Nationwide, the shortage of special education personnel, especially Teachers of the Deaf (TOD), presents the greatest challenge ever. It is expected that nationally, over 500 TOD positions will be unfilled.

As you are aware, we received $250,000 from the State to create a new regional program in the Brewer region.

A new Governor Baxter School for the Deaf sign has been erected at the entryway to Mackworth Island.

On June 7, 2019, the Appropriations committee approved $1,180,000 for the next two years.

On April 10th Maine’s Kindergarten Readiness legislation received full support from the Education Committee! We had a lot of support from parents, staff, Deaf community members and other agencies.

Karen Hopkins, Director of Statewide Education and Family Services, has been invited to accompany renowned researcher Christine Yoshinaga-Itano on a trip to China

We have three students graduating from Portland High School! All three are working on their final Capstone Projects.

The Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is providing new options for learning. "Statewide, we are looking at more than 800 we know of that could be serviced... and we want to be the go-to agency for schools with kids who are deaf and hard of hearing and we are building that reputation" says O.J. Logue, the Executive Director Of Maine Educational Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Lee Goldberg, reporter and anchor at WCSH, produced a wonderful television segment featuring our programs. You can view it on the homepage of our website.

January proved to be a very productive month for our Leadership Team as we worked diligently on preparing our new budget and gain clarity around the future of MECDHH. This was achieved by the Leadership Team committing to a two-day retreat on January 14th and 15th.

The usage of Cued Speech as a communication mode was included in this survey. NCHAM asked questions of a sample of caregivers from ten states across the nation and asked several questions about the quality of EI services that they received.

It has been a whirlwind month for all students in the K-12 program. The students are diligently studying and teachers are analyzing data to see student growth and, if needed, make system changes in order to meet student needs.

At the board meeting, I will be introducing to you our new PSO coordinator, Kevin Bohlin, from Concord, New Hampshire. We are thrilled to have his expertise and energy. Liz Seal, Teacher of Deaf for Public School Outreach has recently resigned her position with December 17^th as her last day. We wish her well.

For the past few months, the leadership team has been working with pro bono strategist, Mark Falbo.

Much has occurred in the past month which you will glean from the other directors’ reports. MECDHH/GBSD has established a clear presence in Maine and across the country. Our staff and school board member serve on many important boards and commissions related to deafness.

On August 23rd and 24th, our entire staff convened on Mackworth Island for a highly productive two days of required trainings.

Because of multiple storm cancellations, Portland Schools did not end until June 20th. Our final all staff meeting took place June 22nd on Mackworth Island.

It’s hard to believe that May 31^st marks the official anniversary of my arrival at MECDHH. It has undoubtedly been the fastest year of my career and one that I have enjoyed the most. To all of the people associated with the school board and the MECDHH community, I am genuinely grateful for the warm welcome and support received this past year.

Preschool summer program will run July 10 - August 2, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9-12.

For more information, please contact Lori Levesque at 781-6305 or by email

Karen Hopkins and I attended the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools & Programs for the Deaf in St. Augustine, Florida.

We are thrilled to welcome Rebecca Falbo as our new Director of Mainstreaming & Deaf Programming.

This report will be brief due to our recent BOD meeting on February 15^th and the occurrence of school vacation week.

GBSD/MECDHH’s Academic Bowl Team was well represented by Captain’s Emma Foster and Taylor Gagnon along with teammates Cole Crossman and Marina Thompson. This team was led by our two coaches: Jonathan Connick and Emily Brachly. The event occurred on February 17^th & 18^th and took place at the Iowa School for the Deaf in Council Bluffs. They competed against 20 other teams and advanced to the quarter finals. Emma and Taylor were honored with medals for being participants for the past 4 Academic Bowls. Congratulations to all of our students and coaches for representing GBSD/MECDHH so well.

Hopefully, everyone has recovered from all the recent storms we have had. It has been difficult to provide smooth and continuous educational services with so many school cancellations and delays. I greatly appreciate the support of the Board to be flexible in rescheduling. Hopefully, we will resume our regular meeting schedule.

From the Office of the Executive Director

Hard to believe that we are already into another year! Here's wishing a wonderful year for all board members who so unselfishly give of their time.

As you are aware, John Shattuck had to step down as board chair due to request from the Attorney General's office. We are most fortunate that Jason White has willingly stepped into this role. Michelle is able to remain in her capacity as vice chair. The transition between John and Jason has gone very smoothly.

