IN THIS EDITION...MT STEM Summer Institute: Call for Presenters Now Open; Registration Opens Jan. 29 | NEW Customized PD Spotlight: Park City Schools | February MECC Reviews | Co-op Food Program Announcement | SSoM Podcast Fav' | SSoM Program Overview | SSoM Partner Resources | Joke of the Week | Additional Resources | About SSoM | | |
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Montana STEM Summer Institute 2024
"STEM Across the Curriculum"
CALL FOR PRESENTERS!
Proposal Deadline: March 28
You are invited and encouraged to apply as a presenter! K-12 teachers, informal & home-school educators, school leaders, and other STEM enthusiasts are ALL WELCOME!
Click here for the presenter form.
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Our conference theme is built around three strands:
- Planning STEM Learning Environments
- Implementing Ready-To-Use STEM-Based Projects
- Reimagining STEM Learning
Questions? Please contact our Director of Curriculum & Assessment:
Jake Chipps | jchipps@mt-schools.org | (818) 481-6788
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- REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 29 -
MONTANA STEM SUMMER INSTITUTE
"STEM Across the Curriculum"
August 5 - 7, 2024 | MSU - Bozeman
School Services of Montana and the MSU Science Math Resource Center are hosting the 6th Annual Montana STEM Summer Institute on the MSU - Bozeman campus. We welcome presenters and attendees interested in STEM learning at any grade level, in any discipline!
SSoM Member District & Early Bird Discounts Are Available
Questions? Please contact our Director of Curriculum & Assessment:
Jake Chipps | jchipps@mt-schools.org | (818) 481-6788
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SSoM SUPPORT FOR ALIGNING INSTRUCTION WITH EVIDENCE-BASED READING PRACTICES
Feat. SSoM Member District Park City Schools
On February 9, Genevieve will be joining the Park City Schools team of educators for the first of two conversations about “The ‘Science of Reading’: Big Ideas and Instructional Implications.” In this kickoff, teams will learn about models that illustrate how reading develops before diving into the subcomponent skills that lead to proficient word reading. Stay tuned for an update on key learnings and a preview of the objectives for our second session in March.
DID YOU KNOW? SSoM can support your district’s efforts to align instruction with evidence-based reading practices!
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SSoM SUPPORT FOR ELA CURRICULUM ADOPTION COMMITTEES
Featuring Lolo Public Schools
It's the time of year when district curriculum adoption committees are reviewing programs and finalizing recommendations. Genevieve Thomas recently kicked off a series of training sessions for the Lolo School District’s ELA curriculum adoption committee. These professional learning experiences are designed to build the capacity of the committee to review curriculum samples through the lens of the Science of Reading.
100% of participants in the first in-person experience agreed or strongly agreed that they learned something they will apply in their practice, and key takeaways included:
- a deeper understanding of evidence-based practices related to word study, vocabulary, & comprehension strategy instruction;
- an appreciation for the evolution of text complexity required as students develop foundational reading skills;
- consideration for the role of the whole group and differentiated small group instruction within the core ELA block.
DID YOU KNOW? SSoM can support your district’s ELA curriculum adoption work!
Read about SSoM Customized Professional Learning, or schedule a chat today!
Genevieve Thomas, SSoM Director of Professional Learning
gthomas@mt-schools.org | 406-300-2561
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FEBRUARY MECC FRAMEWORK DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS
Attn. MECC Curriculum Development Leads!
After we have furthered our understanding of proficiency, we will identify assessments that align to the different levels of proficiency. During these sessions, teachers will share ideas and consider assessment alignment to the skills and standards of their content.
SUPPORT FOR THIS WORK: we will review different types of assessments, assessment strategies, and how observational and student-generated assessments may be used to check for progress.
Friday, 2/16: Arts & CTE | 1 - 3pm | Virtual | Register
Wednesday, 2/21: Counseling | 1 - 3pm | Virtual | Register
Friday, 2/23: Health Enhancement | 1 - 3pm | Virtual | Register
Monday, 2/26: Science | 1 - 3pm | Virtual | Register
Want to know how the SSoM curriculum consortium can benefit your district? Contact:
Jake Chipps, SSoM Directory of Curriculum Development | jchipps@mt-schools.org |
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📢 SSoM CO-OP FOOD
PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT
In an effort to combat the rising costs of food for nutrition programs serving children in Montana, SSoM is proud to announce that our Co-op Food Program is now OPEN to Early Child Care Education Centers & Child Care Providers!
This program has served school districts across Montana for 8 years and features ZERO access fees, the same LOW prices, and incredible savings for ALL participants. Program details can be found on the SSoM website.
We partnered with Raise Montana & their Child Care Referral & Resource network, Zero to Five Montana, and Montana DPHHS to spread the word about this cost-saving program.
Please HELP US HELP YOUR K-12 Community! Spread the word to your local Child Care Providers about this NEW opportunity, and have them contact our program manager today!
Jennifer Brekke | jbrekke@mt-schools.org | (406) 580-7547
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SSoM OF OUR FAVORITE 🎙️PODCASTS🎙️
New Podcasts and Books Coming Next Week!
