Accrediation Review Underway at Colstrip Public Schools

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

HISTORY OR NATIONAL ACCREDITATION SYSTEM

 

 

 

 

 

Throughout this week, students, staff, administration, parents and community members are being interviewed by the Cognia Accreditation Team as Colstrip is currently being reviewed for renewal of its National Accreditation status. Point of fact, Colstrip is the largest system (K-12) accredited school in the State of Montana.

Cognia accreditation represents the unified policies and procedures for accreditation and certification from its Accreditation Divisions:

• North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI)
• Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI)

NCA CASI, SACS CASI, and NWAC comprise three of the six regionally recognized K-12 accrediting bodies and together have been accrediting institutions for 125 years

Cognia works with schools and systems of all types and sizes across the globe to clearly assess the quality of an institution institution and to help them meet the needs of every student. Cognia provides an explicit set of standards and criteria for accreditation and certification. Meeting and exceeding those standards results in a valuable recognition of excellence.

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

Vote YES for Kids Twice in the Election!

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Historically Colstrip votes yes for kids and has passed general fund school levies for more than three decades. The May 4, 2021 U.S. Mail Election Ballots went out in the mail on April 16, 2021.  THE  METHOD TO RETURN VOTED BALLOTS IS BY U.S. MAIL. However, ballots may be returned physically to the following locations, at the following times: Location Prior to Election Day: Central Administration Office of the Clerk at 216 Olive Drive (next to FBMS Office), Colstrip, MT 59323 Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Location on Election Day: Central Administration Office at 216 Olive Drive, Colstrip, MT 59323 Hours: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

If you miss this regular registration deadline (30 days prior to the election), you may still register for the election by showing up at the county election office up to and including on election day. Between noon and the close of business on the day before election day, you may complete and submit a voter registration card, but you will need to return to the district voting location on election day to pick up and vote a ballot. The county election office is located at: Rosebud County Courthouse, 1200 Main Street, Forsyth MT 59327.  A late registrant may obtain a ballot on election day at the following location: Central Administration Office, 216 Olive Drive, Colstrip MT 59323 

There are two levies to be voted on.

●      High School General Fund Levy

○      Shall the board of trustees be authorized to impose an increase in local taxes to support the High School General Fund in the amount of One Hundred Eighty-Eight Thousand Three Hundred Thirteen and 50/100 DOLLARS ($188,313.50) per year which is approximately 2.82 mills, to meet the normal operational costs of the High School District General Fund for the 2021-2022 fiscal year? Passage of this proposal will increase the taxes on a home with a market value of $100,000 by approximately $2.82 and on a home with a market value of $200,000 by approximately $7.61. The durational limit of the levy is permanent once approved by the voters, assuming the district levies that amount at least once in the next five years.

●      Elementary General Fund Levy

○      Shall the board of trustees be authorized to impose an increase in local taxes to support the Elementary General Fund in the amount of Two Hundred Eighty-Six Thousand Fifty - Three and 93/100 DOLLARS ($286,053.93) per year which is approximately 4.29 mills, to meet the normal operational costs of the Elementary District General Fund for the 2021-2022 fiscal year? Passage of this proposal will increase the taxes on a home with a market value of $100,000 by approximately $5.79 and on a home with a market value of $200,000 by approximately $11.58. The durational limit of the levy is permanent once approved by the voters, assuming the district levies that amount at least once in the next five years.

As you may know, it is very important for Colstrip Public Schools to pass the General Fund Levies at both the High School and Elementary School. Your support is critical.

I would like to encourage you to ask questions about the impact of the Levy Funds. I would also encourage you to get out and vote. A vote for the Levy Funds is definitely a vote for the children in which we serve. These Levy Funds are crucial for maintaining salaries, equipment, curriculum, activities and the operational expenses of this district.

This community has taken pride in passing Levy Funds in the years past. This is a community that has traditionally supported its kids. Our teachers and staff members have played a key role in this process. I can't stress enough the importance in passing the Levy Funds.

Point of fact: Colstrip Public School District #19 has passed Levy Funds for 30 years; this level of community support played a instrumental role in the decisions of those that have awarded grants to our School District. This past year alone, the District has been awarded over $1.6 million dollars in competitive grants. Your support for our school levies is critical in so many ways. Get the word out and support our kids and see that these levies get a FOR vote. Thank you in advance for any, and all of your effort in seeing this need through.

