Students began moving in at the University of Southern Maine on Thursday, and many said they are excited and hopeful for the school year, even with COVID cases on the rise in Maine.
Rachel Ohm
Staff Writer
Rachel covers state government and politics for the Portland Press Herald. It’s her third beat at the paper after stints covering City Hall and education. Prior to her arrival at the Press Herald in the summer of 2019, Rachel worked at the Morning Sentinel in Waterville, covering Franklin and Somerset counties, and the Knoxville News Sentinel in Knoxville, Tennessee, covering higher education. She has a master’s degree in journalism from New York University and when she’s not writing and reporting enjoys running, cooking and traveling to new places.
Posted inMaine, Schools & Education
Shortage of school bus drivers prompts districts to offer big incentives
Some are trying to lure new hires by offering bonuses as big as $3,000, as the pandemic makes a longstanding problem worse.
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Posted inMaine, News, Schools & Education
New data show wide range of COVID-19 vaccination rates among Maine students
Some school districts, including Portland, have high estimated vaccination rates, but others appear to have much lower rates among vaccine-eligible students, age 12 or older.
Posted inMaine, Schools & Education
Freeport educator among 3 finalists for Maine Teacher of the Year
One of the nominees will be named the 2022 Maine Teacher of the Year in October.
Posted inHealth, Maine, News, Schools & Education
UMaine System reports 66% vaccination rate as fall semester nears
Staff and students who did not register their vaccination status as of 5 p.m. Friday are being asked to undergo COVID-19 testing and quarantine when they arrive.
Posted inMaine, News, Schools & Education
Teacher vaccination mandates enacted in some states, but not in the works in Maine
Superintendents and teachers union representatives in several Maine districts said they aren’t discussing vaccination mandates and many believe the staff vaccination rate is high enough to make mandates unnecessary.
Posted inBusiness, Health, Maine, News
Opposition to vaccine mandate heightens health care providers’ workforce concerns
Many health care employers can ill afford to lose any staff, which will happen if the workers don’t get vaccinated by Oct. 1.
Posted inHealth, Maine, News, Schools & Education
Q&A: Will my children be safe at school this fall?
Experts say the safety of in-person learning during the COVID-19 pandemic hinges on vaccinations, masking practices, distancing, testing and other factors.
Posted inMaine, News, Schools & Education
Parents in southern Maine are excited, yet wary of COVID, as school year approaches
The delta variant and rising case numbers have raised fresh concerns for some parents, while others are eager for more in-school time and feel confident in schools’ reopening plans.
Posted inMaine, News, Schools & Education
UMaine System presses for more student vaccinations as semester nears
As of Tuesday, about half of the 25,000 students and staff expected to be on system campuses this fall had verified their vaccination status. Friday’s the deadline.