Encouraging and acknowledging our Lakota students

60’s hippie night was the theme of this semester’s academic banquet for grades 4-8, and this evening the dining hall was awash in tie-die and beads. A trio of staff did a spoof of a Bob Dylan song with, “The Kids They are A-Studying”. Most of the kids never heard of Bob Dylan, but the verses were clever:

Come on you houseparents throughout St. Joe’s land,

And don’t even attempt what you don’t understand!

This new math, these fractions are beyond your command,

The old math is rapidly agin’!

Please find a smart student who’ll lend a big hand,

For the kids they are a studying!

I got together with Nate-a houseparent and Dave-the art teacher and donned Beatles garb, including a wig. The kids laughed to see me with a full head of hair. We broke out the guitars and drums and led the crowd in “Let it Be” and “Shake It Up Baby”. The campy staff led the screams and fake fainting and we had lots of fun.

Each of the students who made A or B honor roll got to invite a staff member to attend with them, and my favorite Duo was Judy-our librarian and 6^th grader Jeremiah, who came as Sonny and Cher. We try to do something special to encourage and acknowledge our Lakota students who do well in school.

Author: St. Joseph's Indian School

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. View all posts by St. Joseph's Indian School