IN THIS EDITION...January CPI Workshops | IEFA Lesson Demos | IEFA Hub Course | Flathead Valley IEFA Institute | Infinite Campus Data Days | SSoM Program Updates & Resources | SSoM Partner Resources feat. Suicide Screening & Prevention | Joke of the Week | Additional Resources | About SSoM

SSoM is hosting 3 Crisis Prevention Institute classes in January 2022 in Gallatin County. REGISTER NOW by clicking the link below with your preferred date/location, and be sure to get your online course completed before class begins:

- REGISTRATION CLOSES FRIDAY, JAN. 14 -

Jan. 28, 12:30pm - 4:30pm in Three Forks

Please note that these CPI courses will be hybrid – you will be required to complete a 4 hour course online prior to the live training at the above dates to be certified. For this reason, registration will close approximately one week prior to each course to provide you with sufficient time to complete the online portion of the course. 

Click here for more details about our CPI workshops, including hosting, or contact:

Join us for a series of (4) 2-hour webinars facilitated by Dottie Susag. The goal of the series is to experience lessons that authentically integrate the Essential Understandings Regarding Montana Indians. After an interactive lesson, participants will debrief and discuss ideas for adapting and integrating the lesson into your classroom. Sessions will be recorded; join live or watch the recorded session.

OPI RENEWAL UNITS: earn 2 for each 2-hour session you join OR 4 per session by implementing the lesson in your classroom and completing a follow-up reflection form.

FREE OPI Learning Hub Facilitated Course

Jan. 24 - Mar. 4, 2022

Unpack the Essential Understandings Regarding Montana Indians in order to understand the spirit of the law and why implementation is essential. Make personal connections, discover personal biases, and discuss common misconceptions in a safe, supportive environment. Resources provided include video clips, primary source documents, and more.

Facilitated by: Allyson Briese, Jacie Jeffers, Jennifer Stadum, Jordann Lankford-Forster, Melissa Tovaas, and Miranda Murray

Best suited for K-12 teachers currently in the classroom. 15 OPI renewal units!

March 16, 2022 | 8:30am - 3pm | Kalispell, MT

Join us for a day of IEFA learning with award-winning Montana educators, Jordann Lankford-Forster (Bright Trail Woman) and Miranda Murray.

The Flathead Valley IEFA Institute, hosted by School Services of Montana and Kalispell Public Schools, will provide foundational information concerning the seven “Essential Understandings Regarding Montana Indians” and tools to implement Indigenous content into your curriculum. Participants may not feel comfortable or know where to begin, and that is okay! The facilitators will provide you with the support and sustainable resources to advance cultural content and Native resources in your classrooms, no matter where you are in your IEFA implementation. Participants will gain instruction and crucial essential understandings as diverse perspectives are important for all students’ success.

Join over 200 Districts across the country for 3 days of incredible Infinite Campus training on all things data and scheduling! 10 sessions will be available each day (click here for times) Your favorite Tech Minion, Mary Anne Skinner, will be leading a few sessions, so stay tuned for the full list of 2022 resources coming next week!

One flat fee covers your ENTIRE district's registration. Discounts available

Contact: Melissa Tovaas, Director of Education Services, mtovaas@mt-schools.org

Science Summer Institute 2022 Save the Date: July 25-27, 2022

Contact: Jennifer Brekke, Marketing & Purchasing Manager, jbrekke@mt-schools.org

Delivery 1 start date pushed to Monday, Jan. 31; Deliveries 2 - 5 not affected

CRDC RESOURCES (with love from your favorite SSoM Tech Minion)

CRDC New User Starter Guide | CRDC 2020-21 School Form | CRDC Quick Start Guide

TIMELINE: collection phase began 12/13/21 & runs 75 calendar days, ends 2/28/22

USEFUL CRDC INFO: School Characteristics & Null vs. 0 Values [click here]

Virtual Panel Discussion

Wednesday, February 23, 2022, 1 - 2pm

Join us for a virtual panel discussion to learn more about the Rural Behavioral Health Institute’s Screening Linked to Care (SLTC) suicide assessment and intervention. During this session, our expert panel will share an overview of SLTC and how the process works, followed by a discussion of why and how it was implemented in Livingston, how it fits with MTSS and other schools’ mental health programming, and how this intervention is likely to reduce suicidality. Also learn about how RBHI is currently able to offer the SLTC free to schools through grant support. Click here for complete details in a flyer you can share.

This is a FREE event! Please register here to receive the Zoom link to join. The recording will also be shared with registrants after the event.

Moderator: Melissa Tovaas, SSoM Director of Education Services

This webinar is brought to you through a collaboration between:

Collaborative Classroom offers curated virtual events and authentic professional learning opportunities for K-12 educators. Most events are complimentary and under an hour!

2022 VIRTUAL EVENTS *most events start at 2pm MST

Visit the Events Calendar for a full listing of offerings, or click their logo for more.

OPI Monthly Compass - January 2022 Ed.

Featuring: MT Science Fair 3/28 (registration now open), MSSE Engineering Methods for Teachers, NSTA Nat'l Conference 3/31 - 4/3 in Houston TX, MT Science Olympiad 4/15, OPI Summer Institute 6/20 - 6/24, and more! Click here for full details.

Michelle McCarthy, M.Ed. | Science Instructional Coordinator, OPI | mmccarthy@mt.gov

This USER GUIDE explains the process for entering student & school Modes of Instruction. The data should be maintained continually throughout the school year to ensure accurate reporting during the following collection times:

FALL: 11/1 - 12/10/2021 | TEST WINDOW: 4/7 - 5/27/2022 | EOY: 5/9 - 6/30/2022

Monday, Jan. 31, 2022 | 5:00 - 8:30pm | Dinner Provided | Location TBD, Bozeman

You have the power to help ensure your school is a safe, equitable space where all students feel affirmed. This training is for all people who work in education, regardless of role or student ages. For full details about topics & resources covered, click here (flyer). Registration closes January 27th - click here to register.

Creators: Bridgercare staff and members of LGBTQ+ communities & educators

All 5 CSPDs offer FREE VIRTUAL PD for their respective regions. Click for details:

Region I (Eastern MT) | Region II | Region III | Region IV | Region V (Western MT)

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.