"Pet'a Shows Misun the Light" Books Arrive & Distributed to ALL 3rd, 4th, and 5th Graders in RCAS |
|
|
Recently all 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders in Rapid City Area Schools District (including distance learners) have been receiving the book, "Pet'a Shows Misun the Light" written by Lakota Hunkpapa author and school counselor, Jessie TakenAlive Rencountre.
Rapid City Area Schools- Title VI Indian Education staff worked with the author to create a lesson plan on the book for 3rd-5th grade teachers to use in their classrooms and supplemented learning with an educational video from the author created by our community partners, Rural America Initiatives.
In addition, all elementary counselors, social workers, and libraries received a copy of this excellent book! The Department of Diversity, Equity & Federal Programs is pleased for your students to enjoy this book and the lessons within it.
|
|
|
E- Learning Friday Cultural Events |
|
|
|
E - Learning Friday Cultural Events |
Every E-Learning Friday starting in October, we have had a different virtual online cultural event on the Rapid City Title VI Indian Education's FB page. This month we will be doing a special 3 week presentation for Title VI High Schoolers to work on a 3 part beading activity in addition to some other E-Learning Friday Cultural Activities.
- April 16th, 23rd, 30th - Special LIVE Zoom for Title VI High Schoolers with Natasha Longie - Beading 3 Part Lessons.
* Must be signed up to attend, limited supplies
- April 16th - Sequoia Crosswhite Storytelling and Music
-
April 30th- Honey Lodge Documentary - Youth Entrepreneurs of Bear Horse Thunder Society (Rosebud Reservation)- Sign up for a FREE honey and lip balm kit by 4/27/21 by emailing Angel.lee@k12.sd.us. *Limited Supply. First Come, First Served.
If you don't have Facebook, don't worry! Check out these videos and past videos on our Youtube Channel.
|
|
|
School & Student Shout Outs! |
|
General Beadle Elementary- Kindergarteners Work on Medicine Wheels
Kindergartners at General Beadle Elementary School have been creating their own medicine wheels using collage art techniques. Students learned about the meaning of the medicine wheel, worked on their fine motor skills, practiced color and shape skills, and finally created their own medicine wheels.
|
|
South Middle School's Whole CHILD Team Gives Back to Community
Some of the Whole CHILD team from South Middle School helped support our District-wide Whole CHILD coordinator, Jeanne Burckhard-McKenna after school to help with Feeding SD’s One Heart Church food giveaway. They were able to help distribute food to families across the Rapid City area.
Great job, South Middle School's Whole CHILD team!
|
|
Beadwork at Canyon Lake Elementary |
Mr. Hays' students at Canyon Lake Elementary have been working hard on understanding math concepts through the use of project based learning with beadwork. Check out their beautiful work and pattern development!
|
|
|
 |
Office of Title VI Indian Education offers second
Lakota Language Weekend
The Office of Title VI Indian Education held their second free Lakota Language Virtual Weekend recently. This event was through the Lakota Language Consortium and provided students, families, and RCAS staff the opportunity to learn together basic Lakota language.
|
|
|
|
Valley View Elementary Continues Implementation of Conscious Discipline
The Valley View Elementary Vikings have been working with trauma-informed and restorative-practices through Conscious Discipline® this year. Students and staff work to understand brain states for emotional regulation, breathing techniques if emotions become dysregulated, and all classrooms strive to provide both safety and consistency for all students to succeed.
Way to go, Vikings on your work with our district’s Whole CHILD initiative!
|
|
|
|
Administrators & District Leadership Participate in
Historical Trauma & Education Professional Development
|
|
Thank you, Wayne Weston for sharing your wisdom and knowledge with our district's administrators and leadership. |
Wayne Weston, Coordinator for the Oyate Circle at University of South Dakota Sanford Health School of Medicine, provided a 2 day training on Historical Trauma and the collateral impacts in educational systems. He also shared his knowledge on Indigenous thought, philosophy, and logic patterns. All district principals, assistant principals, deans and some district leadership participated in this professional development opportunity.
Mr. Weston presented last school year for the staff members in the Office of Title VI Indian Education and was able to do a virtual professional development workshop earlier this year for the Department of Diversity, Equity & Federal Programs. We look forward to our partnership and collaboration with Mr. Weston in the future.
|
|
|
|
"I love my job because every day is unique and different. I assist people when they are in a difficult time of their life, the smallest assistance is extremely appreciated. I love the challenges this job presents, but mostly I love being able to help students and families when they are going through a difficult time."
Anita Deranleau, McKinney Vento Coordinator, works throughout not only our school district but the entire Rapid City area community to support students and families who qualify for the McKinney Vento Homeless Program. Anita coordinates services and the district's McKinney Vento advocates to help provide basic needs such as transportation, food, school supplies, and clothing. She works with community organizations such as One Heart and the local Women and Children's shelter to provide assistance to students and families during transitional times. Anita leads the way to supporting our students and actively works to remove barriers that may hinder their educational journey.
|
|
|
|
"I love what I do for RCAS for many reasons, but here are a few that top my list. I get to be super creative each and every day. I am constantly learning from people in the community, elders, primary sources, and colleagues. I can help other educators understand and use the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings which brings positive results for learners. On the flip side, I get to collaborate with teachers who are already using the OSEU and learn from them and their knowledge. I work with the best team of people I have ever worked with in my 25 years in education!"
Valerie Newman works across the district in all 23 schools as an Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings Educator within the Title VI Indian Education program. She works with teachers to develop lessons and does co-teaching with them to implement the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings into curriculum. In addition, Valerie works with partners from throughout the state, throughout South Dakota's 9 reservations, and nationally to collaborate and share resources developed through Rapid City Area Schools leveraged in the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings.
|
|
|
|
First 506 Form Contest Winners - Title VI
Throughout the month of April, weekly we had two Title VI 506 Form Contest Winners from throughout the district and from various grade levels.
Here is one of our student winners, Katherine, who is enjoying her new book and stuffed pony.
Stay tuned as we announce the school-wide winner and their ultimate prize!
|
|
Ethleen Ironcloud-Two Dogs Professional Development Training
Wopila to Ethleen Iron Cloud-Two Dogs for spending the day training the Department of Diversity, Equity, and Federal Programs in Lakota Perspective on Mental Health and Resiliency.
We appreciate you sharing your time and knowledge. We look forward to taking what we learned and using it to better help students and families in Rapid City Area Schools. Thank you!
|
|
McKinney Vento Refresher Workshop for RCAS Building Clerical
Anita Deranleau, McKinney Vento Coordinator, and Nicole Swigart, Title ID Principal, provided all building-level clerical a refresher professional development workshop on McKinney Vento programming, laws, and district policies and procedures. This crucial training allowed for both new and seasoned clerical staff to learn more about the McKinney Vento Homeless Education program and how to properly support students and families in need.
|
|
|
COVID-19 Community Resources- Here's a list of COVID-19 Resources in the Rapid City and the Black Hills areas. These resources were created by the RCAS Social Work Team, are continually updated, and housed in 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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Link up & Follow Us on Social Media |
|
|
|
Rapid City Area Schools - Department of Diversity, Equity & Federal Programs| Our Website
|
|
Rapid City Area Schools - Department of Diversity, Equity & Federal Programs| Our Website
|
|
|
|
Rapid City Area Schools - Department of Diversity, Equity & Federal Programs| Our Website
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
