IN THIS EDITION...Customized Professional Learning Spotlight | SSoM Welcomes New Member District | Infinite Campus Discovery Week Nov 13-17 | Infinite Campus Holiday Support Hours | Update: IEFA Institute 11/30 & 12/1 now at MSU | MT Safe & Healthy Schools Project SCHOLARSHIPS | CPI Job Opportunity | SSoM Programs Updates | SSoM Partner Opportunities | Joke of the Week | NEW Additional Resources | About SSoM | |
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MARION ELEMENTARY
In the fall of 2023, School Services of Montana partnered with Marion School District to develop and facilitate a half-day workshop designed to build teacher knowledge of the Science of Reading (SoR). Through learning about big ideas in how children learn to read and the most effective evidence-based instructional practices for teaching reading, Marion teachers developed expertise and built their capacity to make informed instructional choices within their curricular resources.
For more information about Customized Professional Learning CLICK HERE, or contact:
Genevieve Thomas, Director of Professional Learning | gthomas@mt-schools.org | 406-300-2561
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Please welcome the newest SSoM member district!
MARION ELEMENTARY
Established in 1904 in a chicken coop in Marion, MT, Marion School has grown over 60% in the last 5 years to today's student population of 180. The district's current school bond campaign would add much-needed classrooms, increase capacity, and connect the two main school buildings. Principal Julia Maxwell leads the Marion School staff and students to excellence by fostering an inclusive, caring school community. "Focus on the good and you will find the good."
The School Services of Montana team is excited to continue working with Marion School through collaboration, customized professional learning, the Co-op Food Program, and more. Click their logo to visit the Marion School website, and have a PANTHER PRIDE kind of day!
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INFINITE CAMPUS
DISCOVERY WEEK
Nov. 13 - 17, 2023
Join staff from thousands of schools for the largest Infinite Campus training event of the year! These PD sessions are for school admin, IT, registrars, counselors, teachers - anyone in your district who uses Infinite Campus!
Montana's very own Infinite Campus support specialists will be leading a few sessions, so be sure to check them out:
Campus Analytics - Functionality of Early Warning | Tammy Blanchard
Assessments - Assessment Mapping & Import Wizard | Tammy Blanchard
Grading & Standards - Standards Based Grading Setup | Mary Anne Skinner
Surveys - Designer, Messenger, and Reports | Mary Anne Skinner
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Questions? Please reach out to our Director of Infinite Campus Support Services:
Mary Anne Skinner | maskinner@mt-schools.org | (406) 256-7306
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INFINITE CAMPUS SUPPORT HOURS - THANKSGIVING WEEK
Mary Anne Skinner will be on-call. Please contact her with any questions as the
other Tech Minions will be away enjoying the holiday weekend! On-call hours:
Wed. Nov. 22: 8 - 5PM | Thur. Nov. 23: Office Closed | Fri. Nov. 24: 8 - 3PM
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LOCATION CHANGE!
GALLATIN VALLEY
IEFA INSTITUTE
Nov. 30 & Dec. 1 | $20 per person per day includes lunch
Montana State University, Bozeman
Join us for one or both days of IEFA learning with
award-winning educators Jordan Lankford-Forster
(Bright Trail Woman) and Miranda Murray!
The Gallatin Valley IEFA Institute event will offer educators an opportunity to delve into Indigenous education by providing foundational information concerning the seven "Essential Understandings Regarding Montana Indians." Participants will learn how to effectively integrate Indigenous content into their curricula, regardless of their initial familiarity with the subject. This event emphasizes the evaluation and inclusion of Native resources to provide a diverse perspective, ultimately enriching students' educational experiences and promoting cultural diversity in the classroom.
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MONTANA SAFE & HEALTHY SCHOOLS PROJECT
Proactive Approaches to Preventing School Violence
School Services of Montana has been awarded a GRANT through the DOJ Bureau of Justice Assistance's STOP School Violence program. Check out the next phase of our project:
CARING SCHOOL COMMUNITY SCHOOLWIDE SCHOLARSHIPS
One of our project goals is to provide resources and support for schoolwide programs focusing on whole child skill development. As part of these efforts, SSoM is offering Caring School Community Schoolwide Program Scholarships to MT schools serving grades K - 8.
Project Details | Scholarship Details | New Resources | Participation Survey
Melissa Tovaas, SSoM Executive Director | mtovaas@mt-schools.org | (406) 272-0021
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Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) Instructor for SSoM
Part-time, Contracted Position
SSoM is seeking a part-time Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) instructor. This position would be ideal for a special educator or a related service provider with experience in behavior management and flexibility for part-time hours year-round. Please circulate the position description within your networks.
