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!"

Transportation Transparency

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Planning for the future includes updating equipment that has reached its useful life expectancy as well as replacing equipment that no longer functions. The District experienced both of these equipment dilemmas this fall with the replacement of a 28 year old food service van and with a 47 year old coal dump truck.

While the 1990 Ford Food Service Van continued to require increased maintenance and lacked the functionality of space and capacity to compliment newer food service equipment, the 1972 Coal Dump Truck had complete engine failure and no longer worked. Both the van and dump truck needed to be replaced.

The District was able to find viable solutions for both situations: 1) a van that provides ample room and capacity to load and unload meal carts and other equipment utilized in transporting prepared meals from the high school to the elementary and middle school; 2) a running dump truck to haul coal in order to heat the high school with a capacity to haul more coal than the 1972 truck reducing multiple trips from the mine to the upper parking lot of the high school.

A used 2017 Dodge Van was purchased for Food Service. It has 4.5 years and 20,000 miles of drive train warranty and the District installed a 4' Tommy Lift Gate to compliment the newer food service equipment as well as the head room to allow food service personnel to stand while moving serving carts in and out of the vehicle (saving back stress and possible workman's compensation claims, not to mention multiple bumps on the top of heads).

A used 2000 Dump Truck was also purchased to replace the 1972 Chevy Dump Truck that lost it's engine at the end of the 2018 winter.  Until the purchase of the newer truck, the District would have had to hire a third party vendor to haul coal at a premium price. The 2000 Dump Truck provides the District a larger bed and capacity to haul almost twice the amount of coal as the 1972 truck. This saves significant time and money in hauling coal reducing multiple trips. The 2000 Dump truck also provides versatility as it can be used to transport snow build-up out of District parking lots as well as other other landscape needs.

These types of purchases are necessary and made possible through the community's support. As you can see in the photos our hardworking staff are more than appreciative. Thank you Colstrip for your continued support on levys, activities and academics. You make a difference in the education of Colstrip Students.

All Means All: Creating Healthy School Culture

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Anthony Muhammad, PhD, presenting to Colstrip faculty and staff.

The District hosted Anthony Muhammad, PhD, one of the most sought-after educational consultants in North America on Monday, September 24, 2018 for a full day of Pupil-Instructional-Related (PIR) activities.

Creating a healthy school culture was the focus of the PIR. His prescription for a healthy school culture is based on  1) Commitment, 2) Refection and 3) Prescription (see table). Muhammad's presentation provided additional clarity for many of the details that are currently in place in our District.

Muhammad said that it is a hard fact that "You can't hold people accountable for what hasn't been made clear and explicit. To this end he said change in a healthy culture requires Transformational Leaders. He asked our staff and participants to identify ten leadership qualities that are essential for good leaders?

After identifying and reviewing the ten qualities he suggested that these are also the qualities that should be expected of teachers and staff alike, adding that no person can meet all of the identified expectations, but all people can be transformational leaders and collectively provide the stated qualities. He said that "instead of looking out the window at others, the transformational leader must look in the mirror."

Muhammad went on to identify Transformational Leader Essentials:

• Model integrity and fairness
• Set clear goals
• High expectations
• Encourage others
• Provide support and recognition
• Stir people's emotion
• Encourage people to look beyond their self-interest
• Inspire people to reach for the improbable: Bass (1985).

Muhammad quoted a number of authors and research that aligns with transformational leadership by adding to the list above saying that in Jim Collins' book Good to Great (2001), also contributes to the essentials of transformational leadership in that transformational leaders should seek and confront the "brutal facts." In point of case, he said that "Crucial Conversations" are needed when stakes are high, but often avoided because of strong emotions and opposing opinions (2011; Patterson, et.al, Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High). Muhammad encouraged us to run toward our challenges and not away from them.

He suggested that healthy school cultures should limit "Adult Drama;" saying "Adult Drama" should be avoided as it results in dysfunctional social interactions between adult professionals within a school environment and interfere with the proper implementation of important policies, practices, and procedures that support the proper education of students.

Muhammad then referenced his book Transforming School Culture (2009) that outlines his study of 34 schools and their culture. From his research he was able to categorize the teaching culture into four types of professionals.

1. Tweeners
2. Believers
3. Survivors
4. Fundamentalist

Through the examination of each type's characteristics, Muhammad provided our staff the opportunity to look in the mirror to see which category might align with their beliefs and actions.

His concern was that "Fundamentalist" pose the biggest and critical challenge for schools to create a healthy culture, and that education is too critical to our society for leaders to allow a group of individuals who refuse to embrace substantive change to hijack it. His book says the "Fundamentalist might not have malicious intent, but their actions threaten to stunt the growth of the schools that serve our most needy students" (2009, p. 97).


 The implications of the training aligned with Muhammad's study of school culture in his book Transforming School Culture, in so much as, the schools studied that were able to create and maintain a healthy school culture were also able to eliminate the human distractions and focus on a collective purpose (p. 119).

