SAM Friday Update 10-25-24

Hello SAM Members,

We have lots of great upcoming learning opportunities for all! Take a minute to check out some of the upcoming webinars and events.  Thanks for reading!  Rob

2025 Montana Principals Conference Registration is Open!

Principals shape the future of education! Whether sparking innovation, fostering inclusivity, or championing resilience, every principal has the power to lead with purpose. Join your colleagues at the Redefining Education: In My Principal Era conference, where you'll learn from keynote speakers Allyson Apsey and Darrin Peppard, and engage in breakout sessions focused on innovation, inclusion, and inspiration. This is your chance to explore fresh ideas, build a supportive network, and lead with purpose. Register now and celebrate redefining education in your principal era!  Follow this link for more information:  2025 Montana Principals Conference Information and Registration

Are you interested in presenting a breakout session at the conference?  Presentations must focus on one of the following areas:  Innovation: Embracing change and innovation, Inspiration: Passion and resilience in the face of adversity, Inclusion: Building school climate with all kids in mind.  Please complete the Call for Presenters Form to be considered as a conference breakout session presenter.  

MASSP and MAEMSP awards will be presented at the 2025 Montana Principals Conference.  Nominations will be accepted until Friday, December 6.  Visit the SAM Awards webpage for more information about each award.

SAM 11/14/24 Webinar:  Reinvesting and Recommitting to IEFA Implementation in our Schools

Mark your calendar for the November SAM webinar that will focus on Reinvesting and Recommitting to IEFA Implementation in our Schools on Thursday, November 14 at 10:00 AM. 

OPI IEFA staff will be presenting making this an opportunity for school districts to use the webinar recording for required staff IEFA training.  Everyone is invited, so feel free to share the information with others in your district.  

Are you looking for past webinar resources? 

October Webinar Followup:  Webinar resources are housed in the new SAM Online Learning Center and accessible to all SAM members.  

Once logged in to the SAM website, you will be in the Members Only area.  To locate the webinar resources, click Resources > Online Learning > Courses > 2024-25 SAM Monthly Webinars.  You will not only find the resources from the 10-10-24 webinar but also from the 9-12-24 webinar.  We will continue to add resources as webinars are completed.  Here is a quick video to help you find this area of the website: Locating SAM Webinar Resources.  Experiencing difficulties?  Contact Kim at the SAM Office (samks@sammt.org)

Be sure to mark your calendars for the second Thursday of each month from 10:00 - 11:00 AM.  Connect to the webinars through the SAM Zoom meeting link:  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/3923446729

UCLA Study Finds Cultural Conflict Comes with a Cost For Public Schools

Recent research from UCLA’s Institute for Democracy, Education, and Access reveals the high fiscal and social costs of divisive conflicts in U.S. public schools. Based on a national survey of superintendents, the report highlights the financial toll of conflicts over issues like LGBTQ+ issues, teaching about race and racism, and efforts to ban books. estimating an overall impact of $3.2 billion during the 2023-24 school year. The study shows that almost all superintendents surveyed experienced some sort of culturally divisive conflict during the 2023-2024 school year.  Superintendents reported increased direct financial costs for services such as
additional security, communications, and legal work. These conflicts not only drain resources but also disrupt educational priorities, harm staff morale, and challenge community trust. Links to the full report and press releases are below for further review:

• Cost of Conflict Overview of Findings
• The Fiscal Impact of Culturally Divisive Conflict on Public Schools in the United States - full report
• Press Releases:
  • https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2024/oct/23/public-schools-culture-war-cost
  • https://www.chalkbeat.org/2024/10/23/new-research-puts-a-cost-on-school-board-conflicts/
  • https://www.advocate.com/news/public-schools-billions-lost-culture-wars

Nominations are Open for Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

Nominations are now open for the 2025 round of Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Do you know any amazing mathematics or science teachers? The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the top honors bestowed by the U.S. Government to K-12 STEM teachers. Each year, up to 110 outstanding educators from across the country may be recognized by the White House for their passion, dedication, and impact in the classroom. Nominate deserving teachers here: https://paemst.nsf.gov/nomination/nominate?awardYear=2025

Bus2Grid and Econergy Information Webinars

Bus2Grid is hosting open webinars for school leaders interested in learning how to electrify bus fleets with funding from the EPA Clean Bus Grant Program. The webinar panel includes team members from the EPA, World Resource Institute, Environmental Law & Policy Center, and Econergy. Bus2Grid to-date has helped school districts secure incentives of $30 million.

What you will learn:

• Application process and how to secure EPA funding
• Success stories from participating districts
• Benefits of coalition building with other districts
• Step-by-step roadmap to electrification

Click one of the links below to register for an upcoming webinar:

• More Information
• Wednesday October 30, 2024 @ 9:30am MT Register Now for October Webinar
• Wednesday November 13, 2024 @ 9:30am MT Register for November Webinar