November 2, 2022 Edition
IN THIS EDITION.. SSoM Welcomes New Member District | Upcoming MECC Reviews | SSoM Infinite Campus Support | Co-op Food Program Highlights | SSoM Program Updates & Resources | NEW Grant Opportunities | SSoM Partner Resources | Joke of the Week | Additional Resources | About SSoM
SSoM Welcomes New Member District
HELENA FLATS SCHOOL

Established in 1892, Helena Flats School is a moderately sized K-8 district serving approximately 280 students in Kalispell, MT. Their leadership team implemented a STEM-education focus this year, and the district is making gains with SIPPS and a dedicated reading intervention specialist. Helena Flats School was recently selected for the 2022 Best of Kalispell Award in the Public Educational Institution category by the Kalispell Award Program.

Since early 2021, Helena Flats School has worked with SSoM through customized Professional Learning plans, they recently switched to SSoM Infinite Campus support, and they are exploring additional SSoM programs and services.

Click their logo to learn more, and be sure to give them a hearty GO CHIEFS!
UPCOMING REVIEW
MONTANA EDUCATION
CURRICULUM CONSORTIUM
- INFORMATION LITERACY AND LIBRARY MEDIA -
NOV 21 @ Anaconda - full day
DEC 15 @ Anaconda - half day 10am -2pm
*Your shared info helps us plan these sessions & meet you where you are at.

For more information about MECC, please contact our Executive Director:
Melissa Tovaas | mtovaas@mt-schools.org | (646) 831-7264
SWMSS IC Combo Logo

Did you know? Your district can
SWITCH TO SSoM INFINITE CAMPUS SUPPORT FOR FREE


By choosing SSoM as your support team, you're accessing a combined 20+ years of Infinite Campus expertise with a team certified in Support, Implementation Management, and Teaching Teams within Infinite Campus. Virtual and onsite collaboration and training is available for district staff at every skill level in groups or one-on-one. SSoM member districts receive discounted rates for all paid services, and discounted multi-day PD contracts are available for every Montana school. Click here for details.
Questions about using SSoM support? Contact our Director of Infinite Campus Support Services:
Mary Anne Skinner | maskinner@mt-schools.org | (406) 256-7306

Did you know?
SSoM CO-OP FOOD PROGRAM
FREE Sign Up for ALL
Montana Schools!
~ PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS ~
Every school receives the same great prices
Place orders as needed; deliveries made as often as weekly via US Foods
Access US Foods entire website of food, disposables, and smallwares
Every district receives a dedicated Account Executive
One-on-one e-commerce website training is available


Questions? Ready to OPT IN to the program? Contact our Purchasing Manager:
Jennifer Brekke | jbrekke@mt-schools.org | (406) 580-7547
SSoM PROGRAM UPDATES & RESOURCES
NEW FOOD PROGRAM BONUS PERKS
Districts who have opted into our 22-23 Co-op Food Program have access to one of the most comprehensive K-12 purchasing portfolios in the US, featuring 300+ K-12 contracts! In addition to the ODP program (below) stay tuned for details on three new contracts:

  1. School Safety: Classroom Lockdown Systems 3 options | code-compliant | no training required
  2. UV-C Disinfection System efficacy 3rd party tested against COVID, MRSA, E. coli
  3. Uniforms & Aprons for kitchen staff, facility management staff, & more
SIGN UP TODAY: OFFICE DEPOT PROFESSIONAL (ODP) PROGRAM
Boise X9 Copy Paper $30.39 / 10-ream Case
Free Direct Shipping with $100 minimum order!
** Price guaranteed through June 30, 2023 **

Reply to this newsletter for complete details, or contact our Purchasing Manager directly:
Jennifer Brekke | jbrekke@mt-schools.org | (406) 580-7547
YOUR MEDICAID MOMENT November 2022 Edition
Have you read the latest Medicaid Service Portal Newsletter? This edition focuses on Medicaid Billing Service logs & procedures:

  • Adding Personal Care Services & logging your minutes using the PCA and Nursing Wizard
  • Creating or Updating Your Caseload
  • Adding Goals to a Student Account
  • Creating Groups in the Service Portal
  • Your Secure Service Portal Password

Click HERE for info about how this program could benefit your school, or contact:
Lisa Waterman, Medicaid Billing Program Specialist | lwaterman@mt-schools.org
UNDERSTANDING & SUPPORTING STUDENTS WITH DYSLEXIA & OTHER READING DISABILITIES, brought to you by SSoM
A Self-Paced, Online Course | Register Here

