SAM Update 11-7-24

Hello SAM Members,

We have lots of great upcoming learning opportunities for all!  In addition to a literacy opportunity for your schools from one of our business partners.

Take a minute to check out some of opportunities offered by SAM and our partners.

Thanks for reading!  Rob

Next Week's SAM Webinar:  Reinvesting and Recommitting to IEFA Implementation in Our Schools - Thursday, Nov 14

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.  

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

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 Darrin Peppard, Allyson Apsey, Tracy Vic, and Laurie Barron 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

Interested in sharing your expertise? We invite you to present a breakout session at the conference. Presentations should align with one of these key themes:

• Innovation: Embracing change and pioneering new approaches.
• Inspiration: Showcasing passion and resilience in overcoming challenges.
• Inclusion: Fostering a school climate that supports every student.

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.

Upcoming Training:  Title IX - Where Are We?

Although new Title IX regulations were finalized in 2024, Montana is subject to an injunction that prohibits the implementation of these regulations at this time while litigation over the new regulations is pending in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.  Until litigation is resolved, the regulations enacted in August 2020 remain in effect.  This webinar is intended to review the requirements of the August 2020 regulations.  Topics covered include: the changes to the definition of sexual harassment, when and how schools must respond to allegations of sexual harassment, the requirement to provide supportive measures to all students, the grievance and record-keeping process, the standard of proof used in proceedings, the overall rights guaranteed to parties, and training requirements.  We will provide access to template forms and procedures.  Access will also be provided to the role-specific training videos that are required for the Title IX Coordinator, Investigator, and Decision-Makers.  Participants will have an opportunity for Q&A during both sessions. 

This training will be by Zoom on December 9, 2024, from 1 pm to 3 pm.  Cost is $125 per person or a flat fee of $550 per site.  It will be recorded so people aren’t available that day can watch at their convenience.  Remember, ALL of the individuals filling roles of investigator, decision maker, coordinator and appellate decision maker are required to watch those individual trainings. The group training is NOT ENOUGH as one district recently found out the hard way!

Contact Kaleva Law at (406) 542-1300 or kwitt@kalevalaw.com with any questions.  Please register all individuals who want credit for taking the class!

Register here:  2024 Title IX Training Registration

Unlocking Practical AI for Educators: A Google NotebookLM Webinar

• Presented by Jason Neiffer, Montana Digital Academy at the University of Montana
• Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 4:30pm 

Join Dr. Jason Neiffer, Executive Director of Montana Digital Academy, for an engaging webinar designed to empower educators and administrators with AI-driven teaching tools. Discover how Google's NotebookLM can revolutionize your educational practices.

Key Takeaways:

• Setup Essentials: Learn how to set up a NotebookLM notebook in just a few minutes.
• Mastering the Basics: Dive into the core functionalities of NotebookLM that every educator and learner should know.
• Real-World Applications: Explore diverse case studies demonstrating the impactful use of NotebookLM in teaching, learning, and knowledge work.
• Preserving the Human Touch: Tips on balancing technology with personal interaction to enhance your workflows.

Who Should Attend? This webinar is ideal for Teachers, Professors, Students, School Administrators, Curriculum Designers, IT Staff, and Librarians eager to incorporate AI into their teaching and learning toolkit. 

Join us to transform your information strategies with AI. Register now to secure your spot!  This webinar is sponsored by Montana Digital Academy, the Northwest Council for Computer Education, School Administrators of Montana, and the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education at the University of Montana.

Pre Registration Required at https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/4f27f0e9-6faf-437c-b4a2-08b7058c43a6@68407ce5-03da-49ff-af0a-724be0d37c9d

UM Leads Effort to Increase School Psychologists Across Montana

The University of Montana is making strides in expanding school-based mental health services across the state, especially in underserved tribal communities. Spearheaded by psychology professor Anisa Goforth, the Rural And Indigenous School-based mental health and Empowerment (RAISE) Initiative has secured a $3.75 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. This project aims to train and diversify the pool of qualified school psychologists serving Montana's rural and tribal schools, reaching over 20,000 K-12 students. The RAISE Initiative will provide full tuition and a stipend for three cohorts of students admitted to the school psychology specialist program at UM. The deadline to apply for the first cohort is Dec. 1, and those students will start during fall semester 2025.  Find out more in the full article linked here:  https://www.umt.edu/news/2024/11/110424psyc.php

Keep Students Reading this Winter Break!

Through the Just Right Reader Pilot Program, the company will be donating 5 million Science of Reading decodable texts in both English and Spanish to advance literacy and reading success. 

Link to Application