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Students stepped into the St. Joseph’s Indian School gym and were met with a burst of color that felt almost impossible for February. Paper palm trees rustled in the warm air, the scent of popcorn drifted across the room and the commotion of carnival games echoed off the walls. For a moment, winter didn’t feel so sharp. It was I Hate Winter Day! And, for one day, summer fun set in … Continue reading “I Hate Winter Day: A Little Summer in the Heart of Winter”
Once every month, students and staff unite for a unique tradition at St. Joseph’s Indian School — Lakota Mass. This beautiful Mass honors Catholic faith and the rich culture of the Lakota (Sioux) people, creating a deep spiritual experience. Continue reading “Celebrating Faith and Culture Together: St. Joseph’s Lakota Mass”
Beginning Sunday, January 25, St. Joseph’s Indian School joined Catholic schools across the country in celebration of Catholic Schools Week. This year’s theme, “United in Faith and Community,” felt especially close to our hearts. We know how truly blessed we are to call ourselves a Catholic school. It is a gift to freely talk about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, and even more incredible to encourage our students to explore faith. Being able to teach and nurture spirituality through both Catholic and Lakota (Sioux) traditions is a privilege we will never take for granted. Continue reading “St. Joseph’s Indian School Celebrates & Cherishes Catholic Schools Week”
When the winter winds settle in and the days feel a little too long and dark, St. Joseph’s Indian School looks for small, meaningful ways to bring warmth and joy to campus.
This year, Beth, St. Joseph’s Assistant Principal, found just the thing — a simple idea she spotted on Facebook that she tweaked a little bit to make uniquely our own. The result was “Snugs & Hugs Day” — a cozy celebration that wrapped our students and staff in comfort during the coldest stretch of the season so far. Continue reading “Snugs & Hugs Day Brings Mid-Winter Magic to St. Joseph’s Indian School”
At St. Joseph’s Indian School, Christmas doesn’t end on December 25 — in many ways, it begins anew in January.
While most Lakota (Sioux) students spend Christmas Day with their families back home, the spirit of the season lingers on campus long after the calendar page turns. Trees stay lit. Decorations remain hung. Wrapped gifts wait patiently beneath twinkling lights. Then, when the children return after break, something magical happens.
On Sunday, January 11, that magic filled every campus home. Continue reading “Final Christmas Moments of Joy at St. Joseph’s Indian School”
There is a place where laughter echoes through gyms, cheers rise from every corner and excitement fills the air as students and staff come together to celebrate one another. It’s a place where joy is shared, encouragement is loud and community is felt in every high-five and smile, all before heading home for one of the most joyful holidays of the year: Christmas. That place is St. Joseph’s Indian School, especially during the Thiyóšpaye Challenge, a week-long celebration for students in grades 1-8, blending friendly competition, culture and togetherness as we prepared our hearts for the season. Continue reading “Thiyóšpaye Challenge Brings Competition, Culture and Christmas Cheer”
There is something deeply warm and lasting about giving a gift … the joy of choosing it, the anticipation of a loved one’s smile and the quiet happiness that comes from giving from the heart.
At St. Joseph’s Indian School, we want our Lakota (Sioux) students to experience that feeling for themselves. We want them to know the joy of giving to others, to hold onto that joy and carry it with them long after they leave St. Joseph’s. By creating opportunities like the Christmas Store, we are instilling the value of generosity, not just so our students become cheerful givers, but because Jesus calls us to be. Continue reading “The Gift of Giving: A Christmas Tradition at St. Joseph’s Indian School”
As the Christmas season draws near, we enter a sacred time known as Advent, a season of waiting, preparation and wonder. Advent invites us to pause in the middle of our busy lives and remember the incredible gift God promised the world: a Savior. Long before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, people waited with hope, trusting that God would keep His promise. Today, Advent is still important because it reminds us God is faithful, His light shines in every darkness, and His love continues to unfold in our lives. Advent teaches us not only to celebrate the birth of Jesus, but also to wait with hope for His return. Continue reading “The Hopeful Magic of Advent”
One evening at the Rec Center, Bryan, St. Joseph’s Indian School’s Athletic Director, found himself short a basketball referee. The game was about to begin, and he needed someone dependable who could step in quickly. Kansas, a senior student at St. Joseph’s who had helped Bryan earlier in the year with the youth football team, didn’t hesitate. Continue reading “Stepping Up: St. Joseph’s Indian School Student Finds His Voice as a Leader”
St. Joseph’s Indian School is proud to announce we have been recognized as a 2025 Top-Rated Nonprofit by GreatNonprofits, the leading platform for community-sourced reviews of charitable organizations. Even more meaningful, St. Joseph’s has earned this distinction every year since 2017, a testament to the enduring trust and gratitude of our donors and friends. Continue reading “Nine Years Running: St. Joseph’s Indian School Honored as a 2025 Top-Rated Nonprofit”