September 8, 2021 Edition
IN THIS EDITION... SSoM is Hiring! | Common PIR Day Sept 24 | Infinite Campus Resources & Training | SSoM Co-op Food Program R.I.P. | Your Medicaid Moment | Save the Date for SSI 2022 | Grant Opportunity | SSoM Partner Resources | Joke of the Week | Addt'l Resources | About SSoM

JOIN THE SCHOOL SERVICES of MONTANA TEAM:
CAMPUS TECH SUPPORT ASSISTANT
Full-Time | Permanent | Remote Position | Great Benefits
The Campus Technology Support Assistant will work closely with the SSoM Infinite Campus Support Administrator and the SSoM Medicaid Billing Program Specialist to provide front-line support to our client school districts on matters related to the Infinite Campus Student Information System and the CompuClaim Medicaid Billing software suites.

TO APPLY: CLICK HERE for complete details; we are accepting applications until this position is filled.
2 WEEKS AWAY - REGISTER TODAY!
COMMON PIR DAY 2021
September 24 | 8:15 am - 3:30 pm
Manhattan School
Join us for a day of professional learning hosted by School Services of Montana, Region IV CSPD, and Manhattan School District. This year's focus will support learning about the new Montana SEL Competencies and collaborating on implementation ideas and resources. We will support the following topics through a general session in the morning, followed by breakout session options:

  • Building the foundations and a common language for SEL
  • Strategies for explicit instruction in social and emotional skills
  • Integration of SEL with academic curriculum areas
  • Supporting the schoolwide community with SEL (adult learning, community / family engagement and support)
  • Click here for details including the event schedule and session details

We are also offering an ‘unconference’ style segment in the afternoon (similar to an EdCamp), which is a participant-led discussion and sharing of ideas on a specific topic. Suggest a topic or join one that others suggest: science or other curriculum-focused discussions, Google and other apps for tech integration, supporting students with dyslexia, or any other topic you bring to the table)! 
Please contact SSoM Director of Education Services with questions:
Melissa Tovaas | (646) 831-7264 | mtovaas@mt-schools.org
SWMSS IC Combo Logo

USER GUIDES, OPI AIM LINKS, & VIRTUAL NAT'L TRAINING WEEK
GUIDES BY TECH MINION MARY ANNE SKINNER & INFINITE CAMPUS
2ND ANNUAL VIRTUAL NATIONAL TRAINING WEEK
Nov. 15 - 19, 2021

LIVESTREAM LAUNCH PARTY | OCTOBER 18, 2021 | 2PM CST

*Exclusively for registered districts* Join us for the first-ever launch party in Infinite Campus history! This exciting live event will kick off session registration and festivities surrounding National Training Week. There will also be many great prizes and giveaways! 321 districts have registered for this PD opportunity that will cover 25+ session topics for anyone that uses Infinite Campus at all skill levels. Plus, 10 session times each day and repeated sessions throughout the week will accommodate all schedules.

WHY join Infinite Campus for National Training Week?
Non-Passport Customers login & click HERE
Passport Customers login & click HERE

Registration discounts available for School Services of Montana member districts & Passport Customers!

AIM COLLECTION SCHEDULE 21-22 SY
  • AIM Help Desk (877) 424-6681 or (406) 444-3800 or submit an AIM Help Desk Ticket
  • AIM Collection Schedule Assessment Help Desk (844) 867-2569 or opiassessmenthelpdesk@mt.gov (for MT Edition Users)
  • Data Collection Calendar

AIM USER GUIDES
Fall Enrollment Count User Guide & Checklist; MAEFAIRS Student Count ANB (School Finance Page); AIM & MAEFAIRS Verification Guide; Enrollment Exceptions for ANB Funding: MT Youth ChalleNGe, Job Corps, MTDA, 19/20 Eligible, ILIP
For refreshers, questions, and assistance please contact SSoM Tech Minion ASAP:
Mary Anne Skinner | maskinner@mt-schools.org | (208) 631-2053
THIS JUST IN!!!
SSoM ANNOUNCES NEW
CO-OP FOOD BID
REFERRAL INCENTIVE
PROGRAM
How does School Services of Montana keep their Co-op Food Program fees SO LOW? Why haven't we ever INCREASED them? Because we work hard to grow this statewide program to include more school districts every year! To show our appreciation to the 150+ districts who have supported this nearly six year program AND our future participants, we've created the Referral Incentive Program, or R.I.P. (just in time for Halloween). Details coming next week!
FALL 2021 QUICK LINKS & DETAILS
Fall 2021 Program Details: Click HERE

