LEVERAGING THE POWER OF THE INTERNET

 by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski 

 The School District is leveraging the power of the Internet to radically improve the governance process while saving time, taxpayer dollars and the environment. This new eGovernance initiative is a remarkably powerful, easy-to-use solution that enables the District to maximize the effectiveness of board meetings with increased transparency, providing a basis for better and more open communication with the public, while dramatically increasing productivity and saving thousands of dollars annually.

The paperless meeting solution is a 100% Web-based service. By making meeting agendas and supporting documents available on the Internet, St. Ignatius Schools will be able distribute documents associated with board meetings more quickly and efficiently, at a dramatically reduced cost to the organization.

Electronic distribution will not only save time and resources, but it will also provide unprecedented public access via the St. Ignatius School’s Web site to agenda items and other governing body-related information. This process will allow interested parties to review information prior to board meetings. All documents associated with the meeting are automatically archived and can be accessed by meeting date or by using the system’s comprehensive search feature.

The new eGovernance features can be accessed via the District’s Web site at http://web.stignatiusschools.org/ under the “School Board” tab, or for direct access to the District’s Board Agendas go to: http://www.boarddocs.com/mt/sisd28/Board.nsf/vpublic?open.

We hope you find this new tool useful and informative.

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!

PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT NEEDED!

 by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski 

 BACKGROUND HISTORY: Two years ago the Playground Equipment Team efforts were stalled by lack of resources and grant follow up to make their work a reality. Today, there is a greater need and urgency than every before with larger class sizes and small classrooms as well deteriorating equipment to provide adequate equipment for our children to exercise and play. The District Office is determined to seek and find grant opportunities that will make our efforts a reality. The BOARD has made a financial commitment for individual efforts: in coordination with the Board, an individual(s) writing an awarded grant will be paid 7% of the awarded grant for playground equipment (see me for details). 

With the recent addition of additional personnel to the District Office, we too will make every effort to write and receive the needed grants.. NOW IS THE TIME!

MOVING FORWARD: The Playground Committee will meet on Tuesday, October 1,  2013 at 3:30 PM on the Stage in the Multi-Purpose room to review grant possibilities and vendors. I am inviting parents, teachers and the community to join us. I believe it will take approximately $160,000 to provide the needed playground equipment at both the lower elementary and upper elementary playground. I hope this effort will be embraced community-wide. Our success in these matters is of great importance as the playing areas for our youth are very limited in St. Ignatius. Let's kindle an enthusiasm that will lead us to this goal. 

FIRST STEP: Attend the meeting and keep an open mind to all possibilities. 

Here is the AGENDA:

1. Affirmation of Playground Committee
2. Review of the past efforts to present
3. Research and Direction Setting
1. Available Grants 
2. Board & Administrative Approval Process of Grants
4. Other

See everyone on Tuesday, October 1, 2013 at 3:30 PM.

Bob.

FLOWERS vonHoltum

Special thanks goes to Dorothy vonHoltum for the beautiful flowers she dropped by the office on Tuesday! Her home labor and toils to grow this arrangement are much appreciated by the District Office Staff! She is our "Little Flower." It is the little things that make a big difference.

2013 TESTING SCORES REVEAL TREMENDOUS PROGRESS AND GROWTH - Continuious School Improvement

 by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski 

 Over the last three years St. Ignatius students have indicated tremendous progress on the Mont CAS assessment and the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) growth assessment. The outcomes have been phenomenal. It goes to show what HARD WORK, FOCUS and COMMITMENT can yield. Our school district has CROSSED THE LINE to excellence. In fact, I am not sure if there is another district in the state that can show the marked improvement that this district has made; especially when considering the unique challenges we face. I am convinced that our strategic planning, school improvement goals, initiatives and follow through are difference. We are a system of best practices that focus on what is BEST FOR KIDS!

Below is a brief explanation of our testing results. I think you'll find our trend line for academic success is going up and connecting with our district's vision of excellence.

The Mont CAS scores below are taken from the Montana Analysis Reporting System (MARS). The Mont CAS is a criterion reference test (CRT). It measures student progress in terms of meeting identified standards or criteria. Identified standards are the minimal criteria that a student should know or be able to demonstrate at a given grade level. 

