Renee Erlandsen has retired from The Office of Public Instruction on April 30, 2021.

Renee has been an esteemed member of the Career, Technical and Adult Education division - Health Sciences for 15+ years, and she will be greatly missed by teachers and colleagues alike.

We wish her well in all her future endeavors.

Calling all educators, staff, and administrators of high schools and colleges (two-year or four-year)! The University of Montana Missoula College, along with the University of Montana Summer Office and Reach Higher Montana invites you to save the date and join us virtually for the first ever Montana Dual Enrollment Summit
taking place virtually on June 17, 2021!

As some of you know, we had originally planned this Summit for last summer and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, had decided to move it from 2020 to 2021 to ensure the health and safety of our participants, speakers and staff. In preparing for this year’s Summit, we received an overwhelming response to host it virtually for 2021, with the hopes of coming together in-person in 2022. We hope that by hosting it virtually this June, it will allow you the flexibility to attend from the comfort of your home or office.

The Dual Enrollment Summit is a professional development opportunity for the educators, staff, and administrators of high schools and colleges that aims to provide an opportunity for connections and networking between college and high school faculty, staff, and administrators to support continuous improvement, quality, and rigor in dual enrollment course offerings to Montana high school students. Registration is now open, and space is limited, so sign up today by clicking HERE. OPI Renewal Units will be available if requested.

The University of Montana also invites proposals for the Summit, with the sessions aimed at the professional development of others with the common goals of celebrating the current successes and highlighting the best practices of dual enrollment in Montana, as well as improving the quality of Montana dual enrollment. For information on submitting a proposal, please click HERE.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Jordan Patterson in the UM Dual Enrollment office at jordan.patterson@mso.umt.edu or to Becka Simons in the UM Summer Office at becka.simons@mso.umt.edu

The Montana Council on Economic Education, a partner program with Montana State University’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics, recently recognized student teams from high schools around the state for their success in an annual business simulation game designed to promote financial literacy and business sense.

The Big Sky Biz Sim by First Interstate Bank, which ran from early February through last week, is an in-class business simulation in which students make operating decisions for a business they devise to produce, sell, and distribute “widgets.” Those decisions impact the theoretical stock market prices of their businesses, which are then compared to other teams across the state at the end of each week.

Since the first Biz Sim in 2000—then then called the High School Business Challenge—more than 24,000 students have participated, according to MCEE Executive Director Dax Schieffer. Thirty-four schools participated this year, making up 386 student teams.

“We’re pleased to work with our sponsors to offer this engaging simulation to Montana’s youth who apply lessons in decision making, teamwork, communication and critical thinking in running a business for eight weeks,” Schieffer said. “We’re developing the professional business skills that employers are asking for to meet the significant workforce needs our state will face in the coming years. The investments MCEE is making today will pay dividends tomorrow for Montana’s economy.”

The top five teams qualifying for cash prizes were from Sidney High School, taught by Russ Biniek. Each student team came up with a name for their fictional company.

1. Innova – Emma Lund, Braylon DiFonzo, Victor Piedra
2. Flight of the Widgets – Pichit Charoenpanich, Kassadee Olson, Isaac Quiroz
3. Widgetback – Garrett Dodds, Taylor Stewart
4. Sysygy – Jade Emly, Matthew Hansen
5. Widgetzilla – Corben Holler, Gariella Juarez, Amavia Kim

More information can be found on the Montana Council on Economic Education’s website, econedmontana.org.

Over 300 teams in Montana competed in the spring 2021 edition of The Stock Market Game and students from Great Falls High School came out victorious.

Students Jacob Murray, Steven Stewart and Branden Kessler "invested" in AMC Theatre in "The Stock Market Game." The students were mentored by Great Falls High School Business and Marketing teacher Scott Donisthorpe.

Executive Director for the Montana Council on Economic Education, Dax Schieffer presented the certificates to the students along with D.A. Davidson representative Sean Sturges.

Each student received a cash award as well.

The Stock Market Game is a nine-week simulation in which students are given a hypothetical $100,000 to invest in the stock market.

