Super Dunker Kenny Dobbs Shares His Story of Resilience!

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Kenny Dobbs spoke to the entire student body about his story of resilience. He over came a tumultuous childhood of drugs, family, and crime to find himself at the cross roads of life. According to the Indian Country:

Kenny Dobbs has traveled across the country to speak to and on behalf of kids on reservations as an employee of the Division of Behavioral Health Services for the state of Arizona. For three years he served as the chairman on the Arizona State Youth Advisory Council for Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention. He is currently serving as an ambassador’s for Nike’s N7 division and the Native American Basketball Invitational (NABI) Foundation. With NABI, Dobbs created the UpRise Youth Motivational Presentations to educate kids on Native lands. He knows that if you want to grab a kid’s attention, flying is a good way to do it.
Kenny Dobbs, member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Phoenix resident, proud son, brother, father and husband, is 27 years old. And he is lucky to be alive.

Read more at http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2011/07/29/inspiring-bounce-back-story-super-dunker-kenny-dobbs-43850

 

 

 

 

 

Kenny's story is as amazing as his dunks! 

 

 

Please select READ MORE to more amazing photos of Kenny and our kids.

Do You Want To Build A Snowman?

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Do you want to build a snowman? As tempting as that may seem, you didn't even have to go outside to embrace the winter holidays. The St. Ignatius Elementary students brought all of the spender of the North Pole right here to Mission. There were snowmen, reindeer, elves, life-size toys, snowflakes, solders, ballerinas, and last, but not in the least, Santa Claus. All of this and much more in a one hour musical production. It was AWESOME!

I couldn't help but enjoy our kids. They were having so much fun and doing a great job presenting The North Pole musical.
 
To see MORE PHOTOGRAPHS of the concert, click on the blue link below "Read More." There are over 130 photos of the concert in the connected link.

Warning: after viewing the photos, you may just want to build a snowman!

Okay...bye!

(click the blue link called "Read More" below)

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.

Happy Halloween 2013

Have a fun and safe Halloween Two Thousand Thirteen!

SENIOR ATHLETES

It is always a pleasure to be able to recognize our senior athletes. Just recently I teamed up with our Activity Director Rich Ferris and Technology Director Matt Lyon and took some promotional photos of our football and volleyball senior athletes. I took the pictures on the stage and then in cooperation with Matt Lyon we were able to do some creative photoshop work in the background.

Once again, we believe that it is important to provide multimedia products to affirm, commemorate and permeate the positive student experience here at Mission Schools. I think these photos are an example of just that.

If you would like to download a high resolution photo, please go to our Mission Possible Photography site where you can find these and other other photos.

2013 Senior football Players: Ryce Hegwood, Patrick Eichert and Jarred Brown.

2013 Senior Volleyball Players: Courtney Charlo, Gina Linsebigler, Kaylie Durglo and Kayla Billette.

Congratulations and good luck seniors!

Culture Awareness Day

Ken McClure

 by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski 
 
Every year the district plays host to Culture Awareness Day. Students are able to attend a variety of culture sessions to expand their understanding of the world beyond the school itself. It is a great opportunity for our students to learn more about others and themselves. The day always ends in a "Spring Pow wow" held in the gymnasium. This year the district honored Ken McClure. 

For those of you that aren't familiar with a "pow wow" (according to Wikipedia): A pow-wow (also powwow or pow wow) is a gathering of North America's Native people.  A modern pow-wow is a specific type of event where both Native American/First Nations and non-Native American/First Nations people meet to dance, sing, socialize, and honor Native American/First Nations culture. There is generally a dancing competition, often with significant prize money awarded. Pow-wows vary in length from one day session of five to six hours to three days. Major pow-wow or pow-wows called for a special occasion can be up to one week long.

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS

Tournament Time

Congratulations Varsity Basketball Teams, you are going to the tournament! The Bulldogs beat Ronan 56 to 51 and the Lady Bulldogs came out on top as well (see score below). Both teams will be competing in the conference and divisional tournaments. GOOD LUCK BULLDOGS!

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!

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!

Reflection: Homecoming Day 5 - Grand Assembly & Parade

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Reflection: Homecoming Day 5 - Blue & White Day

 

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Reflection: Homecoming Day 4 - Decade Day

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Reflection: Homecoming Day 3 - ABC Crazy Day

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Reflection: Homecoming Day 2 - Twin Day

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Reflection: Homecoming Day 1 - Color Wars

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Well Done Lady Bulldogs!

The Lady Bulldogs downed Plains in 4 sets. It was great seeing the girls get back to their winning ways. Good luck at Florance!

On a side note: The Head Coach was pretty amazing when she sang the National Anthem. The student support section was equally superb!

Well done Bulldogs!

SCHOOL SPIRIT! It's HCA Baby!

Student-body having fun at the volleyball game versus Ronan.

by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

If you want to measure the type of start our district is having, all you have to do is attend one of the fall sports contests. Last Thursday evening the varsity volleyball team played Ronan (the town next door). The ladies defeated Ronan in three straight sets. Credit not only goes to their play on the court, but the support that comes from the student-body and community. Win or lose, Home Court Advantage is the difference.


Well done students!

"Not the victory but the action; Not the goal but the game; In the deed the glory."

Motto engraved on the wall of Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska by Hartley Burr Alexander, Philosophy Professor says a lot about the game of football. Last Friday night the Mission football team came up short, but played like champions. I shot a few photos to share...


Get'em next time Bulldogs!