🍎 STEM Institute Team Promo = Budget-Friendly Solution to High-Quality PD Needs, and More : )

May 1, 2024 Edition

- Attention SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS -

6th ANNUAL MONTANA STEM

SUMMER INSTITUTE

August 5 - 7, 2024 | Bozeman, MT

The 2023-2024 school year is quickly coming to a close, summer beckons, and you're already thinking about the next school year. How will School Administrators provide their teachers with outstanding STEM professional learning in a fiscally-responsible way?

We understand that funding for professional learning is scarce, and we are here to help! The Montana STEM Summer Institute will be held in Bozeman in August, and we have a budget-friendly solution to your high quality PD needs.

General Registration: $295

SSoM Member Rate: $245

Click the TEAM PROMO

graphic to get this deal &

you will receive an invoice.

Detailed Schedule Coming Later in May!

2024 Conference Details | List of SSoM Member Districts | Flyer to Share

Melissa Tovaas, SSoM Executive Director | mtovaas@mt-schools.org | (646) 831-7264

- Attention Food Service Directors -

CO-OP FOOD PROGRAM

NEWS YOU CAN USE

USDA RELEASES FINAL RULE ON NUTRITION STANDARDS

USDA has released their final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, establishing long-term school nutrition standards. Here are a few highlights:

The rule will take effect July 1, 2024.
USDA is gradually phasing in mandates, and schools are not required to make any menu changes until SY 25 - 26 at the earliest.
Full details can be found on the USDA website, including a comparison of the 2023 proposed rule with the final standards.
A USDA press release issued April 24, 2024, discusses gradual implementation of these updates set to begin in Fall 2025. Key updates include:
Added Sugars, Milk, Sodium, Whole Grains, & Local Food Purchases
School Nutrition Association (SNA) issued a press release in appreciation to USDA for establishing more attainable, long-term goals while urging Congress to provide funds to ensure schools can successfully implement the rules.

SSoM Co-op Food Program Details | Questions? Please contact:

Jennifer Brekke, Purchasing Manager | jbrekke@mt-schools.org | (406) 580-7547

SSoM PROGRAMS & SERVICES

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.

Interested in a CPI Workshop? Reach out to Genevieve, our newest Certified Instructor!
Save the Date: SSoM IEFA Institute | Nov. 7 - 8, 2024 | Anaconda, MT
Program Lead: Genevieve Thomas | gthomas@mt-schools.org | (406) 300-2561

MECC CURRICULUM CONSORTIUM | DETAILS

MECC is an add-on benefit exclusive to SSoM Member Districts. Details & registration links for upcoming MECC reviews can be found in the 2023 - 2024 MECC Meetings & Events Calendar.

Program Lead: Melissa Tovaas | mtovaas@mt-schools.org | (646) 831-7264

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, licensed early childhood learning centers, and after school programs. Join at any time!

Program now open to Licensed Early Learning Centers & Providers! Think you won't qualify for the program? Ask Jennifer about becoming part of a Consolidation Team!
MT School Nutrition Assoc (MTSNA) Conference Registration | June 24 - 27 | Billings, MT
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!

Infinite Campus 2024 YES PD Series: May 7 & 8
Program Lead: Mary Anne Skinner | maskinner@mt-schools.org | (406) 256-7306

SSoM PARTNER OPPORTUNITIES

THE READING LEAGUE MT

HB352 Support & Summer Book Study

Established in 2022, The Reading League Montana (TRL-MT) chapter supports the advancement of the Science of Reading. TRL-MT shares the mission of the national organization of advancing the awareness, understanding, and use of evidence-based reading instruction.

GROW YOUR HB352 KNOWLEDGE

In response to the HB352 legislation, TRL-MT is working to support MT Educators in building capacity to develop high quality early childhood programs. If you missed the first two virtual sessions, you can catch the recordings here:

🎞️April 5 Creating & Sustaining Early Learning Programs That Align With HB352

🎞️April 11 Building an Inclusive Early Learning Model Aligned to HB352 For All Students

🎞️April 29 Creating Alliances That Build Strong Early Learning Communities

Please contact Genevieve Thomas for a link to the April 29th recording : )

STAY TUNED for session info on effective screening & curriculum evaluation

TRL-MT 2024 SUMMER BOOK STUDY | June 17 - July 29

Effective Universal Instruction: An Action-Oriented Approach to Improving Tier 1

Hosted by The Reading League | FREE Registration | Use code SUMMER2024 for 10% off the book

SSoM Director of Professional Learning, Genevieve Thomas, can attest to the usefulness of this resource for analyzing and improving universal instruction through an MTSS model.

