CEO Update, March 2019

Greetings! parents, guardians, and relatives:

With spring break only weeks away, many of us are already sensing spring fever. However, with spring break also comes the last quarter of the academic school year which means end-of-year projects, finals, and course completions, etc. Seniors are busy polishing scholarship applications and awaiting college acceptance letters. This year’s graduating class of 22 students are bracing themselves for life on their own after graduation. Four seniors have already been accepted to Coconino Community College and one to Colorado State University. Others have applied to NAU, ASU and UNM as well as others. Congratulations, Class of 2019! Go Eagles!

Two Kinlani students earn recognition

Of the many talented students here at Kinlani Dorm, two were recently recognized for their accomplishments. Gracelyn Nez, freshmen, was named Arizona Daily Sun’s Basketball Athlete of the Year.  According to the AZ Daily Sun, “For her ability to adjust quickly to the varsity level, her natural talents and competitive drive….” she was named athlete of the year.  Awesome job, Gracelyn!

Ben Shanahan, Arizona Daily Sun Photo; Gracelynn Nez, #13

Aurora Smith, senior, was named Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year.  Along with the title comes a $5,000 scholarship award and a laptop computer.  With an interest in culinary arts, she would like to attend either Monroe College or Kendall College. Aurora is on the FHS Culinary Arts Competition Team and will represent FHS in a culinary competition at the end of the month.  We wish you lots of success at your competition, Aurora!

Jake Bacon, Arizona Daily Sun Photo; Aurora Smith

Close Up Flagship Program

Three students were selected to attend a weeklong visit of Washington DC and New York City with the Close Up Flagship Program.  Students are required to write a 500 word essay and meet eligibility requirements including GPA and attendance. A letter of recommendation from a community organization representative, tribal or community leader, teacher or club sponsor is also required.  This year junior Ignacio Agoodie, and seniors Shylowe Begay and Carmen Joe will attend the Close Up Flagship program on March 17 – 24, 2019.  Students are encouraged to apply for the 2019-2020 annual Close Up Flagship Program. Applications are open up to December 2019.

NYC skyline from Central Park

2018 Close Up Flagship Program participants: Tyree Anthony, Shannon Yessilth, Amy Begay, Cameron Kee

Evelina Bahe, Cameron Kee, AZ Representative Tom O’Halleran, Amy Begay, Shannon Yessilth, Tyree Anthony.

Summer Programs

Summer programs offered by colleges and universities from through-out the country are a great way for students to learn new skills and prepare themselves for the new school year.  Many of these program provide free tuition, lodging, and meals.  These summer program provide academic readiness and personal development in preparation for college and beyond.

Here are a few other academic summer programs available:

• Diné College, Tsaile Campus, free Summer Bridge Program – Session I: June 8 -14 and Session II: July 13 – 19, 2019.  For more information call: (505) 368-3625, or email: rrdescheny@dinecollege.edu
• NAU Nizhoni Academy - https://in.nau.edu/nizhoni-academy/
• NAU Upward Bound Math & Science - https://nau.edu/ubms/
• Phillips Academy - (MS)2 Program, https://www.teenlife.com/summer-program/phillips-academy-ms2/
• For more information:  search Google “Summer Programs for Native American Students”

Other Summer Programs:

• Youth Conservation Corps – earn money and work at one of Arizona’s National Parks including Grand Canyon, Hubbell Trading Post, Navajo, Petrified Forest, Canyon de Chelly, Sunset Crater, Wupatki, Walnut Canyon - https://www.nps.gov/subjects/youthprograms/ycc.htlm

21^st Century Kinlani CLAN Program ending   

At the end of the 2018-2019 school year our 21^st Century Community Learning Center Kinlani CLAN grant will have run its three-year course.  Four main goals were cited in the original grant:

1. Increase overall scores in math and reading
2. Decrease negative student behavior incidences while increasing positive student behaviors
3. Increase attendance in project-based learning, STEM, community service, nutrition/wellness activities, and in Native culture workshops
4. Increase attendance in parental and family involvement activities

Over the three year period, many activities were implemented to address these goals including the quarterly Know Your CLAN (KYC) conferences, weekly STEM activities, Kinlani Film, Native Foods Cooking Class, as well as other social, behavioral, and academic activities.  Both in-state and out-of-state college visits were made and dual enrollment courses were paid by the grant.  An integral part of the grant to increase positive behaviors involved the implementation of the Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) program. Integrated into the Behavioral Health Program was the 12-session Coping and Support Program (CAST) program offering during the fall and spring semesters. Study hall, tutoring/homework assistance, academic workshops, and college preparation workshops were provided to all students. Promotional items were made available to students at most KYC conference. The Leapster mentorship program was also a component to address student leadership. The student leaders also known as Leapsters provided activities to students and staff including the FHS teachers/staff. They also made a presentation at the 2019 Native American Youth, Educators, and Employers Conference and received excellent survey results.  This are just a sampling of activities during the duration of the 3-year Kinlani CLAN (Culture, Leadership, Academic and Nutrition/Wellness) Program.

To conclude the program a three-year program evaluation will be conducted to ascertain how well the goals were met. This External Evaluation will be made available in July 2019 at the www.kinlanidorm.org website. We thank all students, parents, and staff support of this 21^st Century Community Learning Center grant.