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
21st Century Kinlani CLAN Program ending
At the end of the 2018-2019 school year our 21st Century Community Learning Center Kinlani CLAN grant will have run its three-year course. Four main goals were cited in the original grant:
- Increase overall scores in math and reading
- Decrease negative student behavior incidences while increasing positive student behaviors
- Increase attendance in project-based learning, STEM, community service, nutrition/wellness activities, and in Native culture workshops
- 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 21st Century Community Learning Center grant.
CEO December 2018 Update
Parents, guardians, and relatives,
Thank you for choosing Kinlani Dorm as your child/children’s residential hall for school year 2018-2019. The semester has gone by quickly and it is already time for end-of-the-year finals. It’s coming down to “crunch time” so we ask our parents to encourage students to get all projects and assignment in, study for finals, and finish out the semester strong.
Annual Miss Dook’o’osliid Pageant held November 14, 2018
It was a bitter sweet moment last month when current reigning Miss Dook’o’osliid, Carmen Joe, passed on her crown to the newly select Miss Dook’o’osliid, Ehcaymmi “Kay” Isaac at the annual pageant. Miss Isaac is a freshman and comes from Tuba City. Her mother’s name is Elvena Johnson. She is Ma’ii deeshgiizhinii and Lok’aa Dine’e, Hask’aan hadzohi and Tachii’nii. She is also adopted into the Hopi Nation and is Coyote Clan. Her Hopi name is Holletsmon. She serves as freshman representative for Kinlani Dorm Student Council. Nizhoni Tsosie, sophomore, is first attendant to Miss Dook’o’osliid. She is from Chinle and her parents are Roberta and Tony Tsosie, Jr. Her clans are Kinyaa’aanii, T’aachii’nii, Bit’ahnii, and Honaghaahnii. These young women will serve as ambassadors and represent Kinlani Dorm at different events throughout the year.
L to R: Carmen Joe, Ehcaymmi Isaac, Nizhoni Tsosie
Know Your C.L.A.N. Conference for Parents
Two keynote speakers, Antone Honanie and Pearl Yellowman, enlightened the audience at our Know Your C.L.A.N. mini-conference for parents on November 20, 2018. Mr. Honanie shared his knowledge of the Hopi Ceremonial calendar and it’s representation in Hopi life. He shared how different events during the year impact students. Ms. Yellowman addressed different ways of passing on knowledge to our children. One way is through our DNA known as epigenetics. She encouraged participants to engage in true dialogue and interactions with children by sharing crafts or skills, eating dinner together, setting aside quality time without electronics, and eye-to-eye contact when talking with our loved ones. The idea is to make new memories to replace those passed down from former generations who have experienced challenging experiences/trauma. At the “Make & Take” session following the general session, participants made pine needle baskets, Christmas ornaments, beaded medallions and sand paintings. It was a great way to start off the Thanksgiving holiday.
Keynote audience.
Keynote speaker, Pearl Yellowman
Sphero Robots demo by Larry Marek, FBD Consultant
Pine needle basket making
Making Christmas ornaments
Three Kinlani Student films showcased at Orpheum Theater Native American Film Festival
The Flagstaff Dorm Kinlani Film Program showcased three student films at the Orpheum Theater on November 29, 2018 as part of the Native American Film Festival. Kai Begay, junior, produced Placemarking, Jeremain Dougi produced A Boxing Influence, and Chelsea Selestewa produced Box of Crayons. The films were amazing and the producers showed much talent and creativity. They are in their second year of the Kinlani Film Project which is funded by a grant from the 21st Century Community Learning Center. The overall goal of the program is to “…give students the chance to combine technical skills with creativity while fostering personal identity through culture, as well as the ability to work as a group.” The three Kinlani films were entered into a contest sponsored by the Bureau of Creative Works and Chelsea’s film won the top award garnering a $250 cash prize. The other two producers walked away with $50 cash awards. The films can be viewed at:
Box of Crayons
Placemarking
A Boxing Influence
L to R: Jeremain Dougi, Kai Begay, Chelsea Selestewa
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 21st 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
Tod7ch’77nii
Native Cooking class
Berries, apples, and other goodies ready to cook on the stove.
Finished produce, ready to enjoy!
Kinlani Film
Storyboarding (devising the plan)
Shooting the scene
Know Your CLAN Conference, September 19, 2018
Keynote speaker, Darold Joseph
Keynote speaker, things you should do as a student
Impromptu speech with Toastmaster
Native Clean Cooking session
Teambuilding with Leapsters
American Indian Science & Engineering Conference in Oklahoma City
Students who attended AISES 2018
Opening Session of AISES
Posting of Colors by Riverside Indian School ROTC
Lunch at AISES
Programming and playing with Sphero robots
Parents, guardians and relatives,
It’s hard to believe it’s already March. On March 9, 2018 the last quarter of the school year will begin and students will need to remain dedicated to their studies throughout the remainder of the semester. Spring Break will begin on March 19 – 23, 2018, so students get rested and gear up for the last quarter! In the meantime, there has been a lot happening here at Kinlani.