When will my delivery arrive? Contact your US Foods K-12 Bid Specialist

Spring 2022 Order Window: Nov 1 - 30, 2021
Fall 2021 Delivery Schedule:
  • Delivery 1 = Aug 23 - Sept 10
  • Delivery 2 = Sept 20 - Oct 8
  • Delivery 3 = Oct 18 - Nov 5
  • Delivery 4 = Nov 15 - Dec 3

Fall Advisory Committee Meetings are tentatively scheduled for October 14, 15, and 19. Stay tuned for details : )
Questions? Program Registration? Please contact SSoM Purchasing Manager:
Jennifer Brekke | jbrekke@mt-schools.org | (406) 580-7547

YOUR MEDICAID MOMENT

We have a plethora of great information and resources about the School Services of Montana electronic Medicaid Billing program on our website - click here. Have you checked out the first 21-22 SY edition of our Medicaid newsletter? This month's edition features:


GUIDELINES FOR BILLING - the answer is in the IEP : )
KEEP YOUR CASELOAD CURRENT
  • remove students from your caseload that you no longer serve
  • instructions for adding goals to a student account
  • please be patient - student grades and schools are updated in September & October
SERVICE PORTAL TIPS
  • secure passwords
  • manuals for Personal Care and for Direct Care Therapy

How can the SSoM electronic Medicaid Billing program benefit YOUR district? Contact us today:
Lisa Waterman, Medicaid Billing Program Specialist
lwaterman@mt-schools.org | (406) 272-0073
>>> SAVE THE DATE <<<
MONTANA SCIENCE SUMMER INSTITUTE 2022
August 1 - 3, 2022 @ Montana State University-Bozeman Campus!

We have reserved space on the MSU campus for 2022! Please email Melissa Tovaas with your requests for areas of focus you would like to see at next year's conference. We hope you'll join us!

Melissa Tovaas, Director of Education Services, School Services of Montana
mtovaas@mt-schools.org | (646) 831-7264
GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

Montana Girls STEM Collaborative Mini Grants Due September 15
The Montana Girls STEM Collaborative is offering mini grants of $500 to $1,000 for youth organizations that use multimedia assets from a database that features women scientists and engineers. The collaborative is a statewide network housed within the Science Math Resource Center (SMRC) in the Department of Education at Montana State University and has a co-leader at the University of Montana.

The database, called the IF/THEN Collection, was created by Lyda Hill Philanthropies to enhance the perception of women in science, technology, engineering and math careers. The collection features photos, videos, activities and other resources. All assets are free for non-commercial and educational use.

Examples of potential projects that could be awarded mini grants include, but are not limited to: redesigning a brochure, website or other promotional materials to showcase more women in STEM; creating, printing or distributing on-site signage or posters; using the IF/THEN gender representation toolkit to collect data on the representation of gender in physical and digital spaces; using activity sheets and educator lessons for camps or programs; and using videos as a lesson hook. Grant applications are due Wednesday, Sept. 15.

Preference will go to organizations that are reaching middle school girls, particularly those who are typically underrepresented in STEM. However, the collaborative envisions supporting a wide array of organizations, so all are encouraged to apply. To learn more, visit montana.edu/smrc/documents/Girls_STEM_Collaborative.html or contact smrc@montana.edu.

The Montana Girls STEM Collaborative is an outreach program of Montana’s National Science Foundation EPSCoR program with co-leaders in the Science Math Resource Center and UM’s spectrUM Discovery Area. The goal of the network is to build collaborations and share resources to support girls and other youth typically underrepresented in STEM. Opportunities like mini grants and events are advertised through the network’s quarterly e-newsletter; subscribe at http://bit.ly/mtgirlsstem-news.
SSoM BUSINESS PARTNER RESOURCES

SSoM Partner COLLABORATIVE CLASSROOM
Now is the time to invest in high-quality curricula that will accelerate literacy learning, attend to students' social and emotional needs, and build inclusive, equitable communities for all learners.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL RESOURCES TO SUPPORT YOUR TEACHING & LEARNING

FALL 2021 SIPPS SYMPOSIUM: Enacting K-12 Systematic Foundational Skills Instruction
Thursday, October 28, 2 - 5 pm EST
Appropriate for all K–12 literacy educators, this virtual Symposium offers free informational sessions for those who are unfamiliar with SIPPS. Click here for a flyer to share with your fellow educators. Learn more & register here!

