Media Center

Breaking News - New York Times Features Montana's Recess Before Lunch Program

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

The work of the Office of Public Instruction's Team Nutrition program was featured in the New York Times this week:

Today, about one-third of Montana schools have adopted "recess before lunch," and state officials say more schools are being encouraged. "The pilot projects that are going on have been demonstrating that students are wasting less food, they have a more relaxed eating environment and improved behavior because they’re not rushing to get outside," said Denise Juneau, superintendent of the Office of Public Instruction. "It’s something our office will promote to schools across the state as a best practice."  Read more.

For a list of participating schools in your area, contact Communications Director Jessica Rhoades at 406.444.3160 or jrhoades@mt.gov

News Releases

News Release Archive

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Olympic Games Spark Classroom Activities

Tuesday, February 2, 2010, 1:53 pm
By Jessica Rhoades
406.444.3160

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Olympic Games Spark Classroom Activities

Readers 'Can Go for the Gold' in Montana this February, 'I love to read' Month

HELENA, MT – This month, Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau invites readers to "read faster, higher, and stronger." February is "I love to Read Month," and Montana students can celebrate with a daily literacy activities about the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Juneau says the goal is to highlight reading to assist teachers in fostering, within their students, an enjoyment of reading all types of media.  

"Students' interest in the 2010 Olympic Games is a great opportunity to promote reading for enjoyment as well as reading for information," said Juneau.

Follow the link below for a calendar of suggested activities, project ideas, and a daily "featured" Olympic event, to help celebrate "I Love to Read Month" and the 2010 Winter Olympics.

http://www.opi.mt.gov/pdf/LibMedia/10ILovetoRead.pdf

 

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Daily News Links

Daily News Archive

News of the Day

Tuesday, February 9, 2010, 9:09 am
By Faith Moldan
444-5643

Independent Record

Otter Creek garners interest, no bids
Two school board seats up for election in E. Helena

Missoulian

Corporate philanthropy is the lesson in new UM business class

Bozeman Chronicle

Farm-to-School movement gets local backing
Bozeman teachers get no raise in base pay

Great Falls Tribune

Trustees, attorneys plan for litigation in student abuse cases
Are state budget wheels squeaking? We're just sayin' . . .
Ad club honors state's best advertisements

OP-EDS

Back to School
Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau
August 24, 2009

A new school year holds the promise of learning that will open so many doors for the children of Montana. Education is still the most important ingredient in ensuring a child's success in life and our state's strength and economic well-being. It is still the great equalizer in our society. Ensuring students' academic achievement takes parents and community members partnering with schools and teachers to promote a quality education.

We all have an opportunity to greatly impact the life of children and prepare them for the future. Building productive and supportive relationships is the key to helping kids meet and overcome the challenges in their lives. Studies repeatedly demonstrate the most effective strategies for success are the ones that employ the four pillars of family, school, community and self.

We know that a parent's involvement with schools is more important than any other factor to a child's success. One of the most important things parents can do is ensure their child receives the guidance and encouragement they need to be successful. When parents communicate regularly with their children's teachers, when they are familiar with homework assignments and the daily classroom routine, children know their education comes first, at home and at school. When teachers and parents work together, they can and do make a difference in the lives of children every day.

Parental involvement in school benefits students in many ways, including improved grades and test scores, increased attendance and homework completion, positive student behavior, increased high school graduation rates, and increased enrollment in post secondary education.

When schools successfully create and sustain strong relationships with parents, there is increased access to resources and information, as well as a shared vision of students succeeding. However, schools cannot succeed in isolation. External support from local communities and businesses is needed to expand partnerships and create an environment that provides opportunities for everyone to become involved in education and participate in decision making.

Finally, students are the core of schools. We want students who can think critically, ask questions, identify and solve problems, and know how to work together. We want students who know and understand their subject areas. When all of us pull together, we can succeed in this mission. We all must encourage students to do well and aspire to be whatever they want to be. With your backing, and that of everyone around them, there is no limit to what our students will achieve this year and in years to come.

