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!

Mission Possible Playground Connects with GoFundMe

by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Tami Sanderson presents a check to Mission Possible Playground.

Mission Possible Playground has reached out to connect with an online fundraising site called GoFundMe. GoFundMe is a personal online fundraising website for individuals, groups and organizations. I signed Mission Possible Playground up with GoFundMe 21 days ago and we have already raised $3,403. Organizations like the Northwestern Montana Association of Realtors (NMAR) have taken notice to our postings on GoFundMe and have made significant contributions.

Many of our patrons have "shared" our Facebook postings with their friends. I am continually surprised by the generosity of so many. This is what thanksgiving is all about. We are so thankful for those who seek funding and provide the necessary funding that will make a difference in the lives of children here are St. Ignatius Schools.

If you would like to find out more about Mission Possible Playground and GoFundMe, please go to: http://www.gofundme.com/gnqmc0 and find out how you can help make this dream become a reality for Mission students.

Blackfoot Telephone Makes Generous Donation For Playground

by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Stuart Morton (right) present Chairman Gene Posivio a check for $5,000.

On behalf of St. Ignatius School District #28, the Mission Possible Playground Committee and all of the students here at Mission, we would like to thank Blackfoot Telephone and their board member representative Stuart Morton for their generous donation of $5,000.

This donation goes a long way in making our playground possibilities a reality.

Thank you Blackfoot Telephone and Mr. Stuart Morton.

Go Fund Me: Mission Possible Playground

Mission Possible Playground needs your support. Go Fund Me is an online fundraising website. Please visit the Mission Possible Go Fund Me site for more information on how you can help make new playground equipment a reality here at Mission.

SITE INFORMATION:
St. Ignatius School District #28 is a public school located Northwestern Montana on the Flathead Indian Reservation. St. Ignatius is fondly referred to as Mission. Our school has approximately 500 students in kindergarten through the twelfth grade of which 60% are American Indian. Mission is a modest district in much need of playground equipment. The majority of the financial efforts are focused on the academic needs of children, leaving little left for playground facilities. 

At this time, the playground facilities in our community are almost nonexistent; the funds will be used to contribute to the total cost of selected equipment and its implementation. The equipment is compliant with disability laws for access. In addition, a number of children in our community use the current playground during non-school hours.

We have an increasing number of children in our community and school with physical disabilities.  We do not currently have equipment and play areas in town or at the school, which adequately address their needs and limitations. Students need to be safe and have accessible play equipment to facilitate cooperative play opportunities, which help with the students’ physical development as well their social and emotional well-being. Most importantly, the facilities will provide a venue for our community’s youth to play in an environment that is centrally located in St. Ignatius while being able to serve the students of our public school.

In 2010 the District established a Playground Committee that consists of members of the town council, local churches, parents of special needs students, teachers, school board members and administrators. Their efforts have been labeled Mission Possible Playground. Students, parents, teachers and community members are involved in the process of fund raising. Examples of current in-kind contributions that have engaged are community are: a student Walk-a-Thon; Playground Pathways; Pennies for Playgrounds; Pizza Proceeds for Playgrounds and Playground Bench Sponsors to name a few. 

The Mission Possible Playground Funding efforts have raised $21,372.21 from local support.

Play & Park Structures are offering 100% matching grants up to $25,000. The matching grant offer ends November 7, 2014. The grant allows the school to purchase the Spiral Challenge, a $50,000 piece of equipment for $25,000. The Playground Possible Funds are short $4,000 for the identified playground equipment. It will also cost approximately $4,997 for shipping and handling. At the October Board Meeting, the Board approved to temporarily fund the difference and purchase the equipment in order to obtain the matching grant. Until the remaining cost of the project is raised, the district reimbursed, the equipment will be stored. We need to raise $14,125 dollars to make this action-packed play structure a reality.

In addition to the purchase of the equipment, there are other costs associated with the Spiral Challenge implementation.
Spiral Challenge Purchase Price: $50,000; Purchase Cost: $25,000 ($21,372.21 in the Playground Fund)
Shipping & Handling: $4,997
Hard Plastic Boarder: $2,500 (see photo below)
Surface material & landscaping: $3,000
Equipment Assembly: $0 (Local personnel will provide direction to a 5 member team). Assembly cost if hired: $10,000
TOTAL COSTS: $34,500 - Remaining costs needed for total project completion: $14,125.