NEW BLOG SERIES - Structured Literacy: Unpacking Eight Key Questions for Transforming Reading Instruction and Outcomes for Readers

  • Caring School Community, K-9 CASEL SELect Program; offered 10/6/21, 11/3/21, 1/5/22
  • SIPPS, K–12: Developing and Supporting Foundational Skills; offered 10/13/21, 11/10/21, 1/12/22
  • Being a Reader, K–2: Comprehensive Reading Instruction; offered 9/22/21, 10/20/21, 11/22/21, 1/26/22
  • Making Meaning & Book Clubs, 3–6: Comprehensive Reading Instruction; offered 9/15/21, 11/17/21, 1/19/22
  • Being a Writer, K–6: Comprehensive Writing Instruction; offered 10/20/21

GET THE RECONNECTING & REBUILDING TOOLKIT DOWNLOAD
JOKE OF THE WEEK
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES & FYI
MT OFFICE OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

OPI Compass September 3, 2021 - DPHHS releases emergency masking order, TEAMS, quick links, and more
FREE PD! OPI INDIAN EDUCATION FOR ALL (IEFA) ADVOACY AWARD RECIPIENT WEBINAR SERIES: Contemporary Topics in Indian Country September - March
This series of six FREE webinars will feature a different Teresa Veltkamp Advocacy Award for Excellence in Indian Education recipient. Each session will cover current events and contemporary issues facing Montana tribes. Learn how to research primary documents for classroom use and how to respectfully integrate them into your instruction. REGISTRATION OPEN - click for complete details.
TEACHING CLIMATE CHANGE ESSENTIALS
...is a nine-week teacher professional development program designed to engage and equip elementary, middle, and high schools teachers with the tools needed to successfully incorporate climate change into their classrooms, regardless of subject or state standards. This empowering, facilitated, online program has been spearheaded by the K-12 instructional design team at Presidio Graduate School and addresses the questions and challenges around teaching climate change.
  • Scholarships available to Montana teachers to make the course completely FREE with code MTACE; 45 Montana OPI renewal units available!
  • OR take the course for Graduate Credit - cost reduced to $384
  • Registration closes Monday, Sept 13th, EOD; details & registration HERE
REGION IV CSPD offers FREE VIRTUAL PD for SW MT! (click here for website)

THE SCIENCE OF TEACHING READING, a 12 part series with Carrie Cole, 4 - 6 pm on Wednesdays, Sept. 8 - Dec. 1, via ZOOM
  • This comprehensive 12-part training will empower teachers to understand the what, why, and how of evidence-based reading instruction in foundational reading skills so they can better meet the diverse needs of their students.
  • Details & Registration HERE
  • OPI Renewal Units available when attending ALL 12 sessions
  • Region I & II training - click here
All 5 CSPDs offer FREE VIRTUAL PD for their respective regions. Click for details:
WORLD LANGUAGE INITIATIVE - MONTANA (WLI-MT)
"WLI-MT's mission is to make language & culture programming available for ALL Montanans."

Tuesdays at 2pm Newsletter Highlights Sept. 7, 2021
  • ADULT LANGUAGE CLASS SIGN UPS BEGAN SEPT 7 - classes include evening, in-person, online, & specialized classes for organizations and businesses; click here for the program schedule
  • YOUTH CLASSES (in person and online)
  • FREE COMMUNITY NIGHTS beginning Wed, Sept 15
  • LUNCH HOUR CLASSES Mon/Tues/Fri
  • PLEASE NOTE: all classes begin the week of Oct 4th; complete details (language, age group, costs, etc) & registration link can be found HERE.
ABOUT SCHOOL SERVICES of MONTANA
SSoM is a non-profit education service agency 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 excellent 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.