Students must have at least five stocks and/or mutual funds at the end of the simulation, so research and diversification are crucial for success.

The Stock Market Game applies experiential learning using a simulated portfolio against the real stock exchange.

Students conduct research, apply strategy, and even consider brand loyalty for their picks.

This year, Glacier Bank and its family of Montana banks sponsored team fees across all Montana schools and provided the funding cash prizes.

It was another stellar year for Montana at the 2021 National Business Professionals of America Leadership Conference which was held virtually. Montana BPA was awarded the 2021 Professional Cup for both the Middle Level and the Secondary Level which is the most prestigious honor a state can receive!   6084 individuals from 23 state association and three international countries attended.  The Montana delegation represented 60 secondary chapters and six middle level chapters with a total Montana Association representation of 496 members participating (416 students and 80 advisors).  Business Professionals of America is the leading Career and Technical Student Organization for student pursuing careers in business management, office administration, information technology, health administration and other related career fields.   

Montana BPA once again had an unbelievable year with members being recognized for their community service involvement.   The BPA Cares Program recognizes schools who participated in service-learning programs: marketing and public relations as well as chapter activities award of excellence.  Montana was recognized with the following National BPA Honor Awards: BPA Marketing and Public Relations Award of Achievement:  Great Falls High School;  Community Service Certificate of Achievement:  Twin Bridges High School;  Special Olympics Award of  Achievement :  Great Falls High School; Social Media Awareness Certificate of Achievement:  Montana State Officer Team.  Camille Boland of Great Falls High School was Montana’s nomination for Student of the Year. Membership Explosion Certificate of Achievement was awarded to Conrad High School. 

Ten Montana BPA students were recipients of the Ambassador Torch Award:  Jenna Gibson, Garfield County District High School; Camilee Boland, Kelly Jones, Addison O’Neal and Tia Zarynski all of Great Falls High School; Elizabeth Hickey, Hobson High School; Tyler Kombol, Melstone High School; Megan Johnson and Luke McAphine, Powder River District High School and Jaydyn Erickson, Saco High School. 

Quality Chapter Distinction at NLC was awarded to the following schools:   Lincoln Middle School, Capital High School, Fergus High School, Forsyth High School, Froid Public School,

Glasgow High School, Great Falls High School, Helena High School, Hellgate High School, Jefferson High School, Lima High School, Scobey High School, Shelby High School, Simms High School, Skyview High School and Twin Bridges High School.

The President's Volunteer Service Award recognizes individuals, families, and groups that have achieved a certain standard measured by the number of hours of service over a 12-month period or cumulative hours earned over the course of a lifetime.  This year Montana BPA members were honored with the Presidential Volunteer Award-Bronze Level:  Rebecca Snow from Helena High School and Krayle Storme from Circle High School.

Sean Kunau of Fergus High School was awarded a National BPA Scholarship. 

The following students represented Montana at NLC this year as voting delegates:  Sean Kunau, Ben Archer, Julia Kunau, June LaPage, Macy Hill, Breanna Blaine and Dalton Sand.

Sixteen students were recognized for the completion of the National Student Certification. Series Level One:  Sean Kunau, Camilee Boland, Kelly Jones, Tia Zaremski, Ethan Schlepp, Emma Warhank, Reynie Doyle, Tessa Stokes, Ava Krieder, Carter Jasper, Kyie Salerno, and Darby Danishanko.  Series Level Two:  Ava Krieder, Kyie Salerno, Carter Jasper, Ethan Schlepp and Sean Kunau.

Five Montana BPA Advisors completed the National Advisor Certification: Beth Huguet, Beth Lawrence, Jill Page, Kristina McGee and Staci Auck completed certification this year.   

The following advisors were recognized for their years of service as a BPA advisor:  5 years:  Monica Tomayer, Conrad, Brian Frank, Roberts, Susan Deming, Columbus, Lanny Wilke, MSUN, Misty Krisovich,  Hobson, Dawn Smartnick,  Jefferson; 10 years:  Jeannette Baretto, Billings Senior, Brenda Menahan, Colstrip and Mona Sunchild, Rocky Boy; 15 years:  Scott Anderson, Baker; 20 years of service: Deani Goyette, Forsythe and Tamaira Wacker, Melstone.