At the Office of Public Instruction, we strive to guarantee all students receive a quality public education. Meeting this goal requires all of us -- students, families, schools, and communities -- to be better informed and work together. The OPI stands ready to provide vision, advocacy, support, and leadership for schools and communities to ensure that all students meet today's challenges and tomorrow's opportunities.

We should all be very proud of Montana schools and students. I wish every student a great year of learning opportunities.

Cast Your Vote for Student Achievement
Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau
April 29, 2009

On May 5, you will elect school board members for your local district. The vote you cast is vitally important.

School boards are very powerful elected bodies. They deal with multi-million dollar budgets and make policy decisions that establish the vision for your school. They make critical choices such as hiring the superintendent and administrators responsible for establishing the organizational and operational structure needed to create a positive learning environment. School boards decide everything from establishing bus schedules to determining the length of the school year. Your vote in local school board elections determines the future of all students in your community.

School boards play a large role in student achievement. They establish goals for student achievement and evaluate student progress. They are responsible for adopting policies that affect all schools and students in the district.

As a voter, you may be concerned about student transportation, textbooks, curriculum standards, assessments, and school construction. Others may be concerned about technology, community partnerships, and fiscal challenges. Researching each candidate's views on positions is essential. Here are some questions to consider when evaluating a candidate:

• Does the candidate understand the role of the school board in promoting academic excellence?
• Does the candidate understand all the issues facing the school district; both educational and economic challenges?
• Will the candidate bring additional skills to the board and represent the diversity of the community?
• Will the candidate be able to do what is right for all children, even if it requires making unpopular decisions?

There is much at stake on May 5. Members of your school board must be dedicated to serving and teaching all children. They must believe in the value of public education and understand their strategic role in promoting the best interests of the entire school community. When schools flourish, Montana’s students achieve academic excellence and our entire society benefits.
This year, school board elections occur on May 5th. Please vote for those who will deliver a bright future for all students in your community.

Funding Public Education
Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau
February 11, 2009

Last week, nearly fifty people from rural and urban towns across Montana traveled to Helena and told their stories about crumbling school buildings, problems recruiting teachers to their towns, outdated textbooks, lack of classroom supplies, and understaffed classrooms. Yet, our public schools continue to provide an education where students demonstrate high achievement on standardized tests and high graduation rates. It is imperative we maintain a level of funding so public schools can continue their good work. Our students deserve the best education our state can provide. Indeed, if we lose ground in providing the best education system possible, the results will be disastrous for our state.

Senate Bills 69 and 70, sponsored by Senator Gary Branae, would increase school funding $61.2 million dollars more than the Governor proposed in his budget. These bills are necessary so schools can cover costs and do not have to cut programs or staff over the next two years.

Public education is the only endeavor our state constitution requires the Legislature fund. "The Legislature shall provide a basic system of free quality public elementary and secondary schools… It shall fund and distribute in an equitable manner to the school districts the state's share of the cost of the basic and elementary and secondary school system."

Many people presume schools already receive enough money and do not understand why more is necessary. It is important to remember school funding was neglected for 10 years prior to the latest school funding lawsuit. Also, the federal government’s No Child Left Behind Act resulted in additional regulatory burdens and more administrative paperwork without sufficient funds to cover those costs. However, schools accept that additional accountability and continue to meet the federal and state requirements while ensuring students are provided a valuable learning experience.

The Legislature has defined a basic system of quality education and provided funding according to that definition over the last two legislative sessions. The foundation of a quality education, according to the legislative definition, is the accreditation standards set by the state Board of Public Education.

However, despite an increase in funding over the last two legislative sessions, the number of schools deficient in accreditation standards grew from 9% to 15% from 2004-07. Additionally, Montana ranks 44th nationwide in teachers’ salaries and new teachers continue to leave our state to seek more competitive wages.

The Legislature considers several “educationally relevant factors” when funding schools and created funding components for each, including number of students, needs of American Indian students, and ability to attract and retain qualified educators.

SB 69 increases the total quality educator payment, which provides funds to schools on a per teacher (and other professionals) basis, to $4,600 for fiscal year 2010 and to $6,200 for each succeeding fiscal year. Increasing the total quality educator payment to these levels will help schools with their challenges of recruiting and retaining teachers and bring Montana's average teacher's salary up to the national median over six years.

