Middle School Gymnasium Is Ready for Students

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

The Middle School Gymnasium got a makeover this last summer and early fall replacing the tiled gym floor with a new wood floor. It is the same materials used at the professional basketball level to enhance performance and give our athletes every opportunity to excel. The floor carries the school logo and is trimmed in blue and white. 

The Floor got its first test this last week with the Middle School Basketball Camp. Principal Don Schopp said they had over 80 student attend during the week and almost 70 students attend on Saturday, December 2, 2023.  The camp was put on by Raul Mendoza. 

Thank you goes out to Facility Director, Nick Stalter for working with the Construction Manager at Risk to see construction through. A special thank you to the Sacaton School District Board Members for supporting this project from start to finish. (President Karen White, Lucinda Hendricks, Jane Johnson and Donovan Kyyitan). We are certainly lucky to have their leadership as direction setters.

Remember: "Be Brave" Sacaton. 

Important Monkey Business

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

On Friday October 27, 2023 the District hosted its second Must Be Present To Win assembly. During the assembly we celebrated a number of student initiatives designed to get students to engage, embrace and contribute to their school, culture and world around them. Initiatives like Be Brave,  Must Be Present To Win, HCA (safety, support and belonging), and Cross-the-line were presented and celebrated.  

The entire school was there and was supported by local leaders and dignitaries. Governor Steven Lewis spoke to the students about attending school and setting goals. He recalled his days as a student at Sacaton and encouraged students to work hard because one day they could be the next Governor of the Gila River Indian Community, the State of Arizona or even perhaps the first Native American President of the United States. 

The Phoenix Suns sent their mascot the "Gorilla" to the assembly to celebrate what Home Court Advantage (aka Home Community Advantage) is all about. High fives, fist bumps, belly slides and smiles were on display by the Gorilla. His presence enhanced the type of support needed to help pick one other up so everyone can belong in a safe school environment. He is truly a mascot for HCA! 

Once again, incentives were handed out to students that have proven to be engaged in school by attending 10 days in a row, 15 days in a row, 20 days in a row, 30 days in a row as well as perfect attendance.  The number of students that have reached these goals since our last assembly is astonishing as the initiative is supported with prizes from BRAVE BOOSTERS in the community. This group of individuals donates incentives to be given away. It is a great reflection on community involvement and makes a difference in the educational engagement of children. I believe in the impact that this is having in our school; therefore, I am actively seeking out additional incentive donations from other sources. We do not want money but are seeking “new” items that students would find appealing (bikes, toys, watches, headphones, games, Lego sets, book sets, ball caps, baseball/basketball/football uniforms, etc.). We cannot use candy or food items. If you would like to join our group of BRAVE BOOSTERS, please see below.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: If you would like to make a difference and donate an “engagement” incentive(s), please drop off all item(s) at the District Office. Administrative Assistant Sue Seider will register the item, approximate value, and name of the person/business donating it and add their name to a list of BRAVE BOOSTERS. A list of Brave Boosters will be added to the website to track and honor those who donate engagement incentives. The incentives will be distributed at our Must Be Present To Win Assemblies. The list of BRAVE BOOSTERS will also be acknowledged at our assemblies and other school functions. 

Getting student to engage and take ownership of their learning, embrace their culture, and contribute to the world around them is our mission at Sacaton. It truly is MISSION POSSIBLE!

Be a part of the BRAVE BOOSTERS! Find out how you can make a difference in the lives of our youth.

 

Safety and Security Our First Priority

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski    

I can't believe the end of the 1st Quarter is just around the corner. Today marks 38 days of school. Next Friday, October 6, 2023 marks the end of Quarter 1. With the last 38 days in mind, I want to compliment the staff and students on the hard work and effort so far this year. Our school attendance rate is above 90%. If we can continue to improve our rate of attendance, I am sure we will see a vast improvement in our academic outcomes. 

