Golden Apple Monthly Newsletter
By: Kristi Calvery
Golden Triangle Curriculum Cooperative Director
December 2025
Volume 1
Issue 3
It’s hard to believe that November has already come to a close, and the end of 2025 is quickly approaching. During the Thanksgiving Break, I hope each of you found time to rest, rejuvenate, and reflect on what you’re grateful for. Great leaders are known for their vision, intelligence, and perseverance—but they also make space for gratitude. Former President John F. Kennedy once said, “We must find the time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.” As we near the end of 2025, it’s easy to feel tired or overwhelmed by the workload and challenges we face. However, pausing each day to recognize the people and moments we appreciate can renew our sense of purpose and help us finish the year with joy and intention.
This past month, GTCC Counselors met at the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind (MSDB) for a Professional Learning Community meeting. A sincere thank-you to Paul Furthmyre and Trudy Hill for hosting and facilitating this event. Counselors from a wide range of schools came together to collaborate, share ideas, and discuss common challenges. The group also toured the MSDB campus and learned about the referral process for students requiring accommodations related to hearing or vision needs across Montana.
A warm thank-you as well to Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Steve Baliko, who spent a morning training GTCC Counselors in Suicide Awareness and Prevention. Counselors received assessment tools, talking points, and opportunities to practice intervention protocols—resources that will strengthen support for students across our region.
In Belt, teachers and administrators are dedicating this year’s professional development to differentiating instruction for Advanced and Gifted & Talented learners. I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon in mid-November with this wonderful group of educators, sharing strategies and specific approaches to enhance engagement and learning for identified advanced students. I was deeply impressed by their genuine commitment to challenging and supporting all learners.
The Montana OPI is currently developing a new platform called Satchel, which houses all current content standards. One particularly helpful feature is the ability to translate standards into multiple languages—an invaluable tool for districts with diverse student and parent populations. Additionally, the Golden Triangle Curriculum Cooperative website provides curricula aligned with these state standards, along with detailed grade-level breakdowns, resource links, vocabulary lists, and lesson plans.
I hope you all have a wonderful December! Please don’t hesitate to call or email if there is anything I can assist you with.
Check out the GTCC website to RSVP to the following upcoming events:
December
January
GTCC 101 – Deer Lodge Public Schools
Warm regards,
Kristi Calvery
Golden Triangle Curriculum Cooperative Director
1010 Oilfield Avenue
Shelby, MT 59474
Office (406) 424-8901 ext. 2104
Mobile (406) 450-1805
kristi@gtccmt.org