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.
Hi! My name is Robin. I am the Special Education Department Chair here at St. Joseph’s Indian School. We had a fantabulous year; I am so proud of the Lakota (Sioux) boys
Robin, St. Joseph’s Special Ed Teacher
and girls for striving for the best!
I was privileged to start a new program with five students this year. It is called Fast For Word and is a series of game-like exercises that help connect brain waves. It creates new pathways for information to travel and be sustained in the brain. It is helpful for children who are either right sided only or left sided only, and for kids who simply don’t understand things in traditional ways.
We had one student go from a 1.7 reading level to 3.8 reading level as a result of the program. That’s a two year and one month jump! Two others are now on grade level for reading. This is a huge accomplishment!
And the best part? The students LOVED it!
Five Lakota students used Fast For Word to improve their reading skills this year.
One of the girls said, “It is making my mind work in ways I didn’t think it could!”
It was great to see their progress. The game that was the hardest for all of them at the start turned out to be the hands-down favorite!
The students were extremely dedicated and came in at 7:30 am each morning. It was a race to see who would get here first – me or them! I have to admit, two of them beat me almost every morning. They were there between 7:20-7:25 am. I came at 7:27 am!
On occasion, if they missed a class for one reason or another, they would:
1. Come to the home I was working in on a weekend,
2. Go to Saturday school, or
3. Do it twice in the same day.
They wanted their scores to go higher! We had so much fun!
There are so many opportunities to interact with the kids at St. Joseph’s. Not only do I teach Special Ed and do the required paper work, but I also like to sub in St. Joseph’s homes. I really enjoy this as I get to see the kids in another light!
At the homes, they are more relaxed and have their own responsibilities and activities in a different environment. I can now say I have been a substitute houseparent in all of the first through eighth grade homes and some of the high school homes as well!
I am looking forward to August and starting year number four helping Native American children achieve their dreams.
Hey, did I mention HOW MUCH I LOVE IT HERE?
“Subbing in the homes helps me see the students in a different light.” Robin, St. Joseph’s Special Ed Teacher.
Twenty-three big RV Campers pulled into St. Joseph’s campus on Friday. The visitors stopped to tour the Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center. They were part of an
Everyone had fun learning about water safety.
Adventure Caravan group coming from places in Texas to California. All together, 55 guests enjoyed a guided tour of the museum and viewed a film on the American Indians from the Great Plains. They also visited our Alumni & Historical center, Tokéya uŋkí nájiŋpi (We Stood Here in the Beginning) that details the history of St. Joseph’s Indian School.
The school year has ended, but I would like to share with you the winners of the Fr. Leo John Dehon Award. Fr. Dehon founded the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart (SCJs). The award is given to the student who exemplifies generosity, compassion, initiative and mastery of skill in dealing with their fellow students.
Staff members can nominate a student each quarter. The student who receives the most nominations over the course of the year is declared the overall winner. This year there was a tie between Shawnna, Alyssa and Mariah!
Their prize was to have lunch with our school principal at a local restaurant and then have the opportunity to shadow at a local business next school year. Alyssa has won previously and shadowed at the veterinary clinic, which is what Shawnna and Mariah have chosen for next year. Alyssa is thinking of spending her time at the police station.
Day campers made birdfeeders with pinecones and peanut butter.
Our summer program, Rising Eagle Day Camp, is up and running. The first two weeks, we serve Native American children from the Crow Creek Indian Reservation, north of Chamberlain on the east side of the Missouri River. The first day saw the excited youngsters ready to come down for activities, swimming and nutritious meals. The following two weeks will see children coming from the Lower Brule Indian Reservation on the west side of the river. We can accommodate 60 participants each day – our bus is often full to capacity!
As we see so much activity going on at St. Joseph’s, it reminds us we do could not help in so many ways without your generosity. Pilamaya – thank you – for your care and concern, which enable us to offer something positive to so many local children.
We have breakfast, lunch and a yummy snack every day!
On May 25, Erica, Andrew, and I left on the trip of a lifetime! We have the honor of representing St. Joseph’s Indian School at the Lycee Ste Solange School, in Chateauroux,
Maija
France, on a trip to our sister school!
