Our Whole CHILD Initiative is a district-wide approach seeking to understand our students’ and families’ unique culture, history, and needs to create safe learning environments where students grow and connect to others. Our schools and district can be a place of safety and healing where our educators and staff are committed to equity and inclusion. Whole CHILD Initiative is supported through Title IV funds through the Department of Diversity, Equity & Federal Programs.
The RCAS Whole CHILD Initiative centers on four domains:
- Trauma-Informed Practices
Utilizing strategies to help all students feel safe, welcomed, and supported and to address the impact of trauma on learning on a school-wide basis.
Recognizing the importance of including students’ cultural references in all aspects of learning, enriching classroom experiences, and keeping students engaged.
- Suicide Prevention & Awareness
Implementing comprehensive awareness strategies to assist staff in identifying students at-risk for suicide and empowering students to seek help for themselves and others.
Diligently looking for methods to hold a student accountable for making reparations and to restore him or her to a beneficial educational setting.
All four domains are connected by the themes of Communities, Healing, Inclusion, Learning, and Diversity. A circle represents wholeness and non-hierarchy.
Why Whole CHILD for Rapid City Area Schools?
- Transition from a focus on narrowly defined academic achievement to one that promotes the long-term development and success of all children. Students will learn skills such as emotional regulation, critical thinking, resiliency, and more.
- Demands of the 21st Century to prepare our students for challenges and opportunities not yet on our radar. As we know, particularly with the development of COVID-19, times are continually changing for students and families. Providing students with the tools they need to succeed no matter the situation or uncertainties is important for their success both in and outside the classroom; and as both youth and adults.
- Increased issues of underdeveloped social/emotional skills, Unmet basic needs, inability to self-regulate, and increased incidents of adverse childhood experiences.
For more information on the Whole CHILD or the ways that your school is implementing these areas contact the Department of Diversity, Equity & Federal Programs.
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E- Learning Friday Cultural Events |
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E - Learning Friday Cultural Events |
- Feb. 12th - Kansas Middletent
Teachings on Long Hair for Boys & Men in the Oceti Sakowin - Part 2
- Feb. 19- In-School Learning Day - No Activity
- Feb. 26 - Sequoia Crosswhite
Lakota Flute and Storytelling
If you don't have Facebook, don't worry! Check out these videos and past videos on our Youtube Channel.
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School & Student Shout Outs! |
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Horace Mann Elementary -
Students at Horace Mann Elementary School are learning the important skills to being a leader in and outside of school. One way students can “sharpen their saw” is by learning and being active in their culture. Throughout the building, students are provided learning models and ideas rooted in Oceti Sakowin beliefs and traditions! Students succeed in systems where they can see themselves and their cultural beliefs.
Great work, Horace Mann!
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Knollwood Elementary -
Students in all of Ms. Harriet Brings’ classes at Knollwood Heights Elementary are working on beautiful dream catchers. Ms. Brings teaches her students traditional Lakota knowledge that she was taught throughout her life from her own mentors and elders in her life.
Students learn not only how to make the leather dream catchers but also the teachings behind dream catchers for the Oceti Sakowin. Students also utilize the Lakota language while working with different materials, colors, and shapes.
Nice work to all her students and to Ms. Brings for continually passing down teachings to the youth!
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Great work, students! Both received books for participating in the Lakota Coloring Book Contest through Title VI Indian Education at Rapid City Area Schools.
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Mr. David Herrick, United States History Teacher at Stevens High School, had renowned author, Joseph Marshall III as a guest speaker for his students!
Joseph Marshall III is a best-selling author who was born and raised on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation in South Dakota and is an enrolled member of the Sicangu Lakota. Because he was raised in a traditional Lakota household by his maternal grandparents, his first language is Lakota. In that environment, he also learned the ancient tradition of oral storytelling.
The Rapid City Stevens Raiders were able to reflect upon his book, "The Lakota Way", and identify how the stories changed their lives. This truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and the Department of Diversity, Equity & Federal Programs was honored to be able to assist in this opportunity for students!
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Students at Rapid Valley Elementary continually work to be the best versions of themselves. Keeping in mind positive mindsets, goals, and ways to cope with tough situations help students, staff, and the building maintain trauma-informed practices and improve social and emotional skills!
Great job with our Whole CHILD Initiative!
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E- Learning Friday Cultural Activity with Linda Black Elk and Student Success |
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Traditional Plants and Tea Workshop |
Students at General Beadle Elementary School in both Jonni Hertel’s class and those who work with Abbie Waitman learned about Indigenous plant knowledge from community teacher, Linda Black Elk. Students were able to create their own tea and learned about the plant properties that Indigenous people have always utilized.
Students also at North Middle School in Stacy Cole's class learned from Linda Black Elk's teachings and were able to create their own tea to enjoy while engaging in plant knowledge used by the Oceti Sakowin.
Thank you, Linda Black Elk for sharing your wisdom and for all you do in our community!
