September 26, 2018 Edition
IN THIS EDITION New SWMSS Member District | 2019 Tech Summit Presenter Proposals Due Sept. 30 | FREE: GT Fall Super Saturdays | FREE: IEFA PD Oct. 18 | Fall CPI Workshop Schedule | 2018-19 MECC Agenda | Co-op Food Program Fall Dates | Tech Support Tip of the Week | Joke of the Week | Addt'l PD Opportunities & Resources
PLEASE WELCOME OUR NEWEST MEMBER DISTRICT
- LOCKWOOD ELEMENTARY -
The Lockwood School District is located in the Lockwood community just east of Billings, MT. Over 1150 students, kindergarten through eighth grade, attend school on a single campus. The many teachers, support staff, administrators, and school board members provide the best learning environment possible for the students and community. Recently, Lockwood School District expanded to a K-12 District; the new high school is scheduled to open in the Fall of 2020. 

Interested in what membership with SWMSS could do for your district? Please contact our office for details.
Legendary Education
Lasting Foundation
Limitless Future!

-click logo for website-
- CALL FOR PRESENTERS -
6TH ANNUAL TECH SUMMIT
February 4-5, 2019 | Bozeman, MT
This event aims to continue the trend of being one of the largest gatherings of technology-oriented instruction and integration in Montana. Our two-day event will provide meaningful content across five separate strands, as well as opportunities for professional networking. The goal is to put valuable information and tools into our attendees hands that they can immediately apply in their classrooms to get their students more engaged and excited about technology.
We would LOVE to get a presenter proposal from YOU for a breakout session! Our five areas of focus include presentations for administrators, school board members, women in technology, classroom technology integration intended for utilization / practical application by all subject areas, and technology support staff.

DID YOU KNOW??? If your proposal is accepted you
receive FREE registration to the ENTIRE EVENT!

- PRESENTER PROPOSALS DUE SEPTEMBER 30 -
PLEASE CLICK HERE to submit your proposal
For more information please contact:
Mary Anne Skinner | [email protected] | (406) 522-6069
Melissa Tovaas | [email protected] | (646) 831-7264
- FREE SWMSS PD -
GT FALL SUPER SATURDAYS
presented by Dianne Fowler, M. ED
8:30am - 3:30pm Oct. 6 & Dec. 8 in Bozeman
6 OPI Renewal Units Available per Workshop
- MUST REGISTER TO ATTEND -
Register here for Oct. 6 (deadline is Oct. 2)
Register here for Dec. 8 (deadline is Dec. 4)

For additional information please contact our instructor:
Dianne Fowler | [email protected] | cell (830) 870-2002
FREE PD Opportunity
INDIAN EDUCATION FOR ALL
MEA DAY ALTERNATIVE
9-4pm Oct. 18th | Willson School 217A | Bozeman

Please join us for a day of IEFA professional learning, grades K-12.
- Up to 6 OPI Renewal Units Available -
Presented by IEFA Educational Consultants Kim Quigley & Dr. Shane Doyle

9-12pm: Developing Questions & Planning Inquiries Using IEFA Resources
1-4pm: Applying Inquiry Strategies with the NEW Bison Trunk

Although this event is FREE you must register to attend:
Registration Deadline is Tuesday, October 16th

For additional information please contact:
Kim Quigley | [email protected] | (406) 539-3521
FALL 2018 CPI WORKSHOPS
Oct. 10th & Oct. 11th hosted by Lockwood Elem.
Nov. 9th at the Willson Building in Bozeman (tent.)
The Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training program is a safe, nonharmful behavior management system designed to help human service providers give the best possible care, welfare, safety and security to disruptive, assaultive, and out-of-control individuals. Our one day workshop provides you with 8 OPI Renewal Units.
CPI Square
The October Workshops will be held at Lockwood Elementary
- REGISTRATION OPEN TO ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS -

Click HERE if you are interested in the Nov. 9th workshop.

Questions? Please contact our CPI instructor:
Melissa Hanson | [email protected]
2018-19 MECC AGENDA
Kicking Off the New Year!

Our goal is to support curriculum work at our member school districts by building awareness of the process with staff through MECC overviews and supporting your district's curriculum goals through review sessions.

REGISTRATION LINKS FOR REVIEW SESSIONS
Science - September 26 & November 14
ELA - Elementary - October 3 & January 16
ELA - Secondary - October 24 & January 23
Social Studies - September 19 & December 5
Counseling - January 15
World Language - February 20

2nd Tuesday of every month @ 3:45 pm

Questions? Please contact our Co-Director of Education:
Melissa Tovaas | [email protected] | cell (646) 831-7264
- Attention Participating Districts -
FALL 2018 CO-OP FOOD PROGRAM
VERY IMPORTANT DATES
Thank you to the 100+ school districts who participated in the Fall 2018 order window. You were a part of another record-breaking order! [insert pat on the back]
DID YOU KNOW???
Advisory Committee Meetings Dates Have Changed!
Miles City = Oct. 30; Great Falls = Nov. 1; Missoula = Nov. 2

Spring 2019 Order Window Dates: Nov. 15 - Dec. 11

- USEFUL LINKS -

For more information please contact:
Cindy Giese | [email protected] | cell (406) 366-9829
Jennifer Brekke | [email protected] | (406) 522-6024
TECH SUPPORT TIP OF THE WEEK
"Aren't you glad it's not last week again?"
Tired? Not enough caffeine? Need a support group? We can help!

  1. Watch for an email from Stephanie Sondrol for Infinite User Group Meeting Dates in November;
  2. Register for the User Group Meeting in a town near you
  3. Come and enjoy all of the wonderful collaboration, Infinite Campus Updates, and peer-to-peer mentoring along with coffee and goodies!
"We're listening. We're here for your district. We're up to the challenge."

Mary Anne Skinner | [email protected] | (406) 522-6069
JOKE OF THE WEEK
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL LEARNING & RESOURCES





  • FREE PD in Southwest MT by Region IV CSPD:
  • Life Centered Education (LCE) Training: Oct. 3 in Butte; Details
  • Breaking the Behavior Code, by Jessica Minahan: Oct. 29 in Bozeman; Details


  • FREE K-12 STEM Competition for Students and Teachers - deadline Feb. 6; Details

  • Alliance for Curriculum Enhancement (ACE) Literary Institute - Nov. 14-16 in Billings, MT: Unlocking the Reading Code (PK - 2); Registration/Details Here

  • SWMSS 2018-19 Indian Education for All (IEFA) Offerings - Flyer
THANK YOU TO OUR 2018-19
MAJOR BUSINESS SPONSORS
FREE Dream Big IMAX DVD & Teaching Kit Opportunity for Montana
Middle & Elementary School STEM Teachers - film details here

To request a kit please contact:
Scott Hedglin | [email protected] | (406) 404-1777
2019 CALENDAR SALE now through Nov. 2
SWMSS Member discounts available -
the prices will knock your socks off!