2 SEPTEMBER 15, 2005
Education Issue
2004-2005 Tribal Academic Year in Review
Bryan K. Langley,
Acting Education Manager
The 2004-05 academic year has
come to an end, and what a year it
was! There were important chang
es, growth and accomplishments in
all of the Education Division pro
grams. The Education Division
could not provide the programs
that we do without the continued
commitment and dedication of the
Education Division Staff, Education
Committee, Tribal Council, parents
and students. Thank you!
I would also like to take this op
portunity to thank Marion Mercier
for all her hard work and dedication
to the Education Division. Marion
has served as the Education Divi
sion Manager for the past five years
and has recently decided to take on
new challenges and responsibilities
as the Tribal Librarian. Marion
is working hard at expanding the
opportunities for patrons to ac
cess materials and
programs to enrich
their learning and
reading enjoyment.
Marion is also busy
developing new and
exciting programs
for our youth. Come
to the Library and
check-it-out!
The focus of the
Education Division
has always been
on our students and
each year the Division holds an
Honor and Recognition Dinner to
celebrate their successes. Pend
leton blankets were provided for
program graduates, and certifi
cates were given out as recognition
for students who accomplished
positive goals in their school, home
and community. Angie Blackwell,
Tribal Council member, was one of
Bryan Langley
the keynote speakers
encouraging students
to not be afraid to try
new things and to get
involved with their
Tribe. Ashlee Merrill
and Amanda Thomas,
recipients of the Gates
Millennium Scholar
ship (the only Native
students to receive
the award in Oregon)
also encouraged stu
dents to get involved
with the Tribe's programs and take
advantage of the opportunities that
are out there. Nearly 300 guests
attended the event this year.
As the Tribe continues to change
and grow, so do the Education Divi
sion programs. We are continually
evaluating our programs to ensure
that they are meeting the needs of
our students. We are committed to
providing programs that will as
sist our Tribal member students
in accomplishing their educational
goals. From preschool to college,
basket weaving to bugling for elk,
truck driving to massage therapy
whatever your educational goals,
we are here to help! Education
is a lifelong adventure and our
goal in the Education Division is
to provide you with the resources
and encouragement for you to reach
your goal.
This issue will highlight each of
the Education Division programs
including: services that are cur
rently available, program staff,
accomplishments, goals and objec
tives, and what is in store for the
next year.
On behalf of the Education Divi
sion I would like to thank all of the
Tribal membership for your contin
ued support of our students!
By Elaine Lane
The program served forty-nine
children over the course of the
school year. Twenty of these chil
dren graduated in late August and
will transition to kindergarten.
During the year, staff worked
with children and families to en
sure that each child progressed in
these areas: physical, cognitive,
language, social and emotional
skills. Parents helped create goals
for their children as well as for their
families. Our staff then helped en
sure these goals were met.
Children moving on to "big kid"
school also practiced skills that
would be necessary as they move
forward in their learning. Children
identified with special needs were
also served by our program, in col
laboration with local disabilities
service providers.
Literacy skillsknowledge was
the strongest academic outcome for
the children this year. This can be
attributed to a language-rich cur
riculum, encouragement by staff
to use a variety of language skills
in an authentic and fun environ
ment, and a love of books, songs and
print instilled within the children
through various means throughout
the year.
One of the high points of our
literacy approach, again this year,
was Family Literacy Night. Staff,
children, and families gathered
again monthly to enjoy a night
filled with food, books, activities,
T. V
l- I
Headstart and Preschool Staff
and fun. Preschool children at
tending literacy night went home
with a hardcover quality book for
their home libraries.
Preschoolers also visited the
Tribal Library each Monday.
Here, the children enjoyed stories
read or told to them by volunteers
from the families, staff, and local
community. The children warmly
welcomed Marion Mercier as the
new librarian this year with post
ers and lots of hugs.
The Wellness and Dental De
partments again provided fun and
interesting prevention activities for
the preschoolers this year. The em
phasis was on nutrition, exercise,
dental health and overall preven
tion of disease.
Another part of the curriculum
included field trips where children
could get hands-on experiences.
Some of the trips children were
offered included: pumpkin patch,
visiting a beaver dam, Baskett
Slough, Enchanted Forest, the
blue heron rookery in Salem, fish
ing trip, beach trip, Amtrak visit,
and a tour on the Discovery Boat
in Newport. Parents often helped
chaperone these trips, making the
trips even more enjoyable.
Father involvement was stressed
this year, with many outside
activities available for children
and fathersfather-figures to par
ticipate in together. Activities
included: seeing a Blazers and a
Winterhawks game; watching the
"Polar Express" movie; going on
a special fishing trip; and attend
ing training on the importance of
child safety seats and the dangers
of exposure to second-hand smoke
for children.
Staff wants to especially thank
members of the Education Depart
ment as well as other volunteers
who filled in on the fishing trip
for children who had no father
father figure available to go with
them that day. Education Staff
who volunteered their time were:
John Harp, Bryan Langley, Josh
Clifton, Travis Mercier and Matt
Zimbrick.
Families were also offered train
ings, including: CPRfirst aid, child
guidance and child nutrition.
Some parents also chose to serve
on the governing board of the pro
gram Parent Policy Council. The
members this year were:
Susan Reyes Chair
Lindy Trolan Vice-chair
Deanna Crask-Stone Secretary
Amelia Haug
Andrea Verduzco
HEADSTART continued
page 3
Vikki Bishop Ece Director
Sandy Bobb Administrative Assistant
Junelle Steiner Health And Family Partnerships Coordinator
Elaine Lane Teacher, Older Roomdisabilities& Education Coordinator
Toni Lockwood Teacher, Younger Room
Jackie Whisler Teacher, Immersion Room
Tony Johnson Teacher, Immersion Room
Ali Holsclaw Bus Monitorimmersion Room Apprentice Teacher
Kathy Cole Teacher, Immersion Room, Tribal Kindergarten
Tiffany Greenburg Teacher, Immersion Room
Richard Sohappy Teacher, Immersion Room
Roxanne Moniz Assistant Teacher
Shawn Bobb Assistant Teacher
Tersa Stewart Teacher, Older Room
Rachell Kellogg Aftercare Teacher
Brandon Robertson Aftercare Teacher
John Gregg Bus Driveraide
Kacee Eltrich Bus Driveraide
Penny Gardiola Bus Monitor
Amber Mercier Cook
Stacy Jackman, Alex Bishop, Jessica Cruickshank Substitutes
Crystal Szczepanski .. Department Of Education Sciencemath, Demonstration Grant Supervisor
Jeff Gottfried Doe Science Consultant
Chelsea Bryant, Amanda Thomas Doe Teachers