indian education newsletter

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INDIAN EDUCATION NEWSLETTER
4100 N Flood Ave, Norman, OK 73069
405-366-5809 / 405-573-3516 fax
December 2011
http://www.norman.k12.ok.us/site/indianed
IMPORTANT LEGISLATION
AFFECTING INDIAN EDUCATION
WHO?
New staff members:
Stephen Hinkle is the new tutor at Irving Middle School. He
comes to us from Truman Elementary where he was
previously a 4th grade teacher. Mr. Hinkle is excited to be
working with 6th, 7th and 8th grade students and will be
available to help students with their subjects and will also be
monitoring attendance and grades. Please contact Mr. Hinkle
if you have any questions or concerns.
[email protected]
Sarah Morris is the new tutor at Whittier Middle School.
She has been at WMS for a few weeks now so your students
should be familiar with her. She is available to help students
on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Please contact Sarah
if you have any questions or concerns.
[email protected]
Indian Families
WHAT? Your Indian Education Program is at risk.
WHY?
House Bill 2445 attempts to pool Indian Education
funds into district general funds nationwide.
HOW? Contact the representatives listed below. Register and
express your opinion online at the link below.
https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr2445
Contact Congressman Tom Cole
202.225.6165
https://coleforms.house.gov/
Contact Dale Kildee, Co-Chair Native
American Caucus
202.225.3611
https://kildeeforms.house.gov/contact/contactform.shtml
Protect YOUR
Indian Education
Program
If this concerns you,
make your voice known.
THANK YOU!
Whittier Middle School
Garrett Wampler-6th grade- Participated in the
“Cyber-Nuts” program through the Chickasaw
Nation.
The Mr. and Mrs. Claus program is a fundraiser
for needy families. Students are chosen by their
peers as representatives for their grade.
Mrs. Claus:
6th grade-Caitlin “Cat” Gundy
Jentri McPherson
7th grade-Camile Greer
8th grade-Marshall Lewis
Abigail Linn
Mr. Claus:
6th grade-Holden Hopkins
8th grade-Cary Pirtle
Student Senators:
8th grade-Mikel Carpenter
7th grade-Jack Ross
Lyric Cabral
Brock Wright
Top Jog-a-Thon Money Raiser
Maddox Hamilton, Kickapoo,
Sioux, Kiowa, and Wichita, was
the top fundraiser in his first grade
class for the 2011 Monroe Jog-athon. He was second of all the
first graders at Monroe. For all
his hard work he received a
Monroe blanket, an iPod shuffle,
and a trophy at an all school
assembly. Great job, Maddox!
CROSS COUNTRY
ALL-STATE
NHS became State Champions in
Cross Country this fall! Junior,
Mackenzie Wahpepah-Harris,
was on the team and has been
named to the All-State Cross
Country team. Awesome!
Indian Education would like to thank former
staff members, Carolyn Jones and Valland
Sage for their years of service to our students.
Carolyn Jones, OSU graduate, was our tutor
at Irving Middle School for 10 years helping
our students.
Valland Sage, who graduated from OU this
past May, helped our Norman North students
for 3 years.
Thank you to both ladies for their
commitment and dedication to our
students and families.
We wish them the very best!
Send us information so that we can spotlight your
student in our next newsletter.
[email protected]
(All off campus events sponsored by Indian Education require a permission form and notification to the office or your
school tutor of intent to participate. Events during school hours also require that a student be academically eligible and
have a good attendance record.)
Office number: 405-366-5809
Eighth Grade Trip
Opportunity
Rose State College presents:
Forging the Path: Perseverance
Featuring:
Commander John B. Herrington,
Chickasaw, First American
Indian in Space
January 27th
10:15a.m.-2:00p.m.
Lunch and Transportation provided
See your tutor to register or contact the
Indian Ed office at:
405-366-5809
GATES MILLENNIUM
SCHOLARSHIP
INFORMATION NIGHT
Indian Education Office
4100 N. Flood
Monday December 19th
6:00 p.m.
The Gates Scholarship
awards 250 scholarships for Native
American Students. The goodthrough-graduation scholarship can be
used at any college or university and
provides funding for all unmet needs.
