September 20, 2023 Edition | |
IN THIS EDITION...Please Welcome Our Newest Staff Member | Infinite Campus User Groups Sept 26-29 | Co-op Food October Meetings | GRANT: MT Safe & Healthy Schools Project & New Study Findings | SSoM Programs Updates | SSoM Partner Resources feat. MentorMT Testimonial | Joke of the Week | Additional Resources feat. MT PBS Education | About SSoM | |
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Please give a warm welcome to SSoM's newest staff member!
JAKE CHIPPS
Director of Curriculum & Assessment
"I am so excited to be part of School Services of Montana as their new Director of Curriculum & Assessment! I am passionate about building the capacity of educators to collaboratively develop and implement meaningful curricula for their students. I look forward to working with districts to align learning experiences with content standards. Please contact me to discuss how School Services of Montana can support your district’s curriculum and assessment needs."
Click here to learn more about Jake, or reach out to him directly:
Jake Chipps | jchipps@mt-schools.org | (818) 481-6788
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Attention Infinite Campus Users!
MONTANA USER GROUPS
ARE NEXT WEEK
September 26, 27, 28, & 29 | 8:30am - 3pm
Breeze into a User Group as we roll through recent waves of releases and OPI updates. Get the latest information on the TEAMS transition to AIM, state reporting, Communication 2.0, and Campus Community. Finally, we'll look over Campus Roadmap and Surveys and Insights.
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Tue, Sept 26 - Havre
Wed, Sept 27 - Glasgow
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Thu, Sept 28 - Lewistown
Fri, Sept 29 - Hardin
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Attendance & Lunch are FREE! Open to ALL Campus Users! | |
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ATTN: Food Service Managers Using the SSoM Co-op Food Program
FALL COMMITTEE
MEETINGS ARE BACK!
If you like to collaborate with your peers, try delicious new foods, and get expert training on content specific to your nutrition program, these meetings are for YOU! If you have opted into the School Services of Montana Co-op Food Program, these meetings are for YOU! If you love FREE stuff, these FREE meetings are for YOU!
Check your inbox for a Registration Link this week. Dates & locations include:
Miles City Oct. 17 - Great Falls Oct. 19 - Missoula Oct. 20
10am-2pm | Broker Presentations 10 & 11am | Training 12-1pm | Collaboration 1-2pm
Reply directly to this email or contact our Co-op Food Program Manager if interested:
Jennifer Brekke | jbrekke@mt-schools.org | (406) 580-7547
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MONTANA SAFE & HEALTHY SCHOOLS PROJECT
School Services of Montana has been awarded a GRANT through the DOJ Bureau of Justice Assistance's STOP School Violence program. We are implementing a multi-faceted approach to preventing school violence through professional learning, coordinated school partnerships, and resources and training on whole child skill development. Implementation of the Montana Safe and Healthy Schools Project will include collaborations with schools and communities to proactively teach students and staff the skills to thrive with interpersonal relationships, self-and social awareness, and conflict resolution skills, including antiÂ-bullying techniques. Click here for details.
TAKE OUR SURVEY to join our email list of participation opportunities!
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New Learning Policy Institute (LPI) Reports & Resources on School Safety
Published Aug. 9, 2023
Safe Schools, Thriving Students: What We Know About Creating Safe and Supportive Schools
- a summary of what is known about which school safety measures improve student safety in schools and which ones do not
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REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
Key Findings - Strategies Intended
to Increase Physical Security
"Multiple studies have found that positive relationships between students and staff throughout the school can help prevent physical violence and bullying; a major national study found that school connectedness was the strongest protective factor against school absenteeism, substance abuse, and violence..."
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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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SSoM Gallatin Valley IEFA Institute - details coming soon!
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PROGRAM CONTACT: Genevieve Thomas | gthomas@mt-schools.org | (406) 300-2561
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MECC CURRICULUM CONSORTIUM | Details
Get ready for an action-packed school year of captivating curriculum with our brand new Director of Curriculum and Assessment, Jake Chipps!
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23-24 SY Curriculum Review Schedule & NEW Curricular Framework coming soon!
