 The OPI New Team Members
Lori Strandell is the new OPI Senior Office Manager. Lori came to us from the Department of Public Health and Human Services, where she worked for 28 years supporting Montana children through a variety of positions: Compliance Specialist, Regional Manager, and Bureau Chief. She is a fourth- generation Montanan and has lived in Helena for the past seven years. She has a B. S. in Finance from the University of Montana. She is an avid Griz fan, loves camping, traveling, and tolerates ice fishing with her husband. She is excited to continue to serve the children and families of Montana in her new role. Please reach out and say “hi,” as she looks forward to getting to know everyone. Please contact Lori for any needs at Lori.Strandell@mt.gov or 406-444-3160.
Dennison Rivera is our new Communications Director. Rivera is a small business owner and marketing entrepreneur. He was born in Houston, TX, and is a first-generation American from a Colombian/Honduran family. His wife, whom he met in Helena but is also Colombian, is his rock. Rivera is passionate about helping those in need, whether helping businesses with their marketing or making a difference in the community. He is thankful for the opportunity to serve Montana. Rivera looks forward to connecting with parents and helping put Montana students first. Please contact Dennison for any needs at Dennison.rivera@mt.gov or 406-444-7325.
Retirement
Join us in thanking Gail Harms for her 30 plus years of service to our Montana students including 8 years with the OPI as the AIM Unit Manager, managing the AIM Student Informational System. Thank you, Gail!
MIC3, Purple Star Schools
On December 7th, 2021 the Montana Council on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (MIC3) met and awarded six Purple Star Schools and four Purple Star Champions.
A big shout out to our Purple Star Schools and our Purple Star Campions!
- Valid Purple Star Schools Applicants Are:
- Flathead High School in Kalispell
- Holy Spirit Catholic School in Great Falls
- Morningside Elementary School in Great Falls
- Ben Steel Middle School in Billings
- Great Falls Central Catholic High School in Great Falls
- Townsend School District in Townsend
- Valid Purple Star Champion Nominees Are:
- Jennifer Bernhart, Missoula (Community Supporter)
- Hunter Jones, Will James Middle School (Educator)
- Joe Firda, Great Falls (US Air Guard and Community Supporter)
- Kim Ray, Morningside Elementary School (Principal)
For more information, visit: https://mic3.net/state/montana/
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Comprehensive School & Community Treatment (CSCT)
The OPI held a stakeholder meeting on December 29 at the Capitol to continue to advance the program to better serve our Montana students. This was an informational meeting regarding the Intergovernmental Memorandum of Understanding (IGT-MOU), accounting guidance, and possible solutions through a Q & A.
For more information, please contact Deputy Sharyl Allen at Sharyl.allen@mt.gov or 406-444-5658.
New Advanced Licensing System
This is a Big Sky Moment! This is an exciting time for Montana Educators, as the old licensing system is being replaced by a more efficient, user-friendly licensing system that will provide a fully web-based interface, automated intake, review, evaluation, and issuance of a license using secure and stable cloud technology. This system will make it easier for teachers to automatically import licensing records and allow a certificate to be printed once an application is processed. Educators will have two options to renew their licenses:
- Submit a paper application and mail hard copy documents along with payment to The Montana Office of Public Instruction.
- Wait until the new system is available on June 1, 2022, to submit your renewal and pay online.
For more information, please contact Crystal Andrews, Educator Licensure Unit Director, at Crystal.Andrews@mt.gov or 406-444-3150.
Afterschool Programs
Now open is the application for the Montana Afterschool Grant, which is part of the federal American Rescue Plan. A steering committee was formed in late spring of 2021, with multiple conversations focusing on current and future needs in a sustainable model. After the Intent to Apply on November 12, 2021, 75 afterschool programming sites are eligible to apply for funding, and over 4,000 Montana students will be served. OPI will be offering an introduction to the electronic grant (E-grant) application and technical support webinar on Wednesday, December 29, at 11 AM via Zoom.