Similar to the exchange program with our sister school in Handrup, Germany, we hope this experience will broaden our students’ horizons. In turn, we will share the Lakota (Sioux) culture and St. Joseph’s mission.
We spent several months putting together a presentation for the school to share information about:
The state of South Dakota
Powwows and traditional regalia
The Seven Sacred Lakota Rites
St. Joseph’s programs
Chamberlain High School
With the older students in France, we will make dreamcatchers and beaded bracelets using the colors of the Four Directions. The little ones will learn about the Lakota tipi, star quilt and drum. Erica will also demonstrate fancy dancing in her regalia.
Erica
The past several months have also been spent getting to know our hosts. I have been in touch with Blandine, who is the school secretary and the headmaster’s wife.
Before Easter, Stellie (from St. Joseph’s office in Paris), went to Chateauroux and gave a presentation about St. Joseph’s mission and the Lakota children who attend our school. After learning why children come to St. Joseph’s, Blandine and the students organized the “Bowl of Rice” operation.
This activity came in conjunction with the Easter season of Lent. After a talk about what sacrifice means, students at their school were given a choice about their regular lunch.
They proposed having the students pay the regular price of a school lunch and, instead of receiving what they would normally have (starter, main course, cheese and dessert), it would be substituted with a bowl of rice, apple, and piece of bread. The difference in cost would be donated to St. Joseph’s.
Andrew
Two weeks ago, I received a very ecstatic email from Blandine – they had great success in Operation Bowl of Rice and raised 2,000 Euros (over $2,700)!
They never had so many participants, she added. She said everyone was so proud to be allowed to participate for Maija, Erica and Andrew’s school!
In thanks for their generosity, we’re showing our appreciation for the school children and staff at Chateauroux by offering a gift of an ironwood buffalo – a symbol of sacrifice.
The buffalo – tatanka – is considered a symbol of abundance. It is especially significant in the Lakota culture because it provided the people with everything they needed.
Thank you for helping St. Joseph’s provide amazing learning opportunities for the Native American children we serve and stay tuned for more details about our trip!
School is out! The last few days of school leading up to graduation were busy indeed.
Go Team!
Last Tuesday was devoted to Field Day activities, which kept everyone in grades 1-5 hopping.
During the morning, there were several different activities: Bingo for prizes, an obstacle course and various relays—tug of war, potato sack, scramble through tunnels races, etc. In the afternoon, activity move into the rec center where there were some very imaginative contests inspired by such shows as Minute to Win It and Fear Factor. One of the messiest was Digging for Worms – students were face to face with a plate of whipped cream, chocolate syrup and gummy worms. They had to go in and get the gummy worms – no hands!
Students went “Digging for Worms” on field day!
On Thursday St. Joseph’s eighth graders enjoyed their annual retreat and graduation practice. During this time, we shared letters of encouragements from benefactors. Our Lakota students got a small taste of how many people are proud of their achievement and wishing them well with their futures.
If you wrote a letter, sent a card or kept our graduates in your prayers, thank you. The students were impressed and humbled by the well wishes of so many.
Later that afternoon, we had fourth quarter awards for Honor Roll and attendance. I’m pleased to announce 91 students had perfect attendance for the quarter, and there were several who had perfect attendance for the year!
Several made honor roll for the quarter and some even made it all four quarters. For this achievement, they were presented with a sweatshirt that showed they were a St. Joseph’s Indian School Honor Roll student. It was exciting to have several families present for the awards, on campus to sign children out for the summer.
Friday morning was graduation for 17 eighth graders. They made a banner that will hang in the rec center displaying their motto—‘You can’t master your future if you are still stuck in your past.’
Three students earned a Presidential Academic Award – a first for St. Joseph’s Indian School. Two young men received citizenship pins for their work with the local Explorers – another first. Proud families were in attendance and Our Lady of the Sioux Chapel was jammed full.
We hope you and yours had a wonderful Memorial Day and remembered our service men and women who gave their futures that we might enjoy our freedom today. May they rest in peace.
Have you ever wondered what a day is like at St. Joseph’s Indian School?
