Inaugural Mission Valley All-Star Volleyball Classic

On Thursday, November 15, 2012 the Inaugural Mission Valley All-Star Volleyball Classic took place here at the Mission High School Gym. It was a great evening of volleyball that showcased the best area volleyball athletes. Special thanks to all of the coaches and individuals who made this possible. Below are photos of the athletes and their respective teams. If you would like to download one of these photos for free or would like to order prints, please go to: MISSION POSSIBLE PHOTOGRAPHY.

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 HOMECOMING 2012

When: October 12-18, 2012
Why: To honor alumni of St. Ignatius and celebrate our school pride and colors
Definition (according to Wikipedia) Homecoming is an annual tradition of the United States.  People, towns, high schools and colleges come together, usually in late September or early October, to welcome back alumni and former residents. It is built around a central event, such as a banquet and, most often, a game of American football, or, on occasion, basketball, ice hockey or soccer. When celebrated by schools, the activities vary widely. However, they usually consist of a football game played on a school's home football field, activities for students and alumni, a parade featuring the school's marching band and sports teams, and the coronation of a Homecoming Queen (and at many schools, a Homecoming King). A dance commonly follows the game.

Mission's celebration is not far off of the Wikipedia definition. Below is the schedule of events.  We invite the community and our stakeholders to join us in this celebration.  GO BULLDOGS!

HIGH SCHOOL EVENTS

MONDAY

• Kick Off/Student Assembly: 8:30 AM - 8:45 AM in the High School Gym
• Locker Decorating begins and are judged after lunch on Thursday
• Dress Up Day: "Decade Day"
• Spirit Competition: CAR PUSH 8:45 AM until 9:15 AM
• Food Drive begins

TUESDAY

• Dress Up Day: "Circus/Crazy Day"
• Spirit Competition: DODGE BALL 9:20 AM - 9:45 AM
•  Locker Decorating Continues
•  Homecoming Volleyball vs Arlee
• WHITE OUT (Game attire for everyone is WHITE): "Say it! Fight it! Cure it! For Les Rice.
• Introduce Royalty: 6:30 PM (before the Varsity match)

WEDNESDAY

• Dress Up Day: "Super Hero/Villain Day"
• Spirit Competition: MINUTE TO WIN IT 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM
• Locker Decorating Continues

THURSDAY

• Dress Up Day: "Color Wars"
• Seniors: Purple
• Juniors: Red
• Sophomores: Pink
• Freshman: Green
• Staff: White
• Spirit Competition: Lovers Leap 11:10 AM - 11:40 AM
• Locker Competition judged at noon
• Pep Bus to Loyola Volleyball: Leave time 5:30 PM (student sign up is in office)

FRIDAY

• Dress Up Day: "Bulldog Day" (Blue & White)
• 8:30 AM Class Meetings
• 8:45 AM Class Skit and float prepartion
• 11:00 AM Class Skit Presentation: 
• 11:30 AM Royalty Formal Dress
• 12:00 Senior Athlete Honoring
• 1:00 PM Elementary/Middle and High School Pep Assembly in Gym
• 1:20 PM Line up for parade
• 1:30 PM Parade
• 2:10 PM Booster Treats
• Homecoming Football Game vs Deer Lodge
• Half-time: Announce Class Winners & Crown Royalty
• Homecoming Dance: After the football game in the Elementary Gym (Sponsored by FCCLA)

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.

CROSS COUNTRY PERSONAL BEST

The Cross Country Team posted individual records on September 15, 2012 at the Ronan Golf Course. Paden Alexander placed third overall and also had a personal best. Congratulations to all of the Bulldog Athletes for their accomplishments and self improvement. OHhh Yeah!!!

 Click "Read More" to see additional pictures

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!

FIRST WEEK OF FALL PRACTICE 2012

I had several opportunities to take a few pictures during the morning practices of the volleyball and football programs. I will try to get out to a cross-country practice next week. It is hard not to get excited about the start of a new school year during the fall practices. They are the first sign of students indicating that school is around the corner. I am looking forward to the students and the first day back to school on MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2012 at 8:20 AM. 

If you would like to read additional information on our Activity and Athletic Programs, please visit the Bulldog Activities and Athletics blog. In the mean time, please enjoy the photos of our student athletes! NOTE: There are over 50 photos. Click READ MORE at the bottom of this post to see them all.

 

Click READ MORE to see additional photos.