For more information, please contact Jeff Kirksey, MSEd., ESSER Program Manager, at jeffrey.kirksey@mt.gov or 406-444-0783.
Teacher Leader Academy
The first-ever Montana Teacher Leader Academy is designed to empower our teachers. We want to give teachers the tools to lead to long-term success in their classrooms. Follow the links below to apply and find the academy’s FAQs.
For more information, please contact Tristen Loveridge at tristen.belnap@mt.gov or 406-444-5643.
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Homeless Children and Youth Grant
Under the Federal American Rescue Plan (ARP-HCY), Montana received two allocations of funds for a total of $1,876,824 to aid in educating homeless children and youth. In August 2021, a total of $469,206 was distributed to sixteen Montana eligible districts with a high number of homeless students.
The second allocation of $1,407,618 is available, and 53 Montana districts elected to apply for the funds. All Montana school districts eligible for Title I, Part A funds were allowed to apply. Districts can manage their own programs or form a consortium of multiple districts.
Superintendent Arntzen asks these school districts to take advantage of this generous opportunity to serve these populations of families and students, as all Montana communities are affected by the challenges of homelessness.
For more information, please contact Jack O’Connor, Federal Programs Director and State Homeless Education Coordinator, at joconnor2@mt.gov or 406-444-3083.
Blue Ribbon Schools
Superintendent Arntzen has again been invited to nominate Montana schools for the 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools (NBRS) award. Shout out to Cascade Elementary School and Ridge View Elementary School in Belgrade, which were 2021 National Blue-Ribbon honorees. Both schools were recognized for creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. Schools are recognized in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores, and graduation rates:
- Exemplary High-Performing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
- Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps.
- Not-for-profit, non-public schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education (CAPE). Non-public schools interested in applying for nomination should contact the Council for American Private Education directly.
Once Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona receives the nominations, an invitation will be extended to the nominated schools to apply. If your school is invited to apply, a completed application will be due April 8, 2022. The application for nominations will be forthcoming.
For more information, please contact Lori Strandell, OPI Senior Office Manager, at lori.strandell@mt.gov or 406-444-3160.
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Language Revitalization Workshop
We are pleased to announce another Class 7 Language Revitalization Workshop:
Give Your Students a Boost with Free Safety Training
In Montana, approximately 25,000 work-related injuries are reported each year, impacting the physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being of both employee and employer. Proper safety training is a proven path to significantly reduce and, in many instances, prevent those injuries and resulting impacts.
Safety training for students is an opportunity to not only enhance their immediate safety and well-being, but it can also strengthen their resumes when applying for jobs, as many employers now prefer workers with safety training.
The Montana Department of Labor & Industry provides an OSHA accredited 10-hour safety course to Montana schools at no cost. OSHA is the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, and students receive an OSHA course completion card that is recognized throughout the construction and general industry trades.
The course can be conducted either on-site at your school or remotely, and the required 10 hours are completed over multiple days. Visit OSHA 10 Safety Training or call (406) 444-1605 for more information and request the safety training to give your students a boost!
For more information, please contact Michael Horner, Outreach Manager, Employment Relations Division, Department of Labor & Industry at Michael.Horner2@mt.gov or Department of Labor 406-444-1574.
Click the links below to see updates from OPI's units.
Achievement in Montana (AIM)
Assessment
Career, Technical and Adult Education
Coordinated School Health
Educator Licensure
Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER)
Emergency Assistance for Non-Public Schools (EANS)
Gifted & Talented
Indian Education for All
Montana Autism Education Project
School Finance
School Nutrition
Special Education
Standards, Instruction & Professional Learning
Title & Federal Programs
Traffic Education
Transformational Learning & Montana Advanced Opportunities
Questions? Contact:
Dennison Rivera, Communications Director
Brian.O'Leary, Deputy Communications Director
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.
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