Colstrip School District Recieves National System Accreditation

Shared by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Cognia System Accreditation

On June 29, 2021, Cognia Accreditation Commission announced that  Colstrip Public School District has earned system accreditation by Cognia™, a nonprofit organization that provides quality assurance for schools, school districts, and education service providers. 

 

Cognia, formerly AdvancED, nationally recognizes districts that meet rigorous standards that focus on productive learning environments, equitable resource allocation that meet the needs of learners, and effective leadership. Earning accreditation from the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission means that the system and all of its schools are accredited, and that Colstrip Public School District is recognized across the nation as a school system that meets Cognia Standards of Quality, and maintains a commitment to continuous improvement.

 

“Systems accreditation as conferred by the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission provides Colstrip Public School District a nationally recognized mark of quality for our school system and each school within our system,” shared Superintendent Bob Lewandowski.  “It demonstrates to our community our commitment to excellence, our openness to external review and feedback, and our desire to be the best we can be on behalf of the students we serve.” 

 To earn accreditation from Cognia, a school district also must implement a continuous process of improvement, and submit to internal and external review.  Colstrip Public Schools went through their review during the week of April 19 through April 23, 2021. During that time, teachers, staff, administrators, board members, parents and community members were interviewed.  School systems in good standing can maintain their accreditation for a five-year term. 

Dr. Mark A. Elgart, president and CEO of Cognia, stated, “Cognia System Accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school system and its community on the primary goal of preparing lifelong learners in engaging environments where all students can flourish.  Colstrip Public School District is to be commended for demonstrating that it has met high standards, is making progress on key indicators that impact student learning.” 

 

Cognia is the parent organization of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). Parents and interested community members can learn more about the Cognia Accreditation at cognia.org. 

 

About Cognia

Cognia offers accreditation and certification, assessment, professional learning, and improvement services to institutions and other education providers. The result of the merger of AdvancED and Measured Progress, Cognia was formed to bridge the gap between school evaluation and student assessment. As a global nonprofit working in over 80 countries, our 36,000 institutions serve and support nearly 25 million students and five million educators every day. Cognia serves as trusted partner in advancing learning for all learners.  Find out more at cognia.org. 

Calendar Committee Generates Three Calendars for Stakeholder Feedback

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

The Calendar Committee has been meeting since early February to develop three calendars that meet the Office of Public Instructions mandates for aggregate student hours. The three calendars present a variety of opportunities. I am providing them in the blog so they can be carefully reviewed for taking the on line survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9BTHY86

 The Calendar Survey will close at noon on Friday, April 9, 2021. 

The items below describe the Calendar Options. The Calendar Committee would like you to assess each of the three options for the Colstrip Public School Board #19 to consider.

You are encouraged to use the corresponding calendar views to help you in this process.

DEFINITIONS:

Full Day: (WHITE COLORED DAYS) This is a regular day of school.Typical days are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during the following times:

Elementary K-3: 8:15 AM - 3:25 PM
Elementary 4-5: 8:15 AM - 3:30 PM
Middle School: 8:10 AM - 3:45 PM
High School: 8:05 AM - 3:33 PM

Partial Days: (GREEN ) School is dismissed early. These days are scheduled on Fridays. Partial day times:

Elementary K-3: 8:15 AM - 2:25 PM
Elementary 4-5: 8:15 AM - 2:30 PM
Middle School: 8:10 AM - 2:45 PM
High School: 8:05 AM - 2:35 PM

Half Days: (PURPLE COLORED DAYS) Half-days often occur right before holiday breaks. Half-day times:

Elementary K-3: 8:15 AM - 12:10 PM
Elementary 4-5: 8:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Middle School: 8:10 AM - 12:32 PM
High School: 8:05 AM - 12:20 PM

School Days: Days students will be in attendance at school.


Remote Learning Days (PINK COLORED DAYS) School is hosted remotely. Off-site instruction is provided on these days. Students learn and work at home during these days. 


Staff Days: Days scheduled for the professional staff.


PIR Days: (ORANGE COLORED DAYS) Pupil Instruction Related (PIR) or professional development/training days. No school is scheduled for students.


