SPPS Indian Education Program staff have been working hard to set up our Resource Room. Details will be in the May edition of our newsletter, but we wanted to share a little bit about the SPPS Indian Education Program Resource Room with you now. Our program received a Minnesota History Bookshelf from the Minnesota Historical Society, which allowed us to purchase some new materials for our Resource Room.

“The Minnesota History Bookshelf covers all aspects and eras of Minnesota history. These books will encourage your patrons to look at your local history in a larger statewide and regional context, leading them to look at their own local history in a new light.” https://www.mnhs.org/preservation/legacy-grants/funded-projects

We purchased five classroom sets (The Porcupine Year, Chickadee, Makoons, and the Game of Silence by Louise Erdrich, and The Creator's Game: A Story of Baaga'adowe/Lacrosse by Art Coulson), in addition to a classroom set of The Birchbark House, these will allow teachers to teach the entire The Birchbark House series. We also purchased 71 additional titles that will be available to check-out starting during the 2021-2022 school year.

As a part of the Minnesota History Bookshelf, Kerrie Troseth created three kits (a Bandolier Bag Kit, a Smudging Kit, and a kit to teach The Grass Dancer by Susan Power), with lesson plans in Schoology, that can be used by SPPS teachers. We also added items created by Native artists to our Resource Room that can be used by SPPS staff while teaching students.

𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘵𝘢 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘢 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘵𝘢 𝘏𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘵𝘢 𝘈𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘍𝘶𝘯𝘥. 𝘈𝘯𝘺 𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘴, 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴, 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘵𝘢, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘵𝘢 𝘏𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘺, 𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘵𝘢 𝘏𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘤 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘦.

𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭

Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) offers Summer Learning Programs for students in grades K-12. Students will have opportunities to learn new things and strengthen current academic skills; prepare for the upcoming school year through active, fun and hands-on activities; and make progress toward graduation. All programs are FREE. 

𝗦𝗣𝗣𝗦 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲:

Academic Support

Students will be inspired to learn new skills and grow current understanding in reading, math and other subjects. 

Breakfast and Lunch

All students receive two free healthy meals daily that include entrees, salads, baked goods, and locally grown fruits and vegetables. 

Transportation

Transportation is available to most students who live in Saint Paul (within transportation guidelines, https://www.spps.org/Page/41692). Use the School Finder at spps.org/apply to find your Area (A-F1/F2).

𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝟵-𝟭𝟮

Students in grades 9-12 can stay on track for graduation through credit recovery during Summer Session 1 and/or Summer Session 2. To register, students should meet with their school counselor. 

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗼𝘄

Additional information and registration can be found at https://www.spps.org/Domain/12661 .

𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

The last day for meal box pickups this school year is Friday, June 11. Information about community food resources for the week of June 14 will be posted on our website spps.org/2021meals.

 There is no cost to families for meal boxes, which are available for all Saint Paul children age 18 and under, and those with a disability currently enrolled in a school program. Children do not need to be present to receive meal boxes.

The weekly meal boxes will contain a variety of healthy, nutritious and fun meals.

 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 - 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟭-𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟲

Families interested in receiving home meal box delivery this summer must register. The registration form will be available at spps.org/2021meals starting May 3. Each child in the household, including non-school aged children, can receive a meal box, but only one registration per household is necessary. There is no cost for home delivery.

Families that currently get home delivery will be automatically enrolled in summer meal delivery and DO NOT have to re-register.

Families that currently participate in meal box pickup must register if they would like meal box delivery this summer.

𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗯𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗨𝗽 - 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟭-𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟲

There will be seven locations for curbside meal box pickup this summer. No registration is required to pick up at these sites. 

Time: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Tuesdays

• Harding High School (1540 6th St. E.)
• Mississippi Creative Arts School (1575 L’Orient St.)
• Wednesdays
• Open World Learning/Humboldt (640 Humboldt Ave.)
• Washington Technology Magnet School (1495 Rice St.)

