December 14, 2023 Edition

IN THIS EDITION...CRDC Training Series | December & January MECC | CPI Workshops | IEFA Institute A Success! | 2024 MT Superintendent of the Year | SSoM Programs Updates | Montana Educator Mortgage Program | SSoM Partner Resources | Joke of the Week | Additional Resources | About SSoM

CRDC PREPARATION &

DATA MAINTENANCE

A 3-PART SERIES FOR

INFINITE CAMPUS USERS


brought to you by Mary Anne Skinner & Tammy Blanchard,

from the School Services of MT Technical Support Team

This training series is for districts that utilize Infinite Campus District Edition to set up, collect, verify, and maintain the results as they relate to the CRDC Federal Reporting Data Collection Period. This workshop series is intended for Administrators and Reporting Staff responsible for CRDC Federal Reporting.


*COST: $450 for SSoM Member Districts | $600 for Non-Member Districts



*SCHEDULE: January - February 2024 | *TBD after the 2351 update, est. January

Please reach out to our Director of Infinite Campus Support Services with questions:

Mary Anne Skinner | maskinner@mt-schools.org | (406) 256-7306

Attention MECC Curriculum Development Leads:

MECC CURRICULUM

REVIEW & LEAD SESSIONS

MECC Meetings & Events Calendar


The standards have already been prioritized and vertically aligned in previous sessions. Let's review that process and discuss potential modifications. This process ensures a comprehensive understanding and incorporation of the required skills, concepts, and knowledge. At the end of the session, we'll discuss our next steps and address any misconceptions or challenges in our work.


Arts & CTE Vertical Alignment | December 15 | 1pm - 3pm | Virtual | Register


MECC LEAD MEETING: Wednesday, December 20 | Virtual

Discussion points centers around the current state of our

frameworks with an opportunity for your feedback.


JANUARY FEATURES MT WHOLE CHILD SKILLS

Subject areas include Arts, CTE, Science, and Health Enhancement.

Agenda and registration coming soon.


For info about MECC or becoming a MECC member district, click the MECC logo or contact:

Jake Chipps | Director of Curriculum & Assessment | jchipps@mt-schools.org | (818) 481-6788

ADVOCATE FOR A

SCHOOL-WIDE, TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACH

with School Services of Montana CPI Workshops


As your school leaders begin planning for the 2024-2025 school year, ensure you're set up for success by advocating for trauma-informed de-escalation training from CPI to be included in your school's budget. This evidence-based program provides the trauma-informed approach needed to holistically support both your safety and your students’ well-being.


Our certified CPI Workshop instructor customized this training specifically for educators who work with K-12 students, and certification is good for 18 months. Refresher workshops extend that certification for an additional 18 months. Hybrid classes, host district perks, and SSoM member district discounts are all available - click here for details, or contact our Certified CPI Workshop Instructor:


Melissa Rosenstein | mrosenstein@mt-schools.org | (406) 209-0455

GALLATIN VALLEY IEFA INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS


On November 30th and December 1st, SSoM hosted the Gallatin Valley IEFA Institute at MSU-Bozeman. During the two-day institute, IEFA coaches and consultants Jordann Lankford Forster and Miranda Murray focused on strategies and resources for teaching and learning the 7 Essential Understandings Regarding Montana Indians. Participants from 18 different districts in Montana engaged in rich and interactive lessons that helped deepen content knowledge and model practical strategies for IEFA implementation. And the tour of the American Indian Hall at MSU was the icing on the cake! 


PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK

"This was fantastic. I had several hopes and goals to get out of the training, and those were all achieved, plus some. Thank you! "


"I really enjoyed this training and appreciate the openness that the speakers had with the group. Such great and necessary content to share. Thank you for offering this opportunity!"


"I will continue building background knowledge so I can help my students learn in a culturally responsible way!"

For more information about IEFA Professional Learning for your district,

click or contact our Director of Professional Learning:

​Genevieve Thomas | gthomas@mt-schools.org | office 406-300-2561

SSoM BOARD MEMBER SHOUT OUT

2024 MONTANA SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR AWARD


This program seeks to honor those strong Montana school district leaders who work successfully with their entire learning communities to provide the highest quality education that is possible.  


Congratulations to Mr. Rick Duncan, Superintendent at Powell County High School and Deer Lodge Elementary School Districts, who was selected as the 2023-24 Montana Superintendent of the Year and honored for his outstanding dedication to education and exemplary leadership in the community at the annual Montana Conference of Education Leadership (MCEL) held on October 18-20, 2023 in Billings. The award is sponsored by the Montana Association of School Superintendents (MASS). 


School Services of Montana is proud to have Mr. Duncan on our Board of Directors, and we applaud his years of service. Read more about Mr. Duncan here, and be sure to give him a virtual pat on the back!

