Spring 2015
Oklahoma City
Public Schools
Native American
Student Services
Newsletter
Native American
Summer Day Camp
Native American
Student Services
900 N. Klein
OKC, OK 73106
405-587-0355
www.okcps.org
Special Points
of Interest
OKC Metro
Hand Game
Scholarship Info
Upcoming
Events!
Goard Dance
Society
Native American Summer Day Camp is just
around the corner!
Our camp is open to K-6th grade OKCPS
Native American students. The camp is free,
students are fed breakfast and lunch and
we do provide transportation from one
north side school and one south side school to the camp location. Students older than 6th
grade are encouraged to attend as volunteers. Students will have a week full of Native
American cultural activities, speakers, crafts and field trips.
The camp will be from June 15-18, 2015. Applications will be available on April 13, 2015
on our website or at our NASS office.
School Supplies
and School Uniforms
Every year, JOM students are eligible to receive
a starter school supply kit and school uniform
assistance, BUT you must apply every year. There
are a few changes for this year:
1.We have combined both the school supply and
school uniform application. Please only mark
the item(s) you are applying for.
2.We are lowering the amount students receive
for school uniform assistance to $30/student.
We are doing this so that we are able to give
more students vouchers.
APPLICATIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT OUR OFFICE
OR ON OUR WEBSITE ON APRIL 13TH.
PLEASE APPLY EARLY!
For questions, call NASS at 587-0355
OKC Metro
Hand Game
Join us for the annual
OKC Metro Hand Game!
All OKCPS Native students
and families invited!
OKC Metro Hand Game
Saturday, April 11, 2015
Boulevard Academy
215 N Boulevard, Edmond
12:00 pm: Lunch
12:30 pm: Games Begin
Hosted by Edmond Indian Ed.
For more info call 587-0358
Elementary Academic Awards
Every year, NASS gives out academic awards to
elementary students. Students must be nominated
by a teacher, staff, Native American Advisor
or principal.
•Nomination forms will go out
to schools on March 30th.
•Parents will be notified the week
of May 4th, if your student is receiving
an award.
•Awards will be given out on May 12th
at Grant High School at 6pm.
If you have questions, please call NASS at 587-0355.
Kuduks Hudi Gourd Society
The Kuduks Hudi Gourd Society is OKCPS Native American Student Services’ newest cultural
program. This program is geared for OKCPS Native American male students in grades pre-k to 12th.
The gourd society is overseen by our wonderful veteran gourd dancer, Lorenzo Beard, Pawnee/
Cheyenne/Arapaho. Mr. Beard has invested a lot into this pilot year, and we wanted to do something
to tie his work to our society. We decided to name the gourd dance “Kuduks Hudi” which means
Little Bears in the Pawnee language, in honor of our amazing mentor.
Kuduks Hudi was formally introduced into the arena at the NASS 8th Annual Contest Powwow on
November 22, 2014. Each boy made their own bandolier as a way to learn and increase their
cultural identity. Our hope for this group is for the young men to become connected to their
culture, find a love for gourd dancing, and remain with the group throughout their school years.
Since being introduced the society has been invited to dance with the OKC Powwow Club and at
the Wichita Healthy Generations dance. Many community members have expressed nice supportive
compliments about the boys. We are thrilled to have young men and their families sincerely
engaged and committed to the society. We are excited to see how it will grow. If you have a
student interested please contact Rochell Werito at 405-587-0358 for more information.
Upcoming Events
Scholarships
April 2
Cultural Night, 6pm, OKCPS Admin Bldg
April 9-10
OKCPS Native American Student
Art Show, Penn Square Mall
Juniors & Seniors - Now is the time to
start applying for scholarships.
NASS can help you!
April 11
OKC Metro Hand Game, Noon,
Boulevard Academy, 215 N Boulevard,
Edmond
April 30
Native American Senior Honor Banquet,
6pm, Will Rogers Garden Exhibition
Center (Seniors Only)
May 7
Cultural Night, 6pm, OKCPS Admin Bldg
May 12
Native American Elementary Academic
Awards Assembly, 6pm, Grant HS
Contact Sarah Botone at [email protected]
Here are a list of a few scholarships:
•OCCC- OKC GO www.occc.edu/okcgo
•Questbridge www.questbridge.org
•Fastweb www.fastweb.com
•www.scholarships.com
May 19
Indian Taco Sale, 10am—1pm,
Choctaw Tribal Alliance Building
Check with your Tribal Higher Education Department
for scholarship information.
ResoNative Youth Dance Troupe
OIGA-Oklahoma Indian
Gaming Association
The Resonative Youth Dance Troupe is our most popular
cultural program. The Dance Troupe is an official
representation of the OKCPS Native American Student
Services and ambassador of good will.
The troupe performs for schools, organizations, and
competes annually in the Operation Eagle Battle of the
Plains in Dewey, Oklahoma. The troupe is made up of
OKCPS Native American students from Pre-K to High School.
Currently, there are eighteen tribes represented within
our dance troupe. The Dance Troupe is not only a way
to educate and celebrate diversity, it also allows our
performers to gain confidence in public speaking,
networking, and cultural knowledge. If there are any
students that may be interested in joining our dance troupe
or would like to request a performance please call Rochell
at 587-0358.
The John Marley Scholarship Fund is for
the children of casino industry employees.
The deadline is April 2. No exceptions.
Applicant requirements: an application,
essay, 2 letters of recommendation, official
high school transcript, and a copy of an
official acceptance letter or class schedule
for a Technical School, Community College,
or University.
For questions about the essay or
requirements contact Sheila Morago at
[email protected]
Indian Taco Sales are fundraisers
to help with our Senior Banquet.
Pick up only. Each taco is $5.
To order: call 587-0355 or
email Joann at [email protected]!
Help Support our kids!
Native American Student Services
900 N Klein, Room 428
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
(405) 587-0355
Native American Student Services Staff
Central Office Staff
Dr. Star Yellowfish, Administrator................................ [email protected]
Joann Ward, Administrative Secretary.......................... [email protected]
Sarah Botone, College & Career Program [email protected]
Rochell Werito, Cultural Program Coord........................ [email protected]
Native American Advisors
Geneva Meely: Arthur, Jefferson MS & Parmelee.............. [email protected]
Yafke Marks: Hayes, Webster MS & Bodine...................... [email protected]
Taylor Mann: Taft, SE HS, & Southern Hills..................... [email protected]
Pat Myers: Grant HS & Centennial HS............................ [email protected]
Delana Ayers: Adams, Roosevelt & Prairie Queen.............. [email protected]
Michael Herron: NWC, CSAS, & Kaiser........................... [email protected]
Rebecca Hamilton: Coolidge, Fillmore & Hillcrest............ [email protected]
Michael Elizondo: Arthur, JMHS & Taft MS....................... [email protected]
NASS Main Number: 405-587-0355
STAY INFORMED!!
Join the Native American
parent/student listserv!
Get the latest information
on our NASS dept and community
events! We will do a monthly
email blast about any new
information from our department
and promote community events.
To join the listserv, email
Sarah at [email protected].