What a month it has been! Most recently we were hit hard with a power outage on Mackworth Island such that we had to shut down the school from Monday to Wednesday. Portland resumed power by late Tuesday resulting in the opening of the school on Wednesday. Our bus company was able to pick up all but two students on that day. The K-12 program follows the Portland School calendar so it was important to try to adhere to their schedule especially as it relates to the closing of school. Many of our staff members endured the inconvenience of no power at their homes but diligently came in each day to serve their children. I am proud of everyone for being so positive through it all.

Come join us to meet the new Executive Director of MECDHH, O.J. Logue and the new School Board Chairperson, John Shattuck and to wish outgoing Executive Director, David Sherry, farewell.

Latest RFP Questions and Answers

It is with pleasure that the Board of Directors of Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing/Governor Baxter School for the Deaf announces the hiring of Owen J. Logue, Ed. D. as the new Executive Director.

It appears that March both came in like a lion and left in the same manner with few exceptions. At long last we are upon what seems to be more spring-like weather conditions.

It’s nice to see some warmer temperatures as we move deeper into March which has historically been the snowiest month in Maine.  Let’s hope that the many snow day disruptions that occurred in February do not repeat themselves in the next few weeks.  It has been challenging to gather instructional momentum with so many interruptions but we have managed to keep things moving forward.

Another MECDHH Alumni in the news....the National news! What a great role model Kamron is for all of our younger deaf and hard of hearing children in Maine!

The cold winds of January have led to some snowy days in February that have been disruptive to say the least.  Despite nature’s wrath, school continues!

It has been a very busy month for the Academic Department with many exciting things happening in our Portland Schools-based programs.

Welcome to 2017!  The past month has been a busy one indeed and the Academic Department has returned from the holiday break with much on its agenda for the coming weeks and months ahead.

November is here again and it always ushers in reflections on the first two months of school.  It has been a very busy start to the 2016-2017 school year. All of our classrooms have been hard at work.  They are making adjustments to student schedules, providing supports for kids in new settings and becoming familiar with new school administrators, colleagues and systems.  It would be an understatement to say that the Academic Department has been making a few transitions while also moving ahead with the daily tasks of teaching and learning.

We are seeking an experienced educational leader with a strong commitment to our vision and mission. This leader must have strong communication skills as reflected in fluency in ASL and English, and support bilingual and bimodal programs as part of a continuum of services.

The Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing/Governor Baxter School for the Deaf (MECDHH/GBSD) with early intervention programs and offices on Mackworth Island (located outside of Portland ME) is charged with the provision of statewide services to individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing from birth through age twenty.

The leaves are “peak” color; the temperatures are getting a little cooler and our K-12 students are now well into the new school year.  There have been many changes this fall that we are all getting accustomed to but our students’ learning continues and is now in full stride.

The summer school program is now in the rear view mirror and the 2016-2017 school year is finally underway.  Planning for the opening of the current school year has been going on since last spring.  The most notable preparations have been for students transitioning from LMMS to PHS and the move of our K-5 program into the East End Community School in Portland.  Additional changes such as: personnel moves, staff assignments, office relocations and meeting the many new administrators in the Portland Schools have also contributed to what has been a very busy past five months.

The Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing/Governor Baxter School for the Deaf (MECDHH/GBSD), in collaboration with Child Development Services (CDS) of Maine, has a requirement for an independent entity to provide direct services, support and consultation to Deaf and Hard of Hearing children from birth through entrance into kindergarten.

The leaves on the trees are growing and our woodland friends have emerged from their
winter slumbers. They have been busy getting caught up on life above ground, sure
signs that spring has sprung. As with each and every spring, the Academic
Department is managing all of the springtime events and changes and planning ahead
for the summer as well as the 2016-2017 school year.

The month of March is a very active one for the MECDHH/GBSD Academic Department as well as all schools and programs throughout Maine. Students and staff are preparing for the upcoming mandated assessments ranging from: WIDA Access testing to explore English Language Proficiency, Maine Educational Assessments for Grades 3-8, SATs for high school juniors, and Alternate Assessments for all of the above.

See what's Happening...

