September 1, 2022 Edition
IN THIS EDITION.. Infinite Campus + OPI Keys to Success featuring FRAM | SSoM Co-op Food Program Highlights | SSoM Programs & Resources Updates | SSoM Partner Resources featuring FREE PD! | Joke of the Week | Additional Resources featuring IEFA, MT PBS, and World Language Initiative - MT | About SSoM
KEYS TO SUCCESS:
OPI, INFINITE CAMPUS, & FRAM
- with love from your favorite Tech Minion, Mary Anne Skinner -
KNOW YOUR AIM REPORTING DEADLINES
  • an online, 7-page PDF complete with links

CAMPUS POS 2.0 - REPORTING, CONFIGURATION, & TROUBLESHOOTING
  • a detailed list of articles and the info they provide including: FAQs; Terminal Installation & Configuration; Terminal Start Up, Processing POS Transactions (& Managing them); Cashier Study Guide; Webinar Q&A

  • This article provides the steps for associating specific serving periods and menus to food service sites in POS 2.0

  • This article provides quick steps for tasks that cashiers frequently perform

FRAM & INFINITE CAMPUS
YES we can do online FRAM applications with Infinite Campus! Email us for more information. In the meantime, here are some helpful resources to get started with processing paper applications:

  • Before using the FRAM module, it is important that districts configure and/or review FRAM preferences and tool rights.

  • The Online Applications tool allows district FRAM Processors to process online Meal Benefits Applications submitted to the district via the Portal.

  • The Eligibility tool shows a student's eligibility for receiving free or reduced-price benefits.
FRAM 2022-2023 ELIGIBILITY CARRYOVER PROCESS
Click HERE to download the document with links; log into Campus Community to view.
  • PLEASE NOTE: This process will result in the creation of new eligibilities in the 2021-22 SY which carries over 30 days into the 2022-23 school year so students will continue to receive free or reduced meal benefits while applications for this year are submitted and processed. Parents / guardians will still need to submit applications by your district's established processes for the 2022-23 school year
For the fastest, most accurate support, please EMAIL our Infinite Campus Support Team:
Mary Anne Skinner, Director of Infinite Campus Support Services | maskinner@mt-schools.org
Tamara Blanchard, Infinite Campus Support Specialist | tblanchard@mt-schools.org

- ATTENTION ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS -
SSoM NEW CO-OP FOOD PROGRAM OPEN TO ALL MONTANA SCHOOLS
Do you want access to the BEST pricing available to Montana schools for your district's school nutrition program? Want a flexible program you can tailor to meet YOUR needs? THE SSoM FOOD PROGRAM NOW OFFERS THAT TO ALL MONTANA SCHOOLS! Check this out...

  • There is NO COST to Montana schools to sign up for the SSoM co-op food program. Zero membership fees are required to participate : )
  • You don't have to be a SSoM member district, though membership does have its perks *wink!*
  • Order WHAT you want, WHEN you want, and receive orders as often as WEEKLY!
  • Prices through this program are the lowest prices available to K-12 schools in Montana!
  • Program details can be found here: https://www.mt-schools.org/2022-2023-order.html
  • Program FAQ & SSoM Organization Facts: https://conta.cc/3PojKuK
  • Download the SSoM Program Opt-In Form here

Our goal is to provide your district with a purchasing program that meets the diverse needs of your school's nutrition program so you can focus on what's really important - feeding and educating your students. So what are you waiting for??? SIGN UP TODAY : )
For program questions, or to opt into this program, please contact:
Jennifer Brekke, Purchasing Manager | jbrekke@mt-schools.org | (406) 580-7547


SCHOOL SERVICES OF MT
PROGRAMS & RESOURCES
HIGHLIGHTS from the 2022 Montana STEM Summer Institute
This summer, we enjoyed sharing the excitement of educators from all over Montana at our annual event, hosted by School Services of Montana and the MSU Science Math Resource Center. From the hands-on STEM learning and resources to the powerful teacher panel and keynote, the summer institute was a big success!

Participant Testimonials
“The 2022 Montana STEM conference was fantastic. I really learned a lot of practical ideas that I can take back to the classroom. The instructors were very knowledgeable and helpful and I found a renewed interest in Science that I had lost as a student, years ago. I look forward to attending again and letting others know about this great opportunity.”
- Charlie Struna, Missoula County Public Schools Middle School Librarian & 8th grade Math teacher

“This STEM conference was top notch! There were so many great resources and activities that I will take back to the classroom this year. I highly recommend this professional learning for all K-12 teachers.”
- Lynette Conrad, 1st grade teacher, Anderson School
- SAVE THE DATE -
5th Annual Montana STEM Summer Institute
Jul. 31 - Aug. 2, 2023 | Bozeman, MT
COMING SOON
  • 2022 Summer Curriculum Institute Highlights, upcoming learning opportunities, and MSU resources
  • MECC Curriculum Consortium 22-23 SY Focus Areas, Support, & Events
  • New Online Courses!