The Governor proposed a three percent increase for the basic entitlement and per-student payments to schools. SB 70 proposes an equitable increase of three percent for each of the other components in the Legislature’s definition of a quality education.

I traveled across our state during the 2008 campaign and never met a parent who did not want their child to become better educated. Parents have high expectations for their children's education, including becoming successful in their future careers, successful preparation for post secondary education, and achieving economic success. Adequate funding is critical to ensure a quality education for all Montana's students - no matter their background, their heritage, their economic status, or geographic location.

It is sometimes easy to claim that education simply asks for more money without understanding the challenges facing our schools or the promises it holds for all of our futures. Public education greatly influences our state’s economy, and although we do not see the fruits of this investment for a generation, every dollar that is spent now, particularly in tough economic times, makes sense. When we ensure a quality education is provided to every student, there will be fewer incarcerations, less dependency on the welfare system, and greater global economic competitiveness.

Adequate funding will ensure an educational system that fosters student excellence and gives Montana's students the tools they need to solve the economic challenges we face as a nation. Despite funding difficulties, we all remain proud and supportive of our schools, their community connections, and the students they educate.

Denise Juneau,
Superintendent of Public Instruction

Multimedia

2009 Education Week

SUPERINTENDENT DENISE JUNEAU

Inspiring Montanans
Superintendent Denise Juneau on the meaning of American Education Week.
Clip link: http://opi.mt.gov/Streamer/Supt/EdWeek09/Juneau/AmericanEducation.mov

Get involved
Superintendent Denise Juneau on why education is important to all Montanans.
Clip link: http://opi.mt.gov/Streamer/Supt/EdWeek09/Juneau/Important1.mov


TEACHER OF THE YEAR ANNE KEITH

Making our state stronger
Teacher of the Year Anne Keith talks about what parents and members of the community can do to get involved with their local school.
Clip link: http://opi.mt.gov/Streamer/Supt/EdWeek09/TeacherOfYear/StrongerSchools2.mov

Tomorrow's world
Teacher of the Year Anne Keith on what she is doing to prepare her students for tomorrow's world.
Clip link: http://opi.mt.gov/Streamer/Supt/EdWeek09/TeacherOfYear/TeachForFuture.mov


AMERICA'S TOP YOUNG SCIENTIST MARINA DIMITROV

Doing great things
America's Top Young Scientist Marina Dimitrov on the importance of getting kids excited about science.
Clip link: http://opi.mt.gov/Streamer/Supt/EdWeek09/kid/ExcitingScience.mov

Science is cool
America's Top Young Scientist says more girls should get involved in science.
Clip link: http://opi.mt.gov/Streamer/Supt/EdWeek09/kid/PinkDucttape.mov

Working together
America's Top Young Scientist on what she likes best about school.
Clip link: http://opi.mt.gov/Streamer/Supt/EdWeek09/kid/ScienceFAV.mov

Biography

Denise Juneau became Superintendent of Public Instruction on January 5, 2009. She most recently served as the Director of Indian Education for OPI, overseeing the Indian Education for All program and working on student achievement issues.

Her teaching career began in New Town, North Dakota on the Fort Berthold Reservation Juneau taught 9th and 10th grade English, and coached the speech and debate team, before returning to Browning to teach at her alma mater.

Denise served as Indian Education Specialist for OPI before attending law school. Graduating from the University of Montana Law School gave her an understanding of how the law influences and affects our education system.

In 2004, she became Supreme Court Clerk. Working in the legal profession has sharpened her principles for fairness, integrity and respect for others.

Juneau is the first American Indian to serve in a statewide executive level office. She graduated from Browning High School, in Browning MT. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in English from Montana State University; her Master's of Education Degree in "Risk and Prevention for School Aged Children" from the Harvard Graduate School of Education; and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Montana. While at MSU, she received a Rockefeller Brother's Foundation Fellowship.

Denise credits Montana teachers with showing her that she could achieve her dreams and goals, and is grateful for their lessons. She is honored to serve as Montana's Superintendent of Public Instruction and looks forward to continuing her work with Montana's schools and education community, for the benefit of all students.

Legal Division