IN THIS EDITION...MT STEM Summer Institute MOR Welcome Reception & Improv Comedy | Register for Spring User Groups! | CRDC 3-Part Training Series Highlights | MT Safe & Healthy Schools Grant Updates | Women's History Month feat. Jeannette Rankin | SSoM Programs | SSoM Partner Resources | Joke of the Week | Addt'l Resources feat. CyberSecurity | About SSoM | |
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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.
2024 HIGHLIGHT: Museum of the Rockies Welcome Reception
Monday, August 8 | 6 - 8pm | Evening Social & Museum Tour
and Improv Comedy by Chelsea Hogan
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EARLY BIRD RATE
ENDS MARCH 31
General Registration $295
Early Bird Discount 15% off
SSoM Member Rate $245
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CALLING ALL
PRESENTERS!
Proposals Due by March 31
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INFINITE CAMPUS SPRING
USER GROUPS
FREE | All Campus Users are Welcome
8am - 3pm | April 15, 16, 17, or 18, 2024
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April 15 - Missoula
April 16 - Kalispell
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April 17 - Choteau
April 18 - Livingston
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2024 Highlights: Campus Community | Data Certifications & Validations | Rolling Calendars | Early Literacy | OPI Assessments | Campus News | |
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A Word from our Director of Infinite Campus Support
Highlights from the CRDC 3-pt Training Series
"We assisted 27 different school districts spanning the entire state this Federal Reporting season. It was a great 3-part series where we laughed, learned, and dove deeper into our Infinite Campus sites appreciating the data held within. While we have until March 18th, 2024 to complete the 21-22 reporting process, the Office of Civil Rights will open the 23-24 CRDC reporting season in the Fall of 2024. Don't worry - we'll be here to help, laugh, and cry together."
~Mary Anne Skinner
maskinner@mt-schools.org
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MONTANA SAFE & HEALTHY SCHOOLS PROJECT UPDATES
Amplifying Efforts in Montana to Impact Proactive Approaches to Mental and Behavioral Health
Through our grant, SSoM provided the opportunity for six additional education leaders in Montana to participate in SAM’s SEL for School Leaders course, building skills to support social and emotional learning leadership across Montana.
In April, SSoM will support the Montana Council for Exceptional Children through their annual MCEC Conference April 2 - 5 in Missoula by offering FREE CPI training and breakout sessions by Director of Professional Learning, Genevieve Thomas. Visit SSoM’s booth to meet Genevieve and learn more about ways we support schools.
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SCHOLARSHIP UPDATE - APPLY NOW, IMPLEMENT IN 24 - 25 SY
Funds are still available for Caring School Community Schoolwide Scholarships (a CASEL-Designated SELect Program) 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 be found on our Montana Safe & Healthy Schools Project page.
For questions about our GRANT, including scholarship details, click or contact:
Melissa Tovaas, Project Director | mtovaas@mt-schools.org | (406) 272-0021
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WOMEN WHO SHAPED OUR WORLD
Jeannette Rankin - The First Woman Elected to Congress
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Jeannette Rankin (1880 - 1973) was born in Missoula, Montana on June 11, 1880. While many are familiar with the suffragist’s political history and her votes for peace during both world wars, there is much more to Jeannette’s story. A woman of great conviction and courage, Jeannette observed life at the turn of the last century with a deep sense of empathy for the women, children, and families who lived in poverty and without legal protections. Her early experiences as a social worker and activist inspired her to take direct action for a more just society. Ultimately, her commitment to humanity and equality helped shape our democracy and continues to make a tangible impact.
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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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MCEC Conference April 3 - 5: Breakout Session by Geneveive Thomas - Defining and Understanding Dyslexia
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Save the Date: SSoM IEFA Institute | Nov. 7 - 8, 2024 | Anaconda, MT
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Program Lead: Genevieve Thomas | gthomas@mt-schools.org | (406) 300-2561
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MECC CURRICULUM CONSORTIUM | DETAILS
Please note the MECC Review date changes for March & April. Subject areas include: Arts & CTE, Counseling, Science, and Health Enhancement. Details & registration links are in the 2023 - 2024 MECC Meetings & Events Calendar.
