Challenge Met by the IBEW Local 1638

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski
 
We don't  get many surprises in Central Office, but today's coat delivery was among the best.  The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1638 brought New Year's Tidings to Colstrip students with coats and jackets for all ages.
Pictured to the right: Casey Krebs, Stacey Yates, Ted Stimac and Candice Stimac hold a few of the coats that were collected by the Local 1638 IBEW and donated for Colstrip students that may need a little extra warmth and style going into 2019.

It is great to see this type of community support for the kids of Colstrip. This random act of kindness certainly is a great example of our District's BE YOUR BEST CHALLENGE. This challenge calls our students, staff and community (in this case) not only to be their best at the jobs they do (Performance), but to be their best selves (Character). Ladies and gentlemen, this definitely meets the "Character" challenge in being your best self.

Well done IBEW, Local 1638! You not only brought warmth to students here at Colstrip, but you set an example to follow.

______________________________________________

 

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

Mega Issues Board Work Session Planned for January 24, 2019

By Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

The Colstrip School Board of Trustees would like to invite the community to its next Board Work Session to review options to mega issues that may be faced by our community and schools with the closure of Units 1 & 2. The Work Session will be held at 6:00 PM in the High School Commons on January 24, 2019.
 

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

Seeking Solutions: Community Input Desired

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

On October 24, 2018 the Colstrip School Board hosted a Workshop to discuss the mega-issues that may affect our community and school. MTSBA Debra Silk facilitated the meeting and used a Knowledge Based Decision Making Model to review the pending closure of Power Units 1 and 2 and the impacts that have the potential of impeding the School District’s ability to achieve the long term goal of the Colstrip School District to continue tp prepare our students for life, college and career readiness. 

The School Board would like to invite the public to a follow-up meeting to share in the discussion and planning of future options and considerations in regards to the discussions that took place at the October 24 Workshop. Tyler Bush, Senior Executive at McKinstry will facilitate this meeting. The next Workshop will take place at 6:00 PM on November 15, 2018 in the High School Commons. 

Your input in this process is valued and needed for addressing and finding solutions to the mega-issues identified above. We hope that you will be able to attend.

PROCESS USED FOR DECISION MAKING 

Knowledge-Based Decision Making Process

In addressing identified mega-issues that have the potential of impeding the School District’s ability to achieve the Envisioned Future, Colstrip Public Schools is committed to applying a knowledge-based decision making process.  The framework for this process in addressing and finding solutions to the mega-issues identified above is as follows:  

Question #1 – What do we know our students’ / parents’ / community’s / needs, wants and preferences that is relevant to this decision?

Question #2 – What do we know about the current realities and evolving dynamics of our community that is relevant to this decision?

Question #3 – What do we know about the capacity and strategic position of the Colstrip Public Schools that is relevant to this decision?

Question #4 – What are the ethical implications of our choices?

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

Parent & Community Breakfast Invitation

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Colstrip Public Schools would like to bring our community closer together and invite the entire community to breakfast on the first Thursday of every month during the school year. There is no charge for this breakfast. The School District is creating this opportunity to share a cup of coffee and some biscuits and gravy with the parents and community while bringing everyone up to date with the latest news and calendar events going on here in your schools.

We will have an awesome presentation for you to watch while you eat.  In addition, there will be a round table talk from each of the building administrators.

Breakfast is served at 7:00 AM until 8:30 AM in the Colstrip High School Cafeteria. Don't miss this unique communication opportunity over breakfast.

The first Parent and Community Breakfast will be this Thursday, September 6, 2018.  Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and other relatives as well as students alike are welcome. 

Whether you are just getting off shift from work or getting ready to go to work, the District invites you to join us. Everyone, and that means everyone, is invited. Just park in the lower parking lot at the high school and come on in the front doors to the cafeteria. We will be anxiously awaiting you!

See you Thursday between 7:00 AM and 8:30 AM.

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

COLSTRIP DAYS: Grow Here! Live Here! Stay Here!

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

The 43 Annual Colstrip Days will begin this Thursday with Family Movie Night at 7:00 PM and then takes off into the weekend ending with a Sunday Golf Tournament. The District is planning on having another float in the parade that begins on Saturday at 11:00 AM. Don't miss a great opportunity to celebrate Colstrip at Colstrip Days! See the schedule below:

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

Pancake Breakfast Smiles

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Bill and Jose serving it up. 

The Quality of Life Corporation sponsored a Free Pancake Breakfast for the community at the Colstrip Parks and Recreation Department (CPRD) in the Colstrip Community Center Basement where the Breakfast Program occurs! This is the Quality of Life Corporation's way of thanking the community and sponsors for allowing them to provide this unique program for Colstrip kids.

