Following committee reviews, three proposed public charter schools including one in Lewiston and two virtuals have moved to the next stage in the State’s application process, which includes public hearings next week
AUGUSTA – The public will have the opportunity to weigh-in next week on three public charter schools proposed to open in Maine this fall.
Earlier today, Maine Charter School Commission (MCSC) members working in small review teams presented their recommendations on four applications, with the entire seven-member Commission then voting to advance applications from Lewiston-Auburn Academy Charter School, Lewiston; Maine Connections Academy; and Maine Virtual Academy. The application for Many Hands Montessori School in Windham did not move forward.
Maine DOE Chief Academic Officer Rachelle Tome talks to staff at Montello Elementary School about the impact of math coaches in the classroom. She and I visited Lewiston schools last week to see their improvement efforts and provide technical assistance.
Last week, Maine DOE Chief Academic Officer Rachelle Tome and I had the honor of visiting two Lewiston elementary schools undergoing transformation thanks to support from our Department and the federally-funded Title I School Improvement Grant program (SIG). To say I was impressed by what I saw at Longley and Montello would be an understatement.
But what struck me more than the challenges these two schools face – nearly 100 percent of the students at Longley and 84 percent of those at Montello qualify for free or reduced lunch and 65 percent of the students at Longley and 38 percent at Montello are English language learners – was their “accept no excuses” attitude to overcoming them.
That’s because staff within these two schools are taking a team approach to serving students, and not just the ones within their own classrooms. Through collaboration, not only is each student better supported, but so is each educator.
Shari Templeton has joined the Maine DOE as its Science and Technology Specialist. In her new role, Templeton will support districts in their implementation of best practices in science education, work on the development of the State science assessment and serve as the regional representative for York County. | More
Janet Ventrella, a teacher at Livermore Elementary School in Livermore, has been named the 2013 Maine History Teacher of the Year. Ventrella is in her ninth year of teaching at Livermore Elementary School. She is a graduate of the University of Maine Farmington and routinely designs lessons and projects which integrate social studies and language arts for her fifth grade students. | More
AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage will deliver his State of the State Address in the House Chamber at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 4. The much-anticipated speech will cover a variety of priorities that include growing Maine’s economy and encouraging families to stay in the state. | More
In December, school administrative units (SAUs) should have completed applications for their gifted and talented programs and submitted them to the Maine DOE for annual program approval. The application represents the school unit’s status of implementation of the gifted and talented program. | More
The Department will be accepting applications for the Federal Qualified School Construction Bond (QSCB) Program through March 14. QSCB funds can be used for construction, rehabilitation or repair of a public school facility, or the acquisition of land on which such a facility is to be constructed. | More
hear ME now, Maine’s leading auditory oral education enter, will host a free webinar entitled “Runny Noses in the Classroom” in February to help educators learn how to recognize children who may be struggling with middle ear fluid and what they can do to help them in the classroom. | More
Last week, Maine DOE Chief Academic Officer Rachelle Tome and I had the honor of visiting two Lewiston elementary schools undergoing transformation thanks to support from our Department and the federally-funded Title I School Improvement Grant program (SIG). To say I was impressed by what I saw at Longley and Montello would be an understatement. Continue reading “Through collaboration, teachers, students better supported”→
AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage will deliver his State of the State Address in the House Chamber at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 4.
The much-anticipated speech will cover a variety of priorities that include growing Maine’s economy and encouraging families to stay in Maine; electricity costs; infrastructure improvements; reforming the welfare system; and addressing drug-related crimes and their impact on our State.
Shari Templeton has joined the Maine DOE as its Science and Technology Specialist. In her new role, Templeton will support districts in their implementation of best practices in science education, work on the development of the State science assessment and serve as the regional representative for York County. Continue reading “Shari Templeton joins Maine DOE as Science Specialist”→
Janet Ventrella, a teacher at Livermore Elementary School in Livermore, has been named the 2013 Maine History Teacher of the Year. The award is co-sponsored by The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, HISTORY® and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation on behalf of its Preserve America program. Continue reading “Janet Ventrella named 2013 Maine History Teacher of the Year”→
hear ME now, Maine’s leading auditory oral education enter, will host a free webinar entitled “Runny Noses in the Classroom” in February to help educators learn how to recognize children who may be struggling with middle ear fluid and what they can do to help them in the classroom. Continue reading “Free webinar on supporting students with ear infections”→
In December, school administrative units (SAUs) should have completed applications for their gifted and talented programs and submitted them to the Maine DOE for annual program approval. The application represents the school unit’s status of implementation of the gifted and talented program. Continue reading “Gifted and talented program applications, budget past due”→
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