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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!
PROGRAM CONTACT: Genevieve Thomas | gthomas@mt-schools.org | (406) 300-2561
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MECC CURRICULUM CONSORTIUM | Details
Get ready for an action-packed school year of captivating curriculum collaboration with our brand new Director of Curriculum and Assessment, Jake Chipps!
PROGRAM CONTACT: Jake Chipps | jchipps@mt-schools.org | (818) 481-6788
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CO-OP FOOD PROGRAM | 23-24 SY Details
This program features FREE ACCESS to ALL Schools in Montana! Districts who submitted a 22-23 SY Opt-in form are NOT required to re-submit for 23-24. Your participation in our program as been automatically rolled over with the US Foods / School Services of Montana contract roll-over, per bid contract language. Join at any time during the school year!
COMING SOON: Clean Plate Club Monthly Newsletter
PROGRAM CONTACT: 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. For program details and Program Manager Lisa Waterman's bio, click the link above.
Medicaid Service Portal Newsletter October 2023
PROGRAM CONTACT: Lisa Waterman | Lwaterman@mt-schools.org | (406) 272-0073
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INFINITE CAMPUS SUPPORT | Details
Did you know? You can make the switch to SSoM Infinite Campus Support at ANY TIME during the school year! Our dedicated support team works closely with OPI and understands Montana District SIS needs. Plus, your SUPPORT FEES WILL NOT INCREASE when you switch!
IC YES Series PD: Jan 9 - 10 | Feb 6 - 7 | Mar 6 & 20 | April 2 - 3 | May 7 - 8
Infinite Campus Discovery Week: Nov 13 - 17, 2023
PROGRAM CONTACT: 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 (SMRC)
Brainstorms! October 2023 | Subscribe Here
MSU Research In Action Workshop Nov. 8, 2023 | 4 - 5pm
Featuring Ghazal Vahidi, a PhD candidate who studies bone density in the MSU Norm Asjbornson College of Engineering. Her research interests include bone quality, bone fractures resistance and aging, and osteocyte perilacunar remodeling. You'll also hear stories of STEM identity, a sense of belonging, and how these experiences translate to the classroom to inspire diverse and equitable opportunities for future STEM students. This workshop is geared toward Montana MS & HS teachers. 1 OPI renewal unit available. Details & Registration
FREE Neuroscience Citizen Science Resource Downloads! Engage your middle school students in two neuroscience-related citizen science projects while they learn about the eye, the brain, and diseases of the nervous system while contributing to authentic neuroscience research themselves! No experience is required; our tutorial video will walk you through how to join the projects.
Click here for FREE resources | MSU Citizen Science Network
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THE READING LEAGUE MONTANA PRESENTS
TEACHER TUESDAY SERIES
2 FREE Zoom Sessions Remaining: Nov. 7 & Nov. 14
All sessions begin at 4:15pm MST
Join the Reading League Montana for the final two days of their Teacher Tuesday series! The November 7 Zoom features our very own Director of Professional Learning, Genevieve Thomas!
No need to RSVP - just click the Zoom link below at 4:15PM on the day of your preferred topic and enjoy the session.
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Nov 7 - Bringing the Science of Reading to Special Education Services, featuring presenter Genevieve Thomas!
Nov 14 - Literacy in the Upper Grades
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Collaborative Classroom is a national nonprofit organization committed to ensuring that all students become readers, writers, and thinkers who learn from, care for, and respect one another.
Collaborative Classroom Events Calendar
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Nov 8 edWebinar - Getting Older Striving Readers Back on Track: Effective Foundational Skills Instruction (Gr. 6 - 12) | 1 - 2pm MT | Learn More
Nov 14 - Finding Inspiration in Independence, on the importance of developing students as independent learners, feat. Zaretta Hammond | 2 - 3pm MT | Learn More
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MONTANA PBS LEARNING MEDIA -
MONTANA NATIVE AMERICANS
FREE | Asynchronous | Earn OPI Credit | Share in Your Classroom!
The Story of Us
A short documentary about four incredible women who helped shape Montana. Each woman endured painful hardships and unimaginable losses, but each persevered in her own way and carved a path that still impacts Montana today. This collection includes support materials for:
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Women in MT History: Interactive Lesson, Gr. 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
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5 Videos: MT Women in History, Sara Bickford, Rose Hum Lee, Maggie Smith Hathaway, and Susie Walking Bear Yellowtail
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ABOUT SCHOOL SERVICES of MONTANA | |
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. Click here : )
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