Superintendent Changes

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

On July 15, 2010 I wrote my first blog post for this school district titled: "Oh to Live in St. Ignatius." It states: 

"It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to serve this community in the beautiful Mission Valley of Montana! I already have my Mission Blue and am ready to support the Bulldogs. I look forward to the challenges and the opportunity to meet parents, students, staff and community. I grew up as a Cornhusker in Nebraska, served as a district superintendent in Northwestern Wyoming, but feel right at home here in Mission."

For the past five years my family and I have worn Mission Blue with pride.  This has been our home. Deb and I have had a daughter graduate from this school. Her picture proudly hangs on the All State Wall for basketball along with name plates for several track records. She is a Bulldog! My youngest has made life long friends and enjoys Mission immensely. Our family has had a great experience with some exceptional professionals that work in this district. To say the least the Lewandowskis have been Mission Proud! We have been embraced by the community and have been part of HCA (Home Court Advantage) and Mission Possible.

At the end of this month, Mission Possible will be taking our family in a different direction. On June 1, 2015, I was offered a new opportunity with the Colstrip Public School District #19 as Superintendent. It is a district that is closer to my home. Even though Mission is dear to my heart, so are my family members in Nebraska and Wyoming. Having lost Deb’s mother this last March and knowing my Dad is not getting any younger, I want to take every opportunity to be close when needed. Mission is truly one of the last best places; however, love for family is difficult to replace.


My time at Mission has been some of the best years of my life. I will miss my job and the incredible people I have had the pleasure of working with throughout the past five years. I cannot thank all of you enough for the opportunities and experiences you have provided. Once again, thank you and God bless!
 

2015-2016 SCHOOL CALENDAR

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

The Board selected the District Calendar for the 2015-2016 school year at the May Regular Board Meeting.  

This Calendar is the same calendar that was utilized this school year except the start date is the week before Labor Day. The Calendar length is 170 days student days. The school day starts at 8:15 AM and ends at 3:30 PM. School begins on Aug 31, 2015 and ends on June 3, 2016. It has (1) Snow Day; (2) Culminating Event Days; (8) School Improvement Fridays; (15) Winter Break Days; (6) Spring Break Days. It has (141) Full Days; (20) Part Days; and (9) Half Days. There are (180) Professional Days including (10) PIR Days or Professional Development Days. See definitions below:


Full Day: This is a regular day of school. The day begins at 8:15 AM and dismissal is at 3:30 PM.

Partial Days: (GREEN COLORED DAYS)These days are scheduled on Fridays. The day begins at 8:15 AM and dismissal is at 2:15 PM.

School Improvement Days or Half Days: (PURPLE COLORED DAYS) On these days students will begin school at 8:15 AM and dismissal is at 12:30 PM. Staff will remain in school and continue with their professional responsibilities meeting with parents, school improvement teams, data collection and planning and preparation. These days will focus on school improvement through communication and collaboration efforts. These days take place on the second Friday of every month.

Student Days: Days students will be in attendance at school.

Staff Days: Days scheduled for the professional staff.

PIR Days: (ORANGE COLORED DAYS) Pupil Instruction Related professional development/training days. No school is scheduled for students.

Optional PIR Days: (DARK BLUE COLORED DAYS) Days scheduled for the professional staff that may be substituted for State Professional Development on October 15-16, 2015.

Vacation or Holidays: (YELLOW COLORED DAYS) Days recognized as holidays or breaks. There is NO SCHOOL on these days. 

If you would like a printable copy go to 2015-2016 St Ignatius Calendar. 

Community Showcase - TONIGHT!

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Impact Aid: a Lifeblood for School Districts

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

It is true that Impact Aid is the lifeblood of many districts in the United States. Impact Aid is the funding that districts receive in lieu of tax-exempt lands on Indian reservations and military bases. These lands are not taxed locally to pay for public education; however, the federal government pays the local school districts dollars for these federally impacted lands. Without these funds, many school districts would not be able to function. In essence, the more federally impacted land, in a district, the more the district relies on this funding because these lands are taken out of local tax revenues.

With minimal taxable properties on reservations and military bases, the district can have a very low tax valuation. It often results in higher taxes for fewer people. It also limits the amount that may be levied by the district to provide for its students. For example, in Montana, districts outside the reservations often put additional tax levies to a vote in order to provide for the quality of education that the people within its boundaries choose for their community. The opportunity to successfully run levies is a foundation of local control. You will often see districts running levies to pay for technology as well as building and ground improvements because the funding provided by the State of Montana General Fund is not sufficient to provide for all the needs of a school district; therefore, if a district chooses to fund expectations beyond the Montana General Funding Model, they have the local control to pass a levy in order to do so.

With all of this being said, what about school districts like St. Ignatius?

