IN THIS EDITION...MT STEM Summer Institute Team Registration Deal | Safe & Healthy Schools Grant Update & Upcoming FREE Webinar | April is National Volunteer Month | SSoM Programs | SSoM Partner Resources feat. MTAA Afterschool & Beyond Conference | Joke of the Week | Addt'l Resources | About SSoM | |
|
- ATTENTION TEAMS -
6th ANNUAL MONTANA STEM
SUMMER INSTITUTE
August 5 - 8, 2024 | Bozeman, MT
The Montana STEM Summer Institute is a one-of-a-kind, Montana-made showcase for STEM integration across all grades and subject areas. You’ll enjoy exemplary K-12 STEM instruction and resources, inspiring national speakers, and the best of Montana! We welcome attendees interested in STEM learning in any discipline.
| |
|
General Registration $295 | SSoM Member Rate $245
Team Promo: Register 2 Get 1 FREE
Must use Team Registration link | You will be invoiced
| |
|
MONTANA SAFE & HEALTHY SCHOOLS PROJECT UPDATES
Caring School Community Schoolwide
Program Scholarships
🍎 APPLY NOW, IMPLEMENT IN SY 24 - 25 🍎
Great news! Scholarship applications are coming in, and several have already been awarded for the 2024-25 school year. We have funds available for 2024-25, and scholarships will be awarded until funds are depleted. If you apply and are not awarded for 2024-25, we will bump you to the top of the scholarship list for implementation during the 25 - 26 SY.
Caring School Community Scholarship Details
Caring School Community Scholarship Application
| |
|
Caring School Community Schoolwide Scholarships are a CASEL-Designated SELect Program designed for schools serving grades K - 8. Our goal is to provide resources and support for schoolwide programs focusing on Whole Child Skill Development. Complete details can also be found on our Montana Safe & Healthy Schools Project page.
FREE UPCOMING WEBINAR: Learn About CASEL SELect Caring School Community, K–8, a social and emotional learning program that builds school-wide community (supporting both adults and students), develops students’ social skills, and enables a transformative stance on discipline. Brought to you by our partner, Collaborative Classroom.
For questions about our grant, including scholarship details, click or contact:
Melissa Tovaas, Project Director | mtovaas@mt-schools.org | (406) 272-0021
| |
|
APRIL IS NATIONAL
VOLUNTEER MONTH
Held in April every year, National Volunteer Month is dedicated to honoring all of the volunteers in our communities, as well as encouraging volunteerism throughout the month. Please celebrate & recognize the contributions of volunteers in your communities, join the impact of volunteerism, and encourage more people to get involved in their own communities. This is a great month to reaffirm your commitment to giving back.
ARTICLE: Volunteering and its Surprising Benefits, from HelpGuide.org
Volunteering can help you make friends, learn new skills, advance your career, and even feel happier and healthier. Learn how to find the right volunteer opportunity for you.
| |
|
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.
-
Save the Date: SSoM IEFA Institute | Nov. 7 - 8, 2024 | Anaconda, MT
-
Program Lead: Genevieve Thomas | gthomas@mt-schools.org | (406) 300-2561
| |
|
CO-OP FOOD PROGRAM | 23-24 SY DETAILS
Are rising food costs getting you down? Save time and money with this program, available to ALL MT Schools, child-based educational organizations, early childhood learning centers, and after school programs. Join at any time!
-
Program now open to Licensed Early Learning Centers - contact us for details
-
Program Lead: 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! Customized Zoom training available to all users.
-
Program Lead: Lisa Waterman | Lwaterman@mt-schools.org | (406) 272-0073
| |
|
INFINITE CAMPUS SUPPORT | DETAILS
You can 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. Contact us today!
| |
SSoM PARTNER OPPORTUNITIES | |
|
MTAA AFTERSCHOOL & BEYOND CONFERENCE 2024
April 19 - 20 | 10am - 3pm | Hotel Finlan, Butte
You are invited to a very special conference designed for your professional and personal renewal. In addition to hands-on learning in relevant content areas, we've built time into the schedule to connect with colleagues and focus on the well-being of the youth development professionals who support students beyond the school day. Day One includes two intensive topics focused on making every child feel welcome in your program, as well as safe, empowered, and connected to their community. Day Two has a variety of workshop choices. We've also sprinkled opportunities throughout the conference for personal reflection and networking.
