PASCHAL SHERMAN INDIAN SCHOOL
On May 27th, Paschal Sherman Indian School celebrated their grand opening. Thanks to the more than 2000 community members, honored guests and friends who attended to help us begin this new educational adventure.
As part of the festivities, we crowned the 2005-2006 Sunflower Royalty. Their names are as follows:
Little Miss Sunflower-Jalisa Mills; Little Mr. Sunflower-Deondre Ives; Miss Sunflower Queen-Tanesha Mills; Mr. Sunflower Brave-Joshua Mills.
These students will proudly represent our school at various powwows around the inland northwest. Thanks to all of the students who competed in the royalty competition, as well as to Loretta Watt and the pageant organizer Linda Saint.
The staff would like to thank three staff members who will not be returning for the 2005-2006 school year. After 17 years, our bus driver, Lee McCartney has retired. We will miss his cheerful face transporting our students to and from school. For your untiring service in a rewarding but sometimes challenging profession, the staff would like to thank you.
Ms. Linda Saint will be pursuing other endeavors next year. We would like to recognize all of Linda’s outstanding work making regalia with our students over the years. We also have seen her commitment to our royalty pageant every Sunflower festival and her willingness to escort our students to various powwows around the area. We will miss you Linda and come back soon.
Mrs. Devin Robbins has left us to support her husband while he goes to school in Spokane. We would like to thank you for all of your hours in various coaching roles as well as being a strong female role model to our Junior High Students. We also recognize your work in the 8th grade graduation ceremonies over the last 2 years.
We at Paschal Sherman are pleased to be in our new building at last. Our fall enrollment is currently open. The school office will be open during summer school. This occurs from June 27th-July 22nd, Monday-Thursday. Come and register your student for our first year at the new school.
Omak High School - Summer Success Academy
Omak High School is offering a combination of camping and classes in July and August as part of a new “Summer Success Academy” for high school students.
The academy will open with a weekend at Camp Disautel, July 22-24, followed by three weeks of classes, Monday-Thursday, at the high school: Aug. 1-4, 15-18 and 22-25.
Classes will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. with lunch provided. The program also will include evening and social activities, such as bowling and movies, and a college campus field trip.
“This is not summer school in the traditional sense,” says Principal John Belcher. “We are working with a number of community agencies and organizations to make this an exciting and meaningful experience for a wide variety of students.”
The program targets students who will be entering grades nine through twelve. It is designed to help incoming ninth graders make a smoother transition to high school as well as develop leadership potential in older students. The academy also will give students who have failed courses a chance to make up the credits and graduate with their classes.
A highlight of the program, involving community members as well as students, will be an “extreme makeover” day to improve facilities at Camp Disautel July 23. Students will be able to explore a variety of challenges such as design and planning, organizing and managing work crews, and hands-on technical skills, said Belcher.
After the weekend at camp, students will be divided into two academies.
“Success Academy I: Credit Retrieval” is for students who are missing core required credits in English, Math and Social Studies. Each will be assessed to determine what “core competencies” are needed to make up failed courses. If they can meet those goals, they can gain the credits, said Belcher.
“Success Academy II: Emerging Leaders” will match older students with ninth graders who want a mentor as they enter high school. The academy will include training in leadership, study and tutoring skills, positive peer coaching and interaction.
“We may be able to apply the academy work to students’ senior projects, plus it’s the kind of activity scholarship and college admissions committees look for,” said Belcher.
Cost for the entire program is $40 and scholarships are available. There is no fee for students who are designated as below grade level, who qualify for the Learning Assistance Program or who have not passed a section of the WASL.
Sponsoring organizations include Okanogan Behavioral Health, WorkSource, Upward Bound WSU, Career Path Services, Okanogan Family Planning and the Omak School District.
Registration information is available from Racie McKee, Summer School Director, at 826-8142, or Belcher, 826-7697.
HEAD START
Kildee Ensures Indian Head Start Programs Receive 25% Funding Boost in Head Start ActHouse Education and the Workforce Committee Reports Out Head Start bill with Kildee Amendment Strengthening Tribal Provisions
WASHINGTON, DC, May 20—The House Education and the Workforce Committee reported out this week the School Readiness Act of 2005 (H.R. 2123), legislation that would reauthorize the Head Start Act. The legislation includes a provision sought by Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) that would establish a 3.5 percent set-aside for Indian Head Start. Currently, Indian Head Start is funded at approximately 2.9 percent of the Head Start budget. This will lead to Indian Head Start programs receiving approximately $45 million in additional resources.