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School Board and District Leaders Learn About Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings Implementation |
Some of our esteemed RCAS Board of Education members and district leadership, such as Dr. Simon and Mr. Gabrylczyk, were able to take a tour at East Middle School this month. Members and district leaders learned about the school’s in-depth integration of the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings (OSEU) that are required South Dakota state education standards rooted in culture, history, and language of the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota people.
Title VI Indian Education staff and building's teachers were able to discuss the implementation of the standards, discuss project-based learning, and provide insight on further implementation of these essential standards in all content areas.
Nice job, East Middle School!
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"I love helping families find creative solutions to issues that are hindering their ability to succeed in school. We are ready for the challenge of helping students stay engaged through distance learning, remote learning, and classroom learning. I am looking forward to an exciting school year."
Donna Morris, Family Support Paraprofessional, works one-on-one with families and students to ensure that students are able to attend school consistently and without outside hindrances. Donna is pivotal in serving our students and families and for providing resources to help them succeed in and outside of the classroom.
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"As a new member of the team, I am loving the opportunity to get to know students, families, and colleagues. I am looking forward to being able to listen to the powerful voices of young people and to provide support in culturally responsive ways that honor the unique strengths and needs of each individual student whom we are fortunate to serve."
Heather Wood is a Title VI Indian Education Social Worker and splits her time between North Middle School and South Middle School. Heather is able to work with students who may need extra support and can provide culturally responsive services to students and families. Heather also works to connect families to resources within our Rapid City area community.
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Emergency Hygiene Kit Donation-
American Indian Services Prep program and Joanna Studt (left), enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux tribe, donated two box loads of emergency hygiene kits for families through doTERRA Essential Oils USA for us to provide to support students in transition.
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Title VI 506 Form Contest-
To participate in Title VI Indian Education Programs, a 506 form must be on file for your student.
Starting 2/22/2021 through 4/2/2021 we will be doing weekly drawings for prizes for students who
- Have a completed and submitted 506 Form on file with Title VI Indian Education Office
or
- Completes a 506 Form not previously on file
Each week will have a winner for each category. School with the most active 506 Forms on file on 4/2/2021 will win a school-wide prize!
For more info on 506 Forms for Title VI Indian Education please contact your student's school, Title VI Indian Education office at 605-394-4071 or visit here.
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1st Annual GED Completion Ceremony
The district's GED Program will be hosting the 1st Annual GED Completion Ceremony on May 27th at 6PM. This program will only be open to those who completed the program and two ticketed guests per student.
We look forward to celebrating the accomplishments and success of our students as they continue their educational and career journeys!
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Pet’a Shows Misun The Light” Book will be provided to ALL 3rd-5th graders in RCAS District
The Department of Diversity, Equity & Federal Programs has partnered with a community partner, Rural America Initiatives (RAI), and local Lakota author, Jessie TakenAlive Rencountre, to provide her book “Pet’a Shows Misun The Light” to all third, fourth, and fifth-grade students this school year.
“Our hope is to encourage the reading of this book which promotes not only literacy, but social and emotional skills, and cultural proficiency,” Whitnee Pearce, director of the department, said. “The opportunity is one that came together with the work of our community partners, and also with the great team we have here in our district.”
Every elementary library, all elementary counselors, and all social workers in the district will also get a copy they can utilize in school. The OSEU team from Title VI Indian Education has worked with Jessie Rencountre to develop teaching resources for the book and RAI has provided a recording of the author reading and doing a book talk for classroom teachers to utilize.
For more information please go to the Rapid City Journal's article.
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Free & Virtual Lakota Language Weekend!
Rapid City Area Schools- Title VI Indian Education will be sponsoring another FREE Virtual Lakota Language Weekend with the Lakota Language Consortium March 13-14. We are excited to host students, parents, teachers, and staff of the Rapid City Area School District during this weekend geared toward beginning-level Lakota speakers and those who want to learn!
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COVID-19 Community Resources- Here's a list of COVID-19 Resources in the Rapid City and the Black Hills area. These resources were created by the RCAS Social Work Team, is continually updated, and is a living document. It holds information for utilities, food, COVID-19 relief, mental health resources, online school tutorials, and more. Please check it out and share!
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Free Developmental Screenings -
The Rapid City Area School District will offer free developmental screenings at Jefferson School for children ages three through five. These developmental screenings check a child’s development in the areas of language and articulation, concept development, hearing, vision, and motor skills. Information about their child’s development is shared with parents, and parents will be provided with ideas to help enhance their children’s development. Preschool children ages three through five will be screened March 8 and 9, 2021. Parents who live in the Rapid City Area School District can make an appointment to have their children screened by calling
394-1813.
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Link up & Follow Us on Social Media |
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Rapid City Area Schools - Department of Diversity, Equity & Federal Programs| Our Website
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Rapid City Area Schools - Department of Diversity, Equity & Federal Programs| Our Website
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