January 11, 2023 Edition
IN THIS EDITION.. We are Hiring! | MECC Advisory Meeting | Staggering Montana Nonprofit Stats | SSoM Upcoming PD Opportunities | SSoM Program Highlights | Grant Opportunity | SSoM Partner Resources | Joke of the Week | Addt'l Resources | About SSoM
JOIN THE SCHOOL SERVICES of MONTANA TEAM!
TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT ASSISTANT
Part-Time (with potential to grow to Full-Time)
Permanent, Remote Position | Awesome Team | Great Benefits
The Technology Support Assistant will work closely with the SSoM Infinite Campus Support Team and the SSoM Medicaid Billing Program Specialist to provide frontline support to our client school districts on matters related to the Infinite Campus Student Information System and the Relay (formerly CompuClaim) Medicaid Billing software suites.


We will be accepting applications until this position is filled.

MECC ADVISORY
COUNCIL MEETING
2 - 3pm Thurs, Jan 12 via Zoom


Attention Administrators and Curriculum Directors! Our first Advisory Council meeting of the new year will be held virtually. Please join us to discuss curriculum updates and provide your input into our Spring 2023 MECC Review schedule: subject areas, dates, locations, and more. Check your in-box for this meeting's agenda & Zoom link.

Coming Soon: Spring 2023 MECC Review Details

Questions? Please contact SSoM Executive Director:
Melissa Tovaas | mtovaas@mt-schools.org | (646) 831-7264
MONTANA NONPROFIT STATISTICS

Thursday, January 5th was Nonprofit Day at the Capitol in Helena, Montana, and SSoM was represented. Charitable nonprofits operate in every region of Montana. They drive the economy, keep government small, bring efficiencies and resources to their communities, and are essential to Montana's vitality and prosperity. We can't thank our supporters enough for allowing School Services of Montana to be a part of this!
IN 2021, MONTANA'S CHARITABLE NONPROFITS:
- comprised 3.8% of all establishments
- employed 10.3% of the state's total workforce
(which equates to 49,610 Montanans)
- paid 10.5% of all wages in the state
(totaling nearly $2.6 billion in wages)

ALL of this was accomplished by 2,335 nonprofit wage-paying establishments.
Source: MNA Montana Nonprofit Economic Impact Report Jan 2023; Montana Dept of Labor & Industry, 2022
SSoM PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
CPI - Crisis Prevention & Intervention Workshops
Various locations across Montana | Contact SSoM for Host Details
Specific dates and class locations coming later this month!

Flathead Valley IEFA Institute
May 17 - 18, 2023 | Flathead HS, Kalispell MT
INFINITE CAMPUS PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
YEARLY EVENT SERIES (YES) Feb 7 - 8, 2023 | Virtual

The YES live professional development event includes timely instruction on a wide array of Infinite Campus topics that will easily save you and your staff hundreds of hours during the school year. Click here for details & registration.
Mary Anne Skinner, Director of Infinite Campus Support Services
maskinner@mt-schools.org | (406) 256-7306
UNDERSTANDING & SUPPORTING STUDENTS WITH DYSLEXIA & OTHER READING DISABILITIES
An online, self-paced course brought to you by SSoM and designed by literary expert and consultant, Genevieve Thomas
Available through June 30, 2023 | Register Here

$20 discount for SSoM Members | 11 OPI Renewal Units
5th Annual Montana STEM Summer Institute
July 31 - August 2, 2023 | MSU - Bozeman Campus

  • February: Break Out Session Proposal Submission Opens
  • March: Registration Opens!
  • Now Accepting New Advisory Group Members - contact us if interested!

