Stewardship Is Part of IT!

by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Our school district is "under construction" in many different ways. Building a climate of expectation is exemplified through the manifestations of new buildings to a renewed school spirit. To further flavor the changes taking place here at Mission, we need to consider a focus on stewardship.

According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of stewardship is: 1) the conducting, supervising, or managing of something; 2) the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care.

Teaching students about stewardship is a difficult task since there are so many different ideas about what stewardship means. At this time the school will work towards developing a shared understanding of stewardship (treatment and care for goods and property entrusted to us).

We will try to make stewardship a focus for students and staff alike. Taking pride in excellence extends itself in many ways. We have already had a fantastic start to a great school year. Now we need to take HCA to the next level. When visitors come to our campus to watch a game, walk our hallways, come into a classroom, I hope they will leave with the impression that even though we may not have a lot at Mission, we take pride in what we have here at St Ignatius. With this in mind, we have some work to do to bring everything up to this standard of expectation.

At the K-12 Assembly, on the first day of school, I shared with the students and staff the secret to success. That secrete is "Learning takes Work!" The initiative for stewardship calls for the implementation of the IT FACTOR. In an earlier blog, I described IT as:

"If you walk the halls at our school you can smell it, see it in the classrooms and feel it at our ball games. Something special is taking place here at St. Ignatius, I invite you to be a part of "IT!"

IT can't be described in one word. IT is complicated. IT exist because our students, faculty, parents and community BELIEVE! We are Mission, the standard by which others will measure!"

To be the standard by which others measure takes WORK! I believe that Mission is a community of hard workers! I like what I have seen and am proud to be a part of IT!

Our district must work hard at IT! The district will be utilizing as many resources as possible to pick up school grounds and correct dysfunctional elements and blemishes. For example: we will obtain adequate trash receptacles for hallways, entryways, bleachers, and parking areas. If we want people to pick up after themselves, they have to have a place to put it.

In addition, the district is addressing storage and buildings that are not being utilized and costing the district money to maintain. There are places in this school district that certainly need to be cleaned out and up. In past efforts to be conservative, we have stored most everything of value. NOW much of what has been stored is dated and not worth the space it takes. Addressing these issues will be difficult, but needed.

I am asking everyone who reads this blog to "pitch in" and help. Making sure students learn is everyone's responsibility and as said before: learning takes work. Work is a big part of IT! Stewardship is a concept that needs to be shared by all. We've got a great school and community! We invite you to be a part of IT!

The Helping Hand!

Special thanks to the following students for volunteering and helping set up the new computer lab in the Multi-purpose complex:

Lomah Woodcock, Brandon Hernandez, Billy Gopher, Fabian Camacho, Matthew Westenberger, Harry Suta, Mauro Grosso, Ashley Courville, Sydney Allard, Chadd Anderson, Stuart Grant

The students set up 30 computers in less than 40 minutes. They did it with out complaint and were eager to please.

They are from MISSION, I wouldn't expect anything less!

Nicely done guys and gals!

Just Another Good Example of HCA

I just wanted thank all of the faculty that attended the home volleyball game against Big Fork on Tuesday evening (Oct 5). There were more staff than I have seen thus far at the game. I am equally proud of our staff starting the cheer “MISSION” with the student-body echoing “Bulldogs.”

What a moment!
What a night!
WHAT A FACULTY!

Keep up the great work! Thank you for everything you do for kids!

Afterschool Programs Are Underway

Our Supplemental Education Services (SES) feature after-school opportunities for all students. These programs are not just for struggling students but for all students wishing to gain additional knowledge and growth outside the classroom. We are asking everyone to sign their children up for these programs. Please know there will be feature events and activities connected with these programs. Even though the District feels strongly about the academic focus to help children succeed, we also recognize the needs of the whole-child. These programs contain a mixture of both academic and enrichment activities. You may contact Principal Cherie Stobie to sign your child up. The programs take place Monday-Thursday and once a month on Friday's (Friday Field Trips).

The SuccessMaker computer lab is located in the new Multi-purpose Complex in the Elementary. The lab will always be supervised by school personnel during our SES programs. Students only wishing to particpate in the SuccessMaker offering are to report to the new computer lab. Even though our students will log time in on SuccessMaker during the school day, the more time a student is on this program has proven yields in higher grade-level growth. We want your child to be all they can be; SuccessMaker can help them get there.

High School students are also invited to use the computer lab during the times below for academic follow up and research. Once again the lab will be supervised and a student log will be maintained.

Below is the current after-school schedule. We will be producing a calendar in the near future for monthly referencing all after-school activities.

PROGRAMS MONDAY - THURSDAY

Elementary

Start Date: October 4, 2010

Time: 3:30 until 5:00 PM

Place: Multipurpose Room

Academic Focus: SuccessMaker & Home work assistance.