During the last several months I have worked with the Board and the Administrative Team to develop goals, strategic objectives and actions plans for this year. The Governing School Board will consider a final ratification of the Strategic Plan at the October 17, 2023 Board Meeting.  None the less we have been working on the implementation of Goal Area 1: Safe and Healthy Environment, as it is of the first and foremost priority that we have. It is a foundation of Maslow's Hierarchy of needs. Health and safety needs must be met before academic and cognitive needs can be successfully realized. Goal Area 1 states that Sacaton Elementary School District will have systems in place that will ensure that students and staff thrive in a safe and healthy environment. Our statement of intended outcome outlines the focus of this goal: Sacaton Schools systems will provide a safe and secure educational environment that is proactive and responsive to known and unknown threats at the district, school and classroom levels ensuring the physical, mental and emotional safety of students and staff.

The Strategic Objectives outline the steps that district intentions and actions:

1. Sacaton Elementary School District will secure its campus. 

1. Action Step: Evaluating the security of district grounds and facilities.

1. Evaluating security signage and implementing signage where needed.

2. Evaluation of the current district perimeter needs.

1. Implementation of a perimeter  barrier to direct all visitor flow through the main entrances or building offices.

3. Evaluate access points and perimeters for authentication and entry.

1. Building, room and gate authentication and entry.

2. Sacaton Elementary School District will provide  appropriate surveillance to mitigate and follow up with potential crisis.

1. Action Step: Evaluating current placement and effectiveness of cameras in the surveillance system.

2. Action Step: Implementing additional cameras where needed.

3. Action Step: Implementing vap and noise detectors in bathrooms.

4. Action Step: Implementing surveillance screens for live view by administration.

3. Sacaton Elementary School District will be prepared to respond to potential crisis.

1. Action Step: Identifying an Emergency Response Plan Coordinator(s).

1. Updating the job description for the Emergency Response Plan Coordinator(s) to include planning as well as management duties.

2. Action Step: Developing  and implementing a District Emergency Crisis Planning Manual.

3. Action Step: Working with response agencies to analyze emergency preparedness using a Planning Committee.

4. Action Step: Implementing an Emergency Response Protocols and Procedures Handbook.

5. Action Step: Identifying and implementing crisis software for notification, identification, and reunification in an emergency situation.

6. Action Step: Providing emergency response and protocol training to appropriate staff for responding in the case of emergencies. 

7. Action Step: Schedule and conduct monthly crisis drills.

4. Sacaton Elementary School District will assess current notification communication systems. 

1. Action Step: Assess current web software for providing emergency information to all stakeholders.

5. Sacaton Elementary School District will provide adequate measures of response to basic medical emergencies. 

1. Action Step:  Assess and implement Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) to meet adequate measures for response to cardiopulmonary  resuscitation.

2. Action Step: Provide basic response training in all buildings

1. AED Training and Use

2. CPR Training

3. First Aid Training

Providing a safe and healthy environment is critical in the development of students. School should be a 100% safe space for all students. At Sacaton Elementary School District we want our parents, grandparents and loved ones to know that the safety of their family here at school is our number one priority. 

BE BRAVE and remember SAFETY FIRST!

Elevate Our Vision and Voice

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

It was an honor to attend the 19th Annual GRIC Teacher In-Service at the Sheraton Grand in Phoenix with our Sacaton staff members. The Keynote Speakers and Honored Guest included Naomi Miguel, the Executive Director for the White House Initiative on Advancing Education Equity, Excellence and Economic Opportunity for Native Americans and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities and Mitch Factor, motivational speaker, educator and comedian.  In addition, Governor Stephen Lewis and Lt. Governor Monica Antone addressed the audience in regards to the importance education plays in the lives of the children we serve. 

The Sheraton was certainly an awesome venue for the message and call to action for educators, administrators and support staff alike to raise expectations by asking more of ourselves, looking further, and daring to see beyond today in order to meet the challenges our students face tomorrow. 

