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Many teachers (including parents) witness children who lack social competence, which includes critical, life-enriching friendship skills. As a result, these students often not only have difficulty establishing and maintaining friendships, but are poorly accepted by their peers, and may later engage in more serious and violent acts when their discourteous and disrespectful behaviors persist over time. Furthermore, social competence opens doors for academic success.

Click here to participate in the Talk!What:AppleTree Institute in Washington, DC, has been implementing RTI in preschool settings since 2007 to support the development of language, social-emotional, and foundational academic skills of three- and four-year-old children. Join Mary Anne Lesiak and Lydia Carlis as they explore the application of multi-tiered systems of support in early childhood settings and answer your questions about key issues. Ms. Lesiak and Dr. Carlis will offer specific tips for how school teams can work together to introduce and sustain RTI at the preschool level.When:Tuesday, December 13, 20111:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. MTContact:National Center for Learning DisabilitiesToll-Free: 888-575-7373 Phone: 646-616-1252Fax: 202-842-1942

Click here to register for this event What: This three hour training is designed for counselor/administrator teams to work together to learn the basic principles of the Montana School Counseling Program Model.  The training will include roles and responsibilities of counselors and administrators within the program and steps for implementation of the Model.  Participants will have an outline of an implementation plan and be able to begin the implementation process. The goal is to provide high-quality, Level I training for Montana school counselors and administrators. Participants will learn the tools to: establish a school counseling program as an integral component of the school?s academic missions; ensure students have access to counseling services; identify and deliver the knowledge and skills acquired in the Academic, Career, and personal/Social Domains; promote specific guidelines and strategies to engage culturally different students/parents in counseling and the educational process; and, sponsor a culturally appropriate approach to counseling that is aligned with the spirit and intent of IEFA. Where: Montana State University - Billings College of Education Building, Room 122 Billings, MT Scheduled Trainings: March 11, 2011 9:00am-12:00pm April 1, 2011 9:00am-12:00pm April 13, 2011 9:00am-12:00pm Cost: http://www.msubillings.edu/smart/training/schoolcounseling.htm There are no fees for this training but registration is required.  Mileage reimbursement will be paid for those outside of the Billings area.

Camp Buckskin has been helping young people with ADD, ADHD, Learning Disabilities, Aspergers, or those who may be adopted to learn and grow for more than 50 years. We provide a structured, consistent, and supportive environment with quality instruction in traditional camp and some academic activities. Our featured Personal Growth Program works to enhance social awareness and improve social skills. Our parents are most interested in helping their children make and maintain friendships, so we work each day to accomplish this goal. In addition, we strive to improve problem solving/coping skills to help our campers become more self reliant and take on increased responsibility for themselves.

The transition to kindergarten is most successful when it is carefully planned out over the entire pre-kindergarten year. Starting as early as the first day of preschool, it’s important to make sure that children are developing the academic skills that help form a foundation of strong pre-reading and pre-writing, as well as the social and emotional skills they’ll need in kindergarten.

What: The annual Montana Mentor Institute 2011 – the Art and Science of Teacher Mentoring is scheduled for August 8-10, 2011, at the Best Western GranTree Inn in Bozeman. This year the institute will have a novice strand for mentors new to the teacher mentoring process and a skilled strand for teacher mentors who have previously attended a mentor institute. The structure for the institute includes two days of skills and concept training, and a half day of team planning and resources available to support instruction. Districts that have developed teacher mentor programs in Montana consistently report that providing high-quality training to the mentors is a challenge. The Mentor Institute is a great place to have your teacher mentors trained. The institute aligns with Montana correlates in the following areas: Academic Performance – Instruction, and Learning Environment – Professional Growth and Development. The institute will provide renewal units, and graduate credit (for an additional cost). Registration information for the Montana Mentor Institute 2011 can be found at: http://www.opi.mt.gov/pdf/SpecED/Mentor/11MentorInstitute.pdf When: August 8-10, 2011 Where: Best Western GranTree Inn Bozeman, MT

Transitioning to Kindergarten: A Toolkit for Early Childhood EducatorsThe transition to kindergarten is most successful when it is carefully planned out over the entire pre-kindergarten year.  Starting as early as the first day of preschool, it’s important to make sure that children are developing the academic skills that help form a foundation of strong pre-reading and pre-writing, as well as the social and emotional skills they’ll need in kindergarten. 

Language-based learning disability (LBLD) refers to a spectrum of difficulties related to the understanding and use of spoken and written language. LBLD is a common cause of students' academic struggles because weak language skills impede comprehension and communication, which are the basis for most school activity.

In a recent speech, Secretary Duncan noted that parents understand better than anyone how important it is that schools prepare students for success in life—not just with academic knowledge, but with the skills needed to succeed in jobs and to be an active participant in society.

Click here to download the flyer for more information!What:The Parent Group will offer resources, tools, strategies, and support, along with time for parents to share concerns and brainstorm ideas and a snack. Weekly topic examples: Bedtime struggles  /  building routines Helping your child organize Discipline strategies Melt downs Expectations for public settings Accepting who your child is Help your child ‘fit in’ academically, socially and emotionally Kids Fun Night will provide children with a place to interact socially with other kids, games and educational centers, a friendship circle to practice friendship skills, and a snack.When:Thursdays beginning January 19, 20126:00 pm - 7:30 pmWhere:Hamilton, MTSouth Valley Child and Family Center  515 W. MadisonContact:Doug Cochran-Roberts, Therapist [240-3510]                             Deb Ellingson, Former School Counselor [529-4893]               Kathy Cook, Retired Teacher [961-3951]                                  Carolyn Durgin, Para-educator [214-7031]Nicole Turner, Parent [381-8476]Kathy Molesh, Parent [531-3437]Louise Kingston, Parent [961-512]

The Department of Education is funneling millions into post-secondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities at 27 colleges and universities. The grants totaling $10.9 million will help bolster programs designed to incorporate those with special needs on college campuses through a focus on academics as well as job skills, socialization and independent living.