PDW Days: (LIGHT BLUE COLORED DAYS) Professional Development Work Days. These are days when staff will have professional development or a scheduled work day. No school is scheduled for students. 


Vacation or Holidays: (YELLOW COLORED DAYS) Days recognized as holidays or breaks. There is NO SCHOOL on these days.

 

______________________________________________________

BLACK Calendar Option (See Graphic Above): This Calendar is the same basic calendar originally planned for this school year. The Calendar length is 170 student contact days. School begins on Aug 19 and ends on May 24. It has (8) Winter Break Days; (2) Spring/Easter Break Days. It has (144) Full Days; (23) Part Days; and (3) Half Days. There are (185) Professional/Staff Days and (7) PIR Days and (8) Professional Development Work Days or "PDW" Days for teacher development, work and group planning. This Calendar requires structured recesses for the elementary to extend learning time while taking advantage of low attendance numbers on Friday afternoons by scheduling one hour early release for students to attend activities and weekend events without absence. The most significant characteristic of this calendar is that it utilizes part days and PDW on Fridays to maximize student time in class since many students are gone on activities either part of the day or the entire day.

______________________________________________________

GREEN - HYBRID REMOTE FRIDAY with PDW "Professional Development Work" PARTIAL DAY CALENDAR (One Friday per month is scheduled for Remote Learning other Fridays will be Partial Days of school or PDW days): The Calendar length is 170 student contact days; nine (9) of which are Remote Learning Days.  School begins on August 19 and ends on May 24. It has (8) Winter Break Days; (2) Spring Break Days. It has (143) Full Days; (25) Part Days on Fridays; and (2) Half Days strategically placed to take advantage low attendance. There are (185) Professional/Staff Days and (7) Pupil Instructional Related Days and (8) Professional Development Work Days or "PDW" Days for teacher development, work and group planning. This Calendar requires structured recesses for the elementary to extend learning time while taking advantage of low attendance numbers on Friday afternoons by scheduling one hour early release for students to attend activities and weekend events without absence. The most significant characteristic of this calendar is that it also includes one (1) Remote Learning day for every full month of instruction.

REMOTE LEARNING DAYS: These days will provide students remote instruction outside of school to maximize their individualized learning, using classroom materials and technology. The District will offer enrichment, correctives and educational opportunities from 8:00 AM until Noon on these days. Students are expected to complete remote learning assignments whether they are participating in one of the above opportunities or at home.

ENRICHMENT FRIDAYS: Enrichments will be provided to students whose needs go beyond the standard of instructional expectation. Enrichment Opportunities are by invitation only. Attendance is optional.

CORRECTIVE FRIDAYS: Correctives will be provided to students that are not meeting grade or content level expectations. Invitation for corrective instruction is by request. Face-to-face attendance is required. Students that fail to attend will be counted absent. Because of COVID-19 and the interruptions it created in our educational delivery, Corrective Fridays provide a significant opportunity to address students that may be at-risk or missing critical content components.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: Educational Opportunities will be available to all students. Students must sign up for these opportunities ahead of time so appropriate planning can take place. These opportunities will focus on the REMOTE LEARNING expectations provided in order to help the student accomplish the skills of independent learning. On occasion, other educational opportunities will include a variety of activities and experiences. The intent will be to create a focused, fun and safe environment at each building level. Students will be in mixed age groups for many of these activities.

NOTE: School lunch and breakfast will be available for all students on Remote Learning Fridays. They may schedule to pick it up or eat in the cafeteria at the building which they attend.

 

 ______________________________________________________

 

 BLUE Calendar Option or "PDW" Calendar (See Graphic Above): The Calendar length is 169 student contact days; nineteen (19) of which are Remote Learning Days. School begins on August 19 and ends on May 25. It has (8) Winter Break Days; (2) Spring Break Days. It has (144) Full Days; (23) Part Days; and (2) Half Days strategically placed to reduce low attendance. There are (184) Professional/Staff Days and (7) Pupil Instructional Related Days and (8) Professional Development Work Days or "PDW" Days for teacher development, work and group planning. This Calendar requires structured recesses for the elementary to extend learning time. The most significant characteristic of this calendar is that it includes  Remote Learning days (see information below) on scheduled school Fridays. The only Friday that students are scheduled for face-to-face instruction is on August 20, 2021. 

