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.

VOLLEYBALL B-6 Consolation Winners

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Congratulations to the Varsity Volleyball Team. Seen in the photo after they won the Divisional Tournament Qualification Match beating Deer Lodge in 5 sets. The Lady Bulldogs ended the day as the Consolation Winners in the Region B-6 Tournament. They defeated Ronan in 3 straight sets. (The Lady Bulldogs own the bragging rights winning two of the three matches played against the Maidens).

2014 Maryfrances Shreeve Award for Teaching Excellence

 

by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

  On Friday, April 18, 2014, the University of Montana and the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education & Human Services celebrated the success of its students and many connections with individuals, communities and partners at its annual banquet. It was a wonderful evening of celebration and connections with so many educators and future educators. This year, our very own kindergarten teacher Brenda Clouser was heralded under the spotlight as the Maryfrances Shreeve Award winner for Teaching Excellence.

Maryfrances Shreeve was a much loved master teacher. She taught in Montana for thirty-seven years. She spent several of those years teaching right here at Mission.  Maryfrances Shreeve epitomized the dedicated, concerned and committed master teacher who set the standard for excellence in teaching today. The evening echoed her commitment to learning and Brenda Clouser accomplishments and success were celebrated in receiving this award.

Upon receipt of the award, Brenda received $2,000 for herself and $1,000 for her school district. Brenda has asked that the money be spent on additional leveled reading books for the lower grades. Congratulations Brenda Clouser. We are all so proud of you!

HAPPY EASTER NEIL EASTER

by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski 

Today, I can't help but reflect on the loss of my good friend and this district's long time employee, Neil Easter. We laid him to rest a little less than a month ago. This has been very difficult for the district staff and myself. I know others morn as well. With a last name like "Easter," and today being "Good Friday," it seems only right to speak to this loss.

Neil worked at St. Ignatius School District for almost 30 years. He brought his family here from Ohio out of a love for Yellowstone, the West and the great landscapes of Montana (as well as its world class fly-fishing). His wife, Joyce, was the first to be employed at the District. Neil soon followed as a Title I paraprofessional.

It wasn't long before Neil became the Business Manager and Clerk of the District. He kept the District in good financial standing. He was meticulous in his duty: every "t" was crossed and every "i" dotted. Most importantly, he cared about the kids of Mission. Neil Easter was "student" centered.

One of the first people I met on my interview, four years ago, was Neil. He shook my hand and introduced himself saying "Ah Doo." He was a 71 year old Business Clerk who had just lost his wife to cancer. Having just lost my 21 year old daughter, Ashton, to tragic car accident in Wyoming, Neil and I were good medicine for one another. Medicine that I needed. We spent a number of our coffee breaks talking about our losses and the anticipation of the future. He was as much an anchor for me as I was for him.

Neil was a strong man, but he couldn't help but wipe a tear away when talking about Joyce. He was just as proud of his sons and their accomplishments. Our conversations did our hearts good. He was a man to be trusted. I moved my family here without any formal connections to anyone. Neil stepped up to make Montana a home for me and my family. He was my daughter's, Stephanie's Senior Project Adviser and so much more to my family. On Sundays, he occupied the last pew in the back of the church at St. Ignatius. I knew that whatever I needed (I mean whatever), he would be there to offer assistance. These types of things don't happen in this day and age. Neil Easter is the exception. I fondly refer to him as one of my best friends.

From the empty chair in his office, the pathetic coffee he brewed, to the desk he occupied during board meetings, I and so many others miss him. These daily reminders sadden me at times, but at the same time they warm my heart knowing that I, and so many others, are better because we had met Neil Easter.

 Just this last fall we recognized Neil at the homecoming assembly for Making the Difference. We dedicated the new Student Commons to Joyce Easter after its completion three years ago. Many have suggested we include Neil's name in that dedication. One thing is for sure, his service will not go unnoticed and unrecognized by this district. A plan for such a dedication is in the making.

Happy Easter, Mr. Neil Easter: thank you for coming to Montana.

INDIAN EDUCATION REPORT 2013

 by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski 

 On December 5, 2013 the Administrative Team presented the Mission Indian Education Report to the Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribal Council. The report was well received by the Council. The following video outlines the content presented. Please share and enjoy!

MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL HIRED

by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Due to the number of struggling, at-risk students and the data received through the 2012 Prevention Needs Assessment survey along with the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey the School Board approved hiring a Middle School Principal in the regular 2012 December Board Meeting. The rational is to provide students and teachers with the administrative proximity to follow up with issues of attendance, achievement, behavior and social/emotional attributes that are affecting student outcomes at both middle and high schools.

In a Special Session on December 28, 2012 the Board selected Dan Durglo as the Middle School Principal. The position officially began on Wednesday, January 2, 2013. Mr. Durglo will begin to assimilate duties on Monday, January 13 beginning with the Community Breakfast; however, Mr. Durglo will be acting as both teacher and administrator in order to take the time needed to make an appropriate transition for students and staff alike. It is District's goal to have the transition completed by the end of the quarter/semester on January 18, 2013. This may be a lofty goal, but we will do everything possible to make Mr. Durglo assessable to the middles school students and staff as soon as possible.

