Native Education Work Group (NEWG)

Squaxin and Skokomish Tribes and Olympic College

Shelton, Hood Canal, Pioneer, and South Side School Districts

2014-2015

February 26th, 2014 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Shelton School District ASB Conference Room (Downstairs)

MINUTES

  1. Welcome and Introductions

Meeting was called to order at 9:10 a.m. by Stacey Anderson.

Members Present: Peggy Peters, Stacey Anderson, Theresa McDermott, Carey Murray, Jennifer Deyette, Eric Barkman, Bracken Budge, Adina Brito, Pam Farr, Art Jarvis

Guests: School Board Members Brenda Hirschi, Sandy Tarzwell, Cheryl Williams

  1. Review Agenda

Approved as submitted.

  1. Review/Approve Minutes from DecemberMeeting

Art Jarvis moved and Pam Farr seconded to approve the minutes with one correction. Motion carried.

4. Meeting Dates and Revised Locations for 2014-15

Date / Location
October 2, 2014 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. / Shelton School District ASB Conference Room
October 17, 2014 8:00 – 11:00 and 12:00 – 3:00 / SHS SUB – High Poverty High Performing Schools
December 11, 2014 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. / Tu Ha'Buts Learning Center
February 26, 2015 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. / Shelton School District ASB Conference Room
April 30, 2015 9:00 – 12:00 p.m. / Olympic College Shelton
Presentation to Joint School Boards -- TBD
  1. Review Progress on Strategic Plan – MOUs, other progress reports

Goal #1 Communications: Superintendent Jarvis requested to meet and talk with Skokomish and Squaxin Island tribal representatives to learn more about the local tribal communities. Shelton School District is in discussion with the Squaxin Island Tribe about possibly using the Squaxin pool for athletic programs and 3rd grade swimming instruction. The district has updated the NEWG website and will be adding information to make it a useful and accessible site.

Goal #2 Curriculum: Stacey will continue to work on setting up a subcommittee to address cultural competence for students. The elementary social studies curriculum committee has been meeting and has representatives from both tribes attending.

Goal #3 Date: The tribes are providing adult advocates in the schools to support Native students. There is still a need to disaggregate achievement data to have a better understanding of the needs of our Native population. Homeroom Risk Indicators can help identify students who might need additional support.

  1. Updates
  • Tribes

Squaxin Island: March 9th has been designated a holiday in honor of Billy Frank’s birthday. There will be an event held that day and the tribal offices will be closed. SquiGwi is scheduled for Friday, June 12th beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the Event Center.

  • Schools

CHOICE: The school continues to offer Early College English 91/93 through OC Shelton. Upcoming GEAR UP conference will have a session specifically related to Native education. GEAR UP will also support students in attending a number of camps this summer. Graduation is scheduled for June 11th.

OMS: Eric shared that students feel very connected to the Native tutors and that is really helping strengthen relationships at the middle school. The school would like to have the Squaxin tutor available after school during the Intramural program. It doesn’t appear that will be feasible. Peggy shared that OMS gets 4 stars on attendance! 

BDX: Bordeaux is very appreciative of the $5000 awarded to them from the Squaxin Island 1% fund to support Outdoor School. Spring conferences will include 4 full days the week of March 23-27, which will enable staff to conference with every family.

OBJH: Staff greatly appreciates the help of the tutors. Would love a full time person if possible! Attendance has improved this year, along with trust, relationships and connections.

EVG: Will be sponsoring a Community Café to engage families around creating compassionate schools. Evergreen Science Fair is being held March 19th. The school is seeking a diverse group of judges. Would love tribal participation. Will also be recruiting English speaking families to the dual/language program for next year.

State and Federal Programs: Jennifer reported that the Button Blanket ceremony is scheduled for May 15th at 6:00 p.m. She is working on requirements for the Federal Indian Education Grant. District Indian Ed staff currently serve 14 students at Evergreen, 51 at Mountain View, and 49 at OMS (Ruth), 62 at Bordeaux and 27 at CHOICE (Melanie), and 98 at SHS and 64 at OBJH (Trivian).

  • College

Completed College Goal Washington with Mo Black (GEAR UP coordinator at CHOICE). The college will hold a K-12/Higher Education Summit in the fall. Will also be celebrating the 20th Anniversary in the fall.

  1. Project AWARE

Shelton School District is one of three school districts in the state to be awarded a 5-year federal mental health grant through OSPI and ESD 113. There will be staff, student, and parent school climate surveys administered during the week of March 23-27. Trainings will be offered to both school staff and community members on “Mental Health First Aid.” Glenn Shorten has launched a website with pertinent information.

  1. Other

Brenda Hirschi reported that she had received communication from a parent whose child attends OBJH. She reported that the parent was pleased with the education her child was receiving from OBJH, and the additional support the student was receiving from the tribe.

Peggy Shared that, though the tribe supports students working on their GEDs, she still wants to encourage students to stay in school and get a high school diploma. She encouraged the group to really think about what we would like the NEWG group to accomplish, and to bring their ideas to our final meeting of the year (where we update our strategic plan).

Stacey reminded the group that new Smarter Balanced state testing is coming up this spring. Pam agreed to send the tribes links to information about the new testing.

  1. Adjourn

Meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.

Next Meeting:

April 30, 2015

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Olympic College Shelton