4 minute read
Department of Education
So many people are searching for life’s “new normal.” Although 2021 could never be considered a year of normalcy, it did offer many opportunities for assessing how things are going, focusing on what should be celebrated, changing what can be improved, and finding joy in our blessings. The Department of Education offered academic support programs for students of all ages. The Higher Education Program returned to 100% funding eligibility, tutoring became available again, and programs that had been suspended or modified returned. By putting health and safety measures in place, the DoE was even able to partner with the Center of History and Culture and have a very successful and much needed Kë Gbéshmen (summer camp). In Fall 2021, to the delight of students and staff alike, Zagbëgon Early Learning and Development Academy returned to in-person learning.
From left to right - Back Row: Educational Resource Specialist, Kristie Bussler; Director, Cathy Stone; Educational Associate K–8, Susan Doyle; Front Row: Administrative Assistant & Higher Education Program, Marisela Goodrich; Records & Information Coordinator: Skye Wallin; College & Career Readiness Associate, Adela Galvan
Department of Education: Programs and Services
The Department of Education programs run on an academic year from August 1- July 31. The programs and services are designed to assist and support students of all ages and from locations near and far. For 2021, available funding was back. The big changes came in the methods of communicating and delivery of services. Technology allowed business to flow in the midst of social distancing. Email, phone, fax, credit card payments, and virtual meetings became typical modes of operation which many have found to be highly efficient and even preferred.
ėthë kenomagék
WHERE TEACHING IS DONE
In April 2021, team members were beginning to be called back to work. Positions of those who did not come back were filled by August, and Zagbëgon gained their first Elder Cultural Associate, a team member formerly located in the Department of Education in the Administration building. A permanent language position is anticipated to begin in 2022. One of the first orders of business was to establish policies and procedures to maintain compliance with COVID regulations at that time. Before classes were going to open in person, measures such as distance markers, plexiglass dividers, reduced class sizes, and PPE had to be established. To help mitigate the reduced class size, and maintain service for as many as possible, an additional class was added to the existing two. To prepare the third classroom, some modifications were done, such as adding a counter, sink, and child sized toilet. The six teachers were redistributed and two were placed in each classroom. One of the Lead positions was changed to an Assistant to accommodate this change. Each classroom is allowed a maximum of 10 students and has remained at, or near capacity since the beginning of the school year in September. The latest numbers just before this report are: • Mtegwagké 8 Students • Peshkwa 10 Students • Zibé 9 Students
Beaded Headband, Linda Yazel
With the beginning of the school year, came planning events. Gdenwémagnenanêk Mdagwéwen (Our Family Fun) events such as the Carnival, Harvest Day, Trunk-or-Treat (at the main campus), took place before another wave of COVID variants shut down in-person events. Beginning in January 2022, new plans for virtual events will take place. Once the restrictions for in-person events is lifted, the events will transition back to follow suit. • Orientation: 94 Participants • September Gdenwémagnenanêk Mdagwéwen: 128 Participants Staff: 14, Adults: 50, and Children: 64 Zibé – 12 Adults and 17 Children Mtegwagké – 22 Adults and 21 Children Peshkwa – 14 Adults and 19 Children • Harvest Day: 56 Participants – Staff: 12, Adults: 16, and Children: 28 • Trunk-or-Treat: 86 Participants – Staff: 63 and Children: 23 • Honoring Our Veterans: 61 Participants – Staff: 25, Veterans: 13, and Children: 23 In 2021, Zagbëgon was awarded two grants. One was the Child Care Stabilization Grant to ensure resources to remain open during the pandemic. The second was the Institute of Museum and Library Services or IMLS grant. This grant is to support cultural learning aids such as games, books, and online resources. Plans are currently underway to develop a Potawatomi Language learning website geared for young children. Structurally, there have been some improvements for safety to the building including connecting a sidewalk from the one in the playground to the one outside the fence. This is to ensure a clear path for students when entering and exiting the building per the new COVID-19 procedures. In 2022, the plans are to add permanent awnings to protect from the elements and add additional parking to the existing lot utilizing BIA funds and assistance from Department of Housing.
