- Bismarck Public Schools
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Welcome
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Welcome to the homepage of BPS Indian Education Program. The Indian Education program provides academic and cultural supportive services to the American Indian students attending BPS schools.
Events
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NOTICE OF ELECTION Indigenous Parent Advisory Committee
Parents, Grandparents, & Guardians
The BPS Indigenous Parent Advisory Committee (IPAC) is looking to fill two positions on their board with an election on Wednesday March 17 at BHS Auditorium at 6pm.
The two open positions are Secretary, and Member-at-Large and will serve for two years. To serve on the IPAC, the parent/grandparent/guardian must have a current Indigenous student attending Bismarck Public Schools.Come prepared with a brief statement of your interest in the position and how your contributions can help Indigenous children attending Bismarck Public Schools be successful. This election will be in-person only and will be voted on by those in attendance.
Food and water will be served. We will practice social distancing guidelines and encourage everyone to wear a mask.
Roy Gilbreath Auditorium. Doors 16 & 17 will be opened. People can park in the North lot or the lot across the street on 7th. -
Director hired for Indigenous Education Program
BPS hires Sashay Schettler as our program's first-ever Indian Education Director.BPS Hires Sashay Schettler as Indian Education DirectorBismarck, ND – March 5, 2021 – Bismarck Public Schools has hired Sashay Schettler as their first ever full-time Indian Education Director. Bismarck Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Jason Hornbacher stated, “BPS is lucky to have Mrs. Schettler in this position. Her experience in the field of education, her proven ability to forge relationships, and comprehensive understanding of Indigenous cultures provides BPS a unique blend of leadership and passion that will benefit the entire community.”The mission of BPS is to “Empower every learner to thrive.” It was with this in mind that the decision to hire a dedicated Indian Education Director was made for the purpose of better providing leadership and resources supporting the needs of indigenous students and their education.Schettler, a citizen of the MHA Nation whose Hidatsa name is Owl Woman, stated, “This position’s creation is an exciting moment in history for Bismarck Public Schools, our Indigenous Nations, and our collective Bismarck community. I look forward to serving as a beacon of hope and support for our Indigenous communities as well as our non-native relatives.”Schettler began working as a special education aide for Wachter Middle School in the fall of 2018. From there, she transitioned into the role of Cultural Responsive Coordinator for the district. She majored in American Indian Studies at the University of North Dakota, and currently is in the process of completing her master’s in Teacher Leadership from the University of Mary. She is expected to begin officially serving in her new director role on March 15, 2021.BPS is the largest school district in the state, with 13,276 students on the first day of 2020-21. It encompasses over 500 classrooms in 16 grade schools, 3 middle schools, 3 senior high schools, an alternative high school, a Career Academy and Technical Center, and an early childhood education program (BECEP). -
Indigenous Parent Survey - Almost 300 responses!
Thank you all that participated in our Indigenous Parent Survey!
We had almost 300 individuals respond.We have selected our winners. They have been notified. Your input is extremely valuable. We may offer a survey again in the future.Survey results will be presented at the next Parent Committee meeting and a summary will be shared online.In the meantime, please plan to attend our next Indigenous Education Parent Committee meeting THIS Thursday Nov 5 at 6pm which will be held online. ZOOM link available here: https://www.facebook.com/events/362867228107186We appreciate you! Thank you again for your participation. -
NOV 5 Rescheduled: Parent Committee Meeting - Oct 2020
The Title VI / JOM Parent Committee of BPS will meet online November 5th, 2020
Time: November 5th, 2020 06:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)Minutes from Sept 2020:
https://drive.google.com/.../1Tjobmb-ScnhwF41T.../view...Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9044472425...Meeting ID: 904 447 2425
Passcode: 149539- Parent Involvement is key to the success of BPS Indigenous students. As a part of the Indian Education Act of 1972, the Title VI Parent Committee is a collective of elected members comprised of parents, teachers, and students who meet regularly throughout the school year. The Parent Committee works with the Title VI & JOM Director, Title VI & JOM Coordinator, and two Cultural Responsive Coordinators to serve in an advisory role for the Title VI & JOM program. -
CLOSED: Please help us by filling out Indigenous Education Survey
7 WINNERS HAVE BEEN CHOSEN AND WE WILL BE CONTACTING THIS WEEK (updated 11/2/20)
Results will be shared at November 5th Parent Committee meeting
SURVEY CLOSED OCT 16TH
Parents/Grandparents/Guardians
Indigenous Education Survey - FALL 2020
Your feedback and input are important to ensure that we are meeting the needs of your children and families. The information collected in this survey by the Indigenous Education program at BPS will also be summarized and shared with the BPS district administration.