The K-12 staff and students returned from the holiday break eager to see friends and continue learning.  Since the last report in December, the Academic Department is pleased to introduce a new student to our PHS program who comes to us from the Bangor High School program. While welcoming new students at PHS, it looks like we

MECDHH/Baxter Student, Asad Deqow presents art work...

The Academic Department and classroom programs have been very busy the past several months and as we transition into January and the second half of the school year.

Believe it or not, 2015 is quickly coming to a close and, at this time of year, it is good to take stock of some of the accomplishments thus far in the school year and also look ahead to upcoming events.

The 2015-2016 school year is now into its second month and classroom programs K - 12 are establishing firmer routines and schedules, completing various student assessments and refining instructional approaches to meet diverse student needs.

The Maine Chapter of Hands & Voices / Guide By Your Side Program recently had their first statewide conference, "Working Together For Success."

Public School Outreach and Community Programs

Dates to Remember in 2015-16

Cathy Lushman receives an award from the "Deaf Communit of Maine" September 17th, 2015

Click the links below to view:

Public Notice:

The Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Governor Baxter School for the Deaf

Request for Proposal: Birth – Age 5 Educational and Support Services

Happy Spring, at last! The ice and snow are completely gone, birds are chirping again, woodchucks are out and about and once again the lawns are green. However, it may be a while before we have a string of warm days that suggest we may be closer to summer. Plans are underway for the many end-of-school year activities and events that are about to occur.

The Twelfth Annual Mackworth Island Show & Shine

Sunday, July 26, 2015  (10am - 2pm)
Mackworth Island, Falmouth, Maine

PHS Students Commended for Academic Bowl Success

ASL Winter/Spring/Summer Courses 2015 :

Students from the Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing/Governor Baxter School for the Deaf attending Portland High School earned a fully expense-paid trip to the National Gallaudet University Academic Bowl Competition to be held April 25 in Washington DC following their success at the Regional Academic Bowl competition at the Rome School for the Deaf on December 11.

December, 2014

Academic Department

As the temperatures are becoming much cooler, the past month has been a busy one for the Academic Department as we are now getting deeper into the school year where learning expectations and routines are becoming firmly established. Believe it or not, the first 50 plus days of school are already behind us! Teachers have been working diligently developing engaging units of study and lessons that are both aligned with standards of the Common Core and the Maine Learning Results. With the assistance of our curriculum consultant, Deborah Howard, teachers have been learning how to look at and develop units of study for our students that meet Common Core standards and focus on learning outcomes.

Academic Department

It is hard to fathom that we are nearing the end of October, raking up those leaves blowing about the yard and considering another possible apple picking trip before the snow flies. Everyone has been very, very busy the past several weeks getting settled into the new school year, establishing routines for learning and providing support for our students. It is important to acknowledge how hard everyone has been working preparing classrooms, putting together lessons and learning how to effectively work together as we have new teams organized in all of our academic programs this year.

Mackworth Preschool now has openings for Hearing Children.

MECDHH 2013 - 2014 Community News Letter

Academic Department

 

With about four weeks remaining in the 2013-2014 school year, the warmer temperatures of May seem to remind us of how far we have come.  It also reminds of how much work lies ahead to prepare for the coming summer program and the start of the 2014-2015 school year.  While we must certainly look ahead, there is still a lot of instructional time left to the current school year and it is during these final weeks that providing lots of structured learning activities and enrichment opportunities are the most important of all. Additionally, supporting our students, families and staff members for all of the transitions that come with the end of one year and the beginning of another becomes a key focus for the academic department.  Clearly, this is a busy time of year.

A look at the Maine Educational Center for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing's

work training program at PHS

This year, our eight weekly playgroup sessions will meet on Mackworth Island on Wednesday mornings from 10:00 am - 11:30 am.

Recently held competition at Rochester School for the Deaf, New York

Academic Bowl Scoreboard

 

A deaf student receives an extra special gift from officer Behnke who takes time out of her day, every day, to say hello to Christian Lemelin.

A Webinar with the Public School Outreach (PSO) program at The Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Interested in learning American Sign Language?

A Webinar with the Early Childhood Family Services (ECFS) program at The Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

The Main Educational Center For the Deaf and Hard of Hearing teams up with Boston Children's Hospital and Clerc Center to revise the cochlear implant guidelines they helped create!

This project compiles resources to create a model transition program for deaf and hard of hearing students in a public high school setting. The project features several useful links.