“There is widespread concern about the extraordinary challenges facing Native children. This increase in funding recognizes these challenges,” said Kildee. “The economic conditions, plus the need to ensure the Federal government lives up to its commitment to Native Americans is critical. The funding increase in the bill is one more effort to ensure we meet our obligations to Native children.”
H.R. 2123 also addressed other Indian Head Start issues including a requirement that the Department of Health and Human Services consult annually with tribal governments in each affected Head Start region for the purpose of better meeting the needs of American Indian and Alaska Native children and families. H.R. 2123 also provides for the inclusion of representatives of Indian Head Start programs in the state collaboration grant program and Early Learning Council, as well as the establishment of a national Indian Head Start Collaboration Director.
Of the approximately 575 federally recognized Tribes, 28% participate in Head Start/Early Head Start Programs, with a funded enrollment of 23,374 children. These programs employ approximately 6,449 individuals, of whom 3,263 are either former or current Head Start/Early Head Start parents. There are another 35,395 volunteers, 22,0095 of whom are parents.
Congressman Dale E. Kildee is a senior member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, a senior member of the House Committee on Resources and serves as the Co-chairman of the Congressional Native American Caucus.
NESPELEM HEAD START
This year was quite an experience for the Head Start. It was the very first full year at our new center. It was very exciting for us in the beginning of the year and there was never a dull moment after that.
We had numerous gatherings at the Head Start center this year. The children loved the huge new building and making friends with their new class friends, Teachers, Aides, other staff. Not to mention the many visitors and volunteers.
END OF THE YEAR FAMILY BAR B QUE
At the end of the year, there is an annual Family Bar B Que, put on by the staff. The barbeque was held at Spring canyon on May 25th, 2005. This was a very yummy time and we were glad to see many parents, aunts, uncles and other family show up and eat the wonderful food prepared by the Head Start.
GRADUATION
Graduation was held on May 26, 2005 for 22 Nespelem Head Start graduates this year. The staff & parents did an awesome job teaming up to get things done.
Our appreciation from the Nespelem Head Start staff for making everything possible — Parents & community helpers!
Life Size Pictures
This year the parents requested pictures of their kids dressed in outfits of their chosen career. The pictures turned out awesome! They were life-size pictures of each graduating child. Thanks to Spirit Peoples of the Tribune for always being there for Head Start and helping us on projects for the children! You are an awesome part of the program. You make things happen!
Bike Rodeo
The Parent Committee held fundraisers, along with individual sponsorships and the donation committee, the committee reached their goal to purchase a bike for each child in Nespelem Head Start. The children also received safety gear in preparation for the Bike Rodeo on June 3, 2005. The purpose of the rodeo was to show the children safety on bikes and roadways. Tribal Police Officer Weigel presented the Bike Safety talk. This was the best part of the bike rodeo when Officer Weigel offered question & answer time for the children. He had some pretty good questions and responses to his presentation. We appreciate his ability to visit and encourage the children to talk about safety. The event was exciting for the children and they certainly had the family support! Many of our parents, grandparents, aunts & uncles showed up for the event. The children had a wonderful time riding their new bikes and you found the children sharing their bikes with their younger siblings. Following the Rodeo, we had the opportunity to share one more meal together to close out the school year. This is the second year that Ray from Toys-R-Us provided the bikes with helmets & back-packs. Thanks Ray!
ENROLLMENT & RECRUITMENT
We hope to see our returning 26 children this coming Fall along with the new enrollees! We are still accepting applications. The deadline is June 24, 2005. We will continue accepting applications throughout the year. The documents that are required in order to make a full determination is Current Income, Tribal Enrollment, Immunization Record and Birth Certificate. If you are on TANF or another program that has existing records, please secure a copy from your case provider to submit with your application. Applications can be picked up at the Nespelem Head Start office or during Well Child Clinic held every third Thursday of each month from noon to approximately 3:00 p.m. at Indian Health. Please call Margaret GunShows at 634-2404 or Carrie George at 634-2403 for an application.
Parents: We will be holding classes for Nespelem Head Start from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. this year. If you prefer to keep the class hours from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. please contact our office immediately. Ph. 634-2403, 2404 or 2298.
Have a great summer and we anxiously await your return coming school Fall!
