This is the year we soar to new heights!

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Our Child Services Team (CST) gathered around the table for the first time in about a month to give each other updates about all that has been happening over the past month.

During the year we meet weekly, but less frequently during the summer  months. Still a lot happens.

Mike, our Executive Director, put out a theme: “This is the year we soar to new heights!” Ironically, I thought about my leg; I’d be happy to get back to my old heights. That will take slow and steady efforts. But so will improving our programs to help the students thrive and grow.

Our principal, Kathleen, shared the highlights of a presentation she has prepared to help staff see the difference between a residential school and a day school. Because the students are here around the clock, we are their primary adult relationships during this time in their lives. When we can get the homes and school and counselors working together on the same page with integrated services, we have an opportunity to reach kids in a way that other schools cannot.

Our Admission’s committee met again and accepted more students; we are down to our last few openings. It’s hard to get the right balance of students for the homes. We have a shortage of 4th and 5th grade boys, but have to put many junior high girls on the waiting list. It can vary so much from year to year. We’ve prioritized children in each age group who we will accept if other students don’t come back, and the committee will meet throughout the year as needed whenever there are new openings.

We’re expanding to five high school homes this year. Although they will not all be completely filled, we have our biggest group of high school students projected at 48!

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