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
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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).