I have been to a lot of professional development venues in my time and I am not hesitant to say that I was impressed by the message and venue of this in-service. 

L-R: Superintendent Bob Lewandowski,
Governor Steven Lewis, 
Elementary Principal Stephanie Celis,
and Middle School Principal Don Schopp.

Special thanks goes to the Tribal Education Department and Isaac Salcido, Director of Tribal Education for the work and accomplishments that made this wonderful opportunity a reality.

L-R: Superintendent Bob Lewandowski, 
Elementary Principal Stephanie Celis, 
Middle School Principal Don Schopp,
Director Isaac Salcido

Below are a few of the shared pictures from our TEAM before things got underway. Way to represent Sacaton!

Middle School Assistant Principal Jess Flores
with a picture of one half of the room.

Some of the elementary teachers and administrators gathering

around the table for a quick picture (look at these smiles).

Staff members selecting their breakout sessions. 

REMEMBER

People don't care what you know until they know that you care!

BE BRAVE!

MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Engaging Students Must Be Present To Win

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Engaging students equals successful students. Until we make school the best part of every student's day, they will struggle with attendance, achievement, and graduation rates. Failure to engage students has resulted in students tuning out and dropping out. Finding new ways to connect with students is difficult. Getting them to choose to connect, engage and be present takes thinking outside the box.

Sacaton Elementary School District wants students and parents to know that good things can happen to those who participate and engage in learning. Building trust is key in this process. Even more so, being present in mind and body are keys to learning engagement. This initiative compliments our School Mission to "engage students to take ownership of their learning, embrace the culture, and contribute to the world around them."

RESEARCH SAYS: Brain based learning tells us that working memory is stored in the brain's prefrontal cortex during instruction of SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION, SPECIAL EVENTS or information that is REPEATED. Working memory only stays in the prefrontal cortex for 3-7 days. If information is not SIGNIFICANT, SPECIAL or REPEATED, it will not be converted to long-term memory. Our goal as educators is to capture and hold working memory. 

This year our school has developed a student engagement initiative: MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN! Our goal is not only to get kids to come to school, but be present while doing so. It is important to do this consistently to capture working memory; therefore, we are asking kids to begin making school a habit of consistency (thus 10 days in a row). Coming to school consistently results in presence of mind as well as body. Hence MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!

We are "kicking this initiative off" at the Middle School by offering students the chance to win a "preseason" experience and attend the Arizona Cardinals vs Kansas City Chiefs game on Saturday, August 19, 2023, with several of our staff members through an initial engagement exercise. The teachers and students interested in this engagement exercise must email their principal, Mr. Don Shopp the following message: "My name is (first and last name) and I want to be present to win in the 2023 and 2024 school year." Do get me wrong, we can't possibly buy tickets for every middle school student and teacher, but have purchased 12 tickets. Engaging in this activity only gives our teachers and students a chance. Like in life, there are no promises or assurances of success, but if you don't engage and participate, you don't have much of a change to win!

We will draw tickets on Monday, August 14, 2023, and verify winners (get permissions) by Wednesday, August 16, 2023. There will be 8 students and 4 staff members selected. Drawings will be done via Zoom for every class to engage. There will be 8 alternates drawn incase permission can't be obtained. We will pick students up at the middle school on August 19, Sunday afternoon at 3:00 PM and bring them home after the game at State Farm Stadium in Phoenix. 

REMEMBER

People don't care what you know until they know that you care!

BE BRAVE!

MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Welcome Back Parents and Students

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

It is my pleasure as superintendent to welcome all of the students and parents to Sacaton Elementary School District #18. We are looking forward to seeing you back at Sacaton Elementary School this coming year. I look forward to meeting each of you for the first time. The first day back to school is Monday, July 31, 2023. Buses will run at their regular scheduled times. School will begin at the following times:

Grades Pre K- 4: Elementary: 8:00 AM - 3:10 PM

Grades 5-8: Middle School: 7:55 AM - 3:17 PM

In addition, we would like to invite you and your child to meet their teachers and administrators for this coming school year on Friday, July 28, 2023 starting at 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM at their school. With that being said there are a few things I want everyone to know about our school: 

Our school’s mission is to engage students to take ownership of their learning, embrace their culture and contribute to the world around them. Our school prides itself on providing the needed safety, support and belonging required for student success. At Sacaton School District #18 students and families are greeted with respect and value as they are welcomed on campus with a feeling of “I am very glad to see you!” Sacaton Elementary School District #18 is a place of welcome and family for everyone. Every student here attends a safe environment. In this school every student’s dignity is protected. Every student receives support: we pick each other up when we are down and applaud individual and group success. This school provides our families and students with a place of belonging. This is our school and our students’ home away from home.

We are a TEAM at Sacaton Elementary School District #18. Together Everyone Achieves More (TEAM). We understand that by working together, our children's opportunities for success exponentially multiply. We are committed to our mission and in doing so understand that “People don’t care what you know until they know that you care.”

See you on Friday, July 28 at 4:00 PM in your children's respective schools.

HOME OF THE BRAVES!

Superintendent Opening Message

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

I am so honored to be the new superintendent at Sacaton Elementary School District #18. I want to take this opportunity to tell you a little about myself and my leadership vision here at Sacaton. I come to the District with 34 years of experience in education. This year marks my 20th year as a Superintendent. Prior to coming to Sacaton, I have served as superintendent in Montana and Wyoming. I received my bachelor’s and master’s degree from Chadron State College in Chadron Nebraska in Secondary Education and Administration. I completed all course work for an educational doctoral degree in educational leadership from the University of Wyoming. I currently hold licensure as a superintendent in Wyoming, Montana and Arizona.

I was born and raised in Nebraska and my high school sweetheart and wife, Debra, is also a teacher. We have three daughters (Ashton, Stephanie and Trinity), a son-in-law (Andrew) and a grandson (Atlee). In my spare time, I enjoy family, hunting, fishing, photography and spending time with my grandson.

As a superintendent, I have successfully written a number of competitive grants totaling in the millions. I have been awarded a number of leadership acknowledgements through the years. I was recently named the South Eastern Montana Superintendent of the year. 

As and educational leader, I am loyal to empowering students with an equal and equitable education. I firmly believe that “People don’t care what you know until they know that you care.” I am committed to providing the needed safety support and belonging required of staff and students for their success and am looking forward to serving the students and community of Sacaton.

Like other schools that I have served, Sacaton school prides itself on providing the needed safety, support and belonging for student success. Students and families are greeted with respect and value as they are welcomed on campus with a feeling of "I am very glad to see you!" Sacaton Elementary School District #18 is a place of welcome and family for everyone. Every student here attends a safe environment. In this school every student's dignity is protected. Every student receives support: we pick each other up when we are down and applaud individual and group success. The school provides our families and students with a place of belonging. This is our school and our students' home away from home.

Sacaton School District #18 is the home of the Braves. We celebrate in and out of the classroom. We are a TEAM at Sacaton Elementary School District #18. Together Everyone Achieves More (TEAM). We understand that by working together, our children's opportunities for success exponentially multiply. We are committed to our mission.

HOME OF THE BRAVES! 

BE BRAVE!

Be brave enough to start a conversation that matters.

Being brave means knowing that when you fail, you don’t fail forever.

Bravery has no place where it can avail nothing.

Bravery is being the only one who knows you’re afraid.

Bravery is believing in yourself.

Bravery is not a quality of the body. It is of the soul.

Bravery is the capacity to perform even when scared half to death.

Bravery is kind, considerate and champions that which isn’t.

Bravery is the light that shines in the darkness. 

Be brave enough to follow your heart.

Be Brave!

Join us here at Sacaton Elementary School District #18: We are the home of the Braves!

Superintendent Bob Lewandowski