IN THIS EDITION...January CPI Workshops | IEFA Lesson Demos | Suicide Screening & Prevention Panel | Infinite Campus Data Days | Flathead Valley IEFA Institute | SSoM Program Updates, PD, & Resources | SSoM Partner Resources | Joke of the Week | Additional Resources | About SSoM

Last call to register for the January 28th CPI class hosted by Three Forks Public Schools! Click the link below, and be sure to get your online course completed before class begins:

Jan. 28, 12:30pm - 4:30pm in Three Forks

Please note that this CPI course is hybrid – you will be required to complete a 4 hour course online prior to the live training to be certified. For this reason, registration closes one week prior to each course to provide you with sufficient time to complete the online portion of the course. 

Click here for more details about our CPI workshops, including hosting, or contact:

Join us for a series of (4) 2-hour webinars facilitated by Dottie Susag. The goal of the series is to experience lessons that authentically integrate the Essential Understandings Regarding Montana Indians. After an interactive lesson, participants will debrief and discuss ideas for adapting and integrating the lesson into your classroom. Sessions will be recorded; join live or watch the recorded session.

OPI RENEWAL UNITS: earn 2 for each 2-hour session you join OR 4 per session by implementing the lesson in your classroom and completing a follow-up reflection form.

Virtual Panel Discussion

Join us for a virtual panel discussion to learn more about the Rural Behavioral Health Institute’s Screening Linked to Care (SLTC) suicide assessment and intervention. During this session, our expert panel will share an overview of SLTC and how the process works, followed by a discussion of why and how it was implemented in Livingston, how it fits with MTSS and other schools’ mental health programming, and how this intervention is likely to reduce suicidality. Also learn about how RBHI is currently able to offer the SLTC free to schools through grant support. Click here for complete details in a flyer you can share.

This is a FREE event! Please register here to receive the Zoom link to join. The recording will also be shared with registrants after the event.

Moderator: Melissa Tovaas, SSoM Director of Education Services

This webinar is brought to you through a collaboration between:

Join over 200 Districts across the country for 3 days of incredible Infinite Campus training on all things data and scheduling! 10 sessions will be available each day (click here for times) Your favorite Tech Minion, Mary Anne Skinner, will be leading a few sessions.

DDMS 2022 Session Booklet NOW AVAILABLE!

One flat fee covers your ENTIRE district's registration. Discounts available

March 16, 2022 | 8:30am - 3pm | Kalispell, MT

Join us for a day of IEFA learning with award-winning Montana educators, Jordann Lankford-Forster (Bright Trail Woman) and Miranda Murray.

The Flathead Valley IEFA Institute, hosted by School Services of Montana and Kalispell Public Schools, will provide foundational information concerning the seven “Essential Understandings Regarding Montana Indians” and tools to implement Indigenous content into your curriculum. Participants may not feel comfortable or know where to begin, and that is okay! The facilitators will provide you with the support and sustainable resources to advance cultural content and Native resources in your classrooms, no matter where you are in your IEFA implementation. Participants will gain instruction and crucial essential understandings as diverse perspectives are important for all students’ success.

Campus has given a facelift to POS! Register to find out more and how your district can BETA TEST the NEW POS interface HERE.

Save the Date: Science Summer Institute 2022 July 25-27 @ MSU-Bozeman Campus

Contact: Jennifer Brekke, Marketing & Purchasing Manager, jbrekke@mt-schools.org

Delivery 1 start date pushed to Monday, Jan. 31; Deliveries 2 - 5 not affected

CRDC RESOURCES (with love from your favorite SSoM Tech Minion)

CRDC New User Starter Guide | CRDC 2020-21 School Form | CRDC Quick Start Guide

TIMELINE: collection phase began 12/13/21 & runs 75 calendar days, ends 2/28/22

USEFUL CRDC INFO: School Characteristics & Null vs. 0 Values [click here]

American Prairie, in partnership with the Montana Outdoor Science School (MOSS), offers 6th - 8th grade students a fully-funded opportunity to spend 3 days/2 nights learning in the field under Montana's big prairie skies. Classes study STEM curriculum with visits from the Smithsonian Institute and American Prairie research scientists. Subjects will include astronomy, plant biology, wildlife ecology, geology, and natural & human history. Click here for full details, application link, and shareable PDF.

AMERICAN PRAIRIE FIELD SCHOOL TEACHER WORKSHOP

Join educators from MOSS and American Prairie for a 3-day, 2-night education extravaganza in the prairie for grown-ups! Learn about prairie ecosystems, nature journaling techniques and spend time immersed in this magical landscape. This workshop is FREE for MT public school teachers, grades 5 - 8. Click here for full details & registration link. OPI renewal units available!

For more information please contact American Prairie Field School Education Coordinator:

Dusty Rixford | dusty@americanprairie.org | (406) 595-2209

Collaborative Classroom offers curated virtual events and authentic professional learning opportunities for K-12 educators. Most events are complimentary and under an hour!

2022 VIRTUAL EVENTS *most events start at 2pm MST

Visit the Events Calendar for a full listing of offerings, or click their logo for more.

OPI Monthly Compass - January 2022 Edition

BUILDING YOUR IEFA MINDSET: Unpacking the Essential Understandings Jan. 24 - Mar. 4, 2022

In this FREE OPI facilitated Hub course you'll unpack the Essential Understandings Regarding Montana Indians in order to understand the spirit of the law and why implementation is essential. Make personal connections, discover personal biases, and discuss common misconceptions in a safe, supportive environment. MANY resources provided! Best suited for K-12 teachers currently in the classroom. 15 OPI renewal units! Full details & registration here.

Facilitated by: Allyson Briese, Jacie Jeffers, Jennifer Stadum, Jordann Lankford-Forster, Melissa Tovaas, and Miranda Murray

Featuring: MT Science Fair 3/28 (registration now open), MSSE Engineering Methods for Teachers, NSTA Nat'l Conference 3/31 - 4/3 in Houston TX, MT Science Olympiad 4/15, OPI Summer Institute 6/20 - 6/24, and more! Click here for full details.

Michelle McCarthy, M.Ed. | Science Instructional Coordinator, OPI | mmccarthy@mt.gov

Monday, Jan. 31, 2022 | 5:00 - 8:30pm | Dinner Provided | Location TBD, Bozeman

You have the power to help ensure your school is a safe, equitable space where all students feel affirmed. This training is for all people who work in education, regardless of role or student ages. For full details about topics & resources covered, click here (flyer). Registration closes January 27th - click here to register.

Creators: Bridgercare staff and members of LGBTQ+ communities & educators

All 5 CSPDs offer FREE VIRTUAL PD for their respective regions. Click for details:

Region I (Eastern MT) | Region II | Region III | Region IV | Region V (Western MT)

SSoM is a non-profit education service agency committed to unlocking the full potential of every child in each and every school we serve across the state. We accomplish this by providing a wide variety of professional learning activities and business services designed to meet the specific needs of Montana’s excellent educators and administrators. Interested in supporting our work? Click here to make a donation, and be sure to read all about our organization on our website.