Tag: St. Joseph’s Indian School’s campus

Circle of Courage: belonging, independence, mastery and generosity

A group of 14 college students and faculty members from Penn State New Kensington visited our area. With a grant from Rotary International, they gifted and installed new computers for the Cheyenne River Indian Outreach  (also known as the Sacred Heart Center) in Eagle Butte. They spent the day on St. Joseph’s Indian  School’s campus here learning about our programs and interacting with students. This evening all our high school students gathered in the dining hall, with our visitors interspersed throughout the tables to talk about college life and encourage our kids to consider pursuing higher education. One young woman spoke about what it was like to be the first in her family to attend college, which many here could identify with.

Our 1st – 4th graders engaged in a Battle of the Books via telephone conference with our two sister schools in Mississippi. Each class read five books and the students were quizzed on the contents. All the battles were close, with about 85% correct answers. Even those who were not perfect still came out ahead by the very fact they read the books, processed, remembered and advanced their critical thinking abilities.

We are working with a group called Child Trends to gauge our student achievements during their time with us at St. Joseph. Two researchers were on campus to hold focus groups with different age groups.  Several families have also been interviewed. We aim at instilling the values from the Circle of Courage – belonging, independence, mastery and generosity. We want to help students mature in life skills as well, which goes beyond the standardized testing we can measure in the classroom. Child Trends is helping us find ways to measure if we are able to actually help students grow in those areas of values. I’m very interested in reviewing their findings.

Summer preparation at St. Joseph’s Indian School

When I finished morning mass I ran into 2nd grader, Dorian on his way back from the Health Center. Dorian had bruised his forehead and was coming back with an ice pack. He smiled about the frozen gel pack with a colorful picture of Garfield the Cat on one side. I remember the old days when nursing our owies meant ice cubes wrapped up in a wash cloth. Our nurses have created a child friendly area to help the youngsters through life’s bumps and bruises. We work with the local hospital to provide a doctor or physician’s assistant each morning for checkups and to make sure our students’ health needs are addressed. If kids are too sick to go to school, they stay in the health center with our two school nurses. After school, evenings and weekends, our houseparents take charge, just as you would do with your own kids at home. With spring in full bloom and outdoor activity increasing, the health center is less about colds and coughs this time of year than it is about healing cuts and scrapes from the playground.

A couple of college students that have worked here in the past summers showed up today to begin another round of summer work. With colleges already letting out, our graduations are not far away at all. Our facilities crew has an ambitious summer schedule that includes finishing two home renovations and beginning another two, in addition to all the ongoing maintenance, painting, landscaping and preventative work that keeps St. Joseph’s Indian School’s campus looking beautiful. The extra help is already hard at work.

As our 8th graders prepare for the transition to Chamberlain Public High School next year, two of the coaches from high school visited with our aspiring athletes to get to know them. Students had a chance to learn about expectations and practice schedules. Some are excited about the chance to play on a bigger stage, but most are nervous and wondering if they are up to the competition.

It will take dedication and lots of practice, but I know many of the kids do have it within them to succeed not just in sports, but in life.

Power outage makes an interesting Sunday

Six hours of no electricity made for unusual dynamics on St. Joseph’s Indian School’s campus today. Power went off just before 9 a.m. and didn’t get restored until after 3 p.m.

We have church at 10, so getting ready with darkened bathrooms and no blow driers made for some interesting looks on students walking into church. We do have an emergency generator, to keep emergency lights, heat and crucial systems on campus going in case of problems, but 90% of campus was without power.

After church, darkened homes, and no televisions or computers made for a perfectly easy way to get everyone outside on a lovely day. Bikes were popular, and the playgrounds were full of activity. A couple of the homes hiked to the park. The Carola boys asked me to let them into the Rec Center so they could get some fishing poles for the home and go down to the river and try their luck at landing some walleye.

Cooking was an inconvenience, but we have lots of grills around campus, and most houseparents fired those up and threw on hamburgers or chicken that were thawing out and had to be used anyway.

Around three was the best part of the day, from a kid’s perspective. By that point the freezers were starting to lose their chill, and the ice cream was reaching the critical point of no return. Since no one knew how long we would be out, the freezers were opened and the homes had an ice cream feast. Just as the students were digging in, the power came back on, so the evening ritual of getting ready for the start of another school week could continue.

While I was walking around campus checking in on everybody, I saw the Stevens Home (6th-8th grade girls) taking a walk together. Their home is getting remodeled this year, and almost complete. I asked them if they wanted a preview, and the students and houseparents couldn’t believe the changes that had taken place in a few months. There is still a sizable punch list, but the kitchen is complete, and even the plaque with the names of donors who contributed to the project is neatly hung by the doorway. Hopefully before the end of the school year they can start transferring their home supplies over.