Thursdays

• Hazel Park Preparatory Academy (1140 White Bear Ave. N.)
• Highland Complex (1015 Snelling Ave. S.)
• Benjamin E Mays/Capitol Hill (560 Concordia Ave.)

 

Due to the coronavirus pandemic the St. Paul Public Schools Indian Education Program Senior Recognition will be a socially distanced and virtual event, additional details will be announced soon.

As a part of our celebration we would like to include written messages from the SPPS community in our May newsletter. Please send your short written messages congratulating the students on graduating from St. Paul Public Schools to indianeducation@st.paul.k12.mn.us before Tuesday, May 2nd.

 

“Hey SPPS families, please take a minute and help us guide our programming for Indian Education in this short survey. It shouldn't take you more than a few minutes to complete. I thank you for your time and if you have any questions feel free to message us any time.” – Dominic Good Buffalo

You can access the survey at https://forms.gle/C6UHRbxYLdugod5E9

Dominic Good Buffalo is the American Indian Cultural Specialist at the Office of Family Engagement and Community Partnerships, he connects with families through Facebook, Twitter and American Indian staff. He can be contacted at dominic.goodbuffalo@spps.org and 612-297-9374.

Did you miss out on having your Senior portrait taken this past Fall? Well, you're in luck, SPPS Indian Education Program and Sacred Visions Photography are working together to make sure you have another opportunity. Saturday, April 24 10:00am-4:00pm Sacred Visions Photography will be at Toast Studios located at 2500 University Ave. W. Suite B-3, St. Paul, MN 55114. Please sign-up for a 25-minute photoshoot using this form. Once you sign-up you will receive a phone call verifying the time. Remember you must be a St. Paul Public Schools Indian Education student to register.

 

Ramsey Middle School Name Change Request, Goal Setting, Beading Vans, and Guess the Indian Education Program Staff Member 

Read about these and more in the April SPPS Indian Education Program newsletter at https://www.smore.com/4ndjg. 

Please email us at indianeducation@stpaul.k12.mn.us to be added to our mailing list for future newsletters.

 

𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 - 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟱-𝟵

School meal box pickup locations will be closed during spring break, April 5-9. In addition, there will be no home deliveries on Friday, April 9. The following community locations will have meal boxes available for families to pick up during that week:

 

Tuesday, April 6, 1-3 p.m.

• Conway Recreation Center (2090 Conway St) 

Tuesday and Thursday, April 6 & 8, 2-4 p.m.

• El Rio Vista Community Center (179 Robie St E)
• McDonough Recreation Center (1544 Timberlake Rd)
• Palace Recreation Center (781 Palace Ave) 

Wednesday, April 7, 2-4 p.m.

• Hallie Q Brown Center (270 N Kent St) 

Wednesday and Friday, April 7 & 9, 2-4 p.m.

• Arlington Hills Community Center (1200 Payne Ave)
• Rice Recreation Center (1021 Marion St)
• Dunning Recreation Center (1221 Marshall Ave)

 

The St. Paul Public Schools Indian Education Program is seeking to add a Full-Time School Social Worker to our team.

The American Indian Education Program, offered through the Saint Paul Public Schools District 625, is in existence to preserve and present the unique political, sovereign, cultural, traditional, and spiritual values of American Indian Nations through Education. Our missions is to assist American Indian students in graduating from high school with a quality education and a positive cultural personal identity.

You can learn more about our program and view the services we offer by visiting our website, https://www.spps.org/indianeducation .

Individuals who are interested in apply for the Indian Education Program School Social Worker position can view the job description below, and apply for the position at https://bit.ly/3f6mhue .

 

𝘘𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴?

If you have any questions you may contact:

John Bobolink

Indian Education Program Supervisor

john.bobolink@spps.org or (651) 230-4859

 

𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Indian Education Program is hiring a full-time Social Worker.

𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

Minimum Qualifications:

A Bachelor's Degree in Social Work (Master's Degree in Social Work strongly preferred), a current Minnesota Board of Social Work License and a valid School Social Work License, issued by the Minnesota Department of Education.

