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.

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!

Christmas and Holiday Wishes

We wish you and yours a blessed Christmas and happy New Year!

 by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski 

 The St. Ignatius Administrative Team (Front row, left to right): Administrative Assistant RaSena Christopher, District Clerk Neil Easter, Elementary Principal Tammy Demien; (Second row): High School Principal Jason Sargent, Maintenance Director Steve McCollum, Assistant Clerk Adam Hawkaluk, Superintendent Bob Lewandowski; (Back row): Middle School Principal Dan Durglo, Activity Director Rich Ferris and Technology Director Matt Lyon.

Break begins on Friday, December 20, 2013  at 2:15 PM

School Resumes on January 6, 2014 at its regular times.

LEVERAGING THE POWER OF THE INTERNET

 by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski 

 The School District is leveraging the power of the Internet to radically improve the governance process while saving time, taxpayer dollars and the environment. This new eGovernance initiative is a remarkably powerful, easy-to-use solution that enables the District to maximize the effectiveness of board meetings with increased transparency, providing a basis for better and more open communication with the public, while dramatically increasing productivity and saving thousands of dollars annually.

The paperless meeting solution is a 100% Web-based service. By making meeting agendas and supporting documents available on the Internet, St. Ignatius Schools will be able distribute documents associated with board meetings more quickly and efficiently, at a dramatically reduced cost to the organization.

Electronic distribution will not only save time and resources, but it will also provide unprecedented public access via the St. Ignatius School’s Web site to agenda items and other governing body-related information. This process will allow interested parties to review information prior to board meetings. All documents associated with the meeting are automatically archived and can be accessed by meeting date or by using the system’s comprehensive search feature.

The new eGovernance features can be accessed via the District’s Web site at http://web.stignatiusschools.org/ under the “School Board” tab, or for direct access to the District’s Board Agendas go to: http://www.boarddocs.com/mt/sisd28/Board.nsf/vpublic?open.

We hope you find this new tool useful and informative.

ATTENDANCE MATTERS

by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

I am please to announce a prominent improvement in student attendance figures at Mission schools this year. With the help of community organizations, the teachers, the staff, the Parent Teacher Organization and the Indian Education Committee the message that "Attendance Matters" through our "TOP DAWG" initiative has been received by parents and students alike. The percent of students in attendance has significantly improved. All Mission schools average over 98% of our students in attendance this 2012-2013 school year. This is a 5% increase from years past.

PERCENT OF STUDENTS IN ATTENDANCE
	2012-2013	2011-2012	2010-2012
HS	98.64%	94.08%	93.19%
MS	98.23%	93.30%	94.12%
ELEM	98.48%	92.41%	93.06%
	98.45%	93.26%	93.46%

As a K-12 District, we will again ask students to CROSS THE LINE to where there is a greater chance to make good things happen (better results, better relationships, more responsibility) by coming to school everyday. This is where they will find those people they admire. Those that choose to commit, work hard, focus and bounce back. On the other side there is a less of a chance. Coming to school everyday is a Declaration of Contribution by students and staff alike.

The TOP DAWG initiative began a year ago. It provides an immediate reward system to improve student attendance and to spark an intrinsic motivation to be present. The initiative encourages students to come to school everyday, finish what they have begun and know that there are people who care and are willing to help them.

We invite the community to join our Top Dawg Celebration of not only attendance, but academic achievement as well . Simply come to the High School Office around 8:45 AM and get a visitor's pass and join us in the gym at our next Top Dawg Assembly on Friday, November 9, 2012 at 9:00 AM.

TOP DAWG SUCCESS - OHhh Yeah!

WORK HARD!

by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Luck is not chance, it's toil. Fortune's expensive smile is earned  a quote by American poet, Emily Dickinson encourages us to move from one side of a line, to another, and pass over mediocrity. Students and teachers have been challenged to cross the line.

This is an initiative that was introduced to the students and the teachers to encourage everyone to make choices to commit, work hard, focus and be resilient. It is based on the notion that with everything there is a line. On one side, there is a better chance that good things will happen. On the other side, there is less of a chance.

This school would like everyone to make a choice to cross over to the side of the line where better, more meaningful things can happen. Making good things happen is often the result of choice, not luck.  There is always a line, and it can be crossed.

This photo depicts the choice to WORK HARD. As you may have heard before, the secrete to success is: Learning takes work! Good things are rarely cheap or easy. Focused effort and attention are fundamental behind everything. "There are no quick fixes. There are no silver bullets. Earn your results and push yourself more often than not. That's how you create something special (and that's what you want)" by Sam Parker.

Mission Possible: Push your luck and cross the line.

Mission Mantra "OHhh Yeah!"