Contact: Melissa Tovaas, SSoM Executive Director
mtovaas@mt-schools.org | (646) 831-7264
SSoM HIGHLIGHTS
SSoM PROFESSIONAL LEARNING Program Details
Customized | In-Person &/or Virtual | Member Discounts
Contact: SSoM Executive Director, Melissa Tovaas
mtovaas@mt-schools.org | (646) 831-7264
MONTANA EDUCATION CURRICULUM CONSORTIUM
Curriculum Design | Standards Alignment | Collaboration Across Schools
Contact: SSoM Executive Director, Melissa Tovaas
mtovaas@mt-schools.org | (646) 831-7264
SSoM INFINITE CAMPUS SUPPORT Program Details
Montana Expertise | On-Site & Virtual PD | Switch to SSoM for FREE
Contact: SSoM Director of Infinite Campus Support Services, Mary Anne Skinner
maskinner@mt-schools.org | (406) 256-7306
SSoM MEDICAID BILLING PROGRAM Program Details
Electronic | Efficient | Empowering
Contact: SSoM Medicaid Billing Program Specialist Lisa Waterman
Lwaterman@mt-schools.org | (406) 272-0073
SSoM CO-OP FOOD PROGRAM Program Details, FAQ, & Resources
Lowest K-12 Prices Available | ZERO SSoM Fees | Membership NOT Required
Contact: SSoM Purchasing Manager Jennifer Brekke
jbrekke@mt-schools.org | (406) 580-7547
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GRANT
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION NOTICE
The Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program provides competitive grants to support and demonstrate innovative partnerships to train school-based mental health service providers for employment in schools and local educational agencies (LEAs).

Projects should support and demonstrate innovative partnerships to train school-based mental health service providers for employment in schools and local educational agencies (LEAs).
FY 2023 Program Information

Application Deadline: Jan. 27, 2023
SSoM PARTNER RESOURCES

Ready for a fresh start? We've got you covered with high-quality complimentary virtual events to support your professional learning goals.


Defying the NAEP Trend: Lessons from Districts with Reading Growth Gains
1/19/23 | 3 - 4pm MST | Details and Registration

How Literacy Leaders Can Support Older Readers
1/25/23 | 3 - 4pm MST | Details & Registration

Reading Practice: Understanding the Role of Text in Foundational Skills Intervention
2/2/23 | 3 - 4pm MST | Details & Registration

Developing Confident, Competent, and Independent Writers, K-5
2/16/23 | 4:30 - 5:30pm MST | Details & Registration

For a complete look at our upcoming events, please visit our Events Calendar.
JOKE OF THE WEEK
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
MT OFFICE OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

OPI Education Compass - January 2023 Edition
SCHOOL NUTRITION PROGRAM INDUSTRY NEWS
USDA Foods Database Now Available
The USDA Foods Database is available for state agencies and school districts to access up-to-date, vendor-specific nutrition, allergen and ingredient information for direct delivered USDA Foods for child nutrition programs. This database will help inform your ordering decisions, manage menu planning, meet USDA meal pattern requirements and nutrition standards, and provide safe meals for students with food allergies and other special dietary needs.

DETAILS HERE: accessing the database, instructions, FAQs, & link to USDA special bulletin

WEBINAR COMING SOON: How to Navigate the USDA Foods Database
WORLD LANGUAGE INITIATIVE - MONTANA
"Making language & culture education available for all Montanans"

Spring 2023 Language Programs - Registration Now Open
12-week programs begin January 30th. Sign-ups are first come, first served, with a waitlist available.
  • Adult Online French Literature & Discussion ( 8-wks)
  • Young Adult 15+ / Adult Online Beginner Japanese
  • Youth Online Spanish Language Class (grades 3-5)
  • Adult In-Person Spanish Language Classes (Bozeman)
All 5 Montana CSPDs offer FREE VIRTUAL PD in their regions. Click for details:
ABOUT SCHOOL SERVICES of MONTANA
SSoM is a 501(c)(3) non-profit education service organization committed to unlocking the full potential of every child in each and every school we serve across the state. We accomplish this by providing a wide variety of professional learning activities and business services designed to meet the specific needs of Montana’s educators and administrators. Interested in supporting our work? Click here to make a donation, and be sure to read all about our organization on our website.

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