Colstrip Public Schools has a Core Purpose. Perhaps it may serve as a systematic and school wide focus on learning for  collaboration needed to maintain a healthy school culture. A Core Purpose is vital to a healthy school culture (p. 121).   


Core Purpose of the Colstrip School District is to effectively focus on learning and growth for all students in a safe, healthy, caring and collaborative environment that ensures each student achieves intellectual and personal excellence and is well prepared for college and career pathways.

In review of the day's activities and information shared, our District is extremely thankful for Dr Muhammad and the time he spent with our educators. He was able to cover so much information in a short amount of time. Point of fact, the information included in this post represents a fraction of the that of which was covered in Dr. Muhammad's presentation. With that said, I was very proud of our staff and their participation and focus during this training. A number of compliments were shared and even though I have had the privilege of listening to Dr. Muhammad in other national venues, I was even more impressed with his direct impact on our staff.

Thank you Anthony Muhammad, PhD, for "Making Dust" with our educators here in Rosebud County. Our professional development was superb.

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!"

Middle School Principal Interviews To Take Place

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

On May 18, 2018 the District posted a Middle School Principal position on the OPI, Handshake and the District website. The position was vacated by the resignation of Pax Haslem that was accepted on May 16, 2018.

The District has three candidates that have submitted applications.  We will interview on May 29, 2018. Due to the late resignation and time-line, we are working very quickly. At this juncture in the hiring process for principals, time is of the essence.

Here is the schedule:

DATE	CANDIDATE	INTERVIEW TIMES	BUILDING TOUR	MEET & GREET
May 29, 2018	Nicole Hanson	9:45 AM - 10:45 AM	11:00 AM - 11:30 AM	11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
May 29, 2018	Darlene Hartman-Hallam	11:00 AM - 12:00 PM	12:15 PM - 12:45 PM	12:45 PM - 1:15 PM
May 29, 2018	Ken Larson	1:00 PM - 2:00 PM	2:15 PM - 2:45 PM	2:45 PM - 3:15 PM

The “Interviews” will be conducted by the administrative cabinet in the Central Board Room. The interviews will be posted and are held in public, but this process restricts public interaction during the interviews  in order to maintain EEOC compliances. For this reason, if staff or community members would like to informally meet the candidates, we have scheduled an opportunity “Meet & Greet” in the Middle School Conference Room. Tashel Brunmeier will host the “Meet & Greet” and see that the candidates are available at the scheduled times.

“Building Tours”  will be hosted by middle school students selected by Pax Haslem.

After all interviews, the interview committee will meet and provide a recommendation; as superintendent, I will contact the selected candidate for acceptance. Once the candidate has accepted the recommendation, it will be presented to the Board for consideration at the June 5, 2018 Special Board Meeting starting at 6:00 PM in the Central Board Room.

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

Unofficial School Election Results

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

I am happy to announce that unofficial election results indicate that both the Elementary Levy and the High School Levy passed. 

Elementary Levy PASSED 285 to 203
High School Levy PASSED 274 to 215

Two new trustees were also elected to serve on the Colstrip School Board: Brent Burton and John O'Toole. Congratulations to both candidates. 

I would also like to thank all of the candidates that ran for a trustee position. Their efforts and interests in serving the students and community of Colstrip is certainly appreciated and noteworthy. Well done! Way to make dust!

Trustee Election:Brent Burton - 315
John O'Toole - 174
Shaunna Borge - 149
Bryan Wier - 143
Steve Craig - 101
Steven Williams - 51

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

Understanding Emergency Closure Make-Up Days

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Sometimes things seem more complicated than they should be. This is the case with emergency school closures or "snow-days" as in this case.  This past winter (I am using the word "past" hoping we don't have any more weather related closures), we dismissed school on the following days due to extreme weather conditions:

• January 10 - Early Dismissal
• January 15 - Full Day
• February 5 - Full Day
• February 8 - Early Dismissal
• February 9 - Full Day
• February 20 - Late Start

According to Montana school law, these days represent aggregate hours of instruction and need to be made up by the District as each school is required to meet a minimum of aggregate hours of instruction (see MCA 20-9-806).

Without going into the aggregate hour details, our schools will make up some of the aggregate hours without a vote by the Board of Trustees in the following manner:

• The District built in a snow day on April 27, 2018, Students and staff will be required to come to school on April 27, 2018.

The District must make up additional hours and is recommending on doing so at the end of the school year, pending Board approval. This will require a majority vote by the Board of Trustees. Here lies the proposal that will be brought before the Board at its regular May meeting:

•  WHEREAS: These hours will be made up by changing May 24, 2018 from a part day to a full day and at the end of the year by moving the last day of school from May 30, 2018 to May 31, 2018. Students will come a full day on May 30, 2018 and there will be an early release on May 31, 2018 (PBES 12:15 PM, FBMS 12:30 PM, CHS 12:20 PM).