Middle School

Start Date: October 4, 2010

Time: 3:30 until 5:00 PM

Place: Mrs. Krantz’s Classroom & Multipurpose Complex (Computer Lab)

Academic Focus: SuccessMaker (Computer Lab) & Study Table (Mrs. Krantz’s room: 3:40 – 4:40 PM).

High School

Start Date: October 4, 2010

Time: 3:40 until 4:40 PM (Computer Lab: 3:40 until 5:00 PM)

Place: Study Table (Mrs. Keast Classroom); Computer Lab (Multi-purpose Complex)

Academic Focus: Study Table, Computer Use (Academic Use Only)

The "IT" Factor

by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Homecoming is all about Home Court Advantage. All week long the faculty, students and community fed school spirit and the results ended in victory on both court and field. Elementary through senior high participated in Homecoming events. I was equally impressed with the community's participation at both the varsity volleyball and football games. I am told Mission made more noise than has been heard for sometime. It was all about "community!" The unconditional support by fans and the student-body was tremendous.

There is a change in the air. If you walk the halls at our school you can smell it, see it in the classrooms and feel it at our ball games. Something special is taking place here at St. Ignatius, I invite you to be a part of "IT!"

IT can't be described in one word. IT is complicated. IT exist because our students, faculty, parents and community BELIEVE! We are Mission, the standard by which others will measure! Well done St. Ignatius! Well done!

I want to thank Lynette Mikkelson and Jackie Spidel for contributing photos to the attached slide show.

Mission Possible Homecoming Day One

St. Ignatius Homecoming 2010 got off to a fast start celebrating "Celebrity Day." I saw Lady Gaga, President O'bama, former President Bush (Terry Cable), Sara Palin, Mel Gibson (Brave Hart), Marilyn Monroe, Cleopatra all in the hallways in Mission before school even got started. Students checked into first period class before going to the gym for an outline of the week's activities as well as the rules of engagement from Principal Jason Sargent. Students then competed in the day's activity: "Car Push." This spirit "driven" activity featured students pushing a pickup around the track to record the fastest times. The juniors won the activity followed by the sophomores, freshmen and seniors. See the slide show for a quick glimpse of the action.

Now that's HCA "Baby!"

by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski 

The girls volleyball team definitely had home court advantage when they took on Plains on Thursday, September 9, 2010. The football team along with other student-body members teamed up to cheer our ladies to victory. There was even a chant of "H C A" from the stands. The volleyball team broke the huddle yelling "HCA" as well. This is what it is all about: safety, support and belonging.

HCA is not new or has a copyright. It is the secret that this school has that other schools may not be capitalizing on: it is statistically proven in sporting events that when playing on your home court or field you are provided a significant advantage that will often affect the outcome of the game. An example of home field or home court advantage exists in NBA basketball where the home team in deciding games has won 78 of 97 contests up until the second round of the 2007 Playoffs. The players benefit from the crowd support. They also benefit from a sense of belonging and safety in playing on the floor that they practice on daily. It is for this reason that Mission has developed a “Home Court Advantage” for the students that attend our school. HCA is not automatic, it takes WORK, DEDICATION and SACRIFICE for something bigger than ourselves! And looking at the photo to the right, our students are up to the challenge.

A triangle has been selected to represent the three elements of Home Court Advantage (HCA): SAFETY, SUPPORT and BELONGING. In the center of the triangle, a circle represents the on going unity of our school. Even though this is just a symbol, it has meaning and represents a personal relationship that our students have with the school as well as with one another.

On one side of this relationship SAFETY represents the fact that every student will attend a “safe” environment. Students will always be assured that THIS school is their safe haven from harm’s way. In this school every student’s DIGNITY is protected! Students will be assured that this is a place they can come and feel at home.

The opposite side of safety there is SUPPORT. Every student will receive support from EVERY member in THIS school. We will pick each other up when we are down and will applaud individual and group success. Everyone is a part of this SCHOOL and everyone will support those in it.

Finally we have BELONGING. Every student is VALUED in this SCHOOL! This is our school, and our student’s home away from home. It is a place of WELCOME and family for everyone.

I feel strongly about the virtues that Home Court Advantage represents and even though this is just a symbol I believe it will help remind our students to act accordingly. Even more important, I hope that HCA will extend into this community. The circle in the middle will not be complete until this concept is realized.

People, we have had a GREAT school start. Our kids are winning on the courts, fields and in the classroom. Many of you have told me that SCHOOL SPIRIT is at an ALL-TIME high! Read my blog on our last football game if you can't see it. The climate is doing just as well. I am sure we can keep things going in a positive direction with your help. Mission needs parents and community members to take the next step. There is only one way to bring you into our circle of Home Court Advantage ant that is to get everyone involved with our school. Come support our kids and belong! Mission Possible, Not Impossible!

Well done HIGH SCHOOL for bringing HCA here to Mission!

A side from HCA: the girls soundly defeated Plains!

Now that's HCA BABY!