Applicants must complete a lengthy
application, graduate with a 3.3 GPA
and be Pell eligible.
We will go over the
application process and answer
questions. We will also pair students
interested in applying with current
Gates Scholars to give advice and
proof read student essays. Please
contact your tutor or our office with
any questions.
Email: [email protected]
Battle of the Plains
January 14th
1 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Dewey, OK
Transportation and meals will be provided
Battle of the Plains is a youth dance competition between JOM and Title VII
programs from around the state.
There will be three age group competitions and participants earn points toward a
team prize . There will also be monetary awards for dancers.
Come represent your school and tribe!
Science Club Meeting
Open to elementary
thru high school
January 21st , Saturday
Sarkeys Energy Center
University of Oklahoma
10:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m.
Contact Silas Wolf if you have
questions.
swolf@norman,k12.ok.us
New Sequoyah Club
The Sequoyah Club is an opportunity for high
school juniors or seniors to tutor an elementary
student before school once or twice a week helping students finish an assignment, read a
book, etc.
If you have an interested, responsible student with
transportation, please contact Lucyann Harjo.
The Sequoyah Club orientation and
assignment meeting is set for January 23rd.
2012 CREEK CHALLENGE BOWL
Study sessions for the Creek Challenge Bowl have begun. Teams are
meeting on Monday evenings at 6:30pm at the Indian Education office.
It’s not too late to join.
Parents, if you’re able to help students with Creek language or history, we
would greatly appreciate your assistance at the study sessions.
Contact Silas Wolf for more information at [email protected]
BATTLE OF THE BOOKS!
The 2nd Annual Battle of the Books will take place in May.
Competition will be open to all Indian Education 4th and 5th
graders. Tutors have lists of the thirty books included in the
completion and copies of the books for students to check out.
We will need volunteers to help with this event.
READ! READ! READ!
Cultural Events
Indian Education co-hosted a Pow wow with
the University of Oklahoma American Indian
Student Association on November 19th.
Students helped to plan and volunteered at
the event which was held at NNHS.
Thank you to all students, parents and
families who helped make our event a
success!
Students leading grand entry.
Head teen dancers, NHS students, Summer Leitka
and Terrence Atkins.
Our students served dinner.
In preparation for the Pow wow, twenty six students met in Norman High’s sewing room to learn how to sew and fringe a shawl. Indian Education
provided fabric and instructors for the students. We had a great time learning and working together!
We would like to thank those who helped with the activity: Diana Fitzpatrick, Kimberly Tiger, Shelley Wahpepeh, Tracey SatepauhoodleMikkanen and Family & Consumer Science teacher, Debbie Kenney.
Norman Public Schools
Indian Education
College Links
The College Links program encourages students to prepare themselves for
higher education. High school and middle school trips to the University of
Oklahoma include an introduction to the University campus, a tour and visit with
an Admission representative. Juniors and Seniors visited Rose State College
where they received information about admission and concurrent enrollment.
WORKING TOGETHER TO
ENABLE NATIVE STUDENTS TO
SUCCEED AT EVERY LEVEL
A new part of the program for 2nd graders this
year was a visit to the Sarkeys Energy Center for
a science activity.
2nd Grade Link students tour campus and read with OU Native students. Following
a tour, they enjoy lunch in the Couch Cafeteria.
In November, families of high
school students participated in a
College Prep Seminar held at the
Norman North Conference Center.
Students participated in workshops
to learn valuable tools to help them
be better prepared for college.
Parents heard from college
representatives about what to
expect the first year and how to
help their students succeed.
Current OU freshmen and parents
of college students shared their
experiences as well.
Talking about the importance of reading with
Lindy Waters, Director of Student Life at the
University of Oklahoma.
IMPORTANT DATES!
Dec. 19th- Gates Scholarship Workshop
January 1st- FASFA filing opens.
7th Grade Link—Alcott
2011-2012 College Prep
workbooks were handed out
at the November College Prep
Night. If you were unable to
attend and would like a copy
please see your high school
tutor.
January 6th Deadline to register for the
February ACT
January 11th Gates Scholarship Deadline
February 11th-ACT
February1st-Many colleges early decision
deadline