IN THIS EDITION...MT STEM Summer Institute Early Bird Ends March 31 | Infinite Campus Spring User Groups | GRANT UPDATE: MT Safe & Healthy Schools | Meet Our 23-24 Board of Directors | Smithsonian Celebrates Women's History | SSoM Programs | SSoM Partner Resources feat. PCBE Summit | Joke of the Week | Addt'l Resources | About SSoM | |
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- REGISTER TODAY -
6th ANNUAL MONTANA STEM
SUMMER INSTITUTE
August 5 - 8, 2024 | Bozeman, MT
EARLY BIRD RATE ENDS MARCH 31
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.
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REGISTRATION
General Registration: 295
Early Bird Discount: 15%
SSoM Member Rate: 245
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PRESENTER PROPOSALS
DUE MARCH 31
Presenter Proposal Form
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INFINITE CAMPUS SPRING
USER GROUP MEETINGS
FREE | All Campus Users are Welcome
8am - 3pm | April 15, 16, 17, or 18, 2024
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April 15: Missoula â—ľ April 16: Kalispell
April 17: Choteau â—ľ 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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MONTANA SAFE & HEALTHY SCHOOLS PROJECT UPDATES
Caring School Community Schoolwide
Program Scholarships
Great news! Scholarship applications are coming in, and several have already been awarded for the 2024-25 school year. We have some funds left for 2024-25 and scholarships will be awarded until funds are depleted. If you apply and are not awarded for 2024-25, we will bump you to the top of the scholarship list for implementation during the 25 - 26 SY.
Caring School Community Scholarship Details
Caring School Community Scholarship Application
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Caring School Community Schoolwide Scholarships are a CASEL-Designated SELect Program designed 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 also 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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MEET SCHOOL SERVICES of MONTANA'S
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
School Services of Montana has welcomed several new Board Members in the 23 - 24 school year. Our Board, comprised of Class AA, A, B, and C Superintendents and School Leaders in Montana. Their guidance, support, and commitment has been instrumental in shaping the success and impact of our organization, and we greatly appreciate each and every one of them!
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Board Chair: Chad Johnson, Livingston School District
Vice-Chair: Rick Duncan, Powell County H.S. & Deer Lodge Elem.
Secretary: Spencer Johnson, LaMotte School District
Board Member: Jeff Blessum, Manhattan School District
Board Member: Mary Farber, Belgrade School District
Board Member: Jeanine Sundby, Nashua School District
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For more information, please visit our Board of Directors webpage, or contact:
Melissa Tovaas, SSoM Executive Director | mtovaas@mt-schools.org | (646) 831-7264
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CELEBRATE WITH SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE
RESOURCES
Join the Smithsonian in celebrating Women's History Month by exploring events, resources, podcast episodes, and exhibitions that tell the diversity of women's stories. This collection includes education resources for learners of all ages and features articles and podcasts about women writers, artists, musicians, activists, journalists, and more!
Like and follow the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum on Facebook.
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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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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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DORIS MOUNTAIN SUMMIT
Personalized Competency-Based Education
"Come Climb With Us"
June 26 - 27, 2024 | Flathead High School, Kalispell
Only $25 Per Person! | Earn 14 Renewal Units
Kalispell Public Schools is hosting the “Doris Mountain Personalized Competency Based Education Summit” June 26 & 27 at Flathead HS in Kalispell. And you’re invited!
Join KPS staff, thought-provoking keynotes, insightful panels, and educators from around Montana to build knowledge and gain a network of support as you work toward personalized learning and competency-based approaches. School Services of Montana will be there supporting the summit and proficiency-based education in Montana’s schools!
Schedule & Registration Link | Register by May 1
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COLLABORATIVE CLASSROOM NEWS
Literacy Resources for Summer Learning
Supporting Literacy Change Across the Country with a Leader Spotlight Blog Series
LARGE-SCALE CHANGE Dr. Nicole Mancini, Chief of Academics at the Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS) and a former district leader herself, shares insights about successful large-scale change to implement evidence-based reading instruction. | Read the Blog
STRUCTURED LITERACY Learn how the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) is helping California educators across the state make the shift to structured literacy in this interview with Leslie Zoroya, Project Director for Reading / Language Arts. | Read the Blog
TUTORING SUCCESS Chief Operating Officer Jacklyn Minimah-Wilson discusses how Literacy Now uses SIPPS® in their successful Reading Intervention tutoring program, which serves striving readers at 20 schools in Houston and Aldine ISDs. | Read the Blog
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FEATURED WEBINAR
Climbing the Ladder of Reading & Writing: Meeting the Needs of ALL Learners
April 9 | 2 - 3pm MT | FREE | Learn More or Register
Learn about a new book, Climbing the Ladder of Reading & Writing, and other issues surrounding literacy instruction during this 1-hour webinar.
Program 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.
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TEACHER A+ MORTGAGE PROGRAM EVENT
4:30pm April 11, 2024 | Bozeman, MT | Flyer & Video (1:45) | RSVP
Mann Mortgage of Bozeman aims to make home ownership accessible with 100% financing options while simultaneously acknowledging and rewarding the invaluable contributions of educators and staff serving in both public and private schools. Please RSVP and join them for a FREE info session about this incredible opportunity.
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This program is open to teachers and staff serving both public and private schools! Employees from ALL districts are welcome to attend.
Hosted by Mann Mortgage of Bozeman, in partnership with Bozeman School District
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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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