News & Notes
Missoula County Public Schools: Employee Newsletter
September 4, 2015
Volume 16, Issue 2
Global Competence Summer Academy assists Missoula educators
The second Global Competence Summer Academy (GCSA), an intensive cross-cultural
and global-competence skill-building seminar program, attracted more than thirty
K-12 teachers, counselors and administrators from Missoula County Public
Schools (MCPS) and surrounding school districts, August 10 and 11 on the UM
campus. The trainings helped participants to better understand, address and manage cultural similarities and differences, common in classrooms with learners from
diverse cultural backgrounds. Furthermore, the GCSA focused on areas of pedagogy and curriculum and aids instructors in developing teaching strategies that
support the changing demographic in today’s classroom. The GCSA also assists
educators interested in infusing their curriculum with cross-cultural and global
perspectives.
Public Meetings
•Superintendent’s Cabinet
Meeting: Tuesday,
September 8, 8 a.m.,
Business Building Board
Room
•Board Meeting: Tuesday,
September 8, 6 p.m.,
Business Building Board
Room
Agendas for these meetings
are available online:
www.mcpsmt.org
The academy was developed and taught by Dr. Udo Fluck, father of a 4th grader at Chief Charlo Elementary School and director
of the Global Gateway Program with the Office of International Programs at the University of Montana.
The GCSA is a joint partnership between the UM Phyllis J. Washington College of Education and Human Sciences and MCPS, as
part of the SHAPE P-20 Initiative.
Big Sky High School Health Science Academy receives generous donation
Montana Governor Steve Bullock visited Big Sky High School on Wednesday, September 2
as part of his “College and Career Readiness” Back to School Tour. During the visit Jeff
Fee, CEO of Providence St. Patrick Hospital, formally announced the donation of $110,000
to Big Sky High School’s Health Science Academy (HSA). HSA will receive $50,000 the first
year, with an additional $30,000 for the next two years.
In this issue:
GCSA
Governor Visit
Smart Schools 2020
Sentinel ART Video
One Class at a Time
1
1
1
1
Safety Tip of the Week
Staff Opportunities
Human Resources
2
2
2
In Appreciation
Bulletin Board
2
2
The generous donation will provide an opportunity for students enrolled in the Health Science Academy to receive industry certifications. Health Science Academy graduates may
receive either a phlebotomist, emergency medical technician or certified nursing assistant certification. The
certifications will help graduates secure beneficial employment while moving onto post-secondary schooling.
Big Sky High School HSA teachers will also benefit from the Providence St. Patrick Hospital
donation. Teachers will have the opportunity to participate in medical field externships and
fund additional planning sessions further enhancing the college-preparatory curriculum.
For more information about Big Sky High School’s Health Science Academy click here.
Smart Schools 2020 Corner:
Budgeted Funds
The Board of Trustees approved an Elementary Bond Proposal and a High School Bond
Proposal, moving forward with the Smart
Schools 2020 Initiative. The bonds, if approved by the voters this November 2015, will improve all 9 elementary
schools, 3 middle schools, 5 high schools. Addressing areas of critical
need, including updated technology infrastructure, safety and security,
deferred maintenance and developing flexible learning spaces throughout
all schools.
Understanding the District’s budget is essential.
• What are the major budget categories?
• What is funded in each budget category?
• Where do the resources for each budget category come from?
Find the answers to these questions and learn more about the District’s
budget by viewing the Budgeted Funds guide. Click here to view.
Sentinel students present active resistance training video
Sentinel High School teacher Jennifer Keintz and Sentinel students Sydney
Pasternak, Nicole Schmid, Kat Rowley, Kylie Landmark, JonJon Marcelo,
Tiaga Gamell, and Abby Gillespie filmed and produced an active resistance
training video. The video was selected as part of the PBS News Hour
Student Reporting Labs “the new safe” Inside the Battle for School Safety
series. Click here to view the video in its entirety. Congratulations!
2015-2016 One Class at a Time grant applications
Allegiance Benefit Plan Management and KPAX-TV are pleased to announce their first recipient of a One Class at a Time grant for the 2015-2016 school year.
Recipient, Rattlesnake Elementary School counselor, Angela Opitz
received a $250 grant to purchase the five-part Amazing Kids of
Character Series highlighting the cornerstone of character.
Each week throughout the school year a classroom will be awarded
a $250 grant to be used to purchase items needed to enhance the
classroom and students’ education. One Class at a Time grant
applications are available online and only take a few minutes to complete. Click here for the
application.
Safety Tip of the Week—by Officer Mark Puddy
Pedal Power
When the weather is decent around Missoula many residents use a bicycle for transportation. Same can be said for our children transporting themselves to school, home,
and around the neighborhood. Most of my time as a child was spent on a bike and what a great time it was. Fortunately, I lived in the country and did not have to contend
with much traffic. As most of you would agree, traffic in Missoula can be a nightmare at times. Bicyclists and motorists have to co-exist in the vast network of bike paths
and roadways. To increase safety for our bicyclists, especially our children we need to be aware of a few tips and laws that exist.
Click here to visit the City of Missoula website explaining the Missoula Municipal Code as well as Montana Code Annotated 61-8-6 covering bicycle laws.
• Bicycles on the road are considered vehicles and must follow the same laws as cars. That includes traveling on the right side of the road, obeying all traffic rules and
signaling when turning – left arm extended straight for left turns or upwards when turning right. Cyclists may also signal a right turn by extending their right arm.