Questions about TRL-MT? Please contact Genevieve Thomas

gthomas@mt-schools.org | (406) 300-2561

COLLABORATIVE CLASSROOM

FOCUS ON READING SUPPORT

Upcoming Webinars & a SIPPS

Summer Reading Course

Events Calendar

FEATURED WEBINAR: PD Opportunity for Early Childhood Educators

I ntroducing SEEDS of Learning: Ensure Early Literacy Success for Children 3 - 5

May 7 | 2 - 2:45pm MT | Free!

Join Collaborative Classroom to learn about this professional learning framwork for adults who care for and teach young children. SEEDS empowers adults with the knowledge to develop oral language, emergent literacy, and SEL skills in 3 - 5 year olds, setting them up for success in kindergarten and beyond.

NEW WEBINAR! Stop, Collaborate, and Listen: Actionable Strategies for Amplifying Student Voices | May 9 | 2-3pm MT | FREE

Learn proven classroom strategies that encourage students to reflect thoughtfully, speak confidently, and listen respectfully. We'll discuss authentic ways to build trusting relationships and rapport to create safe learning environments.

CURRICULUM RESOURCES TO SUPPORT YOUR SUMMER READING JUMPSTART PROGRAM

SIPPS is an accelerated reading intervention program designed to develop independent readers who read with fluency and automaticity. Designed to be taught in differentiated, small group 30-minute lessons, SIPPS is a great addition to Summer Jumpstart Programs designed to increase reading proficiency.

SIPPS Summer Virtual Learning Course (5) 2-hr Virtual Sessions | $150/person

1-3pm MT ea. day: 6/18, 6/25, 7/9, 7/16, 7/18 | For educators implementing SIPPS in SY 24-25

Please reach out to Genevieve if you would like to discuss any of these opportunities:

Genevieve Thomas, SSoM Director of Professional Learning, gthomas@mt-schools.org

JOKE OF THE WEEK

PSA - do NOT leave your windows open while your car

is parked in Livingston in the summer. Someone is bound

to leave a zucchini on your front seat. Or 5.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

MT OFFICE OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

Teacher Learning Hub - a FREE online learning platform providing high-quality professional learning for Montana educators

OPI May 2024 Compass | OPI Unit Updates

Featuring: MAST Program update; ESSER Funds; Teacher Residency Program; Budget & Education Working Group; and...

2025 Teacher of the Year Nominations due by May 10th!

NATIVE AMERICAN STUDIES FOR TEACHERS

3-Week Course | June 10 - 28 | Zoom + Asynchronous Work | 45 OPI Renewal Units OR 3 UM Grad Credits | Details & Registration

Chickadee Community Services is leading this course that will help teachers develop understanding of American Indian history, culture, policy, and contemporary issues to create more comprehensive, accurate IEFA teaching units.

Week 1 & 2 Focus: tribal topics
Week 3: provides support for new or improved IEFA units, or choose to conduct research toward a future IEFA unit

What's the MONTANA PBS Difference?

Global Perspectives; Local Stories

"You may be familiar with conversations about “media consolidation.” The phrase is a mouthful, but it’s simply another way of saying more and more of the media options available to us are owned by fewer and fewer companies. Often this results in less locally focused programming and less connection to the community. This is not, and never has been, the path for Montana PBS.

The nationally distributed programming you spend time with tackles topics of interest to people coast to coast. Yet each unique locale across America originates its own stories, too. An important part of our mission is to fully examine those stories by creating community-focused productions and projects specifically for the people of this region.

We're proud of that part of our mission as a noncommercial public media institution serving Montana. You can see all we have going on by visiting our website.

Thanks for your interest in Montana PBS. People who value the Montana PBS difference are why we do what we do.

Sincerely,

Kristana Martin

Director of Development

All 5 Montana CSPDs Offer FREE PD in Their Regions

Region I - Eastern MT | Region II - North Central MT | Region III - South Central MT

Region IV - Southwest MT | Region V - Northwest MT

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.

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