April showers (will hopefully) bring May flowers to St. Joseph’s Indian School!

Fr. Anthony, St. Joseph's Chaplain
Fr. Anthony, St. Joseph’s Chaplain

Greetings from a water-logged South Dakota.

If it is true that April showers bring May flowers, we’ll soon have flowers all over the place—it has been very wet and rainy the last few days.

Our annual Sobriety Walk took place last Friday. The Sobriety Walk has our students break up into four groups who then leave campus following a flag of one of the directional colors—yellow, red, white and black.  As they cross the bridge at American Creek, each group goes a different route that encircles downtown. They return to campus together, walking down Main Street. Upon their return, they went for a special meal in the Dining Hall.

During the march, our students and staff all wore blue t-shirts with the phrase “St. Joseph’s Indian School Stomps Out Drugs”.

This past Wednesday, our students participated in the annual St. Joseph’s Spring Concert/Talent Show. There were 28 acts including vocal groups, piano, guitar, flute, snare, trumpet and clarinet. St. Joseph’s music teacher, Tanya, and art teacher, Dave, were the masterminds behind the show. Most performance selections were from Wizard of Oz, Walt Disney, Fiddler on the Roof and well-known tunes such at The Rose, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, Yankee Doodle and Mary Had a Little Lamb.  Continue reading “April showers (will hopefully) bring May flowers to St. Joseph’s Indian School!”

Fr. Steve’s updates

Today was our annual career day and Sobriety Walk. The hospital, bank and fire station were the most mentioned favorites.

Friday, April 30, 2010

Today was our annual career day and Sobriety Walk.

First, the students had fun exploring downtown businesses. The hospital, bank and fire station were the most mentioned favorites.

Heath Gourneau, an alumnus who has worked in substance abuse prevention, spoke to the students about his journey and encouraged them to remain drug and alcohol free.

He pointed out the Class of 1983 banner, which he helped design; today, the banner hangs proudly from our rec center rafters with other class banners created in the last 30+ years.

Students listen in a deeper way when they hear from someone who shares a common background with them. It’s important as we strive to help our students make good lifestyle choices.

The rains held off, and we walked in four directions around town and met up at the Dining Hall for supper.

I helped chaperone the youngest homes, and when we were walking around the campgrounds, second grader Devon found a penny on the ground.

I said, “Find a penny, pick it up and all day long you’ll have . . . what?”

“A penny,” Devon said.

I laughed, realizing Devon is much wiser than his years, and more accurate than the old saying!!