The "IT" Factor

by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Homecoming is all about Home Court Advantage. All week long the faculty, students and community fed school spirit and the results ended in victory on both court and field. Elementary through senior high participated in Homecoming events. I was equally impressed with the community's participation at both the varsity volleyball and football games. I am told Mission made more noise than has been heard for sometime. It was all about "community!" The unconditional support by fans and the student-body was tremendous.

There is a change in the air. If you walk the halls at our school you can smell it, see it in the classrooms and feel it at our ball games. Something special is taking place here at St. Ignatius, I invite you to be a part of "IT!"

IT can't be described in one word. IT is complicated. IT exist because our students, faculty, parents and community BELIEVE! We are Mission, the standard by which others will measure! Well done St. Ignatius! Well done!

I want to thank Lynette Mikkelson and Jackie Spidel for contributing photos to the attached slide show.

Mission Possible Homecoming Day One

St. Ignatius Homecoming 2010 got off to a fast start celebrating "Celebrity Day." I saw Lady Gaga, President O'bama, former President Bush (Terry Cable), Sara Palin, Mel Gibson (Brave Hart), Marilyn Monroe, Cleopatra all in the hallways in Mission before school even got started. Students checked into first period class before going to the gym for an outline of the week's activities as well as the rules of engagement from Principal Jason Sargent. Students then competed in the day's activity: "Car Push." This spirit "driven" activity featured students pushing a pickup around the track to record the fastest times. The juniors won the activity followed by the sophomores, freshmen and seniors. See the slide show for a quick glimpse of the action.

Now that's HCA "Baby!"

by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski 

The girls volleyball team definitely had home court advantage when they took on Plains on Thursday, September 9, 2010. The football team along with other student-body members teamed up to cheer our ladies to victory. There was even a chant of "H C A" from the stands. The volleyball team broke the huddle yelling "HCA" as well. This is what it is all about: safety, support and belonging.

HCA is not new or has a copyright. It is the secret that this school has that other schools may not be capitalizing on: it is statistically proven in sporting events that when playing on your home court or field you are provided a significant advantage that will often affect the outcome of the game. An example of home field or home court advantage exists in NBA basketball where the home team in deciding games has won 78 of 97 contests up until the second round of the 2007 Playoffs. The players benefit from the crowd support. They also benefit from a sense of belonging and safety in playing on the floor that they practice on daily. It is for this reason that Mission has developed a “Home Court Advantage” for the students that attend our school. HCA is not automatic, it takes WORK, DEDICATION and SACRIFICE for something bigger than ourselves! And looking at the photo to the right, our students are up to the challenge.

A triangle has been selected to represent the three elements of Home Court Advantage (HCA): SAFETY, SUPPORT and BELONGING. In the center of the triangle, a circle represents the on going unity of our school. Even though this is just a symbol, it has meaning and represents a personal relationship that our students have with the school as well as with one another.

On one side of this relationship SAFETY represents the fact that every student will attend a “safe” environment. Students will always be assured that THIS school is their safe haven from harm’s way. In this school every student’s DIGNITY is protected! Students will be assured that this is a place they can come and feel at home.

The opposite side of safety there is SUPPORT. Every student will receive support from EVERY member in THIS school. We will pick each other up when we are down and will applaud individual and group success. Everyone is a part of this SCHOOL and everyone will support those in it.

Finally we have BELONGING. Every student is VALUED in this SCHOOL! This is our school, and our student’s home away from home. It is a place of WELCOME and family for everyone.

I feel strongly about the virtues that Home Court Advantage represents and even though this is just a symbol I believe it will help remind our students to act accordingly. Even more important, I hope that HCA will extend into this community. The circle in the middle will not be complete until this concept is realized.

People, we have had a GREAT school start. Our kids are winning on the courts, fields and in the classroom. Many of you have told me that SCHOOL SPIRIT is at an ALL-TIME high! Read my blog on our last football game if you can't see it. The climate is doing just as well. I am sure we can keep things going in a positive direction with your help. Mission needs parents and community members to take the next step. There is only one way to bring you into our circle of Home Court Advantage ant that is to get everyone involved with our school. Come support our kids and belong! Mission Possible, Not Impossible!

Well done HIGH SCHOOL for bringing HCA here to Mission!

A side from HCA: the girls soundly defeated Plains!

Now that's HCA BABY!

It Only Takes A Spark

by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

It only takes a spark to ignite the flames of passion and spirit. The Mission football team won their first game in some time last Friday night lighting a fire of school spirit.

I visited with teachers, students and players in the hallway earlier in the day and asked them how they thought they would do, and what I heard and saw was a school and team with a lot of questions. Uncertainty and wavering confidence laid heavy on everyone's heart. Our opponent was noble and had a history of success. Our recent history has been chained by doubt and failure. In fact, during the first half, one of the Bulldog fans discretely leaned in to me and said, we aren't use to scoring touch downs let alone being ahead. This was apparent after the Bulldogs scored their first touch down. Players were jumping up and down and the crowd was equally shocked into celebration. The challenge of being competitive was huge, let alone winning.

Yes, last Friday night was special. I felt blessed in being able to witness the birth of change as the Bulldogs grew in confidence. The rise of school spirit was apparent. The fans, the student-body, the coaches and the players began to BELIEVE! And to believe is powerful, so much so that it is thought to be SPIRITUAL! Hence the concept of SCHOOL SPIRIT.

I guess this football game is a good example of why I love high school sports. High school sports are the manifestation of spirit, belief and community. By the time the football team had finished its magic, I witnessed a timid crowd grow in number (the word must of traveled down town) and by the end of the game the crowd began chanting "MISSION!"..."BULLDOGS!" Every man, woman and child on the Mission sidelines back through the stands could feel the hair stand up on the back of their necks! It was special! They too BELIEVED!

You hear a lot of people say come to the games support our kids. It sounds like a plea for charity. I believe that it isn't support as much as it is taking part in community that takes place when people attend school activities. This is especially true in small towns like St. Ignatius. If you weren't at last Friday night's game, you missed something special. There is a change taking place in this school. It is not Mission Impossible, its Mission Possible! BE A PART OF IT! Come to our school's activities and throw some wood on the fire of MISSION's school spirit! The flame is burning and anything is possible! See you at the next game.