SSoM PROGRAMS & SERVICES

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!

MECC CURRICULUM CONSORTIUM | DETAILS

Page resources include the 23-24 Meetings & Events Calendar, 7-Year Curriculum Review Cycle, and Curricular Frameworks. Click DETAILS for more info.

  • Program Contact: Jake Chipps | jchipps@mt-schools.org | (818) 481-6788

CO-OP FOOD PROGRAM | 23-24 SY DETAILS

This program features FREE ACCESS to ALL Montana Schools, county / state / private child-based educational organizations, early childhood learning centers, and after school programs. Join at any time during the school year!

  • Exclusive Savings for Opt-in Districts: Copy Paper @ $39.99 / 10-ream case DELIVERED
  • NEW Grant Details: USDA FNS Healthy Meals Incentives (HMI) for Schools Initiative!
  • Program Contact: Jennifer Brekke | jbrekke@mt-schools.org | (406) 580-7547

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! Click DETAILS for more info.

  • ZOOM Training now available for providers using the Service Portal
  • Medicaid Service Portal Newsletter December 2023 Ed.
  • Program Contact: Lisa Waterman | Lwaterman@mt-schools.org | (406) 272-0073

INFINITE CAMPUS SUPPORT | DETAILS

You can make the 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.

  • State Reporting Resources: data collection schedules, steps to success, & TEAMS tips
  • IC YES Series PD: Jan 9 - 10 | Feb 6 - 7 | Mar 6 & 20 | April 2 - 3 | May 7 - 8
  • Program Contact: Mary Anne Skinner | maskinner@mt-schools.org | (406) 256-7306

MONTANA EDUCATOR OPPORTUNITY

SAVINGS FOR HEROES PROGRAM

by MANN MORTGAGE - BOZEMAN

Don’t let a down payment stand in your way of owning a home!


Are you a teacher or employee serving in a public or private school? Mann Mortgage - Bozeman would like to say “thank you” with our Savings for Heroes Program that can provided 100% financing. Click here to apply | Program flyer to share


PROGRAM FEATURES

Up to 5% Assistance | No Income Limits | No First-Time Buyer Requirement | Provides 3.5% of the Purchase Price to cover down Payment | Up to $1,700 for your Appraisal


CONTACT: Millie Berger, Mortgage Advisor | cell (406) 220-0799 | millie.berger@mannmortgage.com

SSoM PARTNER OPPORTUNITIES


MSU SCIENCE MATH RESOURCE CENTER (SMRC)

Brainstorms! Dec. 2023 Ed. | Subscribe Here


December highlights include:


Host a geospatial skills camp for rural youth in your community - designed for 9th & 10th graders; applications due by Dec. 22


Applications open for summer STEM experience for elementary teachers - experience includes a stipend plus housing and travel expenses; deadline is Feb. 4


AMC (American Mathematics Competition) 8 math competition for middle schoolers is Jan. 18 at MSU; registration is free & closes Jan. 10


SAVE THE DATE! STEM Summer Institute is Aug. 5 - 7, 2024 at MSU - calls for speakers will go out early in 2024


To read the full articles on all of these topics and MANY more,

click to read the December 2023 edition of Brainstorms! here.

MONTANA COUNCIL FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN (MCEC) 2024 CONFERENCE

"Engage, Learn, and Laugh"

April 3 - 5, 2024 | Missoula, MT



MCEC is the conference for Montana's Special Education administrators and teachers, general education teachers, school specialists, school leaders, paraprofessionals, and pre-service teachers. Session Strands include Leadership, Autism, Special Education Processes, Math/Reading/Writing, Behavioral/Mental Health, & current topics.

🐦 EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION

ENDS DECEMBER 15 !!!

DETAILS & REGISTRATION LINK

Questions? Please contact Billi Taylor | coordinator@montanacec.org | 406-570-8778

JOKE OF THE WEEK

NEW RESOURCES & INFO

MT OFFICE OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION


Teacher Learning Hub - a FREE online learning platform providing

high-quality professional learning for Montana educators


OPI's December 2023 Compass | Important Updates from OPI's Units

MONTANA PBS EDUCATION

FREE Educator Workshop Series - Earn OPI Credit!

Details | Register Here | Watch the Film


Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness

2-hour Virtual PD Series for K-12 Teachers

4 - 6pm on Tuesdays Jan. 16 - Feb. 13, 2024

Earn 2 OPI credits for each workshop you attend live!


Also - check out FREE Asynchronous PD for Teachers and more in the Montana PBS Education newsletter, Dec. 12th Ed.!

All 5 Montana CSPDs Offer FREE Professional Learning in Their Regions

Region I - Eastern MT | Region II - North Central MT | Region III - South Central MT

Region IV - Southwest MT | Region V - Northwest MT

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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