Academic Scores Eclipse Expectations with Phenomenal Results

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

This is the dawning of a new age. On the first day for the Colstrip Instructional Staff, we reviewed data, both good and bad, to seek out the best possible solutions for maximizing student learning in the 2017-2018 school year. We asked ourselves some tough questions concerning the challenges that we face.

The staff also got to take in the solar eclipse; and ironic as it may seem, we were definitely enlightened by the scores and student outcomes.

Our NWEA Measures of Academic Progress results were phenomenal. The overall growth of students in Reading, Mathematic and Language Use provides the much needed proof in the pudding that our school district is making huge strides in providing the necessary cores of learning.

Here are a few of the highlights:

NWEA MAP READING (2016-2017)

• Pine Butte Elementary (PBES) 3rd Grade scores in the 99th percentile in Reading Growth (better than 98% of the 3rd Grades in the nation)
• PBES Increases the Student Growth Count in Reading by 3.04%
• Frank Brattin Middle School (FBMS) 7th Grade scores in the 86th percentile in Reading Growth (better than 85% of the 7th Grades in the nation)
• FBMS Increases the Student Growth Count in Reading by 10.58%
• Colstrip HIgh School (CHS) 10th Grades scores in the 80th percentile in Reading Growth (better than 79% of the 10th Grades in the nation)
• Colstrip Public Schools (all schools in district) Increases the Student Growth Count in Reading by 5.72%

NWEA MAP MATHEMATICS (2016-2017)

• Pine Butte Elementary (PBES) Kindergarten scores in the 96th percentile in Mathematic Growth (better than 95% of the Kindergarten grades in the nation)
• PBES 1st Grade scores in the 90th percentile in Mathematic Growth (better than 89% of the 1st Grades in the nation)
• PBES 2nd Grade scores in the 80th percentile in Mathematic Growth (better than 79% of the 2nd Grades in the nation)
• PBES Increased Student the Growth Count in Mathematics by 20.9%
• Frank Brattin Middle School (FBMS) 7th Grade scores in the 86th percentile in Mathematics (better than 85% of the 7th Grades in the nation).
• FBMS Increase the Student Growth Count in Mathematics by 17.43%
• Colstrip Public Schools (all schools in district) Increases the Student Growth Count in Mathematics by 12.56%

NWEA MAP LANGUAGE USE (2016-2017)

• Pine Butte Elementary School (PBES) Increases the Student Growth Count in Language Use by 14.06%
• Frank Brattin Middle School (FBMS) 6th Grade scores in the 81st percentile in Language Use (better than 80% of the 6th Grade scores in the nation)
• FBMS Increases the Student Growth Count in Language Use by 3.21% 

This data is definitely something to be proud of and I would like to encourage you to thank our staff and congratulate our students.  Even though this marks a beginning of great things to come, our academic progress is definitely MAKING DUST!

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

Things Every Kid Should Hear Everyday

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Two years ago our District started branding Make Dust or Eat Dust as a theme to set high expectations for our educational community. I believe it has been embraced with a number of examples of excellence. You can see many of them in my blog; however, "Make Dust or Eat Dust" can also speak to a number of other needs, especially to their psychological ones. "Making Dust" is also taking "care" of one another and providing the safety, support and belonging required by each individual in our community. "Making Dust" takes into account that "People don't care what you know until they know that you care."

MAKE SOME DUST TODAY! Let those you work, learn and live with know that they are important and you care about them. See the infographic for more details.

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

New Educator Eclipse

By Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

It is my pleasure to introduce and welcome the new educators that have been hired for 2017-2018 school year. Their first day together was on August 21, 2017 along with a solar eclipse.  We anxiously await the light that they will shed upon our learning community. Go out there and Make some Dust!

Play video to see more:

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

The Presence of Luke Gonsioroski

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Upon hearing the news that Baker 2017 Graduate, Luke Gonsioroski passed away after a ferocious fight with cancer has gotten me a little shaken up to say the least. It is so difficult to understand how someone that is so young and vibrant can leave this world. It was just this last spring when I watched him run the 100 meter dash at the Baker Invitational. He led a host of Baker students to the finish line. He was first. He was their leader and one of their best.

It is with heavy heart that I want to pass on my condolences to the Gonsioroski family as well as the greater community of Baker.  I want you to know that I, like many of the folks here in Colstrip, enjoyed watching Luke in his many appearances during our athletic competitions. He was as kind off the court/field as he was a champion on it.

Luke had such a presence. In point of this fact, I take photos at most of our athletic events. I try to capture the Colts and Fillies at their very best. It is not my intent to take photos of the competition, but Luke Gonsioroski's talent and presence somehow always ended up on my camera roll.

With that I want to share a few of these moments he had on the field. I also want to point out that he is and always will be a presence for time to come. LUKE GONSIOROSKI - MADE DUST! He has always been out in front and in my mind he will always be there! Thank you Luke for making a difference!

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"