8
NOVEMBER 1, 2020
Smoke Signals
‘We have work to do, but we are making incredible gains’
0
Native American /Alaska Native Students 5%
Native American /Alaska Native Students 35%
NA/AN On-Time Graduation / Data Unavailable*
NA/AN On-Time Graduation 88%
NA/AN Previous Year Increase / Data Unavailable*
NA/AN Previous Year Increase 6%
Overall On-Time Graduation 79%
Overall On-Time Graduation 85%
Oregon On-Time Graduation 80%
Oregon On-Time Graduation 80%
Overall Free/Reduced Lunch 80%
Overall Free/Reduced Lunch 88%
20
40
60
80
100
Source: Oregon Department of Education /
Sheridan School District *Less than 10 students
0
20
40
60
80
100
Source: Oregon Department of Education /
Willamina School District
Graphic created by Samuel Briggs III
wasn’t present during the past ac-
ademic year.
“We are trying to increase grad-
uation rates for all student popula-
tion groups falling below the state
average,” Vickery said. “I think
there are always improvements to
be made when it comes to preparing
students not just for the Oregon di-
ploma, but post-high school options,
higher education and/or trades.
We are (also) working with Grand
Ronde's Education Department for
additional support, mainly academ-
ic tutors who work with our Native
American students.” n
high school students taking Chinuk
Wawa classes, guided study class-
es, and at the elementary level we
have students that participate in
the half-day Chinuk immersion
program.”
During the pandemic, the Tribe’s
Youth Education program has
offered Tribal students at $500
technology stipend, a local cam-
pus Internet classroom, academic
advising and academic coaching,
among other services.
Sheridan Superintendent Dorie
Vickery began her job with the
school district last summer, so she
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students in distance learning,
Zimbrick said the focus this year is
care and connection, which means
personally reaching out to students
and families who are not partici-
pating in school and to see how the
district can assist them.
“The Tribe is an incredible part-
ner and we have many Tribal
education staff that push in to
our programs in the typical school
year,” Zimbrick said. “This year
they are providing support virtu-
ally and onsite (at the Tribal cam-
pus), and communicating regularly
with our staff. We have middle and
hir
Education Director Colt Gill said.
“I want to take a moment to reflect
on the impressive grit and determi-
nation of our students, families and
educators, and encourage them to
keep persisting. We are with you,
we support you and I know we’re all
doing our best to return to in-per-
son instruction as soon as possible.”
Willamina School District Super-
intendent Carrie Zimbrick said she
is proud of the progress that Tribal
students continue to make.
“During the (spring) closure we
focused on our seniors to ensure
they were not harmed by the pan-
demic,” she said. “The closure rep-
resented less than 2 percent of their
time in K-12 education; those on
track deserved to graduate and we
made sure to give them the support
to acquire those final credits. The
Tribe has always been a support-
ive partner and we want to make
sure they receive the high praise
they deserve. By CTGR prioritiz-
ing education, the AI/AN students
in Willamina have historically
out-performed the same sub-group
at the state level.”
Zimbrick said her goal for the
district in the coming years is to
achieve a 90 percent on-time grad-
uation rate for all students.
“We have work to do, but we are
making incredible gains,” she said.
“Less than five years ago, we had
rates in the mid-60s. Believe me,
we are celebrating the 85 percent
rate we earned this year and plan
to keep improving that rate.”
With the pandemic keeping
Willamina School District 2019-20
Total Student Enrollment - 876
Sheridan School District 2019-20
Total Student Enrollment - 899
od
ies
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