Mike is St. Joseph’s President
Here’s a page from Mike’s book in recent weeks. Mike and his wife started as houseparents in 1985. Since that time, Mike has worked in several areas, including Human Resources and Executive Director of Child Services. He was recently named President of the organization.
Friday, May 16
7:00 AM
I am fortunate to be able to attend Mass at 7:00 AM in the small chapel next to the larger Our Lady of the Sioux Chapel on St. Joseph’s campus. Fr. Anthony presides to a small group of four plus Fr. Bernie, a retired SCJ. The Gospel reading speaks of Jesus saying, “I am the Way, I am the Truth and I am the Life.” My reflection this morning gives me a sense of appreciation for all of God’s gifts, especially this gift of St. Joseph’s mission.
Fr. Anthony ends the Mass noting that high school graduation is on Sunday. We say a prayer for good weather for the event. Everyone on campus is wishing and praying for our nine high school graduates.
9:00 AM
Mark, the husband of a former teacher comes to visit St. Joseph’s. His wife, Melody, who worked in the Title Program, died on May 7 from cancer. He stops to bring blankets for our eighth grade students.
Melody had been making blankets for our eighth grade graduates for several years. This year, she had finished all but seven blankets. Mark and Melody’s family helped complete her project for delivery to the school.
Mark visited with the students and told them that Melody loved them and wanted to make sure they received a blanket. He also said that working here was very important to her. His words were quite moving.
The students each picked out a blanket and then shook his hand as a sign of respect and thanks. The other Title teachers that worked with Melody were also present. I could tell everyone was touched by Mark’s words and sincerity. It is a reminder to me that our mission impacts many of lives.
10:00 AM
A card from the mail is on my desk. It is from our recently recognized Distinguished Alumnus Sam Dupris. He went to school here in the 1930 and 40s. In the note, Sam not only sends his thanks for the award but also notes his true appreciation for all those responsible for the work currently taking place at St. Joseph’s Indian School. It is another example of the heartfelt appreciation for our work.
I recall his message when he spoke to the students last week. It was a powerful statement of working hard and believing in yourself. In his remarks, he noted how important St. Joseph’s Indian School was in his life. It reminds me that our work has long-term effects on those we serve.
12:00 PM
At noon, I am privileged to have lunch with three of our high school graduates. I have had the good fortune of getting to know these girls over the years, partly because they have become friends of my high school daughter Maddy. We had a nice lunch at Al’s Oasis.
During lunch, there was a lot of small talk, laughter and sharing of stories. Throughout the discussion, I could not help but believe these young women now have a strong foundation. That foundation, provided at St. Joseph’s, is rooted in education and allowed them to forge life-long relationships with staff and one another. Those memories and shared experiences will be helpful to them in their future.
As I drive them back to campus, they have to get going to pick up caps and gowns. Getting out of the car, they each ask if they could come back someday and work at St. Joseph’s. I tell them of course, but we cannot afford to have them eat at Al’s Oasis. They laugh.
2:00 PM
I receive a call from Maija, a high school staff member who is taking two students to France this summer as part of an exchange with a school in Chateauroux, France – one of our sister school partners. She is excited and explains how the French students raised Euros for St. Joseph’s Indian School. This is an example of how far reaching our mission truly is.
End of the day
As I jot down some reflections from the day, it is late in the afternoon and my office windows are open. In the background, I hear swings squeaking on the playground, student voices, laughter and that South Dakota wind. It reminds me that our mission permeates everything we do.
And I wonder why I am so blessed to be given this precise time here on campus today. Our Lord truly is the Way, the Truth and the Life…
St. Joseph’s eighth grade students received blankets from a former employee who recently passed away. Her husband presented the gifts to the Lakota students.
I just love getting notes. As much as I love keeping up with friends and family by e-mail, Facebook and blogs, there is something
Claire
special about having something solid in my hand. I’m not picky.
The other day, I was helping out in St. Joseph’s first grade classroom and one of the students drew me a picture. It was of a tornado. I wasn’t exactly sure why. I thought it was because we had a tornado drill the previous afternoon.