Helena - May 7, 2021 - Reach Higher Montana has selected three Montana high school teachers to receive dual enrollment educator scholarships. The dual enrollment educator scholarships provide funding to educators in small Montana high schools, so that they can complete the required coursework to offer college credit to students enrolled in dual enrollment courses at their high schools.

This year’s recipients are:

• Beth Cooney, Harlowton High School: Cooney teaches math, and is enrolled in the Masters of Teaching School Mathematics at the University of Montana. She also plans to complete requirements to offer dual enrollment courses in History.
• Kayla Emard, Reed Point Schools: Emard teaches math, and plans to earn a Master of Science degree in Mathematics Education or Mathematics from Montana State University.
• Timothy Kaldahl, Hardin High School: Kaldahl holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University. Kaldahl teaches math and will use his scholarship to complete two more graduate level courses to complete his qualifications for teaching dual enrollment courses in mathematics. Kaldahl is considering Emporia State University or Chadron State University.

The Reach Higher Montana Dual Enrollment Educator Scholarship provides up to $5,000 per year for up to two years for Montana educators to complete their master’s degree and nine graduate credits (the general requirements to teach dual enrollment courses in Montana high schools).

“Our intention with the Dual Enrollment Educator Scholarship is to help teachers in Montana’s smaller communities expand options for their students,” said Kelly Cresswell, Executive Director. “Earning college credits in high school can help students complete some of their general education requirements before they go to college, which has the potential to save both time and money. More importantly, it helps students build confidence in their abilities to do college-level work.”

In addition to providing funding for educators, Reach Higher Montana is also supporting dual enrollment efforts in the state by partnering with the University of Montana to hold a Dual Enrollment Summit for educators on June 17. The summit will be offered virtually and is open to current and prospective dual enrollment educators and their postsecondary counterparts. More information is available at: https://www.umt.edu/ces/conferences/dual-enrollment/default.php

SUPERIOR - Cleo Dean Sutton, 73, went to the arms of Jesus after a battle with cancer on Monday, Oct. 12, with his family by his side.

Cleo was born Sept. 24, 1947 in Park Rapids, Minn. to Floyd and Geneva (McCreary) Sutton. The family moved to Fort Benton, Mont. when he was in the second grade. They moved around the northcentral Montana area for several years.

After graduating from Reed Point High School in 1965, Cleo attended tech school in Fargo, N.D. After four years in the Navy, including a stint in Vietnam, Cleo married Sharron (Sherry) Ardelean in San Diego on August 8, 1970. The couple adopted a daughter, Nicole, in 1974.

Cleo was a trooper on the California Highway Patrol, built houses in the San Diego area, ran the Conoco station in Reed Point, Mont., and then became a teacher. After attending Western Montana College in 1982 to get his industrial arts teaching degree, he took his first position in Superior, Mont. That was followed by a stint back at Western before he accepted a job at the Helena College of Technology in 1996, a position from which he retired in 2001. Cleo loved teaching students of all ages and from all walks of life.

Cleo and Sherry then moved to the Billings area to be closer to their daughter and her family, where he resumed building houses. He then took a job administering a grant for the University System before 'retiring' again in 2009, when the couple moved to Superior. They built their retirement home and Cleo continued to work on construction projects around the area. He loved his grandkids and spent many enjoyable hours with them fishing, hiking and teaching them construction skills.

Cleo is survived by his wife, Sherry; his daughter, Nicole (Mike) Donally; his grandchildren, Logan, Clayton, Luke, and Gretchen; two brothers, Ward and Doyle (Crystal); two sisters, Sharon Hopkins and Grace Deal; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service is planned for Sunday, June 6, 2021. Superior High School Gym, Superior, MT. Memorials may be made to Frontier Hospice of Missoula, or to a charity of one's choice. 

For questions, please email jweber@helenaschools.org or call (406)459-3194