 

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

 

Board of Trustees Selects 2021-2022 School Calendar

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

The 2021-2022 Colstrip Public School Calendar was approved by the Colstrip Board of Trustees at its Regular April 2021 Board Meeting on April 12, 2021.

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.

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

J.D. Old Mouse was the District's Home Liaison and Master of Ceremonies from 2010 to 2020. His invitation to go get "some'n, some'n" at concessions during ball games is comparable in certain respects to his invitation for all of our young Colts and Fillies to go out and be their very best in this life.

J.D. was a champion of our youth and their needs. He believed so much in Colstrip Public Schools that he continually fought to get as many kids as he could from the Northern Cheyenne Reservation to attend the school that he loved.

J.D. shared the Indian culture and led many powwows here in our schools. He not only announced, but sang as well. He was a man of conviction. He respected those he worked for and those he worked with.  He was a spiritual man that was willing to share his beliefs about his creator.

In his last five years at Colstrip Public Schools, J.D. battled health issues and conquered each of them. He stood tall over the loss of his legs and survived a kidney transplant.  J.D. Old Mouse walked the walk that he talked. He showed a resilience that is rare at best.

J.D. Old Mouse was "SOME'N SOME'N" for sure and for certain. He was loved and will be missed. Colstrip Public Schools will do its very best to see his passion lives on. A Scholarship Memorial is established in his name.

If you would like to donate to the J.D. Old Mouse "Some'n Some'n" Memorial Scholarship that will be awarded annually to a graduating senior that has shown exceptional resilience, please make checks payable to the J.D. Old Mouse Memorial Scholarship and send it to Colstrip Public Schools, P.O. Box 159, Colstrip Montana.

J.D. Old Mouse “Some’n Some’n” Scholarship Application

WHO CAN APPLY: Any senior that is on track to graduate from Colstrip High School in the second semester of their senior year. They must be able to indicate exceptional resilience in overcoming difficulties they have faced. Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress—such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems, or workplace and financial stressors.

APPLICATION PROCESS: All applications must be submitted by May 10 to the Counselor’s Office (See Jewel Davenport). The Applicant must submit a minimum of a 500 word essay describing the resilience they have shown in their lives. The Superintendent and the Administrative Cabinet will review the applications and select the recipient. The recipient of the scholarship will be announced at Graduation.   

Applicants are required to provide the following information:

NAME:

DATE OF APPLICATION:

GRADUATION YEAR:

ESSAY (500 word minimum):

 

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

 

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.

 

WATER DAMAGE: Modeling the Way

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

The water damage at Frank Brattin Middle School created some very difficult dilemmas as many students, teachers and buildings were functioning in a state of limbo while services were being restored at the middle school. Students, teachers, administrators and staff members at all buildings did their very best to accommodate the emergency changes taking place. Middle school students were without a building, middle school teachers were without a classroom, central office staff were without offices and equipment. Within, a matter of 24 hours, the instructional process was restored. A building, classrooms and offices were found. Parents were equal to the task in their flexibility and support when the plan was communicated and executed. There wasn't any finger pointing or complaints. Colstrip's resilience and "can-do" environment would not yield. It is in these moments of adversity that you really get to know people and a community.

The Core Values listed in the Colstrip Public School Strategic Plan (see below) are the enduring principles that guide a school district and should be used to guide the choices and decisions we make. In the case of Jewel Davenport, Robert Whitehead and Janelle Loyning these values were authenticated and articulated by what they did and what they do and what they care about. 

Robert Whitehead met this challenge from the start, at 6:00 AM, and didn't go to bed until midnight. He was again up for the next week. Naming all of the things he did to get our middle school back on its feet would be a long and trivial task. He called in contractors. He stayed with them as they pumped 54,000 gallons of water out of the lower level of FBMS in -27 degree weather. He assisted them as they replaced and renovated electrical panels. He assisted the implementation of an independent heat source and power source to keep the building from freezing up. He addressed multiple water breaks in several different places during the cold spell.  He continued to move furniture and equipment out of the Central Office. He maintained the snow removal before and after school. He is exhausted. He is invaluable.

Janelle Loyning was equal to the task of moving equipment and materials to give our middle school teachers and students the things they needed to continue the instructional process at the high school. She also worked until the job was done. She didn't quit until the job was done.

Probably the most selfless act of kindness, consideration and compassion was modeled by Jewel Davenport, the Counselor at Colstrip High School. Central Office was without a place to continue business. Our offices were destroyed. After looking at the possibility of temporarily moving into the high school office area, Jewell Davenport moved her office and reception area without being asked. She simply said, you needed a place to work. It had to be done. I was amazed; in this act, Jewel Davenport built consensus around values, principles and standards. She walked the walk. 

