St. Joseph’s Language Efforts Earn Recognition from Lakota Language Consortium

St. Joseph’s students earned the highest achieving spot at the middle school level.

For the second year in a row, St. Joseph’s Indian School students have earned awards from the Lakota Language Consortium! At the elementary level, test scores earned the Most Improved distinction. At the middle school level, St. Joseph’s students earned the highest achieving spot! In addition to ranking overall scores, the “highest achieving” recognition takes into account number of students participating and especially focuses on number of students in higher level classes.

“It’s a wonderful honor,” said LaRayne Woster, St. Joseph’s Native American Studies teacher.  “This is our third year using the curriculum, and it’s so exciting to see it working and hear students speaking Lakota!” Continue reading “St. Joseph’s Language Efforts Earn Recognition from Lakota Language Consortium”

PFC Martina Hawk receives 2nd AAM Award

Martina, an alumna of St. Joseph’s Indian School’s graduating class of 2016, was recently awarded the Army Achievement Medal for the second time!

Martina attended St. Joseph’s for 11 years and was very involved in the St. Joseph’s and Chamberlain High School communities. Continue reading “PFC Martina Hawk receives 2nd AAM Award”

Christmas Store helps spread cheer to student families


Ho ho ho! Santa’s helper made an appearance during the festivities on December 9.

The students attending St. Joseph’s Indian School appreciate receiving gifts from our donors – especially during the Christmas season. This kindness makes each boy and girl feel extra special.

But, part of the holiday season is the practice of not only receiving, but giving. That’s why St. Joseph’s Christmas Store is something so many students look forward to. Within the store, our students can shop – not for themselves, but for their family members back home in their reservation communities.

Continue reading “Christmas Store helps spread cheer to student families”

Students Glow during ‘Artist in Residence’ Visit

Bob H. Miller (right) leads the class as they work on their black light artwork.

St. Joseph’s Indian School hosts four to five artists throughout the school year to work with our students. For about a week, an artist with unique talents joins students on campus to teach them about their area of expertise. The program is sponsored by the South Dakota Arts Council’s Artists in Schools & Communities program.  South Dakota Arts Council support is provided with funds from the State of South Dakota, through the Department of Tourism, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Most recently, students learned how to create black light art. Read on for a look inside the classroom during the visit from Bob H. Miller, a visual artist with over 40 years of experience. Continue reading “Students Glow during ‘Artist in Residence’ Visit”

3D Targets Prove No Match for Archery Shooters

At St. Joseph’s, providing experiences for our 200 Lakota students to explore new hobbies, or hone an existing skill, is something we strive to do – especially if those experiences dig into Native American culture.

A first for some, students had the chance to be outdoors at an archery range to practice their shooting at 3D deer and other animals.

One such skill is archery. Recently, five St. Joseph’s students accompanied by two staff members, went to an outdoor archery range to practice shooting 3D targets. It was a first for some, but an experience all five students won’t soon forget. Continue reading “3D Targets Prove No Match for Archery Shooters”

Students say ‘No!’ to drugs

Students tied red ribbons to trees on campus in celebration of the educational week.

Every Fall, St. Joseph’s Indian School joins schools across the nation in celebrating Red Ribbon Week to show our support for healthy, drug-free lifestyles.

This is especially important to do for our students, because…

Continue reading “Students say ‘No!’ to drugs”

Students Enjoy a Spooky Good Time!

halloween
Students lined up during the Halloween celebration on Oct. 31, 2017 to have their costumes judged.

When it comes to Halloween, staff and students at St. Joseph’s Indian School make sure to celebrate in style by participating in a coloring contest and by decorating their homes, classrooms, and most importantly: themselves!

Costumes from scary wolves, to cute cats, to cartoon characters were judged last night during the Halloween celebration and the results are in…

Continue reading “Students Enjoy a Spooky Good Time!”

Students Learn from Professional Hoop Dancer

Lakota artist and hoop dancer, Starr Chief Eagle, recently conducted workshops for St. Joseph’s students to give the young Lakota boys and girls an opportunity to learn another facet of Native American dance. Students enjoyed interacting with someone like Starr, who grew up on the SD Pine Ridge Reservation. The workshop, which was sponsored by the South Dakota Arts Council, gave students the opportunity to embrace their Lakota culture through dance, language, art and stories in a fun, active and educational way.

Click each image below for a better view!

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For more photos showing the fun things happening at St. Joseph’s, follow us on Instagram at @stjo1927 or view our Flickr page. For live videos from the performance, head over to our Facebook page.

St. Joseph’s alumna receives prestigious award

Irene, an alumna of St. Joseph’s Indian School’s graduating class of 2016, was recently awarded the Army Achievement Medal.

Irene, of Lower Brule, S.D., attended St. Joseph’s from first grade through her senior year, graduating from Chamberlain High School in 2016. She is currently stationed in Korea.

We could not be more proud of her! Continue reading “St. Joseph’s alumna receives prestigious award”

St. Joseph’s celebrates new campus health care facility with ribbon cutting, open house

 

Health and Family Services Center ribbon cutting.
A ribbon cutting and open house took place for St. Joseph’s new Health and Family Services Center during the 41st Annual Powwow, Sept. 15, 2017.

Seven ribbons symbolizing body, mind, spirit, heart, earth, sky and mission floated in the breeze during the St. Joseph’s Indian School Health and Family Services Center ribbon cutting and open house, Sept. 15, 2017.

The event began with a few words from St. Joseph’s Indian School’s President Mike.

Continue reading “St. Joseph’s celebrates new campus health care facility with ribbon cutting, open house”