IN THIS EDITION...Please Welcome our Newest Team Member | MT STEM Summer Institute Keynote Paul Andersen | CPI Workshop Announcement! | CASEL-Designated SELect Program Scholarships | March is Women's History Monty | SSoM Programs | SSoM Partner Resources | Joke of the Week | Addt'l Resources | About SSoM | |
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Please give a warm welcome to our new staff member!
MARIA NEFF
The latest addition to our
Infinite Campus Support Team
"10 years ago my family moved from Colorado to make a home for ourselves in Montana. As outdoor enthusiasts, we have thoroughly enjoyed everything Montana has to offer, especially hiking and paddle boarding whenever we are able to with our dogs. This transition provided me with the opportunity and immense pleasure of serving the local school district and community as their Infinite Campus 'Guru.' I am so excited at the prospect of extending that to other schools in the SSoM family! I look forward to assisting SSoM's Tech Support Team and getting to know other Montana schools and their staff."
Maria Neff | mneff@mt-schools.org | (406) 480-1616
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6th ANNUAL MONTANA STEM
SUMMER INSTITUTE
features YouTube Sensation
PAUL ANDERSEN
The Montana STEM Summer Institute is a one-of-a-kind, Montana-made showcase for STEM integration across all grades and subject areas. You’ll enjoy exemplary K-12 STEM instruction and resources, inspiring national speakers, and the best of Montana! We welcome attendees interested in STEM learning in any discipline.
We are delighted to announce that this year's Day 1 Keynote is Paul Andersen, educational consultant and YouTube creator! Paul was the 2011 MT Teacher of the Year, and was also one of four finalists for the 2011 National Teacher of the Year. In addition to teaching, Paul has created 100s of YouTube science tutorials that have been viewed millions of times by students around the world. His website, BozemanScience.com, shares his amazing collection of video essentials for many AP Science subjects that are aligned to the AP Curriculum. PSST - Paul is also a breakout session presenter!
The STEM Summer Institute is co-hosted by School Service of
Montana and the MSU Science Math Resource Center.
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REGISTER BY MARCH 31 AND SAVE 15%
General Registration $295 | Early Bird Discount 15% off | SSoM Member Rate $245
Registration Details
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CALL FOR PRESENTER PROPOSALS
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CPI WORKSHOP ANNOUNCEMENT
& FREE TRAINING OPPORTUNITY
School Services of Montana is committed to supporting Montana schools and districts to create safe, healthy learning environments. We are excited to announce we've increased our capacity to provide Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (CPI) training by adding Genevieve Thomas to our Certified CPI Instructor team.
Interested in FREE CPI training for you or a staff member?
Genevieve will be facilitating a FREE CPI Workshop AT NO COST to the first 30 registrants at the Montana Council for Exceptional Children (MCEC) Conference in Missoula Tuesday, April 2, from 8am - 4pm. Spots are filling up - register via the MCEC conference website. Deadline to register & select the April 2 CPI Workshop = March 8.
Reach out to Genevieve to discuss CPI options for your district:
Genevieve Thomas | gthomas@mt-schools.org | (406) 300-2561
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Apply now, implement in 24 - 25 SY
CARING SCHOOL COMMUNITY SCHOOLWIDE SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarships are available to Montana
Schools Serving Grades K-8
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Make your plan now - request resources for implementation in the 24 - 25 school year for a Caring School Community Schoolwide Program at your district. One of our project goals is to provide resources and support for schoolwide programs focusing on Whole Child Skill Development.
Complete details can be found on our Montana Safe & Healthy Schools Project webpage: scholarship info, application instructions, resources, brochures, and FAQ. Click the CASEL logo to learn more about Collaborative Classroom Caring School Community programs.
Project Director: Melissa Tovaas | mtovaas@mt-schools.org | (646) 831-7264
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❤️CELEBRATE WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH - MARCH 2024
Montana Women's History
- recently shared an article about Frances Senska on social media, detailing her start in 1946 as a ceramicist at the state college in Bozeman, MT. Here's an excerpt:
"Senska helped Montana emerge as a prominent ceramics arts center by laboriously building the ceramics program at MSU, nurturing its students for over twenty-five years, helping found the Archie Bray Foundation for Ceramic Arts, and supporting community arts programs."
Read more: “You Design It and You Make It”: The Life and Work of Ceramicist Frances Senska, and be sure to explore all that montanawomenshistory.org has to offer.
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CUSTOMIZED PROFESSIONAL LEARNING | DETAILS
SSoM provides PD customized to the needs of your staff and students, both in-person & online, and will work with you to create a plan that fits your needs. Contact us for pricing, member discounts, and multi-day contract discounts.
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Program Lead: Genevieve Thomas | gthomas@mt-schools.org | (406) 300-2561
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MECC CURRICULUM CONSORTIUM | DETAILS
Please note the MECC Review date changes for March & April. Subject areas include: Arts & CTE, Counseling, Science, and Health Enhancement. Details & registration links are in the 2023 - 2024 MECC Meetings & Events Calendar.
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Program Lead: Melissa Tovaas | mtovaas@mt-schools.org | (646) 831-7264
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CO-OP FOOD PROGRAM | 23-24 SY DETAILS
Are rising food costs getting you down? Save time and money with this program, available to ALL MT Schools, child-based educational organizations, early childhood learning centers, and after school programs. Join at any time!
- Program now open to Licensed Childcare Centers - contact us for details : )
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Program Lead: Jennifer Brekke | jbrekke@mt-schools.org | (406) 580-7547
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MEDICAID BILLING PROGRAM | DETAILS
Over 900 providers currently log services online in the SSoM Service Portal, and our program serves students from 105 Montana districts! Customized Zoom training available to all users.
