Late- November 2020 Newsletter!
CUSD Indigenous Education Program 2020-2021
Happy Native American Heritage Month! #NAHM
First- we acknowledge that this November Newsletter is posted on December 1st. A few reasons for this:
- The climates of: politics, race, the COVID-19 pandemic, and holiday observances in November 2020 brought on intense feelings, trauma, and conversations for many of us in the Indigenous Ed. community. Posting a "conclusive" November newsletter felt most appropriate after meeting with our IPC Officers, Indigenous Student Advisors, and Federal Programs leadership.
- We were searching for, hiring, and training new/returning IPC Officers and Indigenous Student Advisors! You will get to know a few of them down below.
- Our Instagram page was the best way to post frequent events and resources going on throughout November. Follow us if you aren't already @indigenouscusd!
The Chandler Unified School District Governing Board meeting on November 18th provided an update on the district's response to COVID-19 and mitigation strategies. Links to the presentation and other resources:
- PowerPoint PDF Presentation or YouTube Video
- CUSD COVID-19 Dashboard: Summary of COVID-19 cases at each school site including description and FAQ's.
- CUSD Safer, Stronger, Together Website
We hope that you all had a culturally rich, enjoyable, and safe Native American Heritage Month! Stay healthy and resilient. -The Indigenous Ed. Program
October IPC Meeting
We had our second 20-21 VIRTUAL IPC Meeting via Microsoft Teams on October 28th! Thank you to all who participated. Here is what we covered:
- 20-21 New IPC Officers Announcement (Scroll down to meet our newly elected officers!)
- Guest Speaker: Tribal Turning Point
- Guest Speaker: Hoop of Learning Program
To view the PowerPoint presentation from the 10/28 meeting and learn more about the IPC, visit our website.
CUSD Governing Board Meeting November 18th
Native American Parent/Student Forums
The goal during these forums is to create a safe and authentic space where selected Native American students and parents can share their thoughts & experiences. The current racial landscape demands that we hear the voices of Native American students and parents, so that we can work in creating safe learning spaces where they can thrive individually and collectively. We are mindful that students and parents selected do not speak for all Native American students or parents. Yet, the voices selected will have a space to share their own perspectives.
Please contact Tia ASAP or by December 2nd if you and/or your students are interested in participating in these forums.
- When: Tuesday December 8, 2020 (Student) /Thursday, December 10, 2020 (Parent)
- Time: 6:00p-7:30p (5:30P – participants will meet facilitators and ensure that technology is working) audience will login at 6:00p.m.
Meet our 20-21 IPC Officers & Indigenous Student Advisors!
**Please see school-specific updates!!*
IPC President- Cheryl Blie
IPC Vice President- Michelle Speaker
IPC Secretary- Kara Thrasher
Chandler High- Duane Freeman & Brett Parks
- Freshman, Juniors, and CHS students with the last name Dah-Hix: Duane Freeman
- Sophomores and Seniors: Brett Parks
Perry High- Megan Driving Hawk
Bio: Mrs. Driving Hawk is an Artist/Mother & Educator. Academically, she researches culturally responsive teaching in art education and Indigenous education. Creatively, she researches collective healing, generational trauma, memory, and time. This is Mrs. Driving Hawk ‘s fourth year working as the PHS Indigenous Student Advisor and eighth year as a classroom teacher. She has recently joined the Arizona Indian Education Association and has attended numerous conferences and workshops hosted by the Phoenix Indian Center, the Office of Arizona Indian Education and other equity and inclusion organizations. This is her third year working on the Equity team at her school site although she has worked on creating diverse and inclusive art ed curriculum since 2014. Indigenous issues are close to her heart as she is the wife and mother to Lakȟóta men.
Attention Perry students and parents! Please fill out the two surveys below. Students- be sure to login to your GSE account to submit the student survey. If you are not already a part of the PHS Indigenous Google Classroom, please contact Mrs. Driving Hawk.
Gila River Advisors- Shelly Aday & Andrew Garcia
Hello GRIC Families!
We will be working with Gila River students in the Chandler Unified School District to advocate for your students' success by offering the following services:
- Providing individualized guidance on addressing their educational, cultural, and personal needs and identifying resources and information that can satisfy their needs
- Monitoring students’ academic progress with the addition of providing individualized plans of action as needed
- Addressing truancy of GRIC students with proactive interventions as needed
- Ensuring the safety and needs of the students are being met
- Communicating with teachers, counselors, and other school officials to ensure student’s overall academic success
We look forward to working with your students and we always encourage active parental/guardian involvement in their children's education!
RESOURCES & UPCOMING EVENTS
Follow Us on Instagram!
Tohono O’odham Emergency COVID-19 Assistance
Native Health
- American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association
- Maricopa Community Colleges Celebrate National Native American Heritage Month with Music, Stories, Discussions
- National Congress of American Indians
- Native American Children's Literature Recommended Reading List
- NAU NAHM Events
- Vision Maker Media - Native storytelling and content.
- A children’s storybook - Our smallest warriors, our strongest medicine: Overcoming COVID-19
- Linda Coombs, a member of the Aquinnah Wampanoag tribe, discusses the real history of ‘The First Thanksgiving’ (12 minutes)
- A Thanksgiving Message From Standing Rock (5 minutes)
- Thanksgiving | Native Americans | One Word | Cut (2 minutes)
- Native perspectives on Thanksgiving: Dakota MacColl (Plains Cree/Métis) and Geena Tsosie (Diné) share how they approach the complicated holiday Thanksgiving (4 minutes)
- What does Thanksgiving mean to Native Americans? (2 minutes)
Other videos of Indigenous Voices on Thanksgiving:
Articles:
Contact Us
Indigenous Engagement Specialist - Tia Gramzinski
(480) 224-3739
Gila River Advisor - Shelly Aday
Gila River Advisor - Andrew Garcia
Director of Federal Programs - Monica Romero
(480) 224-3743
Administrative Assistant - Diana Moreno
(480) 224-3741
Website: https://www.cusd80.com/Page/823
Location: 500 West Galveston Street, Chandler, AZ, USA