Program Services
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ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES
The American Indian Education Program provides services to students, parents and families. All services are supplemental to existing services or are services not provided by another school program. American Indian Education Program services may be provided to any American Indian student who is:
- An enrolled member of a tribe, band or other organized group, including Alaskan Natives.
- The child or grandchild of a member of a tribe, band or other organized group.ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Cultural Enrichment
- Groups on American Indian history, cultural identity, traditions,heritage, crafts, arts and literature standards and field trips. Provided to American Indian Students K thru 6th in several schools.
- Dakota/Lakota Language instruction. Social Studies standard. Offered through the American Indian Studies Program to students attending American Indian Magnet School and Harding Senior High.
- Cultural in-service for school staff
- Language Knowledge Bowl Competition. Teams of American Indian Studies students participate from American Indian Magnet School and Harding Senior High.
- Sewing Society, open to students, families, and community members
Social Service Staff
- Work with district staff on best practices for American Indian Intervention Strategies
- Consultation with parents via home, school, and phone contacts; providing advocacy and referral. District wide service to American Indian parents and students.
- Assist school team and family to work together to improve academic success, school attendance and the social emotional function of American Indian students in Saint Paul Public Schools
Chemical Prevention K-12
- Preventative CD awareness groups utilizing "Project Alert" curriculum for grades 6-9
- Sobriety support groups grades 9-12
- "Families of Tradition" workshops for family members of our students.
- Recognition for American Indian Families within the program.
- One on one counseling for students and family members.
- Chemical prevention information within the schools to students and staff.
- Referrals/liaison to community chemical dependency programs.
Post Secondary Planning Program
- Advocacy, liaison services and counseling.
- Inservice parents and District staff on post secondary and financial aid.
- Assistance in obtaining financial aid.
- Coordinate college field trips.
- Coordinate college representatives to visit high schools.
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School Counseling (Catching a Dream)
Learn about our program's logo by clicking here.
Our school counseling program is designed to meet the cultural needs of our American Indian high school students. Since 2013, we have researched and developed a supplemental program that is both culturally responsive and developmental. Our goal is simple - to support our high school students on their high school journey. We address this goal in the following ways:
- Culturally Responsive School Counseling Services, including individual sessions and group counseling
- Cultural Experiences for students, including college visits, field trips, and special speakers.
- Advocacy & Systemic Change involving collaborative partnerships and policy-making
- Circle of Support concept involving encircling students with support from SPPS, family, and the community
Our school counseling program is led by Kerrie Troseth.
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Sewing Society
My Cheyenne name is Meome’ehne’e, Appears in the Morning Woman. I am enrolled in the Northern Cheyenne Nation on my mother’s side. I am also Oglala Lakota on my father’s side. Making regalia has been a passion of mine. I am so happy to share my experience and my knowledge of sewing/beading with young people. I am glad to inspire students, parents, grandparents and community members in the area. I have been with St Paul Indian Education since 2016. I have been sewing since the age of 16. My journey started with fixing clothing for my family and the rest is history. Having four children that have been powwow dancers for the last 14 years has helped me to become a contemporary regalia artist/seamstress. Being a member of the St Paul native community has been a positive experience in my life. I try to give back what I have learned when it comes to being creative with fabrics, beads and anything that requires a creative edge. I am grateful to work for St. Paul Indian Education. -Dianna Johnson, Sewing Society Lead
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School Social Work
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Online Ojibwemowin 1
All Saint Paul Public Schools High School students can now sign up for an online Ojibwe language class taught by Andrea Fairbanks.
- Learn first year Ojibwe language: listening, reading, writing & speaking
- Learn Ojibwe culture and history
- Have fun reclaiming the language!
*Meeting days and times are to be determined.
To register, contact your school counselor
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Families of Tradition
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Chemical Use Prevention Program
The Indian Education Program and Parent Committee honor and support the St Paul Public School Policy and its efforts to prevent chemical use and abuse. We believe in prevention thought education. Our Program will focus on three major component- Chemical abuse prevention education/awareness
- Early intervention process
- Chemical-free school environment
These services will be supported through the following services:
- Prevention through education
- Identify/assist student who may have chemical use/abuse problems or whose family is affected by chemical use
- Refer, intervene and make recommendations for students who may have chemical use/abuse problems
- Provide appropriate in-school follow up
Prevention Program Services
- One-on-one counseling
- Referral/Liaison to treatment programs
- Student Advocacy
- Sobriety Support Groups
- In-service training for St Paul School District staff and community programs
- Chemical Prevention Classes/Traditional Teachings K – 12
- Prevention Groups K – 12
Warning Signs to Watch For...
- Extreme changes in behavior lasting more than a few days
- Child is withdrawn, depressed, tired or careless about their personal grooming
- Deteriorating family relationships
- Dropping long-time friends
- Slipping/decreasing grades and/or attendance
- Loss of interest in favorite activities
- A change in eating habits and sleeping patterns
- Signs of drug use or drug paraphanalia, including pipes, cigarette rolling papers, eye drops or lighter
If you would like specific information on any of these areas, please feel free to contact Kay Urich at 651-744-5528 or kathryn.urich@spps.org.