St. Ignatius is very dependent upon impact aid. It is our source to pay for all of our operational expenses. It is also the funding that pays for major technology as well as building and ground improvements. As stated in the U.S. News and World Report: Brent Gish, the executive director of the National Indian Impacted Schools Association calls Impact Aid "a lifeblood for our school districts" (Michelson, March 20, 2015). 

Why all the attention on Impact aid?

According to Gish,:“At a time which school reform is being implemented, school improvement, school restructuring — Impact Aid is a critical funding source to make this happen."  In addition, John Forkenbrock, executive director of the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools says that districts need to keep Impact Aid on their congress representative's radar as it can make a difference as to whether a district can pay the bills and its employees (Michelson, March 20, 2015).

The problem is that Impact Aid funding has significantly decreased in the past several years here at St. Ignatius. For example, last year we had a 39% drop in Impact Aid funding and have received less than our full allotment.  The last several years, the government is only paying 85% of full allotments. This type of loss in revenue affects our educational programs.

What can we do to make a difference in Impact Aid appropriations?

Montana has two senators on the Impact Aid Appropriations Committee: Senator Steve Daines and Senator John Tester. Please encourage our representatives to support funding for the entire Impact Aid Program. Let them know that Impact Aid is not only the Federal Government's obligation, but vital to the quality of education of our students. For many districts, this funding is the lifeblood that allows our school systems to operate.

2015-2016 CALENDAR MEETING

Everyone is invited!

The Calendar Committee will form and meet for the first time to discuss options for the 2015-2016 Calendar. Everyone is invited to attend the 2015-2016 Calendar Meeting and provide input.

The meeting will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2015 in the Cafeteria/Multi-Purpose room on the Stage at 6:30 PM.

See you there!

Bob Lewandowski

Mission Community Mobilization

By Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

As a school administrator, I have had the privilege of building school tracks, schools, pools as well as additions and major renovations, but nothing is as exciting as the celebration of new playground equipment. Mission elementary students could not wait to experience what was in store out on the playground. They have worked hard to earn the necessary funds to help make this happen. What they couldn't earn they showed thanks for at the Mission Playground Possible assembly.

The assembly started by tracing the project from beginning to end. Many of the donors were recognized and several were able to attend

• Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation: Jack Gilbraith
• Blackfoot Telephone: Jim Blush
• Plum Creek Foundation: Rebecca Hendrix
• St. Ignatius PTO: Mary Leishman
• Indian Education Committee: Terry Durglo and Dana Hewankorn
• Recreation Brand: Jeremy Winters

In addition to the large donors that attended, we recognized all other contributions and donors as well. Students enthusiastically applauded each donor and contribution. The students showed the same love that was given with their applause. It was a proud day to be a Bulldog. After the assembly and the celebration concluded the playground was unlocked for student access.

I was so moved by the number of elementary students that came up to me and said "thank you." From kindergarten to the fifth grade, our kids know how to be grateful. In many cases it was a hug and then off to the new playground equipment. After seeing how much they enjoyed the new equipment, it only made me wish we could have gotten it to them even sooner.

This project has been a community project. Everyone has worked hard to earn the money and support needed to gain the needed attentions of larger donor organizations. Our community was determined to make this project happen. It wasn't easy, but it was worth it. We had walk-a-thons, pennies for playground, Tupperware sales, silent auctions, pizza sales, pathways for playgrounds and GoFundMe websites in order to earn the money needed to get the flywheel moving. Once it got started, the momentum has continued into the next playground equipment project in the upper playground. We have already collected over $13,200. Another $24,000 and we will have the funds to apply to another matching grant and install our next playground structure.

So many have done so much. As a collective whole, Mission answered the call of our students' needs. This project will serve as a template to follow for mobilizing a community. Mission is a great example of community mobilization.  Now...lets go out an get another $24,000 for the upper playground.

See the Missoulian for their coverage of the Mission Playground "Made" Possible assembly.

Mission Playground Made Possible

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Newly installed playground equipment. Photo by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

It has been almost five years since the "Playground Committee" began it quest to purchase much needed playground equipment for our elementary students. Since that time the Committee has gone through a number of changes. From Committee members to playground designs, the changes did not stop the enthusiasm and passion needed to make this mission possible. Our community raised over $34,000 along with a $25,000 matching grant in order to make this quest a reality.

Mission Community Mobilization  Photo by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

In addition to the $59,000 equipment. The "Installation Crew" saved $10,000 through their efforts to assemble and install the equipment. The community effort has been nothing short of amazing. This project has brought the very best out of our community. People have stepped up in so many ways to make Mission Playground Possible a reality. All of these efforts have resulted in a piece of equipment that speaks volumes about the love that Mission has for its youth.

Mission Community Mobilization can be detailed on the Mission Possible Playground GoFundMe site.

Brandon Gilleard heads up the "Installation Crew." Photo by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Brandon Gilleard, Rich Ferris, Rod Arlint, Steve McCollum and Chris Heffern begin installing the equipment. Photo by Brenda Arlint.

More photos available: CLICK "READ MORE"