November 16, 2023 Edition | |
IN THIS EDITION...NEW Customized Professional Learning Spotlight | NEW CRDC Training Series | Infinite Campus Holiday Support Hours & State Reporting Resources | IEFA Institute 11/30 & 12/1 | NEW MECC Review Sessions | MT Safe & Healthy Schools Project Scholarships | CPI Workshops & Job Opportunity | SSoM Programs Updates | Grant Opportunity | SSoM Partner Resources | Joke of the Week | Additional Resources featuring a Food Drive Competition | About SSoM | |
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KALISPELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS
School Services of Montana has partnered with Kalispell Public Schools to advance the district’s mission to engage students in personalized and diverse opportunities that empower individuals to become lifelong learners and responsible citizens. During the 22-23 school year, we collaborated with district leadership to develop and facilitate a professional learning series designed to build school leader knowledge of Personalized, Competency-Based Education (PCBE). This partnership has continuing into the 2023-24 school year with SSoM working alongside KPS coaches and administrators to build capacity and advance implementation goals.
For more information about Customized Professional Learning CLICK HERE, or contact:
Genevieve Thomas, Director of Professional Learning | gthomas@mt-schools.org | 406-300-2561
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CRDC PREPARATION &
DATA MAINTENANCE
3-PART SERIES
brought to you by Mary Anne Skinner & Tammy Blanchard,
your School Services of MT Technical Support Team
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This training series is for districts that utilize Infinite Campus District Edition to set up, collect, verify, and maintain the results as they relate to the CRDC Federal Reporting Data Collection Period. This workshop series is intended for Administrators and Reporting Staff responsible for CRDC Federal Reporting. | |
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COST: $450 for SSoM Member Districts,
$600 for Non-Member Districts
SCHEDULE: Dec 12 - Jan 18
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INFINITE CAMPUS SUPPORT
THANKSGIVING WEEK HOURS &
STATE REPORTING RESOURCES
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INFINITE CAMPUS SUPPORT
THANKSGIVING WEEK
Mary Anne Skinner will be on-call.
Please contact her with any questions
as the other Tech Minions will be away
enjoying the holiday weekend.
ON-CALL HOURS:
Wed, Nov 22 | 8 - 5pm
Thurs, Nov 23 | Office Closed
Fri, Nov 24 | 8 - 3pm
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NEW SSoM WEBPAGE: STATE REPORTING RESOURCES
In our partnership with the AIM reporting unit, our Infinite Campus Support Team created a webpage to assist in the State Reporting Season for the 23-24 School Year.
NEW RESOURCES:
AIM Data Collection Schedule 23-24 SY
Steps to a Successful Reporting Season
TEAMS-Specific Reporting Tips
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Please reach out to our Director of Infinite Campus Support Services with questions:
Mary Anne Skinner | maskinner@mt-schools.org | (406) 256-7306
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GALLATIN VALLEY
IEFA INSTITUTE
Nov. 30 & Dec. 1 | $20 per person per day includes lunch
Location: Montana State University, Bozeman
LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER - SPACE IS LIMITED!
SIX TRAVEL STIPENDS AVAILABLE - UP TO $250 EACH - FOR MONTANA EDUCATORS!
--> contact Melissa Tovaas for details <--
The Gallatin Valley IEFA Institute event will offer educators an opportunity to delve into Indigenous education by providing foundational information concerning the seven "Essential Understandings Regarding Montana Indians." Participants will learn how to effectively integrate Indigenous content into their curricula, regardless of their initial familiarity with the subject. This event emphasizes the evaluation and inclusion of Native resources to provide a diverse perspective, ultimately enriching students' educational experiences and promoting cultural diversity in the classroom.
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UPCOMING
MECC CURRICULUM
OVERVIEW SESSIONS
Attention MECC Member Curriculum Development leads! These upcoming sessions are an overview of the Montana content standards and the curriculum review process. We will inventory what we currently have, review the resources we use to support the process, and review next-steps for curriculum alignment. Register today!
Link: MECC Meetings & Events Calendar + Registration Options
Nov 17 | 1 - 3pm | Arts & CTE | Manhattan School
Nov 28 | 12:30 - 3:30pm | Science | Virtual
Nov 29 | 9am - 12pm | Health Enhancement | Virtual
Dec 1 | 12:30 - 2pm | Counseling | Virtual
For information about MECC and becoming a MECC member district, please contact:
Jake Chipps | Director of Curriculum & Assessment | jchipps@mt-schools.org | (818) 481-6788
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MONTANA SAFE & HEALTHY SCHOOLS PROJECT
Proactive Approaches to Preventing
School Violence
School Services of Montana has been awarded a GRANT through the DOJ Bureau of Justice Assistance's STOP School Violence program. Check out the next phase of our project:
--> CARING SCHOOL COMMUNITY SCHOOLWIDE SCHOLARSHIPS <--
One of our project goals is to provide resources and support for schoolwide programs focusing on whole child skill development. As part of these efforts, SSoM is offering Caring School Community Schoolwide Program Scholarships to MT schools serving grades K - 8.
