Bulldog Club Going Strong!

We have earned our Popcorn and Movie reward by collecting 500 Bulldog tickets!  The school will watch their movie next week all together.  The classes continue to earn group rewards as well.  The favorite seems to be "gym time" activities, where we use the parachute and other items for some extra active fun.

Our next goal is to earn a pizza party by collecting 600 tickets (yes, the goal gets harder each time).  We already have a good start from this first week of working toward our new goal.  Keep up the great behavior Bulldogs!  BE SAFE, BE RESPECTFUL, AND BE RESPONSIBLE! 

Missoula Childrens' Theatre

It was an honor to have two professional actors from the Missoula Childrens' Theatre work with the students of our school district during the week of November 12th-16th.  Paula Schock, second grade teacher, and Connie Trudeau, administrative assistant, arranged for this opportunity and assisted them throughout the week as well. 

On Monday, over 100 students in grades K-12 tried out for the play "Red Riding Hood".  Around 60 of them were cast in roles.  They spent an intense week rehearsing in the evenings all week.  The cast performed for K-8 students and staff on Friday afternoon and again for the public on Friday evening.  Both performances were excellent!  We have a lot of talent in our student body!

The actors also conducted workshops with our elementary classes during week.  They taught the students some of the tricks of live theater, including how to use makeup to create realistic looking characters.  The students all enjoyed working with the MCT staff.

With the proceeds from the ticket sales on Friday evening, we have a good start on the funding we will need to invite them back again next year.  Thank you to all of the community members who support bringing the arts to our schools!   

 

The Cast of Red Riding Hood

 The Shadows

 Three Pigs, Boy Who Cried Wolf, Woodcutter, Locksmith, and Ranger

Wolves

Raccoons

 Hood Family, Red Riding Hood, Red's Friends, Grandma

  

Bulldog Club--Dilly Bars earned!

We did it!  As a school, we earned 300 Bulldog Tickets for excellent behavior.  Last Friday, each student was treated to a Dairy Queen Dilly Bar after lunch.  Yum!

Next, we are working on earning 500 tickets so that we can watch a movie and eat popcorn together as a school.  We have already earned 199 in two weeks, so we are on our way!

High School Guest Readers

For two days last week, our students eating breakfast had a special treat.  Mrs. Keast's advisory High School students came to read a variety of books while they ate.  We really appreciate them taking their time to model the importance of reading and for making a connection with our elementary students.

Native Dance Demonstration for Frenchtown 2nd Graders

Frenchtown Second Graders read the book "Jingle Dancer" and connected with Title 1 teacher Susie Batiuchok, Native Studies teacher Aileen Plant, and Custodian and drummer Ben Corral about viewing a Native dance demonstration.

Our dancers welcomed the second graders and their chaperones on the afternoon of Friday, Nov. 2nd.  They showed them several styles of dance and even got them on the floor to participate in some of the dancing.

This story was covered by KPAX news in Missoula as well as our local Leader and Valley Journal.  You can view the news story by going to www.kpax.com and finding the story "One Classroom at a Time".

This is truly an example of Indian Education for All at its best.  Thanks to all of the dancers and the adults who made this cultural exchange a reality.

Elementary Building Security

You may have noticed that our elementary building is more secure these days.  That is because we have taken steps to assure that every child in our school is as safe as possible.  Specifically, we keep all of our doors locked during the school day, except the main entrance at the front of the school.

A staff member will be available at the drop off zone on the West end of the building from 7:50-8:20 each morning.  If your child arrives before or after that time, they must use the front door or remain on the playground until the bell rings.  Remember that there is no supervision earlier than 7:50 each morning.

It has always been our policy that visitors must check in at the main office.  It is vital that we know who is in our building at all times.  We now have visitor stickers you will be asked to wear while you spend time in our building.  That signals everyone that you have checked in with office staff.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation with our efforts to secure our building for the safety of our students.

LITTLE BULLDOG HOMECOMING 2012

Our K-5 students showed their Bulldog Pride during homecoming week.  They created headwear, posters, banners, and other items to give positive messages during the pep assembly and parade.  

Several students participated in the "white out" for coach Les Rice on Thursday along with our staff.

The students all wore our Bulldog Blue and White on Friday and several had their faces painted and hair colored as well!