In-kind contributions will from other unidentified grant sources like those collected through GoFundMe are needed to make up the remaining amount. We believe this can be done! We ask for your generous contribution. 

With your help, Mission Possible Playground can be a reality.

MISSION PLAYGROUND POSSIBLE: ALMOST THERE!

by Robert Lewandowski

The Mission Possible Playground Funding efforts have raised $21,372.21 from local support. Play & Park Structures are offering 100% matching grants up to $25,000. The matching grant offer ends November 7, 2014. The grant allows the school to purchase the Spiral Challenge, a $50,000 piece of equipment for $25,000. The Playground Possible Funds are short $4,000 for the identified playground equipment. It will also cost approximately $4,000 for shipping and handling. At the October Board Meeting, the Board approved to temporarily fund the difference and purchase the equipment in order to obtain the matching grant. Until the remaining cost of the project is raised, the district reimbursed, the equipment will be stored. We need to raise $13,128 dollars to make this action-packed play structure a reality.

The "Spiral Challenge" playground set

 In addition to the purchase of the equipment, there are other costs associated with the Spiral Challenge  implementation.

1. Spiral Challenge Purchase Price: $50,000; Purchase Cost: $25,000 ($21,372.21 in the Playground Fund)
2. Shipping & Handling: $4,000
3. Hard Plastic Boarder: $2,500 (see photo below)
4. Surface material & landscaping: $3,000
5. Equipment Assembly: $0 (Brandon Gilleard and Steve McCollum will provide direction to a 5 member team). Assembly cost if hired: $10,000
6. TOTAL COSTS: $34,500 - Remaining costs needed for total project completion: $13,128.00.

At this time, over 40 additional donors are being contacted by mail and phone. If you would like to help, visit with one of the Committee Members: Lynn Lapka, Amy Vaughan, Deb Lewandowski, Tammy Demien, Frank Delgado or Bob Lewandowski. 

The Committee believes that raising the difference in the cost of the equipment including the shipping and handling can be done is short order (next several months). The remaining cost will be raised before the equipment will be implemented.

 

The "Spiral Challenge" playground structure was implemented at Bridger's elementary school. 

MISSION BULLY FREE PROCLAMATION

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

The Student Council President, Raymond Matt along along with High School Class Presidents made the following proclamation: "Mission Schools are hereby, from this day forward, BULLY FREE!" The proclamation came after students cited the following:

Bully Free Pledge

Bullying is not allowed in my school.

I will not hit, kick, shove or punch anyone or anything.

I will not tease, call names, or put people down.

I will not exclude and leave others out.

I will not gossip or spread rumors.

If I see someone being bullied, I will speak up and seek help.

I will treat everyone with respect and kindness.

This school’s safety, support and belonging depend on me.

 

2014-2015 Class Presidents (left to right): Sophomore Beedo Matt, Junior Jordyn Eichert, Freshman Trinity Lewandowski, Senior Raymond Matt.

The announcement was made during an ALL SCHOOL ASSEMBLY lead by Superintendent Lewandowski. The proclamation requires everyone to do their part. Most importantly it calls on each student to stand up and stop bullying by reporting it to an adult or providing some type of support to the targeted victim. Senior leaders were called forward to hand out the Bully Free Pledge and a Declaration of Contribution. Each student was given the documentation to take back to their classroom for further discussions.

Our school realizes that the fight against bullying will be constant and on going, but as a BULLY FREE school, we will do everything possible to eliminate bullying from taking place. There is no place for bullying behavior at Mission Schools. THE BULLYING STOPS HERE! Our school is a place of SAFETY, SUPPORT and BELONGING!

THANK YOU CORNERSTONE PIZZA!

 by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski 

 Special thanks from all of the kids here at Mission Schools to Cornerstone Pizza and their "Pizza Making Crew." Lynn Lapka and Craig Waldron presented a check for $3,404.00 in pizza sales along with $338.26 in donations to me on March 21, 2014 following a long day of hard work raising money for Mission Possible Playground. That is a lot of Pizza!

I can't begin to express how much it means to our kids. The people at the Cornerstone Faith Center really made a difference.

Thank you for raising $3,742.26 for our playground equipment initiative. Even more important, thank you for mobilizing our community for our kids!

Lynn Lapka and Craig Waldron presenting a check from Cornerstone Pizza