Bulldog News -

Bulldog News Letter

MBI Gold School

School District #28- Best Practice School

Denise Juneau Visit: Commends Mission on success and best practice systems-

Graduation Matters in Mission 2015

Great Start to the Year!!

We are seeing great things in all schools across the district-

GO BULLDOGS!!!!

Community News:

·        School District #28 is in search of data that can be used to decide future maintenance, building and grounds and technology needs for our facilities that are in need of improvement. 

·        Please take the survey on our webpage:

stignatiusschools.org   Your input is valued and needed. 

Building and Facility Needs:

·        New Gym with Additional Locker rooms/Shop/Remodel

·        Tennis Court

·        Bleachers/ Ticket Booth

·        Football Scoreboard

·        Shop Building needs work – Windows, Fans, Etc.

·        Old Gym needs ceiling repairs / Air Exchange

·        Additional Storage

·        Window Blinds in Elementary

·        SMART boards in select classrooms elementary

·        Additional Technology for Classrooms and Students

·        Parking Lot / Sidewalks – (50K three years Transportation)

·        Remodeled bathrooms in All Schools (HS Lobby for sure)

·        Automatic Flushers on All Toilets –

·        Family Consumer Science Room –Electric, Plumbing, Mice Proof

·        HS Lockers / MS Lockers

·        MS Cabinets Repaired

·        Library Carpet

·        Padded Walls Wrestling Area 

·        Class room desks/tables

·        Maintenance Equipment

·        Locker-rooms Need Work

·        Elementary Envelope East End

·        Boiler

·        Weight Room Roof

Please give us your opinion on what you feel is needed in our classrooms and facilities.  We will be looking at a Bond Levy in the Spring for Facility/Technology Improvements.

Be Bear Aware

By: Deputy Clay Shoemaker

It’s that time of year again, you guessed it, bear season, but not the hunting kind.  Bears are coming out of the woods and into populated areas; the chance of running into one in town or your backyard is much greater this time of year.  Bears are preparing for hibernation and are in search of food.  Likely sources are fruit trees such as apples and garbage cans.

The Humane Society of the United States is offering tips on how to prevent bears from getting too close and what to do if one makes his way into the backyard.

How to deter bears during the summer dispersal period:

• Make trash cans inaccessible. Do not put trash cans outside at night, but if necessary, buy a  “bear resistant” trash can or enclosure for trash containers.
• Rethink compost piles. Store compost in enclosed containers and avoid adding meat and dairy items.
• Recycle wisely. If storing recyclables outside, use enclosed bins and thoroughly wash recyclables before putting them out.
• Keep barbeque grills clean and as free of drippings as possible. Move the grill away from the house when not in use.
• Bring in birdfeeders during spring and summer. Natural foods are abundant during these seasons, and feeding can be discontinued if visits from bears are a possibility. These yearlings are looking for easy food. Raise feeders or make it difficult to reach as another solution.

Black bears are wary of people, but in the unlikely event that you encounter one:

• Never move toward a black bear to chase him away.
• Make as much noise as possible by shouting or banging pot lids together.
• Throw things at the bear.
• Make yourself look as big as possible by spreading your arms.
• After the bear leaves, make sure to remove whatever attracted him to the location (barbeque grill, bird feeder, pet food, or garbage).

Bears have recently been seen in town and on the St. Ignatius High School campus in the early morning hours.  Many people go for a run or walk around town and on the high school track, please use caution and carry bear spray and a flashlight when it’s dark.  Most bear spray can be used up to 40 feet away and should be used if a bear comes towards you and creating distance has not worked.