REMOTE LEARNING DAYS: These days will provide students remote instruction outside of school to maximize their individualized learning, using classroom materials and technology. The District will offer enrichment, correctives and educational opportunities from 8:00 AM until Noon on these days. Students are expected to complete remote learning assignments whether they are participating in one of the above opportunities or at home.

ENRICHMENT FRIDAYS: Enrichments will be provided to students whose needs go beyond the standard of instructional expectation. Enrichment Opportunities are by invitation only. Attendance is optional.

CORRECTIVE FRIDAYS: Correctives will be provided to students that are not meeting grade or content level expectations. Invitation for corrective instruction is by request. Face-to-face attendance is required. Students that fail to attend will be counted absent. Because of COVID-19 and the interruptions it created in our educational delivery, Corrective Fridays provide a significant opportunity to address students that may be at-risk or missing critical content components.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: Educational Opportunities will be available to all students. Students must sign up for these opportunities ahead of time so appropriate planning can take place. These opportunities will focus on the REMOTE LEARNING expectations provided in order to help the student accomplish the skills of independent learning. On occasion, other educational opportunities will include a variety of activities and experiences. The intent will be to create a focused, fun and safe environment at each building level. Students will be in mixed age groups for many of these activities.

NOTE: School lunch and breakfast will be available for all students on Remote Learning Fridays. They may schedule to pick it up or eat in the cafeteria at the building which they attend.

 

Calendar for 2020-2021 Approved by Board of Trustees

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

I hope this post finds everyone in good health and spirit. I want to share the 2020-2021 Calendar for the next school year that was selected by the Board of Trustees. It was approved at the regular board meeting on April 20, 2020. The CPS Calendar Survey indicated 79% of those surveyed selected this as their calendar choice for 2020-2021 school year. It is a different calendar than we have had in the past. 

I would like to thank all of the Calendar Committee Members for their hard work. This was a group effort that I think resulted in a product that will serve our community and students well.

Below are some of the details in the selection of the 2020-2021 Calendar

The 2020-2021 Calendar Committee first met on February 5, 2020 to develop two calendars that meet the minimum state requirements of 1080 hours of instruction as per Montana Code Annotated 20-1-301. The Committee looked at four different types of calendars overall, but the Committee felt the two calendars presented to the board were the most complete in providing for the overall needs of all stakeholders.  The Calendar Survey opened on April 10, 2020 and closed at noon on April 17, 2020.

The Calendar Committee developed two calendars for consideration and identified them with the following titles: BLACK or BASE CALENDAR and BLUE or PDW DAY CALENDAR

 

Each calendar met the minimum of 1080 hours as per 20-1-301:

• 20-1-301. School fiscal year. (1) The school fiscal year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30. At least the minimum aggregate hours defined in subsection (2) must be conducted during each school fiscal year, except that 1,050 aggregate hours of pupil instruction for graduating seniors may be sufficient.
       (2) The minimum aggregate hours required by grade are:
       (a) 360 hours for a half-time kindergarten program or 720 hours for a full-time kindergarten program, as provided in 20-7-117;
       (b) 720 hours for grades 1 through 3; and
       (c) 1,080 hours for grades 4 through 12.
       (3) For any elementary or high school district that fails to provide for at least the minimum aggregate hours, as listed in subsections (1) and (2), the superintendent of public instruction shall reduce the direct state aid for the district for that school year by two times an hourly rate, as calculated by the office of public instruction, for the aggregate hours missed.
  
     

The Board Selected Calendar for 2020-2021 was the PDW DAY CALENDAR for 2020-2021: (Current Thursday Early Outs for Staff Development are moved to Fridays and converted into 8 Staff PDW Fridays throughout the school year)

The Calendar length is 171 student contact days.  School begins on August 20 and ends on May 26. It has (8) Winter Break Days; (3) Spring Break Days. It has (139) Full Days; (24) Part Days which have been moved from Thursdays to Fridays; and (4) Half Days strategically placed to take advantage low attendance. There are (186) Professional Days and (7) Pupil Instructional Related Days and (8) Professional Development Work Days or "PDW" Days for teacher development, work and group planning. This Calendar requires a daily structured recess for the elementary to extend learning time while taking advantage of low attendance numbers on Friday afternoons by scheduling one hour early release for students to attend activities and weekend events without absence. 