Those who complete this survey will have their name entered in a random drawing to win one of 7 Visa gift cards ranging from $50 to $100.
Your participation in the survey is optional and you may stop at any time. All personal information will be kept confidential and used only to contact the winners of the gift cards.
Thank you for giving of your time to complete this survey!
ACCESS THE SURVEY HERE: http://bit.ly/IPACSurvey2020 -
Parent Committee Meeting - September 2020
The Title VI / JOM Parent Committee of BPS will meet online September 22 2020
Time: September 22, 2020 06:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9044472425...Meeting ID: 904 447 2425
Passcode: 149539- Parent Involvement is key to the success of BPS Indigenous students. As a part of the Indian Education Act of 1972, the Title VI Parent Committee is a collective of elected members comprised of parents, teachers, and students who meet regularly throughout the school year. The Parent Committee works with the Title VI & JOM Director, Title VI & JOM Coordinator, and two Cultural Responsive Coordinators to serve in an advisory role for the Title VI & JOM program. -
FREE meals for all BPS students!
Bismarck Public Schools will serve all students free meals starting September 8 through December 31, 2020 or until federal funding runs out. This includes all students, no matter their income level or if they are in the classroom or taking part in distance learning. Ala Carte items will still be available for purchase; these items are not free.
If you have Hybrid students, parents can fill out a meal request form each week through MyPayments Plus (use the link below). Meals will be sent home with students at the end of their school day. Hybrid meal ordering may change as we work through these ever-changing times.
If your student is Distance Learning, meals can be picked up from the high school selected on the form (use the link below to apply weekly). Pick up times are Fridays (or last day of the school week) between 11 am-1 pm in the cafeteria. Starting Sept. 18, Distance Learners will also have an option of picking up meals from a middle school.
https://www.mypaymentsplus.com/welcome
The free meals will be funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as the country continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bismarck Public Schools will continue to track when students eat breakfast or lunch. Current funds in a student account will be held for when charges resume. Families are still encouraged to fill out forms for the Free & Reduced Meal Program, as these free meals are temporary. There are also other household benefits to qualifying for the Free & Reduced Meal Program. For the Free and Reduced Meal Application, go to https://www.bismarckschools.org/Page/2193.
Michelle Wagner, RD, SNS
Child Nutrition Program Director
Bismarck Public Schools
701-323-4090 -
Parent Committee Meeting - August 2020
The AUGUST 2020 meeting of the BPS Title VI & JOM Parent Committee will be held online Tuesday, August 25th at 5:30 pm.
Meeting location will be on ZOOM meetings at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9044472425?pwd=WUw0MGc5NFJQMU03M05RbkdMMXRnUT09
Meeting ID: 904 447 2425
Passcode: 149539
AGENDA: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RGNQ5Ibfv5SyP2jLd_lPCVUeN495_fLxiuExMA79AWI/edit?usp=sharing
- Parent Involvement is key to the success of BPS Indigenous students. As a part of the Indian Education Act of 1972, the Title VI Parent Committee is a collective of elected members comprised of parents, teachers, and students who meet regularly throughout the school year. The Parent Committee works with the Title VI & JOM Director, Title VI & JOM Coordinator, and two Cultural Responsive Coordinators to serve in an advisory role for the Title VI & JOM program.
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May 2020 Newsletter
Please click below to read the May 2020 Newsletter for the BPS Indigenous Education program
- including a letter from the Title VI & JOM Parent CommitteeMay 2020 Newsletter BPS Indigenous Education
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Title VI Public Hearing
The ANNUAL Public Hearing for the Bismarck Public Schools TITLE VI INDIAN EDUCATION Program is set for:
- Monday, June 8th at 12pm
- Tuesday, June 9th 2020 at 6:00 p.m.PUBLIC HEARING LINK:Meeting ID: 899 2638 5998Password: 0sprCaInformation on the program and links to the virtual meetings will be posted here at www.bismarckschools.org/Page/431
Please attend and share your ideas for the TITLE VI program with other Native American parents and the school district for the school year of 2020-21. -
Newly Elected Parent Committee
We want to congratulate the new members of the BPS Title VI & Johnson O'Malley Education Parent Committee. Congratulations again and we look forward to a great year!