Indian Education for All

Achievement Gap Closing

Way above state average in Mission

Math Achievement Gap 

State:  16% Mission: 6.3%

Reading Achievement Gap

State: 19% Mission: 5.5%  

St. Ignatius School Programs 2015-2016

Graduation Matters K-12

Montana Behavioral Initiative-PBIS

Mileposts RTI Academic Assistance

Rubicon Math/Reading Curriculum Alignment

RTI School k-12/Mission Forward Academy

21^st Century School k-8

Gear Up  School 6-12

PLC School Instructional

Bully Free School

Fundamental Five Initiative -Instructional

Advisory Programs/School to Work

Student Led Conferences

Senior Projects

Extra-Curricular and Co-Curricular Activities

Upward Bound and Talent Search

Free Breakfast for All Students K-8 

After School Tutoring k-12 / Summer Program k-12

The Youth Risk Survey

St. Ignatius high school and middle school students have cut drug use in half over the past two years.  Students who have used marijuana in their lives have gone from 77% to 52% over the past two years.  Students who have used marijuana over 100 times, has gone from 25% to 12% in the past two years.  Congratulations Students, Staff, Parents and Community!!!

Attendance Rates

Last year attendance rates:

·        Elem: 92%

·        Middle: 91%

·        High: 95%

Every day on Time!!!!J

Drop Out Numbers Decreasing

2012-2013: 7

2013-2014: 6

2014-2015: 3

Graduation Rates Rising /Drop Outs Decreasing

High School/Middle School News

This week was college application week.  As of today we have had 90% of our seniors apply to at least one college/university or trade school.

MHS RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS MBI GOLD AWARD

The MHS MBI team was honored in June at the Montana Behavioral Initiative (MBI) conference in Bozeman.  This is the third year in a row that the MHS team has received an award.  Superintendent Jason Sargent said that the goal is to move up to the next level of awards, which would be to be recognized as a Platinum MBI School.  Platinum is also the highest honor bestowed upon MBI schools.  A side note, MHS is the only reservation school to achieve the gold standard. 

SOCIAL MEDIA TIPS: FACEBOOK, SNAPCHAT, INSTAGRAM

All technology should be greeted with caution and inquisition when it comes to your children.  I have already dealt with several cases of cyberbullying and harassment over social media.  Here are some tips I’d like to  offer to you as parents, in regards to your child and use of social media. 

Facebook/Snapchat/Instagram:  Do not allow your child to have Facebook if they are not the minimum age, which is 13.  Make sure your child has their settings set to the strictest settings.  Set ground rules.  You should know your child’s password.  If they won’t give it to you, things are taking place that they don’t want you to see.  Monitor the pictures your child posts online.  These pictures can and will be stolen, and will never disappear once they are posted to an social media site.  Be a good example for your child on social media.  If  they see you acting and posting appropriately they should follow suit.

Snapchat:  The purpose of Snapchat is to take photos that will be deleted shortly after sending them.  This is not good.  I would not recommend letting your child have Snapchat.  In my world, it is one of the worst social media sites to deal with on a school level.  Again, monitor the photos your child is posting online.  Good luck.

SSC: Students Serving Community - HWY. Clean Up

Elementary News

MHS RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS MBI GOLD AWARD

St. Ignatius Elementary School was recognized at the state MBI Conference in June for their efforts towards improving school climate, culture and pride. The school received the Bronze level award.  A team of teachers meets regularly to address behavioral and academic trends and recommends systemic adjustments as needed.  The team and school continually look at ways to improve instructional practices.

Elementary Playground Donation

                    Friends of Regional Parks and Trails (FORPAT) visited St. Ignatius Elementary School on October 2 to make a generous $500.00 contribution to the playground fund.   Committee efforts continue on a monthly basis to prioritize and plan for future plans.  In addition to working closely with BC/BS and Kaboom on the upper playground equipment, priorities include benches for students and families, providing space for purchased bricks, emergency exit gates on the north end of the playground, and planning for handicapped access points for existing and planned equipment.

21^st Century After School Program

                    The After School program held their Kick-Off event on October 1^st with “Hot Dogs           for Bulldogs.”  Families were treated to hot dogs, given program information, and invited to share the evening playing board games with their children.  A good time        was had by approximately 50 people in attendance.  Currently there are 100 students registered for the program.  See event photos below. The program runs Monday –Thursday3:30-5:00 PM and offers time to complete homework, a choir program, and other enrichment activities.