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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2016)
Honors In Education Issue S moke S ignals MARCH 1, 2016 GED/High School Completion Program Mission: The mission of the GED/High School Completion Program is to provide assessment, instruction and funding to Tribal members, 16 or older who are seeking a GED, high school completion or basic skills development in an eficient and cost-effective manner. GED Classes: ABE/GED classes are held Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon from 1:30 to 3:30. The GED classroom in the Adult Education Building is open virtually year-round for study groups and tutoring, tailored to student’s needs, especially in math and essay writing. Calcula- tors are available, as well as study materials as Mercedes Reeves needed. The class is open-entry designed to be a welcome center and “open door” for students returning to a learning center. GED & High School Completion Funding: Expenses for GED/HSC registration, orientation, tuition, classes and testing are provided for Tribal members. High school completion funding is available for students who are within three credits of completing high school. The Tribe provides bus passes and transportation to the McMinnville campus of Chemeketa Community College for GED testing, when possible. GED Tutoring: Tutoring is available at Grand Ronde. Online Food Handler’s Certiicate: The Oregon Restaurant Association offers an online class to obtain the food handler’s certiicate. The Tribe covers test proctoring and test fees for students who need the food handler’s certiicate. Diagnostic Testing for Learning Differences: The Adult Education Program provides diagnostic testing for students who have shown consis- tent dificulties retaining and processing information to complete the GED. Diagnostic Testing offers the opportunity for testing accommodations, such as double time, private room, frequent breaks, audio cassettes and use of a calculator for math. For more information about the GED/High School Completion Program, call Mercedes Reeves at 503-879-2282. Academic Advising The Adult Education Department has been working in conjunction with Youth Education staff to create and establish a “Pathways to Success” program for our youth to start thinking about life after high school. In addition to providing Tribal members with funding resources and informa- tion on how to apply for colleges and scholarships, the Education Department is working on getting our youth to explore different career options and expose them to the endless possibilities. In doing so, the Education Department has scheduled various college visits during the 2014-15 school year that included campus tours of Western Oregon University, Oregon State University, the University of Oregon, Paciic Uni- versity, Chemeketa Community College and Mt. Hood Community College. In addition to the college visits, the Tribe is also collaborating with Willamina High School to host a Financial Aid Night and a Scholarship Night where students and their families can learn more about FAFSA and how to ind and apply for scholarships. These events are open to the public, not just Tribal members. We also will be hosting the same events at the Tribe’s Portland ofice for those who live outside of the Grand Ronde/Willamina area. Associate Vocational Program The Associate Vocational Program provides funding to enrolled members of the Confeder- ated Tribes of Grand Ronde who are pursuing a vocational degree or certiicate. All educational institutions are subject to review by the Education Division before approval of AVP grant awards. The Associate Vocational Program provides funding of $2,400 per term or $3,600 per semester up to a maximum of nine terms or six semesters of funding. The AVP award may be applied to tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, board, trans- portation, child care and personal expenses. El- Joshua Clift igible Tribal members must be attending school on a full-time basis and attending an accredited institution. All applicants are required to apply for Federal Financial Aid (www.fafsa.ed.gov) and one outside scholarship each year of receiving funding. Applicants must submit a completed Associate Vocational Program appli- cation, and accompanying veriications, to the Tribal Education Division at least 30 days prior to the beginning of the term/semester they wish to attend. Please contact Joshua Clift, Associate Vocational Program Coordinator, at ext. 1635 or e-mail joshua.clift@grandronde.org for more information or to receive an application. Noncredit Program The purpose of the Noncredit Program is to assist enrolled members of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde in obtaining funding for employment-re- lated skill development and training, cultural enrichment, and personal and professional development through classroom instruction, seminars, work- shops, conferences, apprenticeships, certiication or licensing programs, and accredited vocational colleges and universities. The Noncredit Program may assist with the funding needs for enrollment, tuition, and required equipment and supplies necessary for the completion of the course. Applicants are eligible for up to $500 per academic term. Summer Term: July 1-Sept. 30 Fall Term: Oct. 1-Dec. 31 Winter Term: Jan. 1-March 31 13 3 Spring Term: April 1-June 30 Applicants must submit a completed Noncredit Program application and accompanying course veriications (a copy of the registration or a billing invoice that clearly shows course cost and billing information) to the Tribal Education Division at least 10 days before the registration deadline, or the beginning of the course if no registration deadline is given. All educational institutions are subject to review by the Education Division before approval of grant awards. Please contact Joshua Clift, Noncredit Program Coordinator, at ext. 1635 or e-mail joshua.clift@grandronde.org for more information or to receive an application. Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Education Committee Courtesy photo Education Committee members, front row from left, Secretary Mychal Cherry, Chair Tammy Cook, Shelby Maerz, Vice Chair Brenda Tuomi, and Tracy Moreland, and Tribal Council liaison Denise Harvey. Second row, from left, David DeHart, Tribal Council liaisons Ed Pearsall, Jon A. George and Chris Mercier and committee member Alton Butler. Who we are… The Education Committee consists of seven Tribal members appoint- ed by Tribal Council: Tammy Cook, chair; Brenda Tuomi, vice chair; Mychal Cherry, secretary; and Alton Butler, Tracy Moreland, David DeHart and Shelby Maerz are members as well. Tribal Council liaisons are Jon A. George, Chris Mercier, Denise Harvey and Ed Pearsall. We meet the irst Monday of every month at 5:15 p.m. at the Education Building. All Tribal members are welcome. You can reach out to the committee on Facebook.com Grand Ronde Higher Ed. Our mission… The Education Committee encourages every Tribal member with a dream for their future to pursue it through education in the ield of their choice. We strive to empower our youth and students to dream BIG! We support every Tribal student in their educational journey. Our goals and what we do… Annually sponsor Contest Powwow Youth Dance Special to promote awareness that School is Cool! Implement a Mentorship Program in conjunction with Social Services Committee and programs to inspire our students. We attend Education Training State/Federal Level (OIEA) and Government-to-Government Clusters. Annually review the policies and procedures of the Education Department including all handbooks. We also build bridges between departmental committees to reach common goals of Tribal Council and we strive to increase atten- dance and awareness of Honor & Recognition Graduation Celebration. Finally, support the production of the insertion in Smoke Signals of Tribal youth in school (includes picture, grade and what they want to do when they grow up) as well as other students and information about the Education Programs. Our committee reports to General Council in December to keep the membership abreast of our activities and student success rates. See the statistics below of our Tribal member students who have graduated. Graduates from 2004-14: u High school/GED - 202 u Certiicates or Associate Degrees – 125 u Bachelor's Degrees - 162 u Master’s Degrees - 60 u Doctorate Degrees – 8 Congratulations to all the Tribal members who have graduated. We are proud of your accomplishments and for following your dreams to achieve academic success! Thanks to Bishop By Leslie Riggs Education Manager I also would like to thank Vikki Bishop, our former Early Childhood Edu- cation program manager, for all of her years of service to our early programs. We would not be where we are without you. Moreover, the generations of children who have passed through the halls of our programs owe you a debt of gratitude for providing such amazing programs. The awards and accolades that have been laden upon the ECE program are a testament to your hard work and dedication. This should not go unnoticed. ntasayka dret tiki wawa khapa Nayka, hayu Nasi pus kanawi ikta Nayka Nunk pus ntsyaka tenas, pi kanawi ntsayka tilixaN weXt. (We’d like to say thank you very much to you for everything you have done for our children and for all of our people, as well).
