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WRITTEN BY Site Administrator ON October 24, 2018

October 2018

Happy fall season and the Navajo New Year! We are entering into the second semester of the school year. New students are settling in well to their new surroundings and adjusting to the structure of residential life and a new school. Returning students who have already acclimated to their surrounding are assisting new students in this endeavour.

At the end of this school year, the BIE will conclude funding of our Kinlani C.L.A.N. program, a 21^st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) grant. Kinlani C.L.A.N. offers extracurricular activities here at the dorm in culture/language, leadership, academic enrichment, and nutrition wellness. This year we are very grateful to Vicki Anderson to offer Native American cooking class. The focus of this class is to renew interest in traditional foods but preparing them with contemporary recipes. During the first session, students made blue corn mush with fruit compote parfait. It was a delicious take on traditional corn mush. The three sisters (corn, beans, squash) and other traditional foods are also being prepared.

The Kinlani Film project, another project funded by the Kinlani CLAN grant, is in its second year. Last year three short films were produced by this group. This year’s goals include focusing on fiction films that include inspiration from students’ culture and language. Students are currently learning about the creative process and will learn about writing, editing, lighting, camerawork, and music. Two screenings will be held to showcase these short films.

The Kinlani STEM project will be continuing in this last and final year. This year’s activities kicked off with a 3D printing project that included the engineering design process, intro to 3D printing, and intro to TinkerCAD. Larry Marek, consultant, will lead other STEM activities throughout the year including programming Sphero robots.

The student leadership group, LEAPSTERS, recently lead Flagstaff High School staff, faculty and FBD students in team building activities during the FBD Open House for FHS. These student leaders receive training to mentor students and guide them through team-building exercises to promote inclusivity. According to vice principal, Robin Pete, the staff and faculty “were still talking today about how much fun they had and the laughter they enjoyed in the activities” the following day. Great job, Leapsters!

Six students and their chaperon recently attended the American Indian Science and Engineering Society Annual Conference in Oklahoma City, October 3 – 7, 2018. The mission of the AISES is to increase the representation of indigenous peoples in science, technology, engineering and math studies and careers. The conference was very informative with many mentors encouraging students to enter STEM fields and careers.

The first Know Your CLAN Conference was held on September 19, 2018. Presenters interacted with students in a number of presentations including “Speak Easy” with Dan McGinnis of Toastmasters, “Native Clean Snacks” with June Jacome, “Talking Care of Belongings,” a Diné Language Immersion lesson with Terry Curley, “Seeing Beyond Now” with Michael Adams, and “Teambuilding” with FBD Leapsters. A parent session of Know Your CLAN will be held on November 20, 2018. If you can attend, parents, please join us for this mini-conference.

Fourteen students will be attending the AZ Native Youth Leadership Summit to be held on October 18, 2018, at NAU. Other activities held at the dorm are intermural sports with other dorms, a welcome back to school country western dance, and monthly birthday bash to celebrate student birthdays. A root beer float, hotdog, and nacho social have also been held.

Although we keep students busy and involved, we do not ignore academics. Study hall is held daily except for Friday and weekends. Tutors, staff, and volunteer tutors assist students with homework and assignments. Over 80 students were recognized with an honor roll outing. Students, keep up the good grades.

Enjoy this wonderful weather but always be prepared for rain, snow, or whatever Mother Nature decide to surprise us with.

Ms. Boone-Schuler, CEO

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Native Cooking class

Berries, apples, and other goodies ready to cook on stove