Genevieve Thomas loved a recent episode of the Melissa and Lori Love Literacy podcast in which preeminent reading researcher Hugh Catts describes two popular models of reading proposed within the Science of Reading: The Simple View of Reading and Scarborough’s Reading Rope. Even educators familiar with these models are likely to learn some nuances, and at just 24 minutes, it’s easy to fit a listen into your busy day.
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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.
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MECC CURRICULUM CONSORTIUM | DETAILS
Updated resources include the 23-24 Meetings & Events Calendar, 7-Year Curriculum Review Cycle, and Curricular Frameworks.
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Program Contact: Jake Chipps | jchipps@mt-schools.org | (818) 481-6788
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CO-OP FOOD PROGRAM | 23-24 SY DETAILS
Are rising food costs getting you down? This program is available to ALL Montana Schools (public, private, county, state), child-based educational organizations, early childhood learning centers, and after school programs. Join at any time during the year!
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Exclusive Savings Available! Copy Paper @ $39.99 / 10-ream case DELIVERED
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Program Contact: Jennifer Brekke | jbrekke@mt-schools.org | (406) 580-7547
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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! Zoom training now available! Click DETAILS for more info.
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Medicaid Service Portal Newsletter January 2024 Edition
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Program Contact: Lisa Waterman | Lwaterman@mt-schools.org | (406) 272-0073
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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!
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IC 2024 Y.E.S. Series PD: Feb 6 - 7 | Mar 6 & 20 | April 2 - 3 | May 7 - 8
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Program Contact: Mary Anne Skinner | maskinner@mt-schools.org | (406) 256-7306
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SSoM PARTNER OPPORTUNITIES | |
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WMPLC 26th ANNUAL AUGUST INSTITUTE
July 31 - August 2, 2024 | Missoula, MT & Virtual
Call for Presenters Now Open!
Submit Presenter Proposals Here | Proposals Due April 1
This year's conference focus is on technology integration and safety in core content areas. Jeff Crews & Dean Phillips will keynote the event, and Blackfoot, our co-sponsor, will be providing a limited number of registration scholarships to member schools!
We encourage you to apply to present at the 26th August Institute which will be held July 31-August 2, 2024. It will be a hybrid conference: in person sessions are at Missoula College July 31 and Aug 1 only, and virtual sessions will be offered all 3 days (all Friday sessions are virtual). This is a change from previous years. All sessions will be in 1, 2, or 3 hour blocks with the exception of a few full-day sessions.
SPECIAL INTEREST TOPICS INCLUDE: Technology - including A.I., Cybersecurity, Internet Safety, and Classroom integration; IEFA; Social/Emotional Learning - including Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, and Substance Abuse Prevention
ENTER THE 2024 TAGLINE CONTEST! We are accepting suggestions for this year's conference tagline. Submit the winning tagline and receive a gift from WMPLC!
Enter Tagline Contest Here | Entries Due NLT March 1
Please contact the WMPLC Continuing Education Course Manager with questions:
Erin Lipkind, Ed.D. | elipkind@wmplc.org | 406-218-0186
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MSU SCIENCE MATH RESOURCE CENTER
Brainstorms! January 2024 Ed. | Subscribe Here
Welcome to Brainstorms!, the monthly e-newsletter of the MSU Science Math Resource Center. We share cool opportunities for Montana STEM educators of all grade levels, subjects and settings, including upcoming workshops through MSU & our partners, grant applications, STEM events & resources, contests for students, and more!
Applications Open for Summer STEM Experience for Elementary Teachers
Montana State University will host a six-week Research Experience for Teachers (RET) for elementary teachers in Summer 2024. The experience includes a stipend plus housing and travel expenses.
In the energy-themed program, teachers gain hands-on experience in state-of-the-art engineering research labs and will visit multiple energy facilities such as hydroelectric dams and oil refineries. The field trips include visits to nearby American Indian cultural sites and discussions about Indigenous perspectives in engineering, with a focus on integrating STEM with Montana's Indian Education For All curriculum.
Visit www.montana.edu/ret for more information and a link to the application. No STEM degree or prior experience required; ALL elementary teachers are encouraged to apply.
Application Deadline: February 4, 2024
Complete details and so much more can be found in the January 2024 edition!
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Netflix: You want to watch a 10-hour movie?
Me: What? No! Absolutely not. Are you insane?!?
Netflix: What if we break it up into hour-long episodes and you watch them all in one sitting?
Me: You evil genius, I'M IN.
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES & INFO | | |
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MONTANA PBS EDUCATION
FREE Educator Workshop Series - Earn OPI Credit!
Details | Register Here | Watch the Film
Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness
2-hour Virtual PD Series for K-12 Teachers
4 - 6pm on all Tuesdays, Jan. 16 - Feb. 13, 2024
Earn 2 OPI credits for each workshop you attend live!
FREE Virtual PD for Teachers
MTPBS Watch & Learn Catalog - Teacher Professional Development
Have you joined the MTPBS Teachers Facebook Group yet? Stay up to date on the latest technology and media integration resources & events.
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ABOUT SCHOOL SERVICES of MONTANA | |
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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
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