Superintendent's Message
Over the weekend, a soccer ball hit one of the windows on the backside of the 1227 building . The responsible party has been located, was very sorry, and has agreed to pay for repairs. There are no security concerns at this moment because of the accident. We are grateful for your patience and grace as we get this taken care of!
Thank you to the Capital Police for their speedy response time and investigation!
Calendar
Please be aware of the upcoming meetings:
Many of our talented OPI staff will be involved in presenting the great work the OPI does in putting Montana students first.
- October 20: Compass submissions due
- October 26: In the Know - Amber Lyman - Montana Marinara
- October 27: Compass sent out
- October 31: Halloween - Family Trick-or-Treat at OPI Noon to 5, Governor Trick-or-Treat at the Capitol 4 to 6
- November 1: MACIE
- November 5: Daylight Savings Time at 2:00 AM
- November 8: In the Know - Jenna McKinney - Parent and Family Engagement
- November 10: Veterans Day Holiday Observed
- November 14: Annual Claw-gate BBQ - 1227 parking lot
- November 15-17: Board of Public Education in Missoula
- November 16-17: Board of Regents in Missoula
- November 17: Board of Education in Missoula
- November 18: Cat/Griz Game
- November 22: In the Know - Wendi Fawns - ESSER
In the Know
In the Know are learning sessions presented by OPI staff. All start times are at noon. In person: the meeting will be held in the Lewis & Clark Conference Room: 1227 #106. Virtual: Zoom information is as follows: In the Know - Zoom Link Meeting ID: 851 1792 1375 Password: 074298. Dial by Telephone: 1 646 558 8656.
Amber Lyman will be hosting the School Nutrition - Montana Marinara on October 26, 2023.
If you have any events to add to the calendar, please contact Brian O'Leary
Staying Warm
The thermostat on the first floor of the1227 building has been fixed! The sun was beating down directly on the thermostat and caused it to have issues. It is now in proper working order. Thank you for your patience as it was being fixed.
Daylight Savings
Don't forget! On November 5th, 2023, Montanans will be rolling their clocks back an hour at 2:00am.
Ready for the move?
Plans have been developed and are moving forward to consolidate all in-office personnel into the space at the 1300 building. Improvements to the 1300 location are underway to ensure a comfortable and effective work environment for all in-office employees. These improvements will be made between now and the end of December 2023. The target date for the move is January 16, 2024. Please direct any questions you have to your immediate manager or John McCormick, Chief Accountability Officer. Thank you for your understanding and patience while this change progresses.
Wishing you a 'Happy Birthday' this week
Jay Phillips, Rob Stutz, and Allyson Briese
OPI Departures
Donnie Wetzel, Director of Tribal Student Achievement, Relations, and Resiliency, will be departing OPI on Friday October 20. We are so grateful for all of Donnie's hard work and accomplishments with OPI. Donnie has accepted a position at the Department of Labor. We wish you all the best luck on your latest journey!
|
2023 Fall OPI Employee Work Survey
The brief survey below is designed to assess why some employees choose to telework, why others have remained/returned to working in the office, and how these choices impact OPI operations moving forward.
The results will be used to assess the agency’s future needs for office space, and provide insight about our telework and office environment. Your responses will be anonymous and will help agency leadership ensure you have the resources and support you need.
The survey will close tomorrow, October 20th, at 5:00 PM. For questions, please contact Randa Renenger at randa.renenger@mt.gov or 406-444-4407. This survey will be repeated in six months so we can again assess the success of telework. Thanks for your feedback!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSegNswDCl2MZMg9x1Qi8_yBL6qRVBaF1Fk0xrOKpY4dBvevJQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
|
Baby Shower for Ellery Bresler and Baby Boy!
November 17th 12:00-2:00
Lewis and Clark Room in 1227
We hope you can stop by to say hi to the mom-to-be.
To win a prize, bring a box of wipes or diapers in any size!
Ellery is also registered at Amazon.
|
IT At A Glance
Server Update
The Network Administrators will be updating the OPI Print server starting at 5 pm Monday, October 23, 2023. This will the ability to use the printers here at the OPI. We will be doing it after hours to reduce the impact on users. Please make sure to let your users know the server will be down for the evening. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Marla Swanby at mswanby@mt.gov.