The Survey Results Surveys were collected from the following:

• Email
• Facebook
• District Website

WHEREAS: Linked are the disaggregated survey results:

• Calendar Survey Results 2020-2021

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!"

Making Dust! Baily Menahan Secondary Student of the Year Award

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Last Best News, May 30, 2017 article by Ed Kemmick

Although it may seem late, I want to congratulate our very own Business Professionals of America Chapter Advisor Jennette Barreto and the work that she and the students have done to "spread their wings" at a national level. Colstrip Senior Baily Menahan was the very first student to be named Student of the Year at the National Conference of Business Professionals of American in Orlando, Florida. I can't think of a better example for "Making Dust" than the recognition that Baily received. Congratulations Baily Menahan!

Read more about Baily and her accomplishment in the Last Best News article by Ed Kemmick.

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

Science Camp at FBMS

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Science, science everywhere across curricular link! Frank Brattin Middle School hosted what Principal Pax Haslem called SCIENCE CAMP! It appeared to be science across the curriculum with teachers in every discipline hosting an activity/lab related to science. As the superintendent, I was pleased to see the interest taken by the kids as well as by the staff. Well done FBMS!

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT: Colstrip Largest Nationally Accreditated School District in Montana

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Administration Team members receive System Accreditation
Certificates at the November 2016 Board Meeting

Colstrip Public School District #19 is all about school improvement. Getting better is what drives this school system. There are a number of high schools and elementary schools that are nationally accredited by AdvancED in the state of Montana, but there are only four systems that have been accredited in this state and Colstrip Public School District is the largest.

What is a system? A system includes all educational levels and buildings: kindergarten through the twelfth grade. A system must work effectively together for school improvement in order to be nationally accredited. System accreditation is a measure of all schools and all of its parts including the board, administration, business department, students and community. In this case, each and every part of our district effectively contributes to the outcomes of our students and has been recognized for meeting identified national standards of excellence.

National accreditation through AdvancED has been issued to Pine Butte Elementary School, Frank Brattin Middle School, Colstrip High School and Colstrip Pubic School District #19.

With this recognition comes the confidence that students that are sent to an institution that is accredited will attend a system that meets educational standards of excellence.  Here lies a few of the reasons why national accreditation is important to our community and the students we serve in our district:

Accreditation lays the groundwork for success for schools and students. Parents have long held education as a key to their child’s preparation and success in life.  Equally, educators have known that a quality education is of the utmost importance for a child’s future. Quality and success are not mutually exclusive in the education process.  Quality and student success go hand‐in‐hand and are why many schools seek accreditation.  

 Accreditation benefits parents and students. When a school or school system achieves accreditation, parents and the community can be assured that the top priorities are: 

• increasing student achievement 
• providing a safe and enriching learning environment 
• running an efficient operation   

Students benefit from accreditation as well.  Students are assured: 

• qualified teachers who are working to improve their methods 
• more focus on student learning 
• better transition from grade to grade 
• a rigorous, diverse, and sound curriculum based on quality standards 
• a range of student activities and support services 
• smoother transfer of credits from school to school   
• eligibility for special programs, grants, and scholarships

These are just a few of the reasons for accreditation and the meaning it holds for students attending our school. It is with pride, and a great deal of effort, that Colstrip Public Schools can attest that they are currently the largest nationally accredited school district in Montana.

Principal Shay Grinsell receives building accreditation in behalf of PBES.

Principal Pax Haslem receives building accreditation in behalf of FBMS.

Principal Mark Ator receives building accreditation in behalf of CHS.

Superintendent Bob Lewandowski receives
System Accreditation in behalf of  Colstrip Public Schools.

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

Success in the Making

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

John F. Kennedy: "We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too." [2].  

On September 22 of this year students in grades K-5, at Pine Butte Elementary School, began using a new program called SuccessMaker. SuccessMaker is an adaptive on-line curriculum program. It uses a student's answers to identify that child's needs and uses that information to assign material that addresses those needs. Therefore, two children in the same grade and classroom may work at different difficulty levels depending on their understanding of the current material. When a student answers a question, the material automatically adjusts future questions accordingly. In short, SuccessMaker custom fits learning in the subjects of reading and math for every student in kindergarten through fifth grade. Science and social studies lessons are also incorporated into the reading and math curriculum as they learn. 


WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

At Pine Butte Elementary we have a chromebook for every child (one-to-one). The chomebooks are located in each classroom. The students access their respective chomebooks, put on their headsets and logon to begin learning. Our students spend approximately 80 minute per week, minimum, on SuccessMaker. In many cases, teachers have students exceeding the minimum amount of time in order to exhilarate differentiated learning in math and reading.  

WHAT EXACTLY DOES IT TEACH?

SuccessMaker teaches literacy skills that coincide with Common Core standards for reading and the literacy guidelines published by the National Institute for Literacy. The math skills included in the program are based on standards set by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and also conform to Common Core standards.

Reading skills for kindergarten through fifth grade include phonological awareness, phonics, fluency and vocabulary. The program also includes comprehension activities that test students' understanding of the course material.

The SuccessMaker math program covers basic concepts such as number sense, operations and patterns, before progressing to more advanced topics such as probability, geometry, measurement and algebra. Once the student masters a group of skills, the program automatically assesses the student’s skill level and introduces new, higher-level concepts. [Reference]

HOW DOES SUCCESSMAKER BENEFIT LEARNING AT COLSTRIP?

SuccessMaker is a web-based program that provides reading and math instruction that promotes higher-order thinking strategies. The reading materials integrate interdisciplinary themes as well as science and social studies so students can expand their knowledge of various subjects. 

SuccessMaker also allows students, teachers and parents to track progress with real-time analysis of performance on reading and math lessons, activities and tests. The web-based program features on-demand intervention that provides feedback, additional instruction when students encounter challenges and step-by-step tutorials to assist with learning.

Educators and parents can forecast achievements and add customized lessons for students struggling with basic concepts. SuccessMaker is often used in the classroom to supplement learning and to provide extra practice with skills when students are not meeting state standards. The program is designed to cover Common Core standards and proficiency goals set by school districts. [Reference]

ACTION RESEARCH

In my experience as a superintendent, SuccessMaker has been used in each of the three districts I have lead over the past 12 years.  I have seen exceptional results in learning take place because of this program. It fills in learning gaps and helps students' learning success at the individual level. When students use SuccessMaker they are being challenged at their present level of understanding and learning. In a class of 20 students, its like having 20 individual lessons going on at the same time. This program engages students and allows students, both gifted and challenged, to learn the math and reading skills that will take them to their next level without being held up or held back. It is truly one of the best supplementary programs I have seen.

SuccessMaker is part of the Goals mentioned in my post on August 23 of this year in my post Goal Setting: To the Moon: "Our staff here at Colstrip is determined to take our students to the proverbial moon and back to ensure that all students learn at national target of excellence in mathematics, reading and language usage."

In short, SuccessMaker is success in the making for students here at Colstrip. It provides and "x-factor" to the already great instruction that is taking place at Pine Butte Elementary. 

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

Goal Setting: To the Moon

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Apollo 11 Crew: Armstrong, Collins Aldrin [3]

In President Kennedy's race to the moon speech [1] given on September 12, 1962, he says:

William Bradford, speaking in 1630 of the founding of the Plymouth Bay Colony, said that all great and honorable actions are accompanied with great difficulties, and both must be enterprised and overcome with answerable courage.

If this capsule history of our progress teaches us anything, it is that man, in his quest for knowledge and progress, is determined and cannot be deterred [2]. 

It is true that "all great and honorable actions are accompanied with great difficulties..." As we begin the new 2016-2017 school year, I can't think of a more honorable action than the teaching and learning of our youth. Not just for those that it may come easy, but also those that learn with great difficulty. The honorable profession of teaching and learning is driven by man's "quest for knowledge and progress." As a school district, we are "determined" and will not be "deterred" in setting and meeting the needs  of ALL students who attend our schools.

The first faculty and staff meeting took place yesterday, August 22, 2016. We spent most of the day looking at student scores of the past so that we could set goals for the year ahead. We looked into the mirror of our work through the lenses of the 2015-2016 student outcomes. We found that there are challenges that need to be embraced with the enthusiasm of opportunity. We watched Kennedy's race to the moon speech given at Rice University in that it is a great example of goal setting and that it might help us embrace the voyage that lies ahead. We wanted to set goals with Kennedy's bold determination in mind:

We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too [2].  