Students are indicating marked improvement on the Mont CAS in READING with 9% more student indicating proficiency since 2011. This test is taken by all 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 grades.

Some of the largest gains in READING are seen in our sub groups. Since 2011, Native American proficiency or above has risen by 11% (70%-81%); Economically Disadvantage students scoring proficiency or above has risen by 13% (71%-84%); and Students with Disabilities scoring proficient or higher has risen by 11% (54%-65%).

Our students' MATH proficiency is more remarkable than in READING. Our two year growth indicates that 17% MORE students are scoring proficient or higher on this assessment. 

 Closing the gap between all scores and sub groups has been a focus. The MATH scores indicate that since 2011, Native American proficiency or above has risen by 12% (51%-63%); Economically Disadvantage students scoring proficiency or above has risen by 16% (72%-68%).

Measured Academic Progress (MAP) scores use norm reference data to identify individual growth targets. These growth targets are based on national testing results. The intention of this instrument is to measure GROWTH regardless to the individual's grade level competence and abilities. In other words, regardless to whether a child is an excellent student or a struggling student, each as a different growth target based on their ability compared with the rest of the nation.

Last year we saw the most significant improvement in READING on MAP; 57% of our student met their growth goal. We would like to see better overall improvement in READING, but are very please with the significant increase.

This is an area of massive improvement. I like to think that our staff and students are "ROCK STARS" when it comes to growth in Mathematics. Over the last two years, we have seen 31.1% more of our student meet their growth targets from 49% in 2011 to 80.1% this last year. ROCK STARS OF MATHEMATICAL PROGRESS!

This is another area of significant and substantial improvement. Over the last two years, 22.53% more of this district's students are reaching their growth targets (49.9% in 2011 to 65.43 in 2013). I know I have already use the word ROCK STARS, but these kind of changes are worthy of notice.

In closing, I want to apologize for bragging about the accomplishments of our students, staff and teachers...WAIT...No I don't! These people, and this community have excelled! They have embraced changes and the endless possibilities of learning. They are an example to follow.

I CAN'T WAIT FOR NEXT YEAR'S RESULTS!

If you like what you see, I  invite you to learn more about St. Ignatius District. Join our winning team.


NOTE: Growth and Enhancement of Montana Students (GEMS) data and Montana Analysis Reporting System data differences. Montana Office of Public Instruction explanation of why the data does not match up.

IT WON'T BE LONG

 by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski 

 School is just around the corner, as summer draws to an end. My summer here in central office has been busy. The district has hired several individuals in response to resignations. We have hired an elementary principal, elementary teacher and a middle & high school counselor. We are excited about the talents as well as the passion that each of our new employees bring to Mission.

• Elementary Principal: Tammy Demien
• Elementary Teacher: Maria Stultz (Maria will be teaching Title I & Kirsten Hawkaluk as been reassigned to the 3rd grade)
• Middle School & High School Counselor: Shannon Redman

Be sure to give them a warm Mission welcome if you happen to come across these individuals in our community.

THE CLASS OF 2013

   
by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski 

Below is a letter I sent the the parents and guardians of this year's graduating class. Since it takes a community to raise a child, I would like to share the same sentiments with all of those that contributed to the success of our graduating students. 

Dear Parents and/or Guardians,

I wanted to take the opportunity to let each of you know how proud I am of the students graduating this year. The Class of 2013 has provided the highest standard of leadership for our school and community. There are five seniors that have athletic scholarships in this class alone. I can’t ever remember being at a school that has had such a high number of athletic scholarships.

Athletics are not the only thing this class excels at. This class is one of the highest scoring classes on our state assessments in recent history. The students that make up the Class of 2013 are smart, athletic, fun, diligent, kind and considerate of others. They are winners! Most important, they are a great group of young men and women! As their parents or guardians, I am sure you are so proud. Their peers, teachers, administrators and the community alike, will miss each of them next year.

I am looking forward to the ceremony on Saturday, June 8, 2013 at 2:00 PM to celebrate the Class of 2013. I especially look forward to shaking their hands. I also know they haven’t done all of this on their own; therefore, I just wanted to formally congratulate their families and YOU, the guardians and parents, for raising such fine, up-standing young men and women.

Thank you for everything you’ve done to contribute to the success of your child. It has been an honor to witness and share this success. Well done!

BEST OF LUCK CLASS OF 2013!