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Program Lead: Melissa Tovaas | mtovaas@mt-schools.org | (646) 831-7264
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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!
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Program now open to Licensed Childcare Centers - contact us for details : )
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Program Lead: 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! Customized Zoom training available to all users.
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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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SSoM PARTNER OPPORTUNITIES | |
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MSU SCIENCE MATH RESOURCE CENTER
Newsletter: Brainstorms! March 2024 Ed.
The March 2024 edition features cool opportunities for Montana STEM educators of all grade levels, subjects, and settings. You'll find upcoming PD workshops, grants, resources, events and contests for students, and more:
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World Quantum Day is April 14: apply for a free educational kit from MSU by March 16
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Free Summer NASA Workshop - Exploring Surface Temperature using a NASA AREN TerraROVER: teams should apply by March 22
- Prepare for Citizen Science Month in April
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MSU Summer Math Camp June 17 - 20, 9am - 4pm: for students entering 6-9th grade in Fall 2024; $220; campus housing available
Find complete details, registration links, related resources, and a pile of partner programs and opportunities in the March 2024 edition of Brainstorms!, and subscribe here.
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COLLABORATIVE CLASSROOM NEWS
Literacy Resources for Summer Learning
Being A Reader Small Group Reading Sets, a component of Being a Reader K-2, is now available as a supplement to provide instruction at each student's point of need, ensuring reading success. These sets align perfectly with the SIPPS program.
Accelerate Foundational Skills, K-12: close the reading gap this summer with SIPPS, providing targeted instruction and ongoing progress monitoring tools to help teachers accelerate foundational skills learning in a short period of time. Learn more about SIPPS here.
Build Writing Proficiency, K-5: Being a Writer is the only research-based K-5 program that integrates essential components of comprehensive writing instruction & explicit social skills development. The 3rd Edition is available June 1st!
Contact: Genevieve Thomas, Director of Professional Learning, gthomas@mt-schools.org
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HB 352 - Implementation of Early Literacy Targeted Interventions: Resources
Passed in 2023 by the Montana legislature, HB 352 is designed to improve the number of students reading proficiently by 3rd grade. OPI offers many helpful links, including initial guidance, standards, an FAQ, and posts office hours on their Early Literacy Resources page.
Celebrate Women’s History Month – March 2024 ❤️
The OPI Indian Education for All Unit created an inspirational collection of resources to teach about American Indian women and their contributions to tribal nations, our state, and our country. The compilation aims to inspire educators and students to learn more about the rich and diverse cultures and histories of American Indian women, and features stories, biographies, poems, films, and interviews of some amazing American Indian women from Montana and beyond:

- 2023 Making Montana Proud poster series
- PBS American Masters - Lily Gladstone: Far Out There
- PBS film & study guide - Playing for the World: 1904 Fort Shaw Indian Boarding School Girls Basketball Team DVD
- Read the full collection here
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Montana K-12 Team Cybersecurity Tabletop Exercise
April 23 in Billings or April 25 in Missoula | 1 - 5pm each day
May Attend Virtually | Will NOT be Recorded | Registration
Learn more about responding to a cybersecurity incident with real world exercises, designed to allow participants the opportunity to address key issues, threats and gaps affecting critical infrastructure stakeholders. These events are designed with laymen in mind. We encourage you to bring your team - Superintendent, Clerk, Board Member, Technologist, Teacher, Maintenance, etc, so that each member of the team can learn about their role in responding to a situation. Event hosted by CISA, in partnership with MS-ISAC, META, and SAM.
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Elevating Student Voice: Lessons Learned Across the US
The Aurora Institute is sponsoring a FREE proficiency / competency based education webinar on Friday, April 5, 10 - 11am MST. Discover how three school districts in the United States have successfully integrated learner agency practices into their learning environments.
Learn more and register here.
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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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