Actually, I learned he had heard about the tornadoes in the South and seemed very concerned about the people there. I pointed to a perilously tipped triangle in the middle of the drawing and asked if it was a tipi. He rolled his eyes at my ridiculousness and gasped, “No! It’s a piece of pizza.”
Some notes are a little easier to interpret. After a long evening sitting outside the bathroom in Pinger home (junior high girls), doing what I call winagi watch (keeping evil spirits away while the kids are getting ready for bed) one of my sixth grade girls drew me a picture. It had hearts and rainbows and said “Thanks for everything.”
I have that one up on my fridge.
I have a small but precious collection of those tender moments…Thank you. I’m sorry. Can you wake me up 15 minutes early so I can finish my laundry? Stop acting so childish and put your foot down (!!)
And now is the time of year for those notes that I both love and dread so much: graduation announcements. (When did they get to be so grown up anyway?) I love seeing graduation pictures for eighth graders and seniors alike. I love hearing about their plans, and talking about their dreams. I admit to getting a little soggy when I think about them moving on from St. Joseph’s Indian School.
Maybe that’s why a note in last week’s mail was such a relief. “I’ve got one more week left,” she wrote about her first year of college. “See you soon.”
What kind of letters and notes do you like to get?
I hope you enjoy the slice of life you get from St. Joseph’s mailings. I love sharing these stories with you, so that you know what kind of impact you have on our lives here – all our lives, both the kids and those who are privileged to work with them.
So…the other day I was walking into our Student Coordinator office and noticed a stack of boxes sitting by the door. I hadn’t really noticed the boxes for awhile and wondered
Helena helped Frank and other students deliver boxes of food to the local domestic violence shelter.
what they where and how long they had been in that spot…
Then it hit me!
The boxes contained the food from the annual food drive St. Joseph’s holds in November. *forehead smack*
In the hustle and bustle of the school year, we never delivered them to the domestic violence shelter here in Chamberlain. Color me embarrassed – I was in charge of delivering!
I immediately began working with Jennie, the Student Coordinator, to come up with a plan to deliver the food. We picked four students to help load and unload the boxes. I called the shelter and set up a time to make the delivery. The day arrived came and I ended up with two extra students to help. And help they did!
The six students unloaded the boxes quickly.
The person on duty at the shelter worker was very grateful for the donation – they had several clients in the shelter at the time and supplies were running low.
My embarrassment of forgetting the food boxes abated. I realized maybe us (actually just me) forgetting the food for all that time in the office was part of the bigger plan…
Maybe, just maybe, things happen for a reason. Maybe sometimes we just need to flow with our surroundings and trust what’s happening.
Or, maybe it was just coincidence that our twelve boxes of food came at the right time…
Whatever the case, it was the right time to role model and teach the students about generosity firsthand by giving back to our community, even if it didn’t work out exactly like I first planned.
Chances for small lessons of generosity, independence, belonging and mastery are given to us every day at St. Joseph’s Indian School. As staff and helpers, we need to remember to watch for these times and take full advantage of opportunity to teach our Native American students in the best way we can.
And today, I believe my “mistake” was part of the bigger plan to share this lesson of generosity with the six students who helped deliver those boxes.
As our school year winds down and the students get ready for summer break, I would like to thank our extended family for making these teachable moments possible for our students. Everyone shows support to our students to make this possible – we can’t do this work without you! We are truly thankful and blessed by your generosity.
On Sunday, nine St. Joseph’s students (out of a class of 61) took part in the Chamberlain High School graduation ceremony. The armory was packed with graduates, family
and friends. It was an especially important day for Errol – he is the first St. Joseph’s high school graduate to do so with honors. He is also a Regent Scholar and member of the National Honor Society. Congratulations Errol!
As the last graduate was leaving the stage after receiving his diploma, Chamberlain Principal Mr. Bertram, commented that
this was the largest number of graduates we’ve had from St. Joseph’s Indian School to date.
This brought a very nice round of applause from those assembled. It definitely brought a proud smile to the faces of all the St. Joseph’s staff, families and supporters attendance.
Pilamaya – thank you – for helping these students reach this milestone!