The Quality of Life Corporation has sponsored a Breakfast program for a number of years. The program is offered to all Colstrip students. The doors open at 6:00 AM until the start of school. Students are picked up at CPRD by the school district transportation system and taken to their appropriate school. This program enables parents that must go to work early to drop their children off at the Breakfast Program knowing that their children will be nurtured, fed and safely transported to school.

If you have any questions concerning the Breakfast Program please feel free to contact any of the Quality of Life Board Members. Quality of Life Board consist of President Bill Neumiller, Vice President Bob Lewandowski, Secretary Gary Parry,  Treasure Rick Harbin, Member Jose Ortiz, Member Jim Atchison, Member Cathy Frank.

WHAT IS THE QUALITY OF LIFE CORPORATION?

As per the Articles of Incorporation:

The Quality of Life Corporation is a non-profit organization formed: (a)  To benefit the activities and operations of the Colstrip Parks and Recreation Department (CPRD) and Colstrip Public School District to improve the quality of life of residents and visitors through delivery of charitable and educational services and programs. (b)  To promote the well-being and healthy living of children, youth and adults in the community of Colstrip. (c) To raise funds within and without the State of Montana, and to solicit, receive, and hold money and property, both real and personal, by gift, contribution, bequest, devise or otherwise. (d) To carry on educational activities relating to the rendering of services to children, youth and adults. (e) To distribute funding for educational/vocational scholarships. (f) To engage in any activity not prohibited by the Montana Nonprofit Corporation Act.

One of the many satisfied PANCAKE EATERS! 

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

FREE Community Pancake Breakfast!

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Emergency Operations Planning

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

On August 2, 2016 the Colstrip Public School District #19 will be reviewing their current Crisis Response Plan to ensure the best emergency management and operations in the event of a crisis. We have invited stakeholders that would play a significant role in an emergency response to join the District in reviewing and updating the current plan.  

This group is made up of approximately 50 individuals from school officials, law enforcement to emergency response agencies from around the area. This Emergency Operations Planning Team will incorporate new technologies and resources to create a new plan that takes an all-hazards approach to emergency management and plans for mitigation, prevention, preparedness, response and recovery that support the mission and goals of the District in case of a emergency or disaster.

The mission of Colstrip Public School District #19 in an emergency/disaster is to:

1. Protect lives and property
2. Respond to emergencies promptly and properly
3. Coordinate with local emergency operations plans and community resources
4. Aid in recovery from disasters

The goals of Colstrip Public School District #19 are to:

1. Provide emergency response plans, services, and supplies for all facilities and employees
2. Ensure the safety and supervision of students, faculty, staff and visitors to the school.
3. Restore normal services as quickly as possible
4. Coordinate the use of school personnel and facilities
5. Provide detailed and accurate documentation of emergencies to aid in the recovery process

Colstrip Public School District #19 is doing everything possible to provide and promote SAFETY, SUPPORT and SECURITY for the students that attend our schools.

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

MINE BLOWING EXPERIENCE

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Detonation: pushing the button that set off the
explosives located in the coal field in the background. 

Crane at work. Seeing massive equipment like this at work was awesome.  

South Eastern Montana Development Corporation Executive Director Jim Atchison is a great resource for learning more about Colstrip, Montana. Within the first month of my arrival, Jim stopped by my office to introduce himself and the community he serves. I was promptly invited to the Energy Open where I had the opportunity to network and meet a host of other leaders, elected officials and decision makers. Most importantly, I was given the opportunity to tour the unique facilities of the Western Energy Company at the Rosebud Mine.

To say the least, my tour was a "mine blowing" experience. Jim Atchison and Mike Coryell provided a personal touch to the tour by providing fast facts. It was a crash course on the coal industry in Montana. I was also fortunate to have great tour guides like Dan Munoz and Gary Parry. Between the four individuals, I was carded, photographed, suited with a new wardrobe. Most importantly, I was impressed by their passion for responsible energy development.

Jim Atchison and Mike Coryell

This industry supports our school district in so many ways. Even the tour exemplifies this support of education and the pride this industry has for the youth here at Colstrip when Dan and Gary solicited bids for the individual who would have the privilege to detonate the explosives. The dollars collected throughout the year go to the Colstrip High School Scholarship Program.

Energy Open Tour Group 2015 of the Rosebud Mine

After taking the tour I was reassured that Colstrip is a special place. I can see why it is unofficially called the "Energy Capital of Montana."  Well done Colstrip!  Thank you for your support of the students and educational system in our community.

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"