then moved to the Commission as grants Officer ten years ago. I appreciate the value of service and the importance of volunteerism in keeping communities healthy, vibrant and resilient so it is rewarding work.

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

I love to hike and to read, to spend time with my three children; and cooking is a passion of mine.

PRESS RELEASE: Commissioner Makin Selects Kelli Deveaux as Department of Education Communications Director

Augusta, MAINE – Maine Department of Education Commissioner Pender Makin announced today that she has selected former Westbrook High Principal Kelli Deveaux to serve as the Department’s next Communications Director.

“Ensuring Maine parents, students, school officials and communities have accurate and clear information about education statewide is a core responsibility of the Department of Education. I am delighted to welcome Kelli’s expertise and decades of experience in Maine schools to this important role,” said Commissioner Makin. “Kelli’s passion for education and communication skills will serve the people of Maine well and I look forward to working with her in the years ahead.”

“I am honored to join the Department of Education and grateful to Commissioner Makin for the opportunity to continue working to support Maine teachers and students,” said Kelli Deveaux. “As a former principal and teacher I know firsthand how important the Department of Education’s ability to communicate effectively truly is, and I look forward to undertaking this critical work and supporting education professionals and students statewide.”

Prior to joining the Department of Education, Kelli Deveaux most recently served as Principal of Westbrook High School, a position she held since 2016. Deveaux also served as an Assistant Principal at Windham High School, and began her more than two-decades long career in education as an English teacher in South Portland. Deveaux lives in Gorham with her husband and their three children.

Contact: Kelli Deveaux (Kelli.Deveaux@Maine.Gov | 624-6747)

Maine DOE Update – March 21, 2019

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

Graduation Reporting Phase One

Based on feedback from our school and district colleagues who have been responsible for the graduation reporting process in the past, we have divided the tasks into what we hope are more timely and manageable steps. We recognize the hard work being done to ensure accuracy of the data reported, and would like to offer technical assistance with the process of meeting this federal requirement. | More

MaineCare Seed Adjustments to be Made, Review Q219 Reports by April 12, 2019

The recovery of Q219 MaineCare Seed will occur in the April 2019 subsidy payment and the Maine DOE is asking districts to please review their reports by April 12, 2019 to ensure accurate adjustments to subsidy. SAU staff must review student by student claims on both the public and private MaineCare reports for Q219 by April 12, 2019. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Maine DOE to Host 2019 Farm to School Cook-Off

The Farm to School Cook-off showcases the culinary skills of school food service staff and students, while promoting locally grown products in school meals. Each volunteer team, consisting of one school food service staff and one student, will prepare a breakfast and lunch meal within a specific time frame using at least two ingredients that are grown, raised, caught, or manufactured in the State of Maine and meet National School Breakfast and Lunch Program requirements as well as one USDA food. | More

Nominations Sought for the 2019 Maine Curriculum Leader of the Year

The Maine Curriculum Leaders’ Association is excited to announce that nominations are now being accepted for the 2019 Curriculum Leader of the Year. | More

New Visual Tool Available to Help Communicate Purpose of the MEAs

With the upcoming MEA testing window opening soon, the Maine Department of Education has created a visual tool to help schools and districts when communicating with families and communities about the Maine Educational Assessments (MEAs). | More

Updated Language Use Survey Now Available

Through the concerted efforts and dedication of our English Learner Advisory Council, and with feedback from our colleagues in the field, the Department of Education has refined our statewide Language Use Survey. We believe these minor changes have created a more quality document that will aid in ensuring valid identification. | More

Maine DOE Employee of the Week: Nate Menifield

Visual and Performing Arts Specialist, Nate Menifield is the Maine Department of Education’s Employee of the Week. Get to know a little more about Nate. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Maine DOE Data Team Announces Annual Data Entry Training

August 6th thru August 15th, the Maine Department of Education Data Team will be hosting regional data entry trainings. This annual training is geared toward district and school level staff who are tasked with reporting student/staff data to the Maine DOE. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

WinterKids gives $20,000 to Carrabassett Valley Elementary Schools

Submitted by Johanna Prince, Kingfield Elementary Principal.

Skiers and snowboarders raised $370,000 at the Downhill 24 for the Maine nonprofit that helps kids to get outside and active more often in the winter. The 7th annual event marked the largest revenue in the event’s history. The organization chose to support local education by giving the four elementary schools in Carrabassett Valley $20,000 of this year’s event proceeds – $5,000 each to Kingfield Elementary School, Phillips Elementary School, Strong Elementary School, and Stratton School.

