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.

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!

The Great Montana Shake Out

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

On October 22, 2014 at 10:22 AM the entire school district participated in the Great Montana Shake Out. At that time, everyone in the district dropped to the ground, covered themselves with a table or desk and held on for one minute. This emergency drill is called "Drop, Cover and Hold."It is part of our school district's Emergency Crisis Procedures.

The entire state was urged by to participate in the drill. The purpose is to practice the proper procedures in case of an earthquake. Montana is one of the most seismically active states in the U.S. Knowing what to do in an earthquake is one of the best ways to prepare.

There were over 157,000 participants, throughout Montana, that pledged to participate.

To find out more about earthquake safety, take the QUAKE QUIZ. 

Mrs. Rhine participating in the Shake Out with her students.

Students following the directions for "Drop, Cover and Hold."

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!

Activity Committee Selection: Head Girls Basketball Coach

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

The Activity Committee is recommending Jeff Buck as the 2014-2015 Head Girls Basketball Coach. I am excited to take this recommendation and hire to the board. If you haven't met the new coach, be sure to do so on August 16 at 11:30 AM in the high school gym. He would like to invite all parents and students interested in the girls basketball program to attend. If you would like to find out more about our school activities and Mr. Buck, go to the Bulldog Activities and Athletics Blog.



Welcome to Mission Mr. Buck! HCA Baby!

New Construction Provides Annual Savings

by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

The Quality Schools Grant Project for the exterior (envelope) of the High School and Middle School is nearing its final stages. This project started three years ago with the Quality Schools Planning Grant. This was a $25,000 grant. The Planning Grant provided the needed funds to provide an assessment of our district's buildings and begin initial planning for a proposed project. Upon being awarded the Planning Grant, we went right to work making application for the Project Grant for $565,000. Upon award and approval from the Montana Legislature and the Governor, today, we are finally arriving at near project completion. 

The project completion will not only provide an appealing exterior, but necessary insulation and roof repair as well as window and door replacements. This couldn't come at a better time with the inflated prices of propane and the extremes of last winter. The district paid $113,000 for propane in 2013-2014. That was 44,000 gallons of fuel. Our average fuel consumption is 40,000 gallons. Estimated saving could be as much as 20% in a year. The project has not only provided a new face lift, but will help offset other funding reductions through the estimated fuel savings.

Many of our constituents have asked what the final project will look like, so I have included several three dimensional renderings from the architect.