1. Guidelines for Establishing a Early Literacy/Targeted Intervention Program with HB352
1. Early Literacy Advisory Council recommendations to MT Board of Public Education, Nov 15, 2023
2. SAM Early Literacy Webinar, Nov 9, 2023
2. MT New Accreditation Process: Important links, Oct 9, 2023
1. Year 1 (2023-2024) Check list and due dates.
2. Accreditation Guidance Document, Released Oct 2, 2023
3. MT OPI Accreditation Website
4. SAMPLE Strategic Plan and Comprehensive Needs Assessment - Evergreen School District
3. SAM Delegate Assembly Proposal, Positions and Resolutions:  To be discussed at SAM Membership Meeting, Oct 20, MCEL Billings
4. SAM Topic Brief - Administrative Licensure Fees: (Updated 10/6) OPIs Proposal to raise the licensure fees from $30 to $275 for the MT Admin License.
5. SAM Topic Brief -  3Ps Bill List: 2023 legislative summary, reference guide to bills that impact Policy, Procedures & Practices.
6. SAM Topic Brief - New Graduation Requirements: summary document which explains addition of Financial Literacy to graduation requirements under revised Chapter 55.
7. 95 Mills Discussion: MTSBA Memo drafted by Lance Melton in August 2023, describes history and legal requirements of 95 Mills calculation.
8. Connecting with OPI: Information and links regarding weekly "office hours" hosted by OPI staff as well as other ways to connect with OPI.

• SAM LPLP 2023-24
• SAM LPLP 2023-24 includes access to a coach/mentor
• MASS will pay the registration fee for all superintendents new to their positions.
• Register at SAM LPLP 2023-24
• SEL for Educational Leaders PLC (this cohort is full)
• Reduce workplace stress and burnout to increase retention.
• Build your capacity for resilience, building relationships, positive communication and effective collaborative practices.
• Enhance school cultures that ensure effective learning and well-being for every child in your care.
• SAM Aspiring Principal Certification Program
• Help to "rebuild" the Principal pipeline by recommending a future leader from your district.
• This webinar series will be hosted by three recently retired Principal Mentors from Montana.
• This cohort is designed for those who are aspiring towards school leadership. It does not matter if they have completed their coursework or if they have not yet started. All interested are encouraged to apply.
• Register HERE

• Current Award Opportunities

• Nominations will be accepted until Friday, December 15, 2023 for the following awards:
• MASSP Awards
• MASSP/NASSP  National Principal of the Year
• NASSP Conference Incentive Award
• MASSP Community Partner in Education
• MASSP Future Administrator Scholarship
• MAEMSP Awards
• MAEMSP/NAESP National Distinguished Principal
• Adrian Langstaff Award
• NAESP Conference Incentive Award
• MAEMSP Aspiring Principal Scholarship Award
• MAEMSP Friends of Education Award
• MAEMSP Appreciation Award

• Current Leadership Opportunities 
• MASSP
• 2024-25 MASSP Vice President (Deadline:  January 12, 2024)
• MAEMSP
• 2024-25 MAEMSP Vice President (Deadline:  January 12, 2024)
• Western Region Director (Deadline:  January 12, 2024)

• Upcoming SAM Events:
• January 21-23:  Montana Principals Conference, Butte
• March 11-12:  MASS/METAtechED Spring Conference, Helena

 "Did You Know"...Telling Your Story of Personalized Learning and Innovations

"Did You Know"...Telling Your Story of Personalized Learning and Innovations was an effort to collect information about our public schools.  We know that the value our schools bring to local communities enriches the lives of not only our students but our communities and the entire state.  Statistical information about student performance, and financial information about our schools, tell only a part of the story, and our ability to "Tell Our Story" is so important in providing a deeper, more meaningful look at the value of our public schools.  Many joined this effort to describe the ways our schools are making a difference in our communities for our children.

Follow this link to review the stories that were collected:  Innovations in Montana Public Schools.  The information can then be used by all of us to "Tell Our Story" to audiences who want to know more , about the value of our schools.

Other Links & Resources

• SAM Schedule of Conferences and Board Meetings
• SAM Friday Update
• SAM Membership Report
• SAM 50 Year Anniversary Celebration

• Suicide Prevention resources are available through the University of Montana  Safe Schools Center (MSSC) at https://www.umt.edu/education/specunits/montana_safe_schools_center/.
• The updated Montana CAST-S Toolkit was developed by co-authors Dr. Scott Poland and Dr. Donna Poland in collaboration with Montana OPI, SAM, DPHHS, Montana Association of Pediatric Psychiatrists, and NAMI Montana for the express use by Montana schools:  Montana's CAST-S 2022 
• The 2017 edition of the Montana Crisis Action Toolkit on Suicide (MT-CAST-S 2017) was developed in a collaboration between the Big Sky Council and NAMI Montana to support Montana school communities in meeting requirements of Montana state legislative statutes HB381 (2017) and HB374 (2019)

• Montana Unified School Trust (MUST), is excited to be able to offer Montana’s public schools additional flexibility and efficiencies in their funding of employee health benefits. Public schools now have the option to participate in the MUST Multidistrict Agreement to support services and activities for the funding and operations related to their employee health benefits. Visit the MUST Benefits - Multidistrict Agreement webpage for more information. (January 10, 2020)

• Sample Administrator Employment Contracts  View sample superintendent and principal contracts with innovative language

• SAM 2023 Travel Expense Form Template