School Spirit and Coal Energy United in Gym Floor Design: It's a one of a kind GEM

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

The Colstrip High School gymnasium floor is definitely "a one of a kind gem," as defined by Steve Lalum, owner of High Performance Floors. The refurbishment of the gym floor was necessary, but how it would look and how it would be financed was unknown. The possibilities started to take shape with a grant from the Montana Coal Board. This last June, the Coal Board approved a grant for over $474,000 to address the floor needs and the handicap seating in the gymnasium. It was at that point that the design work began as Steve Lalum and his crew from High Performance Floors were ready to go to work. 

From the onset, the floor design was intended to unite our community with the contributions of students, parents, community and the industry that fuels this town and Montana. The fact that the coal industry financed and built Colstrip High School and now is paying for this major renovation certainly added to a design that incorporated more than just our school's logo and colors. The Board Facilities Committee, administrators and coaches worked with Steve and his crew to generate a basic design that would unite all of these faucets.

I really think Steve Lalum's description says it best in a series of tweets he made on August 21, 2019:

It incorporates elements from the proud, historic past of Colstrip, with elements of her progressive future. Running horses and horseshoes accent the corners while the new generation, massive horse head, dominates center court.

A strong, proud nod to the significant impact coal and energy play in the local and Montana economy also show in this beautiful floor with the smokey gray base, black borders, and dark gray 3 point arches. #MTCOAL takes it place in bold gold in the black borders and smokey gray floor.

Without a doubt, as much thought and consideration for local significance and importance went into this flirt, as any we have ever done. The entire High Performance crew wouldn't be happier or prouder to work on a floor than we are now with the completion of this job.

The people of Colstrip are looking forward with a positive, realistic outlook, and it has been our pleasure to finish this beautiful floor for them. Coal and energy are vitally important for Colstrip and all of Montana. All of us at High Performance Floors stand united with Colstrip! 

As a superintendent, there is so much satisfaction in seeing a vision become a reality. I certainly believe that #MTCOAL plays a critical role in the lives of the people of Montana. We hope this floor not only incorporates the energy industries contributions, but says thank you to the Montana Coal Board and the severance taxes that have fueled this project.

NEXT: I can't wait until the coal black bleachers are in place.

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

Searching for "GREAT" Teachers!

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Many schools across the country are having difficulty hiring teachers. It is no different here at Colstrip Public Schools. Teacher shortages are a reality.

The table at right indicates that schools throughout the country are grappling with teacher shortage. This graph indicates the subjects most effected across the nation.

Currently the Colstrip Public School District is searching for several positions for the 2018-2019 School Year. The District advertises these positions at both the state and national levels in hopes to gain the interest of teaching candidates that will do a great job. As superintendent, I send out individual emails to educational graduates soliciting their interest to come to Colstrip. Below are flyers I am posting on our District Facebook and my Twitter accounts to help get the word out.  Please feel free to share them in your social media.

 

Finding the best educators to serve the youth of Colstrip has become a focus. Very seldom do schools get a plethora of applicants for an opening. According to CNN's Caitlin Ostroff, she shared a study done by UCLA that found that college freshmen's interest in teaching as a career has steadily declined since 2006. In fact, nationwide teacher education enrollments have dropped 35% since 2009.  In addition, teachers leaving the profession have increased by 8% with two-thirds quitting before retirement according to the Learning Policy Institute. The bottom line is that fewer folks want to become teachers with a high percentage of teachers leaving the profession.

Hiring teachers and retaining teachers in remote communities is a challenge. There are so many variables to consider. Cost of living, quality of housing, access to shopping and eating amenities, health care and health insurance are just a few of the things that every potential employee considers before signing a contract. I also want to mention the biggest variable that comes into play is also the most difficult for remote educational communities to compete with: a candidates desire to work close to the home where their extended family reside. It is an employee's market in very demanding times when it comes to educational accountability. 

Districts have to be more strategic in the hiring process by doing some of the following: build relationships with surrounding teacher-college programs; grow your own teachers by generating student interest; get to the candidates first (before the competition); find new ways to solicit interest from teacher candidates; or provide more money, amenities and fringe benefits with fewer funds to do so. Searching for "GREAT" teachers is more difficult than ever. 

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

WINNER WINNER TURKEY DINNER!

By Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Here is the winner of the "MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!" drawing for all employees during the first academic quarter (see Let's Talk Turkey for more details).

Our search for excellence has produced over 30 employees that have perfect attendance. First year teacher Mr. Joey Richert hasn't missed a day of work and for that his named was thrown in with over 30 other employees that have accomplished the same task. Mr. Richert is a middle school teacher at Frank Brattin Middle School.

Mr. Richert's perfect attendance put him in a position to win. He not only won the 29 pound thanksgiving turkey, but his students win as well. When I announced the winner to FBMS Principal Pax Haslem, he said he wasn't surprised because "we are all winners in this school!"

Congratulations to all of the staff and employee that have been here everyday! Your dedication make a difference!

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

Let's Talk Turkey!

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Celebrating the success of stakeholders is one of the most necessary things that leadership can do to advance the human condition and change a culture. Some may consider celebrations fluff; rather than an essential element that sets clear expectations. In fact, "there is an emerging body of literature that asserts that human behavior is complex, and that celebration or appreciation for prowess on the job is one of the best and smartest ways to improve worker productivity" (Transforming School Culture, Muhammad, 2018).

So let's talk turkey, and I mean a lot of it. I have been eyeballing a 29 pound turkey at Rosebud Foods, here in Colstrip, for the past several days thinking it would be a great incentive to celebrate and be thankful for our employees that have shown up everyday since the start of the school year. As you may know, that when the regular teacher or employee are absent, productivity suffers significantly.

This Thanksgiving season, the Colstrip School District would like to celebrate and recognize the teaching and staff members that have had perfect attendance at work during the first quarter of the academic year.  We certainly can't give them all a turkey (cost prohibitive), or even mention them by name, but we can put their names into a hat to draw out a WINNER!

The idea behind this celebration, is that YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN! Both students and employees alike will stand a better chance to win and succeed if they show up every day. We will draw and announce the winner before the Thanksgiving Break (November 22-24). Our school district will continue to search for excellence and recognize its findings throughout the year.

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

Search For Excellence

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

The District continues to search for excellence. We are aggressively seeking the best teacher and employees for the students of Colstrip. The ads below are being used through social media channels as well as news print. Please share the information to help attract the very best educators.