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.