K-12 Services 2010 Graduating Seniors
K-12 Services Program Summary
The Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Education Department has effectively used Tribal funds in conjunction with other funding sources such as Title VII and JOM funds to establish and maintain the K-12 Services Program. K-12 services provide the community with many successful programs. The foundation of K-12 services is the Parent-Student Advocate program. We employ 6 full time advocates and 7 part-time tutors, and one part-time administrative assistant.
The advocates wear many hats but are primarily placed in the schools as a liaison whom fosters communications between the parent/guardian and the school. They are also responsible for tracking and recording grades and attendance for all eligible students and keeping the parent/guardian updated in this area. Advocates also serve as academic counselors, youth group advisors, and mentors.
The Tribal Tutoring program provides every eligible student with the opportunity to receive assistance in any academic need. Based on Native population and academic priority as assessed by the parent, teacher, advocate and tutor, the tutor will schedule times to work with the student at her/his individual school. This enables the tutor to have easy access to the teacher and any resources the student may require. Tutors are also responsible for operating our Homework Lab. Available every Monday through Thursday on school days, the Homework Lab provides every eligible student with a time and place to complete any work he or she was unable to complete in school. Students have access to computers with Internet service, supplies, the Tribal Education staff, and even an afternoon snack to get them through their tasks.
The K-12 coordinator supervises these programs, and others provided by the K-12 program. The coordinator also documents and compiles the information needed to assess existing programs and implement new ones if necessary.
When planning programs each year, we gather pertinent information from parents, students, community, education staff, and the schools to determine the best way to serve the needs of the Native students. With the experiences and knowledge of all these components, we adjust, restructure, or start new programs to reach our goal of giving Native students a successful academic experience.
Native American Youth Governance Camp
NNI’s annual Native American Youth Governance Camp (NAYGC) will take place June 13-18, 2010 in Tucson at the University of Arizona campus. NAYGC is designed to build the knowledge and skills of the future leaders of Native nations through a comprehensive curriculum which explores the fundamental keys to effective Indigenous self-governance. Participants (high-school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates) will engage in critical thinking and decision-making exercises that address Indigenous Country’s most pressing challenges, and team- and consensus-building assignments designed to promote the wisdom and benefits of cooperation as a pathway toward a brighter collective future. For more information, please visit: http://nni.arizona.edu/naygc/naygc.php.
Native American Youth Entrepreneur Camp
The 14th Native American Youth Entrepreneur Camp (NAYEC), a program to teach students how to start and manage businesses in Indian Country, will convene on July 18-23. NAYEC teaches high-school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates the basics of economics, computer skills, and business-plan preparation through activities that lead to personal and professional development. A highlight of the camp is the Youth Marketplace, where students run their own “mock” businesses by selling products or services. The camps end with the Business Plan Showcase, where students present a business plan for a real business to a panel of “venture-capital” judges. For more information, please visit: http://nni.arizona.edu/nayec/nayec.php.