We participated (loudly) in the K-12 pep assembly, then watched the High School parade.  Our elementary kids joined in the parade on floats or on foot as it made its way through town.

A great time was had by all.  We are proud to be the Mission Bulldogs. Ooooohhhhh Yeeeaaaahhhh!

 Greeting Spike

 Getting ready for the assembly

 A sea of blue and white

 Third Grade

 Fifth Grade

 Fourth Grade

Second Grade

Fall Family Fun Night

The St. Ignatius P.T.O. in conjuction with the 21st Century After School Program hosted a Fall Family Fun Night.  We ate chilli and pumpkin pie, decorated pumpkins, created masks, and gave away fun Halloween themed door prizes.  It was a lot of fun and it was great to see families enjoying time together.  About 120 people attended.  Please plan on attending our next family fun night, "Bingo for Books" in February.

Honors Trip

Fourth and Fifth Graders who scored Proficient or Advanced on reading and math on their Spring 2012 MontCAS tests were treated to a day of swimming at Currents Waterpark in Missoula and a Pizza Lunch.  A great time was had by all!  Congratulations to each of the 45 students who achieved this goal!

Native Dance Demonstration

Aileen Plant and her group of student dancers demonstrated several forms of dance for the elementary school.  In addition to watching the demo., the elementary students and staff were able to participate in several of the dances.  The Friendship Force, of which our own Susan Batiuchok is a member, were in attendance as well.  A special thanks to Ben Jaramillo and Willie Pierre for drumming and singing.

First Week of School a Success!

The first week of school went very well!  It is great to see everyone's smiling faces again.  The teachers and students are all working hard to practice our three universals:  BE SAFE; BE RESPECTFUL; and BE RESPONSIBLE.  We are also completing fall Asssessments and diving into a new Math program-Expressions in Mathematics.

We're also off to a good start with attendance.  This effort pays off with improved academic achievement. Thank you parents and guardians for getting your children to school every day and on time!

Here are some pictures from the first week of school:

                                                   Swinging into a new school year!

 

Time to eat!

                                                               Listening attentively
                                            

                                                 Enjoying some shade on a hot day

Getting organized and ready to learn

                                                             Made it through day #1!

Welcome to another fantastic year at St. Ignatius Elementary!  I would like to give a special welcome to all of our incoming Kindergarteners and students who are new to our school this year.  We are glad you will be joining our Mission Bulldog Family. And welcome back to all returning students and families.

School begins on Monday, August 27th.  The start time is 8:20.  School will dismiss at 3:20 each Monday through Thursday and at 2:15 each Friday.  Please make sure your child knows how they will get home the first day of school.  

Breakfast will be available beginning at 7:50.  There is no supervision for students before 7:50 and the bell rings at 8:18; therefore, it is important that students arrive between 7:50 and 8:15 each day.

Attendance is critical to school success!  Please work with us to make sure your student(s) arrive at school on time and every day. 

Please reinforce our three universal expectations we have in our school:  BE SAFE        BE RESPECTFUL      BE RESPONSIBLE

I look forward to working with all of you this year!

Graduation Matters Spring Showcase

The Spring Showcase was a great success!  Denise Juneau, the MT Supt. of Public Instruction was here that evening.  She spoke to the crowd in our gym, saying that Mission has the best K-12 Graduation Matters initiative that she has seen.  She is impressed that everyone from K-12 is determined to help each child succeed.  Also on hand to view our displays and say a few words were Gale Decker, Lake County Supt. of Schools, and Joe Durglo, CSKT Tribal Chairman.

The evening also included a performance by Matt Lyon's High School ukelele group, the pep band, and several student presentations.  Most importantly, students had the opportunity to make a pledge to graduate and earned chances to win prizes.  Door prizes were also given away for attending the event.  A great time was had by all and the message that "Graduation Matters in Mission" rang loud and clear!

Second Grade

First Grade

Second Grade

Third Grade

Fifth Grade

Third Grade

Kindergarten

 

Kindergarten

Denise returned for a follow-up visit on May 16th, along with several key people with National organizations and were treated to a performance of "School Glorious School" by our TEA leadership class.  They will do an encore presentation at our last Top Dawg assembly on Thursday, May 31st.