Infinite Campus - Campus Messenger

by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Attention all parents, the school messaging system will be communicating with you for the first time by phone on Friday, March 4 and Sunday, March 6 at 6:30 PM. You will recieve a phone call with the following message:

A very important school announcement for all parents and students here in St. Ignatius! Mission schools will be hosting a calendar meeting in the new multi-purpose room this coming Monday, March 7 at 6:30 PM. Your attendance is very important. You will have an opportunity to vote on the calendar of your choice to later be presented to the school board. This is the calendar that will be considered for next school year. Please plan on attending on Monday, March 7, at 6:30 PM in the new cafeteria.

This is the same phone system that will be utilized to make important school announcements and emergency announcements. It simultaneously calls all constituents at once and delivers the message. Please let the district know if you do not receive a call or message.

Congratulation Girls Basketball

Congratulations Lady Bulldogs for obtaining the B-7 District Champion Runner-Up last week in Libby. Best of luck at the Divisional Tournament at SKC.

Calendar Meeting - Setting a Heightened Desire for Achievement

by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

At the last calendar meeting on January 31, 2011 there were 56 in attendance that discussed our district's calendar needs. A lot of ideas were brought to the table by our stakeholders (students, teachers, parents and community members). I was very pleased with the interest and input by all. This type of  attendance certainly indicates a heightened desire for achievement. With this kind of input I believe we will be able to develop a better school calendar that best serves our students.

Our next meeting will be February 28, 2011 at 6:30 PM in the Multi-Purpose Complex (elementary cafeteria). At this time, we will review the survey data that has been recently collected from parents, students and teachers. We will also review other types of data like academic, attendance, discipline, graduation,  as well as demographic information. There will be a rough draft of the 2011-2012 Activity Schedule from the Activity Director, Alan Pule for addition calendar consideration. Upon data review we will break into groups for discussion and then strategically outline changes we need to consider. We will then use the base calendar as a starting point for change considerations.

This has been an exciting process that has been very student focused. I hope everyone will be able to join us.

State Bound Wrestlers

Junior Wrestler Scotty Gilleard begins match at home.

The Mission-Charlo Wrestling connection has worked well this year.  According to Head Wrestling Coach, Lyle Cronk: "This years Wrestling team was 7-3 in Duel meets, placed 6th at the Divisional Tournament while qualifying five wrestlers for the State Tournament."

Qualifying wrestlers and their Divisional Placing include the following: Sr. Dillon Edwards 3rd at 105; Jr. Scotty Gilleard 2nd at 130; Jr. Colton Toren 4th at 145; Fr. Jacen Petersen 1st at 152; and Jr. Chadd Anderson 4th at 215.

Cronk went on to say: "We also had two wrestlers place 5th who are alternates for the state tournament." Those wrestlers are: Sr. Ben Mittag and So. Barret Sargent.

Congratulations wrestling team and best of  luck at the State Tournament in Billings on February 11 and 12, 2011.

You can keep up with the individual results at the State Tournament by selecting the following: Montana State Wrestling Tournament 2011. This site will provide the individual and team results for the Bulldogs.

High School Entry Reaches Substantial Completion

New High School Entry Opened January 18, 2011

The Joyce Easter Student Commons Area

Direct Entry with the H.S. Offices and Attendance Station to the right.

Concession stand and gym & classroom entry.

by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

The High School Entry reached "substantial completion" on January 15, 2011. It is one of two construction projects the District has undertaken this year. Earlier the District completed the Multi-Purpose Complex which houses a new cafeteria, stage, technology center and special needs classroom. Both structures are at "substantial completion" which allows the district occupancy while the contractors complete items on a formal punch list. When visiting the facilities, you may notice a blemish or flaw in workmanship. These type of  items are on the punch list for the contractor to fix, but they do not prohibit occupancy.

The completion of the High School Entry presents a challenge in getting everyone to use the new entry into the school.  The old entry has been restricted to exit only. If you come to the old entry, you will notice appropriate signage indicating the the location of the new access. 

We understand that this transition will take some time, but we encourage everyone to patiently work into the facility as the school staff will help you do so. It is imperative that we maintain student safety by monitoring those accessing the building. As always, we ask all visitors to check into the office before frequenting the school. 

Thank you for your understanding. I hope you enjoy our new facility!

Board Works on District Core Purpose and Values

by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Why are we here? What do we stand for? The school board met in a workshop session on Tuesday, January 11 from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM and worked with the Montana School Boards Association to develop the District's core purpose and values. Answering these questions and establishing purpose and values are vital in developing a strategic plan to address district needs.

The Board would like to invite everyone to join them on January 27, 2011 at 5:00 PM in the Multi-purpose Complex (elementary cafeteria) to complete this process with stakeholder input.  It is all about developing a system of discipline. According to Jim Collins, author of  Good to Great: through disciplined people, disciplined thought an organization is able to establish disciplined actions that meet an organization's needs.

Developing a core ideology clarifies the values of an organization in order to identify purpose and establish brand. Collins goes on to say: "Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness is largely a matter of conscious choice and discipline." At Mission, conscious choice and discipline start with identifying the core purpose and values of our educational system.

We can not leave learning success up to chance.  The old saying: "There is never enough time to do things right the first time, but there is always enough time to do them again" is not acceptable when it comes to educating our children.  Please join us on January 27.  Together, with discipline,  we can move forward with identified purpose to take the action necessary to provide the best opportunity for learning success.

School Calendar Development Meeting

We will be developing a school calendar for the next two years and would like to invite all interested parties to come and participate in this process. The 1st meeting will be on Monday, January 10, 2011 in the Elementary Multi-Purpose Room (cafeteria) at 6:30 PM.

We will discuss current issues and challenges facing the district that a calendar and school schedule may affect. Those participating may choose to sign up for committee work to gather information and develop a survey as well as other needs of the group.

This is an excellent opportunity to get involved with the educational processes here at St. Ignatius. Once the committee has developed several calendar options, we will provide the board with the options and rational supporting a recommendation. The board will then consider all recommendations and make a calendar decision. 

Once again, this is an exciting time for our school. A calendar and schedule are key foundation elements for learning. I hope to see you January 10 at 6:30 PM to set a course for the future!