First Day of School Energizes St. Joseph’s Staff and Students

Staff from all over St. Joseph’s Indian School’s campus turned out for an outdoor parade on Tuesday, August 10, to welcome back students in grades 1-8.

Laughter, music, colorful signs and bubbles filled the air as students walked the campus. Horses from the school’s equine therapy program took up the rear, adding to the parade atmosphere. Continue reading “First Day of School Energizes St. Joseph’s Staff and Students”

Student Benefits from Wraparound Services at St. Joseph’s Indian School

Some of the training courses new staff are taking in before school include Life Space Crisis Intervention (LSCI) to better serve our students.

St. Joseph’s Indian School’s new and returning staff are currently in “busy bee” mode as the start of a new school year is just around the corner. Continue reading “Student Benefits from Wraparound Services at St. Joseph’s Indian School”

Art Therapy: Using Creativity to Heal

The following is a guest blog written by Erin, one of the Family Service Counselors at St. Joseph’s Indian School.

One thing I appreciate most about working with children is having the opportunity to utilize creativity in a variety of ways. One way I have done this is through art.

St. Joseph’s Indian School’s counseling services includes an art therapy room filled with art supplies and artistic mediums for any creative interest. This has been incredibly useful when working with children who may not have the words to express how they feel. Art in therapy allows kids to explore ideas and practice mastery of a new skill while learning frustration tolerance and processing experiences. Continue reading “Art Therapy: Using Creativity to Heal”

Counselor Reflection: The Power of Positive Affirmations

Positive affirmation cards remind students that they are amazing people capable of great things.

The following guest blog is written by Nicole, one of the Licensed Professional Counselors at St. Joseph’s Indian School

Today is going to be a good day!

That is just one of the positive affirmations I teach the girls I counsel. Sometimes we become stuck in negative self-talk, worries and doubt. Reframing our thoughts with positive affirmations is a great way change our mindset for the better. Continue reading “Counselor Reflection: The Power of Positive Affirmations”

Sacred Heart Chacon Family Safe Shelter Dedicated

St. Joseph’s Indian School President Mike Tyrell addressed the crowd at the Sacred Heart Chacon Family Shelter, an outreach of St. Joseph’s on the Cheyenne River Indian reservation.

The sun bathed the crowd gathered on Tuesday, June 22, to dedicate the Sacred Heart Chacon Family Shelter in Eagle Butte, S.D. Continue reading “Sacred Heart Chacon Family Safe Shelter Dedicated”

St. Joseph’s Honors Four Nurses as 2021 Distinguished Alumni

Upon receiving the Distinguished Alumnus Award, Archambeau was given a star quilt.

Four nurses nominated separately for St. Joseph’s Indian School’s Distinguished Alumnus Award were collectively selected as distinguished alumni, representing all health care workers and their role as beacons of hope throughout this pandemic year. Continue reading “St. Joseph’s Honors Four Nurses as 2021 Distinguished Alumni”

Cultural Trip forms Students into Future Leaders

The seventh grade class at St. Joseph’s Indian School traveled the region as part of the annual Cultural Trip, a favorite tradition to many of students.

On a cloudy May afternoon, the seventh grade students of St. Joseph’s Indian School huddled in prayer before embarking on the trip that has become a spiritual and cultural rite of passage for the school’s students. The journey, which underwent some changes during the pandemic year, was unchanged in its tradition of forming these students into the school’s leaders when school opens next fall. Continue reading “Cultural Trip forms Students into Future Leaders”

Feeding Our Family at St. Joseph’s Indian School

When you make spaghetti for your family, what does it look like? You likely grab a one-pound box of noodles, a pound or so of meat, a jar of sauce and maybe some other fixings — unless you make the sauce yourself. (You know who you are and we applaud you.)

Easy-peasy, and dinner’s on the table, right?

Well, when we cook for our family of kiddos at St. Joseph’s Indian School, it looks a wee bit different. Continue reading “Feeding Our Family at St. Joseph’s Indian School”

Alumna’s Story Filled with Twists, Turns and Perseverance

LaToya (center) with the little ones she loves, and who were the inspiration that kept her moving forward no matter the challenge.

When LaToya Crazy Bull thinks about her future, it’s not necessarily a scene of events that come to her mind — rather, it’s the faces of those she loves most.

At 29-years-old, she cares for her own two-year-old son and her seven-year-old brother. Her teenage little sister also joins her home from time to time.

LaToya’s dream is to give them the stable environment they need for a brighter future. And she’s well on her way … Continue reading “Alumna’s Story Filled with Twists, Turns and Perseverance”

St. Joseph’s Students Hit the Road during Driver’s Ed

“Big Joe” instructs a class of students during Driver’s Education at St. Joseph’s Indian School.

It can be a daunting task to get into the passenger seat with a young driver … especially when it’s their first time in the driver’s seat! But somebody’s gotta do it!

And Joe, or “Big Joe” as he’s known on St. Joseph’s Indian School’s campus, was just the man for the job.

“I’ve only had to use the emergency brake on my side two times so far,” he said, smiling. Continue reading “St. Joseph’s Students Hit the Road during Driver’s Ed”