Even though the task of goals setting was difficult for our faculty and staff. Goals were set to take our students to places they have never been in their academic endeavors.  We understand the needs of our students and will attempt to do better than we have done before. It is our goal to improve and get better at every level and in all areas. We will do this in a year's time. We will set sail on the 2016-2017 school year with the same zeal and enthusiasm of that of President Kennedy when he makes his plea to America to embrace the goal of going to the moon:

Well, space is there, and we're going to climb it, and the moon and the planets are there, and new hopes for knowledge and peace are there. And, therefore, as we set sail we ask God's blessing on the most hazardous and dangerous and greatest adventure on which man has ever embarked [2].

NOTE: First landing on the Moon, Apollo 11, July 20, 1969 10:56 p.m. EDT

Our staff here at Colstrip is determined to take our students to the proverbial moon and back to ensure that all students learn at national target of excellence in mathematics, reading and language usage.

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

 

 

 

Colstrip Public Schools Awarded AdvancED School System Accreditation

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

It is official, I just received confirmation on our system accreditation status. See the news release below.

(Colstrip, MT – July 19, 2016) – Superintendent Bob Lewandowski announced today that Colstrip Public School District #19 was granted AdvancED School System Accreditation from the AdvancED Accreditation Commission, the national commission that confers the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) accreditation seal.  This means that the system and all of its schools are accredited, and that Colstrip Public School District #19 is recognized across the nation as a quality school system.

The accreditation process involves three ongoing components:  1) meeting high quality standards; 2) implementing a continuous process of improvement; and 3) engaging in quality assurance through internal and external review.  The system’s accreditation is for a five-year term with regular monitoring of progress and reporting occurring during the term.

“School System Accreditation as conferred by the AdvancED Accreditation Commission provides Colstrip Public School District #19 a nationally-recognized mark of quality for our system and all the schools within our system,” shared Bob Lewandowski.  “It demonstrates to our community our commitment to excellence, our openness to external review and feedback, and our desire to be the best we can be on behalf of the students we serve.”

Dr. Mark Elgart, President/CEO of AdvancED, stated, “AdvancED School System Accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school system on the primary goal of creating lifelong learners.  Colstrip Public School District #19 is to be commended for engaging in this process and demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement.”

Parents and interested community members can learn more about the System Accreditation Process at www.advanc-ed.org.

About AdvancED and NCA CASI
Dedicated to advancing excellence in education through accreditation, research, and professional services, AdvancED is the world's largest education community, serving and engaging 30,000 public and private schools and school systems in more than 70 countries and serving over 16 million students.  AdvancED is the parent organization of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI).

NCA CASI is a non-governmental, voluntary association of nearly 10,000 public and private elementary and secondary schools throughout the world.

BLAST FROM THE PAST: Russ Davidson's Excellence in History

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Colstrip Public Schools is so proud to share that our very own Russ Davidson won the Daughters of the American Revolution state and national History Teacher of the Year Award. Never mind that it happened in 2013, this is a blast from the past that is worth reminiscing. The Billings Gazette did such a nice job presenting this information the first time in 2013, that I encourage you to visit this link today: Colstrip Teacher Named Top in the Country for History.

The nice thing about history is that we can relive our successes and failures, and this article is too good to not celebrate all over again. More important is the fact that Davidson is still one of history's best.

Since my arrival in this district, Russ Davidson has done nothing but make DUST! All you have to do is walk into his classroom. EVERYTHING SPEAKS in Davidson's room. The walls are covered with posters and sayings that take you back to a time and place in history. His lectures are not only outstanding, but the facts and the way they are presented draw you into a world of yesteryear. It truly is an opportunity to relive history. Bringing relevance to learning is what Davidson is best at.

One thing is for sure, I wish I would have had a history teacher like Davidson when I was in high school. Regardless to my history, I've got him now right here in Colstrip. We are so lucky to have teachers like Mr. Davidson.

Russ Davidson continues to MAKE DUST at Colstrip Public Schools!

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"