Smoke signals., February 01, 2020, Page 9, Image 9

sNok signflz
FEBRUARY 1, 2020
9
Tribal staff uses numerous tools to help students
GRADUATION continued
from front page
work done by teachers to identify
students at risk of dropping out.
“Bart Baldwin, Carrie Neville
and Heather Hughes have focused
on identifying our students at risk
of dropping out or not completing
their credits on time, creating a
plan or program, and an opportu-
nity to complete those credits and
earn their diploma,” Zimbrick says.
Although the percentage of Na-
tive American students in Sheridan
is much smaller at 5 percent, the
graduation rates are telling: From
2014 to 2019, on-time percentages
jumped from 5 percent to 95 per-
cent.
Sheridan Superintendent Ste-
ven Sugg credits working with the
Tribe’s Education Department and
hiring a graduation coach funded
through state grant money.
“We have hired staff dedicated to
helping students attend and earn
credits to help them stay on track
to graduate,” he says. “Our district
has set a goal of improving equita-
ble processes and policies across the
district. We have formed an equity
committee and have completed two
professional training opportunities
for staff. I believe all of these factors
have helped our AI/AN students be
successful.”
Sugg says the district plans to
continue working on improving the
school culture to be more inclusive
and inviting for students.
“We will work with Tribal edu-
cation leaders to support students
and families,” he says. “We will
work to implement the new Tribal
curriculum into our schools so that
all of our students can benefit.”
The Salem-Keizer School District
Native graduation rates have risen
ON-TIME GRADUATION RATE (4 YEARS)
2019
Willamina
AI/AN = AMERICAN INDIAN / ALASKAN NATIVE
85.33 %
Total
71.43 %
88.24 %
AI/AN
70.00 %
Sheridan
78.85 %
Total
47.17 %
95.00 %
AI/AN
5.0
%
McMinnville
91.14 %
Total
83.57 %
50.00 %
AI/AN
50.00 %
Salem-Keizer
79.13 %
Total
72.35 %
70.27 %
AI/AN
62.50 %
0
20
40
60
80
100
Graph by Samuel Briggs III
from 62.5 percent on-time in 2014
to 70 percent in 2019. Approximate-
FEBRUARY
YOUTH
POWWOW
ly 4 percent of students identify as
Native American.
Indian Taco Feed
When: March 9, 2020
Where: Elder Center
WHEN
February 12, 2020
Dinner will be served at 5 p.m., Grand Entry
to follow.
2014
“We have an Indian Education
program with amazing staff who
support students and families,”
says Public Engagement Specialist
Aaron Harada. “In addition to tu-
toring and academic support, they
build relationships with students
and their families, and provide cul-
tural enrichment events as well.”
All of the district’s six high
schools have Native American
clubs as another way to engage
students and build connections,
he says. Additionally, the Indian
Education program works with its
parent advisory committee to plan
events and discuss services offered
to students.
“The committee also plays a big
part in planning for the annual In-
dian Education graduation ceremo-
ny, where graduating seniors are
presented with an eagle feather,”
Harada says.
In McMinnville, approximately
1.5 percent of the student popula-
tion is Native American with on-
time graduation rates consistent
at 50 percent in the past five years.
Grand Ronde Youth Education
Program Manager Tim Barry says
he and his staff utilize a number of
tools to keep students on track for
graduation. These include tutoring,
mentorship, planners, Native-guid-
ed study classes offered at local
schools, reviewing assigned classes
and assisting with school staff.
Staff also attend important par-
ent/student meetings, collaborate
with on-campus and outside agen-
cies for assistance as needed and
offer the Summer Credit Recovery
program at the Tribal campus to
keep credits on track.
“Student attendance, parental
involvement and consistency with
schools and students are all factors
to success,” Barry says. 
May 8th, 2013
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
*Elders hosting a fundraiser for one of our volunteers
whose dog need a serious surgery.
Bake Sale, 50/50 will also happen!
Come enjoy some yummy food and help a pup out!
WHERE
Grand Ronde Tribal Gym
This event is sponsored by Indigenous Project
Children's Health)
For more information, contact Brian Krehbiel at 503 -302-4955