NEW: TO PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE - SCIENCE EDITION
At some point in their lives, nearly everybody has wanted to dig a hole down to the center of the Earth. The only problem is, nobody ever has actually dug a hole down that far. This video discusses how deep down could we actually dig with modern-day technology.
SSoM PARTNER RESOURCES & EVENTS
BIG SKY LITERACY SUMMIT
September 8, 9, & 10, 2022

Planning to attend? Come see us in the exhibit area highlighting Collaborative Classroom’s wonderful, structured literacy resources and reading intervention program, SIPPS. We are also excited to have one of Collaborative Classroom’s national experts joining to support Montana educators with the “Science of Learning” – come learn with us and many other MT educators:

  • General Session Day 2: Friday, Sept. 9, 11 - 12pm with Marisa Ramirez Stukey, PhD "Where the Science of Learning Meets the Science of Reading: Unpacking the Evidence"
MSU SCIENCE MATH RESOURCE CENTER (SMRC) PRESENTS
A Virtual Workshop Series MSU Research in Action

This FREE online workshop for teachers aims to connect K-12 classrooms with MSU researchers so teachers can bring not only cutting-edge research concepts but also researchers' personal STEM stories into the classroom. OPI renewal units available!
First Virtual Workshop: Sept. 22, 4 - 5pm
Features: MSU Biochemist Emily Dieter
Best for: High School Teachers
Attendance: Capped at 30
PLEASE NOTE: If you are unable to attend but want to be notified of future events from the MSU Science Math Resource Center, subscribe to their monthly newsletter at: https://bit.ly/smrc-news
BACK-TO-SCHOOL RESOURCES TO SUPPORT YOUR TEACHING & LEARNING

As the year begins, professional learning is top of mind - but what practices and support structures create the ideal conditions for teacher learning?

BLOG POST

WEBINARS
Sept 21, 2022 2 - 3pm MST: What Literacy Leaders Need to Know and Do to Support Teachers in Shifting to Science of Reading-Based Instruction

Oct. 25, 2022 2 - 3pm MST: Where the Science of Learning Meets the Science of Reading: Unpacking the Evidence

ON-DEMAND
Teaching Reimagined: Leveraging the Emotions of Cognition, by Collaborative Classroom board member Zaretta Hammond, the 2022 National Conference keynote. Click here for Zaretta Hammond's bio.


For more information about what Collaborative Classroom can do for your district, contact:
Melissa Tovaas, Collaborative Classroom Liaison, mtovaas@mt-schools.org
JOKE OF THE WEEK
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
MT OFFICE OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

OPI Education Compass - September 2022 Ed.
Remember, ESSER I. dollars must be expended by 9/30/22!
FREE OPI FALL 2022 WEBINAR SERIES
IEFA Background Knowledge Building - Indian Boarding Schools: From History to Healing
An in-depth exploration of the Boarding School era, it's history, and implications, with the intent to build background knowledge and provide a context for both the inter-generational trauma and the resiliency of many tribal individuals in both the United States and Canada.

Each session is on a Wednesday from 4 - 5:30pm: 9/14, 9/21, 10/12, 10/26, 11/2, 11/16
Earn up to 12 Renewal Units! Details & registration here.
MONTANA PBS EDUCATOR E-NEWSLETTER

08.04.2022 Issue 65: Back to School with Montana PBS
PD Opportunities | New Digital Resources | Back to School Resources from PBS LearningMedia | Learn at Home

08.12.2022 Issue 66: Special Back to School Edition
PBS Media Literacy Certification O/L Cohort | PBS LearningMedia | Earn credit for watching 'Hiding in Plain Sight', a film about youth mental illness

Nikki Vradenburg, Ed.D | MT PBS Director of Education | nikki@montanapbs.org
WORLD LANGUAGE INITIATIVE - MONTANA (WLIMT)

  • After school & In-person for Youth: SPANISH, GERMAN, & FRENCH
  • SPANISH: Adult Beginning, Intermediate I. & II., and Advanced - Zoom
  • ARABIC: Adult - Zoom
  • FRENCH: Adult - in person at the Emerson Center, Bozeman

Registration begins Monday, September 5 at 2pm.
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 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.

Newsletter archives coming soon!