STEM
Larry Marek, FBD consultant, has been engaging students in robotics and STEM activities twice a week since October 2017. In addition, with the help of our VISTA volunteer, Vicki Anderson, the students engaged in an engineering challenge to plan the decorations for the Second Chance Valentine’s Dance held on February 28, 2018. The dance was well received even though the FHS students did not attend as planned due to the FUSD snow day.
Starting the process
Finished product
Engineering design challenge for gym decorations
Fundraising Trips
Two senior class sponsors and sixteen seniors have been fundraising for the past two years and are traveling to Hawaii for an educational and cultural trip during spring break; they will visit the Polynesian Culture Center, University of Hawaii, Dole Plantation, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor and participate in a cultural exchange with peers from the NanaKuli High School.
Students will visit Polynesian Culture Center
Students will visit Pearl Harbor Memorial
College Trips
Twelve juniors and seniors recently toured the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, valley community colleges and one technical school. In hopes of narrowing down their college decisions, these students received information on academic programs, tuition, housing, and other pertinent information. These college trips are made possible through the Kinlani CLAN program, a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant.
Students at ASU
At Universal Technical Institute student try out the virtual welding simulator
Kinlani Film Program
The Kinlani Film Program will begin this month on February 23, 2018 and run through May, 2018. Students will learn all processes to create their own short film and one group film. A screening of the film Shinaab, “An Anishinaable man is restless in the city of Minneapolis, haunted by an ominous sense that he doesn’t belong” will kick of this event. The next session allowed students to film their own short videos with a viewing of this short film at the third. Kinlani Film Program will continue each Friday which Oakley Anderson-Moore as instructor for the program.
Kinlani Film Group
Boys and Girls Club Youth of Year Scholarship Awards recipients
Two Kinlani Dorm students were recently named as Boys and Girls Club Youth of Year Scholarship Awards recipients. In second place, Aurora Smith, junior won a $1,000 scholarship and a Samsung laptop with carrying case. Karrington Remiro, senior, won third place. She, too, won a $1,000 scholarship and a Samsung laptop with carrying case. Congratulations to these two students! Boys and Girls Club (BGC) of Flagstaff Native American Service Director, Mark Cox, has provide many opportunities for our students.
Aurora Smith, left, and Karrington Remiro right.
Leandria Gene, freshmen, Winslow Residential, first place winner of $5000 with Aurora and Karrington.
Know Your CLAN
The Know Your CLAN (culture/language, leadership, academics, and nutrition/wellness) quarterly conferences are made possible from a grant through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers. Challenged with scheduling conflicts, student sports, and daily activities, the staff decided last spring to dedicate one Wednesday per quarter to provide a variety of workshops to address our CLAN goals and objectives. While being informative, we try to make it fun and engaging for our students.
During our December 2017 Strategic Plan Action Planning session, a Parent Involvement Committee was created to generate more parental involvement here at Kinlani. Their first item of business was to invite parents to our Know Your CLAN Conference on February 14, 2018.
Nutrition – Clean foods, clean living presentation, Fall 2017
Wellness/fitness – tennis, Fall 2017
Culture – making blue corn tamales, Fall 2017
Miss Navajo Nation, Crystal Littleben, doing a breakout session. Spring 2018
FBD Miss Dook’o’oosliid, Carmen Joe, and Miss Navajo, Crystal Littleben, Spring 2018
Nick Moore, former Harlem Globetrotter, Keynote at Spring 2018 Know Your CLAN Conference
NNYAC
Cameron Kee, junior at Flagstaff High School and resident of Kinlani Dorm, was recently selected to serve on the Navajo Nation Youth Advisory Council (NNYAC). According to their homepage, “The purpose of the Navajo Nation Youth Advisory Council is to represent the needs and interests of Navajo Nation youth. NNYAC additionally seeks to increase youth involvement within our communities and the organization as a whole.” Along with Sarah Cambridge, he will represent Diné youth from the Western Navajo Agency on the NNYAC. Nizhoniyee’!
Cameron Kee receives his NNYAC pin from Honorable Council Delegete Nathaniel Brown
Cameron Kee proudly displaying his NNYAC pin
Career Launch field trips
In partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Flagstaff, Career Launch will expose students to careers with presentations by professional in their respective fields and trips to their businesses to show them firsthand what their jobs entail. Their first presentation was learning about careers in law enforcement and a visit to the Coconino County Detention Center. Future visits are planned to local businesses.
Police Chief Kevin Treadway talks about Law Enforcement as a career
A police officer talks about a police vehicle