Mr. Durglo and Mrs. Stobie will be communicating with elementary parents as well as working with the elementary staff in addressing the 3rd grade needs. Mrs. Stobie has assigned Mr. Tim Krantz (current fourth grade teacher) to Mr. Durglo's 3rd grade classroom. Up until this time, the fourth grade has utilized two teachers to deliver the fourth grade curriculum; however, this year's fourth grade is the smallest class in the district with only 23 students. Ms. Pam Rodeghiero will continue to teach the forth grade with the support of a para-educator while Mr. Krantz transitions to the 3rd grade.

The administration will be communicating with everyone as often as possible until this transition is complete. The District believes this is best for our students in supporting their needs to be successful. We want to appropriately support both the 3rd grade students and the middle school students, as well as the parents and staff in this transition.

Please welcome Mr. Durglo as the Middle School Principal.  I am sure he will be contacting parents to extend his services and support for education here at St. Ignatius.

CROSS COUNTRY PERSONAL BEST

The Cross Country Team posted individual records on September 15, 2012 at the Ronan Golf Course. Paden Alexander placed third overall and also had a personal best. Congratulations to all of the Bulldog Athletes for their accomplishments and self improvement. OHhh Yeah!!!

 Click "Read More" to see additional pictures

STATE CHAMPION 3200 m

Congratulations to Paden Alexander for winning the 3200 m run at the Montana State Track & Field Meet at Bozeman High School's Van Winkle Stadium on May 25-26, 2012. Below are 24 pictures I took of the race in chronological order.

WELL DONE PADEN! Congratulations to you and your family!

CLICK "READ MORE" TO SEE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

K-12 Top Dawg Assembly - Come Join Our Celebration

Please join us for the K-12 Top Dawg Assembly on Friday, November 11 at 9:00 AM in the high school gymnasium. Please review the program below for more information on the content of the assembly:

Top Dawg Program

 

Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag (Presentation of Colors by Boy Scouts)

Veterans’ Day Video Presentation (Freedom Isn’t Free)

Mont CAS Top Dawgs (Spring 2011)

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE: Students that scored advanced in MATH, READING and SCIENCE.

ACADEMIC LEADERS: Students that scored proficient in MATH, READING and SCIENCE.

MAP Top Dawgs: (Fall 2010 – Spring 2011)

               NATIONAL PERCENTILE LEADERS: Students who scored in the 75% and up in MATH, READING, and/or LANGUAGE ARTS. (Students scores only need to be in any one of the identified contents to be recognized. If they score 75% in all three they will receive multiple recognitions).

ACADEMIC GROWTH CHAMPIONS: Exceptional student growth. Students that indicated 125% growth in MATH, READING and/or LANGUAGE ARTS.

ACADEMIC GROWTH LEADERS: Top ten percent of identified students in Elementary, Middle School, High School that indicated the most growth in MATH, READING and/or LANGUAGE ARTS. Students must be identified in the area for recognition.

SuccessMaker Top Dawgs (Elementary)

            Individual READING Growth

               Class READING Growth

               Individual READING Time and Effort

               Class READING Time and Effort

               Individual READING Skill Masters

            Individual MATH Growth

               Class MATH Growth

               Individual MATH Time and Effort

               Class MATH Time and Effort

               Individual MATH Skill Masters

Academic Top Dawgs (Middle School & High School)
Honor Roll

   Middle School

          3.0 – 3.49

          3.5 – 4.0

   Golden Eagle Awards

   High School

         3.0 – 3.49

         3.5 – 4.0

   All-around Top Dawg Selection

Attendance Top Dawgs

Consecutive Days Attendance                    
     10 Days

     20 Days

     30 Days

Perfect Attendance (1^st Quarter)

Teaching & Learning Top Dawgs

               Outstanding Teacher Learners

               Attendance Leaders

Two Montana Students Selected to Attend Youth Leadership Summit

Pictured is an article written by senior, Rose Bear Don't Walk on the Gear Up Youth Leadership Summit and published in the Gear Up Monthly Newsletter.

Well done Rose and Sydney!

Faculty Professional Development 2011

St. Ignatius School District #28 Staff 2011-2012

The faculty and staff started their first day back to school with professional development.The first day focused on reviewing student data and setting academic goals for the 2011-2012 school year. It was a great day. After being served breakfast by the board and kitchen staff everyone was welcomed and new staff members introduced.

We didn't waste a lot of time before reviewing student data from the Mont CAS and MAP assessments. Data was reviewed in terms of all students, building level outcomes as well as representational subgroups.

We set goals that specifically describe percentage increases in Reading, Math and Language Arts for the 2011-2012 school year. Both the Reading and Math included goals for subgroup where there are achievement gaps.

Video segments from the new professional development tool PD 360 were viewed: 1) The Interdependence of Teamwork, Goals and Data; 2) Raising Expectations to Close the Achievement Gap; and 3) Identifying the Achievement Gap with Data.

Teachers and staff were given the following materials: Employee Handbook, Supervision of Instruction Manual; Five Year Strategic Planning Handbook and the Mission Possible Data document. The book Good to Great by Jim Collins was also distributed to everyone for review before the October 28 district professional development day. It was a full day of work and discussions that should lead to school improvement and higher student outcomes. Learning takes work and our team here at Mission is doing what it takes to be the best.

I am very proud of our staff and look forward to the students on Wednesday, August 24.

See everyone soon!

High School building level professional development.

Elementary building level staff development.