2019-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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Report of the Indian Education Program The Indian Education program at the Mashpee Public Schools has been in existence since 1972 and services K - 12 Native American students enrolled in the Mashpee Public Schools. This program is offered through the U.S. Department of Education Title VII Indian Education Formula Grant. During school year 2018 - 2019, 156 Native American students attended the Mashpee Public Schools from various tribes, but predominantly from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. Staff funded through the grant include the Program Coordinator and three tutors who met regularly with teachers and administrators to ensure success for our Native American students. Students received support through programming that included cultural education, academic support, and social identity. The Program Coordinator worked with Native American seniors on test preparation, pre -college plans (application assistance and scholarship submissions), and senior seminar presentations. Students participated in cultural workshops that were offered on Wednesdays of each week. The workshops consisted of beading, leather, and drum making projects. In May, 40 Native American Middle and High School students participated in the Cape Cod Community College Diversity Day. These students attended workshops and participated in a seminar by a fellow Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Member and educator. They also enjoyed a cookout and engaged in festive events. This event provided a wonderful opportunity for our students to connect with peers from various cultures. Mashpee Middle and High School students (Grades 7-11) also attended a field trip to Six -Flags New England Amusement Park. Six -Flags has been a requested field trip by students for several years. It was an honor to accommodate their interest. Forty students were in attendance. Students at Mashpee Middle and High School (Grades 7-11) were also visited by a Brown University Representative of Indigenous Studies and Tufts University. Forty-five Quashnet School students (Grades 3- 6) attended a field trip to the Inflatable Park in Yarmouth. The students had such a great time they have already requested a trip to the Inflatable Park for the upcoming school year. In addition, Mashpee hosted the annual end of the year social. Students and their families were in attendance of the event and enjoyed drumming, food, socializing, and a raffle. The Indian Education program celebrated twelve graduating seniors, a 100% graduation rate for our Native American students. The staff was proactive with being advocates for sobriety education and adhering to our cultural ties. There was also a large focus on the cultural aspect of the program this year. By working with the Wampanoag Language Reclamation Project, Native students were provided with the opportunity of learning Algonquian linguistics, the Wampanoag language that has not been fluently spoken for approximately 150 years. The Wampanoag Language Reclamation Project (WLRP) volunteered to work in conjunction with the Indian Education program for students in grades K-6 this year. Carla Riley, Program Coordinator