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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
This program features FREE ACCESS to all K-12 Schools & child-based organizations across the state. Districts who submitted a 22-23 SY Opt-in form are NOT required to re-submit for 23-24. Your participation in our program as been automatically rolled over with the US Foods / School Services of Montana contract roll-over, per bid contract language.
- Upcoming Meetings: Miles City 10/17 | Great Falls 10/19 | Missoula 10/20
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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. For program details and Program Manager Lisa Waterman's bio, click the link above.
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Medicaid Service Portal Newsletter Sept. 2023
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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! Our dedicated support team works closely with OPI and understands Montana District SIS needs. Plus, your SUPPORT FEES WILL NOT INCREASE when you switch!
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2023 YES Series PD Sept 26 & 27 | Oct 17 & 18 | Jan 9 & 10 | Feb 6 & 7 | Mar 6 & 20...
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National Training Week is Nov 13 - 17, 2023
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PROGRAM CONTACT: Mary Anne Skinner | maskinner@mt-schools.org | (406) 256-7306
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SSoM PARTNER EVENTS & RESOURCES | |
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Dr. Sarah Morris is an Assistant Professor in Mechanical & Industrial Engineering at MSU. She specializes in experimental fluid dynamics and runs the Experimental Fluids Research Laboratory. Her research interests include aerodynamics, biological flows, fluid-structure interactions, and flow visualization. Morris received her Ph.D. from Cornell University and her B.Eng. and B.A. from Monash University, Australia.
These 1-hour free online workshops connect Montana K-12 educators with MSU researchers to bring stories of authentic people and relevant projects back to the classroom.
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BRAND NEW THIS MONTH: Bonus Brainstorms! High School Edition Sept. 9, 2023 | |
MentorMT is a program of the ASPIRE Project, housed in MSU's Center for Research on Rural Education | |
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MSU MentorMT 2.0 FALL 2023 ENROLLMENT NOW OPEN!
Mentoring is available for Montana's new & underprepared rural teachers! The MentorMT program offers FREE precision support by providing teachers with one-on-one mentoring, a focus on content, curriculum, and instructional support. Plus, there's no cost to schools and a $500 stipend each year for participating teachers. Apply today!
Details | Enrollment Form | Application Deadline: Sept. 30. 2023
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MSU MentorMT 2.0 Program Director Jennifer Luebeck | jennifer.luebeck@montana.edu | |
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MentorMT: August 2023 Mentor Training in Sidney, MT - Testimonial
"I was appreciative of the time and knowledge you shared with our rural teachers. Dedication to the mentoring content and support of mentoring in a rural area was a success. I truly found value in connecting small aspects about Sidney and other rural towns made the learning more meaningful - bike path, games, movie theaters... The truth is there are not many opportunities to train mentors, and mentors - as a supportive and beneficial component of our districts and communities - need to feel a sense of direction. The training will hopefully provide what our new teachers seek - to feel comfortable and supported in our rural communities, in addition to providing a thank you to our school boards and district administrators for maintaining advocacy for mentorships."
- Karen Polari, Sidney Public Schools
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OPI Energize! IEFA Monthly Gathering: Games, Lessons, and More
First Tuesdays Sept - June | 4 - 5pm | Registration not required | Earn 1 PD Unit | Details & Zoom
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UPDATED OPI AIM REPORTING CALENDAR
First validation and certification date is September 20. Calendar Information for ALL calendars must be certified as part of the State's Requirement per MCA 20-7-104. Click here for details.
Friendly Reminder: districts must prove they have taken attendance the 10 days prior to count date. Best practice is to use the Classroom Monitor to ensure all teachers are taking attendance and saving the information even if all students are present.
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MONTANA PBS EDUCATION
FREE Asynchronous, Virtual PD for Teachers This Fall
No Deadlines | Earn OPI Credit | Register Here
Watch Montana PBS and PBS films Explore our menu of film options and pick the films that would help you build your content knowledge and inspire you to create engaging lessons for students. After watching the film you can complete a reflection activity for Montana PBS sharing your thoughts about the film and how you could use it with students. We have a catalog of films covering content areas such as Social Studies, Math, Science, English Language Arts, and IEFA.
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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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