A weekend outdoors

St. Joseph’s Indian School’s campus had all kinds of different activities going on. As I looked out my office window I saw our archers moving their targets from inside the gym to outdoors on the football field, where they could see how they fared with longer distances and wind. The t-ball field was active with a game, and the swings of the playground were arching high. The Explorers groups had a charity car wash to raise funds for a trip to Minnesota to see a Twins baseball game.

With just three weeks left of the high school year, a fair number of our older students attended Saturday school to catch up on missing assignments and make up work.

A few of the homes were away on their annual Home Trip. Two groups were in Rapid City touring the Black Hills. The Fisher Home (6th – 8th grade boys) spent the weekend only a half mile away, at American Creek Campground but enjoyed sleeping in tents, fishing and exploring the great outdoors.

The Sheehy Home (high school boys) celebrated Earth Day. They left campus with empty garbage bags, and scoured town until they returned with full ones.

Mid-afternoon, the high school homes gathered for a picnic. The day was sunny, but our prairie winds were fierce, sometimes gusting up to 45 miles per hour. The grills were moved inside the garage, and the meal was a tasty success. But neither potato chips nor paper plates lasted long on the picnic table before they were airborne. The basketball court was busy, but the players had to rely on layups rather than any finesse distance shots. I threw some horseshoes with a few of the guys and I think the wind even affected the flying metal shoes. I know it almost blew me over a couple of times!

More time listening than talking

People sometimes imagine administrators as spending much of their day talking, presenting, or even telling people what to do. Today was fairly typical with meetings and encounters around St. Joseph’s Indian School’s campus for me, and it struck me that I spend far more time listening than talking.

Donors on the phone have concerns and questions. Sometimes they just want someone to listen and care. This morning one of the priests who visits me for spiritual direction stopped by for a session. An important part of spiritual direction is listening to the person sitting in the chair across from me, and also to how the Holy Spirit is working in their life. When I keep the attention where it should be, on the directee, I am usually more blessed and inspired by what they share than I am able to give them. In the afternoon I had a visit from one of the sisters who works in the nearby Indian reservation parishes. She will be moving on at the end of the school year and I was moved by her reflections as she looked back over the ministry she has given so much of herself to.

During the weekly Monday finance meeting, I heard not just numbers and reports, but ideas about how we can move forward. Planned Giving filled me in on plans for future luncheons, and how we can improve those events by listening to the evaluations from our guests who attend.

After school I stopped in at Carola and Sheehy, (both high school boys homes) to see what the guys had been up to. Then I ventured over to Dennis Home (1st-3rd grade girls) for supper. Two sisters, Dejah and DeOnna made their First Communion on Sunday, and I listened as they relived those memories of the celebration.

It’s also important to listen to your body. After a full day of sitting and listening, I hit the treadmill hard this evening, and am look forward to a good night’s sleep so I can start off on the right foot with the new day and new people the Lord will send my way tomorrow.

Preserving the art and artifacts for future Lakota generations

In preparation for tomorrow’s Board of Directors meeting, I split the day between preparing reports and paperwork, and entertaining the SCJ board members who came in from afar and arrived on St. Joseph’s Indian School’s campus for the meetings. Those members of our tiyospaye – extended family who have been with us since before 2005 will remember my predecessor, Deacon Dave Nagel, who is a board member. When he has meetings he usually stays for a few days so he can visit with staff and students.

Our museum had its semi-annual acquisition meeting, looking over an impressive collection of works submitted by Great Plains Native artists. There are always more pieces good for the collection than money in the budget, but with the help of a committee with solid judgment and art background, we did chose a few new pieces for the Akta Lakota Museum. By the time of the next meeting, we hope to be moving the pieces in storage into the new facility that will properly preserve the art and artifacts for future generations of Native American students and all visitors to enjoy and learn from.

American Indian boy smiling in the sun!
Fun in the sun at St. Joseph's Indian School.

As I walked across campus after school, the Dennis Home (1st-3rd grade girls) were outside playing on Wisdom Circle, turning cartwheels and doing handstands. Such energy – but a good way to burn it off after a day of taxing their young brains in the classroom. With the younger kids, I never have to ask what they’ve been up to, because they always run up and compete to be the first to tell me. For their enrichment activity they had learned how to apologize and accept someone else’s apology. I listened as they practiced and role played on me. Our world would be much better if we adults were regularly reminded how necessary saying I’m sorry really is.

Colorful eggs, treats and a stuffed rabbit

American Indian girl with a stuffed bunny.
Happy Easter!

During Holy Week, I helped with services at several nearby parishes, and enjoyed reconnecting with people . Friday and Saturday were very quiet around St. Joseph’s Indian School’s campus and especially in the office, where I worked on some catch-up projects. I also took  time for  prayer and reflection during these days filled with such religious significance.

Fr. Anthony had Mass this morning for our break home students. When I got back to campus I walked over to the break home to join them for Easter dinner. As I got close to the home I saw some colored paper nestled in the bushes. I figured it was some trash that the wind had blown in, and I sauntered over to pick it up. Rather than trash, it was a brightly colored gift bag, hidden behind the bush, apparently by the Easter Bunny. It was filled with colorful eggs, treats and a stuffed rabbit.  After lunch the seven students in the break home searched the yard and found the hidden goody bags.