From L-R: Secretary-M. Angel Moniz, Chairperson-Billie Jo Beheler, Members at large- Ohitika Tasso and Alicia Hegland Thorpe, Vice Chairperson- Natasha Gourd.
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Parent Committee Meetings for 2019-20
August 26, 2019
The BPS Indian Education Parent Committee (Title VI/JOM) will meet on the 4th Tuesday of each month during the upcoming 2019-20 school year. The dates are listed below:
- August 27th, 2019
- September 10th, 2019
- September 24th, 2019
- October 29th, 2019 (5th Tuesday of month)
- November 26th, 2019
- December 17th, 2019 (3rd Tuesday of month)
- January 28th, 2020
- February 25th, 2020
- March 24th, 2020
- April 28th, 2020
- May 19th, 2020 (3rd Tuesday of month)
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Backpacks for available for BPS American Indian students
August 26, 2019
Backpacks (zipper binders for middle school students) are available to students enrolled at Bismarck Public Schools, and who are Title VI eligible.
Students are Title VI eligible if they are enrolled or have a parent or grandparent enrolled in a federally recognized tribe. Students must have a valid Title VI eligibility form (506 form) on file in the BPS Indian Education office to receive Title VI services.
Please call Chadwick Kramer at 701.323.4050 to arrange a time to pick up at the Indian Education Office or to have backpack delivered to your student's school.
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Tribune article on Cultural Responsive Coordinators
"Donovan Lambert is one of two coordinators hired this year to support Native American students. Lambert and the other coordinator, Sashay Schettler, work one-on-one with Native American students and their families to help them navigate the school system, which can be difficult when moving from a reservation."
Please click HERE for Bismarck Tribune article from Sunday, April 22, 2019
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Scholarships for American Indian Students
Scholarship Resources for American Indian Students:
Paying for College: Resource for Native American High School Students
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Meet the new Cultural Responsive Coordinators!
Meet the new Cultural Responsive Coordinators!
Sashay Schettler (MHA Nation): Dorothy Moses Elementary, Horizon Middle School, Northridge Elementary, and Will-Moore Elementary
Donovan Lambert (Spirit Lake): Jeannette Myhre Elementary, Pioneer Elementary, Legacy High School, Century High School
Please read the letter from the new Cultural Responsive Coordinators at https://goo.gl/h96t58
Our Role as Coordinators:
The Cultural Coordinators are here to provide support for American Indian students on their journey towards graduation. They will do this by providing academic, social, emotional and cultural support to each American Indian student based on their individual goals. In addition, they will work with administrators, schools
and staff to host district events, culturalprograming and supportculturally relevant curriculum. The Coordinators are both very excited to be in a position to aid our BPS American Indian community. They look forward to working with their students and parents to secure the success of each student.Sashay Schettler
Degree: BA in American Indian Studies, Minor in History from the University of North Dakota
Schools: Dorothy Moses Elementary, Horizon Middle School, Northridge Elementary, and Will-Moore Elementary
Hello, my name is Sashay and I attended the University of North Dakota to become an advocate for American Indian peoples. As an enrolled member of the Three Affiliated Tribes, I am thrilled to be in a position where I can do this. As a Cultural
Coordinator I want to work with you, the schools and your young learner(s) to aid them in their journey towards graduation.Donovan Lambert
Degree: BS in General Studies, Minor in Coaching from Minot State University
Schools: Jeannette Myhre Elementary, Pioneer Elementary, Legacy High School, Century High School
Hello, my name is Donovan Lambert and I am one of the Cultural Responsive Coordinators.
I am a graduate of Minot State University with a BS in General Studies and a minor in Coaching. In my current role, I get an opportunity to work in a job that I am passionate about. I look forward
in working with students, families, and schools establishing cultural programming and set goals towards student’s success. -
Facebook page for BPS Indian Education
Please visit the BPS Indian Education Program page on Facebook. Indian Education Program and Community event information
is posted often here!
Contact Us
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David Wisthoff
Office of Indian Education, Director
Principal, Bismarck High School
(701) 323-4800Chadwick Kramer (Standing Rock)
Office of Indian Education, Coordinator
(701) 323-4050Donovan Lambert (Spirit Lake)
Office of Indian Education, Cultural Responsive Coordinator
(701) 323-4134Sashay Schettler (MHA Nation)
Office of Indian Education, Cultural Responsive Coordinator
(701) 323-4135The Office of Indian Education is located at:
Moses Elementary School
1312 Columbia Drive
Bismarck ND 58504