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Program Lead: Lisa Waterman | Lwaterman@mt-schools.org | (406) 272-0073
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INFINITE CAMPUS SUPPORT | DETAILS
You can switch to SSoM Infinite Campus Support at any time during the school year and your support fees will not increase! Our dedicated support team works closely with OPI and understands Montana District SIS needs. Contact us today!
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CRDC Deadline extended to Monday, March 18
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Save the Date: MT User Groups 4/15 Missoula | 4/16 Kalispell | 4/17 Choteau | 4/18 Livingston | details coming soon
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IC 2024 Y.E.S. Series PD: Mar 6 & 20 | April 2 - 3 | May 7 - 8
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Program Lead: Mary Anne Skinner | maskinner@mt-schools.org | (406) 256-7306
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SSoM PARTNER OPPORTUNITIES | |
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MSU SCIENCE MATH RESOURCE CENTER
Newsletter: Brainstorms! March 2024 Ed.
The March 2024 edition features cool opportunities for Montana STEM educators of all grade levels, subjects, and settings. You'll find upcoming PD workshops, grants, resources, events and contests for students, and more:
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World Quantum Day is April 14: apply for a free educational kit from MSU by March 16
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Free Summer NASA Workshop - Exploring Surface Temperature using a NASA AREN TerraROVER: teams should apply by March 22
- Prepare for Citizen Science Month in April
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MSU Summer Math Camp June 17 - 20, 9am - 4pm: for students entering 6-9th grade in Fall 2024; $220; campus housing available
Find complete details, registration links, related resources, and a pile of partner programs and opportunities in the March 2024 edition of Brainstorms!, and subscribe here.
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COLLABORATIVE CLASSROOM NEWS
Literacy Resources for Summer Learning
Being A Reader Small Group Reading Sets, a component of Being a Reader K-2, is now available as a supplement to provide instruction at each student's point of need, ensuring reading success. These sets align perfectly with the SIPPS program.
Accelerate Foundational Skills, K-12: close the reading gap this summer with SIPPS, providing targeted instruction and ongoing progress monitoring tools to help teachers accelerate foundational skills learning in a short period of time. Learn more about SIPPS here.
Build Writing Proficiency, K-5: Being a Writer is the only research-based K-5 program that integrates essential components of comprehensive writing instruction & explicit social skills development. The 3rd Edition is available June 1st!
Contact: Genevieve Thomas, Director of Professional Learning, gthomas@mt-schools.org
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WESTERN MONTANA PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COLLABORATIVE (WMPLC) UPCOMING EVENTS
ADVANCED PLACEMENT SUMMER INSTITUTE
8am - 4pm MDT | June 2024 | VIRTUAL | APSI 2024 Flyer | 2 UM Grad Credits or 30 OPI Renewal Units
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Week 1: June 17 - 20 AP English Literature & Composition | AP World History: Modern | AP US History | AP Calculus AB (6/18 - 6/21); Register by June 14; early bird ends 3/31
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Week 2: June 24 - 27 AP Psychology; AP Precalculus; AP English Language & Composition; AP Biology; Register by June 14; early bird ends 3/31
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Contact: Anna East | aeast@wmplc.org
26th ANNUAL AUGUST INSTITUTE July 31 - August 2, 2024 | Missoula, MT & Virtual
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Conference Focus: technology integration & safety in core content areas, social / emotional learning, and IEFA
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Now Accepting Presenter Proposals! submit proposals here | Deadline: April 1
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Contact: Erin Lipkind, Ed.D. | elipkind@wmplc.org
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Celebrate Women’s History Month – March 2024
The OPI Indian Education for All Unit created an inspirational collection of resources to teach about American Indian women and their contributions to tribal nations, our state, and our country. The compilation aims to inspire educators and students to learn more about the rich and diverse cultures and histories of American Indian women, and features stories, biographies, poems, films, and interviews of some amazing American Indian women from Montana and beyond:

- 2023 Making Montana Proud poster series
- PBS American Masters - Lily Gladstone: Far Out There
- PBS film & study guide - Playing for the World: 1904 Fort Shaw Indian Boarding School Girls Basketball Team DVD
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Check out the full list here!
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FREE - 17th Annual IEFA Best Practices Conference Mar. 8 - 9, 2024, Billings, MT
Registration (wait list only) | Session Descriptions & Agenda
"Join us for an immersive experience where we will explore and celebrate the rich tapestry of Montana's tribal cultural heritage. You'll experience engaging workshops, inspiring keynotes, resource sharing, and more!"
Be sure to stop by to say hi to Melissa Tovaas and Genevieve Thomas at the SSoM vendor table!
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Elevating Student Voice: Lessons Learned Across the US
The Aurora Institute is sponsoring a FREE proficiency / competency based education webinar on Friday, April 5, 10 - 11am MST. Discover how three school districts in the United States have successfully integrated learner agency practices into their learning environments.
Learn more and register here.
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ABOUT SCHOOL SERVICES of MONTANA | |
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OUR MISSION
School Services of Montana commits to providing equitable support and services designed to leverage school resources, enhance curriculum and instruction, and offer economically sustainable solutions. Through collaboration with government, public, and local entities, SSoM provides personalized, innovative programs to empower and connect Montana’s diverse school communities.
SSoM Members educate nearly 60,000 students across the state. Membership is open to all K-12 school districts, public or private, and education-based organizations primarily serving Montana’s youth. While membership is not required to participate in the vast majority of SSoM programs and services, membership does have its perks.
Newsletter Archives
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