As a reminder, all food sales to students in schools must meet the Smart Snacks Guidelines as determined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Continue reading “Districts reminder of school food sale guidelines”
Nominees sought for educators effectively engaging families
Nominations are now open for the 2015 Toyota Family Teacher of the Year Award, which will honor an exemplary teacher engaging families in education. Educators working with families through schools, libraries and many other community-based organizations will be considered and nominations are due Dec. 31.
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High school students invited to apply for research fellowships at MDI Biological Laboratory
The Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory is now accepting applications for exceptional high school students interested in a laboratory research experience at MDI Biological Laboratory in the summer of 2015. Students must be nominated in order to apply. MDI Biological Laboratory usually awards 10 high school fellowships each summer.
Guidance provided on preventing school laboratory incidents
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) recently released a safety bulletin, Key Lessons for Preventing Incidents from Flammable Chemicals in Educational Demonstrations, based on three recent serious incidents in Nevada, Colorado and Illinois where children were burned while observing school laboratory demonstrations involving flammable liquid methanol.
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Commissioner’s Update – November 6, 2014
From Maine Education Commissioner Jim Rier
Career and technical education (CTE) plays a critical role in strengthening the college and career readiness of our students and the economic future of our state.
At 27 centers across Maine, CTE educators are engaging and exciting our students with relevant, hands-on learning experiences. Through rigorous, standards-based programming that always has the student and their post-secondary goals at the center, these important teachers are helping students develop the academic and technical skills they’ll need for success in the 21st century. Like all Maine educators, they deserve our thanks for inspiring students and helping them to realize their potential.
In particular, I’d like to recognize Stanley Sluzenski and Suzanne M. Hall, two excellent educators who reflect the professionalism and commitment to students that is necessary and now commonplace in our CTE centers.
Notices and Reporting
- School Bus Purchase Program Application (NEO Transportation) (EF-T-17), due Nov. 25
- NCLB Title I Comparability, due Nov. 25
More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar
News & Views
MEA science testing window extended, will better accommodate AP students
The science portion of the Maine Educational Assessment (MEA) will be administered to all students in grades five and eight and to those in their third year of high school during a three-week window from May 4 to May 22. | More
Revised National Board certification process for teachers
Over the years Maine has built an important cohort of National Board certified educators. Created for teachers, by teachers, National Board Certification is a voluntary, performance-based, peer-review process. | More
Resource available for elementary school principals
The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) has released a new resource for elementary school principals. | More
Maine DOE provides PD program for arts educators
The Maine DOE is inviting arts educators to participate in a professional development program. | More
Maine DOE offers HIV prevention educator trainings
Two HIV prevention educator trainings are scheduled in December as a result of funding provided by the passage of LD1699. | More
Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey registration open
The Maine DOE, in collaboration with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, is encouraging public schools to register for the 2015 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS). | More
District academic staff evaluation survey data due
The new Maine DOE NEO EDFacts School Academic Staff Evaluation Survey (formerly the MEDMS Educator Quality and Effectiveness EQE survey) is scheduled for initial rollout. | More
Department school nutrition team provides reminders to districts
Numbers in the National School Lunch Program are collected every November when a district files its October claim information. | More
Maine DOE learning technology staff attend SETDA leadership summit
Members of the Maine DOE Learning Through Technology Team recently returned from the annual State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) leadership summit. | More
Native American history and culture essay contest call for entries
In an effort to enhance Maine Native American Studies lessons, the Secretary of State is sponsoring an essay contest. | More
Register for Schools, Technology and the Law seminar to be held Nov. 14
Registration is open for “Schools, Technology and the Law” seminar hosted by Drummond Woodsum at the Augusta Civic Center on Nov. 14. | More
More Dispatches | Press Releases | From the Commissioner
LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities
Recognizing Maine’s career and technical educators
Career and technical education (CTE) plays a critical role in strengthening the college and career readiness of our students and the economic future of our state. Continue reading “Recognizing Maine’s career and technical educators”
MEA science testing window extended, will better accommodate AP students
The science portion of the Maine Educational Assessment (MEA) will be a paper-pencil test this year and will be administered to all students in grades five and eight and to those in their third year of high school during a three-week window from May 4 to May 22. This administration window is one week longer than the two-week window in previous years.
Continue reading “MEA science testing window extended, will better accommodate AP students”
Revised National Board certification process for teachers
Over the years Maine has built an important cohort of National Board certified educators. Created for teachers, by teachers, National Board Certification is a voluntary, performance-based, peer-review process that recognizes the complex nature of teaching. The certification process is being revised, while maintaining the integrity and transformative nature of National Board certification.
Continue reading “Revised National Board certification process for teachers”
Resource available for elementary school principals
The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) has released a new resource for elementary school principals that defines new competencies and outlines approaches for providing high-quality early childhood programs.
Continue reading “Resource available for elementary school principals”
Maine DOE offers HIV prevention educator trainings
Two HIV prevention educator trainings are scheduled in December as a result of funding provided by the passage of LD1699.
Continue reading “Maine DOE offers HIV prevention educator trainings”
Maine DOE Newsroom 