Feed the Spirit

The high school and middle school celebrated the end of the first week of school with individual barbecues at each school. Out of obligatory duty (of course), I ate at both barbecues. Hamburgers, hotdogs, fruit, salads, cookies and a drink later, I had more than enough Mission food.

It's good to see people celebrate over a meal. These type of opportunities are necessary in developing relationships and school spirit. I met a number of students and had the opportunity to get to know them and a little more about St. Ignatius and the people who live here. It was not only good food for the spirit, but went along way in building school spirit. Well done Bulldogs!

Photo: (Top to bottom) High school students lining up; Middle school student cooks.

First Day 2010-2011

by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

With temperatures in the 90's the 2010-2011 school year got off to a HOT start! Despite the weather, students and staff were enthusiastic about getting back to school. It is always an exciting time for everyone. The first day offers a fresh start and new beginnings whether you are a senior or a kindergartner.

I had the opportunity to meet the student-body at the 2:00 PM assembly in the gym. We had 227 students in the elementary, 117 in the middle school and 156in the high school.

That is 500 students, 22 middle & high school teachers, 23 elementary teachers, 11 paraprofessionals, 3 administrators and 3 secretaries in the heat of the day in one warm gym, but as you can see from the picture (second from the bottom), it didn't effect our school spirit.

During the assembly, board members, administrators, teachers and staff were introduced. I presented the concept of Home Court Advantage or HCA to the students providing safety, support and belonging to every student every day on the court, field, hallway and in the classroom.


The student-body also practiced our "call to arms" cheer that will give our teams the support and confidence when most needed. ANY student (K-12) or parent can start the "call to arms" cheer and our student-body and crowd will join in. That's what we call "HCA Baby!"

The chant of "BULLDOGS" by our staff, elementary, middle and high school set the hair up on the back of my head. It was a great assembly! We've got spirit! Yes we do!

The day ended as it began, with everyone looking forward to a great school year.

Photos: (Top to bottom) Mr. Ligas communicating his classroom expectations; Mrs. Mikkelsen starting instruction; Students at the K-12 Assembly; and Loading the buses for home.

District-Wide Goals Provide Focus

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Back to school is how the teachers spent their first day of the 2010-2011 school year. On August 24, 2010 teachers and staff attended District In-services. Yes, teachers go to school too! Learning is a life long process. After the staff was welcomed back by Board Vice Chairman Gene Posivio, a heartwarming introduction by Board Chairman, Maxine Whitman and support from attending Board Member, Michael Esslinger, I had the opportunity to meet many of the staff members for the first time and talk to them about a "Balanced Score Card" and unveil District Goals.

The Balanced Score Card will be made up of strategic plans that address the needs of our students district wide. Within these strategic plans, our District will focus on the following student goals:

1. Maintain safety, support and belonging for all students.
2. Increase the percentage of students scoring proficient or higher on the Mont CAS in Reading by 10% from 78% to 88% (proficient or above district-wide).
3. Increase the percentage of students scoring proficient or higher on the Mont CAS in Math by 10% from 59% to 69% (proficient or above district-wide).

I am confident that this staff will meet these goals. They were eager to learn and just as eager to start on the work at hand. I think they will embrace the outlined changes and initiatives with fidelity and enthusiasm. I believe this school district can become the standard by which all other districts in the state are measured. Welcome back and best of luck to the staff this 2010-2011 school year! It has begun!

Board Goes Wireless

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

The St. Ignatius School District #28 Board will be going wireless. Current board packages are layered with documents that reference specific board items in a volume of paper that is not only overwhelming and difficult to manage, but is expensive to produce and dispatch. This board recognizes the effective and efficient use of a digital board package can save time and money while improving communication.

The difficulty in making the switch for many boards has been centered around the concept of touch. Having a document in hand is often preferred over the use of a computer or laptop. Even the best laptops often present a cumbersome barrier between the board and its constituents during a meeting. In addition, reviewing board material should be as easy as turning a page and making notes while doing so. The solution for this board will be Apple's iPad.

The iPad allows board members to handle their board agenda with ease, transferring from referenced document to the main agenda with a touch of their finger. I say "touch" because that is what gives the iPad creditability over laptops or stand-alone computers. Its like holding a book in your hand. Turning pages in a document is easier than licking your finger.

After a quick demonstration at the August 17, 2010 meeting. The board was ready to buy into wireless board meetings. As superintendent, I believe the use of this technology by the board not only improves process and procedure, but will allow the board more convenience in reviewing important information in being best prepared for meetings. It will certainly improve communication and allow members to get their board materials several days in advance. The bottom line is that better tools result in improved outcomes.

Open Meeting Notice

The St. Ignatius School Board for School District #28 will be in attendance at the following:

Construction Review
August 19, 2010 at 2:00 PM in the District Office Board Room to discuss construction progress.

Teacher & Staff Welcome Back
August 24, 2010 at 8:00 AM in the Elementary Gym to welcome back faculty and staff.

Opening District-wide Assembly
August 26, 2010 at 2:00 PM in the High School Gym to welcome back students and parents the first day of school.

New Computer Labs & Software

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

The St. Ignatius Board passed a motion to purchase computers and software for 2 computer labs at the August 17, 2010 regular board meeting. One computer lab is located in the elementary while the other will be located in the new multipurpose addition. Both labs will contain 25 iMac computers.

The need for the labs is focused on improving both reading and math at the elementary and middle school. Although the multipurpose lab will be primarily used by elementary students, it will also play host to middle school students as well.

The labs will provide academic opportunities for our students during school and after school through the district's supplemental educational services (SES). The primary program to be used is SuccessMaker. A program focused on reading and math. It is instructional software that provides elementary and middle school students with adaptive, personalized paths for mastering essential reading and math concepts.

I am very excited about the opportunities for learning that these acquisitions provide for our students. Our school district will be working very hard to improve the basics of reading and math in order to build the needed foundation for future learning. I am very proud of our board and their commitment to educational excellence with these decisions. This type of commitment by a district sets a high expectation for teaching and learning. I believe the staff and students will be up to these academic challenges of excellence.

Budget Preparation

Monday, August 9, 2010 is the the annual budget hearing. The Board will be meeting to discuss and approve the prepared budget. Business Manager Neil Easter and Business Assistant, Adam Hawkaluk (pictured) have contributed a great deal of time and effort in the preparation process. The meeting will be held at 7:00 PM in the District Board Room.

I am very grateful for the help that both of these gentlemen have given in my transition to St. Ignatius. We are very lucky to have professionals like Neil and Adam. I eagerly await the opportunity to meet the faculty and staff.