Basketball Exemplifies Home Court Advantage

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Nothing is as exciting as a home basketball contest. It brings small communities together to celebrate, communicate and cheer on the home team. Mission is no different. It is always exciting to see what the Winter Sports Season has in store with new coaches and players.  Home Court Advantage (HCA) is best described through one of these events. Despite differences in a small town, everyone comes together to cheer on their colors and mascots.

The Bulldogs have celebrated HCA since September 2010. Safety, Support and Belonging have lead the way for increased academic scores, resiliency and excellence in all matters. It is the core of our mantra "Mission Possible." It is the foundation of Mission's Hierarchy of Needs.

As said in my 2010 post Now that's HCA Baby!: "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." 

Today, I believe this district and community have "realized" this concept. The photos shared here are a big part of identifying Bulldog Belonging. I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I do sharing them with you. Go Bulldogs!

Now that's HCA Baby!

Click on the "Read More" link to see the additional 42 photos taken on December 18, 2014.

Wrestling Quadrangular

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Sometimes it is hard to cover all of the events and activities of the school; however, when I do, I try to share the photos taken. Here are approximately 40 photos taken at the December 11 St. Ignatius Quadrangular with Eureka, Florence, Noxon and Mission.

Click "Read More" to see additional photos.

Holiday Wishes

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Wishing you the best this holiday season!

Holiday Spectacular Decks the Halls of Mission

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

The middle school and high school bands and choir decked the halls for the holiday season with their performances last Tuesday evening. Director Kendal Anderson did an outstanding job preparing the students for this celebration. There were bitter-sweet moments when Anderson talked about her accompanist, Lindsay Johnson. Johnson has been her accompanist since she was in fourth grade. Lindsay is a senior this year and will be greatly missed next year.

As for the band and choir performances, they were AWESOME! The kids did a great job. It is always spectacular to see the holiday spirit get such a boost from our youth.

The High School Choir singing "A Christmas Trilogy."

Lindsay Johnson performing her piano solo "The Meadow."

Please click "Read More" to see an additional 100 photos of the holiday spectacular performed by the middle and high school.

Do You Want To Build A Snowman?

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Do you want to build a snowman? As tempting as that may seem, you didn't even have to go outside to embrace the winter holidays. The St. Ignatius Elementary students brought all of the spender of the North Pole right here to Mission. There were snowmen, reindeer, elves, life-size toys, snowflakes, solders, ballerinas, and last, but not in the least, Santa Claus. All of this and much more in a one hour musical production. It was AWESOME!

I couldn't help but enjoy our kids. They were having so much fun and doing a great job presenting The North Pole musical.
 
To see MORE PHOTOGRAPHS of the concert, click on the blue link below "Read More." There are over 130 photos of the concert in the connected link.

Warning: after viewing the photos, you may just want to build a snowman!

Okay...bye!

(click the blue link called "Read More" below)

The Season Is Upon Us

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Tis the season... basketball kicked off the 2014-2015 season here at home with the girls teams playing in the Mission Tournament. To see more opening weekend photos click "READ MORE" located below the Winter Sports Schedule.

If you are missing the extra curricular action in wrestling or basketball see the Winter Sports Schedule for the next game or match.

 

Click the "Read More" link below to see girls basketball action photos:

IT IS HERE!

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

There is nothing like seeing a vision play into reality. Mission Possible Playground has generated just that. Our team has been working for the past four years to generate the momentum to engage the generosity and diligence of so many that care about our students. YOU HAVE DONE IT!

The people that support this community are to be commended. YOU'VE MADE A DIFFERENCE!

The love and compassion expressed by your donations and hard work arrived in December. We will be storing the playground equipment until the Spring thaw. Special thanks to our local hardware store, Gambles,  for unloading and storing the equipment. Once the ground is suitable to work, the playground equipment will be installed in the lower playground.

 WE DID IT!

Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation Donates $10,000 to Mission Possible Playground

Chief Executive Officer, Jack Gilbraith presents a $10,000 check to Tammy Demien and Bob Lewandowski

by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

The Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation awarded a grant to Mission Possible Playground for $10,000 in 2014 for the lower playground equipment and another $10,000 in 2015 for the upper playground equipment. Principal Tammy Demien wrote the grant for $20,000 and the school was awarded the grant last Friday, December 5, 2014.

I can't begin to tell you how excited we are to have this type of donation to add to our community efforts. This brings our total fundraising up to $60,224.21 for the lower playground equipment and $10,000 for the upper playground. We are so grateful for the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation. Their donation/grant is so generous. It will make a difference in the lives, health and well being of the children we serve in our community.

The equipment is set to arrive this week in St. Ignatius. We will continue to accept donations until the upper playground equipment is funded. At this time we are short $168 from completely funding the lower playground. WE ARE ALMOST THERE!

THIS IS MISSION POSSIBLE!

Wrestling Kicks Off Winter Sport Season

by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

I had the opportunity to take in the Owen Wrestling Invitational on Saturday. The cooperative effort of the Mission-Charlo did awesome! The team placed 4th overall. Jamie Mullins placed 2nd, Trent Dennison 3rd, Gregory Weatherwax 3rd, and Ethan Goss-Dickie 4th.

Mission senior Jamie Mullins is about to pin his Ronan opponent in the second round.

Mullins finally gets the anticipated pin with a slap on the mat.

It may seem like pins come easy with Gregory Weatherwax smiling for his family as he pins his opponent in the third round.

I was at the wrong corner of the mat for this pose.

The wrestling team kicked off what should be an exciting Winter Sports Season. I hope to see you at the game or match. Good luck to all of our students and teams!

Out of 725 photos I took at the Invitational, I edited 118 pictures. Almost all matches were photographed. Please read the directions below to see additional wrestling photos.

CLICK "READ MORE" TO SEE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS (the link in blue directly below).

Administration Team Presents to the Salish Kootenai Tribal Council

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Superintendent Lewandowski and the district administrative team presenting to the CSKT Council. Photo by Penny Kipp

The St. Ignatius Administration Team presented its annual report on Indian Policies and Procedures as well as data outcomes for the district on Tuesday, December 2, 2014 to the Salish Koontenia Tribal Council. Superintendent Bob Lewandowski, Elementary Principal Tammy Demien, Middle School Principal Dan Durglo, High School Principal Jason Sargent, Technology Director Matt Lyon, District Clerk Adam Hawkaluk and District Test Cordinator Susan Weaselhead presented data outcomes for 2013-2014 school year.


As Superintendent, this has been a pleasant task. With the learning success in the district, it is hard not to see our growth as anything but an opportunity to celebrate this school district's success. Our American Indian scores are especially impressive. The progress made in four years received praise from the Council. They take note of the work being done here at Mission and want to collaborate as much as possible. In their response to the presentation, you could see that they care about people, not just tribal students, but all students and families alike.  It is partnerships like this that make St. Ignatius School District #28 MISSION POSSIBLE.