As educators it often feels like we're in the business of addressing problems, so it's important that we also celebrate the solutions – as we try to do in our weekly Updates. This week we can point to three schools that are doing it well: Maine DOE has nominated Longfellow Elementary School in Portland, Williams-Cone Elementary School in Topsham and Yarmouth Elementary School to be 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools.

Each of the three nominated schools has student achievement in the top 15 percent in Maine for both reading and math. The federal Education department will announce awardees in September 2013. Good luck to all our nominees, and thanks for the work you are doing to raise student achievement.

ACTION REQUIRED

Notices

• Report educator data to avoid federal non-compliance
• Final draft of Next Gen Science Standards to be released in January
• Prepare for NAEP’s 2014 technology and engineering literacy assessment
• Smarter Balanced drafts of initial achievement level descriptors available

Reporting

• School Facility Management System Building Surveys, due March 31

NEWS & VIEWS

Three Maine schools nominated for national distinction

AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Education nominated three schools – Longfellow Elementary School in Portland, Williams-Cone Elementary School in Topsham and Yarmouth Elementary School – to be 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools. | More

Competitive USM scholarship opportunity for STEM students

The University of Southern Maine Pioneers Program, a college learning community bringing together Maine’s best and brightest students in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields, is accepting applications for the 2013-14 academic year. | More

Join webinar on new Common Core skills report

Achieve will host an informational American Diploma Project Network webinar on the release of its new report, “Understanding the Skills in the Common Core State Standards." | More

Portland students learn American Sign Language

Lyman Moore Middle School is the first middle school in Maine to offer American Sign Language classes. | More

Community spirit award open to grades 5 through 8

Maine students in grades 5 through 8 who have volunteered over the past year may apply for a Prudential Spirit of Community Award and inspire other young people to follow their example. | More

Call for nominations for two science competitions

The Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation is now accepting nominations for four Agriscience Awards and four Life Science Awards to be awarded in July 2013 in Washington, D.C. | More

Communities invited to explore local Civil War history

More