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!

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).

Prep Athlete of the Week

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Senior Steven Bravo carried the ball 16 times for 207 yards against Loyola Sacred Heart in a District 6-B victory. Bravo scored two touchdowns in the victory. He was selected at the Prep Athlete of the Week for October 16, 2014. Congratulations STEVEN! You make us MISSION PROUD!

Steven Bravo running for a touchdown!

PUNT PASS & KICK CHAMPION

Girls can play the game too! Second grader, Izabel Evans won the Punt Pass & Kick Championship  and attended the Monday Night Football game at Seattle where the Seahawks embarrased the New Orleans Saints 34-7. Izzy won the Girls 6 & 7 year old division just as easily, out distancing the runner-up by 42' 2".

It is great celebrating a CHAMPION! Well don Izzy Evans! OHhh Yeah!!

Izabel Evans: 1st Place Punt Pass & Kick. Punt: 36'10", Pass: 36'3", Kick: 32'2".

MAKING THE DIFFERENCE

 by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski 

 It was a privilege to honor District Clerk, Neil Easter at the Homecoming Assembly last Friday afternoon. He is definitely a "rock." The entire school district, K-12, gave Neil a standing ovation for his loyal dedication and unwavering commitment to Saint Ignatius Public Schools!

We thanked Mr. Easter for his outstanding contributions toward our school over the past 29 years and for making it stand above the rest.  

Once again, thank you NEIL EASTER, for MAKING THE DIFFERENCE!

SECOND GRADE COMMUNITY SERVICE

The Mrs. Shock, Mrs. Hout and the SECOND GRADE delivered 99.4 pounds of foot to the food pantry today! The also made chilli bags as well. It is great to see this type of community service at work in our school, let alone at the SECOND GRADE!

Well done SECOND GRADE BULLDOGS!

OHhh Yeah!

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!