Done the right way at these two schools, staff members and students have become convinced of the value of hard changes.
Change is hard. But it’s worthwhile when done right.
That’s a message that rang true recently at two schools I visited at opposite ends of Maine as part of my statewide listening tour.
Students at Washington Street School connect virtually with students from across the country to learn from each other, try to convince Michelle Obama to speak with them.
The students in Cherrie MacInnes’ third-grade class at Brewer’s Washington Street School last year managed to video-conference with fellow students in all 50 states, former First Lady Barbara Bush and U.S. Sen. Susan Collins.
This year, MacInnes’ students are trying to convince First Lady Michelle Obama to have a conversation with them using the online conferencing tool Skype.
Continue reading “Brewer students try to connect with First Lady”
Kristie Clark receives her prize after winning the Milken Educator Award.
A second-grade teacher from Lewiston’s Montello Elementary School is $25,000 richer after a recent three-day trip to California.
Kristie Clark claimed her $25,000 Milken Educator Award on April 9 during a ceremony at Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel in Santa Monica, Calif.
School department’s vision and strategic plans guide Sanford’s plans for reform.
SANFORD — The Sanford School Department knows what it wants to look like in 2015, and it’s piloting a mix of new initiatives aimed at realizing a long-term vision.
Standards-based education allows Massabesic Middle School students control over the way they learn and how fast they do it.
EAST WATERBORO — The seventh-grade students at Massabesic Middle School are busy learning about revolutions. The topic has one definition in social studies class, another meaning in science, and another in English.
Continue reading “Massabesic Middle adjusts to standards-based model”
LIMESTONE — Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen visited the Maine School of Science and Mathematics, a state-funded magnet school, on April 7 as part of his statewide listening tour.
Vodpod videos no longer available.The Maine Military Authority wants to use its Loring Air Force Base facility to save school districts money by extending the life span of their school buses.
LIMESTONE — Lenny Goff might just have figured out how he can keep his school district’s 48-bus fleet up to date and safe without breaking the bank.
Continue reading “Humvee restoration specialists turn focus to school buses”
Houlton Elementary School’s Reading First grant has helped the school transform into a community with high expectations for every student.
HOULTON — Students are surrounded by literacy the moment they enter Houlton Elementary School. They have no choice.
Continue reading “Houlton creates culture of reading, high expectations”
Landing on the School Improvement Grant eligibility list can be difficult news to accept. It can also be an important opportunity.
Ten communities across Maine this week are digesting the news that their local schools have landed on a list of 10 schools eligible for federal improvement grants.
This can undoubtedly be difficult news to accept, but it’s important not to dwell so much on how a school landed on the improvement list. It’s more important to focus on the future.
This artwork by students from Wiscasset Primary, Middle and High School was displayed in the Maine Department of Education lobby in April 2011.
At right: Art by Latisha, Grade 1
To view with captions, watch full screen, scroll to the top right, select Options, “Always show”
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Maine DOE Newsroom 