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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 15, 2017)
S moke ignals H onors in E S ducation OCTOBER 15, 2017 Youth Education (K-12) The Youth Education Program serves Grand Ronde Tribal members, members of other Na- tive Tribes and Grand Ronde descendent youth attending grades K-12 with academic, cultural and personal enrichment services. Our mission is to provide a safe, healthy learn- ing environment that values young people and meets the diverse educational needs of all youth and families with a caring staff of well-trained professionals who are supported by a broad base of resources. Through providing academic, leadership and cultural opportunities, we help Tim Barry build Native youth into positive role models and leaders of our future. Over the past year, the Youth Education Program has served more than 280 Native American youth. Approximately 200 of those students receive direct tutorial services and/or attend after-school programming. Youth Education serves students five days a week with year-round programming that includes in-school tutorial services. IEP/504 advocacy, after-school programs, youth leadership, cultural enrichment opportuni- ties, employment preparation, college innovating company visits, Del- phian School partnership with tutoring, and many evening and weekend opportunities. On average, approximately 50 to 80 K-12 Native students attend Youth Education Department after-school programs on a regular basis from area public schools that are enrolled in the Willamina and Sheridan school districts and Sheridan Japanese School. During the summer, a 10-week educational, enrichment and culture program is offered. This program is divided into three groups: K-2, 3-5 and 6-12 grades. The youth K-12 Education Program services up to 90 students a day. Below in the bullet points are listed of the highlights that Native youth experienced over the summer. High-lights from Youth Education K-12 K5 Afterschool & Summer Programs • Academic, recreational and culturally focused field trips throughout the year • Lifelong skills of learning to swim at Western Oregon University • Powwow dance and Chinuk Wawa language after-school classes • Annual 4th/5th Grade Campout • Holiday and seasonal activities • Arts and crafts experiences High School & Middle School Programs • Halloween Bowling & Family Night • Spring Break Camp at B’nai B’rith (45 Native Youth attended; offering cultural, leadership and team building activities for three days). • Summer Camps: Bike camp, Suquamish Washington Trip, Science and Evergreen STEM camps, Paddle practice, Hallie Ford Museum, ONABEN and many more day activities. (Collaborated with outside partnerships and inner department partnerships as well). • Student Success event—Dinner event acknowledging local Native students with exceptional grades and attendance. Event conducted in March for progress of first semester of school year. Approximately 150 people attended (students, Tribal Council, family members and staff). Collaboration with TAPP program (Rebecca Arredondo). o 96 Students were awarded for school attendance of 95 percent or higher o 63 K-5 students were awarded for academic excellence o 16 middle & high school students were awarded for cumulative GPAs of 3.0-4.0. o 6 K-12 students received awards for leadership and/or significant grade improvements. • Conducted four college visits for 6-12 students. • University of Oregon Movement Leadership Event for middle school students. • Family tutoring nights: Collaborated with Prevention team and offered Tuesday night tutoring sessions in partnership with Delphian students. On average, 10-25 students and adults attended each Tuesdays. Summer Credit Recovery Program: The Youth Education Depart- ment offered summer credit recovery for Native students, five days a week with a certified teacher to assist high school students with online classes to help stay on course for graduation. Fourteen students successfully com- pleted a half to one full credit. Native students worked hard to achieve this success and it was an overall team effort with parents, Youth Education staff and each student. The Youth Education Department is proud of the success and amount of students who participated. Student Youth Employment Program: This past summer Youth Education partnered with the Employment Resources Department to offer an 11-week work experience that was offered to enrolled Tribal members of CTGR from ages 14-18 years. This year there were a record number 15 5 of Tribal students who participated. Forty-seven youth completed 160- 180 hours of work experience. Out of those students who completed 180 hours, juniors and seniors were able to receive a half credit of study to be applied to their transcripts along with the agreeance with the school district they attended. In addition to tutoring, enrichment and education services, Youth Ed- ucation also partners with Social Services, Youth Prevention, Adult Ed- ucation, Natural Resources, Human Resources, Culture, the Food Bank and other departments with summer youth employment, school supply distributions, honors and recognition awards, student success nights, college and career readiness (Pathways to Success program), college and business tours and much more. 2016-17 Graduates Willamina Middle School Madison Aaron Amaryssa Mooney Darien Leno Dominik Braint Mabel Brisbois Matthew Leno Vivian Lopez Kory Robertson-Davis Kathryn McCormick Isabelle Grout Sophia Stewart Kristopher Curegon Amelia Mooney Gabriel Knight Aliya Johnson Josh Henry Moses Mercier Willamina High School Micah Rogers Nick Larsen Bryttaney Brisbois Justin Fasana Madison Leno Phoenix Walker Andrea Grijalva Denali Stone Joshua McCormick Chantel Grefsrud Promotion and Graduates of Other Native students High School Abigail Portwood Austin Archuleta Brayden Langley Shailynn Pierce Maria Reyes Middle School Ce’c West Jonathan Suderman Kaylor Auger Shayla Ulestad Nicole Upton Koosah Quenelle Rayna Hutton Taylen Turman Jordan Harvey Alicia Hofenbredl Risa Chrestensen Youth Education Department Staff Program Manager — Tim Barry Administration Asst. — Amber Yates High School Lead — Tiffany Mercier Middle School Lead — Dominique Olson 6-12 Tutor — Vincent Chargualaf 6-12 Tutor — Todd Hakman K-5 Elem. Supervisor — Matt Bucknell K-2nd Lead Tutor — Kyla Evenson K-2nd Tutor/Adviser — Brandon Bruckner 3-5th Lead Tutor —Devin Boekhoff 3-5th Tutor/Adviser — George Neujahr General Education Diploma Program The General Education Diploma Program provides assessment, instruction and funding to Tribal members, 16 years of age or older, who are seeking a GED. Classes/services offered though the GED program are: • GED classroom is available for group and/or individual classes that are offered Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The GED classroom is open year-round offering classes and tutoring that is tailored to each student’s needs. • All GED study materials are provided. • GED funding is available for registration, tuition, classes and testing for Tribal members. • Transportation is available for GED testing. • For Tribal members outside the Grand Ronde area, tutoring is available through Skype or similar media. • Online Food Handler’s Certificate – The Oregon Restaurant Association offers an online class to obtain the food handler’s certificate. Funding is available for test fees for students who need the food handler’s certificate. • DMV driver permit tutoring is available upon request. • Diagnostic Testing for Learning Disabilities. The GED program provides diagnostic testing for students who have shown difficul- ty retaining and processing information to complete the GED. Diagnostic testing offers students the opportunity for testing accommodations, such as extended testing time, private room, frequent breaks and the use of a calculator for the math test. For more information about the GED program, call Tracy Biery, GED program instructor, at 503-879-1345 or send an e-mail to tracy. biery@grandronde.org. The GED Program is here to help you every step of the way.