Thanks to your generosity, nine St. Joseph’s seniors graduated high school this year!
Chamberlain school is out for the year, but St. Joseph’s students still have the remainder of this week.
Spring sports awards were given out yesterday. Archery and track participants were recognized for their accomplishments, houseparents were thanked for helping with ball games. T-ball coach Leonard spoke about a young lady who began the season not even knowing how to hold the bat – it was almost bigger than she was! But in the last game of the season, she smacked two home runs! It’s wonderful to watch our Lakota students learn and grow throughout the year.
After the awards were handed out, it was on to the softball diamond for the annual eighth graders vs. staff softball game. The rules are a bit different than a standard game – staff had to hit big 16” softballs, while students hit a normal-sized one and also had the benefit of getting five outs per inning. A good time was had by all and the game ended in a 20-20 tie.
Please keep our eighth grade students in your prayers as they receive their certificates on Friday.
We hope all of you have a very safe and relaxing Memorial Day weekend. As always, we are grateful for your generosity which enables us to offer the programs our Native American students and families need.
The end of the year at St. Joseph’s is filled with different educational field trips and fun home trips. The Explorers group went on just such a trip last week. Along with a St. Joseph’s chaperone, boys involved in the group went to two baseball games in Kansas City – a night game and a day game.
The boys attended two games: one day and one night.
The boys were very excited to be going on this trip and worked hard to earn the opportunity. Each year, the Explorers raise money in many different ways. Mostly, proceeds benefit the Chamberlain and Oacoma communities. In the past, they have raised money for softball fields and families struggling with difficult medical issues.
This year, they are helping fund new playground equipment at a local park.
With their annual business wrapped up, everyone piled in for the eight-hour car ride to Kansas City, Missouri. Everyone was filled with anticipation – we were going to watch a
Major.
League.
Baseball.
Game.
Live in the stadium!!
Many of the boys talked about what they would have been doing in school and how great it was that they WEREN’T in school on the way down to Kansas City. That only added to the excitement!
After arriving at the hotel, we walked across the street to the stadium. Some couldn’t contain their excitement and ran!
When we got there, all the boys received a Kansas City Royals t-shirt as part of a promotional give-away that night. Very cool!
After finding our seats and setting ground rules for the boys, they were off to explore the Hall of Fame and get closer to the field to see if they could catch a ball during batting practice. The boys asked many questions about the game of baseball, the field and everything else you can imagine! Everyone really enjoyed the night.
The next morning, we had brunch before heading back to the stadium for the day game.
When the game ended, we made the long trip back to South Dakota and St. Joseph’s Indian School. Most of the boys slept at least half the way home. We had a late arrival time (about midnight) so the boys found space on the nearest piece of furniture they could find and slept there until morning (they didn’t want to wake up the whole house!).
The boys had a very good experience and learned a lot about baseball on the trip. We had fun looking at the history of the stadium, the Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame, and the evolution of the game itself.
During their year being involved with Explorers, they learned many other valuable lessons. Thank you for helping St. Joseph’s provide these opportunities!
As you may know I celebrated my birthday last Monday, May 12. I was informed there were a lot of birthday greetings popping up on St. Joseph’s Facebook page. Since I do not have a personal account, I went to another office to take a peek at the greetings.
Needless to say, I was overwhelmed.
There were over 180 greetings! One hoped that my birthday would be “out of this world.” It came close as there were greetings from France and Sweden, from both coasts and even from a fellow May birthday celebrator.
I am very grateful for your kindness and thoughtfulness and I give thanks to God for the chance to be here at St. Joseph’s Indian School.
I am also grateful that many of your kind wishes for a happy birthday were accompanied by statements of support for our school and the Lakota (Sioux) children we serve. Your generosity makes it possible for us to offer so much to the Native American students and their families. Because of this important work, nine of our students graduated high school yesterday!
Thanks to your generosity, nine St. Joseph’s seniors graduated high school this year!
Pilamaya – thank you – again for your thoughtful greetings! I appreciate the prayers you offer up – we can always use them.
May God’s blessings be with each of you on your special day when you celebrate the gift of life given to you and the many gifts and talents with which you have been blessed.
