U.S. schools alarmed at uptick in racial incidents
CHICAGO — Maryland students using their shirts to spell a racial slur used against black people at a rally. Pennsylvania students posing with swastika-carved pumpkins. A Montana student photographed...
View ArticleNo plans to change Native American mascot at schools in Skowhegan
SKOWHEGAN — The continuing debate over the use of Native American images and nicknames for school sports teams is not about a handful of complainers seeking their 15 minutes in the spotlight, opponents...
View ArticleMaine Girls’ Academy to add middle school in the fall
Maine Girls’ Academy will expand to include seventh- and eighth-grade students beginning with the 2018 academic year, according to Amy Jolly, the head of school. “We firmly believe girls need us at...
View ArticlePortland schools again cut back request to city for maintenance funding
The Portland Board of Education on Tuesday once again sharply trimmed its maintenance wish list for next year, scaling back its request to the city just one week after voters passed a controversial...
View ArticleSouth Portland school board approves policies to protect transgender students
SOUTH PORTLAND — The school board approved a policy on Monday aimed at protecting the rights of transgender students. The policy passed by a vote of 4-2, with Chairman Dick Matthews and Jennifer Kirk...
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Skowhegan area school board asked to reconsider ‘Indian’ mascot
SKOWHEGAN — Members of a local group who want the school board to vote again on changing the “Indians” nickname for high school sports teams presented a letter to the board Thursday night asking them...
View ArticleUMaine student discovers new species of wasp in Harpswell – and it doesn’t sting
State officials say a University of Maine student has discovered a new species of wasp. Hillary Morin Peterson discovered the species while doing work for her thesis. The Maine Department of...
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Students showcase crafsmanship at annual Augusta trade show
AUGUSTA — Over the sounds of welding torches, hammers and robotic lifts, Jackson Fortin talked Friday about what he hopes will be a promising career of building houses. Fortin, a junior at the...
View ArticleU.S. Rhodes scholars class includes record 10 African-Americans
The latest group of U.S. Rhodes scholars includes 10 African-Americans – the most ever in a single Rhodes class – as well as a transgender man and four students from colleges that had never had...
View ArticleSurge in out-of-state enrollment boosts UMaine System’s finances
An unexpected jump in out-of-state enrollment at the University of Maine System this fall is boosting the finances at the two biggest campuses, officials told system trustees Monday. The University of...
View ArticleBoard chairwoman says Portland schools working to close academic gap
The Portland school district is working to close the academic gap between affluent and non-affluent students, launching new staff training about understanding various cultures, passing policies that...
View ArticlePolice probe allegations that teacher at Freeport High ‘sexted’ with student
Freeport police and school officials said Tuesday that they are investigating allegations that a teacher at Freeport High School has been “sexting” a student. The Freeport officials would verify only...
View ArticleEnglish language learners – and challenges – on the rise in Biddeford
BIDDEFORD — Patsy Gendron’s students pushed their arms above their heads, wiggling their fingers to get her attention as she added to a growing list of words associated with Thanksgiving. Turkey....
View ArticlePortland school officials craft transgender policy
The Portland school board is poised to adopt one of the state’s most comprehensive transgender student policies, one that goes beyond the “bathroom issue” by requiring staff training, using a student’s...
View ArticleMan with Maine ties helps lead charge against Harvard’s admissions policy
A part-time resident of Maine is leading a high-profile challenge to Harvard University’s admissions policy, alleging that it unfairly turns away qualified Asian-American students. The case against one...
View ArticleThreat from Kentucky closes Maranacook middle and high schools
Classes and activities at Maranacook Community Middle and High School were canceled Tuesday because of an anonymous threat on social media, according to the Regional School Unit 38 Facebook page. The...
View ArticlePortland school board adopts comprehensive transgender policy
The Portland Board of Education on Tuesday night unanimously approved what’s considered one of Maine’s most comprehensive transgender policies, requiring staff training, using a student’s preferred...
View ArticleCities, towns paying more for schools as state pays less, study finds
Local residents have been picking up an increasing portion of education costs in Maine in the years since the recession, according to an analysis of state budget documents by a think tank in...
View ArticleLewiston High students receive $113,000 ‘restorative practices’ grant
LEWISTON — A group of Lewiston High School students has won a $113,000 grant to create a new position at the high school to decrease detentions and turn disciplinary cases into “teaching moments.” The...
View ArticleYarmouth High senior organizes Day of Hope for ideas on a brighter future
YARMOUTH — Sammy Potter wants to know where others find hope and how they use it to make a positive impact. A desire to find answers to those questions led Potter to organize the first Day of Hope, at...
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