Prefer:

• Understanding of American Indian practices.
• Knowledge of American Indian language and culture.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of positive behavioral interventions.
• Knowledge of group counseling techniques with children and/or youth.
• Knowledge of community resources and social services.
• Knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of mental health concerns.
• Ability to provide competent social work services, crisis intervention, and referral services to students and other persons of diverse cultural, ethnic, racial and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Ability to conduct formal and informal assessments consistent with school-based practice.
• Ability to work efficiently, effectively and cooperatively with multidisciplinary teams.

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀

The essential job functions include, but are not limited to, the following fundamental duties:

• Assess student functioning, both formally and informally, incorporating data from multiple sources across settings.
• Provide appropriate social work services to individuals and groups and their families.
• Consult with parents, teachers, and administrators to develop intervention strategies to enhance school success.
• Identify, mobilize and coordinate family, school and community resources to enable children to receive maximum benefit from their educational program.
• Facilitate problem-solving meetings between families and the school.
• Provide crisis intervention services for students.
• Provide consultation to school personnel regarding home, neighborhood and community conditions affecting student well being.
• Serve as a resource to school staff regarding identification and reporting of child abuse and neglect.
• Serve as the school contact person for students who are homeless.
• Consult and collaborate with community agencies and other mental health professionals to coordinate services.
• Participate in multidisciplinary teams.
• Attend and participate in individual, group and all social work staff supervision meetings, as well as, District mandated training as assigned.
• Assist in resolving truancy concerns.
• Maintain records in a manner consistent with District practices.
• When serving students in Special Education, engage in proper due process procedures.
• Uphold the ethical standards of the Social Work profession.
• Contribute to the District's inclusive workplace efforts by fostering a safe, welcoming and respectful environment.
• Perform other related duties as assigned which may include program development, supervision of teaching assistants, management of programs for emotionally and behaviorally disordered students and resource development for students.

𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

Essential functions are functions that the individual holding the position must be able to perform unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation through the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and the Americans with Disability Amendments Act (ADAAA). The essential functions are typical duties as outline under Responsibilities.

Regular and reliable attendance.

Maybe exposed to various cleaning products.

𝗣𝗮𝘆, 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀, & 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲

This is a 10 month position working 40 hours per week.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Teacher negotiated labor agreement. The labor agreement and salary schedule can be found at https://www.spps.org/Page/33566.

Benefits are available to new employees after 30 days of active employment. Benefits include medical insurance, life insurance, sick leave, pension plan, tax-free retirement account, and flexible spending account. Some employee groups also receive vacation, dental insurance and disability insurance. A benefits summary is available at https://www.spps.org/Domain/13220.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗧𝗼 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆

To be considered further, please apply for this position and attach a resume and cover letter to your online application.

The Human Resource Department will review your application materials and contact you regarding the next steps.

To attach additional documents to your online application, click on the "Additional Attachments" link from the applicant homepage and upload your documents as attachments. Valid file extensions for attaching a document include .doc, .txt, .rtf, and .pdf.

𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆

Saint Paul Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and supports an inclusive workplace environment.

𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

SPPS is committed to an equitable workforce where all employees represent this commitment through equitable practices in their job position.

 

𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗲-𝗞 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗣𝗣𝗦

The Pre-Kindergarten program provides a rigorous academic preschool education for children.  Classes focus on teaching children to:

• see themselves as capable learners;
• develop reading, writing and math skills; and
• work well with other children and adults. 

Up to 20 children are enrolled in each class with a licensed teacher and an assistant. Children are enrolled for full day, full school year programming. 

You can learn more about Saint Paul Public Schools’ Pre-K program at https://www.spps.org/domain/1551 

𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗲𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹

Our school was created from the vision of elders and community members. Their goal was to provide an American Indian perspective and to welcome students of all backgrounds to a diverse school community. Our teaching approach is rooted in American Indian culture, traditions, values, history and art.

You can learn more about American Indian Magnet school at https://www.spps.org/Domain/10