This experience will be as unique and memorable as Butte itself.
| |
|
Use Code NEWSLETTER for a 10% Discount
Additional 20% Team Discount Available
Register Today : )
| |
Contact: Bethany Wieferich, MTAA Quality and Support Lead | bethany@mtafterschoolalliance.org | |
|
DORIS MOUNTAIN SUMMIT
Personalized Competency-Based Education
"Come Climb With Us"
June 26 - 27, 2024 | Flathead High School, Kalispell
Only $25 Per Person! | Earn 14 Renewal Units
Kalispell Public Schools is hosting the “Doris Mountain Personalized Competency Based Education Summit” June 26 & 27 at Flathead HS in Kalispell. And you’re invited!
Join KPS staff, thought-provoking keynotes, insightful panels, and educators from around Montana to build knowledge and gain a network of support as you work toward personalized learning and competency-based approaches. School Services of Montana will be there supporting the summit and proficiency-based education in Montana’s schools!
Schedule & Registration Link | Register by May 1
| |
|

COLLABOR00ATIVE CLASSROOM UPCOMING FREE WEBINARS
Events Calendar
Learn About OL&LA: Online Language & Literacy Academy
Register to Attend Live or Receive the Recording
April 4 | 1:30 - 2:15pm MT | Details & Registration
OL&LA is an asynchronous online course designed for language diverse classrooms, guiding teachers through the research & best practices in reading, & second language acquisition. Join us to find out more about this flexible professional learning solution.
Learn About SIPPS: Grades K-3 | April 10 | 2pm MT; Grades 4-12 | April 11 | 2pm MT
Learn About Being a Writer, 3rd. Ed.: April 18 | 2pm MT
Program Contact: Genevieve Thomas, Director of Professional Learning, gthomas@mt-schools.org
| | |
|
|
MT OFFICE OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
Teacher Learning Hub - a FREE online learning platform providing high-quality professional learning for Montana educators
OPI April 2024 Compass
Featuring: MAST Program, Legislation Implementation (HB 811 & HB 549), 24-25 Teacher Residency Program, Montana Ready & Build Montana Day, Tribal Regalia at Graduation, and more!
For OPI Unit Updates, click here.
| | |
|
|
TEACHER A+ MORTGAGE PROGRAM EVENT
4:30pm April 11, 2024 | Bozeman, MT | Flyer & Video (1:45) | RSVP
Mann Mortgage of Bozeman aims to make home ownership accessible with 100% financing options while simultaneously acknowledging and rewarding the invaluable contributions of educators and staff serving in both public and private schools. Please RSVP and join them for a FREE info session about this incredible opportunity.
| |
|
This program is open to teachers and staff serving both public and private schools! Employees from ALL districts are welcome to attend.
Hosted by Mann Mortgage of Bozeman, in partnership with Bozeman School District
| | |
|
|
MONTANA PBS EDUCATION
Featuring the MT State Parks Collection & Spring Field Trip Ideas
Take your students on an adventure to one of the Montana State Parks and let Montana PBS be your tour guide!
- Get your students excited for the trip by watching a quick overview video about all the things they will see in the park.
- Use the background reading documents to talk to students about the park and what they might learn on the field trip.
- Take it further by exploring the photo gallery & the wandering wonders video to get a preview of the landscape of the park.
- During your field trip use the Park Visitation Guide in the support materials to keep track of things you observe.
- Once you are back from the field trip take a look at the lesson video and do a hands-on activity to explore a science or social studies topic related to the park.
This original collection contains teacher resources for exploring Lewis and Clark Caverns, Makoshika State Park, Flathead Lake, and First People's Buffalo Jump.
🌟 Start Your Trip! 🌟
| |
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.
Newsletter Archives
| | | | |
