A big hit with this crew

Thursday, January 27, 2011

We’re starting work on next year’s budget, and the first item is to figure out how much building remodeling and how many capital expenses we can afford. Everyone has great suggestions for campus improvements, but we also have to figure out how much time our facility crew has available for new undertakings. I spent a good chunk of the day going over figures and plans with our Management Team and the Head of Maintenance.

Perky Home (4th-5th grade boys) hosted me for supper. When I arrived, the American Indian boys were playing with a hacky-sack and tried to see how well I could do. The best I could manage was a pitiful two kicks in a row – not my sport, especially on a gimpy leg.

Some of our kids can be very picky eaters, but Wendy encourages them to try new dishes. Tonight, she experimented with a chicken and pesto sauce on the spaghetti. It was a big hit with this crew as everyone cleaned their plate and many asked for seconds.

As I walked home, I came across the 4th and 5th grade cheerleaders practicing their moves in the Skateroom.  My mom had been a cheerleader  and my sister, Delia carried on the tradition. So I grew up seeing lots of cheers and routines. These girls had the moves down well, but needed some encouragement to yell a little louder. When I started clapping and waving my arms around with them, the volume did increase considerably.

Author: St. Joseph's Indian School

At St. Joseph's Indian School, our privately-funded programs for Lakota (Sioux) children in need have evolved over 90 years of family partnership, experience and education. Because of generous friends who share tax-deductible donations, Native American youth receive a safe, stable home life; individual counseling and guidance; carefully planned curriculum based on Lakota culture and individual student needs and tools to help build confidence, boost self-esteem and improve cultural awareness. All of this helps children to live a bright, productive, possibility-filled future.

2 thoughts on “A big hit with this crew”

  1. Wow: The houseparents have a challenging, challenging job! Imagine getting a group of “picky eaters” to try something new as well as eating their vegetables! And that’s only one small part of their job … I salute them all!

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