Though some things ended with graduation mid-May, others have kept moving along… helping us focus on the future and what comes next!
STEP-UP DAY
Before the end of the school year, our students got the chance to visit the classrooms they will be in next year on what we call ‘Step Up Day!’
FIELD DAY
During the last week of school, our 1st-8th grade students participated in Field Day. Field Day is an annual St. Joseph’s event that helps our students burn off a bit of energy and make a few extra fun memories before the school year culminates. After the Field Day activities, our students were able to watch a movie at the local movie theatre.
SCIENCE FAIR
This year, our 4th grade staff decided to try something a little different… a 4th Grade Science Fair! Our 4th graders broke into small groups and chose a topic to present on. Their science projects spanned a large number of topics as they covered the respiratory system, the solar system, earthquakes, phases of the moon, clouds, circulatory and digestive system and 3 states of matter.
Once each small group selected their topic, they began their research. After gathering information, they wrote a report and made a presentation board! As an additional aspect, the groups also made a ‘model’ of the topic they were presenting.
On the day of the Science Fair, each student group presented their topic to the judges and answered questions about their models.
This year’s winners – Na’Taye, Mildred and Alyssa – each received a gift card to McDonald’s for their presentation on the respiratory system.
MISS SOUTH DAKOTA
During the last week of school, St. Joseph’s hosted the current Miss South Dakota, Julia, who came to talk with our young ladies about self-esteem, confidence and perseverance.
As a role model, she urged our students to take pride in who they are and what they have to offer. She also encouraged our girls to keep their focus on what skills and talents they have and find ways to develop them and share them with others.
GERMANY EXCHANGE PROGRAM
For the past few weeks, four of our high school students – Jered, Krista, Ben and Sarah – and two staff members – Jennie and Frank – made the trek to Germany as part of our German Exchange Program.
Each fall, four German students and two staff members visit St. Joseph’s and the local area and in the early summer, four St. Joseph’s students and two staff members return the favor.
While in-country, Jered, Krista, Ben and Sara gave presentations about American football, American food, our State Capitol in Pierre, South Dakota and various Native American rituals one can go through to achieve maturity.
RISING EAGLE DAY CAMP
Every summer, St. Joseph’s Indian School hosts a summer day camp as a part of our outreach programs for Lakota (Sioux) youth on the Lower Brule and Crow Creek Indian Reservations. The camp takes place on St. Joseph’s campus the first four weeks following Memorial Day.
This year’s camp began on May 30. We are very excited to welcome children from local Native American reservations to our campus for days packed full of activities!
The children are picked up each morning by St. Joseph’s bus and brought back to campus for a day of fun and excitement. They spend the day with St. Joseph’s staff doing things like:
- Making dreamcatchers in Lakota Studies
- Playing games such as softball, kickball, basketball skills/drills, thunder ball, dodge ball and capture the flag.
- Swimming every day at St. Joseph’s Rec Center
- Arts and crafts
- Learning about their Native American heritage by visiting the Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center
It’s truly a great time for all!
CULTURAL TRIP
You may recall I mentioned that our 7th Graders made the annual Cultural trip the week before graduation. The students’ story was picked up by the Native Sun News and you can read about it HERE.
I hope your summer is off to a great start! We have had many visitors stopping in to visit the Akta Lakota Museum and tour the campus. Perhaps you’ll have the chance to visit or attend a Pow Wow in the near future?! If you would like some information on the up-coming Pow Wow in September, you can contact us at 1-800-584-9200 or www.stjo.org/powwow and we’ll be happy to send you a brochure with info on the event.
May God’s blessings continue to be with you and your families. Have fun and enjoy the summer safely.
Fr. Anthony Kluckman, SCJ
Chaplain
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