Limestone school one of nine select schools in Maine
CARIBOU, Maine — Limestone Community School was recently invited to participate in a literacy program funded by the Maine Department of Education. As of Nov. 10, the program is in its pilot form, and LCS was one of nine Maine schools selected to participate.
LCS Principal Susan White said the educational initiative is not only a great opportunity for Limestone, but for the entire district, and RSU 39 board members recently signed off on her decision to enter the program during a Nov. 10 board meeting.
The program will focus on K-3 literacy and the state will allow all selected school to continue with their current teaching methods.
“The Department of Education will come to our school and they will have a coach and other literacy specialists working in the classroom,” White said. “They’re not coming in with a new program; they want to see what we’re doing.”
According to White, the DOE is partnering with Apple for the program, as students will be given iPads during the two-year pilot.
“I have advocated that, since our enrollment is small, we could incorporate grades four and five so the entire elementary wing could participate,” White said. “I haven’t received a direct answer about this yet, but there is an opportunity.”
Board member Clifford Rhome asked if there were any costs for backing out before the end of the program. According to White, the only penalty will be that the iPads need to be returned. If the program is completed, however, there is a chance that the schools may be able to keep their devices.
“Kindergarteners and first grade students will go one to one with the iPads and second and third graders will go two to one,” White said.
Superintendent Tim Doak was in favor of LCS’s participation adding that he’s seen research indicating that iPads are very effective with K-3 students.
While White says there are a number of unanswered questions about the program’s specifics, due to it being in its early stages, she believes it is an excellent opportunity for the school district.
“The idea is that it’s not just about professional development in literacy, but also technology integration,” White said. “As a district, we can watch this unfold. And as a district, we’ll gain from this model of integration.”