OHhh

Yeah!!!

by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Mission students unveil a new mantra for celebrating success! At the TOPDAWG Assembly on Monday, September 10 "OHhh Yeah" was introduced as a new action for celebration. When Bulldog fans are called to action by voice: "ARE YOU READY!" you will hear and see a proactive reply from Mission students. Student will stand and reply "OHhh Yeah!" This affirmation of school spirit and support goes beyond the extra-curricular setting. It is a positive anchor that all Bulldogs are encouraged to use to promote success and positive choices. 

“OHhh Yeah” has gained student popularity overnight (Monday to Tuesday). In this short amount of time, I have had several adults relate the slogan to the  1954 Kool-Aid Man.  In order to give due credit, I want to clarify the origin of "OHhh Yeah!" as presented at Monday’s TOPDAWG Assembly and as seen at the last nights volleyball match against rival Ronan (congratulations Lady Bulldogs on your 3 set victory). At least, I can tell you where the notion came from.

The etymology of "OHhh Yeah" according to Lewandowski (me): It is a colloquial term used by professional wrestler Randy "Macho Man" Savage of the World Wrestling Federation beginning in 1985. He won six world titles. Savage was the greatest champion of all time, the professional wrestling credits him for bringing "a higher level of credibility to the title through his amazing in-ring performances." Savage was recognizable by wrestling fans for his distinctively deep and raspy voice, his ring attire, intensity exhibited in and out of the ring, and his signature catch phrase, "Ooh yeah!"

The Kool-Aid Man is kinda cool (I guess), but is not responsible for the Mission "OHhh Yeah" as introduced. The Kool-Aid Man isn't tough enough for Mission. Macho Man didn't drink Kool-Aid and crash through foam walls, he ate "Slim Jims" and had a giant charisma that propelled him to the top of the performing arts finest champions: the WWF. The Mission “OHhh Yeah” is more than rescuing someone as seen by the Kool-Aid Man. The actions are as important as the words. Forming a big “O” with your arms and bringing them down to your waist with a powerful flex as you say “OHhh Yeah” is an action of the mind, body and school spirit that says we are Bulldog proud and ready! 

"OHhh Yeah" is all about celebrating lines that need to be crossed and those crossed over!  In other words, it can be used when facing challenges or celebrating success! It is charismatic by nature and action, just like the Macho Man.  One can hardly help saying the phrase without intention: It is a DECLARATION OF CONTRIBUTION!  It is Mission's Mantra used to celebrate.  LOOK for it at all Mission activities near you!

OHhh Yeah!

Have a great day!

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

To Be The Top Dawg: Attendance Required!

by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

As mentioned in other posts: attendance is a critical component for student success. For teaching and learning to be effective, students must attend school on a consistent basis. Coming to school is so important that St. Ignatius will be implementing several school policies and initiatives to improve student attendance. If our school is to improve student learning and meet state and national benchmarks it is imperative that we understand that every student counts.  Therefore our community must do what is necessary to make sure that every student, every day comes to school all day long. 

The District recently implemented an automatic phone notification for absent students as well as the “Good Morning” reminder for students that have reached critical levels of absence. In addition, we will be introducing the “Top Dawg Attendance” initiative.

The “Top Dawg Attendance” initiative will recognize students that have demonstrated consistent attendance goals.  In order for students to be the “Top Dawg” in school and in life, they must show up. This initiative focuses on one the foundations of success:  active participation. Students must be “consistently” present to be a “Top Dawg” in our school or any other. The initiative is set up to reward success at bench-marked levels so every student can be working toward a new attendance goal.

The initiative and its rewards are based on consistent days of attendance. For all students that have attended school for ten (10) days in a row, students will receive a “Top Dawg” silicone bracelet that says: “MISSION BULLDOGS – HCA BABY!” At twenty (20) days in a row, each student will receive a “Top Dawg” dog tag on a ball-linked chain with a blue camouflaged rubber silencer. At thirty (30) days in a row each student receives an additional “Top Dawg” dog tag with a red camouflaged rubber silencer. 

After thirty days,  achieving the following attendance benchmarks make student eligible for drawing the following: forty-five (45) days in a row, students are eligible for one of thirty (30) pizzas of choice at “Cornerstone;” at sixty (60) days in a row students are eligible for one of fifteen (15) twenty-five dollar gift certificates; at ninety (90) days in a row student are eligible for one of nine (9) bicycles; at one-hundred twenty (120) days in a row students are eligible for one of two (2) Kindle/Nook; at the end of the year, all students with perfect attendance (no absences of any kind) will receive a certificate and medal of achievement and are eligible for a fifty dollar gift certificate (one gift certificate for each elementary, middle and high school). Awards and drawings will take place at the end of each quarter at the K-12 Top Dawg Assemblies to be held in the gymnasium. 

This initiative and others are intended to help students succeed. We hope that you will support these initiatives and help get every student, every day to school all day long.

Thank you for your effort and contributions,

See you at the Mission Possible Parent Breakfast on November 7, 2011 in the Multi-Purpose Room starting at 7:30 AM and ending at 9:00 AM.