I offer this information for transparency and planning.The District is required to make up aggregate hours missed and the Board must approve changes to the school calendar. At this time, these are the recommendations of the administration to meet those required hours. By sharing this information, before the fact, it should help everyone understand the process and plan for the proposed changes.

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

Do You Want to Know Why?

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

The Colstrip Board approved a new Core Purpose. The Core Purpose is at the heart of an organization. It answers the question WHY. It reflects the very reason for our school's existence. It communicates what we are here to do together and what is the business of our business.

The Core Purpose is at the "core" of the golden circle. "Schools that want to produce a healthy learning environment must first and foremost be clear about their collective purpose (Muhammad, Transforming School Culture; p 121).

According to leadership expert Simon Sinek: "People don't buy in to what you do, they buy into why you are doing it."

Colstrip Public Schools does not have a mission statement. It has a Core Purpose statement that is supported by identified Core Values. The Core Purpose is the answer to HOW we make dust!

 

The Core Purpose of Colstrip Public Schools is to effectively focus on learning and growth for all students in a safe, healthy, caring and collaborative environment that ensures each student achieves intellectual and personal excellence, and is well prepared for college and career pathways. 

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!"

Trustees Approve School Calendar for 2017-2018

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

After being presented two calendars options for 2017-2018 by the Calendar Committee, the Board of Trustees selected the following 2017-2018 Calendar (select link for a printable version). 

The Calendar length is 177 student contact days.  School ends after Memorial Day. School begins on August 24 and ends on May 30. It has (1) Snow Day; (8) Winter Break Days; (3) Spring Break Days. It has (139) Full Days; (37) Part Days; and (1) Half Days. There are (185) Professional Days and (8) PIR Days.

DEFINITIONS:

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

Elementary School: 8:15 AM - 3:30 PM

Middle School: 8:15 AM - 3:45 PM

High School: 8:05 AM - 3:35 PM

Partial Days: (GREEN COLORED DAYS) School is dismissed early. These days are scheduled on Thursdays. Staff will remain in school and continue with their professional responsibilities meeting with parents, school improvement teams, data collection and planning and preparation. These days will also be used for delivery professional development to the staff. These days will focus on school improvement through communication and collaboration efforts. Partial day times:

Elementary School: 8:15 AM - 2:30 PM

Middle School: 8:15 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 School: 8:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Middle School: 8:15 AM - 12:30 PM

High School: 8:05 AM - 12:20 PM

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

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.

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

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

What I Love About My School

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Regardless to where you go to school or where you went to school, what would you say if you were asked what you loved about your school?

Colstrip High School students share what they like about their school. I find these students responses to be straight forward and honest.

SPECIAL NOTE: I worked with two Cooperative Students (senior boys) to develop the footage in order to process this video.

We hope you enjoy the positive response to the question WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL?

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

Happy Holiday Planning

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

The Holiday Break is just around the corner. Students will be excused from school for the Holidays starting on Wednesday, December 21 at the following times:

• PBES: 12:15 PM
• CHS: 12:20 PM
• FBMS: 12:30 PM

School will be back in session on Tuesday, January 3 at its regularly scheduled times.

Left to Right: Pax Haslem, Robert Whitehead, Joanne Schrupp, Ken Rolf, Joanne Speak, Mark Ator
Debi Smith, Robin Nansel, Shay Grinsell, Bob Lewandowski

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

WEATHER RELATED: School Closure Process

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN! Winter weather is about to set in. AND with MONTANA winter weather comes the unpredictability of road condition as well as a number of other inhibiting factor. SO...this podcast will feature school closure information.

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

Low Temperatures Create Heating Issues at CHS

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

WEATHER UPDATE: The extreme temperatures outside have created heating issues at the High School. The air handling system that heats the cafeteria and office area is experiencing mechanical issues. It will take over a week before parts are available. There are backup radiant heat systems in these areas that haven’t been used for some time. We are doing everything possible to re-establish these backup systems and fix the main system.

In the meantime all other areas in the high school are operational. The academic wings, gym and auditorium all have heat. We have no reason to believe conditions are not safe and appropriate for our students and staff. All activities, including lunch, that are scheduled in the dining area of the cafeteria will be moved to the learning commons. Thank you for your understanding.

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

Let the VLOGGING Begin!

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Social media extends its self in so many ways. In fact, social media has created a fundamental shift in power.  The district will attempt to utilize these media venues to share information and collect feedback to create a transparent environment that people know and trust. We hope to complement the concept of "word of mouth" with the light speed of social media.

MAKE DUST marks my first public YouTube Channel and this is my very first podcast on it. I encourage you to watch the podcast that I vlogged and subscribe to the MAKE DUST channel.

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!"

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!"