• Cyclists must yield to other vehicles at four-way stops and uncontrolled intersections.
• Bicycle lanes are painted on the road for cyclists to ride while following the same laws as motorists.
• Sharrows are double-arrowed bicycle symbols painted on roads where speed limits are low and there isn't room for a designated bike lane. It allows cyclists to “take
the lane.”
• Drivers may pass a cyclist if they can do it without putting the biker in danger. They must yield to a cyclist riding in a designated bicycle lane or on a road with sharrows.
• Cars should treat cyclists in a bike lane as if they are vehicles in a right lane. They may not cut the cyclist off by turning right in front of them. They also cannot park in
the bike lane or obstruct it.
• Cyclists riding on sidewalks, multi-use paths or in crosswalks are treated as pedestrians. They must stop before crossing roads. Cyclists must also give pedestrians the
right of way and give an audible signal before passing.
• Cyclists riding at night must have appropriate lights and reflectors, including wheel and pedal reflectors.
• You cannot get arrested for driving under the influence while riding a bicycle, “but common sense will dictate that it's not a good idea to ride a bicycle while intoxicated,” McManis said.
• You can, however, be cited for texting or talking on the phone without a hands-free device while riding a bicycle
And finally, if you remember nothing else, remember the lug nut rule when riding a bike. He who is driving the vehicle with the most lug nuts wins.
“When you're a kid, all you really care about are Slurpees and Slip N Slide and riding your bike, and that's what I did.” - Pauly Shore
Staff Opportunities
In Appreciation:
⇒ Nutrition Education in the Classroom and Beyond: Tips for Educators: On Wednesday, September
16 from 3 p.m.—4 p.m. (EST) the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Team Nutrition Initiative will host a
free webinar. This webinar will discuss innovative ways elementary and middle school educators can integrate
nutrition education into core subjects like math, language arts and science. To participate in the webinar, please
click here. For questions, please contact Maya Maroto, USDA/FNS, at (703)605-3210 or
maya.maroto@fns.usda.gov.
Human Resources and Benefits Corner
⇒ Wellness Clinics Scheduled: Upcoming wellness/blood draw clinics have been scheduled. These clinics
• Thank you to the Thompson Family for
grilling for the Open House Barbecue and
thanks to the Porter Parent Council for
donating the hamburgers.
• Special thanks to the Missoula Church of
the Nazarene for donating backpacks full
of school supplies to the Porter students
in need.
If you have a “thank you” for a donor, community
member, business, etc. please email the details to
talong@mcps.k12.mt.us.
are free of charge to those that participate in the MCPS Health Insurance Plan and include a follow-up with a
CostCare provider to review your results at no additional charge. Registration is available approximately twoweeks before the clinic date but must be completed one week prior to the clinic date. Additional clinics will
be scheduled to accommodate all staff. To register login to www.costcare.com and select the wellness tab to
schedule your appointment. Flu shots are included with schools hosting Wellness Clinics after October 1. Schools not receiving flu shots will be scheduled
for first week of November. For questions, please contact Kacy Brady, Benefits Technician, knbrady@mcps.k12.mt.us or ext. 1044.
September 10: Russell
September 17: Washington
October 6: Lowell
October 8: Rattlesnake
October 22: Willard
November 5: Jefferson
November 17: Paxson
November 19: Business Building/Sentinel
⇒ Staff ID Badges: MCPS staff who do not have a 2015-2016 ID badge are encouraged to come to the Administration Building, 215 South 6th Street West,
on Wednesday, September 23, 2015, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Lifetouch has been scheduled to take staff pictures and print ID badges during this time and will
be set up in Room 14. Questions? Please call Tracy Long (406)728-2400, ext. 1026 or email talong@mcps.k12.mt.us.
⇒ Sick Leave Donations: Staff seeking donations of sick leave from fellow District employees due to extended illness or medical emergency must complete an
official sick leave donation request form. Official posting notices will be issued via email from Human Resources, MMCEO, or MEA-MFT to building secretaries for posting on established employee information bulletin boards and announcement in the MCPS Newsletter. Staff members currently in need of donated
sick leave: Terrie Shaw, Margaret Been and Starla Last Star.
B u l l e t i n B o a rd
⇒ School’s Out Day Camp at Travelers’ Rest: Students in grades K-5 are welcome to take part in the Autumn Explorers Day Camp at Travelers’ Rest State Park
on Monday, September 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Campers will look forward to a full day of indoor and outdoor activities including storytelling, autumn themed
games, nature hikes and playing with food. The cost is $30 per student or $25 for members of the Travelers’ Rest Preservation and Heritage Association. Snacks will
be provided but students will need to provide a lunch and dress appropriately for the weather. Register online at www.travelersrest.org or call (406)273-4253.
⇒ Montana Meth Project, “Paint the State” contest: In a report released by the Montana Office of Public Instruction, surveys indicate that Meth use among teens
has consistently dropped since 2011. The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) measures these risk behaviors and indicators show that the Montana Meth Project message “Not Even Once” is working. As part of the Montana Meth Project, people from across Montana took part in the “Paint the State” art contest promoting the
message. There were three categories: 1) Video, 2) Outdoor/Monument/Sculpture or 3) Artwork/Photography. The contest artwork has been shared via social
media and votes will be accepted until September 15. Winners will receive a $2,500 People’s Choice Award and celebrity panelists J.K. Simmons, Tyler Barham,
Larry Pirnie and Mark Mesenko will award a $7,500 Celebrity Artists Award. Click here to view the projects and vote.
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