Link to Scholarship and Grant Details
Melissa Tovaas, SSoM Executive Director | mtovaas@mt-schools.org | (406) 272-0021
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School Services of Montana
CRISIS PREVENTION / INTERVENTION NEWS
Do you have staff in need of CPI Training? Need a Refresher Class to renew your certification? Our Workshops are available to ALL school or child-based organizations in Montana at deeply discounted rates, and SSoM member districts receive an additional discount! We also offer districts who host workshops one FREE registration, plus the convenience of holding the workshop at your location.
Click the CPI logo for details, or contact our Certified CPI Workshop Instructor
Melissa Rosenstein | mrosenstein@mt-schools.org | (406) 209-0455
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SSoM is SEEKING a CPI INSTRUCTOR
Part-time, Contracted Position
This position would be ideal for a special educator or a related service provider with experience in behavior management and flexibility for part-time hours year-round. Please circulate the position description within your networks. Click here for Details and Application Instructions.
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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!
Program Contact: Genevieve Thomas | gthomas@mt-schools.org | (406) 300-2561
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MECC CURRICULUM CONSORTIUM | Details
NEW PAGE UPDATES include the 23-24 Meetings & Events Calendar, 7-Year Curriculum Review Cycle, and Curricular Frameworks. Click the details link for more info.
Program Contact: Jake Chipps | jchipps@mt-schools.org | (818) 481-6788
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CO-OP FOOD PROGRAM | 23-24 SY Details
This program features FREE ACCESS to ALL Montana Schools, county / state / private child-based educational organizations, early childhood learning centers, and after school programs! Join at any time during the school year!
Coming Soon: Clean Plate Club Monthly Newsletter
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! Click the details link for more info.
Medicaid Service Portal Newsletter November 2023 Edition
Program Contact: Lisa Waterman | Lwaterman@mt-schools.org | (406) 272-0073
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INFINITE CAMPUS SUPPORT | Details
Did you know? You can make the 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.
IC YES Series PD: Jan 9 - 10 | Feb 6 - 7 | Mar 6 & 20 | April 2 - 3 | May 7 - 8
Program Contact: Mary Anne Skinner | maskinner@mt-schools.org | (406) 256-7306
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AWS K-12 CYBER GRANT PROGRAM
AWS launches $20 million K12 Cyber Grant Program
Recognizing the need for the K12 community to enhance cybersecurity protection against intrusion, ransomware attacks, and data breaches, AWS created a non-competitive K12 Cyber Grant Program and is investing $20 million in AWS promotional credits for new and existing customers.
The grant is open to K12 public school districts, regional education service agencies (ESAs), and state departments of education (DOEs) to implement cloud-based cybersecurity solutions to increase their security posture. Grant awards take into consideration the type of entity, student enrollment for districts, and students supported (ESAs and DOEs).
In addition to the grant funding, AWS has committed to upskilling staff through no-cost training, and providing no-cost cyber incident response assistance to AWS K12 customers in the event of a cyberattack.
Click the AWS logo for complete details, or click here to apply.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 31, 2023
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SSoM PARTNER OPPORTUNITIES | | |
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MSU SCIENCE MATH RESOURCE CENTER (SMRC)
Brainstorms! Nov. 2023 Edition | Subscribe Here
Exploring Our Place: Geospatial Skills Camps
for Rural Montana Youth
- designed for youth-serving organizations in rural Montana
- apply to host a week-long fully funded summer camp!
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SMRC has received funding from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research to choose five rural communities that will receive full funding and training to host a camp in June 2024. The camp is designed for rising 9th and 10th graders who have been under-served in STEM.
All camp supplies and curricula are provided; the host organization also receives educator training and funding for staff time, room rental, transportation, lunches and snacks, and STEM supplies for students. The camp will be hosted by you IN YOUR COMMUNITY. MSU will provide training and a curriculum, but much of the camp will be fully customizable to address your community’s local issues and meet your students’ personal interests.
Informational Webinar: November 29, 2023
APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 22, 2023
Click here to Learn More & Apply
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MONTANA PBS EDUCATION
THE AMERICAN BUFFALO FILM - Viewing Opportunity
FREE | Earn 5 OPI Credits | Register Here
In the month of November, teachers can watch The American Buffalo online for free and earn 5 OPI credits for completing a reflection activity about the experience. This is a limited time opportunity since free on demand streaming will only be available until November 30.
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NEW! BACKROADS OF MONTANA on PBS LearningMedia
Check out this new collection of resources using video clips from one of our favorite programs, Backroads of Montana! Teachers can use this collection of video clips and support materials to teach Montana History and Geography through the unique stories of rural Montana communities. Learn more!
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GALLATIN VALLEY FOOD BANK - CELEBRATING 24 YEARS OF
THE CAN THE GRIZ FOOD DRIVE!
Can the Griz is a friendly off-field competition between the MSU and the Bozeman Community against the UM and Missoula community to see which community can raise the most food and money in the two weeks leading up to the annual Brawl of the Wild!
Saturday, Nov. 4 – Nov. 18
The Bobcats have successfully canned the Griz 19 of 23 years. Help them do it again! The winner of the competition will be announced during the Cat-Griz football game.
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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. Click here : )
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