“We are so appreciative of WinterKids’ efforts to support local education,” said Kingfield Elementary Principal, Johanna Prince. Added Kingfield teacher and longtime WinterKids champion, Selina Warren, “WinterKids has a direct impact on the number of minutes kids move during the school day. With their Guide to Outdoor Active Learning, I have been able to get my kids moving while learning, as the curriculum aligns to Maine and national learning standards. This is a win-win for teachers and students!”

The Downhill 24, presented by Darling’s Auto Group and Kittery Trading Post, is a team ski and snowboard challenge and fundraiser to benefit WinterKids. It is the only annual event that brings night skiing to Sugarloaf. WinterKids sets up lights along the course for a fun-filled, round-the-clock, family friendly event. Participants raise money to support WinterKids to help children develop healthy lifelong habits through education and fun, outdoor winter activity. This year’s event raised a record $370,000 from 2,897 donors, 49 teams and 409 participants! Participants of the WinterKids Downhill 24 get their own unique fundraising web page, and prizes are awarded for those who raise the most money for WinterKids.

“We are thrilled that the success of this event allows us to directly impact kids and families in Sugarloaf’s surrounding communities, ” said Julie Mulkern, Executive Director. “In addition to these funds, we distribute over $25,000 in cash and prizes to our participating Winter Games schools in all 16 counties statewide,” added Mulkern. “It is heartwarming and validating to visit schools and see firsthand the positive impact our organization is having on kids and their health.”

Updated Language Use Survey Now Available

As part of our consistent, statewide process for identifying English learners, as is required by ESSA, all Maine districts are asked to administer this new and improved Maine DOE Language Use Survey to the parents/guardians of students enrolling in the district for the first time.

For convenience and cost-savings, the updated Language Use Survey is available on the Maine DOE website in English, and 25 other languages. We have also created a short video to assist those who are administering the Language Use Survey and encourage others, such as building administrators and classroom teachers, to familiarize themselves with the survey and how students are classified as English learners.

For guidance on English learner identification, please refer to the resource and policy guide, Serving Maine’s English Learners, or if you have any questions, please contact:

April Perkins
Director of ESOL/Bilingual Programs & Title III
Office: (207)624-6627
Cell: (207)441-9043
april.perkins@maine.gov

Wells Junior High School Actors Take Action Against Hunger

Submitted by Josie Perkins, Director of Theatre Arts Education at Wells Junior High School.

Students from Wells Junior High School were highlighted recently for their efforts to take action against hunger in their community.

“We give back through our arts. We affect people’s lives by doing arts and entertainment and taking them out of their daily lives. But what else can we do as global citizens to give back to our community?” says play Director Josie Perkins.

See the full news story here.

Nominations Sought for the 2019 Maine Curriculum Leader of the Year

The Maine Curriculum Leaders’ Association is excited to announce that nominations are now being accepted for the 2019 Curriculum Leader of the Year.

The Maine Curriculum Leader of the Year is a champion of learning both within and outside his or her district and has held a curriculum leadership role for at least five years. Please see the nomination and selection criteria here, and note that nominations will be accepted until April 26.

Recommendation letters describing the nominee’s leadership of curriculum, instruction, and assessment should be emailed directly to director@mainecla.org.

Graduation Reporting Phase One

Phase 1 will allow schools the opportunity to review and make any necessary changes to incorrect data. This phase will focus on ensuring accuracy of start and exit statuses for students who are part of the 2019 cohort. The cohort is comprised of any student who entered grade 9 for the first time in the 2015-2016 school year. The emphasis of this phase is on examining the accuracy of the enrollment data, including transfer-in and transfer-out statuses. Validation of these codes assists us in ensuring accurate calculations of four-year graduation rates.

Phase 1: Graduation Reporting Phase I
Opens: April 1
Due: May 15

Phase 2: Validating Start and Exit Statuses in Synergy
Now through June 30

Phase 3: Graduation Reporting Phase II
Opens: July 1
Due: August 30

Phase 4: Dropout Reporting
Opens: November 1
Due: November 30

The Department will be holding an online webinar, offered at two different times, for convenience. The webinar is designed for any school staff who may be asked to complete Graduation Reporting Phase I in their school or district. We will review the process, and will also give a detailed walk through on how to complete Phase I. Registration is free, but necessary prior to the webinar. This ensures that connection details can be shared with participants.