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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 15, 2017)
14 4 OCTOBER 15, 2017 Advising and Curriculum Advising on post-secondary educational opportunities: ■ College Placement Testing can be done at Tribal offices with approval from colleges. ■ Registration assistance with college classes. ■ Degree Planning Assistance. ■ Assistance with filling out admission ap- plications and financial aid applications/ documentation. If you need assistance with any of the above, contact the Tribal College Advising & Scholar- ship Office at 503-879-2282, 1-800-422-0232, ext. 2282, or mercedes.jones@grandronde.org Federal Student Aid Mercedes Jones The Tribe is a secondary funding source to any federal, state, or outside aid that a stu- dent receives. Therefore, all students who are attending school full time and are accessing the need-based funding programs need to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For the 2017-18 school year, students will be able to submit their FAFSA starting Oct. 1, 2017, and no longer have to wait until Jan. 1, 2018. To download a FAFSA application or complete one online, go to: www. fafsa.gov The federal student aid website is: http://studentaid.gov Types of Financial Aid: Grants: Money that you don’t have to pay back (Examples: Oregon Opportunity Grant, Pell Grant, SEOG grant, etc.) Scholarships: Money that you don’t have to pay back (Examples: Ford Foundation Scholarship, Wells Fargo Scholarship, etc.) Loans: Money that you do have to pay back (Examples: Perkins Loan, Stafford Loan, private loan, etc.) Work Study: On-campus jobs at the college/university you are attend- ing – usually work around your school schedule and provide income. Scholarship Search There are countless scholarship opportunities available to students out- side of the Tribe. Many scholarships look at more than just grades and test scores when reviewing applications, so make sure to volunteer. Things to keep in mind while searching are your ethnicity, gender, skills, interests, field of study, state of residency, activities in school and activities outside of school. Some colleges and universities offer diversity scholarships, which must be applied to separate from the general school scholarships. Some places to look for scholarships include: • Your high school • Your college/university (don’t forget to look through your major) • Community organizations (Elk’s Club, Kiwanis, FFA, etc.) • Your church or religious organization • You or your parent’s employer • Local banks or credit unions Suggested Internet Search Sites: Student Aid on the Web http://studentaid.ed.gov College Board http://www.collegeboard.com (go to the student section) University of Oregon Search Site http://tembo.uoregon.edu/scholarships/search.asp (you don’t have to be a University of Oregon student) Catching the Dream http://www.catchingthedream.org American Indian Science & Engineering Society http://www.aises.org/scholarships American Indian Services http://www.americanindianservices.org/students.html OSAC http://www.oregonstudentaid.gov/apply-here.aspx Indian Health Services http://www.scholarship.ihs.gov When looking for scholarships, it is important to keep an eye out for scams. Many organizations know parents and students are trying to obtain funding for school and set up organizations to look like legitimate scholarship agencies. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission warns parents and students to look for these top warning signs of scholarship scams: “This scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.” No one can guarantee they will get you a scholarship. Refund guarantees often have conditions or strings attached. Get refund policies in writing before you pay. “You can’t get this information anywhere else.” There are many free lists of scholarships available. Check with your school or library before you decide to pay for someone to do the work for you. “May I have your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship?” Do not give out your credit card or bank account number on the phone without getting information in writing first. It may be a set-up to bill your account. Why would they need the number if it isn't going to be billed? “We’ll do all the work.” Don’t be fooled. There’s no way around it, you must apply for scholar- ships or grants yourself. H onors in E S ducation S moke ignals “The scholarship will cost some money.” Don’t pay anyone who claims to be “holding” a scholarship or grant for you. Free money shouldn’t cost a thing. “You’ve been selected by a national foundation to receive a scholarship” -or- “You’re a finalist” in a contest you never entered. Before you send money to apply for a scholarship, check it out. Make sure the foundation or program is legitimate. If you need assistance completing scholarship applications or where to look, contact the CTGR College Advising at 503-879-2282, 1-800-422-0232, ext. 2282, or mercedes.jones@grandronde.org 2017 Grand Ronde Education Summit In June 2017, the Tribe held our first ever Education Summit. There were 90 people in attendance who represented 12 school districts, two universities, three education organizations and also community members. For our first summit, I say that is a success! We covered topics such as cultural responsiveness and equity, Grand Ronde history, sovereignty and curriculum implementation. We finished the day with a guided hike at Fort Yamhill State Park that explained the history of the state park and then a visit to the plankhouse, where the Cultural Resources staff gave an excellent presentation and drummed for the attendees. We had guest speakers from the Tribe, Oregon Department of Education, Salem-Keizer School District Indian Education Program and Sheridan School District. I can confidently say that every person who attended the summit left with either a new appreciation for Native culture/history and/ or open eyes and new perspective when it comes to teaching our Native youth in their classrooms and why it’s so important to teach historically accurate information as well as culturally relevant material. This was our goal and 100 percent think we succeeded! 2017 Highlights • Financial aid night held at Willamina High School. • College visits to Chemeketa Community College, Oregon Coast Com- munity College and Clackamas Community College. • Innovative company visit to Nike campus in Beaverton. • Partnered with a professor at Western Oregon University to reach pre-service teachers and educate them on teaching historically accurate and culturally relevant curriculum. • Facilitated professional development trainings on the Grand Ronde curriculum for Salem-Keizer, Molalla and Beaverton school districts. • Completed seven new units for the Chinuk immersion class in collabo- ration with the Northwest Indian Language Institute with funding from an ANA language grant. • Participated on the scholarship selection committee for the Office of Student Access and Completion. • Participated on the Social Sciences Standards Advisory Panel through ODE and revising current social studies standards. • Organized and hosted the first ever Grand Ronde Education Summit. • The fourth- and eighth-grade Grand Ronde curriculum is in more than 13 school districts throughout the Willamette Valley. Family Services Coordinator Mission Statement Our mission is to develop and foster rela- tionships with our families and local school district staff to create opportunity for edu- cational excellence for all students through advocacy, collaboration and leadership. Program highlights • Advocated for student and family rights through participation in Individual Ed- ucation Program meetings with school districts and specialists. Ensured that the voices of the student and family were heard by providing guidance throughout Audra Sherwood the IEP process, as well as informal par- ent and teacher conferences. Ensured that special education law was adhered to by the district through communication with district staff, monitoring and student observations. • Provided family driven care by meeting families in their homes to discover what their children’s needs were and worked together to find services to meet those needs. Provided wrap-around services to ensure a holistic approach. • Provided training to families, education and language immersion staff, as well as school district employees. • Researched attendance strategies from around the state to assist families and district staff in increasing student attendance. • Provided assistance to Youth Education as needed — after school, Spring Break camp, field trips and administrative work. • Sought out numerous trainings including: disabilities and disabili- ties law; trauma informed/family driven care; youth mental health and suicide prevention; wrap-around services; culture/language and attendance. • Hosted community beading events where necklaces were beaded to give away during Canoe Journey. We are here to serve the community, to help build a bridge between families and the services they need to find success.