Qualtrics Surveys and Forms
The IT and Data Division would like to remind everyone here at the OPI if you have survey forms, we have the potential to use Qualtrics for your survey form needs. If you have questions on whether or not to use Qualtrics for your projects please submit a helpdesk ticket to the PMO at https://opiservicedesk.opi.mt.gov/help/servicedesk/customer/portal/18, and one of the project managers will assist you.
|
Virtual Meeting Standards
Please adhere to the following guidelines when participating in virtual meetings:
- Utilize the branded backdrop for Zoom and Teams virtual meetings.
- Please keep your cameras on to stay engaged with the meeting.
- Be conscientious of food and beverage distractions.
- When working from home or the office, please wear appropriate business attire when engaging in a virtual meeting.
- Your name identifier for Zoom: First & Last Name, Title, MT OPI.
Helpful tip: to have the logo facing the correct direction for other participants, your view will appear backwards.
We See You, We Appreciate You, We Thank You
Kudos to Aimee Konzen and her team! They are champions at supporting the School Improvement Team and all schools in CSI and ATSI status. Their team travels on a regular basis to meet with schools and their leadership teams ensuring they are getting the support they need to address student achievement efforts. We see you and appreciate you!
Kudos to Rob Stutz, Chief Legal / Deputy Superintendent, who has answered the call and gone above an beyond in these last few weeks with everything from running the Parent Night meetings, to handling the issues in Wyola, and many more examples in between! Rob has been on a roll lately and we'd like to show him some OPI gratitude!
|
OPI Openings
OPI's Halloween Costume Contest and Trick-Or-Treating
Trick-or-Treat at the Capitol last year.
 |
|
Photograph your costume and email to OPIPersonel@mt.gov by November 1st, 2022. Winners will be announced in the weekly newsletter! The prize of each category is bragging rights!
Categories include:
- Funniest Costume
- Scariest Costume
- Most Original Costume
- Best Homemade Costume
|
OPI Halloween Trick-Or-Treat October 31st: We have two opportunities for Family Friendly Trick-or-Treating:
-
OPI's Trick-Or-Treat at 1227 and 1300: Elsie invites staff to bring their young family members to dress in costumes and visit OPI buildings from 12pm-5pm. Please plan on making your workspace family friendly during those times.
-
Governor's Trick-Or-Treat at the Capitol: The Superintendent will join the Governor, Secretary of State, and Commissioner of Securities and Insurance in handing out treats to our children on the south side of the Capitol from 4pm-6pm. If you would like to volunteer and help staff our table in support of our children, please contact OPI Human Resources at OPIPersonnel@mt.gov. The OPI will be handing out hot dogs and our table will have a Frankenstein theme.
Wyola School
Superintendent Arntzen, Deputy Superintendent/Chief Legal Counsel Rob Stutz, and School Improvement Unit Manager John Gorton participated in a listening session with the Wyola School Board, staff, and parents on Wednesday night. Shout out to the community for providing a wonderful steak dinner!
OPI benefits open enrollment is now open!
Our open enrollment is now open, and you have until the close of your open enrollment period to make your benefits elections for the upcoming year. Log in to benefits.mt.gov to review your benefits, make changes or confirm continuation of the benefits you currently have, and report your nicotine use. If you do not complete your transaction prior to the window close date, you will be unable to make changes to your employee benefits until the next open enrollment, unless you experience a qualifying life event, such as a marriage, birth or adoption. In addition, if you do not complete your open enrollment, you will automatically be charged the Tobacco Surcharge. If you are logging in for the first time, you will need to register as a first-time user. The company key is stateofmontana. If you currently have coverage, you will be able to access your existing benefits. ACT NOW to ensure you and your family are covered for the coming year and the Tobacco Surcharge is properly applied to your benefits. If you have any questions, please log in to benefits.mt.gov to review important information regarding your benefit options. You can also contact the Health Care & Benefits Division (HCBD) at benefitsquestions@mt.gov or (800) 287-8266 if you have any questions. Thank you, State of Montana Benefits Team
 We still need your support!
Thanks to everyone who has generously donated so far to the 2023 State Employees' Charitable Giving Campaign. We are currently at 60 percent of our $450,000 goal. If you haven't made a donation yet, please do so today! Help us reach our goal of $450,000 to support the nonprofits in Montana!
