Smoke signals., April 18, 1996, Education Division, Page Page 9, Image 9

SMOKE SIGNALS - April 18, 1996
Page 9
Elementary, Middle and High School
Youth Education
Native American club:
This newly formed club with Lisa Leno's direction
affords local Native American children an opportunity to
gather to learn about their heritage, to participate in
local pow-wows, to form a governing body and practice
the rules and regulations needed to operate club
activities,, and to provide activities (at this time they are
planning a dance). The Native American club meets
.once per week.
Home work club:
A once per week club formed to give youth an
opportunity for assistance with their homework before
they go home: The club meets on Thursdays. Students
are taken on a weekly rotation at this time due to
individual students needs.
Additional services:
In addition to these club activities and in a
collaborative effort with Willamina school district Indian
Education program, we provide in-room tutoring at both
Willamina and Grand Ronde elementary schools. We
also assist with the Special Education program of
Willamina Middle school. Tutor Candi Koehler works
both in the classroom with our students and assists
with craft classes and special education classes. She is
a great resource for any native children who need
tutorial assistance.
At the beginning of each school year families who
meet the "needs based" criteria are able to receive free
of charge school supplies for their children. Applications
can be picked up in August and supplies are given away
the first week of September.
Family Math and Science classes are given quarterly
for all K - 5th grade students. Special classes are also
given at both the Before and After Care program and the
Tribal Pre-K program.
As you can see the Youth Education Division has
continued to grow and expand each year and we are
very excited to see where opportunities may arise this
coming year. Please come and visit our office or call if
you have any questions regarding any of our programs.
Enrollment forms for all of our programs can be picked
up from Wendi Spencer, Youth Education Coordinator,
located at the Training Center 28840 Salmon River
Hwy, Grand Ronde, Or. 97347.
Johnson O'Malley
(Indian Youth Education)
Johnson O'Malley in conjunction with CCDBG
funding and tribal assistance provide the base for all
Youth Education programs. Program funds require that
our student base be residents of the Willamina,
Sheridan, Grand Ronde area. We hope through
expansion and other funding options to be able to
expand services to other areas in the future. At this
time programs include Youth culture (Native American
club for Middle and High School students and craft
classes for Elementary students); home work clubs, in
room and individual tutoring services, guided study
halls, field trips and other leadership programs, Tribal
history demonstrations, assistance with school sup
plies, Pre-Kindergarten and Before and After school
care programs. An over view of these programs
follows.
Before and After School Care
Tanoos Tumtum operates at the Grand Ronde Grade
School for children K - 5th grades.
The program has really grown the past two years with
site supervisor Janice Hansen and assistant Kaileen
Rouse giving the children quality care before and after
school Monday through Friday, and full days through
Spring and Christmas breaks.
Children can use the gym and outdoor equipment for
activities, and have a variety of puzzles, crafts, games
and other materials at their disposal.
Although the area they have assigned them is small,
the program has adjusted allow everyone to have a
good time. Children receive a snack in the afternoon
portion of the program.
The Education Department with the Wellness division
provides two field trips, one during spring break and one
during Christmas break. This year the children went to
Omni-max and Sky theater during Christmas break, and
to the Benton County Museum for Spring break. While
at the museum they prepared cedar bark and wove it
into mats or bowls.
Early Childhood Development
The Youth Education division provides service in Early
Childhood Development through Twa Sunchako
Learning Center, a pre-kindergarten readiness program
for children 3 - 5 years old.
We have been in operation four years, and the
program continues to grow and expand with each new
year. Head teacher, Teressa Olson has been with the
program since its inception and is now in the process of
gaining , National Accreditation. Assistant teacher
Yvonne Hoopengarner also brings her EMT experience
to the program. Students' take educational field trips
each month. This year they visited the Dental Clinic,
Pumpkin patch, and were guests on the Ramblin Rod
show. (Mandy Mathena and Shylo Dyzik were smile
winners).
Each year special guests have helped to enrich the
program. This year Lee Butler sang and helped the
children drum and dance; Michaelle Kimsey gave a
Tribal History demonstration, and the program coord
inator read a special story to the children.
Tribal member Carol Olson made regalia (ribbon shirts
and dresses) for the dramatic play area. The children
have many hours of fun, dressing in regalia and "playing
pow-wow." This is a wonderful opportunity to share
traditions while the children are having fun, and to
remind them of their rich heritage.
The educational goal of the learning center is to
prepare each child for Kindergarten. Children learn to
print their name, count to 10, recognize and say the
ABCs, and recognize basic shapes. Classes are also
presented on Chinook Jargon, through music and
stories. Most children learn the jargon name for several
animals, colors, and numbers.
Twa Sunchako Learning center operates Tuesday -Thursday
from 1 :30- 5:30 p.m.; following Head Start.
The Learning Center will also provide a Summer
program beginning in July and continuing through
August. Full days will offer morning Pre-K classes and
afternoon recreation and field trip activities. The charge
for summer camp will be $200 per month payable by
the 1 0th of July (for July) and the 1 0th of August (for
August). The Youth Education division will be
accepting applications beginning May 1. Enrollment
will close June 15th or when 25 children have been
accepted for enrollment whichever occurs first. If you
have any questions about the Summer program please
contact Youth Education Coordinator Wendi Spencer at
879-2280.
.... .. " VW$jfJ ;
o'.:.. r. . , X c
f - ' 1 $ ; -
1 i msmMm 'mmXim i . -I
I v .tI :rt
1 1 ,t tJ 1 .'. . . - t. ; i:: r
GAYLA TULENSRU WENDI SPENCER LISA LENO
Adult Education Coordinator Youth Education Coordinator Youth Education Assistant