GOAL: to deepen your knowledge about dyslexia as it relates to Montana’s Dyslexia Screening and Intervention Act, the science of reading, and research-based literacy assessment and instructional practices in a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS)
  • designed by Genevieve Thomas, literacy expert and consultant at Spark Educational Consulting
  • 11 OPI Renewal Units
  • SSoM Members receive $20 discount
  • Available thru June 30, 2023
4 CYBERSECURITY ACTION STEPS TO TAKE
AT SCHOOL AND AT HOME
While October was Cybersecurity Awareness Month, basic cyber hygiene practices will help keep you save online year-round.
~ Recognize and Report Phishing
~ Update Your Software
~ Use Strong Passwords
~ Enable Multi-Factor Authentication
2 FEDERAL GRANT OPPORTUNITIES: DOE & USDE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ANNOUNCES $80M IN GRANTS FOR SCHOOL ENERGY PROJECTS Read more here
The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced more than $80M, the first tranche of funding in a $500M investment, to make clean energy improvements in K-12 public schools. Funds will empower school districts to make upgrades that will lower facilities’ energy costs and improve student learning environments. Grant applications will open by the end of 2022.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION LEGISLATIVE NEWS
3 UPDATES REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH Read the update
This update details several grants available through the US Dept. of Education, including:

  • New LEA Mental Health Grants: apply by November 3
  • School-Based Mental Health Services Grant Program Webinars
  • Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program
SSoM PARTNER RESOURCES & EVENTS
MSU SCIENCE MATH RESOURCE CENTER (SMRC)

Featured STEM PD and Youth Programs
> Science Olympiad Coach Kickoff Nov 29
> Article: SMRC Instructor uses NSF research to demonstrate Proficiency-based Education

Be sure to check out STEM Resources from SMRC Partners!

Subscribe to Brainstorms! | Follow SMRC on Facebook | Click the SMRC logo for more
RESOURCES TO SUPPORT YOUR TEACHING & LEARNING
Professional learning is always top of mind - what practices and support structures create the ideal conditions for teacher learning?

COMPLIMENTARY 1-HOUR VIRTUAL EVENTS
  • Nov 3 The Urgent Need to Support Older Readers 1:30pm MT
  • Nov 15 Exploring Common Misconceptions about the Science of Reading 3:30pm MT
  • Dec 6 The Science of Reading in Practice 3:30pm MT
  • Dec 8 A Conversation about Coaching with Jan Hasbrouck and Daryl Michel 2pm MT

For more information about what Collaborative Classroom has to offer to your district, contact:
Melissa Tovaas, Collaborative Classroom Liaison, mtovaas@mt-schools.org
JOKE OF THE WEEK
The way my kids use toothpaste they'll never
have a cavity in their bathroom sink.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
MT OFFICE OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

OPI Education Compass - November 2022 Ed.
DESTINATION IMAGINATION in MONTANA
Destination Imagination is a creativity competition that challenges students from around the world to come up with innovative solutions to STEAM-based problems. Teachers who bring DI into their classrooms play an important role in developing our next generation of leaders and innovators.

The 2022-23 DI season is now officially open! Montana DI is offering a COVID Recovery Discount of up to 80% off for the first 25 team registrations this year. Learn more here:

To sign up a team in Montana, please contact DI-MT Affiliate Director:
Alyce Lachney | montanacq@mt-di.org | (612) 323-8631
MONTANA PBS EDUCATOR E-NEWSLETTER
October 28, 2022 | Issue 69

Hiding In Plain Sight Virtual PD Series for K-12 Teachers
Nov 7, 14, & 21, 2022 | 4 - 6pm each session | OPI Credit Available

Hiding In Plain Sight Student Media Making Workshop
Dec 10, 2022 9am - 3pm | Breakfast & Lunch Provided | for Students ages 13 - 20 | Parents encouraged to attend & participate

Learn At Home, Too with Montana PBS
Resources available to every Pre-K through 12th grade student and teacher who needs educational resources for learning at home
Click the link above for complete content including workshop details & registration.
Join our MTPBS Teachers Facebook Group HERE | Join our email list HERE
WORLD LANGUAGE INITIATIVE - MONTANA
"Making language and culture learning available for all Montanans"

Featuring: Program Updates | Spring 2023 Programming Survey! | Upcoming Events November & December 2022
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.