August 25, 2021 Edition
IN THIS EDITION... Common PIR Day Sept 24 | Infinite Campus Training & Resources | Science Summer Institute 2021 Resources | SSoM Program & Staff Updates | Grant Opportunities | SSoM Partner Resources | Joke of the Week | Addt'l Resources | About SSoM
RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!
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 ā€˜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

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!

ADDITIONAL CAMPUS-RELATED RESOURCES
For refreshers, questions, and assistance please contact SSoM Tech Minion ASAP:
Mary Anne Skinner | maskinner@mt-schools.org | (208) 631-2053
MONTANA SCIENCE SUMMER INSTITUTE 2021
Many thanks goes out to the planning team, presenters, panelists, sponsors, and participants!

We're so thankful for all of the participants who joined our virtual conference last week! While a virtual environment is not nearly as enjoyable as connecting in person, we hope you were able to leave with ideas, resources, and inspiration going into the 2021-22 school year.

SESSION RECORDINGS
The recordings and any presenter-shared resources are now uploaded for all registered participants to access. Find them by logging into your ā€˜Sched’ platform (https://mtssi2021.sched.com/) and clicking on the selected session within the ā€˜Schedule’ area. Scroll down and you will see the ā€œSession Recordingā€ field toward the bottom.

>>> SAVE THE DATE FOR SSI 2022 AUG. 1 - 3, 2022, Bozeman, MT
We have reserved space on the MSU campus for 2022! Please send requests for any areas of focus you'd 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

SCHOOL SERVICES OF MONTANA
PROGRAM UPDATES

CO-OP FOOD PROGRAM - FALL 2021
Schedule: Delivery 1 8/23 - 9/10 | Delivery 2 9/20 - 10/8 | Delivery 3 10/18 - 11/5 | Delivery 4 11/15 - 12/3
Your District's Delivery Date: shared via email; contact your US Foods bid rep Tammie or Carmen

Please contact SSoM Purchasing Manager for Program Registration or Questions:
Jennifer Brekke | jbrekke@mt-schools.org | (406) 580-7547
SSoM IS HIRING - stay tuned for details : )
GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

Support for Projects to Address Poverty and Education
The Tomberg Family Philanthropies consists of two separate charitable funds: the Marty Tomberg Charitable Fund and the Philip and the Helen Brecher Charitable Fund. Grants are provided to nonprofit organizations and certain government entities, such as public schools and universities, based in the United States for projects in the U.S. and worldwide. For the 2021 funding cycle, the Philanthropies will be supporting new projects in the areas of education and poverty alleviation. Grants generally range from $5,000 to $15,000. Letters of inquiry are due September 7, 2021; invited full proposals must be submitted by December 13, 2021. Visit the Philanthropies website to learn more about the application process.

Program Aids Bookmobiles Targeting Underserved Youth
The Lois Lenski Covey Foundation is dedicated to advancing literacy and fostering a love of reading among underserved and at-risk children and youth. The Foundation's Bookmobile Grant Program provides support to nonprofit organizations throughout the U.S. and its territories that operate a lending bookmobile that travels into neighborhoods populated by underserved youth. These grants, ranging from $500 to $3,000, are for purchasing books published for young people, preschool through grade eight, and cannot be used for administrative or operational uses. Applications may be submitted through September 1st of each year. Visit the Foundation's website to review the guidelines for the Bookmobile Grant Program.
- 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

ONLINE ELEMENTARY READING ACADEMY (OERA) - REGISTER NOW!
OERA is a self-paced online course that teaches the essential components of reading instruction, based in the science of reading, with clear and explicit models immediately applicable to the classroom.

SAVE THE DATE: FALL 2021 SIPPS SYMPOSIUM, 2 - 5pm EST Oct. 28, 2021
This virtual event will feature an informational track plus two professional learning tracks. Details coming soon!

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 9/1/21, 10/6/21, 11/3/21, 1/5/22
  • SIPPS, K–12: Developing and Supporting Foundational Skills; offered 9/8/21, 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 & FYIs -
MT OFFICE OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
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.
OPI MONTANA AUTISM EDUCATION PROJECT is offering 80+ hours of online training in Teaching Procedures for students with autism/cognitive delay, Applied Behavior Analysis, and a variety of focused topics. Click here to learn more.
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 - MT Tuesdays at 2pm Newsletter

"WLI-MT's mission is to make language & culture programming available for ALL Montanans."

  • NEW! After-school K-5 language programs at the Emerson Cultural Center, Bozeman, MT
  • NEW! Saturday Asian languages program at the Emerson (grant-funded & low cost)
  • ONLINE K-5 language classes Tues/Wed

Sign ups for youth programs opened August 10th; adult sign ups begin in September. 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.