Great progress

The pre-cast sections of wall being secured.
Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center remodeling project.

Part of the road around St. Joseph’s Indian School’s campus was closed today as the construction company working on the Akta Lakota Museum brought in three large pre-cast sections of wall. Two pictured the notable Sioux leaders Sitting Bull and Gabriel Renville to replace similar murals that are being covered up with the new addition. The third depicts an eagle in flight, which we use as the logo for the Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center. The sections weigh over ten tons, and a heavy crane lifted them into place as workers attached the 20 foot high sections to the building. The new look instantly gave a sense of great progress as the project continues to take shape.

We hold an annual service awards banquet to recognize employees for each five year anniversary of their service. Tonight, in addition to honoring staff members for their longevity, we also singled out nine staff members who were nominated by their peers for setting a good example and going far beyond the basics in their job.  Vaye Jean has worked in the school for 35 years, and was the longest serving employee so honored. The night was rather poignant in that she will be retiring at the end of the school year. We will  make sure we say a proper goodbye when we reach that point. But, for tonight, we shared a sit down dinner, memories and appreciation for the contribution all our staff make to the success of the Native American students entrusted to our care.

Projects around St. Joseph’s Indian School’s campus

The facilities crew continues to keep busy with their projects around campus.  During Christmas break we were able to employ a few college kids that helped the grounds crew trim up some trees around St. Joseph’s Indian School’s campus.  Who would have ever thought we would be trimming trees in December in South Dakota? That is something that doesn’t happen very often!

The renovation work on the Stevens and Mathias Homes is going smoothly.  Right now our carpenters, electricians and plumbers are working every day to make it possible to meet our completion date.  We are hoping for the homes to be completed this summer and ready to move into at the start of the 2012 – 2013 school year.

The Stevens Home is in the painting stages.  The painting crew has finished the main floor of the Stevens Home and has begun working on the remaining painting, which should be finished by the end of next week.  The carpenters are also in the Stevens Home installing door frames throughout, and floor tile is being laid on the main floor.  The kitchen cabinets and counter tops for both homes arrived last week, so they are on site ready to be installed.  The Mathias Home will be completely sheet rocked this week and the taping will begin.  The duct work is also being completed this week on the Mathias Home.

Even though the renovation is keeping our facilities crews extremely busy, they also have the day-to-day maintenance that occurs around campus.  These gentlemen do a great job managing their work and making sure everything on campus is in tip-top condition.

Until next time!

The Facilities Staff

Very adventurous kids

We got back late last night from our donor luncheons in Austin, Texas. After 8th graders Dawson and Kyle shared their experiences living and going to school at St. Joseph’s, one donor asked,

“How many times have you spoken before a group like this?”

“Never!” Dawson exclaimed.

But for a 13 and 14-year-old, they did a great job and now walk a little taller and more confident.

Our donors come from a wide variety of backgrounds. This trip I met two men who became interested in St. Joseph’s Indian School while searching out their own tribal roots. In periods of our nation’s history when tribal people faced persecution, some families kept quiet about Native heritage. Some children were adopted without knowing of their original people or roots. We hope all tribal people, especially our students, can draw on the wisdom and beautiful aspects of their tradition and culture to overcome obstacles and move toward a brighter future.

While in Austin, we had to visit the University of Texas. With over 50,000 students enrolled, if it were in South Dakota, it would be the 3rd largest city all by itself, and not far from 2nd place Rapid City! The students got a glimpse of large scale residential halls, educational buildings and football stadium on a major university.

We explored the downtown area, which in a few places lived up to the city’s theme of “Keep Austin Weird!” The boys got a kick out of the Museum of the Weird, with its PT Barnum-like displays of a two headed calf and exotic lizards. Some of our donors gave the boys Texas sweatshirts and mementos, and the downtown trip gave them a chance to pick up a few souvenirs for family and friends.

For both the boys, it was their first plane ride, and they found it fascinating to see the world from a higher view. When our students travel, I have a rule about food – they have to try some new foods, and I keep a little notebook to have them rate what they tried. Kyle would have broken the old record of 11, but Dawson was very adventurous, setting the new record for the weekend trip at 23 foods he had never tried, and said he’d eagerly try most of them again!

Jami Lynn Buttke, St. Joseph's Indian School's artist in residence.
The Lakota youth had so much fun singing along with Jami Lynn Buttke.

Back on St. Joseph’s Indian School’s campus today, we have a young guitar-playing folk singer, Jami Lynn Buttke, as our artist in residence through the Artists in the Schools program, through the South Dakota Arts Council. She has been teaching our students some of the old folk songs, which I’ve always loved hearing. She also involves the students with some simple percussion instruments that they can join in making some entertaining music.