These three people lived the shared values outlined in our Core Values of Colstrip Public School. They modeled the way. It is with a great deal of pride that I was able to award them the "Make Dust or Eat Dust" Buckle for their extraordinary acts demonstrated this last month in regards to the water damage at Frank Brattin Middle School.

THANK YOU: Jewel, Robert and Janelle for MAKING DUST! 

THANK YOU: Jewel, Robert and Janelle for providing the needed HCA (safety, support and belonging) to keep our school "afloat."

__________________________________________________________

Core Values of the Colstrip School District: 

• Loyalty, Trust and Respect – We believe that mutual loyalty, trust, and respect amongst key stakeholders (students, staff, board, and community) are vital to the success of our students. 

• Responsible Citizenship – We believe that it is important to prepare students to be cognizant of and to be positive contributors to all levels of the democratic process.   

• Stable, Positive, Safe and Healthy School Climate – We believe that accepting, appreciating, and embracing diversity and the uniqueness of all people contributes to a positive, safe, and healthy school climate for both students and staff and the long-term values of our community. 

Shared, Ethical Leadership – We value shared leadership with our community where there is a common understanding and philosophy that we are all responsible for the success of our students. We believe that community involvement and support are essential to the achievement of our goals and the success of our students.  

Water Damage and Education Delivery at FBMS

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

At 6:30 AM the District received a call that FBMS didn’t have any power and that the basement in the Central Office was flooded. The main electrical panels were submerged under water.  In addition to not having power, the District lost phone and internet services throughout the district as Frank Brattin Middle School is the point of distribution. School was canceled for the day (February 10, 2021) at FBMS. All other schools resumed normal operations as middle school students were sent home. 

 

At this time, partial power is being supplied through an external generator. Water is being pumped out of the middle school a truck load at a time. Electrical panels are being dried out, but won’t be functional for several days. If electrical components need replaced, we will not know that until we attempt to power the panels back up. Some of these components are no longer available and may take time to replace.

 

The District has developed contingency plans as services are being restored. On Thursday, February 11, 2021 middle school students will receive their educational services remotely allowing the middle school faculty to prepare their assigned rooms at Colstrip High School for educational delivery on the following Monday. On Friday, February 12, 2021 there is no school due to a scheduled Professional Development Work day for the instructional staff. If FBMS isn’t able to restore power, then on Monday, February 15, 2021, middle school students will receive face-to-face instruction at Colstrip High School starting at 8:10 AM (normal schedule). FBMS students will be dropped off at CHS and immediately brought into the cafeteria for breakfast and/or sent to the CHS Auditorium where they will meet with their principal as well as first period teacher then escorted to their classroom. The first period teacher will review schedules then make sure students are given directions and escorted, if necessary, to their second period class and so on… Most of the middle school classes are all located on the lower level of the CHS building. The Principal’s Office is also located there as well. 

 

High school students will be served lunch from 10:57 to 11:57 AM in the CHS cafeteria. Middle school students will be served lunch from 12:00 to 1:00 PM in the CHS cafeteria. The high school and middle school students will remain separated throughout the day. At the end of the day, the middle school students will be escorted back to the auditorium and dismissed to get on their bus by the principal. There will be appropriate staffing to monitor student arrival and dismissal to and from the buses. Middle school parents who wish to pick up their students are asked to do so in the upper parking lot at the activity entrance. Students that are dropped off late, are asked to come into the CHS main entrance and check in. They will be seated until an office staff member escorts them to class or the lower level office.

 

Students who normally walk to school at FBMS are asked to get on a bus at the appropriate time and place as they did when attending Pine Butte Elementary. Transportation Director, Robin Nansel will post the pick-up times and places. You may call her if you have any questions. 

 

Principal Alicia O'Toole and the office staff will be located in the old textile/sewing room located on the lower level of Colstrip High School. We will transfer her phone extension to the new location. You are welcome to reach her accordingly. 

 

The District will continue with this face-to-face instructional delivery until Frank Brattin has restored its power and heat. 

 

Middle school students, as well as the rest of the district, will continue to follow COVID-19 guidelines and wear masks and maintain social distancing throughout the school day. 

 

We apologize for the inconvenience and confusion that this may cause; however, we value face-to-face instructional delivery and believe this to be best for students. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact your building principal.