Total donations received through Week 3:
$269,948
We are at 60% of our $450,000 goal!
Every donation helps move us closer to reaching our goal! You can make a donation through our SECGC website: charitablegiving.mt.gov. Click on the green button at the bottom left labeled STATE EMPLOYEES: 2023 Campaign is open.
Week 3 Prize Winners
Midnight Moon Gift Box from MT Glass Liquor - Mary Pfeifer - Public Health & Human Services - Helena
$50 in Downtown Helena Nugget Gift Certificates donated by Christensen & Prezeau Law, PLLP - Jenne Caudle - Public Health & Human Services - Helena
$50 VISA gift card donated by Joe Mitchell State Farm - David Castro - Corrections - Kalispell
Coffee Beans and Coffee Flask from 1889 Coffee - Jeff Meredith - Administration - Helena
Blackfoot River Brewing Gift Card - Jessie Counts - Public Health & Human Services - Helena
Blackfoot River Brewing Gift Card - Terri Briski - State Fund - Helena
Blackfoot River Brewing Gift Card - Amy Knecht - State Fund - Helena
HydroFlask donated by The Base Camp - Priscilla Oliver - Transportation - Helena
$50 Home Depot Gift Card donated by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana - Danika Holmes - Natural Resources and Conservation - Missoula
$100 VISA Gift Card donated by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana - Kerri Norick - MSDB - Great Falls
1 night stay at the Best Western Premier Helena Great Northern Hotel - Madison Ruetten - Judicial Branch
$25 Gift Card to the Brewhouse - Alexa O'Dell - Legislative Branch – Townsend
Please email Bill Crane, SECGC Program Coordinator, at SECGC@montanashares.org providing your mailing address or delivery address to which your prize can be sent or delivered. Thanks!
Week 4 Prizes
- $50 in Downtown Helena Nugget Gift Certificates donated by Christensen & Prezeau Law, PLLP
- $50 VISA gift card donated by Donated by Joe Mitchell State Farm
- Growler and fill token from 10 Mile Brewing
- Midnight Moon Gift Box from MT Glass Liquor
- HydroFlask donated by The Base Camp
- $50 Home Depot Gift Card donated by Blue Cross Blue Shield of MT
- $100 VISA Gift Card donated by Blue Cross Blue Shield of MT
- $100 Gift Card from Lucca's
- $50 Gift Card from Base Camp
- Blackfoot River Brewing Gift Card
- Blackfoot River Brewing Gift Card
- Blackfoot River Brewing Gift Card
- Montana Lottery of Scratch tickets and bag
- Prize package from Headwaters Crafthouse
Thank you for your generosity!
Remember, all employees who donate are added to the weekly prize drawings and included in the $1,000 Grand Prize drawing donated by Helena Motors!
Updated COVID-19 Vaccine is Available at Montana Health Centers
|
Two Ways to Get the Vaccine:
1. Call (855) 200-6822 for a COVID-19 Vaccination Appointment
2. Add it on to Your Medical or Flu Shot Appointment
|
The updated COVID-19 vaccine available at the Montana Health Centers is Moderna.
COVID-19 and Flu vaccinations may be administered at the same time. To receive a COVID-19 vaccine during your medical or flu shot appointment at a Montana Health Center or Off-Site event, simply request it upon arrival or add it to the "What is the most important thing you want addressed during this visit?" section when scheduling your appointment.
COVID-19 specific appointments are not available online.
|
COVID-19 vaccines are also available at local pharmacies and medical centers by scheduling an appointment directly with the provider. COVID-19 vaccinations are fully covered on the State Plan when a member uses an in-network pharmacy, provider, and/or facility. More information on finding in-network care is available at benefits.mt.gov.
Make an appointment with a Montana Health Center provider or schedule a telehealth appointment with Virtual Primary Care at mypremisehealth.com. All tests must be ordered by a provider. If you do not have a provider order, you must schedule a provider visit and see a provider before being tested.
|
|
|
|
|
"Not how long, but how well you have lived is the main thing.”
— Seneca
Questions? Contact:
Brian O'Leary, Communications Director
Dustin Scott, Communications Associate
The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, require an alternate format, or have questions concerning accessibility, contact the OPI ADA Coordinator, 406-444-3161, opiada@mt.gov, Relay Service: 711.
|
